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Author: Fantaa
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-12 18:31:25

4:28 A.M.

Beads of sweat ran down the deep middle line of Elena’s small back, denting through her light workout vest.

Her hands, which had been extended in continuous repetitions for the past thirty minutes above her crouched knee, trembled as she collapsed on the cold floor and reached for her phone.

At exactly 4:30 A.M, the phone vibrated.

Looking at the familiar number on the screen, Elena picked it up on the third ring and held it up to her ear.

“So what?” Vicenzo’s impatient voice filtered through.

“Has this whole operation been a total waste of my time or not?.”

Elena rolled her eyes.

With the events the night before concerning the lighter case and the invitation, they were truly making progress. But, thinking about the unsolved relationship between the two silver cases, she took a deep breath and responded in a robotic tone. “I received an invitation from Angelo last night. His painting of me has been nominated for an award. He wants me there with him, to receive it.”

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Latest chapter

  • THE LYING GAME   39

    “No!” Elena screamed as her eyelids flung open. She could hear her heart beating loud and clear. It pounded hard against her rib cage, making her breathe heavily as she crawled off the bed to the cold, bare floor.Her silk nightwear clung desperately to her sweaty body like a second skin and tears spilled out of her eyes with no control.It was the same dream as always. Her parents, covered in blood and her brother, boarding a fast vehicle. They didn’t stop no matter how she cried and ran after them.“Lucas,” Elena muttered, her heart squeezing in pain. After so many years apart, she still had no idea what had truly happened that night…had no idea if he was dead or still alive. But she had hope that at least for her sake…, he would hold on.Dragging her body up from the cold floor, Elena stepped into the shower.~She ate breakfast with a faint feeling of nostalgia. With Salvatore as the underboss, and Vincenzo still silent about their recent discovery, she knew her time in the

  • THE LYING GAME   38

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  • THE LYING GAME   36

    “I heard your voice last night…”~Elena’s nails dug into the softness of her palm as she watched the girl lower herself into a kneeling position, her cotton hospital gown rumpling as she did. She couldn’t stay a word. Couldn’t breathe as she waited for Eva’s next words.“I thought I was going to die.” Eva continued, adapting into a sitting position on the cold floor as she stared into the distance with a slack expression on her face. “You know, for a long time, after my mother’s… death. I looked up to Zeta.”“She was like.. a gift. The mother who stayed. The shoulder I got to cry on. The one who I could nag to. The only person who truly…understood me.”Elena stayed quiet but her ears were wide open. Her mind raced as she tried her best not to freak out.“I was a fucking fool. I should’ve listened to you. I should never have gotten too attached.”Eva’s voice cracked. Her shoulders quaked and her voice broke.“I am too goddamn naive. I allowed myself to get deceived by the same woma

  • THE LYING GAME   35

    Elena grabbed a fistful of her evening wear, ripping it off bottom first as she lurched forward. Her high heels dug into the ground, sending jolts of pain up her legs but she could not feel the ache. Almost reaching the car, she jumped at Zeta and pulled her back by the hair. The latter’s yelps and rings of inaudible curses sent a wave of pleasure through her core, but that pleasure was short-lived as the other woman bit into her skin, almost drawing blood. “You could not wait another day, yeah? You just had to fucking do it today!” Elena screamed, punching hard into Zeta’s side. “You.. bitch!” Zeta yelled as she fell to the ground. Elena ran to the back door and pulled on the handle, yet it wouldn't budge. Pacing erratically, she pounded on the window to wake the sleeping figure in the backseat. “Eva! Wake up!” Seeing Eva lying still despite the loud noise, a knot tightened in her belly. “What have you done?”She breathed. A low tremble lingered in her voice as she turned

  • THE LYING GAME   34

    “What do you fucking mean Eva got missing under your watch?!”A deep voice bellowed from behind. Elena and Salvatore looked up from the CCTV footage they were intensely watching. Turning around, they found Angel seated in his chair outside the room with a dark scowl on his face. He’d arrived at the hotel a few minutes ago, expecting to join the event, only to be greeted by the sudden news.The manager who appeared to have aged ten more years walked forward stiffly, her knees buckling as she pleaded with trembling lips and chin. “I’m sorry, Mr. Axton. I will… take full responsibility for this.”“Responsibility?” Angel snickered. A devilish grin settled on his face. “Will your goddamn responsibility find my niece?”The manager’s trembling lips parted and closed.“Thought so.” Angel’s eyes clamped tight. “Get lost!”The manager scurried off and for a second, the room stilled. Angel moved in and everything returned to normal. Unfastening his wristwatch, he handed it over to a bodyguard

  • THE LYING GAME   33

    Huge chandeliers hung above the high ceiling, illuminating the tastefully decorated hall, and casting its halos on the cheerful gathering below. Evangelina Axton’s 16th birthday gathering was marked as a private event. The media was forbidden from getting a 100 meters close to the hotel and only a selected few elites were cordially invited to grace the occasion.Elena downed her second glass of champagne as she watched Eva pace about the room nervously. Finally, she stopped in front of a full-body mirror, clasping her fingers together.Tonight, Eva appeared more mature in a baby’s breath blue evening gown and beautiful makeup. Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders in curls and even Elena could tell how pretty she truly was.The event manager had been to the dressing room twice to announce that it was time for Eva to make her appearance, yet the girl kept postponing, saying that she wasn't ready.At the third knock, Elena stood to her feet. She picked up a clip from the dressin

  • THE LYING GAME   32

    Elena collapsed on the living room sofa, not hiding her exhaustion any longer. Mentally, emotionally, and physically, she was drained.It had been a hectic day in school guiding Eva, who was not only nonchalant about her projects but too stubborn to take corrections as well.Somewhere, deep down in her heart, she wondered if perhaps Eva belonged to a secret coven of nanny-frustrating wards. It wouldn't be a surprise if she was. At least, it would make it easier to understand her witchy- bitchy attitude.Zeta’s disappointment had not only made her morning harder, but it had frustrated the rest of her day and right now, it made Elena mad that the silly woman had been sick at home while she had been at the receiving end of Eva’s foul mood.“Eva?” A familiar voice called out from the doorway, and Zeta suddenly appeared, making Elena frown.Was she not supposed to be… sick?Scanning around the room and settling on Elena, the smile on Zeta’s face froze and the expression on her face turned

  • THE LYING GAME   31

    Long, slender legs, fitted into red-hot stilettos, moved elegantly past the corridors, and into the private elevator.The lift halted at the top floor with a ding, and Zeta Mancini stepped out into the hallway. Her entire figure was wrapped in a big, brown fur coat, and her smooth face was beaten into a sleek perfection. Reaching the doorway where she had been barely thirty minutes ago, she placed a hand in between the door frame and retrieved a slipper preventing the door from coming together with her free hand.As she entered, it protested with a click, locking her in. She walked carefully into the quarters, finding her way to its large bedroom.Her pulse was pounding somewhere in the 160 range, but despite her pounding heart, there was a fluttery, empty feeling in her stomach. The bedroom door was slightly ajar; just the way she had left it earlier. It was a good sign. She hoped. At least it meant no one else had come in after she did. A commanding presence filled the room the

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