Semua Bab His Hired Lover: Bab 31 - Bab 40

Rios squinted as the harsh arena lights flooded his vision, their glare bouncing off the golden cages that lined the pit below. This huge place had become cramped because of the large number of spectators. The air had gone thick with heat, and the scent of sweat, blood, and spilled liquor merged into something pungent and suffocating.Around him, the crowd roared with a chaotic mix of cheers, jeers, and feverish anticipation. Men in silk suits and women draped in jewels leaned forward, their eyes gleaming with the same hunger as the predators they had paid to watch. Those who paid bigger secured the nearest chairs. But he and his father sat in the isolated part where they could clearly see everyone.He shifted in his seat, his hands pressing into the smooth leather as his gaze flickered to his father. Don Demitre Alcaraz was a serious and heavyset man whose presence screamed danger. The dim glow of the chandeliers caught the sharp angles of his face. Those cold eyes locked at the pit b

SOFIA’s POVIt was already past 7 PM when I stepped out of SCS. After that grueling, nerve-wracking first lesson with Helena, Hugo had introduced me to some people at Star Channel. And since he was, without a doubt, a chatterbox, we ended up in his office, sharing a glass of wine while he rambled about his long experience as a manager.Walking out of the building, I spotted Valeria waiting, sharp and on time as always. She gave me a quick nod before leading me to the waiting car. Even in the dim streetlights, she carried herself with authority. Her short, tousled hair and intimidating posture gave her a boyish edge, but there was something undeniably attractive about her. Maybe it was the way her sharp brows framed her deep-set eyes or how her full lips curved into that rare smirk. Sometimes, I caught myself staring. Not that it meant anything—my DNA just wasn’t wired that way, no matter how much Valeria looked more than a gender bender than a bodyguard.“You’d be surprised, Miss Sofia

SOFIA’S POVWhen Rios told me we were going to a special place, I didn’t expect to step into a private venue at Okada Manila, where a judge was already waiting for us. The room radiated modern elegance with its ambient lighting and glass windows overlooking the bay. The delicate fragrance of white roses, baby's breath, and white snapdragons mingled with the faint scent of fresh linen and luxury. Also, a soft piano melody played in the background, creating an intimate ambiance.I barely had time to process the setting before Valeria and Kyle took their seats across from my manager, Hugo. The shock on my face was evident as I saw him here. Beside my fabulous manager stood a striking brunette in a red silk midi dress with a plunging neckline, the kind of effortlessly expensive outfit that only someone with generational wealth could pull off.She was tall, stunning, and polished to perfection. Her flawless blowout and those subtle diamond earrings hinted the kind of confidence that came fr

“That little girl. She looks pretty enough.”The man beside Sasha gave a brief nod before clicking the mouse. In just a second, the monitor flickered, pulling up a series of images of a little girl named Amanda.“She’s one of the kids delivered from the orphanage, Madame.”Sasha’s gaze hardened. A sharp breath flared her nostrils as she studied the girl’s face. “How old is she?”“She’s ten, Madame.”Sasha tilted her head slightly, examining those Bambi eyes and the clear complexion of the girl. If Rios hadn’t run off to Baguio with his new wife, this wretched task wouldn’t have fallen to her. Normally, the managers handled selections, but with the international Mafia heads gathering in two weeks, Rios had insisted that everything had to be perfect. Every child had to be placed accordingly, and she—his most trusted cousin—would make sure of that.Just this morning, she had toured the laboratory where surgeons in blood-smeared gloves worked in chilling silence. She had kept her expressio

SOFIA’s POVBefore I could get another gulp of my wine, Rios’s warm hand stopped me from my idiotic decision.“That bottle is already half full. You might want to slow down a bit.”I playfully slapped his right cheek before smilingly pouring another into my glass. “Don’t worry about me,” I said, with a slight slur in my words. “I can handle my poison.”“Given how red your cheeks are now, I doubt you know what you’re talking about.”My brows furrowed as I heard him say that. “H-how dare you, Rios,” I said with a pout, jabbing my finger at his chest. “Are you saying I’m already drunk? Heck! This is just wine! It only has about 12 to 14 percent of alcohol, so how could I get drunk with this… starry bright and fruity Feli—” I squinted at the label, the letters shimmering like little fish swimming on the bottle.“Felicette Rosé,” he corrected.“Yeah, that one.”“Well, let me tell you… you already have a slurred speech, you’ve been giggling, your milky skin looks flushed, and you’re more tal