Bjorn leaned casually against the marble pillar, with his arms folded and a smirk on his lips. He glanced at the various characters in the unfolding drama, including his parents, his brother, Seraphina, and the trembling Alora. The tension was thick, the air electric, but to him, it was nothing but another act in the endless play that was the Rodriguez family.He observed Alora struggling to speak, her face contorted with fear and confusion, and a sluggish smile slipped across his face. She tried hard, but no one was listening. He looked at Seraphina, her expression cool and composed, her words silky as honey as she twisted the situation. It was amazing how easily she could lie.Bjorn was not blind to the details of what Alora was trying to say. He knew when something was wrong and Seraphina looked very scared for a short time, which showed him something important: she had secrets. Big ones. He enjoyed uncovering those secrets more than watching his family fall apart.The smile of Bjo
According to Alton's plan, Henry escorted Bjorn and Alora to Holland Hospital the next day. Inside Seraphina Holland's CEO office, Seraphina's eyes were fixed on Alora, who clung tightly to Bjorn’s arm, her small frame trembling with fear. Alora's heart pounded in her chest, and she held on as if her life depended on it.Seraphina’s office was sleek and pristine, the cold, clinical air of Holland Hospital seeping through the walls. The blinds were half-drawn, casting thin beams of light across her desk. Seraphina sat behind it, her eyes locked onto Alora, who clung to Bjorn as if her life depended on it. Alora’s breath was rapid, and her small frame shivered uncontrollably. Her fingers dug into Bjorn’s arm, her eyes wide with fear.Bjorn, on the other hand, lounged back in his seat with a smug grin plastered on his face, watching the tension rise with amusement. He seemed almost delighted to be there, his eyes dancing as he looked between Alora and Seraphina.Bjorn, on the other hand
Seraphina’s steps were slow, calculated, as she closed the distance between herself and Alora. Her eyes glinted with a mix of false warmth and something far darker. She reached out, her fingers brushing against Alora’s cheek, her touch deceptively gentle. “You are so beautiful, Alora,” she murmured, her tone sweet. “Those big golden curls and those baby blue eyes... like a doll.” Alora, trembling, tried to muster a smile, her eyes flicking up to meet Seraphina’s. But it was a weak, fragile attempt, and the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.In an instant, Seraphina’s grip shifted from gentle to vicious. Her fingers wrapped tightly around Alora’s throat, squeezing with a sudden, terrifying force. Alora’s eyes widened, a choked gasp escaping her lips as her hands instinctively went to Seraphina’s wrist, her body jerking in shock.Seraphina’s face twisted, her teeth bared as she leaned in, her voice a hiss. “You saw Alysha Jarl, didn’t you?” she snarled, her grip tightening. Alora’s eye
Maximilian carried Alora out of Seraphina’s office, his hold on her firm and protective. Her small hands gripped his uniform tightly, her face pressed against his chest as he moved swiftly through the hallways. She trembled in his arms, and he felt every shiver that coursed through her. He kept his gaze forward, his jaw set, ignoring the questions burning in his mind. Right now, his priority was getting her somewhere safe—somewhere far from Seraphina.When they reached the military base, the sight was almost surreal. Alora clung to him as he stepped through the gates, his presence commanding immediate attention. Soldiers and officers, trained to be composed, faltered at the sight of their captain holding a girl who looked like she had walked out of a fairy tale. Eyes widened, and whispers passed between them as they watched the tall, imposing figure of Maximilian cradling a fragile, princess-like girl. Her golden hair cascaded down, catching the sunlight, and her diamond hair clip sp
Henry and Bjorn paced through the hallways of Holland Hospital, their eyes scanning each corner, growing more frantic with every step. Henry's face was pale, his breath quickening. "Where could she be?" he muttered, his voice tight with panic. "We can’t lose her here—Seraphina and Alora both gone!"Bjorn, his expression a mixture of frustration and anxiety, shook his head. "Alora’s impossible to find when she’s scared. She’ll hide somewhere and not make a single sound." He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the situation. "Next time, we should put a dog’s tracking collar on her throat."Henry stopped in his tracks, taken aback by Bjorn’s casual suggestion. "What?" he blurted out, staring at Bjorn in disbelief.Bjorn shrugged, unbothered. "You know how it is with her. If she doesn’t want to be found, she won’t be."Henry’s jaw tightened, his nerves fraying as he glanced around the bustling hospital. "This isn’t a joke, Bjorn," he snapped. "We need to find them—now."Henry swallo
Maximilian gently patted Alora’s back as she clung to him, her small frame trembling. "I’ll take you home, okay?" he said softly, trying to calm her.But Alora’s voice was shaky as she cried out, "Mom...!"Maximilian felt his blood run cold the moment Alora cried out, "Mom..." His mind raced, the image of Lilian Rodriguez flashing before his eyes—a woman known for her ruthless control, one who wielded power in the family like a blade. If Alora told Lilian anything about what happened, or worse, if Lilian suspected any danger to her beloved adopted daughter, it could unravel everything.Liam, sitting nearby, was taken aback by the name. “Who is your mom?” he asked, curiosity laced with something more dangerous.Alora, her innocent eyes still wet with tears, whispered, “Lilian.”Liam blinked, his mind racing. “Lilian and Gabriel only have two sons,” he said, frowning in confusion. “And you don’t look like either of them. You look more... European.”Alora’s lips trembled for a moment, th
Maximilian’s car pulled up to the towering gates of the Rodriguez Manor, and the moment he rolled down his window, every guard and servant within sight stiffened, their eyes widening. The sheer size of the estate was daunting—a 200-year-old masterpiece that sprawled across 25 kilometers of manicured gardens, towering stone walls, and imposing architecture. It screamed of money, power, and legacy in a way that was undeniable.As soon as they recognized him—though he had never set foot here before—they immediately granted him access. The gates parted, and he drove into the heart of the Rodriguez empire, his eyes scanning the grandeur and opulence that unfolded before him. The fountains, the sprawling lawns, the intricate statues—all were carefully crafted symbols of a legacy built on generations of wealth and influence.Alora, sitting quietly beside him, still gripped his hand. She was calmer now, perhaps comforted by the familiar sight of her home. But Maximilian could sense the power
The sudden roar from the doorway cut through the room like a knife. “You brainless puppet!” Bjorn’s voice thundered, causing heads to turn and the air to tense. Alora’s body went rigid, her eyes widening in fear as she clung tightly to Ivan, who instinctively pulled her closer.Bjorn stormed in, his face twisted in anger as he strode toward her, his eyes ablaze. “You almost gave me a heart attack!” he shouted, his tone sharp and accusing.Ivan remained calm, but his eyes darkened as he released Alora and faced his nephew. “This is your fault, Bjorn,” he said sternly. “Why did you leave her alone? You know you must always keep an eye on her. If she hides, she doesn’t make a sound.” His voice was measured but heavy with disappointment.Bjorn’s lips curled into a scowl. “Do I look like her bodyguard?” he snapped, throwing his hands up. “She’s not my responsibility!”Ivan’s gaze didn’t waver. “You know she’s too beautiful to be trusted with just anyone. We can’t afford the risk—only famil