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28. The Order and The Trap
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-16 21:04:37
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THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 29. La Ravenl Issue
As the bell tolled twice, the fight began.Spectators, who had been scattered throughout the venue, crowded around to witness the clash between Leonard and the fighter sent by La Ravenl. While the outcome seemed predictable, the crowd grew more excited when the challenger managed to push Leonard back with a well-placed kick."Ugh..." Leonard groaned softly, his brows furrowing as his sharp gaze remained locked on his opponent's movements. The challenger attacked again, but Leonard, though slightly disadvantaged by the difference in physical strength, remained composed.A skilled fighter, Leonard excelled at reading his opponent's moves, crafting strategies that allowed him to incapacitate them efficiently, often without expending too much energy. His versatility in combat-whether armed or unarmed-was unmatched, and very few were aware of his vulnerabilities. Those who had discovered them rarely lived to tell the tale.Leonard's only weakness was his frail body and rapidly draining sta
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 30. Oh My...!
“Leonard?” Chateau gasped in disbelief. It truly was Leonard Hugues standing before her—the man she had been observing from a distance, staggering unsteadily. Her decision to approach him proved correct, as the man who nearly collapsed was someone she knew well.“Chateau…” Leonard’s voice was low, tinged with surprise. He hadn’t expected to run into her here, especially not in his current disheveled state. Yet, as startled as he was, he assumed Chateau must be even more shocked—it was likely the first time she’d seen him so battered and covered in blood.“What happened to you?” Chateau asked, her face pale and her brow furrowed. Clearly uncomfortable at the sight of blood, she instinctively reached out to steady Leonard, preventing him from collapsing.Leonard brushed aside his exhaustion. His injuries didn’t seem important anymore—not when he could see Chateau standing before him, unharmed. Relief softened his features as he asked, “Are you alright?”His concern confused Chateau, who
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 31. Take Care Of My Leon
Chateau sat in silence, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular. But as she turned her head, something caught her attention—the sleeping face of Leonard.It wasn’t the time to admire his striking features; his pale complexion evoked worry rather than awe at God’s craftsmanship. Chateau’s eyes betrayed her concern as she examined the cuts on his face, the bruises on his hands, and the gash on the back of his head.“What on earth happened to you, Leonard?” she murmured softly, her voice barely audible for fear of waking him.Her eyes remained locked on him as her thoughts wandered. She recalled how casually Leonard dismissed the injury on the back of his head, claiming it was something he was used to. It baffled her, though she chastised herself for being so naïve.Leonard Hugues wasn’t an ordinary man—he was part of a criminal syndicate. As a high-ranking member of the Lafleur mafia, his life was anything but safe. Each day was a battle for survival in a world where the strong devoured
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 32. Meet Sophie Vignier
That day, Chateau was remarkably reserved about her true intentions at the city park, offering only the excuse of enjoying a casual stroll and some solitude. It was a classic justification—one Leonard Hugues had no reason to doubt, as such activities were common. Yet, Chateau concealed the truth: her real purpose that morning was to meet Sophie Vignier.Chateau arrived alone at the city park, guided by the information provided by Beatrice. According to Beatrice, Sophie—an acquaintance of Leonard’s—resided nearby, running a modest coffee shop that attracted little attention. Clutching the address she had been given, Chateau located the unassuming establishment standing before her. Indeed, this was the place Beatrice had described: Sophie Vignier’s café. Without hesitation, Chateau stepped inside.A warm greeting immediately met her ears from a woman stationed behind the bar.“Welcome,” she said cheerfully, her voice bright and her smile kind.Chateau froze, her gaze locking onto the fi
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 33. The Reason She Should Pity Him
“He said his mother screams at him every day. The gentle woman she once was is gone, and the affection he used to receive has vanished, like a night that never sees dawn. I think… perhaps that’s why Leonard grew up cold and detached."Chateau murmured, lowering her gaze. She empathized with Leonard’s suffering, feeling the weight of his childhood pain. “When he told you all of this… did Leonard cry?” she asked softly, avoiding Sophie’s steady, composed gaze.“No,” Sophie replied with a faint, bitter smile. “I was the one who cried. Leonard lost the ability to feel or shed tears the day his mother died. That’s what he told me.”Chateau lowered her head even further. Sensing this, Sophie leaned closer, trying to catch Chateau’s face. The girl with her blonde hair tied high struggled to hold back tears. Sophie, however, only smiled. She had reacted the same way when she first heard Leonard’s tragic story. To her, it was better to not know one’s parents than to witness the destruction of
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 34. Stay Here Tonight
After freshening up, Château felt uneasy. She had spent the entire day outside and hadn’t bathed since arriving at Léonard’s apartment. Unwilling to disturb Léonard’s rest, she moved quietly, ensuring no sound betrayed her presence—from eating to showering.She didn’t change clothes, opting to wear the same outfit as before. She couldn’t bring herself to trouble Léonard by asking for fresh attire. With her damp hair wrapped in a small towel, she returned to his bedroom to retrieve her cardigan, seeking warmth after her shower. However, upon seeing Léonard asleep, she paused.Instead of leaving after picking up the cardigan draped over a chair, Château approached the bed. The mattress, modest in height, brought her crouched figure level with Léonard’s face. He lay peacefully, clearly exhausted from his mission.Château reached out, her bare hand brushing his forehead. “No fever. I don’t need to cool him down,” she murmured, a faint smile of relief crossing her face. With nothing else t
