My eyes caught sight of two men walking in after. They stood beside Adrian, one armed with a shotgun.“Who dares to call my name in such a tone?” Marc made his way toward Adrian. “Oh, it's you.”“Why, Uncle Marc? Why would you do such a thing? Tell me it’s a lie. How could you make my wife... How could you make Sierra the next Sohoe of the De Santos family without even caring to consult me first?” Adrian sneered as the old man let out a slight chuckle. “Consulting you? I decide what goes on in this mansion. All is based on my rules, or do you plan to go against them?”I watched their eyes locked on each other, reminding me of the same scene, the same aura that left Dominic's side after walking into the room back then, confronting Marc.“And I am her husband, Uncle. She is my wife, and therefore, I own all the rights to know.” Adrian uttered, causing me to scoff at his words.“Husband?” But yeah, I guess things had to be taken this way.“Stop this now, Adrian,” I heard Dominic cut in,
[Dominic POV]"Fuck this!" I snapped, smashing some glass. All this shouldn't really be happening. Why would Uncle Marc just create such a mess out of this? As usual, Adrian reacted impulsively, but thankfully, he withdrew before he did anything stupid that might have ended with him dead."But what was Adrian wife doing, staring like that? She must be enjoying this, right? I'm sure she must be. What if that's what she wanted? I mean, she's an enemy. What if she was sent here as poison to break the great De Santos family? I honestly have to figure out everything about her—who she was and every single detail. I just..." My voice trailed off as something hit me—Adrian's last words. So her name was Sierra?"Wait, I've heard that before. But where? Where did I... Wait, Nate? He mentioned her. It can't be right. If it was her, Nate would have surely informed me about that already. I mean, he wouldn't dare hide such a thing from me. Even so, I doubt that was her. It can't be. I have to figur
"What are you doing here, Caleb?" I asked, my gaze fixed on his as they narrowed."What do you mean? What am I doing here, dear cousin? I heard the news and decided to drop by since I was close. It seems I came at the right time.""Leave now, Caleb. Nobody wants you here, and you don't want to get on my..." I began, but he cut in."I don't want what, cousin?" He stepped closer, his eyes unwavering.This wasn't the right place to pick a fight against him, but if he tried anything or planned anything to harm Adrian, I would surely put some bullets in his damn skull. For now, I had to keep my cool. I looked around the mansion, watching the maids decorate each corner. What was happening?"Know your place, Caleb, and don't try anything funny..." I warned, leaving his side and stepping out of the mansion, only to catch sight of Uncle Gavin standing outside, staring at some of the maids who were also decorating the outside walls of the mansion.I approached his side, breaking the silence tha
[Sierra's POV]I watched as the maids decorated each side of the wall. I had just asked some of the maids about what the whole decoration was for, but their answers left me stunned. This was all for the ceremony that takes place after a new Sohoe is named. That's me... Wait, so the De Santos families would be on their way as expected.It seems my days are already counting themselves. But one thing was staring at me: how long was I going to stay hidden from Adrian's sight? I wasn't the one who chose all this, and how can I be the Sohoe? We are not truly married, and in a year, all this would be over. What am I really going to do?Managing a few steps, I made my way to my room, hoping to enter, but the voice that echoed inside caused me to halt. I heard Adrian's voice:"Coming here to Los Angeles was a big mistake in the first place. All I wanted was the property, but why does Uncle Marc have to make things so hard for me? First was the marriage party, and now this... If Sierra is made
[Adrian's POV]A creak at the door caught my attention, and I witnessed Elena rushing into the room."Tell me it's a lie, Adrian..." she muttered, totally out of breath.Why did she just barge in like that? She should be resting, for all I know. She had taken too much to drink back at the party, and I had ordered her to be taken to her room, but now she was here at my doorstep."What happened, Elena? You should be in your room resting, not..." I began only for her to cut in."Is it true that Sierra, that Uncle Marc made her the Sohoe? Tell me that's a lie, Adrian."So, it turned out Elena had also found out. I was sure it was from some of the maids who just roam around spreading gossip, proving useless in their job."Yes, Elena, it's true..." I replied, only to witness Elena's staggering state with widened eyes.But why was she reacting so much to the news? It was less of her worries."But how, Adrian? I thought you said this was all an agreement that your marriage to Sierra is just..
