Lia Tan’s quiet, peaceful life is shattered when she is kidnapped by the powerful, twisted Vincent Casella, thrusting her into a world of wealth, luxury, and terror. Just as Vincent plans to auction her off, mysterious billionaire Rafe Laurent steps in, saving Lia for reasons rooted in his own dark past.
View MoreThe tall, imposing figure of President Alejandro Montoya stood at the center of the room, his sharp eyes scanning the group of advisors gathered before him. The tension was thick in the air, each person aware that this was not a routine meeting. There was a political storm brewing, one that threatened to shake the very foundations of his carefully constructed empire. Yet, Alejandro’s expression remained stoic, his gaze cold and calculating.“Enough speculation,” he said, his voice firm, commanding the room’s full attention. “We act decisively, or we lose control. I don’t need a team of hand-wringers. I need a plan that works—no matter the cost.”His words were sharp, calculated, delivered without a hint of emotion. He had been in this game too long to allow himself to be swayed by sentiment. The crisis at hand—a public scandal that could expose ties between his administration and controversial figures—was a threat, but only a minor one in his eyes. His political career had always thri
Lia sat cross-legged on the cold, hard floor of her room, her back pressed against the wall as she stared at the small wooden box that had been left in the corner of the room. It was tucked in a way that she had never noticed before, hidden just behind the chair that Vincent sometimes used to sit in while he watched her.She had grown used to the small details of her captivity, the corners of the room, the angles of light through the barred window, the sound of the door creaking open every time he brought her food.But this box—this little trinket—was new.Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for it. The box was worn, edges softened with age, the wood rough against her fingertips. There was no lock, no indication of what it might hold inside.She couldn’t remember when it had been placed there or how long it had been there. For all she knew, Vincent had left it there on purpose, maybe to see if she would open it, maybe to test her. Or maybe he had no idea it was even there.Wi
“You don’t have to be afraid, Lia,” Vincent’s voice slithered through the cold air, his tone unnervingly calm. He stood across the room, leaning casually against the wall, his arms folded as if he were merely discussing a minor inconvenience. “You’re going to be fine here. We’re going to get along just fine.”Lia’s breath hitched, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Every inch of her body screamed in protest at his words. She looked up at him from where she sat on the bed, her hands clenched into fists, fighting the wave of terror threatening to overwhelm her.“No,” she whispered hoarsely, shaking her head. “No, this isn’t right. You can’t—this is… insane!”Vincent’s lips curled into a slow smile. “Oh, I can,” he said softly, his gaze never wavering. “I’ve already made my decision. You belong to me now, Lia. It’s been decided.”Lia’s heart pounded in her ears as the walls around her seemed to close in. This was a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. The room felt smaller with every
"So cold," Lia muttered. The village was cloaked in a serene quiet that only deepened as dusk settled. Lia tightened her scarf around her neck, clutching a small stack of borrowed books against her chest as she walked along the dirt path leading home.The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and distant woodsmoke, and the only sound accompanying her was the crunch of her boots against the gravel.She had spent a peaceful evening at the village library, poring over books on famous artists and techniques that might inspire her next painting. The librarian, a kind woman named Ms. Agatha, had let her linger longer than usual.Lia had left with a promise to return the borrowed treasures soon, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks.But now, walking alone under the dim light of the crescent moon, that lightness began to dissipate.The path was eerily quiet, with not even the rustle of leaves to break the silence. Lia quickened her pace, feeling an inexplicable unease
“These are for you, Miss Lia.”Lia glanced up from the sketchpad resting on her lap, startled by the voice of a delivery boy standing at her front gate. His arms were laden with a bouquet of vivid red roses and a small, neatly wrapped package.“For me?” she asked, standing and brushing off her dress.The boy nodded enthusiastically. “From Mr. Casella.”The mention of Vincent’s name brought an odd sensation—a mix of curiosity and discomfort. Over the past week, Vincent Casella had made himself known in her life in ways that went beyond casual friendliness. First, it was a basket of fresh fruits from his estate. Then came an intricately carved wooden box filled with delicate pastries she’d never even heard of.The flowers were the latest in his line of lavish gifts, and though they were beautiful, Lia hesitated.“Should I put them here, Miss?” the boy asked, noticing her silence.“No, it’s fine. I’ll take them,” Lia replied, forcing a polite smile. She took the bouquet and package into
