The Lie that Binds의 모든 챕터: 챕터 11 - 챕터 20

After a steam bath, she stepped out of the bathroom, a white towel wrapped loosely around her chest. “Honeysuckle Rose” by Anita O’Day, an old vintage and mellifluous tune, was playing in the background.It was 5:40 pm now. If Stefan, or rather Stefano, kept to time, then she had exactly 1 hour and 20 minutes to prepare for the ‘dinner.’ She hummed along to the sweet tune as she swayed her hips to the bass, sauntering to the closet.Despite her self-disgust at falling for the devil she'd been sent to slay, Serena was intrigued to see how his intricate game of cat and mouse would unfold. She relished the opportunity to play the role of the unsuspecting pawn, to pretend to be the vulnerable prey. But beneath the surface, she would be a cunning adversary, a sly fox, eager to outmaneuver him. Serena was determined to play his game, but with a twist – she'd emerge as the mastermind, outsmarting him at every turn. She would make him fall for her, then she'd learn his secrets, and in the

Still at the restaurant.Serena laughed, a hint of mockery in her voice. "No, let's not. I'm a terrible dancer," she replied, trying to deflect his interest.Stefano's response was unexpected. "Something tells me that's not true," he said, his eyes locked on hers as if challenging her claim.Serena's smile grew, and she shot back, "Well, that ‘something’ is lying." She tried to keep her tone light, but her words were laced with a hint of defiance.Stefano stood up, and with a subtle gesture, the soft hum of jazz music filled the air, replaced by the sultry rhythms of salsa. He began to dance, his movements unabashedly sensual and sophisticated. The way he moved was almost hypnotic, and Serena found herself giggling, captivated by the fluidity of his steps. For a moment, she forgot her vendetta, and her eyes were drawn to the captivating sight of Stefano dancing."What are you doing?" she laughed, her eyes shining with mirth, her voice barely audible over the pulsating music.Stefano

Once Stefano's car left her curb, Serena sluggishly took off her heels, the soft thud of the shoes hitting the floor a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her. Flinging them into her cluttered closet, she strode to her dresser mirror, where her reflection glared back at her like a specter. She stared for minutes, motionless, her mind replaying the moments that had left her feeling so unsettled —The Dinner and dance with the Devil, ‘Stefano.’ The memories swirled like a toxic storm, refusing to dissipate. Shaking off the lingering emotions had become another mission for her. Mission impossible.She had tried to deny it, but the truth was, she had enjoyed Stefano's company. His words, his touch, his smiles, his soft gaze that still pierced through her Kryptonian shields. The way he had danced, the way he had made her feel like she was the only woman that mattered in the world. It had all felt completely genuine. She found no lust in his eyes as he stared at her. She would

An unknown location, Milan, Italy.10:15 pm.Stefano stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of his Milanese manor, gazing out into the rain-soaked night. The droplets slid down the glass like tears, their rhythmic patter a soothing melody that couldn't calm the storm in his mind. Repeatedly, constantly, obsessively, his thoughts were consumed by her —Serena. Her beautiful sage green eyes, her wavy black hair, her fragrance —a scent he couldn't get enough of.He obsessed thought deeply about her smile, the sound of her laughter, her sultry voice and the way she moved in his arms when they danced.The memory of their evening replayed on repeat, and Stefano couldn't shake off the feeling that something had shifted within him. He was so lost in the haze of his thoughts that he couldn't even hear the approaching walking steps. Marco gently pushed open the grand door. He entered the sitting room, where Stefano stood by the window in a dark tailored suit.The room's neutral tones were

Still trapped underground.The elevator groaned in protest, stalling mid-ascent as dust and smoke seeped through the cracks of the doors. The red emergency light flickered, casting ominous shadows over their faces. Without thinking twice, Marco who was still panting from the sprint and explosion effect pulled out his phone with trembling fingers and dialed the emergency number assigned to their underground tech team.“We need extraction. Now!” he barked, voice low but urgent. “Bomb. Explosion. Elevator’s stuck! Stefano’s with us!” He ended the call, his thumb slick with sweat.Across from him, Stefano stood rigid, jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the blinking red light overhead. Rage simmered beneath his skin like molten lead. But beneath the rage, something more insidious writhed —fear. He wouldn't show it, not in front of his men. Never.His thoughts churned like a storm.Pablo had outplayed him. He had trusted the mole just long enough to get burned, and the sting of betrayal seared de