《The Last Spade Master》


 Murder in Worcester

    In a distant corner of Worcester''s city centre lurked a sinister alley, where the shadows seemed to weave the beginning of all darkness, accompanied by an unsettling silence that filled the air with an eerie whistle.


    Within this ominous setting, the clinking of bottles echoed against the ground as a group of inebriated thugs gathered to play cards beneath the faint glow of a dim spotlight. Suddenly, a drunken, bald figure hastily attempted to leave the game.


    "Don''t even think about fleeing. Put your money down before you move your ass" threatened one of the thugs with a menacing growl.


    The bald man stumbled, his movements unsteady as he began to fumble with his pants.


    "Oi! What in the bloody hell do you think you''re doing?" exclaimed another thug, taken aback by the unexpected action.


    "Let him go... He won''t have his balls if he flees", grumbled a gravelly voice from the group.


    With a nervous squirm, the bald man darted away as if his bladder were on the brink of bursting. Meanwhile, the gruff man lit a cigarette, a wicked grin dancing on his lips.


    "You seem to be in high spirits, boss," remarked one of the thugs.


    "Just reminiscing about last night''s escapades... That wildcat was something else," the gruff man chuckled, leaning against the wall.


    The thugs joined in laughter, but their mirth quickly subsided under their boss''s stern gaze. After a moment, the boss sighed and rose to his feet.


    "Rocco, take over for me. I''ll be ba¡ª" His sentence was abruptly cut short by a sudden flash of light across his neck. Bewildered, the thugs turned to see a sleek black card with shimmering silver edges pinned to the wall. Before they could react, they witnessed a fine crimson line appearing on their boss''s neck, followed by a trickle of blood. With a thud, their leader collapsed to the ground, lifeless.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    As the darkness of the night receded, the vibrant rays of the sun illuminated the bustling city of Worcester. Nestled amidst the urban commotion stood the prestigious garage, "Sydney Ignites," owned by the esteemed Mr. Alex Dexter, renowned for his benevolence and integrity.


    "Vroom...Vroom...Vroom..."


    The powerful hum of a Lightning LS218 reverberated across the test track, expertly maneuvered by one of Sydney Ignites'' most skilled mechanics.


    Entering the yard, Mr. Dexter inquired of a nearby mechanic, "Hey, rookie, where''s Grace?"


    A young lad whose mouth was occupied by a spanner as he worked on a bike, nodded towards the test track in response.


    Mr. Dexter sighed and crossed his arms in exasperation.


    "Here we go again."


    "Grace! Get off that track this instant," he shouted loudly from the side of the test track


    The Lightning LS218 came to a halt, and a figure clad in a sleek black racer leather jacket dismounted from the bike, removing her helmet. Midnight-black hair cascaded down her back, framing electric blue eyes which are as cold as ice.


    "You promised to join me at Ms. Paopao''s restaurant," Mr. Dexter pleaded, desperation evident in his voice.


    With purposeful strides, Grace approached him, tossing her helmet his way. Dexter caught it in time before it kissed the land.


    "It''s Pakpao, not Paopao. And it''s only 9:30; she doesn''t open until 10. Why the rush?" she questioned, her voice carrying a hint of sultriness and authority.


    Dexter scoffed with his hands on hips. "You don''t understand the glory of her Gob Tod fries. What if they''re all gone by the time we get there?"


    A skeptical expression crossed Grace''s face. "Really? You''re the only one who worships those skinny frog fries, Dexy."


    "Don''t you dare insult Paopao''s frog fries! The crisp skin, slender legs, plump cheeks, rosy lips, and those big bo¡ª" Dexter ranted enthusiastically, only to be promptly interrupted.


    "Enough with the nonsense. Just propose to her already. It''ll save me the money you squander at her restaurant," Grace retorted, turning to leave.


    "Ah, but who will foot the bill for my wedding then?" Dexter exclaimed, trailing after her.

 Killed by Spade

    ''Click...Click...Click''


    The sound of cameras snapping echoed as Police Line Do Not Cross tape cordoned off the crime scene.


    A group of reporters surrounded the crime scene and questioned the authorities.


    "Is it true that the previous murder and this one were committed by the same perpetrator?" one reporter pressed, eager for answers.


    "This marks the second murder in as many weeks. Do the authorities have any suspects in mind?" another inquired, their voice edged with urgency.


    "What steps is the police department taking to address these crimes?" a third reporter chimed in, their tone insistent.


    Facing the barrage of questions, the chief superintendent of police remained composed. "We are currently in the midst of our investigation. As of now, there are no specific suspects, but both victims were known local criminals involved in minor offences. It''s possible this could be a feud between rival gangs," he explained calmly.


    "But there have been reports of a poker card with a spade symbol found at both crime scenes. Could this indicate a serial killer at work?" a reporter pressed further.


    The chief''s brow furrowed in irritation. "There is no basis for such speculation. I urge you not to spread unfounded rumours," he warned sternly before abruptly departing.


    In his office, the chief''s frustration boiled over as he slammed his hands on the table. "What on earth are you still doing, and how did the press get wind of the spade detail? Didn''t I explicitly warn against any leaks!" he bellowed, veins pulsing on his forehead as he glared at his officers, who hung their heads in shame.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Just then, a young officer burst into the room, holding a file. Saluting the chief, he reported, "Chief, as with the previous case, we found only a single spade card at the scene. No fingerprints, no evidence of any other weapon. Even the witnesses couldn''t provide any leads."


    With a heavy sigh, the chief leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. After a moment, he commanded, "Summon Squad 13 for an emergency meeting," before storming out of the room.


    As murmurs rippled through the group of officers, among them one young and new officer piped up in astonishment, "Squad 13? Wasn''t it disbanded years ago?"


    "Dissolved? Nonsense! Watch your words, lest the chief hear your foolishness," snapped a senior lieutenant, quelling any further discussion.


    Apologizing sheepishly, the officer persisted, "But aren''t the rumors about Squad 13 true?"


    The senior lieutenant fixed him with a steely glare. "Are you daft? Do you think Squad 13 is at your beck and call like a common servant? They are elite, and they intervene only when absolutely necessary," he rebuked sharply.


    The young man only blinked his eyes at him not understanding a thing


    Meanwhile, far from the heart of Worcester city, a big mansion was highly guarded by the men in black, their senses high as a radar, ready to shoot even if a fly trespassed.


    ''Bam...Bam...Bam...'' reverberated the rhythmic sound of fists meeting a punching bag within the mansion''s gym. His tanned muscles flexed, and his veins bulged every time he hit the bag. Sweat trickles its way down to his well toned packs and into his low waist boxer pants. His forest green eyes appear as sharp as those of an eagle, ready to catch its prey and feast on it.


    "6:30 a.m.," a robotic voice intoned from his watch. He ceased his assault on the bag, removing his wrist strap and gloves before wiping away the sweat that adorned his sculpted physique.


    He gulped the bottle of water as his Adam''s apple moved up and down smoothly.


    A knock at the door interrupted his routine, prompting a furrow of his brow. As the butler entered, a sense of foreboding filled the room.


    "What has he done this time?" he demanded, his voice tinged with dark apprehension.


    The butler, visibly shaken, stuttered out a response. "Y-Young master... is gone"

 King of Underworld

    The young master of Grey Mansion, Aiden Grey, a boy of four who seemed to be too mature and poised for his age, found himself fixated on the test ride track of Sydney Ignites, his gaze distant and contemplative.


    "Who''s that kid? He''s always hanging around the track," remarked one of the mechanics, casting a curious glance at Aiden.


    "Not sure, but he seems drawn to racing," observed a coworker.


    "I don''t think so, he''ll not be here if others do the test ride. His presence is reserved only for Ms. Grace," the man huffed.


    The latter laughed at him and said, "Don''t say you are jealous over the little boy, and if Dexter finds that you are aiming hearts at his precious daughter, he will literally castrate you".


    Hearing this, the man bonked the spanner in his hand at the latter''s head.


    "Ouch... what was that for", yelped the other, rubbing his sore noggin.


    The man said sternly, "Ms. Grace is someone I look up to, so stop spouting nonsense out of your dirty mouth".


    Meanwhile, the little boy looked dejected and murmured, "Seems like she is not here today" and turned around to leave.


    Back at the Grey Mansion, servants scoured every nook and corner of the mansion in search of their young master. In the main hall, Raven Grey, the mansion''s enigmatic owner, lounged on the sofa, savoring his espresso with a demeanor as dark and brooding as his soul.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    He clads in a white shirt and black pants devoid of wrinkles. The top two buttons were undone, showing his inverted triangular chest, which looked tan and dripping honey. His every movement screamed danger as he held the cup in a tight grip.


    The butler sighed, eyeing the treasured tea set with pity, and ordered a maid to check the young master''s room once more.


    Ascending the stairs, the maid entered the corridor leading to Aiden''s bedroom. Opening the door, she was taken aback to find the boy in blue pajamas seated casually on the expansive bed. His midnight dark hair looked messy, like he had just woken up from his sleep.


    The maid''s eyes widened as she couldn''t believe what was before her. This is because when she searched for the young master before, he was not in the room, but now he is. She rushed back to inform the butler about the young master''s presence.


    Meanwhile, Aiden smirked mischievously. He heard a light thud near the window, where the curtains billowed in the wind. A fleeting shadow danced on the glass pane before vanishing.


    Fixing the invisible intruder with a warning glare, Aiden spoke in a tone laced with threat, "Keep your mouth shut. If you breathe a word of my absence to Dad, say goodbye to this weekend''s trip to Greta''s bird shop."


    The shadow retreated, and just then, Aiden''s father, Raven Grey, appeared in the doorway, his expression stern.


    "Aiden"


    He heard the crisp voice of his father, who is now standing in front of his bedroom door, which was left open by the maid, who left in a hurry.


    He gave him a stern look and asked "Mind telling me where did you go so early in this morning"


    Throwing off the blanket, Aiden sprang from the bed with a swift motion, meeting his father''s gaze head-on. He placed his hand on his waist and lifted his chin defiantly. He projected an air of fearlessness uncommon for one so young.


    In Worcester City, only one besides the senior Mr. Grey possessed the audacity to stand toe-to-toe and lock eyes with the underworld king ¡ª young Aiden Grey.

 Predator of Predator

    The city of Worcester, renowned for its technological advancements and cutthroat business environment, thrived on a relentless pursuit of success.


    This is the place where only two categories exist, the prey and the predator. Those adept at navigating the treacherous currents of ambition and greed survived, while the naive fell victim to the machinations of the powerful elite.


    But people forgot that the food chain is a triangle and only one can sit at the top. The one who is capable of feasting on predators is the "Hunter" aka "Raven Grey," who spun the unbreakable web across the world over the years.


    Raven Grey, a figure shrouded in mystery and feared by all who dared to cross him. Known to the world as the formidable proprietor of Altron Groups, Raven inherited his empire from his grandfather at a remarkably young age. But it was his ruthless ambition and cunning intellect that propelled him to unparalleled heights of success.


    People had a hunch that they should expect nothing less from the successor of the Grey''s. But no one expected that he would exceed everyone''s expectations.


    For nearly a decade, Raven expanded his business empire across international borders, dominating industries ranging from hospitality and pharmaceuticals to entertainment and automotive. Under his leadership, Altron Groups became an indomitable force, its influence felt in every corner of the globe.


    Yet, behind the facade of corporate success lurked a darker truth. Raven Grey was not merely a businessman; he was also the enigmatic leader of a clandestine underworld syndicate known as "The Viper."


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Vipers are known for their notorious way of doing underground works. They coil their ways around enemies and squeeze them slowly and smoothly until they cannot breathe and get down on their knees.


    As their leader Raven was someone who is not trifled with. They know Raven Grey as the undefeatable opponent to fighters in fighting grounds, a beast to his rivals, as cruel as sin, as dark as the mysteries of night, and finally a living devil to those who mess with him.


    And so, it was a curious sight indeed to see Raven Grey, the feared mafia boss, confronted by his own four-year-old son, Aiden Grey. As the saying goes "A wild goose never lays a lame egg", Aiden Grey, the only son of Raven Grey stood undaunted and reverted back the same stern look at his father.


    With a raised brow, Raven addressed his son, his voice betraying a hint of amusement.


    "Where did you disappear early this morning?"


    Pointing to himself with a finger, Aiden replied nonchalantly, "Me? Nowhere. I just woke up."


    Raven''s smirk deepened as he observed his son''s confident demeanor. "Just woke up? You seem far too alert for someone who just rolled out of bed."


    Shrugging indifferently, Aiden quipped, "Well, I guess I''m just blessed with good genes."


    Raven chuckled softly, lowering himself to squat before his son. With a gentle touch, he brushed a stray droplet from the corner of Aiden''s mouth, a playful glint in his eyes.


    "Next time, remember to wipe your drool before running somewhere," he teased.


    Aiden''s eyes widened in disbelief, darting towards the bathroom with lightning speed. Slamming the door shut, he protested, "No, you''re lying! I didn''t drool!"


    As Raven watched his son''s hasty retreat, a rare smile graced his lips. In that fleeting moment, the fearsome mafia boss was simply a father enjoying a playful exchange with his son.


    Before departing for work, Raven instructed the butler to keep a watchful eye on Aiden, knowing full well that even in his absence, his son was anything but ordinary.

 Tamed cat

    With a screech, the sleek black Bentley pulled up in front of Worcester city''s tallest edifice. Towering above, the name "Altron Groups" loomed, emblazoned atop the building. The bold black "A" outlined in silver bespoke the Grey family''s dominance in the realm of business.


    The grandiose structure boasted 150 floors and a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees, a sight to behold for any passerby.


    As the driver swung open the door, a pair of impeccably polished black shoes emerged. Raven Grey stepped out, clad in a deep bluish-green suit, meticulously buttoned at the center, paired with a crisp black shirt free of any wrinkles. His dark hair was slicked to the side, and his neatly trimmed beard lent him a rugged charm, reminiscent of a perfectly groomed 5 o''clock shadow.


    Each time Raven passed, both male and female employees found themselves entranced by his commanding presence. They greeted him with a mixture of admiration and respect, receiving only a firm nod in response. With an air of exclusivity, he entered the elevator reserved for the Greys.


    As the doors closed, female employees sighed dreamily, imagining themselves as the fortunate recipient of his attention, while male colleagues sighed in envy, their admiration for their CEO only deepening with each passing day. Such reactions were par for the course, a testament to Raven''s undeniable charisma.


    With a soft ''ding'', the elevator announced their arrival on the 145th floor. Raven disembarked and made his way to his expansive corner office. The space exudes elegance, furnished with a grand mahogany desk at its center and plush leather sofas flanking the sides. A golden nameplate adorned the desk, proudly displaying the title "Raven Grey, Chief Executive Officer."


    Beside his opulent mahogany desk, a colossal glass wall stretched, offering a panoramic vista of bustling Worcester. Raven draped his coat over his chair, methodically unfastening his cufflinks and rolling up his sleeves, revealing sinewy, muscular forearms.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    With measured steps, he approached the expansive window, slipping his hands into his pockets as he surveyed the city below, his demeanor akin to a sovereign overseeing his domain.


    A sharp knock at the door interrupted his contemplation. "Come in," Raven commanded, his voice laced with authority.


    Ian Jasper, his fair and unassuming personal assistant, entered the room, clutching a tablet PC. Behind his skinny black-framed glasses, his eyes held a timid yet earnest gaze.


    "Have you found it?" Raven inquired, fixing his assistant with a penetrating stare.


    "Yes, sir. The young master went to the same mechanic shed," Ian replied, his voice tinged with excitement.


    Raven''s eyes narrowed at the display of enthusiasm. "Is the shed that captivating?" he questioned.


    Ian blinked, his excitement dampened by Raven''s piercing gaze. "Not the shed itself, sir, but rather the owner''s daughter," he clarified, his voice faltering slightly under Raven''s scrutiny.


    "I believe our young master has taken a liking to Ms. Siren Grace."


    "Siren," Raven murmured her name, his thoughts drifting momentarily. With a curt nod, he returned his attention to the cityscape beyond, leaving Ian to ponder the over his reaction


    On the opposite end of town, Alex and Siren occupied a secluded corner at Ms. Pakpao''s restaurant. Siren clicked her tongue in irritation as she watched Alex, oblivious to her presence, showering affectionate glances at Ms. Pakpao.


    A waiter approached their table, inquiring, "What would you like to order, sir?"


    Siren''s response was curt. "A pack of tissues," she stated without sparing the waiter a glance.


    Alex snapped out of his reverie, turning to Siren with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "What do you need a whole pack of tissues for?" he questioned, puzzled.


    With a roll of her eyes, Siren retorted, "To wipe your drool."


    He pointed his finger at her, "You...You..."


    Alex sputtered in indignation, but his protest was cut short by the sound of Siren''s name. Immediately, he straightened his posture like a tamed cat, adjusting his shirt and collar with a sheepish grin. Hastily, he wiped the corner of his mouth to rid it of any lingering traces of drool.


    "Ah, my dear Siren, how have you been?" Ms. Pakpao interjected, breaking the tension.


    Siren, relishing Alex''s flustered state, turned to Ms. Pakpao with a smirk.


    "Excellent"

 All for budding love

    "Good, good," Ms. Pakpao patted Siren''s head affectionately before turning her attention to Alex. With a flirtatious tilt of her chin, she bestowed upon him a suggestive look.


    "Alex, this time I''ve prepared winged termite soup especially for you," she announced, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.


    Despite the queasiness that churned in his stomach at the thought, Alex plastered on a smile that rivalled the sun breaking through storm clouds.


    "Of course, it''s my honor," he responded graciously.


    Pakpao rewarded him with a kiss on the cheek before bustling off to the kitchen, leaving Alex dumbfounded in her wake.


    "Did you see that? She just kissed my cheek," he exclaimed, still in disbelief.


    Siren rolled her eyes in response. "I did," she confirmed dryly.


    Pakpao returned with the dish, a bowl of steaming winged termite soup. With a flourish, she placed it before Alex, the aroma wafting up enticingly.


    Despite the revulsion churning in his stomach at the sight of winged termites floating in the murky broth, Alex summoned all his willpower to suppress the urge to retch.


    With a forced smile, he swallowed back the bile rising in his throat, determined to maintain his composure for the sake of what he claimed to be his budding romance.


    Glancing sideways at Siren, he found her observing him with a challenging expression, her arms folded defiantly.


    Feeling a surge of determination, Alex seized a spoonful of the repulsive soup, hesitating only briefly before forcing it down his throat, unwilling to assault his tongue.


    Under the expectant gaze of Pakpao, Alex steeled himself for another spoonful. However, instead of immediately swallowing it, he inflated his cheeks, mustering the courage to feign enthusiasm. With a thumbs up gesture, he signaled his approval, hoping to appease his possible future lover.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Pakpao''s face lit up with delight, and she leaned in to plant a kiss on his puffed cheeks before bustling back to the kitchen to attend to her duties.


    All Alex could feel was the little mushy termites hitting the side of his inner cheeks. Seeing her leaving the table, he immediately rushed to the restroom and emptied his stomach content.


    Meanwhile, at the table, Siren couldn''t help but grin at the sight. "There it goes," she remarked, her amusement evident.


    An hour later, Alex returned to the table, looking worse for wear. His complexion was ashen, his eyes bloodshot, and his hair disheveled from his ordeal. Taking his seat, he reached for the tissues to wipe his mouth, grateful when Siren handed him a bottle of water, which he eagerly gulped down in one go.


    As he sat there, Alex couldn''t shake the feeling that the coming week would be haunted by visions of winged termites dancing in his dreams.


    Eager to put the unpleasant breakfast behind them, Alex urged Siren to leave the restaurant before Pakpao could subject him to another culinary ordeal, perhaps involving bamboo worms this time.


    As the members of Squad 13 settled into their seats around the table, the chief, with a grave expression, took his place at the head.


    "How much longer until he arrives?" the chief inquired, his tone brimming with impatience.


    Johnny Wilhelm, the lankiest member of the squad, lounged in his chair, idly picking his teeth with toothpicks. With a nonchalant shrug, he replied, "Our boss is on vacation, Chief. You''ve interrupted his quality time with his wife. Count yourself lucky he''s even considering your request."


    Just then, the unmistakable sound of flip-flops echoed across the room, drawing everyone''s attention. All eyes turned toward the source of the noise, where they beheld a man sauntering into the meeting room. Clad in a green aloha beach shirt, the top buttons undone to reveal a glimpse of his chiseled chest and the contours of his six-pack, paired with sandals and beach shorts. He exuded an aura of rugged charm, his chin adorned with a short stubble.


    Perched jauntily atop his head was a bright yellow Mexican hat, its hue so vibrant it could blind onlookers, while a garland of Hawaiian flowers adorned his neck, adding a splash of color to his look.


    The chief stood there, momentarily speechless, while the members of Squad 13 barely reacted, as if they were used to it.


    Approaching the chief, the man removed the garland from around his own neck and draped it ceremoniously around the chief''s. Despite his stoic demeanor, the chief''s lips tightened into a thin line.


    "I put up with all this nonsense only because you happen to be good at solving cases. Otherwise, I would have transferred you to Africa long ago," the chief stated sternly.


    The man, undeterred, flashed a grin. "Oh, come on, chief. You know you couldn''t bear to part with me," he retorted playfully.


    With a resigned sigh, the chief extended his hand to shake. "Welcome back, Daniel Smith".

 Beauty in black bike

    Daniel Smith, the leader of Squad 13 and a renowned crime expert, approached the lifeless body lying on the table with an air of solemnity. Gone was his earlier playfulness; now, his focus was laser-sharp as he examined the body with meticulous attention.


    Upon observing the lack of injuries on the victim''s body other than a clean, precise slit across the neck, a deep frown creased Daniel''s brow.


    His subordinate Johnny, stepped forward to provide the information. "Boss, this is the second murder in the last two weeks, and like before, there are no signs of injury aside from the neck wound."


    Daniel turned to face Johnny, his expression serious. "Do you think I''m blind?" he questioned sharply.


    Caught off guard by the sudden intensity in his leader''s tone, Johnny stammered, "Boss..."


    "I can see that, Johnny," Daniel interrupted, his frustration evident.


    "Tell me something I don''t know." With a curt nod, he instructed Johnny to retrieve reports from the previous team that had investigated the case.


    Seated at his desk inside his cabin, Daniel flipped through the reports provided by Johnny, but found them disappointingly thin, akin to an ultra-thin Durex condom. The reports contained only basic information about the local thugs and their criminal activities.


    However, what caught Daniel''s attention was the recurring detail of both murders being perpetrated not with a knife or any conventional weapon, but with a simple deck card adorned with the intricate design of a spade.


    Frowning at the lack of substantial information, Daniel summoned Johnny. "Where is the spade?" he demanded, his tone sharp with urgency.


    "Spade? Are you planning to plant a tree, Boss?" Johnny quipped, oblivious to Daniel''s serious demeanor.


    Daniel''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "No. I''m going to dig a pit lankier than you and bury you in it," he retorted icily, sending a shiver down Johnny''s spine.


    "I am asking about the spade card found at the crime scene," Daniel said.


    Realizing his mistake, Johnny quickly said. "Oh! That. The cops handed it over to the forensic department"


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Without wasting another moment, Daniel swiftly rose from his seat and made his way to the forensic department to examine the spade card firsthand.


    At Grey''s mansion


    Seated on the plush sofa in the grand main hall of Grey Mansion, Aiden was engrossed in tapping away at his tablet, his expression serious and focused. Suddenly, a message on his phone seemed to irk him, and his brow furrowed in annoyance. Setting aside the tablet, he crossed his arms tightly, his anger palpable.


    As if struck by a sudden realization, he began typing furiously on his phone, his fingers moving swiftly over the screen. After a few minutes of intense texting, he closed the device with a satisfied grin, revealing his sharp canines in a mischievous smirk.


    Aiden made his way outside the mansion, trailed by his driver. "Stop at Greta''s pet shop on the way to school," he instructed the driver, his tone firm and decisive.


    The driver nodded respectfully and opened the door for Aiden, who settled into the car comfortably.


    Exiting the pet shop with his backpack slung over his shoulder, Aiden nodded politely to Ms. Greta as his driver graciously thanked her and gathered the items Aiden had purchased. With practiced efficiency, the driver stowed everything in the trunk before holding the car door open for his young master.


    As they merged onto the bustling road, the driver caught sight of a motorcycle rapidly approaching in the side mirror. Aiden, too, noticed the sleek black and golden MTT 420 racing towards them. His eyes widened with recognition, his gaze locking onto the rider.


    Without hesitation, Aiden instructed the driver to pull over to the side of the road. As the motorcycle pulled up beside the car, Aiden rolled down the window, his curiosity piqued.


    A hand reached into the car, offering Aiden his ID. Confused, Aiden glanced down to where he had placed his backpack, only to find his ID missing.


    Aiden''s gaze was transfixed on the electric blue eyes peering out from the helmet. As Siren extended his ID towards him, he remained rooted to his spot, unable to tear his gaze away from her.


    Sensing his distraction, Siren tapped the window once more, breaking Aiden out of his reverie. Shaking off his daze, he quickly exited the car and approached her, extending his hand to accept the ID.


    The driver at the front seat wanted to puke blood seeing his young master who is always as cold as ice, now cutely blinking at the stranger.


    Siren looks confused at the small boy''s action yet she handed over the card to him. He lifted his index finger and showed hither motion. She narrowed her eyes but seeing the cute boy''s face, she did as he asked.


    She lifted her slender leg off the bike and removed her helmet. She squatted on her knees near him.