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 35. Share The Bed
“What?”Château felt her mind freeze instantly. She needed a moment to process Leonard’s words. Once she fully understood, her eyes widened. “Sleep together?” she repeated, her voice a mix of disbelief and accusation.“Yes.”“In the same bed?”“Yes,” Leonard replied, carefully observing Château’s expression. Was she really that opposed to the idea of sharing a bed with him? “We’re just sleeping. What are you imagining?”Château turned away, pressing her small hands over her mouth. Her heart was screaming, but instead of silencing it, she muffled her lips. No matter how loud her heart’s voice was, Leonard wouldn’t be able to hear it.“How can you say something like that so casually?” she asked, spinning back to face him.Leonard, his stormy gray eyes calm yet firm, sighed audibly. “Because that’s all it is, Château—just sleep,” he explained, hoping to curb her overreaction. “Besides, you must be tired after spending the entire day at the city park.”Leonard had a point. Château was exh
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 36. Morning By Her
Leonard awoke to a bright morning. The sunlight streamed through the large glass wall separating his bedroom from the balcony, illuminating the space with a warm glow. Though his eyes remained closed, the brightness was impossible to ignore, gently pulling him from his slumber. He inhaled deeply, as if his lungs were tasting fresh air for the first time in ages. His body felt lighter than the night before, a sign that proper care had brought improvement.Turning his head to the other side of the bed, Leonard’s senses sharpened. The spot that had been occupied by the sweet presence of a young woman last night was now cold and empty. Without hesitation, he got out of bed, moving through the apartment with measured urgency. He searched everywhere—bathroom, living area, kitchen—but found no sign of her.As he returned to the living room, the sound of the apartment door opening caught his attention. Standing there was Chateau, carrying bags filled with groceries. She froze momentarily, sta
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-17
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THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 119. Complete Me With Joy [END]
Chateau lost her shoes at some point during her journey here. She paused briefly to catch her breath, scanning her surroundings in hopes of spotting Leonard. If the gray-eyed man with brown hair was truly Leonard, why was this chase necessary? Why hadn’t he just come to her? Why had he made her run all the way to the village center just to find him among so many people?“Leonard...”Chateau searched the crowd, desperately trying to match each face with the image burned into her memory. Tall and lean, with brown hair and a confident stride—Leonard should stand out easily. Yet, she couldn’t find him. Was he even here? Had Shawn been mistaken? Was she foolish to hope?Her heart ached with the realization that hope did not guarantee reality. She had allowed herself to believe in finding Leonard, forgetting to consider other possibilities. In that moment, she was overcome by the betrayal of her own expectations.“What was I thinking?” she muttered, ashamed. “Why did I run all the way here?
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 118. His Presence
Chateau had no idea how long she had been sitting under the shade of that large tree. She stared into the distance, her thoughts drifting as she recalled the events she had forgotten since that fateful night. However, the more she remembered, the more regret and frustration bubbled within her—anger at herself for nearly forgetting who Leonard Hugues was. The truth was undeniable: Leonard was the one person she could not imagine living without, even for a second."You fool… how could you do this to Leonard?" Chateau muttered, berating herself in despair. She wiped her tears away, but no matter how much she tried, Leonard did not appear before her.Leaning back against the tree, she wept again. "Where are you, Leonard? Won’t you come back?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why won’t you return? I’m not angry about your lies. Madam Aurora said Louis is dead, but why… why won’t you come back?"She bowed her head, hiding her tear-streaked face, which must have looked dreadful from all
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 117. Months Later
[Eight Months Later]"Lady Lavigne! Lady...!"A young woman with golden blonde hair turned quickly as someone called her name. Her long, wavy hair danced with the gentle breeze of the fields, like a hanging cloth swaying gracefully."Good morning, Uncle. What is it?" the young woman asked, her radiant smile warming the air around her."Good news for you, Lady! Five of our sheep gave birth today!""Oh, really? How many lambs were born?""Seventeen lambs, Lady! And all of them are healthy!"Chateau Lavigne couldn't hide her joy as she received the wonderful news on this bright morning. The sheep on her farm had given birth to healthy lambs. She could already imagine the adorable, plump lambs she was eager to see."Will you go and see them now, Lady?"Chateau naturally nodded, her excitement palpable. She hurried from the tall sunflower fields, eager to meet her new lambs."We must ensure they get their vitamins and vaccines to keep them healthy, Uncle Shawn," Chateau said, letting the o
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 116. In The End, This Monster Still Deserves A Life
Louis paused, observing Leonard struggle to stand upright atop the rubble. Leonard's sharp gaze pierced through the tension, and then he smirked faintly. "Do you wish to see Sophie that badly? I'd be happy to escort you."Louis laughed bitterly, though his irritation was evident. Leonard's arrogance persisted, even as he appeared on the verge of death. Blood smeared half of Leonard's face, his once-white shirt tattered and stained with crimson. The numerous tears in his clothing revealed the extent of his injuries, and his mangled right hand clutched a broken pistol.Glancing at Louis' line of sight, Leonard acknowledged his own state, tossing aside the useless weapon. "Let's finish this," he declared, his voice steady despite his condition.Louis scoffed and extended his palm dismissively. "Finish what? You're barely standing. Why prolong your suffering? Just lay down and wait for your end. It's inevitable-""Are you scared?" Leonard interrupted calmly.The taunt struck a nerve. Loui
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 115. Be Regret!