[Dominic's POV]I found myself seated as the ceremony unfolded before my eyes. How was this happening? I wasn't able to stop it. I claimed I would find a solution, but it seemed I failed at doing that as well.I can't believe I will let this happen and let Adrian's wife be the new Sophie of the De Santos.The other members of the De Santos were already seated at the ceremony, as all left a darkening gaze that flickered in some moments into forced smiles.It was not surprising to see they don't want any of this as well. I am sure they must each want one of theirs for this title, and seeing that Uncle Marc decided to give the title to Adrian's wife, who just joined in, must have spurred a little side of hate.I liked seeing them like that, but yet none of it was good even though they won't do anything stupid, being here in Uncle Marc's territory. I can't tell much yet, judging from Luca's reaction back at the marriage party before."Dominic, has Adrian gotten ready?" A snap from my thou
[Sierra's POV]"So, what’s your name?" I heard the stranger ask.I hesitated. Why did he want to know my name? I couldn’t just blurt it out; danger seemed to lurk everywhere. Who knows if he possibly was one of them? Just because he saved me from falling down the stairs didn’t mean he wasn’t."Hey, you there," his voice snapped me from my thoughts. His eyes were fixed on me, expecting an answer.I left no answer, only to start walking away. I glanced back, only to find him still glaring at me.I thought he might follow me, so I had to make sure. I distanced myself, and a bit further down the hall, I leaned onto the wall, releasing a sigh."So, he didn't follow me," I whispered.Maybe I had possibly overreacted, but am I really to blame? With everything that seemed to be happening, I found it hard to trust anybody here at this ceremony... not a single one of them.But wait—am I going to avoid every single one of them now? I took a step in fear, my eyes scanning each side. Is that going
A splash woke me as my eyes sprang open. My body was wet, dripping with water. I found myself tied to a chair.Standing right in front of me was a stranger with an empty bucket in hand, which he placed down."What happened? Where am I?" I wondered in my thoughts.Recalling all that had happened before: those muscular men and Caleb. "So I was kidnapped?" But who could have possibly had me kidnapped?I thought that by staying in the crowd's sight, I would be safe from all the dangers that seemed to lurk at the walls, craving to end me. But here I was, ending up kidnapped and trapped in this room, with no idea where I was, and this complete stranger with glued feet, his eyes remained fixed on me. I caught no sight of the two muscular men."Please… where am I? Please let me go; I don't even want this title in the first place." I pleaded in a whisper to the man, and I was quite sure the reasons they had me kidnapped was because of the title I was about to be given. But even with all my ple
Recalling things now, I could also remember her discussing with a man on the phone, the same time she had me kidnapped, as she also addressed him as "father."Could it be that this man was her father? But what does she mean by "don't harm Adrain"? Wait, don't tell me she was behind the reason Adrain arrived home in such a state.Should I really be jumping to such conclusions so fast? I hadn't even checked on Adrian yet to confirm things, but even so, I still find it hard to shake Elena's words."Don't hurt Adrain, Father, or else I will never forgive you for that. Just hold on and stay low while I handle things," she said, as I tried moving in closer, hoping to hear her words more clearly and maybe the response from the call. I accidentally stepped onto a metal plate, which left a clashing sound—one that brought a sharp turn from Elena.I hid myself away from her sight, leaving the area at that very moment as I distanced myself, stopping at a side."That was close," I muttered to myse
[Sierra's POV]"What do you think you're doing, Dominic?" Marc snapped, but Dominic remained persistent as his fingertips closed in on the trigger.In that moment, I caught sight of some men coming out of nowhere, armed with guns.But their actions afterward left me stunned as they stood in protection, their guns aimed at Dominic, ready to shoot."She is a traitor... I'm sure of it," Dominic uttered, declaring again."What has really gotten into you today? Don't forget she is now the sohoe the De Santos, and you should put some respect into that," Marc said, but even with all the words, they did little to Dominic as his eyes remained narrowed, locked onto mine."Are you going to speak, or do you want me to do that?" he started, making me wonder what he meant.I can't just say it's about the men at the club. I'm sure he doesn't know that; I have to stop showing any suspicious signs. But if it wasn't about that, what could it be?His expression changed for that moment, downcast, before
I heard a screeching sound, which caused my eyes to spring open. I found myself lying in wet mud as I tried to stand up. A sharp sting hit my head, and my legs buckled, causing me to stumble back down.Catching a glimpse, I watched a car drive off. I could hardly get a proper glance through the heavy rainfall blurring my vision.But I was sure it was one of Elena's dad henchmen."I will make sure to make them pay for what they have done. Those bastards, who do they think they are?" I thought."Adrian, sir..." I heard a voice that drew my attention. I had no idea that they had dropped me off right in front of the mansion.To know they even had the guts to do that, not scared if they were sighted and killed. Well, this was to be expected since I was dealing with Elena's father in the line.One of the men came rushing to my side as he helped me up from the muddy ground.I hated the sight of my own weak state. No, I wasn't weak; it was just them that played a cowardly trick. Being, i neve