    Before she could fully comprehend his intentions, he leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek. Startled, Siren blinked in surprise as the boy quickly retreated back into the car and the vehicle drove away, leaving her standing there in a state of bewilderment.


    Slowly rising to her feet, Siren absentmindedly touched the spot on her cheek where the boy had kissed her.


    She usually avoided physical contact with other persons but remembering the boy''s reddening ears after kissing her, it seems funny to her.


    She looked towards the leaving car and muttered, "Silly".

 Prey of the night

    Inside the car, Aiden fidgeted with his fingers. He seemed to be excited and his eyes spoke of unexplainable happiness.


    The driver stared warily at his young master who grinned goofily without his knowledge.


    The car came to a halt in front of the imposing entrance of the prestigious ''The Imperial Academy'', the pinnacle of educational institutions in Worcester city. The students here are the children of bigshots around the world. The more money and power, the greater the authority is.


    Aiden adjusted his emotion and stepped down from the car and strolled towards the entrance of the school. To those observing, he seemed like an enigmatic figure, a rare gem in a sea of ordinary stones, to be admired from afar but never approached.


    As Aiden ascended the stairs, a girl with twin ponytails approached him, offering a large pink lunch box with a hopeful expression. Her voice, though sweet, grated on Aiden''s nerves like nails on a chalkboard.


    "Here, Aiden... My mommy made special snacks. Let''s share it," she chirped innocently.


    But to Aiden, her words sounded like a discordant screech, stirring irritation within him. He inspected the lunchbox with a critical eye, unable to hide his disdain.


    "Did your mom decide to raise a pig?" he remarked before turning and striding off to his class.


    The girl''s cheerful demeanor shattered, replaced by tears as she began to wail. It was moments like these that reinforced Aiden Grey''s reputation at the Imperial Academy ¨C cold, distant, and unapproachable.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The sun descended, casting Worcester into darkness. Headlights blinked like fireflies amid the quieting streets. Yet, unbeknownst to most, predators lurked, waiting to strike when the city slept.


    A girl in her late teens closed up the bar, preparing to head home. As she turned into an alley, she encountered a group of drunken men, their voices rising in argument.


    Sensing danger, she quickened her pace, but a man from the group grabbed her hand, causing her to cry out in alarm.


    "Get lost," she yelled, attempting to pull away.


    Ignoring her protests, the man leered, "Oh, come on, sweetie. Don''t be shy. We''ll satisfy you," a man said in a sloppy voice and rubbed her hand.


    With a sharp slap, she broke free and fled, the men in pursuit. Running with all her might, she darted into a nearby street, colliding with a figure in the darkness.


    She raised her head only to see a beautiful and tender girl in a biker jacket looking at her with emotionless electric blue eyes. Those drunken men soon caught up with her.


    "Well, well, what do we have here? Looks like we got another treat," the man who had grabbed the girl earlier exclaimed, his excitement evident in his voice.


    After her encounter with the young boy, Siren had been dealing with her own matters. However, on her way home, she stumbled upon the scene of a group of drunkards chasing a young woman and decided to intervene.


    Now, standing before them, Siren''s electric blue eyes bore into them like a tempest poised to unleash its fury.


    The girl from the bar grabbed Siren''s hand, urging her to leave the scene in a panicked voice.


    Siren turned to her, her tone calm but firm. "Leave it," she instructed.


    "Huh?" the girl asked, confused.


    "My hand... Leave it," Siren clarified.


    The girl withdrew her hand, finding some reassurance in Siren''s demeanor despite the danger surrounding them.


    As the bald man approached, licking his lips with a lecherous intent, Siren swiftly took action. With a deft movement, she twisted the man''s hand, eliciting a bone-crackling sound that echoed through the alley.


    The man''s screams filled the air, his pain evident to all.


    Undeterred, Siren continued her swift and calculated assault, twisting the man''s hand further until his shoulder blade dislocated with a sickening pop.


    A smirk played across Siren''s lips as she addressed the group with a chilling calmness. "Let''s begin".

 Knight in night

    Siren kicked the man on his chest. He was sent flying away and landed on his butt.


    Siren''s swift and decisive actions left the men stunned. Rage filled their minds seeing one of them get beaten by a girl.


    With fury burning in their eyes, they launched a coordinated attack, converging on Siren with the intent to overpower her. Yet, Siren remained calm and composed, letting them approach her.


    As they closed in, one of the men attempted to strike her, but Siren deftly evaded his blow, delivering a sharp slap to his cheek in retaliation. Meanwhile, another assailant found himself on the receiving end of Siren''s powerful kick, his face bearing the imprint of her boot.


    Undeterred by their resistance, a burly man from the group seized Siren from behind. But Siren refused to yield, employing a clever maneuver to use her own body against him. With a forceful backward motion, she struck the man''s face with the back of her head, causing him to release his hold and stagger backward.


    He felt something drip from his nose. He touched his nose only to find a pool of blood. The enraged bulky approached Siren from behind who was currently fighting with other two men.


    On seeing this, the girl from the bar who had been standing at the sideline and marveled at the fighting skills of Siren turned alert.


    The bulky felt something hard hit the back of his head. He turned around to see the girl who they had chased standing at the sideline with one of her shoes missing from her legs.


    "How dare you? You bitch, let me teach you a lesson ", Bulky yelled and ran towards the girl.


    The girl closed her eyes tightly and stood rooted in her place. But before the man could reach her, a strong kick landed on the side of his face. Blood spattered from his mouth due to the strong blow. He landed on the ground with a loud thud.


    Breathless and shaken, the girl cautiously opened her eyes, expecting to see the chaos and danger still unfolding around her. To her surprise, she found that the once menacing men who had pursued her now lay scattered on the ground, subdued and defeated.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Her eyes roamed for the possible sight of the girl with electric blue eyes who came like her knight in the night. But no trace of her was seen. She vanished like thin air just like how she appeared before her.


    When she heard one of the drunkards grunt in pain, her eyes widened. She hastily bolted from the place, thanking her saving grace in her heart.


    Unbeknownst to her, a black car sat parked nearby, it''s dark exterior blending seamlessly into the shadows of the night. Inside the vehicle, a figure watched the events unfold with keen interest, his green eyes gleaming with amusement at the spectacle before them.


    With a knowing smirk, the figure muttered to the man at the driver seat, his voice laced with intrigue and anticipation, "Interesting, isn''t she?."


    In the clandestine setting of the dimly lit room, amidst the shadows cast by the flickering red light, an assembly of elite individuals convened. They wore masks to conceal their identities, their true selves veiled behind a facade of anonymity.


    Among them, a woman in her late forties, her demeanor exuding confidence and cunning, played her hand with calculated precision. With a triumphant smirk, she laid down the final card, sealing her victory once again.


    "As expected from Ms. Silver", a man named Carlos who was sitting near her clapped and praised her.


    The other men around the table groaned and pulled their hair in frustration. This is the fifth game they lost in the battle of decks to this woman. This is not new though. The people around the table are familiar with each other at the same time they are not.


    In this game of high stakes and hidden agendas, trust was a rare commodity, and alliances were forged and broken with the turn of a card. As the night wore on, the players remained locked in their battle of wits, their true intentions concealed behind their masks of deception.


    "Darling, why don''t you bring me a glass of wine", Ms. Silver ordered Carlos in a sweet voice.


    Carlos suppressed the surge of anger that bubbled within him as he responded with a tight-lipped smile. With practiced grace, he rose from his seat, his movements betraying none of the turmoil that churned within.


    He went directly to the bar counter and gave his order. He took a seat near the counter and looked towards the place where he came from.


    A fair boy in his early twenties who was wearing a leather strap around his neck and black skinny pants kneeling in front of Ms. Silver and licking her feet.


    He gritted his teeth on seeing this. He didn''t pity the boy on her knees, in contrast, he envied that woman who has that power. He came out of the daze when he heard a voice.


    "Hey hottie, care for a shot".

 Rat got no guts

    Hearing the voice, Carlos turned to see a young man with silver hair, wearing a transparent white shirt with black pants, leaning against the counter with a pair of wine glasses in his hands.


    His unbuttoned collar shows his dainty collar bones, which are too smooth for a man. His physique is neither lean nor muscular. The soft silver eyes of the man further added to his beauty.


    For a fleeting moment, he was captivated by the allure of the silver-haired man before him, drawn in by his undeniable charm and magnetism. The tantalizing promise of excitement and pleasure danced in his mind, tempting him to indulge in the forbidden desires that lay just before his reach.


    The man gave him a flirtatious smile, moved towards his ear and whispered "Come on babe, let''s get in to fun"


    His hot breath fell into Carlo''s ear, which awakened his desire. His irritated mood from before vanished, only to be replaced with the urge to quench his thirst. He could already feel the tightness of his pants.


    He took the wine glass from the man and gulped it down in one go, saying, "Wait for me, kitten. I will be back," he whispered back and turned to get Ms. Silver''s order from the bar counter.


    The urgent footsteps of a man can be heard down the dark corridor. Carlos, who couldn''t wait to devour the silver beauty, barged into the room at the right corner of the corridor.


    Carlos stood frozen in the doorway, his heart pounding in his chest as he drank in the sight before him. The room seemed to pulse with an electric energy, charged with anticipation and desire.


    His gaze lingered on the silver-haired man, captivated by the allure of his form and the intensity of his gaze. His mouth went dry as he gulped his saliva to regulate his breathing.


    The silver haired man lay on the bed with his right arm supporting his head. The chains of cuffs on his hand made a clattering sound as he adjusted his head.


    He wore pitch-black velvety pants, which enhanced his slender thighs and legs. The black harness around his neck evokes his mystique, hinting at a darker, more forbidden side hidden beneath the surface.


    Above all, those silver eyes stared at him with deep lust. His eyes were too foggy and enchanting, wanting one to be forever buried in them. Overall, this sight is worth capturing in a portrait.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Carlos loosened his tie and moved toward the bed. He couldn''t wait for another second after seeing the mouth-watering dish served right before him. He pounced on him, not knowing that the man before him was not a kitten to purr at one''s caresses but a wild cat.


    The silver haired man rolled to the other side of the bed, escaping from his clutches. Carlos, who has been on the edge of losing himself, can''t help but glare at the man.


    "Desperate, aren''t we?" The man laughed and got down from the bed and stood on the other side.


    Carlos huffed "If you want to play cat and mouse, we can surely do it on other time"


    "I am no cat, but you surely are a mouse," the man replied nonchalantly.


    Carlos''s anger intensified as he closed in on the man, seizing his neck in a vice-like grip. However, the man remained unfazed, offering only a smug smirk in response, further provoking Carlos.


    "Let''s see how you can still smirk after I finish fucking you," Carlos leaned towards the man for a kiss.


    Abruptly, someone forcefully pulled the man away from Carlos, leaving him grasping at thin air. In the aftermath, Sam Tayser collided with a well-built chest, his nose stinging slightly from the impact.


    Lifting his head, he found himself face to face with a man whose gaze radiated danger. At that moment, Sam realized he had overstepped his bounds. Nevertheless, he cheekily grinned at Ruth. Wrapping both arms around Ruth''s neck, he gently rubbed their noses together and whispered seductively,


    "Oh, hi darling. How do you like my attire?"


    Ruth seethed with anger upon spotting the red mark on his boyfriend''s neck. His eyes scanned Sam''s body, searching for any potential injuries.


    Seeing this, Sam patted Ruth''s shoulder and said, "Calm down, Ruth, I''m alright. This rat didn''t have the guts to hurt me."


    He pouted when Ruth didn''t respond, his hand wandering toward Ruth''s waistline.


    Ruth intercepted Sam''s wandering hand before it could awaken his little brother, who had finally fallen asleep after seeing the red handprints on Sam''s neck.


    "You better not test my patience now, Sam," Ruth warned, wrapping his hand possessively around Sam''s waist and drawing him closer to his chest.


    As if bursting their bubble, Carlos, who was offended by Sam''s repeated insults, charged towards them, aiming to land a punch. But his attack was intercepted by Ruth.


    Effortlessly catching Carlos''s fist, Ruth twisted his hand backward, causing Carlos to scream in pain. His right hand went numb from the agony. Then, with a swift kick to the back, Ruth sent him tumbling forward, his head colliding with the edge of the bed.


    Carlos felt a throbbing pain in his head, and soon he lost consciousness, his head hitting the floor with a muted thud.


    Sam''s eyes widened in shock as he turned to Ruth. "You didn''t kill him, did you? We need him alive."


    Ruth scoffed. "He''s not dead, but I wish he were."


    Grabbing Carlos''s leg, Ruth dragged him along the corridor floor, followed by Sam, now clad in his boyfriend''s jacket.

 Sullied by Stray dogs

    Carlos blinked open his eyes, roused from slumber by a haze of confusion. Fragmented memories of the previous night''s incident swirled in his mind, reminding him of the man who had interrupted his encounter with the intriguing silver-haired beauty.


    As he sat up, he found himself in unfamiliar surroundings. The room, adorned with white walls accented by golden trimmings, exuded an air of opulence and grandeur. Stretching out before him, it seemed far too spacious for his comfort.


    A dull ache permeated his body, each limb protesting as if it had borne the weight of a heavy burden. Gingerly, he reached up to touch his forehead, discovering a tender bump. He concluded it must be because of that man from last night.


    Suddenly he heard the loud noise of people chatting outside the door. His already irritated mood worsened further.


    As Carlos mustered the strength to rise from the bed, the door swung open with a deafening crash, unleashing a swarm of people into the room. Like voracious bees drawn to honey, they descended upon him, brandishing cameras in a frenzy.


    Realization dawned upon Carlos as he recognized the intruders to be reporters, their eyes hungry for sensational stories and scandalous headlines. Anger surged within him, boiling over as he shouted at the intrusive mob.


    "What the hell are you doing? This is a blatant invasion of privacy!"


    His voice thundered, laced with indignation and fury. He instinctively shielded his face behind his hands, seeking refuge from the intrusive glare of the cameras.


    "I am going to sue you all!" he bellowed at them.


    As the reporters bombarded him with probing questions, Carlos felt as though his mind was being overwhelmed by a deluge of chaos. Each question struck him like a physical blow, leaving him reeling in confusion and disbelief.


    "Mr. Oswald, are you really into guys?" The words hung heavily in the air, a piercing inquiry that cut through the tumultuous atmosphere of the room.


    "Is this the type of man you really fancy?" Another question followed, laced with insinuation and speculation.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "Are you really into threesomes, Mr. Oswald?" The final question landed like a hammer blow, sending shockwaves of disbelief reverberating through Carlos''s mind.


    His thoughts spun in disarray, his mind struggling to make sense of the onslaught of questions. In his dazed state, he attempted to rise from the bed, only to realize that he had been naked all along. His body bore the evidence of the night''s events, with red scratch marks scattered across his chest and along the side of his waist.


    Frustration welled up within him, mingling with a profound sense of disorientation. He felt as though he was trapped in a nightmare, unable to comprehend the surreal reality unfolding before him.


    He covered himself with the blanket and cautiously stepped out of bed. His foot brushed against something on the floor, eliciting a groan from beneath the covers. To his astonishment, he discovered two men lying nearby, one young with fair hair, the other older and more muscular, both naked.


    Carlos was dumbfounded seeing not only the naked men but also various types of suggestive things scattered around the floor.


    Reporters continuously clicked pictures not wanting to miss the opportunity to get the spicy details of one of the famous budding advocates of Worcester city, Carlos Oswald.


    Carlos''s assistant hurriedly made his way through the crowd, clutching a bathrobe.


    With a mix of frustration and embarrassment, Carlos snatched the robe and draped it around himself, shielding his modesty from prying eyes. As he attempted to leave, he felt a firm grip on his ankle, turning to find the burly man on the floor whispering groggily.


    "Hush babe, I promise next time I allow you to take control"


    In a fit of frustration, Carlos forcefully kicked the man away before storming out of the room, his assistant close behind.


    "Carlos Oswald, the famous budding advocate of Hutson law firm was found with two men in the grant hotel of Spirit. It is reported that the three were in a sexual relationship. The evidence and photos obtained from the hotel clearly states that Mr. Carlos¡­"


    The TV went black when the women switched off the remote. She set her lips in a thin line. Her brows furrowed in deep frown.


    "Do tell me my dear pet" she leaned forward and lifted the man''s chin who had been kneeled in front of her for more than two hours. She caressed his cheek,


    "How do you feel when the pet you raised with love and care gets sullied by the stray dogs?"


    "Hm? Tell me, my dear Carlos", the woman caught his chin in firm grip until her nails left a deep gash and blood started to seep through it.


    Carlos didn''t even flinch as he was accustomed to it. He gazed at her without expression.


    "Forgive me master. I was attacked unconscious and unaware of anything that happened last night"


    "I will never betray you master"


    The woman hummed and left her grip. She moved beside his ear and whispered


    "You should be dear or I will show you the meaning of living hell" she kissed the side of his head and left the hall.


    Carlos continued to kneel as his gaze darkened. If not for the advantages he gleaned from his association with this woman, she will already be six feet under

 Irresistible

    On the sidelines of the Sydney Ignites track field, Aiden, the young master of the Grey Mansion, occupied his usual spot. His driver stood beside him, dutifully holding an umbrella to shield him from the sun''s rays.


    Aiden eagerly watched the test track. His anticipation was rewarded when he spotted the person he had been waiting for, currently testing the bike. His eyes gleamed with admiration as he observed the rider''s skill. There was an undeniable aura of danger and thrill surrounding her, as if nothing in the world could hinder or impede her.


    As the bike came to a halt, Siren gracefully dismounted. Instead of returning to the shed, she turned her gaze towards the small boy standing at the sideline. It wasn''t the first time she had noticed him; in fact, it was the fourth time in the past two weeks.


    "Oh, the little fireball is here again," Alex remarked as he followed Siren''s gaze.


    Siren turned to him, curious. "Do you know him?"


    Alex nodded. "Hmm, I''ve talked with him once, asking why he had been on the sideline."


    "And what did he say?" Siren inquired.


    Alex blinked, recalling the encounter. "Nothing much. He just called me grandpa and ran away," he shrugged before heading back inside the shed to give instructions to the mechanics.


    Aiden watched as the person approached him, his eyes widened in surprise. He remained rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do.


    Siren''s frown deepened as she recognized the familiar face. It was the same boy who had kissed her the day before, the one from the pet shop.


    "What are you doing here?" Siren asked, her tone more firm than she intended.


    Aiden came out of his daze, tilted his head and blinked cutely. His green orbs shone in the light "I am hungry".


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Siren found herself unable to respond immediately, her gaze fixed on him. Aiden further widened his eyes and pouted his lips, adding to his innocent demeanor.


    Finally regaining her composure, Siren averted her gaze and replied, "Fine, come with me."


    She started walking towards the shed, expecting him to follow. However, when she glanced back, she found him still standing in the same place.


    She raised her eyebrows, "What, not hungry anymore?"


    Aiden lifted his pant leg to reveal a bandaged leg. "I slipped and hurt my leg," he explained, gesturing with both arms.


    Siren regarded him with a thoughtful expression, then sighed heavily before bending down to lift him into her arms. Together, they returned to the shed.


    As they walked, Aiden turned in her arms and grinned at the driver, displaying his full set of white teeth.


    The driver looked at his young master with a gobsmacked expression. He finally understood why his young master had asked to stop at the medical center on their way to the shed.


    His young master was indeed the epitome of craftiness!


    Now, little Aiden sat on the bonnet of the car, happily crunching on the waffles bought by Siren.


    The mechanics in the shed couldn''t help but stare at the adorable boy, curious about his presence. It was the first time they had seen their second-boss personally carrying a child in her arms. Even the children of customers rarely interacted with her, as she was known to keep to herself unless absolutely necessary.


    Aiden paid no mind to the curious gazes directed his way. He glanced around at the people observing him and couldn''t help but sigh inwardly.


    "I know I''m irresistible!"


    In the Grey Mansion, Raven descended the stairs while adjusting his cufflinks. As the master of the mansion made his way toward the dining table, the butler swiftly directed the maids to arrange breakfast.


    Raven took his seat at the head of the table, his sharp eyes scanning the hall. Not finding any sign of his son, he turned his gaze to the butler.


    Mr. Alfred, who had faithfully served as the butler of the Grey Mansion for the past twelve years, understood the temperament of his master all too well. Sensing Raven''s penetrating gaze, his heart began to race, a sheen of sweat forming on his forehead.


    "Yo... You... Young master seemed to have left the house early this morning," the butler informed, his voice quivering slightly.


    Hearing this, Raven calmly stood up from the table and made his way toward the entrance door. The butler breathed a sigh of relief and followed his master to the door.


    Raven got into the car and sped off down the road. He had a hunch about where that silly brat had gone.


    Meanwhile, in the shed, Aiden sneezed loudly.

 Fire meets the Fire

    Hearing the screech of a car, the mechanics of Sydney Ignites turn their heads towards the source. The classic black Mercedes Maybach halted in front of the shed. The workers curiously waited for the person to step down from the car.


    They had seen many luxurious cars and bikes in the shed, so they could tell that the one which halted in front of the shed was definitely not as low key as it seemed on the outside.


    Raven stepped down from the car and adjusted his crisp white shirt. His sleeves were now rolled up to reveal his strong arms. His impeccably styled black hair, usually tamed, now danced in the breeze, lending him an air of casual authority.


    As he made his way toward the workshop, his gaze swept over the modernized interior, taking in the glassy windows and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Though his features remained stoic, there was a hint of appreciation in his observant eyes.


    Aiden, who is sitting on the bonnet of the car, is now busily eating the biscuits, unaware that his father is here to hunt him down.


    "Does it taste good?"


    Aiden jerked hearing the sudden voice and dropped the biscuit in his hand, but Raven caught it before it touched the floor. Aiden''s surprise turned to wide-eyed astonishment as he looked up at his father looming over him.


    Raven took a bite of the biscuit, a smirk playing on his lips as he met Aiden''s gaze.


    "Do you think you can escape from me?"


    Aiden''s eyes gaped at his father, wondering why he was there.


    "You haven''t had your breakfast yet. Let''s go," Raven declared, effortlessly lifting Aiden from the bonnet.


    "But she said I could go with her to Ms. Pakpao''s restaurant," Aiden protested, squirming in his father''s arms.


    Raven''s lip twitched. "Who is she?"


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    He inquired sharply, his curiosity piqued. As far as he could recall, Aiden wasn''t one to indulge anyone who didn''t captivate his interest or entertain him. For his son to visit someone on a daily basis, she must be extraordinarily special.


    "Me," came the response from behind him.


    The voice was neither sweet nor meek; instead, it rang out with firmness and a hint of iciness. Raven didn''t need to turn to recognize who it belonged to. After all, the purpose of today''s visit was to meet the woman who had captured his son''s attention.


    Turning on his heel, Raven found himself face to face with her. The young woman leaned casually against the car, arms folded across her chest. Her midnight-black hair was swept up into a high ponytail, and her lips were set in a thin line. Sharp electric blue eyes narrowed curiously as they met his gaze.


    Raven had encountered numerous beautiful women in his lifetime. With wealth, charm, and good looks at his disposal, he was not lacking in any aspect. However, the dangerous aura that surrounded him prevented most from daring to approach him. Even his enemies hesitated to make eye contact with him.


    Yet, this woman stood before him calmly, her gaze unflinching and boldly meeting his own. While her beauty may not have been the most striking he''d ever seen, there was something lurking in the depths of her eyes¡ªa darkness, a sinister energy, like a scorching flame ready to consume anything in its path.


    For a moment, they locked eyes, their gazes so intense that those around them could feel the weight of their presence bearing down upon them.


    Raven strode purposefully towards Siren, his gaze penetrating as he approached. Breaking the tense silence, he uttered a few words that left everyone speechless.


    "I am hungry."


    Siren: "¡­"


    Aiden: "¡­"


    Everyone: "¡­"


    Siren silently observed the two figures engrossed in their meal, almost forgetting that they were essentially freeloading off her hospitality.


    Pakpao''s restaurant was located near the high school, typically catered to students and office workers. However, today it was unusually crowded, with the attention of many high school girls fixed on a particular table in the corner.


    Despite the stares, neither of the two seemed bothered. Their focus remained solely on the food before them.


    Raven ate his breakfast and he seemed satisfied with the taste. It was a simple breakfast with a banana pancake with maple syrup and cheese.


    Siren couldn''t help but notice the man''s every move exuding elegance. His manner of cutting the pancake with a knife and lifting the fork spoke volumes, indicating he was out of place in such a setting. She shifted her gaze to the young fireball seated beside him.


    Aiden, who had eaten waffles in the shed before, simply settled for a bread omelete. Taking a big bite, crumbs of bread clung to the corners of his mouth. Observing this, Siren leaned in and gently wiped the corner of his mouth with the tissue.


    Raven observed the scene silently, his attention now diverted towards the window as he gazed into the distance.

 Bloody Present

    Ian Jasper, the personal secretary of Raven Grey, stood before his boss, who had been staring at him intently for the past twenty minutes. Perplexed, Ian tentatively touched his face, half-expecting to find a wayward coffee stain or a rogue piece of lint. Finding nothing amiss, he mustered his courage and finally ventured to break the silence.


    "Who am I?"


    Ian blinked, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected inquiry. He didn''t expect his boss would ask something ridiculous after staring at him for almost half an hour. Unsure of how to respond to such an existential question, Ian hesitated before offering a tentative answer.


    "Uh... You''re my boss."


    Raven''s lip twitched imperceptibly, "And?"


    Ian''s brow furrowed in confusion. "And... the CEO of Altron group?"


    Raven hummed, "Anymore?"