Leonard collapsed to the ground, but the relentless barrage of bullets forced him to crawl, enduring the searing pain, toward any form of cover he could find. He tugged at his numbed leg briefly, only to notice that Louis' bullet had carved a deep gash into his ankle."Damn it!" he muttered through gritted teeth, wincing as he tore a strip from his pants to staunch the bleeding. The journey ahead was far from over, and he couldn't afford to lose strength from such a wound.While Leonard was battered and bleeding, Louis stood unscathed, his posture calm and unyielding. If Louis had only wielded a single gun, Leonard might have had a chance to even the odds. Yet, Louis had swapped to another pistol the moment the first two ran out of ammunition, giving Leonard no opportunity to regroup.Leonard steadied his breathing as Louis began speaking."You know, this suit I'm wearing tonight-it was a gift from my lover. She gave it to me as a present. At first, I didn't like it and even considere
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 114. Finally Face to Face
Leonard walked down the concrete stairs of an old, unfinished building. With weary steps and a somber expression, he kept his gaze fixed on the ground, paying careful attention to his footing until he reached his destination.Today was as he had promised-he would meet Louis, no matter where the man was. This wasn't a reunion to reminisce or rekindle; it was a meeting with a singular purpose: to kill each other.Naturally, Leonard's feelings were far from composed. He had asked Louis's biological mother for permission to kill her son. Wasn't that utterly tragic? What mother wouldn't feel torn when her child faced mortal danger, even if there was nothing she could do to stop it?"Oh, you're here, Leonard...?"Leonard's gaze shifted straight ahead, focusing on Louis, who stood with his back to him, casually smoking while leaning against a pillar in the open framework of the fourth floor. The wind blew fiercely at this height, and the night sky offered no clarity. Louis chose to smoke as
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 113. I'll Be Back To You
It had been more than a week since Chateau lay bedridden in the hospital, and during that time, Leonard never missed a single day of visiting her.After the accident, Chateau had suffered severe injuries. The blow to her head caused trauma that medical experts still couldn't fully diagnose, and several of her bones were fractured. They said it was astonishing she survived the critical phase at all. Considering the severity of her injuries, her survival felt like a miracle.Hearing this, Leonard could only be grateful and thank a God he had long stopped believing in. After so many years, he finally prayed again, even struggling to remember God's name. But this time, Leonard's prayers were answered: Chateau made it through the critical period. However, this didn’t mean her path ahead was smooth.Given the trauma to her cranial nerves, the medical team could only observe and wait for symptoms to manifest. In the meantime, they provided Chateau with the best intensive care possible, prepa
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 112. Used To Be Loved
For Louis, his words asking Sophie to die for his sake were nothing more than a trivial joke in the midst of his drunkenness. But he didn’t know it would become a vow Sophie felt bound to fulfill.Louis could only stand with a weary gaze in front of the glass-doored room, watching as the medical staff gave up on trying to save the life of the woman lying motionless in their midst.Today, Sophie had acted recklessly. She threw herself in front of Chateau’s car, causing a crash that ended with the vehicle slamming violently into a tree. She knew Louis would have planned something like this. She knew he had it all arranged. But what Louis couldn’t understand was why Sophie had to take the place of someone he had already paid to make such a sacrifice.Louis remained silent, though inwardly he cursed Sophie’s foolishness. This was no lie. It was evident in the tightness of his clenched fists.Louis then entered the room without asking for permission. His gaze was icy, indicating that no on
THE MAFIA'S PRISONER 111. Sophie's Act
Château returned to her mother’s place in a disheveled state. Perhaps it was from crying too much earlier, but nothing had changed except for her growing desire to leave. Her feelings remained the same—chaotic and disordered. Despite the harsh words she had directed at Leonard, they hadn’t managed to erase the affection she still held for him. Even now, at the moment she was truly leaving and might never return."Château…” Amelia greeted her with a warm embrace. Her anxiety only deepened upon seeing her daughter in such a distressed state.Château was no longer crying—perhaps she was too exhausted—but her hollow gaze suggested her body was merely an empty shell.“Are we leaving right away?” Château asked flatly, her voice devoid of any tone.Amelia looked at her with concern. She didn’t know what had transpired when Château met Leonard before their departure, but it must have been devastating to leave her daughter in this condition. Whatever the two had discussed, Amelia resolved to s
