“But, Young Master … didn’t the leader of Levent and our Old Master already agree not to feud anymore?”Regis was taken aback by his assistant’s question. His mind flashed back to an event ten years ago when a major conflict broke out between Levent’s and Royal Dragon’s underlings as they fought over the region known for producing the best wine in Northern California.Back then, bloodshed became inevitable when the mutual agreement couldn’t hold. The two leaders finally took action to avoid heavy losses and resource depletion.They agreed to a truce, dividing the territory in half and promising not to interfere with each other’s businesses from then on.“You’re right. But Altan isn’t Murat. Haven’t you heard about how Murat Demir and his son have been clashing lately?”Murat Demir was Altan’s father and the current leader of Levent.Mark was taken aback, shaking his head slightly.Regis gave a bitter smile, patting his assistant on the shoulder. “Sounds like you need to extend your in
In Rayden's bedroom, Amora was chatting with her son, feeling relieved that he was perfectly fine.“Grandma Emma was so happy when Ray brought her all her favorite foods.”Rayden's cheerful chatter eased Amora's worries. Her son was enthusiastic, sharing about his day with Mark Carter and his visit to Emma Adams.“Did Mrs. Adams get a headache from all your talking?” Amora teased, playfully pinching her son's cheek.She chuckled when Rayden pouted. “I'm just kidding, sweetheart. I’m sure Mrs. Adams will recover faster, just from the joy of seeing you,” she reassured him.Rayden nodded eagerly. “Of course! Grandma Emma said next time I should bring you along. She’s lonely in the apartment and misses you.”Right now, Emma Adams was in her son’s apartment recovering. However, with her son working late hours, she often felt lonely, even with a nurse around. So, Emma was thrilled when Rayden came to visit.“When can we go see her again, Mom?” Rayden asked eagerly.Amora held her son’s hand
“Did you see my phone anywhere, Ray?” Amora asked her son, who had just come out of his room after she called him.She had just finished baking macaroni casserole for their dinner tonight. As usual, she prioritized her son's health by avoiding cow's milk ingredients in her cooking."Yes, I did, Mom." Rayden pulled his mother's phone from behind his back."You left it on my bed," he said, handing it to her.Amora hugged the precious gadget to her chest with great relief. "Thank goodness. Thank you, Ray," she replied. She couldn't imagine losing such a fantastically expensive device.Maybe Regis wouldn’t scold her if she lost it, but as someone who knew the value of money, the thought of losing such a luxury item was painful.Amora placed the phone on the dining table, then hurried to set the table and serve the freshly baked macaroni casserole onto plates.“Where’s Dad, Mom? Didn't he come home with you?” Rayden asked, noting his father’s absence.Amora's hands froze for a moment. She
"I just don't feel like talking. Is it wrong if I stay quiet? It's my mouth, after all."The sarcasm in Amora's voice made Regis’s expression darken slightly. She was the only woman bold enough to stand up to him. Until now, everyone—except his father—had always watched their tone when speaking to him.But Amora didn’t care about the flash of anger now apparent in Regis’s sharp gaze. She even shot him a sharp look, her face still sour.A long sigh escaped Regis's lips.“How much longer are you going to be cold toward me, Amora? You don’t want Ray to see us at odds like this, do you?”His question, tinged with a subtle threat, made Amora curl her lip in disdain. “Don’t bring Ray into this. I know exactly what I'm doing, Regis. Instead, I hope you catch whoever was behind today’s shooting. I don’t want Ray getting hurt,” she warned.After saying that, Amora rose from her seat. "I’m done eating," she muttered as she walked toward the kitchen. She didn't wait for a response from her husban
Amora pushed Regis's hand away from her lips. She was speechless, still reeling from how she’d given in to his touch, despite trying to resist him.Amora scolded herself over and over. She couldn’t believe how easily she’d fallen under his spell. She’d reminded herself so many times to be cautious, but Regis always managed to break down her defenses.‘Damn it! Why is he so good at kissing?’ Amora grumbled internally.She couldn’t deny that her kiss with Regis had been the hottest and longest she’d ever experienced with anyone.‘Amora, have you lost your mind? He’s not a man you can trust. Don’t give him your heart if you don’t want to be hurt even worse.’Amora’s thoughts warned her again. She was convinced Regis’s desire for her was only fueled by curiosity. One day, he’d leave her once he got what he wanted, bored with her.The pain from being abandoned by people she once trusted was still fresh in Amora’s heart. Even if it was her own fault, she believed that a man’s sweet words an
"Tell me, Amora. Why are you ignoring me, and how long are you going to keep acting like this?" Regis questioned, crossing his arms.Amora scoffed. "Don’t pretend to be clueless. You know exactly why I’m ignoring you, don’t you?"Regis frowned. Of course, he knew, but everything he did was for her own good. So what was wrong with keeping things from her?Regis was beginning to realize just how complicated a woman’s thinking could be. He usually didn’t care much about the feelings of others, but he couldn’t do that with Amora—she held a special place in his heart."I just didn’t want you to get more involved, Amora. I wasn’t trying to hide anything," Regis said defensively, hoping she would understand his decision. But his defense only came back to bite him."But I’m already involved, Regis. I almost died back there!" Amora snapped, clearly frustrated.Suddenly, a wave of regret washed over her. She thought maybe she should never have married him. She couldn’t predict how many more dan