    Ian blinked, momentarily wondering if his boss was subtly flaunting his wealth or if he had simply lost track of time in one of his enigmatic reveries.


    Raven let out a faint sigh, "Forget it. Just get the meeting room ready and inform Mr. Collins'' team to be there with their reports in ten minutes."


    "Yes, sir," Ian responded briskly, eager to escape the perplexing atmosphere of his boss''s office. With a quick nod, he swiftly exited the room, leaving Raven to his inscrutable thoughts.


    Raven stood up from his chair and strolled towards the expansive glass wall, his mind drifting back to the memorable encounter with Siren. As he replayed the conversation in his mind, he couldn''t help but recall the scene from the morning.


    After finishing their breakfast, he picked up Aiden and placed him inside the car. The reluctant Aiden, unwilling to part ways with his "angel," stuck his head out of the car window with a hopeful expression on his face.


    "Ms. Siren, I won''t mind if you want to send me off with a goodbye kiss. Here, I''ll lend you my cheek," Aiden proclaimed, tilting his chin towards Siren, eager for his angel''s affectionate gesture.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    As if bursting his happy bubbles, his father laid his big hand over his head and shoved him inside the car hiding his small face with his muscular back. Undeterred, Aiden attempted to protest by hitting his father''s back with his small fist.


    After all the useless attempts, he humphed and slumped back on the seat with a big pout. Seeing his son give up, Raven turned his attention to Siren.


    "So... Ms. Siren Grace, may I know what color you prefer?" Raven''s voice deepened as he locked eyes with her, his gaze intense and unwavering.


    Siren, who had been silently observing the playful interaction between father and son, didn''t respond immediately. She noticed Ms. Pakpao''s nosy intrusion, her face pressed against the glass as if trying to catch every word exchanged between them. If she is not wrong, she is already deciding to loot the entire Victoria''s Secret for her honeymoon.


    Turning her attention back to Raven, Siren replied calmly, "Red."


    Raven arched an eyebrow, "Red as in roses?"


    Siren''s response was cool and unflinching, "Red in blood."


    Raven regarded her with a glint of amusement in his eyes. He stepped closer to her, leaning down with a playful grin.


    "Then should I give you a carton of goat blood or do you prefer chickens?" he teased.


    Siren''s response was swift and unexpected, "Why not yours?"


    Raven''s grin widened at her boldness. "With pleasure," he replied, his tone laced with amusement. He placed his thumb at the corner of her mouth, parting her lips and grazing it against her sharp canine, smearing the dripping blood at the corner of her soft lips.


    He retracted his hand and moved backwards before asking with a mirth twinkling in his eyes, "How do you like it?"


    Siren''s expression hardened at his action. Her response was sharp and resolute. "I wasn''t sure before, but now I''m certain about the truth of the rumors surrounding you."


    "Whispers of my unparalleled charm?" Raven quipped seemingly unbothered by his arrogance.


    Siren''s lips twitched at his remark. She knew all too well that beneath his suave facade lurked something far more sinister. In fact, he is a devil, Devil clads in human skin. All she wanted to do now was to wipe the infuriating smirk off his face.


    Closing the gap between them, she whispered into his ear, her breath fell on the shell of his ears,


    "Madness. The rumors speak of your madness, Hunter."


    As his smirk faltered, Siren offered him a sweet smile before gracefully turning to re-enter the restaurant.


    Now, back in the present moment, Raven pondered just how much she knew about him, but it''s another mystery how she knew about him. He picked up his phone and dialed the most annoying person in his contact list. The call was answered within a second.


    "Well, well, well, look who it is. My dear grumpy companion, have you been pining for my company?" came the overly zealous voice that immediately made Raven question why he hadn''t eliminated this annoyance long ago.

 Optical Illusion

    Ignoring the other party''s excitement, Raven questioned him, "Where are you?"


    "Why? Missing me already?"


    Raven gritted his teeth, " H-A-R-D-I-N S-P-E-N-C-E-R, if I didn''t see you in my office within half an hour, trust me I will make you disappear from the face of earth".


    With that, Raven ended the call, his eyes burning with rage. He couldn''t comprehend how Siren knew about his underground dealings, let alone his alias "Hunter."


    People knew the head of Viper is Hunter but never in the wildest dream they thought the Hunter was him, Raven Grey.


    Any other person who knew this identity were all forced to sleep in the depths of hell. That''s how the underground works. Only a select few knew his true identity, and even among his most loyal associates, he maintained an air of mystery. His reputation for ruthlessness and cunning kept others at bay, and he preferred it that way.


    Even though they pledge their loyalty and life to him, he never trusts anyone. Because there is nothing in this world that could not be changed.


    Raven saw the fine red line on his thumb. He still remembers how those soft and plump lips felt under his thumb. She didn''t flinch at the sight of blood on her lips. He also remembered how her pink tongue peeked outside to lick the blood off her lips, before offering him a sweet smile.


    Raven couldn''t shake the memory of Siren''s knowing gaze and the subtle defiance in her demeanor. She seemed to see through his facade, a rare occurrence that both intrigued and unsettled him.


    His gaze darkened and the side of his lips curled up, "Oh Siren, this hunter is on hunt"


    Pants and heavy breaths filled the room as the man desperately slammed his waist against the woman lying on the bed. The woman''s blond hair sprawled on the red sheet that covered the bed.


    "Ah!! Carlos deeper" the woman whispered and tightened her grip against his arms which started to leave a red print.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "As you wish Master" he increased his pace and pounded her with full force hoping to rip her into pieces. Carlos knew he didn''t have any ways to vent his anger other than having rough sex. Unknown to him the woman under was enjoying every minute of it.


    Soon the woman under him started to tremble and came down from her high. But he didn''t have his fill as he continued to thrust.


    "Pull out Carlos," the woman ordered him, her nails digging deeper into his arms.


    Carlos, who is in a frenzy state from pleasure, didn''t react to the pain; instead, it excites him and he rammed into her until the chain around his neck was tugged with force by the woman.


    He stopped his movement as he began to struggle for breathing. The chains roughly scraped against his skin leaving dark red bruises.


    "Who is your master? Who should you obey?" Come on, answer me dear", not getting the reply she tugged the chain making him lean towards her.


    "You¡­You are my master. I should obey you Master", he forced each word out of his mouth with great difficulty that shredded his dignity to pieces.


    Satisfied with the answer, the woman loosened the chain in her hands letting him breathe at ease. She rose from the bed, wrapping herself in a quilt as she made her way to the bathroom. Carlos paid her no mind, focusing instead on soothing the pain in his neck.


    "Just you wait, Silver," he muttered, his voice thick with hatred and vengeance. "Soon, you''ll be at my mercy."


    Mrs. Gloria Hutson, the wife of Craig Hutson, CEO of Hutson Law Firm. It is one of the well known law firms in Worcester city. While their law firm may not be the most prestigious, it boasts a commendable track record and generates a respectable annual turnover.


    Craig Hutson is a principled man who diligently built his career from the ground up. Starting as a junior attorney, he never compromised his values for monetary gain. His dedication and hard work paid off, culminating in the establishment of his own firm.


    Married in his late thirties, Craig holds his wife in high regard, considering her his equal. His senior is the one who he admired and respected most, so when he proposed the engagement between him and his only daughter on his deathbed he accepted it for the sake of repayment to his senior''s kindness towards him.


    Despite the initial concerns stemming from their significant age difference, Craig couldn''t decline his senior''s proposal to marry his daughter, even though she was merely twenty-five at the time. The first two years of their union were fraught with challenges, as he had feared, but with time, they grew accustomed to each other''s presence and learned to navigate life together.


    The bathroom door opened revealing Gloria dressed in a decent knee length blue dress, her hair combed in a neat bun. She smiles at Carlos gently, making one doubt that the woman before was just an illusion.

 Missing spade 1

    Standing before the spade card, Daniel meticulously analyzed every nook and corner for potential evidence. When the card was handed over to the forensic department, the only blood sample obtained belonged to the deceased man.


    Daniel observed the sharp edge of the card, gleaming in the light. It appeared razor-sharp, as though the slightest touch could draw blood.


    "Johnny, where is the other card?" Daniel inquired, his gaze still fixed on the card. Johnny, his assistant, stood nearby, occasionally rubbing his nose with a handkerchief before responding.


    "Boss... achoo... that card... achoo... was placed along with... achoo... respective files in the file room," Johnny managed to say between his sneezes.


    Daniel observed Johnny''s red nose and flushed face, resembling that of a pig in appearance, albeit a very lanky one.


    "How did you catch a cold in this hot summer?" Daniel inquired, puzzled by Johnny''s condition.


    "I was splashed with cold water," Johnny replied, his expression deadpan.


    Daniel raised his brows as if asking him to brief it.


    "I just suggested the best hospital for plastic surgery to the woman, seeing that her nose job has not been done well. She splashed cold water on my face," Johnny explained, still sniffling from his cold.


    "Why did you comment on a random girl?" Daniel questioned, his confusion evident.


    "She was not any random girl. She was my date," Johnny confessed.


    Daniel stared at his assistant, wondering if he was born dumb or if he had grown dumber over time. He began to reconsider his choice of selecting Johnny as his assistant.


    "Forget it. Let''s go and retrieve the other card," Daniel said, deciding to set aside Johnny''s questionable judgement for the time being.


    They made their way towards the file room where the records of crimes were kept. Accessing the file room was not an easy feat, but for Squad 13, known for their high success rate in solving cases, special treatment was the norm. Obtaining the key to the room was a trivial matter for them.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    It didn''t take long to locate the reports, given that the murder had occurred recently. Daniel donned gloves to preserve the integrity of the evidence, careful not to disturb any potential clues. He inspected the card, noting the intricate spade design and the sharp, shiny edge. Dried blood was visible, smeared along the silver edges.


    As expected, the reports confirmed that the card contained only one person''s blood sample.


    "Johnny, send the two cards to the forensic department and instruct them to determine the material used to make these edges," Daniel ordered before his assistant left the room.


    Alone in the dimly lit file room, Daniel pondered how the perpetrator could have thrown the poker card without injuring themselves with its sharp edges. Another puzzling detail was the presence of cards numbered 2 and 3.


    "Then where is spade 1?"


    Elite Dance Club


    Elite Dance Club stands as a beacon of elegance and sophistication in the heart of Worcester city. Frequented by esteemed members of society, this club exudes an air of refinement and charm.


    Unlike some modern venues, Elite Dance Club embraces a quieter, more intimate ambiance, adorned with lush greenery that lends a warm and inviting atmosphere.


    Currently a group of old women surround the man in the middle of the lounge. The man''s soft brown curls combed at the side, slightly grown stubbles under his chin and crow feet near his eyes gives him a gentle and kind look. He leaned on the sofa and elegantly sipped the tea served to him.


    "Mrs. Benjamin, only you could make such fine tea" the man complimented the woman who served him.


    "Ah, Alex, you flatter me," Rosalie replied with a playful smile. "But please, just call me Rosalie. After all, we''ve been acquainted for two weeks now."


    "In that case, Rosa it is. I hope you don''t mind?" Alex asked, his tone warm and friendly.


    Rosalie''s cheeks flushed as she smiled softly. "Of course not."


    "Alex, who was that charming young girl with you last time?" another woman inquired, eager to gain his attention.


    "Oh, are you referring to Siren? She''s my daughter," Alex declared proudly, his chest swelling with paternal pride.


    "Your daughter?" the woman echoed, clearly surprised.


    "Yes, indeed. Isn''t she lovely?" Alex beamed at them.


    As the conversation unfolded, everyone present was taken aback by the revelation that the charming man they had been conversing with for the past two weeks had a daughter, and such a beautiful one at that.


    They were more eager to know about her, but before anyone could voice their questions they were interrupted by the sound of steady footsteps. All heads turned towards the source of the sound, and jaws dropped in astonishment at the sight of a man making his way towards them.


    Alex furrowed his brows wondering what this man was doing in this place.

 Huntress for a Hunter

    The man who approached was tall and fair, his hair neatly gelled to the side, now a striking shade of white. His face, adorned with well-earned wrinkles, bore a distinguished charm, complemented by a neatly trimmed beard. Leaning on a wooden cane, he exuded an air of seasoned grace.


    Dressed in a crisp three-piece suit, with hues of white and grey, and a subtle ash-colored necktie, he cut a striking figure. His smile, warm and inviting, drew delighted squeals from the ladies around him, who reacted as if they were high school girls encountering their crush for the first time.


    Alex who had been enjoying all the women''s attention till now frowned seeing his spotlight stolen by someone. He saw how the man continued to showcase his harmless smile. The ladies gushed among themselves about how handsome the man was despite being old. Alex scoffed at the sight, put his leg one over other and leaned on the sofa holding the empty tea cup in his hand.


    Of course, Alex knew him; there was scarcely a soul in the city unfamiliar with his name. He was Conan Grey, a titan of industry, once the esteemed CEO of Altron Groups.


    After decades of building and reigning over a colossal empire, he had gracefully passed the torch to his grandson, Raven Grey. It seemed almost routine for a member of the Grey family to grace the cover of a business magazine on a regular basis.


    Indeed, the pages of such publications were now adorned with Raven Grey''s feats and the formidable grip he held over the nation''s economy.


    Alex saw how he turned his head towards his direction and gave the same smile to him. But he was not a fool to believe it, he could see the mischievousness dancing in those eyes.


    Another man approached Conan, whispering something in his ear before stepping back a few paces. With a simple nod in response, Conan proceeded to the lounge area and settled into a seat opposite Alex. He gracefully reached for the tea pot, pouring himself a cup before taking a sip and remarking, "Wonderful. Mrs. Rosalie, isn''t it?"


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Mrs. Rosalie, momentarily lost in Conan''s charisma, snapped back to reality upon hearing her name. "Pardon?" she responded, flustered.


    "You brewed the tea exceptionally well, Mrs. Rosalie," Conan reiterated, his words causing her to blush with delight.


    "Now, ladies, if you would be so kind as to excuse us," Conan continued, addressing the group, "I have a personal matter to discuss with Mr. Dexter."


    Despite their disappointment, the ladies obediently dispersed, fully aware of Conan''s influence and the power wielded by the Altron group. They melted away as if nothing else in the world could match the allure of conversing with such wealthy and attractive men.


    "Seems like Mr. Dexter has developed quite a taste for ''Rosa''s'' tea. Should I request Mr. Benjamin to send you a dozen tea bags?" Conan teased, his tone light.


    "Mr. Conan Grey, we both know that the tea tasted like shit. By the way, what is the wolf doing in a circus?" Alex retorted, his skepticism evident.


    Conan''s eyes sharpened as he regarded Alex, before responding, " The lion seems to be out of tricks to perform in circus, so the wolf decided to teach him personally"


    "Hmm¡­ never heard of a wolf performing in a circus. Seems like you''re the odd one out," Alex countered.


    "If there''s an abundance of prey under one roof, why not?" Conan raised an eyebrow provocatively.


    "Spare me your theatrics, Mr. Grey. Just tell me what you want to discuss," Alex demanded, cutting through the banter.


    Alex couldn''t fathom why Conan Grey would demand his personal presence for a matter of such importance. After all, their interactions had been fleeting and distant, hardly enough to warrant such familiarity. He found himself questioning how Conan even knew his name.


    "Your daughter¡­ I want her to be my granddaughter-in-law," Conan stated bluntly, his words piercing the air like a dagger.


    The tea glass that Alex held shattered into pieces due to his tight grip and blood started to drip from the cuts. His eyes hardened hearing this yet Conan was unfazed as he merely glanced over the wound before meeting his eyes.


    "I am not foolish enough to hand over my cub to a hunter, Mr. Grey," Alex retorted, his voice laced with venom as he rose from his seat to leave.


    "A cub or¡­ a HUNTRESS," Conan''s voice trailed off, but Alex didn''t respond to comment as he made his way to the exit.

 Laying traps

    Alex returned to the shed after his unexpected meeting with Conan Grey. As he entered, he noticed the workers in the shed were engrossed in their tasks. His gaze swept the area, searching for Siren, but she was nowhere to be found among the workers.


    He then went towards the test track.


    There, he caught sight of Siren testing the bike, but to his surprise, she wasn''t alone. A small boy sat in front of her, clutching the fuel tank tightly as they rode. This sight left Alex dumbfounded, as it was the first time he had seen Siren with company during her test rides.


    The bike came to a halt. Siren removed her helmet and hooked it to the handlebars before helping Aiden to get off the bike.


    Alex, who was already surprised by the scene, was stunned to see Siren fixing the small boy''s hair. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was dreaming in broad daylight.


    Siren and Aiden were greeted by Alex, who was staring at them with his mouth agape. Siren swiftly snapped her fingers, jolting him out of his daze.


    Alex blinked, his gaze shifting between Siren and the boy, a sense of familiarity tugging at his memory. Those forest green eyes stirred something within him, but he couldn''t quite place where he had seen them before.


    Aiden stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Aiden greets Grandpa," he said politely.


    Alex shuddered hearing the small boy call him grandpa.


    "Wait, are you the one who called me Grandpa that day?" he asked, his mind racing to recall the encounter.


    Aiden nodded solemnly. "Yes, I apologize to Grandpa for my lack of manners that day," he replied, bowing once more.


    Alex chuckled, his initial surprise giving way to amusement. "Nah, it''s good. You don''t need to apologize," he said warmly, patting Aiden''s head affectionately.


    The boy appeared young, yet his demeanor exuded a surprising level of maturity. Alex couldn''t help but wonder about the family he belonged to; there was an air of distinction about him that suggested he wasn''t from an ordinary background. His appearance and mannerisms were anything but ordinary.


    Meanwhile, Siren, who had been observing the interaction quietly, noticed the bandage wrapped around Alex''s hand. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she inquired, "What happened to your hand?"


    Alex instinctively concealed his hand behind his back, offering a dismissive response, "Oh, it''s nothing, just a small injury."


    Siren''s frown deepened, but she chose not to press further for details.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Ecstasy club


    The vibrant lights of the disco danced around the room, pulsating to the beat of the music that filled every corner. The center of the stage was filled with people jumping and dancing, their sweaty bodies swayed with the vibrant music.


    Amidst it all, a waiter with silver hair navigated through the crowd, carefully balancing a tray of wine glasses and a bottle of Fratelli red wine.


    He entered the room and began to serve the wine. Today''s party host is the young master of the Hutson family, Frederick Hutson. It''s his hobby to throw parties now and then to enjoy with his friends and being the only son of Hutson family makes him live a carefree life.


    Frederick noticed a waiter came inside the room with wine. He continued to serve the wine, his silver hair looking soft and fluffy, delicate collar bone peeking out of his unbuttoned collar, slender hands holding the stem of the wine glass before pouring the wine. His movement was slow and somewhat clumsy, probably a new worker thought Frederick.


    He turned away from the waiter when he felt someone touch his thighs.


    "Baby what are you looking at? Don''t say you find that waiter prettier than me." a girl beside him rubbed her bosom against his arms and asked coquettishly.


    Indeed he is! But Frederick decided to keep his thoughts to himself.


    He smiled at her and replied, " You are more pretty".


    Suddenly, he felt something wet trailed down from his pants. He looked down to see a bright red wine spilled on his pants.


    "Are you crazy? How dare you?" the girl beside him shouted at the waiter who trembled at the sight.


    SMACK


    Before Frederick could intervene, a loud slap resonated, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. The waiter''s face paled due to the unexpected slap, his cheek turning pink with handprints clearly visible.


    "Don''t you know how to serve?" the girl shouted at the waiter, who continued to bow at them and mutter apologies.


    "Leave it, Cassie. He''s probably a new worker," Frederick tried to ease the atmosphere.


    He then turned to the waiter and ordered, "Assist me to the restroom."


    The waiter bowed again and began to lead the way towards the restroom, still visibly shaken from the encounter.


    Frederick washed his hands after cleaning the mess, studying the reflection in the large mirror in front of him. He noticed the waiter continuing to look at the ground, avoiding eye contact. From his appearance and features, he seemed to be around the same age as Frederick, perhaps a year or two younger.


    "What''s your name?" Frederick questioned the waiter.


    The waiter raised his head, and Frederick noticed the unshed tear in the man''s eyes, giving them a foggy and alluring quality. So his eyes are silver too, Frederick noted, intrigued by the unusual color.


    "Sam¡­ Sam Tayser, sir," the waiter replied softly.


    "Sam, sorry for Cassie''s action. Sometimes she''s a bit quick-tempered," Frederick apologized.


    "No sir, it''s my fault. You don''t need to apologize," Sam insisted, bowing once again.


    Frederick chuckled at Sam''s continuous bowing. "You don''t need to bow. It''s not like you did it intentionally. By the way, I''m Frederick Hutson," he introduced himself.


    Sam noticed the lingering wetness on Frederick''s pants and retrieved his handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to him.


    "Thank you," Frederick said, accepting the handkerchief and using it to dry his pants. "I think I should go before Cassie makes a fuss about my absence."


    Sam bowed to him again when he left the place.


    Alone in the room, Sam turned to face his reflection in the mirror. His cheek appeared slightly swollen from the force of the slap.


    "Fuck, that bitch. If I ever see her again, I''ll make sure to tear her apart," he muttered, still feeling the sting of pain from the slap.


    "You don''t need to worry about that."


    Startled, Sam turned at the sound of a voice. He heard the click of one of the toilet cubicles unlocking, and a man emerged from it.

 Person in Ghost mask

    He was slammed against the wall by the large figure, as fast as the action seemed, a strong arm prevented his head from hitting the wall hard.


    Before Sam could speak, wet tongue trailed across his cheeks, licking the swollen area continuously until he reached the corner of his mouth. He gave a small lick before capturing his lips in a breathtaking kiss.


    "Ruth¡­" Sam moaned when a tongue invaded his mouth pushing and pulling his own. His hand grabbed the man''s coat in a tight grip as his leg started to weaken.


    Seeing him struggling to breathe the man named Ruth stopped kissing after giving him a slight peck on his lips. Sam gasped for breathing,


    "Does it hurt?" the man asked him.


    "Hmm¡­ a little", Sam whispered.


    "Didn''t I say not to get hurt"


    "That slap was unexpected, but even if I predicted that I wouldn''t be able to duck down in that man''s presence," Sam replied.


    Although Ruth remains dissatisfied with his explanation, he recognizes its inevitability. His eyes darken as he gently strokes his boyfriend''s cheek, where a distinct fingerprint is visible.


    His eyes shifted from the swelling to meet Sam''s eyes. He observed how his silver eyes seemed alive and twinkling, probably from the overwhelming kiss. Not able to control himself, he took his lips for another rough kiss.


    Frustrated with Cassie''s incessant nagging, whining, and shopping all day, Frederick dropped her off at her destination and sped away, leaving her coughing in the dust kicked up by his tires.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "You... rich brat!" she yelled after him, but he was already out of sight.


    Cassie was irritated by her failure to seduce him and get him to sleep with her. Though his family wasn''t wealthy, they weren''t nouveau riche either.


    As a hotel receptionist struggling to make ends meet, she had been eyeing Frederick for a while. He was an easy target, naive and sheltered as the only son of the Hutson family.


    She had envisioned herself becoming pregnant with his child, forcing his family to acknowledge them. But her plan had been thwarted by that inexperienced waiter.


    She harrumphed and trudged towards her apartment, consoling herself with the fact that she had at least bought some of her favorite dresses with his money.


    Night had fallen, casting the city into darkness as the sun dipped below the horizon. Walking along the dimly lit street, illuminated only by a faint yellow light at the corner, she couldn''t shake the feeling of being followed.


    Glancing behind her, she found no one there and continued on her way. But as she took a few more steps, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed behind her once again. Gripping her bags tightly, she quickened her pace. When the footsteps drew closer, she broke into a run, her heart pounding in her chest.


    Racing as fast as she could, she reached the turn that led to her apartment building. Her apartment, on the second floor at the left corner, was within reach. With trembling hands, she unlocked the door and rushed inside, slamming it shut with a loud thud.


    She leaned against the door, her forehead pressed against it as she struggled to calm her breathing. Sweat trickled down from her forehead to her neck, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. Was it a thief or some pervert following her? She took deep breaths, trying to regain control of her racing heart.


    Once her breathing steadied, she turned around, only to be met with a shocking sight. A man stood before her, dressed in a black hoodie with a ghost mask covering his face. Before she could scream, he silenced her by covering her mouth with his gloved hands.


    Cassie''s eyes widened in terror as she attempted to push the man''s hands away, but he was too strong. When she tried to kick him, he grabbed her hair and slammed her head against the nearby wall, causing her to lose consciousness.

 Plucking nails

    Cassie struggled to open her eyes against the throbbing pain in her forehead, the dizziness threatening to overwhelm her. As consciousness slowly returned, she realized she was still in her own apartment.


    Blinking to adjust to the darkness, she felt the tight tape over her mouth and the restraints binding her to the chair, her hands secured in front of her. Suddenly, a flashlight beam pierced the darkness, blinding her momentarily. When she managed to open her eyes again, the room had returned to its dark shroud.


    As the person in the ghost mask stepped into the beam of the flashlight, Cassie''s scream was stifled by the tape over her mouth, emerging only as a feeble whimper. Her heart raced as the masked figure drew closer, their faces almost touching.


    Desperately, Cassie tried to retreat, but the chair held her fast. With a firm grip on the chair, the intruder advanced, brandishing a gleaming knife at her throat. Terror gripped Cassie as she stared at the menacing blade, tears welling in her eyes.


    The tape was ripped from her mouth, and before she could utter a cry for help, the cold steel of the knife pressed threateningly against her skin.