FLASHBACK“Mr. Casella, thank you so much for this!” The elderly woman’s voice quivered with gratitude as Vincent placed a bundle of cash in her trembling hands.He offered her a polished smile, the kind that had charmed his way into countless rooms of power and influence. “It’s nothing, Mrs. Ramirez. You’ve worked this land for decades—you deserve better than broken tools and sleepless nights over repairs.”The small crowd gathered around the old woman murmured their appreciation. The other villagers stood with hopeful eyes, their whispered thanks and admiration warming the air around them.Vincent soaked it in, every nod and smile feeding the facade he’d carefully built. He was the picture of generosity—a wealthy outsider who had arrived in their quiet town with promises of prosperity and progress. But in truth, this was all a performance.The village wasn’t a charity case to him; it was an opportunity. Buying their trust was a small price to pay for the land he planned to turn into
Lia wiped the sweat from her brow, glancing over at her father, who was carefully fixing a broken fence post near the edge of the field. His calloused hands worked with precision, his experience as a farmer evident in every movement. Samuel had raised her with nothing but love, teaching her the value of hard work and perseverance.The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the fields as Lia worked alongside her adoptive father, Samuel. They had spent the entire afternoon tending to the crops, and though the day’s work was far from done, they were taking a brief moment to rest before starting the evening chores.But as Lia watched him, her thoughts kept drifting back to the conversation she had earlier that day—the unnerving phone call from Vincent Casella. She hadn’t told her father about the strange man who had called, his voice smooth and confident as he spoke about her future in a way that sent a chill down her spine. Vincent Casella had insisted on meeting her, claim
“Lia, could you come help me with this?” Mei called out from the kitchen, her voice warm but slightly strained as she stirred a large pot of stew.Lia placed her paintbrush down, the bristles still coated in shades of earth-toned pigments. She stepped back from her easel, wiped her hands on her apron, and headed toward the kitchen.The house was small but cozy, the walls lined with family photos and sketches that Mei and Samuel had collected over the years. It wasn’t much in terms of luxury, but it was home.“What is it, Mom?” Lia asked, leaning against the doorframe, her eyes still half-focused on the unfinished landscape she had been working on.Mei glanced over her shoulder with a smile. “Can you fetch the fresh bread from the counter? I’m trying to get the stew just right, but this recipe needs a little extra attention today.”Lia nodded, walking over to the countertop where a warm loaf of bread sat, freshly baked that morning. As she reached for the bread, she thought about how s
“You’re mine,” Rafe’s voice was low, dangerously so, as he stepped closer, his eyes dark with something unspoken.Lia’s pulse quickened, the air thick with the tension between them. She stood frozen, her body betraying the fear and the strange, magnetic pull that connected them. His words lingered in the air, a command, a promise, but the way he said it—like he owned her, like she belonged to him—made her blood run cold.“No,” she whispered, voice trembling, even as her body rebelled against the protest. “I’m not—”But before she could finish, his hand gripped her jaw, forcing her eyes to meet his. There was no softness, no room for argument. “You don’t get to decide, Lia.”His lips crashed into hers, a forceful, desperate kiss that left no room for hesitation. His mouth was hot, demanding, as if he was trying to devour her whole, pulling her deeper into his world. Her hands found his chest instinctively, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, feeling the hardness of his muscle
“You’re mine,” Rafe’s voice was low, dangerously so, as he stepped closer, his eyes dark with something unspoken.Lia’s pulse quickened, the air thick with the tension between them. She stood frozen, her body betraying the fear and the strange, magnetic pull that connected them. His words lingered in the air, a command, a promise, but the way he said it—like he owned her, like she belonged to him—made her blood run cold.“No,” she whispered, voice trembling, even as her body rebelled against the protest. “I’m not—”But before she could finish, his hand gripped her jaw, forcing her eyes to meet his. There was no softness, no room for argument. “You don’t get to decide, Lia.”His lips crashed into hers, a forceful, desperate kiss that left no room for hesitation. His mouth was hot, demanding, as if he was trying to devour her whole, pulling her deeper into his world. Her hands found his chest instinctively, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, feeling the hardness of his muscle...
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