A long sigh escaped Regis' lips. Amora’s words were sharp, like thorns aimed straight at him. But Regis knew that Amora’s sarcasm was her way of trying to protect herself.“I-I can’t forgive you that easily,” Amora murmured, nervous.To be honest, Amora was shocked by her husband’s apology. She didn’t want to admit that her anger had already softened a bit. She scolded herself for almost melting just because he said he was sorry.A sharp exhale came from her nose as she turned away from Regis, who had been watching her intently. His gaze seemed to pierce right into her heart.“Of course, I know. And by the way, I didn’t apologize for kissing you,” Regis continued, drawing Amora’s attention back to him.“Are you just trying to provoke me, Regis?” Amora snapped, her anger flaring up uncontrollably again.A chuckle slipped from Regis’ lips as he reached out to t
Amora only got a sour smile from him in response. "You can’t do it, can you?" she taunted.A mafia family like the Lorenzos must have committed countless crimes, including murder, all hidden beneath the surface. They would do anything for money, power, and pride—even staining their hands with blood.“Sorry. I guess it was naive of me to ask you not to kill. I just don't want Ray to find out his father is a ruthless killer. But, whatever ... forget it,” she muttered, looking down.“Alright,” Regis responded, making Amora flinch.She looked back at him, disbelief in her eyes. “What did you say?”“I said I won’t kill,” Regis repeated.“Are you … serious?” Amora asked, full of doubt.“Of course not,” Regis replied with a chuckle.She rolled her eyes. “That’s not funny, Regis. If you’re not sure, don’t promise me anything. I hate lies.”“I can’t promise you that,” Regis admitted, “but I’ll try not to kill—unless someone pushes me past my limit. That’s the best I can offer you, Amora,” he a
A wide smile lingered on Regis' lips as he parked his car at his penthouse. He could barely contain his excitement to see the woman he adored. Even though the sky had only just turned orange, he was already home earlier than usual."Good afternoon, Young Master Lorenzo," One of his subordinates patrolling the parking area greeted him."Afternoon," Regis replied, making his subordinate's face twisted in shock.Why wouldn't he be surprised? Regis was usually indifferent to every one.The unexpected friendliness made his subordinate doubt whether he had mistaken him for someone else. But upon seeing the sharp glint in Regis' eyes, the man’s courage immediately faltered.Regis cleared his throat softly. He realized his expression was a bit excessive, but it was hard for him to suppress his happiness. He was sure Amora would be surprised to see him since he hadn’t told her he’d be home earlier than usual.He walked into the elevator, his arms full of gifts he'd picked up on his way back.T
Amora's thoughts raced as she scowled internally. 'What’s he planning now? He better not ask for something weird, 'she mused, her eyes narrowing at Regis suspiciously.The subtle shift in Regis's expression revealed everything. His irritation toward Albert gradually faded, replaced by an idea—he saw an opportunity to make Amora owe him.“Well?” Regis prompted again when his wife didn’t respond.“What kind of reward are you thinking of?” Amora probed, her lips pursed.“Would you really grant it if I told you?” Regis challenged, making her feel even more wary.Amora knew Regis was scheming. Yet, with Albert and the others' lives potentially in grave danger, she didn’t have the luxury to deliberate long. Her immediate instinct was to ensure their safety, even if it meant taking a risk.“Of course, as long as you fulfill my request,” Amora replied, keeping her tone steady.She trusted that Regis wouldn’t demand anything harmful or malicious—not after his heartfelt confession the night bef
"Where’s my husband, Mr. Carter?"Amora interrogated her husband's assistant, who stood stiffly in front of her. She was considering seeking out Regis to plead for forgiveness on behalf of Albert and the others.She would feel guilty if she didn't help them, especially since Albert had been incredibly helpful to her over the past few days."I’m sorry, Ma’am, I .…"Amora let out a sharp breath. Seeing Mark’s hesitation, she sensed that he was reluctant to reveal her husband's whereabouts."Never mind. Leave and wait for me in the lobby," Amora ordered firmly.Mark nodded and quickly left the room.After he was gone, Amora picked up her phone and searched for Regis’s contact. Without a second thought, she initiated a video call. It didn’t take long for him to answer.Regis’s face appeared on the screen. Amora had chosen video call to ensure she could see exactly where her husband was."Regis," Amora greeted nervously. This was their first video call. They usually communicated via text o