    "Shhh... Scream, and I''ll trace every inch of your neck with this knife," the masked figure whispered ominously. Cassie''s lips trembled as she struggled to speak.


    "Who... who are you?" she managed to croak out.


    "Take a guess," came the playful response as the knife lightly scraped against her skin, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Cassie.


    "I-I don''t know. What do you want? If it''s money, I''ll give it to you. Just please, let me go," she pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.


    "Money? I have no interest in your petty wealth," the figure scoffed. "But if you''re offering, I might consider taking something else."


    The figure reached out with gloved hands and gently clasped Cassie''s trembling hands in his own. With an eerie tenderness, he caressed her delicate fingers as if they were precious treasures.


    "You have such beautiful nails, Cassie," he remarked softly, his voice filled with an unsettling intensity.


    Cassie''s eyes widened in alarm upon hearing her name uttered by the person behind the ghost mask. The voice, distorted by the mask, sounded hoarse and unfamiliar, sending shivers down her spine.


    As the mysterious figure focused on her nails, a sense of unease washed over her. She attempted to withdraw her hands from his grasp, but his grip only tightened, leaving her feeling trapped and vulnerable.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Please¡­leave me" she pleaded with him.


    "Of course I will let you leave but before that¡­.." the man put the knife away before taking a long nose pliers from his pants.


    "Let me discipline you" he took the rag nearby and stuffed it into her mouth. He gripped her entire right hand fingers in a tight grip, using the plier he clutched her index fingernail.


    Dread filled her mind as she realized what this man intended to do. She tried to escape from his clutches, but the grip of the pliers tightened on her nails with every movement she made.


    The man chuckled, "Your eyes look lovely with fear flowing in them," he remarked callously.


    Tears streamed down Cassie''s cheeks as she cried out in pain and pleaded for him to stop, her eyes conveying her fear and desperation.


    "Scared? This is why you should not offend someone you can''t afford," the man remarked coldly, his voice muffled by the ghost mask, yet carrying a tone of undeniable menace.


    Without hesitation he pulled the nail out of her fingertips. Blood started to drip immediately due to the force he plucked it out. She screamed in agony but that didn''t stop him from plucking out her middle fingernails. The entire room was filled with her sobs.


    "Hmm¡­That was very tiring, you won''t mind me using your kitchen right?"


    The man strolled towards the refrigerator, upon finding only a bottle of mineral water and some canned foods, he rummaged through the cupboards in the kitchen. Finding a pack of noodles, he simply fixed himself with simple lazy noodles.


    "Tch..Tch¡­you should go shopping to stock up your fridge. Eating canned food is not good for your health," he remarked casually, taking a seat on a stool he dragged over in front of Cassie. Her sobbing had turned into sniffling, and she glared at him with her eyes red.


    The man held the bowl and seated on the stool, "Is that a glare what I see? Seems like you don''t like your thumbnail. Should I pluck it out for you?"


    Hearing this she turned her gaze away from him and continued to sniffle. She could feel the burning sensation of flesh where her finger nails are missing.


    Only when he begins to eat does the man remember that he wears a mask.


    "Fuck"


    As the man cursed, Sara turned to see that he was about to remove the mask. She wished at least she could get a glimpse of the man''s face so that she could report it to the police later. But it was just wishful thinking, as the man turned, showing her his broad shoulder before removing the mask.


    After finishing a bowl of noodles, he wore his mask again and obediently washed the dish before placing it on the shelf to dry.


    "Ah! I am full, hope my baby doesn''t wait for me for dinner," he whispered to himself.


    He kicked the stool aside and came to stand behind the chair, warning her in a dark tone, "Hope you learnt your lesson. Make sure to behave, or otherwise it won''t be just the fingernails that would be missing."


    Even though Cassie didn''t know why she was tortured like this, she nodded her head vigorously, not wanting to lose even a strand of hair from her body.


    "Good girl. See you again, Cassie. It was nice to meet you," he said before running towards the window and jumping out of it.


    Her eyes widened as she realized the rope around her had come loose. Hastily unbinding herself, she removed the rag stuffed in her mouth and gently clutched her fingers, which were still dripping blood. She made her way to the window, peering out cautiously.


    Though her apartment was only on the second floor, it was still quite high for someone to jump from without injury. The thought sent shivers down her spine. She could only hope that they wouldn''t cross paths again in the future.

 A complete nutjob

    Hardin, summoned by his best friend, whistled along to the tune of "Unholy" as he cruised in his flashy Ford Mustang. With one hand on the wheel and the other ruffling his hair, he basked in the sensation of the fresh air against his face, taking in a deep breath.


    Curious about what had riled up his grumpy friend so early in the morning, he couldn''t help but grin.


    "On my way to ruin someone''s life," he mused, his grin widening as he accelerated towards the Altron Group.


    Pulling up in front of the towering building, Hardin stepped out of his car and took a moment to adjust his hair in the side mirror before striding purposefully towards the elevator designated for the CEO.


    He drew the attention of every female staff member once he entered the lobby. People knew he was the only friend of his CEO and a contrast version of him. Their CEO was someone who bore a serious face from morning to evening and didn''t even spare a glance at any women.


    On the other hand, Mr. Spencer wouldn''t even spare the flying female mosquito. His smiles flirty and words dipped in honey, not to mention his godly looks. If their CEO is as cold as ice then his friend is as hot as fire.


    Hardin winked playfully at the receptionist, his charm evident as he sauntered through the lobby. His attention was soon caught by a familiar face emerging from an elevator, and his eyes lit up with delight.


    "Oh, my dear Jasy!" He called out, his voice carrying through the bustling lobby. However, Ian intercepted him before he could approach further.


    "Mr. Spencer please behave, there are people around us," Ian said to him while adjusting his glass.


    "What does it have to do with me? Can''t I give my loved one a simple hug? I am missing you day and night, especially at night when it feels cold without you. You are as big as¡­" before he could utter anymore bullshit, Ian stopped him,


    "Our CEO is waiting for you" he took five steps away from him before giving him a polite bow and scurried away from the place.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    He didn''t miss that few female staff giving him tight lipped smiles. He wondered how did Mr. Grey even be friends with him. If he could describe him in one word, he could say he is a nutjob, a complete one in that.


    Hardin chuckled seeing him running away. He took an elevator to the top floor. He entered the office and closed the door.


    Whoosh¡­


    Hardin caught the file before it hit his handsome face.


    "Find all the information about the person in that file"


    "Wow wow¡­ Can you be less rude? Who would marry me if my precious face got damaged"


    "Get lost if you don''t have anything useful to say"


    Hardin chuckled and took a seat across from Raven. "Why the rush?" he inquired, flipping through the file with the expectation of another prey to be toyed with.


    To his surprise, he found a woman''s photo attached to the file. Hardin blinked, momentarily disbelieving his eyes. He rubbed them as if to confirm what he was seeing, but the photo remained unchanged.


    "Raven, are you looking for a nanny for Aiden? But she''s too stunning to be a nanny. Why not appoint her as my secretary? I''m tired of my current one," Hardin suggested with a hopeful gleam in his eyes, turning to Raven.


    Raven''s attention shifted from his own file to his eccentric friend. "She calls me Hunter," he replied cryptically.


    Hardin''s smiley eyes narrowed, "Consider it done"


    Hardin blew the smoke into the air as he watched the passing cars on the endless road. It has been 9 hours he and his people racked their brain and the computer to find any suspicious details on the women that his friend asked him to, but nothing points to her relation with the underground.


    As CEO of Red Queen, Hardin took immense pride in the company he had built, a testament to his determination and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite hailing from the wealthy Spencer family, he had forged his own path, refusing to rely on his parents'' wealth and connections.


    His company was renowned for its integrity in handling legal data, a facade that concealed its covert involvement with "Viper," the notorious gang of Worcester city. Behind closed doors, Red Queen served as the clandestine hub for managing the gang''s data and operations, a fact known only to a select few within its inner circle.


    Hardin''s frustration simmered beneath the surface as he absorbed the findings of his team''s investigation. The woman''s background appeared pristine, devoid of any hint of impropriety or wrongdoing. Such immaculate records only served to heighten his suspicions, casting a shadow of doubt over her seemingly flawless facade.


    With a heavy sigh, Hardin flicked his cigarette to the ground, grinding it beneath his shoe before turning to retreat to his car. However, his departure was abruptly interrupted by a collision with a fleeing figure.


    "Thief! Thief! Catch him!" a girl was chasing the man who had just bumped into him.


    "Ah.. what is this world going to do without me?" sighing again, Hardin rolled up his sleeves and chased the man.

 Flying Sneakers

    He caught up with the man in less than a minute, he grabbed the one end of the bag before delivering a strong kick to the man''s chest that sent him flying away. He grabbed the bag and turned to leave.


    Hardin, who had been immersed in checking the condition of the bag, didn''t notice that the man came behind him with a knife in his hand.


    He only turned around when he heard a loud thud behind. He saw the thief faint on the ground with the sharp knife in his hand, beside him lay a peach-colored sneakers with untied shoelace.


    "Whose this¡­" before he could finish his words he saw something fly towards him and smacked right at the face.


    Hardin was dumbfounded and speechless.


    When he opened his eyes, he saw another pair of sneakers on the ground. He saw the same girl who had chased the thief running towards him.


    "I am sorry sir, it''s just that you look like that thief from a distance" saying that the girl bowed before him as a sign of apology.


    Hardin pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at the girl, it was the very first time someone said to him that he looked like a thief. He observed the girl from top to bottom, she looked like a college girl, her blonde hair full of curls and looks soft and shiny, and her shoes missing from both of her feet, of course she used them to hit him in the face.


    "Stand up," Hardin commanded, prompting the girl to straighten up, though she still avoided meeting his gaze.


    Closing the distance between them, Hardin gently lifted the girl''s chin with his slender fingers, directing her attention towards him.


    "Now... How do I look?" he inquired, his voice carrying a note of intrigue.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    The girl seemed momentarily perplexed by his question, her response hesitant. "Huh¡­"


    "You said I look like a thief from a distance, how do I look up close, Hmm¡­?" Hardin pressed, his gaze intense.


    Suddenly feeling threatened by his proximity, the girl panicked and instinctively lifted her knee, aiming for his groin. Hardin, caught off guard by her swift reaction, crunched in pain.


    "You¡­ How dare you?" he managed to rasp out, doubled over in agony.


    "Pervert¡­ you look like a pervert up close," the girl retorted, hastily retrieving her bag and sneakers before bolting away from the scene.


    Still wincing from the pain, Hardin noticed something fall from her bag and retrieved it from the ground. Examining the ID, his expression darkened.


    "Noah Carter... you are dead meat," he muttered and gritted his teeth in anger.


    He stuffed the ID in his pants pocket, made his way towards the car and drove away.


    Noah, who ran away from the strange men, took a deep breath to calm her erratic nerves. It seems like she would catch trouble wherever she goes. She opened her bag to see the money she got from today''s work at the bar.


    Relief washed over her when she saw the money was still there, closed the zipper and tucked the bag in her arm securely. Life has not been easy for her, attending school in the morning, working part-time in the bar, and taking care of her little sister made her exhausted.


    She slowly walked towards the bus stop to catch the last bus for her home. She took a seat and put on an earphone listening to her mother''s favorite song,


    Just smile for me and let the day begin


    You are the sunshine that lights my heart within


    I''m sure that you''re an angel in disguise


    Come take my hand and together we will ride


    On the wings of love


    Up and above the clouds


    The only way to fly is on the wings of love


    ~Song by Kyla (On the wings of love)


    As tears welled up in her eyes, Noah couldn''t help but reminisce about the happier times she had spent with her family. She once had a beautiful family with a loving mother, a caring father, and a little sister, but everything changed when her father''s business started to go bankrupt.


    He turned to alcohol and drugs, drowning himself in despair. Her mother took responsibility and had been the backbone of the family, caring for them all despite their struggles.


    Despite her mother''s efforts to hold the family together, fate dealt them a cruel blow when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Noah''s heart ached at the memory of her mother''s illness and eventual passing three years ago.


    She had been left to care for her five-year-old sister, shouldering the responsibility at a young age.

 Red everywhere

    Upon reaching her home Noah lifted her hand to open the door, her heart raced with worry as she heard the sound of glass shattering from inside her home. Fearing for her sister''s safety, she hastily pushed open the door and rushed inside.


    "Tell me, where is the money?" her drunken father''s voice echoed through the house, filled with anger and aggression. Noah''s eyes widened in alarm as she saw him standing over her trembling little sister, Mia, with a broken bottle in his hand.


    Her young sister, Mia shrunken herself at the corner of the wall, covering her ears with her little hand, and closed her eyes tightly.


    "Father! Stop" Noah shouted at the top of her lungs, rage filled her mind seeing her sister visibly shaking from fear.


    "Oh! here you are, give the money"


    He staggered towards her, reeking of alcohol, and forcefully snatched her bag, seizing the money she had earned through a day of hard work. Noah didn''t resist or try to reclaim the bag; she knew it would only end up with bruises in her body. This was a familiar scenario ¨C her father''s drunken outbursts had become routine.


    "Shh¡­Mia, its alright I am here"


    Hearing her sister''s voice Mia opened her eyes.


    "Noah¡­." the tears that she didn''t shed until now rushed out and she sobbed loudly hugging her sister.


    Noah''s heart broke hearing her sister''s tears. She hugged her tightly in her arms and patted her head gently.


    "It''s ok.. It''s ok I am here. It will be alright" she didn''t know whether she consoles her sister or herself, because she is aware that their life didn''t get better anytime soon.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    She carried her sister to their bedroom and placed her in bed. She knelt down and wiped her tears, "Did.. did he beat you?"


    Seeing her shake her head Noah took a deep breath which she didn''t know she held it all the time.


    "Promise me you will tell me if he ever touches you. Ok?"


    Mia nodded her head in understanding, "Noah did you eat?"


    Noah felt warmth spread inside her heart, the days'' exhaustion suddenly disappeared. She smiled gently at her and pressed her stray hair gently.


    "Hmm. Did you eat?, I put the dinner in fridge before I left"


    Mia looked at her sister deeply, suddenly she jumped from the bed and ran towards her desk to take the plate that contained half the portion of food that she saved for her sister.


    She pushed the plate to her sister, "I know you still didn''t eat, didn''t we promise to take care of each other. Eat now"


    Tears flowed from Noah''s eyes as she kissed her sister''s cheek, they both hugged each other to find solace in each other''s arms.


    Siren, who had been occupied all week with Aiden and her work at the mechanic shed, was now taking a moment to rest at home. She calmly sipped her juice, her gaze drifting absentmindedly over the plants visible through the glass wall.


    Her garden was filled with flowers of different colors ranging from pink to yellow which was planted by none other than Alex, saying that just like these colorful flowers her life will also be colorful.


    Setting down her empty juice glass, Siren rose from the sofa and made her way outside to the garden. She gravitated towards a corner where white daisies adorned the pathway in neat rows. Squatting beside one of the smallest plants at the end, she observed the delicate lines etched into the petals.


    While everything about the flower was undeniably beautiful, Siren couldn''t help but feel that it lacked something essential, something she couldn''t quite put into words.


    Siren brought the empty glass above the flower and crushed it with her bare hands. As the glass shattered, blood began to drip from the cuts on her palms, landing on the delicate petals of the flower and painting them a vivid red.


    A small smile graced her lips as she observed the transformed flower.


    "Beautiful," she murmured, a sense of satisfaction washing over her despite the pain in her hands.

 Bloody sweet and sweat

    Siren drives through the bustling traffic on her motorcycle, a blur of motion amidst the chaos of the city streets. She halted in front of the renowned bar of Worcester city. Seeing her, the security guard didn''t block as she is a regular here.


    Shrugging off her sleek black leather jacket, Siren slung it over her shoulder and made her way to the bar counter with purpose. A craving for the crisp taste of lemon Moscato led her to place her order, her lips tingling in anticipation as she took the first sip of the chilled white wine.


    Her gaze, crackling with electric intensity, swept over the dimly lit expanse of the bar, taking in every detail with a keen eye. In the midst of her survey, a waiter approached her with a respectful bow, presenting her with a glass of deep red Port wine.


    "Madam, the gentleman over there sent this over for you," the waiter informed her, gesturing towards a figure on the second floor.


    Siren''s brow furrowed as she followed the waiter''s indication, locking eyes with Raven, who wore a smug smirk on his lips.


    What''s up with this son and father duo always showing in front of her at odd times?, Siren thought in her mind.


    As she locked eyes with Raven once more, she sensed an intensity in his gaze as though he sought to unravel her very essence, to delve into the depths of her soul with his penetrating stare.


    "Miss Siren, you''re here. Our manager has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Shall we?" Another waiter interrupted her thoughts, motioning towards the manager''s room with a respectful bow.


    Standing from her stool, Siren cast a sidelong glance at the waiter, who remained frozen in his bowing posture. With a swift motion, she drained the red wine in glass, relishing the sweet burst of flavor on her tongue. Handing the empty glass back to the man, she followed the new waiter towards the manager''s room.


    A single droplet of sweat trickled down the forehead of the bowing waiter, falling silently to the floor below. His hand trembled slightly from a mixture of fear and relief, grateful that his head remained intact for another day.


    "Ahh¡­ it''s not fair why does she have to drink that?" Hardin exasperated and slumped on the couch.


    Raven remained fixated on Siren''s retreating figure until she vanished behind the door. "She knows," he whispered, his voice barely audible.


    "What? What more does she know?" Hardin pressed, turning to his friend with a furrowed brow, eager for answers.


    Hardin''s spirits had plummeted to an all-time low after his failure to gather the information Raven had tasked him with. As if it was not enough, he has been called a thief, a pervert, beaten with sneakers and his¡­his balls. Forget it, he will test for fertility afterwards.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    His thoughts drifted to the memory of those mocking blonde curls, causing him to clench his fists and grit his teeth in frustration. He, the almighty Hardin Spencer has never been humiliated like this in his twenty seven years of life.


    Raven observed his friend''s seething anger who seemed as if he wanted to break someone''s neck.


    "What did you find?" Raven''s voice cut through the tension, his gaze steady as he awaited Hardin''s report.


    Hardin snapped out of his reverie, his mind still swirling with resentment. "She''s clean, no ties to the underground," he began, pausing as uncertainty crept into his voice.


    "Go on," Raven encouraged, taking a leisurely sip of the Vintage Port wine he had ordered for Siren, his demeanor calm and composed in stark contrast to Hardin''s turmoil.


    "There''s no record of how she ended up in the orphanage, and she was adopted just two days after being admitted. Doesn''t that strike you as odd?" Hardin''s voice was laced with intrigue and suspicion as he relayed his findings to Raven.


    Raven remained silent, absorbing Hardin''s words with a keen attentiveness that spoke volumes.


    "Look into Alex''s past," his tone resolute as he downed the remaining contents of his glass and shrugged on his coat, a sense of urgency in his movements.


    "And..." Raven interjected, his voice commanding attention as he held Hardin''s gaze.


    "Wipe the shoe mark off your face," he added with a crooked smile, before swiftly exiting the bar.


    Hearing this Hardin''s face hardened and his eyes filled with rage, "N.O.A.H C.A.R.T.E.R"


    Siren stepped into the room indicated by the waiter, finding the door swiftly closed behind her with the waiter positioned as a guard. As she entered, she was met by the sight of a silver-haired man who greeted her with enthusiasm, moving in for a warm embrace.


    "Finally, my baby is here!" he exclaimed, his arms outstretched.


    "Touch me and you''re dead," Siren retorted, her expression impassive.


    "Ouch... I''m hurt," the man chuckled, unfazed by her threat, and proceeded to ruffle her hair, earning a sharp glare from Siren in response.


    They both took a seat opposite to the man who was busy reading a file in his hand. Seeing that they both finished the quarrel he slid the file in his hand to Siren.


    "Here, the details you asked for," he stated crisply.


    Siren accepted the file from the table, her fingers flipping through the pages with a focused intensity as her eyes absorbed every detail.


    The man who had handed her the file observed her closely, breaking the silence with a casual inquiry. "How are you doing?"


    Siren''s movements halted abruptly, her attention shifting from the file to the man seated opposite her. "Better. Why do you ask?" she responded, her tone guarded.


    Leaning back against the sofa, the man adjusted his glasses and narrowed his gaze, focusing on the palm of her right hand.


    "I told you not to hurt yourself," he remarked.


    At his words, the silver-haired man, who had been silent until now, suddenly sprang into action, reaching out to inspect Siren''s hand.


    "Baby, what happened to your hand?" he questioned, his voice filled with worry.


    Pulling her hand away from his grasp, Siren remained composed, her expression unreadable.


    "It''s just an accidental cut from glass," she replied tersely, her attention returning to the file in her hands.


    With a swift motion, she folded the file and slipped it into her jacket, rising from her seat. "Be careful. Someone will soon try to dig up," she warned cryptically, her words laden with implication.


    "We will," the man assured her with a solemn nod, their unspoken understanding hanging heavy in the air as Siren made her exit out of the room.


    The silver-haired man pouted seeing her leaving so soon and asked the man, "Ruth, Is she going to be okay?"


    Ruth, who had been thinking of something, smiled brightly and replied, "Sam, don''t you love picking out mini dresses for children? Let''s go do that now!"


    The dumbfounded Sam, "What?"

 Ride back home

    As Siren emerged from the bar, her pace slowed upon spotting Raven leaning casually against her bike. His attention seemed consumed by his phone, the dim glow highlighting his chiseled features, casting an alluring aura around him.


    "He''s... handsome," Siren silently admitted in her heart with a straight face.


    As her footsteps drew closer, Raven, who was busy texting to his annoying brat of a son, closed his phone and put it inside his suit pocket.


    "Mr. Raven," Siren greeted him politely, though inwardly she wished to slip away unnoticed.


    "Siren," he replied in his deep baritone voice, returning the greeting with a cool demeanor.


    Siren''s brow furrowed slightly at the familiarity in his tone, a subtle hint of suspicion creeping into her expression.


    "Do you need any help, Mr... Raven?" Siren emphasized the "Mr" part, a subtle reminder of the lack of formalities in his previous greeting.


    Raven''s grin widened, revealing a striking set of teeth. "Nope, I don''t need your help, but just a ride back to my home," he replied with a playful tone.


    Siren feigned ignorance, her expression neutral as she started her bike, eager to distance herself from this high androgen specimen.


    "Oh! I wish you good luck in getting a ride," she replied dismissively, attempting to brush off his suggestive remark.


    Raven''s grin remained firmly in place as he leaned in closer, his large hands reaching out to prevent her from starting the bike.


    "Should I rephrase my words, Siren?" he murmured, his breath grazing her lips as he closed the distance between them, his intent unmistakable.


    "I need a ride from you," Raven stated bluntly, cutting through the tension with his straightforward request.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Siren clenched her teeth, a flicker of irritation crossing her features as she put some distance between them. "What happened to your car?" she demanded, her tone sharp with suspicion.


    "Ran out of gas," Raven replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.


    "And what about your friend?" Siren pressed, recalling the presence of the tech-savvy player, Hardin Spencer, who had been with Raven earlier.


    "Oh, him. He''s got some midnight business," Raven explained with a dismissive wave of his hand.


    Siren regarded him with a silent stare, her thoughts swirling with skepticism and distrust.


    "Sigh! Aiden must be starving himself to accompany his dad for dinner," Raven lamented in a pitiful tone, shaking his head in mock disapproval.


    "Tch...tch, a poor boy of four," he added.


    "Shameless," Siren thought to herself, her disdain for Raven''s manipulative tactics evident in her expression.


    "Fine. Hop on," she relented begrudgingly, her resolve wavering in the face of Raven''s shameless antics.


    "Gladly," Raven replied with a smile, hopping onto the back of the bike. However, his enthusiasm quickly turned to discomfort as he struggled to find a suitable place to put his hands.


    Though he had ridden bikes before, he had never been seated at the back. He looked at the lean and dainty waist of the women in front of him, but not wanting to be abandoned in the middle of the road he silently held the rear of the back seat.


    His large frame casting a shadow over the petite woman in front of him, creating a somewhat comical sight.


    Leaning in close, he whispered to her in his deep voice, "Let''s ride."


    Siren felt a rush of heat as his breath tickled her neck, her grip on the clutch tightening in response. Suppressing her emotions, she focused on the road ahead, and accelerated her bike towards the Grey''s mansion.


    As Hardin emerged from the bar, his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at the sight before him.


    "Should I schedule an eye checkup along with a fertility checkup?" he muttered incredulously, the surreal scene before him prompting him to question his own sanity.


    He finally concluded that alcohol must have caught up to his head.


    Meanwhile, Raven, seated behind Siren, remained silent as he stared intently at the back of her head. If it were possible, he would have drilled a hole to uncover how she had discovered his involvement in the underground.


    However, he was willing to bide his time. After all, it wasn''t every day he encountered such intriguing prey.


    A dark glint passed through his eyes at the thought of the thrill that lay ahead, unnoticed by Siren, who was preoccupied with plotting how to throw him under the bus without evidence.


    And so, unbeknownst to each other, the hunter and the huntress were both busy laying their own traps in the intricate game of cat and mouse, leaving it uncertain who will be hunted by whom.

 Mother hunting

    Siren brought her bike to a halt in front of the imposing Grey''s mansion, her gaze fixed on the massive black gate guarded by two stern-looking bodyguards dressed in black.


    As they approached to inquire about the newcomer, a man in a sharp suit emerged from the back seat, prompting their eyes to widen in recognition. With a swift bow, they greeted their master respectfully.


    "Master," they acknowledged in unison.


    Raven acknowledged them with a brief nod before turning his attention to Siren, who was taking in the sight of the mansion''s exterior. "Like it?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.


