The room remained tense as Rene’s laughter died down. He wiped the tears from his eyes and straightened, still catching his breath. He locked eyes with Layla, then with Jason, a small, defiant smile playing on his lips."You think anyone would buy that?" Rene's voice was steady, despite the lingering pain. "You think I'm here to get back at you? Trust me, Layla, you and Jason are the last people on my mind."Parblo stepped forward, his expression a mix of confusion and determination. "Mr. Rossi, there's been a misunderstanding. This is my son, Kia Flores. He's here to fulfill our agreement.""Shut it." Mr. Rossi snapped as he glared at Parblo. Then he looked over his shoulder at Rene. "Explain yourself. How do you know my grandson, and why is my future daughter-in-law calling you by a different name."Silence hung heavily in the room as all eyes turned to Rene, waiting for his response. He took a deep breath, steadying himself before speaking."Mr. Rossi," Rene began, his voice firm,
The mention of Ford's family brought a quiet fear into the room. Mr. Rossi’s expression darkened as he processed Parblo’s words. The Rossis and Fords had a complicated history, and any hint of scandal or violence could have serious repercussions.Mr. Rossi’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward, his voice low but edged with menace. "Are you suggesting that I, or anyone in this house, would be responsible for any injuries your son has sustained?"Parblo swallowed, his eyes flicking nervously between Mr. Rossi and Rene. "I’m simply stating the facts. If Kia returns with visible injuries, it could lead to unwanted attention and trouble, especially with the Ford family’s reputation for investigating such matters."Mr. Rossi’s face tightened as he considered the implications. The last thing he needed was for the Fords to become involved or for rumors of misconduct to spread. He took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Very well. Maria, since he's your soon-to-be husband, you are respo
Taking off his shirt, Rene hissed under his breath when the fabric touched the gashes left in his skin. Carefully, he cleaned them with antiseptic wipes that Maria gave him, before wrapping them in gauze.After cleaning the area and making sure everything was secure, Rene stepped out of the bathroom shirtless, and her eyes widened as she gazed at his bare chest, his muscles flexing as he handed the kit to her, as Maria's gaze traveled slowly upwards to his dark, piercing eyes. "Thanks," he said, a little gruffly, as he pulled his shirt back on, wincing slightly at the tender stinging pain.Shrugging, she responded casually, "It was nothing."Then she stared at the bloodstained t-shirt, and then said, "Umm, did you bring any clothes?""Wasn't planning on staying here," Rene replied bluntly, averting his gaze from hers. "I got some oversized t-shirt... if... if you don't mind." she continued cautiously, hoping she wasn’t crossing some sort of boundary."Okay," He agreed, still refusi
The elderly woman’s gaze shifted to Rene, her look of disdain evident. Maria’s face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration as she stood in the kitchen, her mother’s reprimand hanging heavily in the air.“Mother, I was just trying to—” Maria began, but her mother cut her off with a sharp gesture.“Just trying to what?” her mother snapped. “You’re aware of the family's reputation and how we handle guests. Bringing a stranger into the kitchen and catering to him like this is completely inappropriate.”Rene, sensing the increasing tension, remained silent, feeling the weight of the disapproval in the room. He noticed Maria’s shoulders stiffening and her expression hardening.“I understand, Mother,” Maria said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But he’s—”“No, Maria,” her mother interrupted, “you’re to cease this nonsense immediately. Our family’s image is paramount. You will not let personal sentiments interfere with our standing. It's already a disgrace for you to get marry
Three weeks laterThat morning, Rome Ford sat in his study, his entire attention focused on the stack of reports and documents sprawled across his mahogany desk. Suddenly, the door opened, and Catherine walked in. With one look at her, he knew that she was frustrated over something. He immediately closed the documents spread across his desk.“Wife,” Rome said, his voice calm but authoritative. “What’s troubling you?”"It's been weeks and there's no report from Rene. I am worried because he refused to come back home and kept saying that he is okay. But..." Catherine said, walking over to Rome as he patted his lap for her to sit. "As his mother..."Falling into her husband's arm as she sat on him, Rome hugged her waist, offering her a reassuring squeeze."My motherly instant tells me that he's not. You remember what you went through at the mercy of my family from the beginning. Rene's position as Kia could put him at risk in the Rossi mansion, especially if they see him as a mere serva
In the kitchen of the Rossi mansion, Rene stood at the sink, an apron draped over his clothes as he scrubbed pots and pans with meticulous care. Just then, Rachel entered the room, and seeing that it was empty, she approached Rene, and then said, "Let me help you." Rene looked up, his face marked with exhaustion, but he managed a small, weary smile at Rachel. "Thanks, but I’ve got it covered."Rachel shook her head, stepping closer. "No. I don’t mind. It’s the least I can do after what you’ve been through.""You must be new here. The Rossi don't appreciate servants that associate with me, so it best to avoid me if you want to keep this job." Rachel’s eyes widened at Rene’s warning, but she remained undeterred, stepping closer and giving him a sympathetic smile. “It’s my first day, yes. But I’ve already heard about how the Rossi family treats you. I don’t want to just stand by and do nothing.”Rene’s eyes softened slightly as he glanced at her, taking in her earnest expression. “You