"So you told them?" Amora asked, probing."Of course not. Why would you want to get involved with people like that again?" Estelle chimed in."Smart. But I don't see any harm in using this opportunity to introduce our business to them, Estelle," Amora said, a sly grin spreading across her face as she shared an idea that suddenly popped into her head."Brilliant idea. Alright, then, let’s squeeze some money out of them," Estelle replied, laughing heartily.Amora could only shake her head. "But don’t tell them I'm Regis' wife. This is still top secret. I don’t want to deal with people like them," she reminded her friend."Relax. I’ll keep my lips sealed." Estelle mimed locking her mouth."Alright, if there’s nothing else to discuss, I’m going to have breakfast," Amora said, intending to end the call."Okay. But have you contacted Mr. Ritter? He was really worried last night. Poor guy," Estelle muttered, remembering his concerned expression."I’ll try to reach out to him later," Amora re
“Ma’am, you’re awake? I’ve come to pick you up.”Mark Carter stood at the door of Amora’s hotel room. As instructed by Regis, he was here to escort her.“My husband has already left?” Amora asked as she scanned the area around Mark.When she woke up earlier, Regis was nowhere to be found in the room.“Yes, Ma’am. The young master had some matters to attend to this morning. He asked me to come and check on you,” Mark explained, his head slightly bowed. He didn’t dare look her directly in the eyes or even glance at her.Amora’s appearance was quite disheveled; she had just woken up and was wearing a kimono-style towel provided by the hotel.Of course, she wasn’t trying to seduce anyone. She had simply taken off her dress last night, finding it too uncomfortable to sleep in.Her body was modestly wrapped in the kimono, but still, for a normal man like Mark, it was hard not to notice the beauty radiating from her.“Come in. I’m still having breakfast,” Amora said casually, walking back in
"I've already explained everything. I’m not involved! Don’t you get it? Get me out of here!"A middle-aged woman with heavy, smeared makeup leaned her face through the gap between the steel bars of the cell she was spending the night in. She had been yelling for over an hour, and her voice was now hoarse.Inside the dark and damp cell, she wasn’t alone. Sitting in one corner, hugging her knees tightly, was a young woman dressed in a once-elegant gown that now looked disheveled and dirty.The two women from vastly different generations were Julia Brown and Chelsea Harrison.Both had been detained at the local police station after undergoing separate interrogations for their crimes. The filthy, cramped cell with thick, dusty iron bars only added to Julia’s frustration.Standing by the bars, Julia shouted again, “I’m innocent! Don’t you know who I am?!”She couldn’t accept being treated this poorly by being thrown into a foul-smelling, filthy prison cell. The dim lighting in the tiny roo
"Ugh!"Amora struggled to keep up with Regis' increasingly passionate kiss. She felt completely overwhelmed as Regis greedily claimed her lips, leaving her no room to resist.Amora’s back was pressed tightly against the headboard as Regis’ hand moved to cradle the back of her head, deepening the kiss even further.Regis’s tongue was relentless the moment Amora parted her lips. The room was filled with the sounds of wet kisses and muffled moans.Amora’s thoughts were a whirlwind. She couldn’t even process what she was doing anymore, but one thing was clear—she was thoroughly enjoying the kiss.Seconds later, her chest tightened as her lungs screamed for air. She tapped Regis lightly on the chest, signaling him to stop. He finally pulled back, giving her a moment to catch her breath.Amora glared at him sharply, wiping her now-flushed lips with the back of her hand.Seeing her do this, Regis immediately leaned in and planted another quick kiss on her lips. Instinctively, Amora wiped the
Amora’s eyes darted nervously, her mind racing but completely blank. Every word she had planned to say vanished in the shock of the moment. She had no idea how to respond to the question Regis had just asked her.Truthfully, Amora didn’t even fully understand her own feelings. She wasn’t sure if she had broken her own vow never to fall in love again—a promise she had kept for the past seven years, haunted by fear and pain from her past.Her previous experience had left a deep scar on her heart. Yet, after spending nearly a month growing close to Regis, she found herself feeling an unexpected sense of comfort—a sensation she never thought she’d experience again.Still, Amora had repeatedly reminded herself not to make the same mistake twice. She had ingrained it in her mind: loving anyone meant opening herself up to disappointment.“Do I ... have feelings for him?” Amora wondered silently.Amora had considered the possibility that her feelings for Regis were nothing more than temporary
A nervous smile appeared on Amora’s lips as she tried to clear her mind, which had suddenly gone blank because of a strange question that popped into her thoughts.“I-I thought our relationship has always been mutually beneficial. What do you mean by saying you’re hurt? Aren’t we both grown-ups who can accept the risks of our actions? Do we really need to make a fuss over such a small accident?”Amora tried to keep an open mind. She still wasn’t sure if Regis had any special feelings for her.‘Have I not made my signals clear enough?’ Regis thought as he let out a weary sigh. He wasn’t sure if he was being too dense or if Amora was just too oblivious to pick up on the signs of love he’d been giving her all along.Suddenly, Regis placed his large hand on top of Amora’s head, ruffling her long hair playfully.“Regis, stop it! What’s wrong with you?” Amora complained, trying to fend off his hand, which seemed determined to turn her into his personal plaything.“You must be feeling better