    "Not bad," Siren replied nonchalantly, her tone betraying little emotion.


    Without further ado, she kick-started her bike and swiftly departed from the scene, leaving Raven and his guards behind as she disappeared into the night.


    Raven made no attempt to stop Siren as she rode off into the night, his attention shifting as he entered the grand hall of the mansion. Butler Alfred swiftly approached him, ready to assist, and Raven handed over his suit jacket before proceeding further into the mansion''s depths.


    Just as he stepped into the hall, a certain little figure descended the staircase and ran towards the door in hurry. With a swift motion, he reached out and grasped the collar of his son''s pajamas, and lifted him in the air.


    Aiden, startled by the sound of the familiar bike, had leaped out of bed and rushed from his room, only to find himself ensnared by his father''s firm grip.


    "Let me go! I want to see her!" Aiden protested, kicking at the air in frustration. But Raven paid no mind to his son''s pleas, instead effortlessly hoisting him up and hanging him over his broad shoulder, holding him upside down.


    "There''s no point. She''s already gone," Raven explained calmly as he carried Aiden to the dining table and settled him into a chair.


    Stolen story; please report.


    "Have you eaten?" Raven inquired, ignoring his son''s sulking demeanor.


    Aiden, still upset about missing the chance to see Siren, harrumphed and turned his face away. "I have. Why? Did you expect me to wait for you?" he retorted defiantly.


    But Alfred, ever attentive to his young master''s needs, chimed in, exposing Aiden''s fib. "The young master hasn''t had his dinner yet," he revealed.


    Aiden glared at him fiercely and turned to see his father whose smugness is evident in his smile.


    As both the masters of the mansion took their seats at the table, Alfred signaled to the maids to start serving dinner. With the aroma of freshly prepared food wafting through the air, the maids swiftly began to serve the meal, and soon father and son began to eat.


    Despite their occasional bickering, Alfred couldn''t help but smile as he observed the interaction between Raven and Aiden. Beneath their disagreements, there was an undeniable bond of love that ran deep.


    Though Raven may have a reputation for being ruthless, he never neglected his son, always making time for him despite his demanding work.


    After dinner, everyone retired to their respective bedrooms. Raven emerged from the bathroom, clad in his black boxer shorts, toweling off his damp hair.


    Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open, revealing Aiden dragging his blanket behind him as he made his way to the bed.


    He folded his hands and said domineeringly, "I am sleeping here today"


    Raven sighed seeing his stubborn son, he carried him and placed in the middle of the bed.


    "Do as you wish" and he continued to dry his hair with the blower.


    "How did you meet her?" Aiden questioned, settling onto his father''s bed as he made himself comfortable.


    "In a bar," Raven replied matter-of-factly, making no effort to conceal the truth from his son.


    Aiden scoffed incredulously. "And she willingly gave you a ride back home?"


    "I have tricks up my sleeve"


    "You... you definitely used me as a scapegoat," Aiden retorted, his wit quick and sharp.


    Raven couldn''t help but smirk at his son''s astute observation, but he chose not to comment on it, afterall his own cunning nature had been running in his son''s blood.


    After drying his hair, Raven climbed into bed and tucked the blanket snugly around his son before extinguishing the light. In the ensuing silence, Raven lay awake, his gaze fixed on the ceiling above.


    After a few minutes, he hears his son''s sleepy voice.


    "Daddy, I want her as my mother"


    Raven remained silent, but a dark glint shrouded his eyes, lending an ominous edge to his otherwise calm demeanor. He glanced at his son who snored softly snuggling to the side of his body. He wrapped his arms around him and hugged him securely.


    That woman, she is not as simple as she seems.

 Interrogation

    Raven descended the stairs and found Aiden already seated at the breakfast table, quietly enjoying his meal. Taking the seat beside his son, Raven greeted him with a playful ruffle of his hair, earning a disgruntled glare in response.


    Chuckling at his son''s reaction, Raven began to eat his breakfast as Alfred personally attended to their needs, serving them with precision and care.


    Once they had finished their meal, Aiden''s personal chauffeur arrived to drive him to school. Raven adjusted his suit and bid his son farewell before heading down to the basement.


    In the expansive garage, rows of sleek cars lined up neatly. Raven''s steady footsteps echoed through the space as he made his way to the corner, where he unveiled a shiny black Dodge Viper. The car''s bonnet bore the menacing image of a golden viper snake with red eyes, a testament to its power and speed.


    Entering the car, Raven buckled up as the monstrous sound of the engine roared to life, filling the garage with its thunderous growl. With practiced skill, he navigated the car out of the garage and onto the road, the engine''s powerful rumble echoing in his ears.


    Twenty minutes later, the car reached a muddy road flanked by dense trees and shrubs. As they approached, the guards at a large brown rusty gate recognized the familiar car and swiftly opened it, allowing Raven to pass through the gate.


    Raven strode into the two-story building, with a weathered exterior. The front yard was barren, littered with patches of dried yellow grass, while the surrounding area was encircled by wire fencing, giving the impression of a place isolated from the outside world.


    As he entered the building, guards stationed on either side of the entrance bowed respectfully in his presence. Raven wasted no time, immediately seeking out information from a nearby man.


    "Where is he?" he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.


    The man, head bowed in deference, responded promptly.


    "Brandon is interrogating him at the base," he answered, avoiding eye contact with Raven, a clear sign of deference to his authority.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Raven walked towards the base, the anguished screams of a man echoing off the walls. The base itself was dimly lit, casting long shadows that danced across the narrow corridors. Rows of cells lined the space, each one a grim reminder of the darkness that lurked within.


    Inside one of the cells, a man was tied to a chair, his clothes stained with blood and in tatters. His eyes held a hollow gaze, devoid of any spark of life, as if the torment he had endured had drained him of all hope.


    Standing before him was a man of imposing stature, his burly figure imposing and his long blonde curls tied at the top of his head with tattoos adorned his vast expanse of his chest and right hand.


    His mouth twitched as he stroked his beard, his gaze fixed on his captive, ""Are you testing my patience?" The man with the burly figure growled, his voice laced with menace. "Tell me who did it, and maybe I''ll spare you."


    The captive laughed hysterically, his bloody teeth gleaming in the dim light of the base. "You want me to believe that bullsh¡ª"


    Before he finished his word, the burly man swung the bat in his hand at the man. The spikes at the end of the bat tore the man''s cheek, the skin got scraped off to make the flesh inside visible to one''s eyes and blood gushed out from the fresh cut.


    The loud screams of the man reverberated through the entire basement, yet the gang members paid him no heed.


    "If you can''t speak anything useful, better keep it shut," the burly man growled.


    Hearing approaching footsteps, he released the bat in his hand and sauntered over to a nearby table, settling himself comfortably.


    "Yo, long time no see," he greeted the newcomer with a grin as he entered the basement.


    "Anything useful, Brandon?" Raven questioned his subordinate.


    "Tch... tough nut to crack," Brandon shrugged his shoulders.


    Raven picked up the spiked bat from the ground, its menacing presence adding an edge to the already tense atmosphere of the basement. With deliberate steps, he approached the man tied to the chair, his movements fluid and predatory.


    Crouching down in front of the man, Raven used the back of the bat to lift his chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. The captive felt his throat go dry from all the screaming, his senses dulled by the relentless torment he had endured.


    Struggling to focus, the man blinked weakly, his vision blurry and disoriented. Gradually, his eyes cleared enough to discern the figure before him¡ªa man with a black mask covering half of his face, a golden viper engraved on the side.


    A shiver of fear ran down the man''s spine as he recognized the symbol, his eyes widening in terror. Sensing the man''s terror, Raven''s smirk widened, a dark glint of satisfaction in his eyes.


    He relished the fear he instilled in his enemies¡ªit was a feeling he liked all too well.

 Little baby in bottle

    The man''s eyes widened further in fear as Raven''s smirk deepened, relishing the palpable terror emanating from his captive. With deliberate cruelty, Raven prodded the open wound with the spikes of the bat, causing the man to grit his teeth in agony.


    "So, willing to speak now, Oliver?" Raven inquired, his voice laced with a chilling edge.


    Oliver, his resolve unbroken despite the pain, clenched his jaw defiantly. "Even if I die, I won''t tell you, Hunter," he spat out through gritted teeth.


    Raven''s expression remained impassive as he met Oliver''s gaze head-on. "Death is an easy choice, don''t you think?" he remarked calmly, his words carrying a weight of inevitability.


    Standing straight, Raven signaled to a nearby guard, who promptly retrieved a tablet and positioned it in front of Oliver. With a swift motion, he activated the device, revealing a chilling video to the captive.


    In the video, a woman and a small boy were shown, their limbs bound to chairs in a dimly lit room as they sobbed uncontrollably. Two menacing figures dressed in black stood nearby, each holding a small stout glass bottle containing a venomous snake that hisses menacingly.


    Oliver''s eyes widened in horror as he recognized his wife and son in the video. "You bastard, leave them!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with desperation. The already torn flesh on his cheeks began to bleed anew, and his dry throat caused him to cough uncontrollably.


    "Relax, Oliver. I haven''t started yet," Raven remarked calmly, a twisted smile playing on his lips as he spoke. "Do you see the small snake over there? It''s a Dwarf Adder, small and cute, right?" His words were laced with a deceptive charm, but his eyes betrayed a much darker intent.


    Brandon, who had been enjoying the scene, exclaimed, "Awww... that''s my baby Sara. I wonder where she went for two days?" His remark went unnoticed by Raven, who remained focused on the interrogation at hand.


    "Now tell me, to which rat did you sell the information?" Raven asked the man before him, his tone patient but firm.


    "No, I won''t, not even in your dreams," the man spat angrily, defiance etched in his every word.


    Raven''s eyes narrowed at the man''s refusal. "You''ve left me with no choice," he declared, his gaze flicking to the side. Without a word, the guards were summoned, and they issued orders to release the snake.


    "No... No, what are you doing? Please, leave them," the man begged desperately, his pleas falling on deaf ears.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "I will when you are willing to speak. No rush, take your time," Raven replied calmly, his voice betraying no hint of remorse.


    Oliver remained silent, his eyes fixed anxiously on the video feed. In the footage, the little brown snake emerged from the bottle and slithered slowly toward the two bound individuals.


    As the snake approached, the young boy began to cry out in fear, "Mommy, it''s coming! Help!"


    The woman pleaded with the men nearby, tears streaming down her face. "Please, leave us. Please," she begged, her voice filled with desperation.


    Little Sara, slithered its way up the boy''s leg, its small form moving with eerie precision towards his neck. Feeling the rough scales and the unsettling slithering motion, the boy''s terror escalated, and he wailed loudly in distress.


    "Daddy... daddy, help me!" he cried out, his voice trembling with fear.


    Oliver, overcome with panic at the sight of his son in danger, pleaded with the men nearby. "Stop that. I will... I will tell you. Please, stop that," he begged, his words frantic and filled with urgency.


    "Hmm... That''s a good boy," Raven remarked with a cold smile, his demeanor unwavering. With a simple gesture, the guards bowed and issued orders to their men to retrieve the snake from the boy''s body, and enclosed it in the glass bottle.


    "It was Antonio, I gave the details of goods and export routes to them. He wants to sabotage your successful union with the Northern border. He is planning to gain their trust by selling your goods in his own name. If I am right, Antonio''s gang members should have already ambushed your ship and snatched the goods, even crossing the border already." His words hung in the air, punctuated by the chilling echo of his laughter that reverberated through the empty walls of the base.


    Raven remained calm, his expression unreadable as he listened to Oliver''s confession.


    "That was such a lousy plan, But do you think I am a fool? Why would I choose the sea when a safe way to the Northern border is by sky?"


    With a calculated gesture, Raven slid the tablet towards Oliver, prompting him to look at the screen.


    "The Secretary of Defense, William Cornell, flies on his private AF-V to the Northern Border army camp to meet with the Field Marshal and discuss peace on the border. The agenda..." Raven paused, his gaze steady as he allowed Oliver to absorb the information displayed on the screen.


    After a moment of silence, Raven paused the broadcast and handed the tablet to his subordinates nearby.


    Oliver looked at Raven with shock and disbelief evident in his eyes. The extent of this man''s influence was truly unbelievable. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Raven would have planted his own men in high-ranking positions in politics. Before he could utter a word, a loud bang resonated inside the basement.


    "Meet you in hell, Oliver," Raven declared calmly, his voice devoid of remorse as he holstered the gun and adjusted his suit.


    Brandon, witnessing the scene unfold, let out a long sigh. "Poor rat, walking straight into the cat''s mouth," he remarked, his tone tinged with a mixture of pity and amusement as he patted the lifeless body. A gaping hole was visible in Oliver''s chest, blood seeping out from the fatal wound near his heart.


    "What are we going to do?" Brandon questioned Raven.


    Raven''s lips lifted in a sardonic smirk as he gazed down at the corpse before him, his green eyes gleaming with malevolence.


    "Deliver the goods to Antonio"

 Antonio, the mad Gorilla

    Antonio, the head of the Black Scorpio mafia gang, was once a formidable force in the city''s underworld. However, with the rise of the Vipers, his influence waned, and his gang became increasingly marginalized.


    The Vipers had become their mortal enemies, and for decades, Antonio and his gang had been striving to regain their former status. In the past, Antonio had clashed with Conan Grey, and now he found himself facing off against Conan''s grandson, but he always seemed to come out on the losing end.


    Despite being well aware of the identity of the head of the Vipers, Antonio adhered to the unspoken rule of the underground: never reveal the identities of rival factions. After all, each organization had its own sordid history and questionable tactics. Ultimately, their goal was the same: to secure their place at the top of the underground hierarchy.


    At that moment, Antonio was indulging in a shower, reveling in the satisfaction of successfully obtaining goods from the Vipers. Once he delivered these goods, he would earn the trust and allegiance of the Northern border, solidifying his position of power.


    "Hmph! Hunter you are going to be a sore loser this time"


    Lost in the joy, he was abruptly jolted when he felt something thick and warm fall onto his skin. Startled, he opened his eyes and looked up, only to see a stream of crimson-colored water pouring down on him.


    "Ahhhhh...."


    Antonio''s scream echoed through the bathroom, reverberating off the tiled walls.


    Hearing their leader''s distress, the members of Antonio''s gang rushed towards the bathroom, their concern evident on their faces. Without warning, a group of mobsters burst through the door, their expressions a mixture of alarm and confusion as they took in the scene before them.


    There stood their boss, naked and drenched in blood-red water.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Antonio, who has been shocked by bloody water just now, turned to see his gang members stare at his naked shelf without blinking.


    Antonio: "Ahhhhhhh"


    The gang members: "Ahhhhhhh"


    Ascending to the terrace with his entourage in tow, Antonio wasted no time in inspecting the water tank. As they lifted the lid, a gruesome sight greeted them: the informant Antonio had planted by Raven''s side lay submerged within, his lifeless body leaking blood from a gaping hole in his chest, the crimson liquid mingling with the water in the tank.


    Fury boiling within him, Antonio lashed out, kicking the tank in frustration and pulling at his hair in a fit of rage. When he saw his hand a bunch of white hair rested in his palm.


    "Hunter!!!!!!"he roared like a mad gorilla.


    After handling the aftermath of the informer''s demise, Raven retreated to his study within the base, located in the far right corner of the first corridor. Few were permitted entry into this area; only Raven and his most trusted aides were granted access.


    Seated behind his desk, Raven delved into the details of the gang''s recent dealings, poring over the contents of a file with meticulous attention. His focus was interrupted as the door swung open, and Brandon, one of his most trusted associates, strode into the room.


    Leaning casually against the wall, Brandon observed his junior with a discerning gaze. He had once served under Conan Grey before Raven assumed leadership of the Vipers, and his loyalty had remained unwavering.


    Raven valued loyalty greatly, and Brandon had not only a trusted ally but also a mentor to him, imparting invaluable knowledge in the arts of combat and strategy.


    Seeing the gaze on him, Raven closed the file and questioned him, "What''s the matter Brandon?"


    "You are more pissed than usual," he replied nonchalantly.


    There is a few minutes of silence in the room, "Aiden wants a mother"


    Once Raven finished his words, Brandon beamed like a child and urged him, "Hurry and marry, I don''t want you to end up as a single dog like your secretary" his face scrunched at the thought of Raven''s secretary.


    "Says the single dog" Raven sneered.


    Rolling his eyes, Brandon shrugged off the jab. "Oh, come on, Raven. I don''t have any little ones to raise, and marriage is not my cup of coffee."


    Raven''s expression turned serious as he addressed the real issue at hand. "The issue isn''t just about Aiden wanting a mother, but who he wants."


    "Siren Grace? I heard it from Hardin" he simply sold out Hardin.


    That blabbermouth, Raven cursed him in his heart.


    "Do you need my help with anything?" Brandon offered, ever ready to lend his assistance.


    "Not at the moment. I''ll let you know if I do," Raven replied, dismissing the offer for now.

 Cinderella stained the Princes shirt

    Hutson Law firm


    Twenty minutes had passed since Carlos had finished explaining himself to Craig Hutson, the CEO of Hutson Law Firm. The room was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional sip of tea from Gloria Hutson, who sat calmly at the side, her demeanor poised and composed.


    Finally breaking the silence, Craig with his expression serious, addressed Carlos. "So, you''re saying someone framed you," he stated, his tone grave.


    Carlos nodded, his head lowered. "Yes, sir. I was attacked and rendered unconscious," he replied quietly.


    Gloria, sensing the tension in the room, rose gracefully from her seat. "Oh, darling, you know Carlos has been making significant contributions to our law firm lately. This must be the work of jealous competitors," she interjected, her voice calm and reassuring.


    Craig appeared a little hesitant for a moment, but ultimately, not wanting to disappoint his wife, he smiled amiably. "Mr. Carlos, I trust you. After all, you have been recommended by my wife, and she would never praise unworthy individuals. I''ll speak to the PR team and issue a statement to address your situation. You may leave now," he concluded, dismissing Carlos with a wave of his hand.


    After Carlos had left the cabin, Gloria stepped forward and planted a kiss on her husband''s cheek. "Thank you, honey," she murmured gratefully.


    Craig smiled warmly at his wife. "You don''t need to thank me. Like you said, Carlos is a talented individual," he replied, returning her affection.


    Time had etched lines on Craig''s face, aging him beyond his years, but Gloria remained youthful and radiant. He often worried that she might grow tired of their lifestyle, but she had always been understanding and supportive, both to him and to their son.


    "Oh, where''s Frederick? I haven''t seen him in two days," Craig inquired, his brow furrowing with concern.


    Gloria chuckled softly. "Probably off partying with his friends somewhere. You know how youngsters are these days," she sighed, a hint of exasperation in her tone.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Craig''s laughter filled the room. "Of course. Don''t worry, he''s still young. He''ll definitely grow into a responsible person, just like his mother," he remarked with a grin.


    Gloria waved off his compliment, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, hush, stop exaggerating. I''m sure he''ll be just like his father. Now, let''s eat. It won''t taste good if it gets cold," she insisted.


    "Why are you stressing yourself? Didn''t I say I''ll manage?" Craig chided his wife gently, his tone affectionate.


    "Eating outside food isn''t good for your health. I made these dishes myself, so let''s eat," Gloria replied, her concern evident in her voice.


    Mr. Craig smiled contentedly, feeling the warmth of their domestic bliss enveloping them. And so, the couple began to eat, immersed in their harmonious illusion of familial happiness.


    On the other side, Frederick lounged comfortably on the sofa in his private lounge. In his hand, he held a soft hanky adorned with a shiny silver symbol "S" and delicate fern leaves embroidered in the corner.


    "soft, shiny, silver. Just like him," Frederick mused with a gentle smile, folding the hanky and tucking it into his pants pocket.


    Grabbing his car keys, he decided it was time to visit his parents. It had been two days since his last visit, and he suspected his father might be fussing about his absence. But first, he stopped by a nearby florist to pick up his mother''s favorite flowers, a bouquet of pink cloves.


    As he exited the shop, someone carelessly bumped into him, causing a hot coffee to spill onto his pastel green shirt, a cherished gift from his mother. The stain spread quickly, marring the fabric and ruining it.


    It was his favourite shirt, he always reminded the maids to take extra care while washing this shirt but who knows it was ruined just like that.


    Frustration simmered within Frederick as he prepared to unleash his anger upon the person responsible for staining his cherished shirt. But as he glanced up, his fury dissipated in an instant, replaced by surprise and curiosity.


    Anxious silver eyes met his, filled with nervousness as the person chewed on their lower lip. Frederick''s heart skipped a beat as he realized who stood before him¡ªit was the same man who had been occupying his thoughts day and night. Could this be a fateful encounter?


    Lost in thought, Frederick didn''t immediately speak, but the other person seemed to sense his presence and turned to face him.


    "I am extremely sorry, sir," the person blurted out hastily, bowing deeply in apology.


    Frederick couldn''t help but chuckle. "Still not over with bowing?" he quipped, a hint of amusement in his tone.


    At the sound of Frederick''s voice, the person raised their head, the hazy silver eyes widening in recognition as they locked gazes with him.

 The Magic Mirror

    "Sir?" he exclaimed, gaining the attention of passersby.


    Fredrick who became the object for spectators cleared his throat, "Just call me Fredrick"


    "I am sorry about your shirt sir" Sam apologized again.


    Fredrick''s lip twitched when he addressed him as sir, " You see Sam, I cannot accept your apology" he said with a serious face.


    "I..I can pay for laundry" he said nervously, twisting the end of his sweatshirt.


    Cute, Fredrick thought in mind.


    "You know, I will give you an easy choice. Call me Fredrick and I will accept your apology" he smiled at him.


    Sam hesitated for a second but he also didn''t want to make things complicated.


    "Fredrick" he called in a small voice.


    "There we go. Simple isn''t it?" He placed the flowers in the passenger''s seat and faced him.


    "So, What are you doing here?" he questioned him, curious to know more about him.


    "Oh, I am on my way to the bar. I took an evening shift today" he answered, still fidgeting with his sweater.


    "Mr. Fredrick, could you please share your number so that I can wire the laundry cost?" he asked hesitantly.


    Fredrick, who has been immersed in observing the adorable small movements of the man before him, completely forgets about his ruined shirt. But not wanting to lose the chance to get his number he took out his mobile and gave him his contact details.


    Realizing that he has been running out of time for his part time job, Sam quickly bowed to him and rushed along the way.


    "Ah" remembering the hanky he had in his pocket, he took it out and saw the way Sam had rushed into.


    "Look like we have to meet again" he smiled and put it inside his pocket.


    He accelerated his car towards his home. On entering his home he saw his mother talking and laughing with someone on the phone whereas his father was nowhere to be seen. Seeing his son, Gloria ended the call and moved forward to hug his son.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "My dear sweet son, Have you just remembered your mother?" she patted her son and looked at him longingly.


    "Come on mom we met two days ago" He handed her the flowers he bought, hugged her mother''s neck and kissed her cheek.


    "Where is dad?" he asked her who was engrossed in the pink clove flowers in her hand.


    "Mom?"


    "Oh, He is in his study. Go and meet him" she urged him.


    Gloria with the pink clove flowers in her hands entered her room and walked into her walk in closet.


    As she placed the pink clove flowers on the vanity table, she turned to face the full-length mirror, her eyes meeting her own reflection. There was a gentle reverence in her gaze as she spoke to the mirror as if it held the spirit of her beloved.


    "Babe! See what I got for you," she murmured, her hand reaching out to touch the surface of the mirror with a delicate caress. Her fingers traced the edges of the mirror as if seeking a connection beyond the glass.


    "Babe, it''s a pink clove. Do you know what it represents?" she continued, her voice filled with a mixture of longing and affection. She picked up one of the flowers and placed it in her hair, her eyes never leaving the mirror''s surface.


    "It means¡­I will never forget you," she whispered, her gaze fixed on her reflection as if searching for a response.


    A soft smile graced her lips as she leaned in to press a kiss against the mirror, her affectionate gesture a testament to the bond she shared with her unseen companion. The mirror, a silent observer to her gestures, reflected her every movement with clarity.


    "Hey, what''s up with the dark clouds above our boss''s head?" the mechanic nudged his fellow worker, pointing discreetly towards Alex.


    "Who knows? He''s been like that for an entire week," the other mechanic shrugged, focusing back on his work.


    Alex sighed heavily for the umpteenth time in a day, all thanks to Conan Grey.


    Just then, the sound of tires screeching caught his attention, and he turned to see Siren parking her bike in front of the shed. His expression softened as he watched her, feeling a sense of relief at her arrival.


    Siren lifted the small boy who was seated in front of her on the bike and set him down on the ground. The boy adjusted his backpack and then reached out to hold Siren''s pinky finger, a gesture that never failed to melt Alex''s heart.


    "Grandpa" he addressed him and bowed to him.


    Alex awed at his cuteness as he picked him up in his arms. Aiden who dislikes being sticky and sappy with others obediently lay in his arms.


    "What happened? Did you pick him up from school?" Alex inquired, his curiosity piqued, as he settled onto the sofa beside Siren, who was engrossed in her phone.


    "Hmm. His car broke down in the middle," Siren replied calmly, her attention still on her phone.


    "How did you come to know this?" Alex asked, puzzled by how she managed to pick up the boy who was standing in the middle of the road somewhere.


    Siren looked at him as if his brain cells were roasted by the sun, she closed her phone and waved it in front of him, "He called me."


    "You... you exchanged contacts?" Alex asked, astounded by the revelation.


    As a father himself, he had begged for two weeks to get his daughter''s number.


    The injustice!