Calmly, Rene gazes at the faces of everyone, his brows creasing tightly together, and then to everyone's shock, he smiled, his eyes sparkling with joy as he said, "How can I want to leave the Rossi when you all have been so good to me.""What?!" Princess blurted out, her eyes widening as she glared at him with parted lips.Gazing up from his phone, Luca scoffed, scowling at Rene, and said, "This guy is really an idiot."Layla, never one to hold back, chimed in with a sneer. "Or a golddigger. He'll do anything to stay associated with money. It’s pathetic, really."Rene stood his ground, his expression a mask of calm despite the harsh words being thrown his way. He knew the Rossi family well enough to expect such reactions. It only fueled his determination.Mr. Rossi leaned back in his chair, his gaze icy as it rested on Rene. "You must understand, Kia, that your presence here is... tolerated. But do not mistake that for acceptance. You are an outsider, and your persistence in staying w
When Rene didn't budge, Josh’s face turned bright red as he stormed toward him, fists clenched and eyes wild with anger. The room fell silent, everyone holding their breath between Mr. Rossi’s stern decision and Josh’s explosive outburst.Rene met Josh’s rage with a calm, steady gaze, refusing to back down. He stood firm, not breaking eye contact. Sensing the danger, Maria stepped in front of Rene, spreading her arms open, her face showing both desperation and defiance.“Dad, please!” Maria’s voice trembled as she pleaded with Mr. Rossi. “This isn’t right. You can’t force us into this.”With a scoff, Mr. Rossi’s gaze remained fixed on Rene, cold and unyielding. “Maria, there’s no discussion here. Actions have consequences, and today you’ll see that.”His father's words made Josh’s anger boil over and he raised his hand to slap Maria, but in a flash, his wife Vittoria clinging to him, tears streaming down her face. “Josh, stop! Let’s think this through.”Frowning at her, Josh’s voice
Drawing a deep breath, Rene sat back in his leather chair, casually leaning his elbows on the armrests, eyes scanning the office around him. Across from him, Marco stood, hands still tucked into his pockets, his expression as deadpan as ever. René glanced at him and then, with a small grin, spoke in his calm, collected voice."Marco, I need you to understand something. This whole job I hire you for... it doesn't run on loyalty to anyone else. It runs on loyalty to me. I need to know everything that’s going on in this building. You get me?"Locking eyes with him, Marco nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes, boss.""And that means," René continued, leaning forward slightly, "you don’t take orders from anyone unless they come directly from me. Not from Mr. Rossi, not from my wife Maria, not even from my so-called in-laws." He paused, giving Marco a pointed look. "Your loyalty is mine and mine alone.""Understood, boss." Marco’s tone didn’t waver. His dead-eyed stare might have been unsettling
Drawing a deep breath, Alejandro stood in the middle of his destroyed office, his breathing heavy, fists still clenched, when the knock on the door came again.For a moment, he ignored it, staring at the shattered remains of the vase, the overturned coffee table, and the scattered papers. He wasn’t in the mood for company, and whoever was at the door was the last thing on his mind.The knock came again, a little more insistent this time.With a growl of frustration, Alejandro wiped a hand over his face, trying to collect himself. “Come in,” he barked, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.The door creaked open, and in stepped a timid figure... a man Alejandro immediately recognized. It was Derek, the guy his grandfather had laid off earlier this morning. He was dressed simply, his face pale and anxious, clearly not expecting to find Alejandro amidst the ruins of what used to be a pristine office.The second Derek saw the mess and Alejandro’s furious glare, he froze in t
As the silence dragged on, Jessica sat there, still on her knees in front of Carlo Rossi's desk, her breath catching in her throat as she tried to hold onto her fragile mask of vulnerability. Her heart raced, hoping that the call Carlo just made would secure her place in the company again, that everything would go as she planned. She waited for the door to open, fully expecting to see Rene walk in.But when the door creaked open, it wasn’t Rene.It was Alejandro.Jessica’s stomach dropped the moment their eyes met.Standing in the doorway, Alejandro’s face twisted in anger the second he saw her kneeling on the floor. His dark eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed into a tight, furious line as he stormed into the room, the tension in his body unmistakable.“Grandfather,” Alejandro greeted, his voice tight, barely masking his rage. “What’s this about?”Quickly, she scrambled to her feet, heart pounding, and brushed off her skirt. She opened her mouth to speak, to explain herself, but th
