LOGINThe clock struck five in the morning, and Luna finally surrendered to her sleepless eyes. For nearly an hour, she had done nothing but lie down and stare at the ceiling, listening to the fading patter of last night's rain.
Restless, the woman in the cream-colored dress finally got out of bed. She stepped quietly out of her room and pushed open the door to Michael’s room, which turned out to be unlocked.
The clock struck five in the morning, and Luna finally surrendered to her sleepless eyes. For nearly an hour, she had done nothing but lie down and stare at the ceiling, listening to the fading patter of last night's rain.Restless, the woman in the cream-colored dress finally got out of bed. She stepped quietly out of her room and pushed open the door to Michael’s room, which turned out to be unlocked.Her lover was still sitting in the exact same chair. He hadn't even changed out of his suit jacket.The man did not look up when Luna walked in, nor did he offer the usual morning greeting he always gave her."You didn't sleep?" Michael asked as Luna rested her head against his knees."You never came, even though you sai
Just like his mother, little Michael despised thunderstorms.On nights like this, he would usually sneak into Liana’s room, tuck himself beneath her heavy blankets, and beg her to tell him nonsensical fairy tales until they both drifted off to sleep.The seven-year-old boy slid off his mattress.He caught a fleeting glimpse of his mother walking down the hall, but his voice was swallowed by the roaring rain. Michael trailed after her, quiet as a shadow, until he came to a halt at the top of the stairs."How could you..."The words echoed with terrifying clarity. He watched, unable to fully comprehend what was unfolding before his eyes.He saw his mother turn to run,
Twenty years earlier…The sweet scent of bluebells drifted through the air with every step Liana took. The beautiful woman smiled, reaching for Yohan’s hand. Carefully, she stepped onto the boat, lifting the hem of her gown."This lake is as beautiful as my wife," Yohan said. "You should surround yourself with beautiful things, so our baby turns out beautiful too.""What if it’s another boy?""Then Michael will have to study harder because he’ll have a rival.""Don't be like that. You’ve been too hard on him lately.""He needs to be strong so he can take my place running Blue Blood. But don't worry, Liana, I'll make sure our child grows up to be as t
The iron steps were rusted, groaning underfoot with every descent. Michael went down first, his hand clamped tightly around his pistol, alert and ready despite having no clear idea of what was waiting for them below.Sapphire followed directly behind his heels. Efrosina brought up the rear, with a handful of operatives flanking her."Master, there might be a trap. Let me clear it first," Sapphire offered.Michael swept his tactical flashlight across every corner. Empty. Not a soul in sight.The basement was far larger than it appeared from above, choking with a damp, stifling humidity. The only contents were a few rusted metal shelves—most of them collapsed—and a solitary wooden desk in the far corner. Atop it sat a padlocked black iron box.
That night, a thin drizzle fell, washing over the asphalt of the deserted suburban streets. Michael stepped out of the black sedan, leaving the car door hanging open. Standing before him was an abandoned textile warehouse—the exact coordinates extracted from the maid the night before.The heir strode inside without a moment's hesitation. His leather shoes made a sharp, rhythmic clicking sound that echoed across the damp concrete floor. Behind him, Sapphire and Efrosina followed in absolute silence."Are you certain she gave you the correct location?" Michael asked Sapphire."Yes, Master. The woman bartered her life for her child’s safety. There is no reason for the information to be fabricated.""Search every square inch, then."
Luna was still clutching the water bottle Efrosina had handed her. She could no longer feel the cold against her palm; her thoughts were in a state of utter chaos."Instead of buying out an entire establishment and everyone in it, it is much cleaner to simply burn it to the ground."The sentence kept looping in her mind as she wiped the sweat from her brow. She tried desperately to convince herself that Efrosina was just speaking recklessly. That Michael—the man who had just kissed her forehead so tenderly—was incapable of such brutality."No, that can't be right," Luna argued, more to herself than anyone else. "Even if he has a dark side, I know he wouldn't be that savage.""Are you not even a little afraid of him?"
The sharp sting of alcohol and the lingering scent of gunpowder clung to Michael’s blazer. On a private pier hidden from any police radar, Michael stood with a cold, imposing presence. Before him, dozens of wooden crates bearing the eagle insignia were being hoisted into a massive container ship."H
Michael’s hand hovered near his ankle, ready to draw his concealed pistol. His eyes narrowed, tracking the four strangers who had suddenly emerged from behind the velvet curtains.Seeing his guarded stance, Harmer let out a dry chuckle. “Haha, for a second I thought you’re the bravest alive. Relax,
The bitter aroma of tobacco smoke clung to every corner of the room as Michael stepped into the bar. The clinking of glasses and the boisterous laughter seemed to be sucked dry by the frigid air he brought with him. The old man across the table, who had been laughing loudly just moments before, abr
Michael gazed anxiously at his lover, who was sleeping with a deathly pale face. Luna had repeatedly refused his visits, but he could no longer restrain the urge to see the woman who held his heart.Her body was dotted with dark, bruised punctures. Though minuscule, their sheer number made the evid