 Green eyed Greys

    Alex felt that the world had betrayed him. Aiden who had been immersed in the act of a clueless baby just blinked at him.


    "Who''s going to pick him up now?" Alex directed his question to Siren.


    Siren, who is busy typing on her phone, just shrugged at him. If no one comes to pick him up she will take him to her house, she thought in her mind.


    "Grandpa, I called the mansion and someone will come to pick me up later," Aiden chimed in, his tone dutiful and matter-of-fact. Of course, that "someone" would undoubtedly be his father, Raven Grey.


    Alex chuckled at the boy''s response, reaching out to affectionately pat his head.


    "Ah yes! Mark said tomorrow there will be a local race event at Alcaraz lane. Are you going?" Alex inquired.


    Siren glanced up from her phone, her eyebrows raised in interest. "The Grand prize?"


    "One million dollars," Alex confirmed with a grin.


    "Hmm. Not bad, I''m in. Tell Mark to take care of the registry process," Siren replied casually.


    Aiden''s eyes sparkled at the prospect of his angel participating in the race, but he quickly concealed his excitement before anyone could notice. Deep down, however, he was already planning another trip to his father''s bedroom.


    Alex carried him into the shed to oversee the works in the shed. As the time approached seven, they heard a sound of a car parked in front of the shed. As most of the workers had already returned home, only a few workers were present. They saw Raven who came out of the car and entered into the shed.


    As it is not his first time here, he was familiar with the layout of the shed, as he made his way directly to the work area without hesitation.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    He saw his son squatting near the car carrying spanners in his little fingers and deeply listened to Siren who was explaining the parts of the car while she fixed it.


    Meanwhile, Alex returned to the shed after confirming the readiness of Siren''s bike for the upcoming race. However, his expression hardened seeing the person standing in his shed.


    The person is tall, his midnight black hair neatly set at the side. He is clothed in black suit and pants making his dark and dominant presence eminent in one''s vision.


    Sensing someone''s gaze on him, Raven averted his eyes to the man standing before him.


    "Mr. Alex Dexter" he greeted him.


    Hearing his father''s voice, Aiden stood up from the place and walked towards him.


    "Daddy" he held his father''s hand.


    Alex rooted to the spot staring at the father son duo with a shocked face. Shit those green eyes!. He always felt that he had seen those green eyes somewhere. Not once or twice but he came across all the Grey''s green eyes thrice within this week. Now he looks closely, Aiden looks like a mini clone of Raven Grey.


    Does the white matter depleted in his brain? How could he not have guessed it before?


    Raven picked up his son in his arms and took his backpack which is placed in the nearby bonnet of the car.


    "Thank you for looking after him" he thanked both Siren and Alex. Siren simply nodded her head while the latter still didn''t come out of the shock.


    Aiden side glanced at his father, impressed by his improved manners. He thought to himself that if his father continued to behave well, he might eventually win the heart of Siren and bring her home as his mother.


    With a sense of pride in his father''s progress, Aiden puffed up his chest and held his chin high.


    Even after they left Alex stood still in his place. Sensing his distraction, Siren waved her hand in front of him.


    He came out of his shock and asked her, "Do you know he is the heir of Grey''s?"


    "I know"


    He set his lips in a thin line, " Keep your distance from them"


    "Why? What happened?"


    "I met Conan Grey a week before and he wants you to be his grand daughter-in-law"


    Siren curled her lips, "Didn''t you bug me to get married?"


    Alex widened his eyes, a hint of panic in his voice. "Anyone but Raven Grey," he emphasized.


    Enjoying the opportunity to tease him, Siren continued, "He has power, money, looks, and even a son. Perfect, isn''t he, Dexy?"


    "Grace, you better be joking right now," Alex replied, his tone serious but his eyes pleading for reassurance.


    She chuckled. "I am. Let''s go, it''s already late"

 Alcaraz lane

    The place was abuzz with young people milling about, racers inspecting their bikes while beautiful women accompanied wealthy young men. At the entrance, the racing area was heavily guarded by security, only those with valid identification and tickets were allowed entry.


    Near the bike shed, a man named Mark anxiously rubbed his hands together, eagerly awaiting Siren''s arrival. He had met her two years ago during a test ride at her shed and was impressed by her driving skills.


    After a million aeons of coercion he finally succeeded and Siren made her first debut two years ago.


    The racing arena was filled with cheers and excitement as Siren showcased her exceptional driving skills, stunning everyone present. Following her successful debut, she became the reigning champion in all racing events held across Worcester and nearby cities.


    As Mark saw Alex entering the yard, he let out a relieved sigh and hurried over to him. "Where''s Siren?" he asked anxiously, scanning the area behind Alex. Noticing her absence, he grew tense.


    Alex patted Mark''s back reassuringly. "Relax, Mark. She''ll be here any minute. And even if she''s not, I''ll take her place," he said with a grin.


    Mark nervously chuckled and nodded in agreement.


    Siren, who had entered the yard alongside Alex, noticed a familiar figure standing off to the side. She gestured for Alex to go meet Mark and handle the necessary arrangements before making her way over to the person.


    As she approached, a young boy rushed towards her and hugged her leg. She smiled lightly and squatted down to his level, pinching his cheeks affectionately. He was dressed in ankle-length, faded blue ripped jeans, paired with a white shirt and a striped sleeveless denim coat.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "You look very handsome," she complimented him.


    Aiden blushed at her comment. Siren lifted him into her arms and approached the man who had been leaning against the car, his arms folded, watching them intently. Raven, dressed in a grey self-striped pullover and black suit pants, met her gaze as she addressed him.


    "Mr. Raven," she said firmly, locking eyes with his green ones.


    Raven stepped forward, his demeanor composed. "Aiden wishes to see your race," he informed her.


    Aiden glared at his father who didn''t think twice before dragging him through mud.


    "Hmm" she simply hummed and didn''t ask further as she already guessed he might hear them when they discussed the race in the shed.


    Taking advantage of the moment, Aiden planted a kiss on Siren''s cheek and wished her good luck. Siren was taken aback by the gesture, surprised by the boy''s boldness. She narrowed her eyes playfully but smiled nonetheless, ruffling his hair.


    As the race was about to begin, Siren gently set Aiden down and cautioned him not to go near the track. Just as she was about to leave, she heard a deep male voice behind her.


    "Good luck," Raven said quietly, his eyes fixed on her.


    The father and son duo looked at the departing figure,


    "Don''t forget about your promise" Raven said to his son.


    Aiden sulked thinking about the promise he made with his father in exchange for taking him to today''s event.


    "Hmph" he turned his face away from his father.


    They settled into their seats on the right side of the bleachers, a section reserved for today''s race sponsors. Raven, being one of the event''s major sponsors and a prominent figure in the business world, relished the privileges that came with his status.


    Meanwhile, Aiden positioned himself close to his father, eagerly anticipating the appearance of his favorite racer on the track.


    Both their presence create a rustle among the people in bleachers. The women fixed their starry eyes at Raven at the same time they didn''t forget to cooed at Aiden''s cuteness.


    Siren, who had changed her clothes, made her way towards Alex and Mark.


    "You are here!" Mark exclaimed happily.


    "Hmm. Did you check everything?" she questioned him.


    "All fine" he gave her a thumbs up.


    As the trio discussed the upcoming match, a man approached Siren from behind and encircled his arms around her waist.


    Raven''s eyes narrowed at the sight, a shadow passing over his usually vibrant forest green eyes, lending them a dark intense hue.

 Clash, Crack & Mock

    Siren''s expression turned steely as she firmly grasped his fingers and removed his hand from her waist. Max chuckled, raising his hands in surrender.


    "Wouldn''t you prefer your hands for driving, Max?" Siren warned him, her tone sharp.


    "Tut¡­ tut, Siren, why bother with driving when you could be snug in my arms? I''d give you everything you desire. Why take risks?" Max replied with a smirk.


    "Says the man who lost to her on the track last time," Alex interjected, his tone filled with mockery.


    "Don''t be absurd, Alex. It was merely luck on her part last time. Let''s see who comes out on top this time," Max retorted confidently.


    "Then call me Godfather if you lose, will ya?" Alex raised his brows at him.


    Max gritted his teeth and shot a glare at Alex.


    "What? Scared?" he taunted.


    Then, facing Siren, he added, "See you on the track." With that, he departed without looking back.


    With 22 riders in the event and a total of 6 laps to finish the race, covering a distance of 2.4 kilometers, Siren stood out as the only female rider on the track.


    Ever since her first win two years ago, she had garnered a significant number of fans. The crowd erupted in cheers as all the riders took their positions on the track.


    Siren quickly checked her knee pad and bike before taking her place on the track. She glanced over at the right side of the bleachers, before securing her helmet and fastened the belt with a click.


    As the starting gun fired, her bike shot forward onto the track. Gripping the clutch tightly, she accelerated it to its maximum, slicing through the air with speed. The powerful roar of the bike echoed through the arena, eliciting cheers and excitement from the crowd.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Siren dominated the first three laps, swiftly overtaking each rider. With adrenaline coursing through her veins, she executed each lap with precision, leaning sharply into each curve of the circuit.


    Aiden''s eyes sparkled with admiration as he watched Siren''s performance. This was why he was drawn to her; she moved like a storm on the sea, wild and relentless, crushing everything in her path until it turned to dust. There was no mercy, no fear, just blind determination and adrenaline.


    Meanwhile, Raven sat leisurely, one leg crossed over the other, calmly observing the race. His gaze remained fixed on a particular rider with a black bike.


    As Siren maintained her lead into the fourth lap, Max decided to make his move. He accelerated his bike, maneuvering past several riders until he reached the third position.


    Drawing closer to the rider in front, he increased his speed. However, just as they reached a sharp turn on the circuit, Max''s bike collided with the one in front, resulting in a crash involving Siren''s bike.


    Siren was flung from her bike, her body skidding along the track due to the force of the impact. Her bike screeched to a halt at the side of the lane, landing near the grass at the corner of the circuit.


    As Siren lay on the road, she saw another bike hurtling towards her at lightning speed. Reacting swiftly, she rolled to her right, narrowly avoiding a collision.


    Aiden''s eyes widened in shock as he rushed to the front of the bleachers, gripping the steel bar tightly. His eyes glinted with unshed tears, turning red with emotion. Meanwhile, Raven clenched his phone tightly, the knuckles of his hand white with tension, a crack appearing on the screen.


    Alex, already on edge from watching his daughter risk herself on the track, froze when he saw the bike hurtling towards Siren. In a panic, he tried to run onto the track, but was restrained by Mark and others nearby.


    "Grace!" he shouted desperately, struggling against their grip.


    "Alex, you can''t go onto the track now, it''s too dangerous," Mark urged, attempting to calm him down, though he himself felt a sinking sense of dread. This was all because of that damn bastard Max, always resorting to underhanded methods to win. All Mark could do now was hope that Siren would emerge from this unscathed.


    Max smirked, with Siren out of the race, the championship was practically his for the taking. With that thought spurring him on, he revved up his bike and sped along the track.

 Godfather to Daddy

    Siren rose to her feet and sprinted towards her bike. Finding it in a condition to be driven, she exerted all her strength to push and bump start it. As the engine roared to life, she accelerated, ensuring maximum traction with the ground.


    Without hesitation, she raced back onto the track, determined to make up for lost time. Aiden wiped away his tears and watched, his hope reignited.


    Once she gained the momentum, she speeded up and the bike finally caught up to the third position pushing back the riders one by one. When it''s time to finish the final laps she puts her body weight at the right side making her upper body lean into the corner of the lane to wear down her knee pads and drag her shoulder along the road.


    As the centrifugal force pushed her outwards, she successfully pushed back the two riders and crossed the finish line. Slowing down, she pulled her bike to the side of the track.


    The crowd was stunned, unable to believe what was happening before them. After a few minutes the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, amazed by her incredible performance.


    Siren removed her helmet, revealing her long black hair, and shrugged off her leather jacket as she made her way towards Alex, who was restrained by many people.


    Upon seeing Siren, Mark let go of Alex, but before he could make his way towards his daughter, a small figure rushed past him and collided with his daughter''s legs.


    As Siren held Aiden in her arms, she could feel his small body trembling against hers. His tear-stained cheeks melted her heart, stirring a sense of protectiveness within her.


    "Afraid?" she asked gently as she wiped away his tears.


    Aiden shook his head, but his actions spoke louder than words as he nestled closer to her, seeking comfort in her embrace. Siren patted his back, offering reassurance and warmth as she held him close.


    Alex who once again faced the injustice saw Max getting out of the track with his bike. Rage filled his eyes as he rushed towards him before landing a heavy punch on his face.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "You bastard" he punched him until his face swelled like a pig.


    "Stop" Max tried to stop him, but the more he tried the heavier the punches got. Unable to bear the pain he seek the help of Mark who was standing nearby.


    Mark hid his eyes with both of his hands and turned his head away from him.


    Max was speechless.


    On the other side after consoling Aiden, Siren carried him to the bench and took the seat. Raven who followed his son carried a water bottle in his hand and passed it to Siren. Without much thought she gets the bottle and drinks water from it muttering a simple thanks to him


    She glanced at Aiden, who seemed to have calmed down a bit, and gently ruffled his hair.


    After removing the leather jacket the bruises on her arms are visible to one''s eyes. Due to the drag force there are little abrasions littered at the side of her arms. Raven remained silent seeing the blood trickled from the scratch yet she paid no heed to it. It must not be the first time, he thought in his mind.


    Alex successfully returned after forcing Max to call him Godfather to Daddy and recorded it in his phone. He carried the first aid box in his hand and tended her wounds. Siren not even hissed at the stinging sensation when he used alcohol to clean her wounds.


    After treating her wounds, Mark, Alex and Aiden, who insist on coming with them, went to collect the grand prize leaving Siren and Raven alone in the place.


    Siren removed her gloves and placed them on her bike seat. She squatted down to check the condition of her bike. Her lips twitched seeing the scratches and dents on her favorite bike. Raven silently watched her. Her irritated face brings amusement to his wicked soul.


    She stood up with a sigh and patted her bike seat.


    "How is your wound?" hearing the voice she turned her head and faced him.


    She glanced at her arm which was cleaned and applied with yellow cream, "Better"


    Raven came closer to her and enveloped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer to him. His touch was both firm and gentle as he lifted the back of her shirt, his fingers tracing the skin at the side of her waist.


    Siren''s breath caught in her throat as she felt the roughness of his palm against her skin, a shiver running down her spine. She met his serious gaze with her electric blue eyes, uncertainty flickering in their depths. Unsure whether her flinch was caused by the sensation of his touch or the lingering sting of her wound.


    Siren remained still, her heart pounding in her chest.


    Raven released her and showed her his fingers which were stained with her blood, "Treat it. We don''t need a scar on this beautiful skin, do we?"


    She watched him stride away, her gaze burning holes into his retreating back.


    "How did he even notice it?" She pondered over this as she recalled the moment when she was thrown off her bike, instinctively trying to minimize the impact. The scrapes on her waist were a result of that attempt to avoid hitting her head on any nearby surface.


    "He had his eyes on her," she concluded.

 Shattering glasses

    Siren returned home with Alex, who had offered her to stay at his condo until her wounds recovered but she straightaway refused him saying that his snores echoed throughout the condo.


    As soon as she got home, she headed straight for the shower to wash away the dirt from her body while taking care to keep her wounds dry.


    Siren caught her naked reflection in the mirror, observing the water droplets cascading down from her wet hair to her taut abs. Her face and body appeared slightly pale from the day''s exhaustion.


    Taking the towel, she began to dry her hair, but her gaze involuntarily shifted to the side of her waist. Her movements slowed down as she stopped rubbing her hair with the towel.


    Siren''s fingers lightly grazed the spot where Raven had caressed her. Despite the passage of time, she could still feel the lingering warmth of his palm on her skin. His hand is very big, rough and calloused but when he touched her, it''s neither gentle nor hard as if he wants to implicit certain pain to remind her to treat the wound at the same time not wanting to hurt her.


    Her breath quickened, and a sudden surge of heat coursed through her heart. Retrieving her hand, she turned away and splashed water on her face, attempting to cool the unexpected rush of emotions.


    As she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, she was met with reddened, glossy eyes that seemed to reflect the turmoil within.


    Siren''s frustration boiled over, and she clenched her fists in an attempt to suppress the overwhelming emotions welling up inside her. She bit down on the inside of her cheeks until they bled, seeking to distract herself from the feeling but even that wasn''t enough.


    In a fit of anger and despair, she unleashed her pent-up emotions on the mirror before her, delivering a powerful punch that shattered the glass into sharp fragments. As the mirror shattered, pieces of glass pierced her knuckles, staining her once smooth, white skin with blood.


    Amidst the chaos, a sense of calm finally washed over her, bringing with it a realization.


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "You are not supposed to feel this," she repeated to herself, as if trying to convince her heart to listen.


    Taking a deep breath, she composed herself, changed into fresh clothes, and exited the shower.


    Raven sat comfortably in the expansive leather chair, the dim light of the cellar casting shadows across the room. The cellar was dark and narrow with the wooden racks at the side holding various exquisite wines and alcohols. These are his favourite collections from all over the world.


    People bid for jewels, properties and paintings in auction, but he bid for wines and alcohols that are considered rare to acquire and stored in this very own cellar.


    In his hand, he held a glass of wine, its deep red hue catching the faint light filtering through the darkness. He swirled the liquid within, watching as it danced and twirled before settling once more.


    Raven''s silence was broken by the sudden appearance of a fleeting figure, so swift it seemed to vanish into the very darkness of the cellar. Yet, he remained unfazed, his attention drawn instead to the file laid out before him.


    He took the file and flipped through the pages, absorbing the information with a keen eye. As he delved deeper into the contents, a seriousness settled over his features, the lines of his face etched with concentration.


    Once he had absorbed all that was written, Raven closed the file with a decisive snap, his thoughts turning inward. For a moment, he allowed himself to exhale, releasing the tension that had built within him.


    Turning his gaze to the wine glass before him, he reached out, his fingers trailing lightly along its rim.


    "You are just like this, Siren," he murmured to himself, his voice a low rumble in the dimness of the cellar.


    "Trying to contain a wild storm within a fragile glass wall. But what happens when the wall breaks?"


    His chuckle held a dark edge as he tightened his grip on the glass, a small crack formed, snaking its way across the surface before splintering into countless fragments. The glass shattered in his hand, the wine mingling with the blood from the cuts it had left behind.


    Raven took the file in his bloodied hands and made his way to the bin, where he set it on fire without a second thought. He watched as the carbon in the paper got burned turning the white pages to dark dust.


    Whatever secrets the file held were now reduced to ashes, lost to the flames.


    He didn''t spare a glance back as he exited the cellar, leaving behind only the faint scent of smoke and the memory of the fire that had burned within.


    After he left the cellar, the black shadow cleaned the floor which was stained with Raven''s blood and shattered glass. Only after making sure the cellar was cleaned to shine, he left the cellar with whoosh through the window.

 Spicy chilly and Fluffy Poodle

    In a spacious and opulent study, Hardin reclined on the sofa with an air of calm authority. His gaze fixated on the ID card laid out before him, a laser-like intensity emanating from his narrowed eyes as they scanned the photo.


    He had already delved into her background, a single sister to an eight year old child living with her sorry excuse of a drunkard father, a scholarship student studying sophomore year in graphic design at Troy University of Arts, working as a part timer in a local bar.


    "Not bad. Noah, here I come", he murmured with a chilling smile, his lips curling into a predatory grin. With a swift motion, he pocketed her ID, a tangible reminder of the target he had set his sights on.


    Noah finished her class, neatly organizing her belongings into her bag before shouldering it. Despite being a striking figure with her silky blonde curls, warm complexion, and stylish black-rimmed glasses, she maintained a reserved demeanor that kept most people at arm''s length.


    As she approached the entrance, a commotion caught her attention. A group of girls squealed with excitement while boys whispered amongst themselves, their gazes fixated on something ahead. Noah''s eyes flickered towards the source of the excitement, noting the presence of a flashy and expensive olive Lamborghini Aventador parked prominently at the front.


    Ignoring the cheers she walked past the crowd as she would not want to be late for her part time job.


    Suddenly, a loud and cheerful voice called out her name, breaking through the noise of the crowd.


    "Noah, sweety!"


    Noah was stunned to the spot wondering which lunatic called her name with such endearment. When she turned to face the source of the voice, her shock only deepened as she locked eyes with the last person she expected to see, flashing her a wide grin.


    Her initial shock quickly turned to irritation. "This pervert!" she muttered under her breath, her expression hardening.


    Before she could make any attempt to escape, a long arm reached out and caught her wrist, bringing her to an abrupt stop.


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Leave me before I beat you," Noah warned him sharply, her tone laced with irritation.


    "Ouch¡­ is that how you thank your benefactor?" he teased, pouting as he playfully scratched her wrist.


    Noah felt the weight of the curious gazes from those around them, and she knew she needed to diffuse the situation quickly. Without further hesitation, she grabbed the edge of his sleeve with her forefinger and thumb and dragged him away from the prying eyes of the crowd.


    Hardin saw the tiny and skinny fingers of a girl who dragged him like a dead rat and scowled. She really did treat him like a pervert.


    She exhaled deeply, "What do you want?"


    "It''s more like, don''t you want¡­?" Hardin teased, arching his brows mischievously.


    Confused, Noah watched as he retrieved an ID from his pocket and showed it to her. It was hers.


    Noah wondered where she missed her ID. It seems somehow it ended up in this pervert''s hand. When she tried to snatch her card he raised his hand above. She is not short but this pervert grew like a post pole which made it difficult to reach the height.


    Frustrated, Noah shot him a glare, but he only chuckled in response, finding amusement in her predicament. Once again, he tucked the ID securely into his pants pocket, treating it like a prized possession.


    Drawing closer to her, he caught her gaze with his own, his expression unreadable.


    "With these bouncy blonde curls and big black eyes you look like a...." Hardin paused, furrowing his brows in thought. Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he grinned.


    "Yes, that''s right. You look like a poodle," he said, offering her a sweet smile.


    She gritted her teeth and clenched her hands hard which are very much itching to beat this man. She turned around to leave.


    "Could you please let go of my hand?" she snapped at him.


    "Wow¡­wow, fierce chilly," he remarked, raising his hand in surrender.


    "I am sorry for beating you that day, and if you want, I will pay the compensation. Name your price," she offered, frustration evident in her voice.


    He scoffed, "Are you sure? I am priceless," he boasted, wearing a proud expression on his face.


    Noah gave him a vacant look.


    "Ok, Ok, just give me your number," he said, extending his phone to her.


    Noah looked at him and his phone, her expression hardening. "In your dreams," she spat, before turning to walk away.


    Hardin smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Then I will shout I am your sugar daddy at the entrance of your college," he called after her.


    Noah gritted her teeth and reluctantly turned back, snatching his phone from him. With furious taps, she entered a string of numbers and shoved the phone back into his arms before angrily storming away.


    Hardin glanced at his phone, a smirk playing on his lips as he saved the number under the name "Little Poodle." He already had her details from her birthdate to the size of her toenails, but he couldn''t resist the opportunity to rile her up. Watching her seethe with anger brought immense joy to him.

 Her secret crush

    Noah who had escaped from the pervert and hurriedly entered the bar to take her shift. She had contemplated working at the nearby bakery, but the pay there wasn''t as lucrative as working at the bar.


    With her father constantly pestering her for money, this seemed like the best option. The local bar had been previously owned by an elderly grandmother, but it was now managed by her grandson, Theodore.


    Theodore, four years older than Noah, had faced tragedy at a young age, losing both of his parents in an accident when he was only six. Raised by his grandmother, he decided to stay and help her run the bar after completing his studies in business management. Under his management, the bar had expanded into a bar and restaurant.


    Located in the bustling heart of the city, the bar enjoyed a steady stream of customers, ensuring good business overall. Theodore, recognizing the importance of his workers, paid them well.


    When Noah lost her mother three years ago and found herself in desperate need of money to support her studies and care for her little sister, Theodore didn''t hesitate to offer her a job, despite her lack of experience.


    He patiently guided her, offering support and financial assistance when needed. Theodore was a decent-looking man with light brown curls and an average height.


    Despite her secret crush on him for the past two years, Noah knew she was nothing more than a little sister figure to him. So she decided to keep his feelings to herself.


    "Oh, here you are! I thought you wouldn''t make it in time," Theo greeted her with a smile, ruffling her curls as he spoke.


    Noah''s heartbeat quickened at his action. It''s his hobby, always patting or ruffling her hair like a little girl. Even though she hated that fact she couldn''t bring herself to refuse it.


    She smiled at him, " You know I always will"


    He hummed softly in response, "Ok carry on, today will be a busy day" he once again patted her head and turned to leave for the kitchen.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    She looked at his back, How kind unlike some pervert. At the thought of that man her brows furrowed in irritation. She went to change her clothes and carried out to serve the orders of the customers.


    After finishing her shift, she returned home to find the house quiet, indicating her father''s absence. Climbing the stairs, she peeked into her sister Mia''s room to find her diligently doing her homework.


    Smiling to herself, Noah quietly closed the door and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner for them both.


    Noah prepared a simple meal of eggs in purgatory with rice and veggie fries. After setting the table, she went upstairs to call her sister for dinner. When Mia saw her beloved sister she ran towards her and hugged her waist.


    "You are eight and still acting like a child" Noah chided her lovingly.


    Mia grinned widely, two front teeth missing from her smile. Noah chuckled at her sister''s antics and led her to the dining table. She served up two plates of food and they began to eat together in peace.