[Adrian's POV]"Who the hell do you think you are? Do you know who I am?" I threatened, yelling only to cough out more blood as a punch sank deep into my stomach."And how does that matter?" the man who had punched me replied.How dare he lay a finger on me, knowing very well that I am Adrian De Santos? He must surely wish for his death so much.My thoughts went back to leaving the club with those men ambushing me. Now I found myself in this room. They had kept me here for a while now, hitting me repeatedly.But they were nothing but cowards. I would make them pay once I found a way out of here."The boss is on his way, Felix," one of the men walked in saying. "You should stop now. You know he doesn't like messy work.""So their boss is on his way," I thought to myself. Finally, I would be able to know who had the guts to have me, Adrian De Santos, kidnapped.Who could that fool be?The man retreated a bit from my side, but his eyes remained fixed on mine. It was as if he was ready to
"What are you saying, Sierra? Tell me, who was it? Who did you kill? Is it Dominic...?" Nate questioned, but how could it be Dominic?Even though I wished for his death so much, I wouldn't have been so stupid as to go for a straight attack."No, Nate..." I replied, "It's the men...""The what?""I killed them, Nate. I just killed the men from the club; they saw me, so I had no choice. Now, I don't know what to do. What if they find out that I was the one who... no, I can't let that happen," I mumbled, as many thoughts came hitting me, leaving me worried and causing my legs to buckle."Hold on, Sierra. Just calm down; nothing is going to happen. I promised to protect you from any harm. I can't surely allow anything to happen to you now," Nate said. But where was he when the men at the club had sighted me, when I had no other option but to take action and stop them by killing them? Just where was he back then?"What am I going to do, Nate?" I asked again, hoping he would have an answer,
"Wait, you?" one of the men questioned as I watched an exclamation state come over him."No, this can't be possible. They can't see me," I muttered in my thoughts. My legs trembled slightly as they retreated back a little. But where was I intending on running to? They had already sighted my presence."I need..." I stammered, lost of words to say. If possible, I could make them join me. No, that wasn't going to work, would it?"I can't believe this! So, you have been under our very nose all this while. We have to tell the boss. He will surely reward us for this..." the other man said as they left a nod to each other.The two men, without hesitation, left my side. Though I tried stopping them, it proved futile as I watched them leave the mansion. But what was I thinking? That it would be possible to stop them by pleading? They were the same men from the club that I knew. Now it assured me that this news was surely going to reach Dominic if I didn't do something immediately.I made my wa
"Come have a seat, dear," Marc said. As I sat down, I noticed some of the men seated tried avoiding a glance at me. "So now, let's begin," Marc announced after taking a seat also. One of the men brought out what seemed like a suitcase. In it were some files. "Here are the recordings of the companies as requested Marcellus, sir," the man said, handing over the files to Marc as he checked through them. "Good," he uttered. I had no idea what this meeting was for in the first place or why my attention was needed. "It seems the rumors are true, but surely they must have the guts, trying to cheat their way through the system laid down by the De Santos," Marc said, laying the papers on the desk as I caught a glimpse of the headings. It was just a file of some listed companies, even though I couldn't see the list there. "So, what should we do, Marcellus, sir? We are ready to take action and show them the consequences of going against you, boss, but only if you give us the perm
[Sierra's POV] I heard a knock at the door as I stood up, approaching the door. Opening it, I caught sight of a man standing at the doorstep. Guessing from his dressing, I was sure he was one of Marc's men. "Marcellous, sir, seeks your attention," he said. What does this old man want with me again? I recalled his words before I had left the basement the other time, saying that my attention was going to be needed soon, the words about me starting my work as the sohoe. But what work is that? One side told me it was something bloody, a path I saw myself unable to engage in. "I am coming," I replied to the man, shutting the door back. I stepped into the bathroom, splashing some water at my face. Glaring at the mirror, I released a breath. So this was it, the day I found myself unable to escape from. And now that Dominic seems to be gaining an upper hand in finding out secrets about Adrian and me, this was the time for me to act faster than I could before he finds out about me. I mus
[Adrian's POV] Walking through the hall, I found myself unable to believe what Sierra had just told me in the room. The fact that Dominic now knows. But what lingered in my thoughts was Elena. I couldn't deny one word that left Sierra's mouth, but she couldn't, why would she? I had suspected her at first about the stranger who had called me. I can't possibly suspect her about Dominic knowing as well. But then, how? Just how did Dominic know? It can't just be a slip from nowhere; someone must have let the cat out of the bag. What if it was the same stranger? I mean, what if he had called Dominic up, blurting out everything he knew? But that wasn't possible either. Even though I wanted to kill this so-called stranger, I am quite sure he was smarter than to let Dominic know. At least he claims he wants to be my ally, if that is as true as he had said, though. Still lost in thoughts, I found myself standing right at Elena's doorstep. Finding myself here already, I thought, "Why not j