Without sparing a second glance at Rene, Jessica stormed out of the office, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she clenched her fists at her sides. HHer mind was racing, fury bubbling just beneath the surface as she thought, 'Fired? Just like that? I don't think so."As she reached the elevator, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She was going to fix this. She knew exactly where to go.The elevator doors opened, and Jessica stepped inside, tapping the button for the executive floor. A plan was already forming in her head. She knew how to play her cards right... after all, she had been working in this family’s empire long enough to know how things worked.When the elevator dinged on the executive floor, Jessica straightened her posture, letting her face soften into a look of vulnerability. She walked briskly to Carlo’s secretary’s desk, her expression shifting from anger to desperation.“Hi, I need to speak with Mr. Rossi. It’s urgent,” Jessica said, her vo
The doors of Rossi Enterprises slid open with a soft hiss, and in walked Rene. He wore a sharp black suit, perfectly tailored to his lean frame, with a crisp white shirt and no tie, giving him a mix of sophistication and rebellion. His dark hair was swept back neatly, and there was an effortless swagger in his step. But what really turned heads was the guy trailing behind him—a cocky-looking dude with dead eyes, like he had seen too much and cared too little. His expression screamed "try me," and his hands were casually tucked into his pockets. Whispers started almost immediately as René strode through the lobby.“Is that… Maria's husband?”“That’s Kia. You know, the guy who-”“Yeah, I heard. He destroyed the Lelands last night... used Mr. Gunnar to get them down on their knees.”“Wait, isn’t he taking over Alejandro’s position? How did that even happen?”As their faint whispers brushed against his ears, René’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smirk, like he knew exactly wha
Monday9:00 A.MAs his eyes hardened, Alejandro slammed the drawer shut, stuffing the last of his files into a black leather briefcase. The faint sound of his office door opening went unnoticed until the hurried click of heels caught his attention. "Morning boss... What's going on?" his assistant, Jessica, asked, her voice laced with concern. She stopped in the doorway, eyes wide, taking in the sight of her usually composed boss in the middle of packing his things. “Are you… leaving?”Reaching for another folder, Alejandro didn’t look up immediately, but the scowl on his face deepened. “It’s happening,” he muttered darkly. “That lowlife, that nobody, is taking my position.”As her brows drew together, Jessica’s heart sank. She had heard whispers in the office, but to see it unfold like this, right in front of her, made the situation all too real. "Kia?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Yeah, my so-called cousin-in-law," Alejandro spat, throwing another folder into his bri
The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the room as Juan paced back and forth in his study, his hands clasped behind his back. His children... Princess, Alejandro, José, Luis, and Luca sat in various states of boredom or concern around the long table. The dim lighting cast shadows across the study, making the atmosphere feel heavier than usual.Suddenly, Juan stopped, turning to face them. "You all understand what happened last night, right?"Princess, leaning lazily against the armrest of her chair, rolled her eyes as she let out, "Yeah, Dad, we get it. Kia embarrassed the Lelands, and now everyone’s acting like he’s some kind of genius.""Exactly," Juan replied, his voice carrying a tinge of frustration. "And if Father can take Alejandro’s position in the family and just hand it over to someone like Kia, what does that mean for the rest of us?"Alejandro, who had been sitting quietly in the corner with his arms crossed, looked up sharply. His jaw was tight, and his eyes glinted
In the dimly lit study of the Rossi mansion, Jason, Antonio, Layla, and Bianca sat in tense silence, each of them processing the events of the previous night. The air felt tense with the weight of their unspoken thoughts, their faces betraying a mix of shock and uncertainty.Antonio sat at his desk, fingers drumming against the wood, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the next step. Across from him, Jason leaned casually in his chair, his eyes sharp and calculating, while Layla sat beside him, her expression unreadable. Bianca, meanwhile, slouched in an armchair near the window, her brows furrowed in frustration.Finally, it was Bianca who broke the silence, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Well, now that Kia doesn’t have Mr. Gunnar’s protection, he’s no threat anymore. We don’t have to worry about him.”Her words were met with a sharp glare from both Jason and Antonio. Jason shifted in his seat, his gaze hardening as he turned toward his sister.“Bianca,” he said, his to
The morning sun filtered through the soft curtains of the Rossi mansion, casting a warm glow across the master bedroom. Mr. Rossi sat on the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed, fingers tapping restlessly against his knee. He hadn’t slept much after the events of the previous night. Madam Rossi, still in her silk robe, sat at the vanity, brushing her hair. She glanced at her husband, noticing the tension in his posture, the way he seemed lost in thought.“They’re not home yet, are they... Maria and Kia?” Mr. Rossi asked, his voice low, though it held an edge of concern.His wife paused for a moment, setting down her brush before turning to face him. “No, they’re not,” she replied calmly, though there was a hint of curiosity in her voice. She noticed the way his shoulders were stiff, the way his fingers had stilled their tapping and now pressed into his palms.She frowned slightly, studying him. “What’s on your mind?” she asked, her tone soft.Mr. Rossi sighed deeply, running a hand