    After finishing their dinner Mia helped her sister to dry the dishes which she had washed and arranged neatly on the shelf. They both silently did their work for an hour. When Noah finished her assigned work she turned to see her sister. She had already fallen asleep on the table with her open book and snored softly.


    Noah shook her head in amusement and removed her glass. She gently lifted her sleeping sister and placed her in bed, tucking her in securely. Afterward, she took a quick shower and changed into her night clothes. As she settled down, she heard her phone beep, indicating a new message.


    Noah''s anger flared as she read the message, her face growing red with frustration. She knew exactly who had sent it, even without a name attached.


    The message contains a photo of a little Poodle dog, under the pic a single line which states "This reminds me of you" ends with a kissing emoji.


    She now regrets that she didn''t hit him hard with sneakers that day. When she was about to block the contact, the next message popped up.


    "If you don''t want me to show up at your university tomorrow forget about blocking my contact"


    She grinded her teeth hard and sent a big picture of sneakers in response and closed her phone and placed it on the table with a loud thud.


    Mia stirred in her sleep hearing the sound. Noah immediately went towards her and took her little fingers and wrapped it around her pinky. As if feeling comfort and safety, Mia continued to sleep peacefully.


    Noah joined her in bed and tucked the blanket on both of them and slept alongside her little sister.


    On the other hand Hardin, who had received the sneakers, laughed loudly in his study. The Butler who acted as a wall by his master''s side wondered whether his master finally snapped.

 Missing Little fireball

    Alex sighed as he observed Siren working in the garage, her gaze flickering towards the shed entrance every now and then. He had warned her against getting involved with the Greys, but his daughter''s stubbornness knew no bounds. He could already guess who she was expecting. It had become a routine for the certain little fireball to visit the shed before heading home.


    Turning away, he noticed a box of fruit jelly cake he had bought from Paopao''s restaurant that Aiden had enjoyed last time.


    "Hmph! I certainly didn''t anticipate his arrival at all"


    As it was already late, Siren assumed that he had likely gone home directly. However, her dull eyes lightened a little when she noticed a familiar Mercedes parked in front of the garage. Before she could react, Alex appeared in a flash, brandishing the cake he had brought with him.


    "Little fireball, I bought you a cake!" he exclaimed with glee, though a chill ran down his spine as he sensed someone else''s gaze nearby. He didn''t need to turn around to know whose it was.


    He had warned HER to keep distance, not him!


    To their disappointment, the figure that emerged from the car wasn''t the expected visitor, but instead a man wearing golden-rimmed glasses. Ian bore a serious expression on his face.


    "Hello, I am Mr. Raven''s secretary," the man began, his voice carrying urgency. "Master told me to check whether the young master came to your shed today."


    Alex''s frown deepened. "No, he hasn''t arrived here yet. What''s the matter?"


    "Young master is missing. His personal chauffeur didn''t see him come out of the school," the secretary explained, concern evident in his tone. He wondered where the little boy could have gone. Though mischievous, he wouldn''t typically wander off without notifying anyone¡ªexcept perhaps here.


    With no sign of the young master at the shed, he wasted no time in instructing them to contact him if the boy showed up. Leaving his contact details, he swiftly departed from the scene.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Before Alex could turn to caution Siren against leaving the shed, a black bike zoomed past him with a whoosh, leaving his neatly combed hair in disarray.


    His lips twitched. "This girl." Yet, beneath his irritation, he couldn''t shake the unease of his little fireball''s disappearance.


    Siren revved her bike towards Grey''s mansion. As she approached, the guards recognized her as the one who had dropped off their boss on a previous occasion. With a nod to each other, they promptly informed the butler of her arrival. Following instructions, they opened the gate for her.


    Guided by the butler, Siren made her way to the hall where Raven was seated, leisurely sipping his espresso. Upon hearing her footsteps, he looked up, his green eyes fixing on her.


    He saw a bead of sweat and little stray hairs stuck to the side of her forehead. Raven gestured subtly to his butler, Alfred, who understood his master''s silent command. Bowing slightly, Alfred swiftly retreated to the kitchen, returning moments later with a glass of water and a pack of tissues.


    Siren didn''t refuse as she took a sip from the glass and wiped her sweat with the tissue.


    "Did you find his location?" she questioned Raven.


    Raven could see right through her concern for his son, he stated nonchalantly, "I did. He was kidnapped by one of my rivals".


    There is no point in hiding when she was aware of his involvement in the underground.


    Siren narrowed her eyes wondering what this man was doing here sipping coffee rather than saving his son. Does he not care about his own blood?.


    He chuckled and stood up from the couch. He adjusted his coat and said, "Relax, Aiden is not someone easy to deal with"


    He walked to the front door and asked her, "You coming?"


    When the chauffeur brought the car around, Raven took the key from him and started the engine, waiting for Siren to join him in the passenger seat. However, she remained stationary, prompting Raven to raise an eyebrow in inquiry.


    "I will follow you on my bike," she stated flatly.


    Raven''s expression darkened. "Do you think we have that much time on our hands?" he countered, his tone grim.


    For the sake of the little boy, Siren took the passenger seat and buckled up. Raven smirked subtly, satisfied with her compliance, before starting the car and heading towards their destination.


    Meanwhile, Aiden found himself in the company of Antonio, the leader of Black Scorpio, after being kidnapped by the group''s henchmen. The two of them sat across from each other in the base, locked in a silent, tense standoff.


    Aiden''s eyes begin to hurt from seeing the man''s shiny golden middle tooth.

 An unannounced date

    Antonio observed the boy, who remained eerily calm, his eyes radiating an unmistakable disdain. Determined to assert his authority, Antonio wasted no time in issuing orders to his men.


    "Get the rope and tie his arms and legs," he commanded, his tone firm.


    Aiden showed no outward reaction to the command, merely observing as the men approached with a thick rope in hand. When they drew near, he spoke up, his voice devoid of emotion.


    "Is the rope new? I don''t like things that have been used by others," he stated plainly.


    "Don''t worry little boy, the rope is new, even I chose cotton rope so that it doesn''t scratch your smooth skin" one of the henchmen replied as if proud of himself for his thoughtfulness.


    Antonio gritted his teeth, For god sake they kidnapped the child to torture not to pamper.


    After the man tied the little boy with the rope, he ordered him to shut his little mouth with the piece of cloth. Antonio''s lips twitched seeing the henchmen came with a piece of neat white cloth that was folded in a thick layer.


    The man squatted on his knees before the boy, "Little boy can you please open your mouth?. I promise, I will stuff this without pain" he gently coaxed him.


    Antonio''s patience wore thin, and he intervened forcefully, delivering a slap to the back of the man''s head. "I fucking hired you as a thug, not a nanny," he snapped.


    Aiden stared at them as if he was looking at a group of clowns performing in a circus. He shook his head, What a disgrace for a Mafia.


    As he glanced at the clock on the wall, Aiden noted that three hours had passed since his kidnapping from the school. He sighed heavily, his father didn''t make his move. If he is, he will be rescued by the team already. His sharp eyes narrowed, wondering what his father was still doing.


    Because of these bastards he missed the chance to go to the shed today. Thinking of that his mood worsened and wanted to beat these brainless mongrels to death.


    On the other side, Raven parked the car in front of a small restaurant nestled in the outskirts of the city. As he opened the door for Siren, she stepped out and looked up at the quaint establishment.


    Despite its small size, the restaurant was charming, its walls adorned with glass panels and lush green creepers. The pathway leading to the entrance was lined with vibrant crotons, while vines twined around the pillars.


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    They were escorted by the waiter to the rooftop, where the entire area lay empty, devoid of other customers. Soft yellow lights hung from the sides of the roof, casting a serene and inviting atmosphere over the scene.


    "What are we doing here? Where is Aiden?" Siren questioned, This was clearly not the place one would choose to hide a kidnapped child.


    Raven calmly sipped his water before responding, "They want to make a deal over dinner."


    That was not believable at all. Afterall, who would choose a romantic place like this for a deal until or unless the other party is interested in him. Siren squinted her eyes at him but didn''t say anything and pulled out the chair and took the seat.


    The waiter placed several dishes on the table. It mostly contains sea foods ranging from deep squid fry, salmon sushi roll, lobster smeared with generous butter and shrimp tossed with chilli sauce. Most importantly these dishes are all¡­. her favourites.


    Without waiting for her, Raven began to serve himself and started to eat.


    "Couldn''t we wait for the other party to arrive?" she couldn''t help but ask him.


    "We came for negotiation not for a date. So when they arrive they will join us" he pointed to her plate to start eating.


    Raven didn''t seem to display any signs of distress over his son''s supposed kidnapping. Instead, he appeared relaxed, almost as if his son were simply on a vacation.


    But looking at the food on the table she did feel hungry so she helped herself and started to eat.


    As they ate in silence, Raven subtly observed Siren''s reactions, his lips curling into a small smile. Despite the circumstances, they both found themselves enjoying the meal, momentarily forgetting about the "Kidnapped" Aiden.


    Even after they had finished eating, there was no sign of the other party arriving. Siren grew increasingly impatient, while Raven remained calm, resting his chin on his palm as he continued to watch her closely, noting every expression that crossed her face.


    "Mr. Raven, are you sure this is the place?" As the time passed her worry grew about the safety of the little boy which she tried to conceal under the coldness of her eyes.


    Raven checked his phone and said, "Hmm¡­ Maybe we were wrong. Let''s go".


    Her eyes darted to the fork on the table. She wants to stab this man to death!


    She followed him without a word until they reached the gate of Grey''s mansion. They saw another black SUV come to a halt opposite to them. A man in black suit came out of the passenger seat and opened the back door.


    Aiden jumped from the car with his small foot and turned back to get his backpack from the nanny man who gently helped him to carry the bag, he even lifted the bag slightly to reduce the strain on the boy''s shoulder.


    Aiden saw his father leisurely leaning on the car without a worry in the world. He ferociously glared at him but was returned with his father''s smug smile.


    He wondered what happened to his father for his smugness but it was soon answered when Siren emerged from the car. His eyes turned like saucers but soon he bawled his eyes out and ran towards her.


    Siren breathed a sigh of relief only when she scooped him in her arms. She wiped his tears and asked gently,


    "Did they hurt you?"


    Aiden scrunched his nose and tried hard to choke in his fake tears which looked exactly like a pig sniffs in Raven''s eyes. He scoffed at his son''s poor acting skill.


    Seeing the tears Siren couldn''t help but hug the boy closely and patted his back, "Don''t worry. I am here"


    Raven tilted his head, Does she¡­ believe those tears?. But when he saw her kissing his son''s hair, his eyes narrowed. She does!

 Aiden, The evil cooker

    Aiden was all over the moon from her kiss, his earlobe turned red in shyness. He nuzzled in her neck and held her tightly. He looked up from her neck and stuck out his tongue at his father.


    What if she rides along with his father in his car? He is the one who got her kiss first. His nose is about to soar into the sky from smugness.


    Siren, who noticed the departing SUV, asked Raven," Are they your people who rescued him?"


    Raven remained silent, his gaze shifted from her to his son whose eyes flashed. He timidly shook his head at him.


    "They are," he confirmed her doubt.


    But Siren looked at him in suspicion, "Then why did you bring me to the restaurant?"


    Raven lips form a sexy arc as he replied, "Would you come willingly if I ask for a date?"


    She clenched her teeth tightly, shooting him a piercing glare. Setting Aiden down, she spoke firmly, "I''ll pick you up after school tomorrow. Don''t wander around, alright?" She tousled his hair affectionately.


    With one last scowl directed at Raven, she revved her bike and departed.


    Once she was out of sight, father and son exchanged silent daggers.


    "You took her out for dinner!" Aiden spat at his father.


    "Why? Don''t tell me you''re itching for a date with me," Raven responded, devoid of any enthusiasm.


    "Who''d want that?" Aiden''s face twisted in disgust at the mere thought of spending time near his father, whose arms felt as solid as stone. He wants to spend his time in the soft and fragrance arm of his angel. No his soon to be mother.


    Raven glanced at his son, who smiled like a silly person and wondered what evil thought this brat had been cooking in his mind.


    "How did you slip away from Antonio?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He had already traced his son''s whereabouts with the aid of contacts from the Red Queen. Discovering that Antonio was behind his son''s abduction he eased as he knew Antonio was no match for him.


    Moreover, he knew his son''s knack for mischief; even without his intervention, Aiden would find a way to outwit the old man''s grasp.


    What he didn''t expect was the sudden appearance of Siren. Being a man who never let an opportunity slip by, he promptly instructed his secretary to reserve the entire restaurant and arrange for her favorite dishes, devising an unannounced date.


    He couldn''t ignore the fury simmering in her eyes when he mentioned they had arrived at the wrong place, almost as if she wished to plunge a dagger into him and drain every last drop of his blood. How adorable!


    "I threatened him with a photo of his mistress," Aiden stated calmly


    Raven arched an eyebrow inquisitively.


    Aiden shrugged, adding, "His wife doesn''t know the name or address of his current mistress. I struck a deal with him: if he sent me back, I promised to hand over the evidence."


    "You seem to know quite a bit for a four-year-old," Raven sighed.


    Aiden scoffed, retorting, "Well, I am Aiden Grey after all. Shouldn''t I live up to my name?"


    Raven picked up his son against his protest and spanked him in the butt.


    "Stop that. I''m not a child anymore," Aiden protested, squirming in his father''s grasp.


    "You''re four, so act like one," Raven replied, ignoring his struggles as he carried him inside the mansion.


    Meanwhile, Alex had been anxiously awaiting news about Aiden. Upon hearing the sound of the bike, he dashed out of the garage and hurried toward Siren.


    "Did you find him? Is he okay? Who kidnapped him?" he fired off questions one after another.


    Taking a deep breath, Siren responded, "He''s safe. Mr. Grey''s people rescued him."


    Alex''s anxiety subsided upon hearing that his little fireball is safe, but he couldn''t shake the concern about the potential trauma the boy might face from the ordeal. He resolved to take him to Paopao''s restaurant the next day to help him distract from the recent events.


    Of course, he assured himself, he was doing it solely for the boy''s well-being, not out of any selfish motives. After all, it has been just seven hours forty minutes five seconds since he met her.


    Yes, it was purely for the boy''s sake! Alex nodded to himself, patting his chest in affirmation of his selflessness.


    "That''s good. Let''s go eat," he urged Siren.


    "I already did," she replied casually, locking the garage shed.


    "Don''t tell me you had dinner at Grey''s mansion?" Alex narrowed his eyes suspiciously.


    "Nope" she replied promptly.


    Alex let out a sigh of relief and broke into a wide smile. Thank heavens, his daughter was finally listening to his advice.


    "I went on a dinner date with Mr. Grey," she dropped the bombshell on Alex. His smile froze, feeling as if a heavy storm had passed over his head.


    Before he could respond, she accelerated her bike and headed toward her house.


    "Did... did she say she went on a date with that Raven boy? Nah, I must be hearing things. That must be it," he consoled himself but the trembling of his hands gave him away.

 Sprouts of love

    Ecstasy club


    Carlos downed the entire contents of his glass in one gulp. Despite the law firm''s release of a statement proving his innocence in the previous incident, it didn''t erase the fact that he had spent the night with two other men as the oblivious marks on his body flashed across the headlines.


    Former colleagues at the law firm, who had once been quick to flatter him, now turned their backs, sneering and mocking behind his back. Case assignments dwindled, and even previously agreed-upon clients demanded a change in attorneys to handle their affairs.


    The reputation he had painstakingly built over years of hard work lay in ruins in the wake of a single night. Moreover, he begged and kneeled to Gloria to alleviate the situation. Thinking of the things he did to calm her down made his blood boil in anger.


    "All of this happened because of that damned man with silver eyes. If I ever saw him again, I swear I''d strangle him to death," Carlos muttered bitterly.


    As he finished his drink, he pushed himself up from the stool and stumbled his way toward the restroom. Along the way, he accidentally bumped into someone. Groggily, he looked up, only to be shocked by the familiar face before him.


    "Mr. Oswald," Frederick greeted the man, surprised to see him there.


    "Ah, Frederick," Mr. Oswald replied, patting the young man''s shoulder.


    As much as Carlos detested his mother, he found her son tolerable. The boy seemed to take after his father, naive and clueless, completely unaware of his mother''s true nature. What a pity!


    "What are you doing here?" Carlos questioned him.


    Fredrick hesitated for a moment before replying, "A friend of mine works here, so I just came to see him."


    "Is that so? And who might that be?" Carlos wondered, not particularly interested in the boy''s life but recognizing the potential usefulness of the information in dealing with Gloria.


    As much as Carlos detested his mother, he found her son tolerable. The boy seemed to take after his father, naive and clueless, completely unaware of his mother''s true nature. What a pity!


    "What are you doing here?" Carlos questioned him, his tone sharp.


    Fredrick hesitated for a moment before replying, "A friend of mine works here, so I just came to see him."


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "Is that so? And who might that be?" Carlos wondered, not particularly interested in the boy''s life but recognizing the potential usefulness of the information in dealing with Gloria.


    Fredrick scratched his head, then glanced up toward a secluded corner where a slender man served drinks at a table. His silver hair stood out amidst the crowd, resembling a sun shining through dark, misty clouds.


    Carlos followed Fredrick''s gaze and felt his eyes widen as he recognized the silver-haired man - the same individual he had been desperately searching for since that fateful night. He clenched his fist tightly, his anger bubbling to the surface.


    Unaware of the shift in Carlos''s demeanor, Fredrick made his way over to Sam, who had taken their order at the table and was now clearing plates at the bar counter. After exchanging contact information, they had started chatting regularly and developed their relationship from a chance encounter to a genuine friendship. However, Fredrick always found himself initiating their conversations.


    He couldn''t deny his desire to hear Sam''s soothing voice. It was the first time he had experienced such feelings, leaving him bewildered. He never expected to feel such sincerity and warmth towards someone of the same sex. He wants to develop this friendship into something more.


    Sensing someone''s gaze, Sam turned to see Fredrick approaching him. He smiled warmly and waved. Fredrick''s heart raced as he drew closer.


    "Did you finish your work?" Fredrick asked Sam.


    "Yeah, almost. Are you alone? Where''s your girlfriend?" Sam inquired, noticing Fredrick''s solitary presence. He was used to seeing him accompanied by either his friends or the girl who had slapped him last time.


    Fredrick sighed, patiently explaining, "Cassie and I are just friends, nothing more. I''ve told you that already."


    Sam chuckled, "I was just teasing you, Fredrick." He playfully bumped his fist against Fredrick''s shoulder.


    Fredrick felt a jolt as if electrified, a warm, tingling sensation spreading across his skin despite the layers of clothes covering his shoulder.


    Fredrick smiled, introducing Sam to Carlos. "Sam, this is Mr. Carlos Oswald, one of the best lawyers in our law firm."


    Upon noticing Carlos standing nearby, Sam''s expression shifted to one of shock. His body trembled, and fear filled his eyes as he struggled to breathe. Seeing Sam''s distress, Fredrick panicked and embraced him, patting his back.


    "Sam, what''s wrong?" Fredrick asked, concerned.


    Carlos seethed with rage as he observed the scene. It was unbelievable to him that the same man now trembling before him like a scared cat was the one who had almost ruined his career. Fredrick, too, felt bewildered, unsure of why Sam was behaving this way.


    "You motherfucker! I am going to kill you today" the enraged Carlos launched towards Sam to land a heavy punch. But before his fist could touch his face a hand caught his wrist.


    "Mr. Oswald, whatever the issue is, we can talk it over," Fredrick stated calmly, though his eyes betrayed his anger at the thought of someone intending harm to his beloved. He tightened his grip on Carlos''s wrist.


    Carlos, trained as a lawyer who fought with words rather than muscles, felt at a loss when faced with Fredrick''s refusal to let go. He struggled to free his hand from Fredrick''s grasp but found himself unable to match the younger man''s strength.


    "Fredrick, you don''t know what he did to me. All the mess happened because of him!" Carlos shouted, drawing the attention of onlookers.

 Love sick puppy and shit eating dog

    Frederick noticed Sam''s discomfort from the attention of onlookers and turned to Carlos with a serious tone.


    "Mr. Carlos, I don''t think this is the place for discussion. We can talk about it later, please," he urged, gesturing for Carlos to leave the place.


    Carlos was even more annoyed at this brat who was preventing him from beating that bitch. But he didn''t want to create anymore headlines tomorrow, so he left the place after sending a menacing glare in Sam''s way. After all, he wouldn''t let him escape anywhere and make sure that man would regret ever crossing his path.


    But before that he wanted to find out why he framed him and how he became friend''s with Gloria''s son.


    "Not now Carlos, one step at a time," He said to himself and exited the bar.


    Seeing Sam still trembling in shock, Frederick couldn''t bear it. He guided Sam to a nearby stool and offered him a glass of water.


    Sam took a sip of water and breathed deeply, trying to calm himself. He looked up at Frederick with a hoarse voice and apologized, his silver eyes glistening with unshed tears, resembling a bright moon in the dark sky. Frederick found himself once again captivated by Sam''s beauty.


    He gently patted Sam''s head and reassured him, "You don''t need to apologize. I believe you."


    Sam gave him a grateful smile and began to explain how he had been forced to go to an underground casino with his boyfriend. However, his boyfriend had betrayed him, selling him to others to settle his debt. Desperate to avoid falling into their clutches, Sam had fled and stumbled across Mr. Carlos.


    He hoped that he would save him but all his hope shattered when Mr. Carlos misbehaved with him. In a desperate situation he took a lamp nearby and knocked him unconscious.


    "I didn''t know what happened after that. I escaped from the place and broke up with my boyfriend. It is only after I saw the news I understood that Mr. Carlos fell prey to them. It''s my fault that he lost his reputation" he said in a saddened voice.


    Frederick stood there shocked at the revelation. First he couldn''t accept the fact that Sam has a boyfriend although now it turned into Ex, second that he is interested in the same sex and third Mr. Carlos tried to assault him.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He frowned deeply, until now he thought Carlos was a decent man. It''s because he was introduced by his mother. His mother never chooses people with no morals to work in their law firm. His father and mother were upright people who value righteousness and morals above all.


    It seemed clear to Fredrick that he needed to discuss this matter with his mother. He glanced at Sam, who appeared sad and disheartened, fiddling with the end of his shirt.


    "You don''t need to worry. I''ll take care of this matter," Fredrick reassured him.


    Sam looked up at him with his big silver eyes, asking hesitantly, "Do you really believe me?"


    "Of course I do. I always will," Fredrick replied, offering a gentle smile.


    "Thanks," Sam whispered in an almost inaudible voice.


    "Tell me your address. I''ll drop you off at your home," Fredrick offered, hoping to spend more time with him.


    "It''s okay. I''m going with my friends. Anyway, thanks for your help earlier," Sam said, bowing his head to express his sincere gratitude.


    Fredrick shook his head helplessly but didn''t press the matter. He instructed Sam to leave a message when he arrived home safely.


    Once Sam had left, the previous traces of tears and helplessness vanished from his eyes. Instead, a grim expression settled on his face as he watched the retreating figure of Fredrick. Pushing the empty plate toward the bartender, Sam climbed the stairs and entered the private room upstairs.


    As soon as the door closed, a looming figure embraced Sam from behind, showering kisses on his neck. A large, warm hand trailed towards his shirt collar, ripping it apart without hesitation.


    "Ruth!" Sam exclaimed, frustrated. "Damn, this is the third shirt this week."


    Ignoring Sam''s protest, Ruth continued his assault, removing the torn shirt and planting kisses on the spot where Fredrick had patted him just moments ago.


    Ruth saw Sam''s fair skin turned red from the nibbling and kissing. Not satisfied with that, he bites the skin imprinting his teeth mark on him.


    "Ahhh," Sam sighed, instead of trying to free from his arms , he leaned back into his boyfriend''s embrace, offering his bare neck for his lips to explore.


    Turning around to face him, Sam met his boyfriend''s gaze, filled with deep affection and love, a stark contrast to the way he looked at Fredrick. He stood on his toes and wrapped his arms around Ruth''s neck.


    "Are you jealous?" Sam asked teasingly, a cheeky grin playing on his lips.


    "I''m just waiting for all this shit to be over," Ruth replied, resting his forehead against Sam''s and inhaling his scent.


    "Me too. Dealing with the love-sick puppy and shit-eating dog at the same time has been exhausting," Sam muttered, nuzzling into Ruth''s neck.


    He stuck his tongue out, tracing it along the column of Ruth''s neck before whispering in his ear, "Let''s shower, Ruth."


    Taking a deep breath to control his urge to devour him right then and there, Ruth bent down and scooped him up in his arms.

 Tongue & Teeth

    #Mature content ahead


    Water droplets cascaded down the glass shower, veiling the cubicle in a shroud of mist. Within, the air was thick with heavy breaths and soft moans. Sam leaned against the glass wall for support, the warmth of the water enveloping them both.


    "Ruth... faster," Sam''s voice dripped with desire.


    Ruth gazed down at the fair, undeniably delicate waist beneath him. The white skin reddened from his tight grip, resembling a vibrant flower blossoming amidst pristine snow.


    Hearing Sam''s desperate voice, brimming with lust and longing, Ruth increased his pace, his hardened member penetrating the small, tight hole with force. Releasing Sam''s waist, he grabbed his right arm with one hand, while using the other to grip the back of his neck and press his face against the glass partition.


    Straightening his waist, Ruth thrust forcefully, as if aiming to bury himself deep within Sam. Sam couldn''t help but moan loudly as he felt the thick rod exploring his deepest parts. Tears of pleasure welled in his red eyes as he tried to steady himself, his thighs quivering from repeated pleasure, weakened even by the slightest touch.


    Before Sam could give in to the overwhelming sensation, Ruth turned him around and lifted him into his arms, wrapping his left leg around his waist and spreading his right leg wider for him to enter.


    Sam''s eyes widened in fear, but before he could protest, Ruth silenced him by slamming his lips onto his own, claiming the soft petals for a long and devouring kiss. It was not gentle or sweet; rather, it was domineering and possessive, raw and primal, filled with tongue and teeth.


    Gasping for air, Sam found himself unable to escape Ruth''s relentless thrusting, the position providing more friction and skin contact between them. The sound of their skin slapping together echoed like a melody in his ears. Arching beautifully like a bow, Sam moved his waist to meet Ruth''s advances.


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Ruth smirked as he slowly caressed the place where they were connected. Sam trembled in response; it was always his weakness, and Ruth was relentless in exploiting it, rendering him utterly vulnerable in his arms.


    "Don''t do that," Sam protested, attempting to free himself from Ruth''s hold.


    Using his hand, Ruth rubbed between Sam''s thighs, feeling the wetness. "Your body tells me otherwise," he whispered in Sam''s ear, biting the helix gently.


    Without warning, Ruth moved his waist in one deep thrust, reaching the farthest and deepest part of Sam''s body, and growled in pleasure.


    "Fuck me" Sam yelled in ecstacy as he could feel the swell of Ruth''s member inside him scrapping the walls of his hole.


    "I am doing that, aren''t I?" Ruth replied in a deep voice as he continued to pound until he finished inside him.


    Sam was utterly exhausted, slumping into Ruth''s arms, too drained to even move his limbs. Ruth washed them both clean and wrapped a towel around Sam, carrying him in a bridal position to a chair. He used a dryer to dry Sam''s silver hair, ensuring it was no longer wet before tucking him into bed.


    Changing into fresh clothes, Ruth kneeled beside the bed where Sam slept peacefully. He tenderly caressed Sam''s face and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead before standing up. With one last look at Sam, Ruth exited the room.


    Outside the room, the same waiter who had previously escorted Siren to the cabin stood with a straight face, guarding the entrance. However, his red ears betrayed him; it was impossible to maintain composure while hearing those lewd and ambiguous sounds from inside the room.


    Despite this, his duty was not to pry into his boss''s affairs. As a loyal servant, some members were aware that the silver-haired man inside was his boss''s boyfriend. He had been by his boss''s side even before they joined.


    "Make sure no one disturbs his sleep," Ruth ordered his men before descending the stairs.


    The bar reverberated with cheers and dancing as people filled the space, the loud music blasting through the speakers. Silently, Ruth made his way to a corner and slipped through a door. The stairs leading down were dark, devoid of light, but he descended and entered the base with ease.


    Flipping the switch, he illuminated the huge room, filled with advanced computers and devices. Taking a seat in front of the large screen, he entered the dark net and initiated the chat.


    "Squad 13 is activated."


    After a brief wait, he received a reply.


    "Who is in charge?"


    Rapidly typing with his slender, long fingers, Ruth responded, "Daniel Smith was assigned to deal with the case."


    "Got it. Do as I said."


    With that, Ruth exited the dark net, erasing every trace of their presence, including their chats.

 The fourth Murder

    Daniel Smith had been kept busy since taking charge of the serial murder case, experiencing frustration for the first time in his eight years of experience. He stood grim-faced before a corpse, identified as attorney Francis Douglas from Hutson Law Firm.


    Daniel had been informed of the murder while collecting information on the spade card, which he had instructed his assistant to investigate. Initially, he had intended to delegate the task to a subordinate, but when he learned that the spade card had been found at the crime scene, he passed the responsibility of collecting the details to his assistant and rushed to the scene himself.


    Arriving at the law firm, Daniel was further shocked to find the corpse lying in the middle of the lobby. The man''s neck bore a deep cut, his eyes wide open, with blood pooling around his upper body.


    Still stuck to his neck was a rectangular object, its bright silver edge gleaming under the light. Upon seeing the large and vivid spade symbol with the number four at its center, Daniel clenched his fist in frustration.


    "A murder in the lobby with this many people. How outrageous!" he thought to himself.


    Meanwhile, as Daniel inspected the crime scene, a man approached him and introduced himself.


    "Craig Hutson, CEO of this law firm," he said.


    "Daniel Smith, Chief Officer of the Crime Division," Daniel replied, shaking hands with Craig.


    "We need access to your law firm''s footage for investigation," Daniel requested.


    "Of course, Mr. Daniel. We will cooperate. After all, Francis was a good man. It''s sad this happened to him," Craig responded solemnly.


    Craig couldn''t believe such a thing had happened in his law firm. He was saddened by the fact that their attorneys were suffering one by one; first, it was Mr. Carlos, and now Mr. Douglas. He wondered whether someone was targeting them deliberately. After all, his law firm had gained quite a good reputation and was winning a significant number of cases these days.


    "By the way, Mr. Daniel, there was another casualty during the incident," Craig informed him, not wanting to overlook even the simplest clue that might help them find the murderer as soon as possible.


    Daniel frowned. "Where is the person?"


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Craig led him away from the lobby to a nearby resting room. Inside, Daniel saw a man seated on the couch, with a young woman tending to his injury.


    "This is Mr. Carlos Oswald," Craig introduced him without delay, explaining that Carlos had been accidentally injured by the murderer during the incident.


    After introducing Carlos to the cops and vaguely explaining the casualties, Craig took his leave to deal with pressing matters at hand, including handling the reporters.


    Daniel noticed a thin line on Carlos''s cheek. Though the cut was minor, blood still leaked from the wounded area. Sensing the approach of the police officer, the woman attending to Carlos left the room with the medical kit.


    Carlos stood up from his seat, understanding the need for the investigation as an attorney himself. He provided the details needed for the investigation.


    He was about to exit the firm for the case investigation. Suddenly, something caught Carlos''s attention, and before he could react, he heard a loud thud beside him. He was shocked to see a man who had been fine just a moment ago now lying dead on the floor. Carlos realized he had been injured during the scene when he felt a slight sting on his cheek.


    Turning to see where the flash of light had come from, Carlos noticed a man exiting through the entrance with urgent steps. The man wore a brown suit and a hat covering his head. Carlos vaguely recalled something flashing on the man''s ring fingers but couldn''t remember the exact details.


    After gathering details from Carlos, Daniel ordered the cops to clear the site and send the corpse to the lab for further investigation. Despite seeing the spade card stuck to the body, his intuition told him that the previous murderer was not related to the current one.


    Carlos stood to the side, watching as the corpse was carried on a stretcher into the ambulance. While others believed Mr. Douglas to be an upright and righteous man who abided by the law, Carlos knew the true face of the man. When he had joined as a junior, he had been assigned to work as Douglas''s assistant temporarily.


    Initially, Carlos admired Douglas for his intelligence and skill in solving complicated cases. However, as he spent more time with him, he realized that Douglas was less principled and more cynical.


    Three years prior, there had been a case involving a seventeen-year-old boy accused of a hit-and-run. The victim was a pregnant woman who had been severely injured, resulting in the loss of her child.


    The woman''s husband sought justice for his wife and unborn child, but the accused was the heir of an influential family. They had approached Hutson Law Firm for representation, but Craig Hutson, a man known for abiding by the law, had initially refused to take the case.


    It was Douglas who had convinced Craig, arguing that the young boy was framed and that the woman had never been pregnant. Money had played a significant role behind the scenes, destroying evidence and resulting in the boy receiving minimal charges due to his status as a minor.


    Poor Craig remained unaware that he was surrounded by wolves and foxes.


    But did Carlos pity him? No, he envied the power and money of those above him. Money had the ability to transform even the meekest into the fiercest of beasts.


    What Carlos couldn''t comprehend was who had the audacity to kill Douglas in his own domain. If he wasn''t mistaken, Douglas had recently won the case for renowned social activist Gaston Regis, who had been accused of assaulting a twelve-year-old orphan girl.

 A Good diversion?

    Of course, Carlos knew that Douglas must have played something dirty to win the case. The girl was an orphan, so there would be no one to seek revenge on her behalf, and the case had already been closed. But what was with that poker card?


    He was aware of the uproar surrounding the serial murder case, which had remained a mystery for the past month. Some people criticized the law and the police for their perceived lack of ability to find the murderer, but there was another group who viewed the murderer as a hero, as the victims were not innocent souls but individuals who had committed crimes and unforgivable acts.


    Thinking about the two men who had been murdered, Carlos felt unsettled. For some reason, he couldn''t shake the feeling that the spade was meant for him. He shivered, remembering the sharp flash of light that had come towards him like a ball of fire intent on burning him to ashes.


    He frowned as he picked up his phone and dialed a number he hadn''t used in a long time. Unbeknownst to him, a shadowy figure watched him from the corner of the building. When the figure saw the terror in Carlos''s eyes, it smirked and quietly slipped away.


    Meanwhile, Daniel waited patiently in front of the forensic department. He looked up when he heard approaching footsteps. His assistant Johnny hurried towards him, holding a folder in his hand. Daniel had tasked him with investigating the composition of the poker card found at the crime scene.


    "Boss," Johnny saluted and handed the folder to his superior.


    Daniel accepted the file and quickly reviewed its contents. His eyebrows raised in surprise as he read the report indicating that the edges of the poker card were coated with obsidian material. He was familiar with obsidian ¨C known as one of the sharpest materials in the world, capable of cutting through even bone, but also brittle.


    Closing the file, Daniel handed it back to his assistant, his mind racing with thoughts about the footage he had retrieved from Hutson Law Firm. When the team had played the footage, every detail had been recorded, but it had become corrupted just as a figure was about to emerge from the elevator. The footage only resumed after Douglas had fallen dead on the floor, showing a man in a brown suit leaving the firm, his head covered with a hat.


    Daniel examined footage from other surveillance cameras installed on the first and subsequent floors, but the mysterious figure was nowhere to be found. It was as if the individual had never set foot inside the law firm, except for the footage retrieved from the lobby.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    It felt almost intentional, as if he had left that one piece of footage specifically to taunt Daniel. Gritting his teeth in frustration, Daniel made his way into the lab.


    Inside, Axel, the senior member of the forensic department, awaited him. Axel had been instrumental in helping Daniel solve numerous cases in the past. Daniel greeted him and settled into a chair across from Axel''s desk, ready to discuss the case at hand.


    As Axel removed his glasses and sighed heavily, the weight of the situation settled upon them both.


    "Just as you suspected, there''s a chance this murder may not have been committed by the same person who killed the other two," Axel began, his tone grave.


    Daniel leaned in, eager to hear Axel''s analysis. "How certain are you?" he inquired.


    "About 50 percent," Axel replied. "I reviewed Johnny''s report, and while the materials used are consistent with previous cases, there are significant differences in the method of the kill. Previously, the cuts were clean and precise, targeting critical points in the neck. This time, however, the cut is deeper and veers dangerously close to vital veins. It''s as if ¡­"


    "He wanted the victim to suffer, to feel every inch of pain before death," Daniel finished Axel''s thought.


    "Exactly"


    "However," Daniel continued, "You are uncertain whether this discrepancy indicates a different person or a deliberate alteration by the same murderer."


    Axel admired Daniel''s astuteness. No wonder the chief tolerated this man even though he ran amok often.


    After their discussion, Daniel retreated to his cabin, accompanied by his assistant Johnny.


    As Daniel settled into his seat, he turned his attention to Johnny. "You mentioned that Douglas recently won a case. Tell me more about it,"


    Johnny nodded, eager to provide his boss with the information he sought.


    "Boss, Douglas represented a social activist named Gaston Regis. Regis is known for his philanthropy, particularly his efforts in building orphanages and providing aid to homeless children. However, a caretaker from one of Regis''s orphanages accused him of assaulting a twelve-year-old girl under his care. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the caretaker himself was the one who did it and had blackmailed the girl into accusing Regis to gain benefits from Regis"


    He continued, detailing Regis''s background and the positive impact of his charitable work.


    Daniel regarded Johnny with a serious expression. "A man with such a charitable disposition, yet focusing specifically on orphanages for girls. It''s an interesting detail," he remarked thoughtfully.


    Johnny blinked his eyes, "Boss, are you doubting Gaston Regis?"


    Daniel leaned forward, his gaze unwavering, "Law is a two edged sword Johnny. Every man is innocent until PROVEN GUILTY. Let''s go and visit the one in prison "

 Mask of innocence

    Daniel and Johnny made their way to the prison where the accused was being held. Johnny had gathered information from the prison guards about the location of the inmate beforehand.


    Standing before the cell, Daniel observed the man inside, who was slumped in a corner facing the ceiling, lost in thought. Daniel scanned the cell, noting the scribbles on the walls. The prison guard accompanying them opened the cell door.


    As the noise caught the man''s attention, he slowly shifted his gaze from the ceiling to the visitors. His eyes appeared sunken with dark circles, his long hair nearly obscuring his vision, and stubble adorned his chin. Daniel estimated his age to be around mid-twenties.


    The guard provided a chair for Daniel, then left them alone for the interrogation. Daniel, with one leg crossed over the other, sat in silence for a moment, studying the man before him.


    "Diego, isn''t it?" Daniel finally spoke.


    The man remained silent, his expression blank as he looked at them.


    "A graduate in social work, you worked as a volunteer in a welfare organization for three years before becoming a caretaker at Gaston''s orphanage. So, tell me, why did you confess to something you didn''t do?" Daniel inquired.


    The man remained silent but annoyance was evident in his eyes as he glared at them.


    "I know it''s not you, but Gaston," Daniel remarked, a smirk playing on his lips as he noticed a flicker of vengeance in the man''s eyes at the mention of that name.


    "How many times do I have to repeat myself? It''s not him, it''s me. I assaulted her, I blackmailed him for money, I spread the rumors," the man shouted, his voice filled with frustration, as he launched forward in an attempt to strike Daniel.


    Before his hand could connect, Johnny, standing beside Daniel, swiftly moved forward, immobilizing the man by twisting his hands behind his back and pressing his head to the floor.


    Daniel remained unfazed by the sudden attack. "Let him go, Johnny," he ordered calmly.


    Johnny released his grip and stepped back, poised to defend against any further aggression. Despite his lean appearance, years of training in the police academy had honed his skills for moments like these.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "What do you want? I''ve already confessed to everything," Diego yelled in frustration. He had endured daily interrogations from individuals intent on forcing him to admit to crimes he hadn''t committed. Initially, he had refused to yield, determined to seek justice for the young girl. But the memories of that fateful day filled him with fear, causing his resolve to waver.


    "So you''re admitting that you''re the one who assaulted the little girl," Daniel stated calmly, observing Diego''s reaction.


    Diego remained silent, weariness evident in his posture. He was exhausted from the relentless interrogations he had endured since his imprisonment. But more than physical exhaustion, the burden of guilt weighed heavily on him. He lowered his head, a single tear tracing its path down his cheek.


    "Yes, it''s me. It''s¡­ me," Diego confessed, his voice breaking as he surrendered to his emotions, banging the floor in helplessness.


    "Do you think admitting to this crime will make everything right? That girl, Hazel... she''s no longer at the orphanage," Daniel informed him solemnly.


    Diego''s eyes widened in shock, shaking his head in denial. "No, no... you''re lying. He... He said he wouldn''t harm her if I confessed."


    "She was transferred to an orphanage for recuperation two weeks after leaving the hospital. But when the police attempted to obtain her statement, the orphanage staff claimed she was sent to Gaston''s house for a change of environment," Daniel explained.


    "Now she''s in Gaston''s custody, still unwilling to speak," he added, his expression grave.


    "It was a month after I joined there. Hazel was an orphan but a cute and silly girl. She always said even if she lacks parents she has more siblings by her side who love and care for her. She is always cheerful and sees good in bad" he smiled when he thought about the little girl who jumps around his side calling him brother sweetly.


    "But she grew silent, locked in her room and isolating herself from others. Her once radiant smile faded day by day, nearly disappearing altogether. I noticed several bruises on her arms by chance, and it immediately raised alarm bells. When I asked her about it, she... she cried," Diego recounted, his voice thick with emotion.


    "She cried, saying that it hurt. She was just a little girl, innocent and unaware of the cruelties of the world. I spent days trying to comfort her, assuring her that I would protect her from whoever had harmed her. Eventually, she confided in me," he continued, his gaze distant as he recalled the painful memories.


    "My blood boiled when she mentioned his name. I couldn''t believe it at first, but the bruises on her body told a different story. He may have projected an image of moral rectitude and kindness, but beneath it all, he was nothing but a piece of shit. I began gathering evidence of his crimes," Diego explained, his voice tinged with anger and sorrow.


    He wiped away his tears and met Daniel''s gaze squarely. "Do you believe he ran the orphanage out of the goodness of his heart? No, there''s something sinister at play. I delved into the orphanage records and discovered that several children, especially girls, had gone missing. But these incidents occurred before my time there, so I reached out to the caretaker who worked at the orphanage prior to me," he revealed, his voice trailing off as tears welled in his eyes.


    "What did you uncover?" Daniel inquired, his tone gentle yet insistent.

 Helpless Diego

    "What did you find?" Daniel inquired, his curiosity piqued.


    "He... Gaston Regis was involved in trafficking young children to the slave market, particularly young girls. They were forced into servitude, catering to the needs of both the young and the old. Some survived the ordeal, while many did not. He would adopt them under the guise of providing them with food and shelter, but in reality, he exploited them for his own gain. It was a clandestine operation; he would only supply two to three children a year," Diego revealed, his voice filled with bitterness and indignation.


    "How did he manage to do that? Surely someone would have noticed the missing children," Daniel queried, his tone measured as he processed the information.


    "Indeed, why would anyone question him when the missing children were all supposedly suffering from heart conditions? Initially, he would admit them to hospitals under his care, where they would be subtly administered drugs before being sold off like commodities. Those who returned after treatment were typically boys, and they rarely survived for more than a month," Diego explained, his voice heavy with sorrow.


    "I started to collect evidence against his actions, compiling the names of hospitals, doctors who treated these children, and even those who delivered them to the traffickers. I gathered everything that would ensure Gaston Regis a lifetime behind bars for his crimes," Diego recounted.


    "I sought help from a friend who worked as a lawyer. I trusted him implicitly and handed over every piece of evidence to him. However, I never imagined that bastard would give everything to Gaston for money," Diego continued, his tone laced with betrayal and anger.


    "I received a call from him, instructing me to meet if I wanted to see her alive. I already knew who she was, and without hesitation, I went to meet him. Upon arrival, I found not only Gaston but also my friend and several other men present in the room. There was a large glass box and she¡­. she," Diego choked on his tears, his voice trembling with emotion.


    Daniel''s expression darkened at the gravity of the situation. "I can''t promise that we can save her, but we can certainly prevent any more Hazel from ending up in his clutches. Go ahead," he urged, his voice firm and resolute.


    Diego wiped his tears with the corner of his shirt, his eyes red with burning hatred. "She was placed in the center like an object, surrounded by men. They showed no mercy, despite her being just a child. Her cries echoed throughout the room. I tried to save her, but it was futile to fight against five," he recounted, his voice trembling with emotion.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    The echoes of Gaston''s laughter reverberated in his ears, along with the disdainful sneer of his friend and the mocking gazes of the other men, leaving him feeling helpless and vulnerable. He begged everyone in the room to spare her, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. Instead, they sipped their wine and watched with delight as the little girl''s innocence was destroyed. In the end, all he could do was lower his head and listen to Hazel''s painful cries and pleas.


    "Gaston burned all the evidence in front of my eyes. He said he would keep her alive only if I stopped meddling in his affairs. I had no choice but to obey him. I carried her out of the hotel and admitted her to the hospital. But the next day, I was accused of abusing her and arrested. They imprisoned me here and tortured me day and night, but I refused to accept. Then Gaston''s lawyer, Douglas, visited me carrying a bunch of pictures. It was Alice from the orphanage, the same age as Hazel. In some photos, she was smiling and playing around with other children, and in some, she was dragging her favorite bunny doll in the corridor."


    "If you refuse to admit it, she will be the next Hazel," that''s what he said to me on that day. He had no choice but to succumb to their power and accept my fate in prison.


    "Gaston would probably erase every piece of evidence from existence now," Johnny chimed in.


    "Of course. What is he? A fool to keep the key to his destruction in his own hands," Daniel replied sarcastically.


    Diego swallowed heavily before answering them, "Not really. I had copied the evidence onto a chip and kept it safe in case any mishaps happened before I handed over the copy to my friend."


    "Oh boy! Good work" Daniel appreciated the thoughtful young man before him.


    Diego smiled wryly, seemingly mocking himself.


    "Where is it?" Daniel asked.


    "With Hazel."


    Daniel''s eyes dimmed hearing this. He took back his appreciation. He realized he was a complete fool to hand over such crucial evidence to such small hands.


    Seemingly understanding the man''s angst, Diego replied in a calm tone, "Hazel is a smart girl, trust me, no one else will keep the evidence safe other than her. I had no chance to meet her after my imprisonment. I don''t know where she kept the chip. You could only find out by asking her."


    Daniel stood up from the chair, ready to exit the cell. Diego clenched his hands tightly by his side. He didn''t know if he could ask him or not. He was already feeling grateful for him, he didn''t want to ask for more, but¡­


    Daniel understood his unspoken words, "We will try our best to save her."


    Diego let go of his clenched fist and bowed to him respectfully. The cell once again turned empty, and he took the small piece of coal by his side and drew the curved line on the figure he had previously left incomplete.


    A small stick figure smiled back at him, "Hang in there, Hazel."

 Promise to keep

    Daniel and Johnny came out of the prison after gathering the details from Diego.


    "Boss, are we going to handle this case?" Johnny asked, uncertain.


    "If not us, then who will?" Daniel replied lazily.


    "But aren''t we busy with the spade card case? Why not pass this one to another team?" Johnny inquired.


    Daniel stopped in his tracks and turned to look at his assistant. "Do you think it''s a coincidence? Killing Douglas, leaving the spade, involving us in this case, leading us to Diego, and uncovering Gaston''s involvement. He wants us in this case."


    "It''s like walking straight into a trap," Johnny said, his concern evident.


    "No harm in posing as a sheep to lure the wolf," Daniel stated calmly.


    "But boss, it won''t be easy to get to her if she''s in Gaston''s mansion," Johnny pointed out.


    "Who said she''s there?" Daniel smirked at him and continued walking.


    Johnny stood there, dumbfounded, staring at his boss''s retreating back.


    His boss was evil!


    Daniel knew if he didn''t lie to Diego he wouldn''t be able to fish anything out of him. He doesn''t feel guilty about it, thinking about what Gaston''s doing to those children he wants nothing but to smash that old geezer head with the drilling machine.


    Of Course he won''t do that, afterall he is a police officer who abides by law.


    He went to the orphanage to meet the little girl. Thinking about how to coax the girl to handover the chip, Daniel sighed heavily.


    Guided by the caretaker, Daniel made his way to the bustling hall where children played joyfully at its heart. With Hazel''s photo etched in his mind from the file his assistant provided, he scanned the area, but she was nowhere in sight.


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The caretaker brought him to the large room where a series of beds were placed in the room. As it is daytime almost the room was empty with the blankets scattered messily on every bed and pillows in disarray.


    Silently gesturing towards a corner, the caretaker left Daniel alone. He treaded across the room, his footsteps echoing in the hush. There, in the dimness, lay a small figure on a bed, her back turned towards him and facing the wall.


    "Hazel," Daniel called softly, his voice a gentle murmur. Observing her tightly curled toes and hunched posture, he sensed her fear of facing others.


    "I won''t hurt you," he assured, advancing cautiously, mindful not to startle the fragile girl, understanding that any fear could complicate his task of retrieving the chip from her.


    As the girl''s trembling subsided and she slowly lifted herself from the bed, Daniel caught sight of the scratches and wounds adorning her arms. His gaze darkened with an understanding of Diego''s intense fury towards Gaston.


    "What is your name?" the girl inquired in a subdued tone.


    Daniel remained silent for a moment before responding, "Daniel."


    The girl got down from the bed and limped to the table at the side. She took the table clock where the hands of the clock were motionless. She turned it and removed the cover and picked up a small chip from inside where the battery was already discarded.


    Daniel was amazed at the little girl''s intelligence, but he couldn''t understand how the little girl knew he was here for the chip.


    After securely holding the chip she limped towards him and held it before him.


    "She said you will punish the bad guy if I give it to you. Alice was afraid of that bad guy. Brother Diego is a good man. Will you please punish the bad guy?"


    Daniel frowned not knowing who she was referring to but his eyes fell on the hands that held the chip firmly. She was badly hurt but still wanted to save the other girl from getting hurt. His eyes softened as he kneel before her and patted her head. She was too small and skinny for a twelve year old girl.


    "Don''t worry I will punish the bad guy for you so that he no longer hurt you or your friends" he promised her


    "How do you know I was here for the chip? And who told you to give it to me" he asked her softly. Maybe she was an accomplice in the serial murder case, Daniel thought.


    Hazel shook her head at him, "I promised her that I won''t say to anybody" she limped back to her bed, covered herself with the blanket and closed her eyes.


    Daniel stood there for a few minutes wondering who was the one who convinced the little girl to hand over the chip. Before coming here he was not sure how to talk to the girl. Because she got hurt by many people and it is not easy to make her trust him. He already decided that if he is not successful today he may get the help of Diego and let him meet her once to get the chip.


    He now saw the chip that fell in his palm without much effort. He gripped the chip in his hand and frowned deeply.


    He couldn''t understand the murderer''s intention at all.