LOGINJazz music sounded soft to the partygoers at the Royal Cassel Hotel’s Sky Lounge tonight. The luxurious bar with an elegant atmosphere at the top of the flagship hotel offered a breathtaking view of the city from above. The clinking of wine glasses could be heard from several guests who were toasting before tasting the high-quality wine that filled the thin glass cups in their hands.
The city lights at night reflected in Enola’s gray eyes as she stared at the view without blinking. The blood-red liquid in her glass swirled slowly as Enola’s hand turned the glass. Adorned with diamond beads, her black dress gracefully covered Enola’s body but still accentuated her charming curves. Her open back invited anyone to stare at Enola, who stood in front of the glass window in one corner of the sky lounge. When she heard other guests arrive, Enola immediately turned to the source of the sound. As she predicted, Damian had just arrived with another handsome man and approached Reginald and Clarine. Their intimate interaction did not escape Enola’s watchful gaze. Reginald, her uncle, was very enthusiastic about their topic of conversation. At the same time, Clarine couldn’t stop blushing as she looked at Damian. Enola smirked at Clarine’s attitude, which instantly disgusted her. Adrian instructed Reginald and Clarine to move somewhere else to chat. Still, as they were about to leave, Damian spontaneously turned his face towards Enola, who was now staring at him thoughtfully. Even though they stood quite far apart when their eyes met, there was attraction, tension, and a spark. Enola stepped gracefully toward Damian with a slight smile on her face. Damian saw a mysterious woman approaching him who seemed to possess dangerous power. “King of Hell, so you’re real after all.” It was Enola’s trademark sarcastic compliment. Damian reflexively pulled his coat tighter and stared coldly at Enola. “And you’re braver than I thought.” Damian’s reply made Enola smile. Enola had to be very courageous to carry out her plan, even though she knew she would have to sacrifice many things later. “Enola Spark.” Enola extended her hand to shake his. Damian stared at Enola’s hand for a moment before shaking it. “Damian Cassel. Maybe in the future we’ll be family.” Damian’s words were met with a smirk from Enola as she tilted her head slightly to one side while looking at Damian. The man before her stared at her coldly, but Damian found Enola attractive. Enola pulled her hand from Damian’s grip, deliberately creating slight friction on his palm. Damian felt a strange vibration from Enola’s touch. The laughter and quiet conversations of the people around them blended with the soft jazz music. “Do you really want us to become one family?” Enola’s question was intended to probe Damian’s thoughts about his marriage to Clarine. “Isn’t that what Mr. Spark really wants? As a family member, I’m sure you also want this alliance. I think you will also get more benefits when our families unite.” Damian deliberately wanted to provoke Enola’s thoughts about the marriage arranged for her. Enola smiled, this time a little wider. She gulped down her wine until her glass was empty. A waiter serving champagne on a tray happened to pass by Enola, and she placed her empty glass on the tray before the waiter walked away. “I’m more interested in the profits I make through hard work, Mr. Cassel. Your marriage to my cousin is not my hard work; I may be disadvantaged.” Enola gave a slight hint about her plans and intentions. Damian stared at Enola silently for a moment. He did not expect any member of the Spark family to disagree with this alliance marriage, and it caught his attention and thoughts. “Don’t worry about me, Mr. Cassel. I have my own ways of making a profit. On the contrary, are you disadvantaged by this marriage? I know you are the same type of person as me, only interested in your own achievements.” Enola’s guess made Damian smile slightly, and she was pleased with his response. “I didn’t think you could guess correctly. Have you been spying on me?” Damian deliberately asked more boldly. Enola was not offended; instead, she wanted to stimulate Damian’s curiosity about her further. Enola closed the distance between them until they almost touched each other’s noses. “Before you act, you have to know your target. Isn’t that a good strategy for conquest, Mr. Cassel?!” Enola gently touched Damian’s bow tie, her hand sweeping up to the man’s right shoulder. Enola shifted to the right to end their intimate distance. Several people around them watched their interaction while whispering to each other. Enola and Damian’s figures attracted the attention of some of the sky lounge guests, as the aura they exuded was so dominant. “We’ll meet again, Mr. Cassel. Thank you for the hospitality. Don’t worry, Spark Winery’s wine is always one of the best wine brands. “Enola then left Damian’s side, her lips curving into a faint smile that no one but herself could read. “ King of Hell, you will be my tool.” Enola’s mind uttered those words with determination and conviction. Damian turned to watch Enola leave, her departure catching his attention. She had made a strong impression on him during their first meeting. “An interesting woman. I didn’t expect any of the Spark family to be so exciting.” Damian was distracted by Adrian, who came over to join Reginald and Clarine at the table prepared for them that evening.One Year LaterThe first rays of the summer sun spilled across the rolling vineyards of Spark Winery, bathing the endless rows of grapevines in a warm golden glow.A gentle breeze drifted through the valley, carrying the sweet scent of ripening grapes and fresh earth. Workers moved between the vines with woven baskets hanging from their shoulders, their cheerful laughter blending with the chirping of birds overhead.It was harvest season.The busiest...And the most beautiful time of the year.Enola stood on the wooden observation deck overlooking the vineyard, quietly taking in the familiar view.She wore a simple ivory linen blouse tucked neatly into a pair of high-waisted beige trousers. Her long hair was loosely tied back, allowing the warm breeze to brush against her face.On her left wrist...The white-gold bracelet once belonging to Isabella Cassel shimmered softly beneath the morning sunlight.It had become part of her.Not something she wore for special occasions.But somethi
The courthouse slowly emptied as the afternoon sun drifted westward.The media frenzy that had consumed the entrance only hours earlier was beginning to fade. News vans pulled away one after another, while police officers dismantled the final security barriers.For the first time in years...There was nothing left to investigate.Nothing left to prove.Only life waiting to move forward.A gentle summer breeze swept through the city as Damian drove away from the courthouse.The dark gray blazer he had left in the car earlier was still hanging neatly behind the driver's seat, untouched.He had never needed it.The rolled sleeves of his white linen shirt remained exactly as they had been that morning.Relaxed.Unburdened.Beside him, Enola leaned comfortably against the leather seat.She watched the passing streets through the window, her expression unusually peaceful.Neither of them felt the need to speak.Sometimes...Silence carried more comfort than words ever could.Alexander's car
Less than an hour after the verdict, the front plaza of the courthouse had transformed into a sea of cameras and microphones.Television crews stood shoulder to shoulder behind the security barriers.Journalists filled every available space, waiting for the official statement from the police.The summer sun had climbed higher into the sky, bathing the courthouse steps in warm golden light.A temporary podium bearing the National Police emblem had been placed at the center of the entrance.Several uniformed officers stood on both sides.When Ronald Hayes stepped onto the platform, conversations immediately died down.Camera shutters erupted almost instantly.Click.Click.Click.Ronald stood straight behind the podium, his dark uniform immaculate as always.His expression remained calm.Professional.Behind him stood several senior investigators who had spent years reopening and piecing together the case.Among them were Damian, Enola, Alexander, Evelyn, Ethan, and Luna.None of them s
The courthouse stood beneath a brilliant midsummer sky, its white stone façade gleaming under the warm morning sun.Reporters had gathered since dawn.Television vans lined both sides of the street, their satellite dishes pointed toward the clear blue sky. Camera flashes erupted every few seconds as journalists rehearsed their opening reports, waiting for the country's most anticipated trial to begin.Police officers formed multiple security lines around the courthouse entrance. Barricades kept the growing crowd at a safe distance while armed officers patrolled every corner of the building.Today's trial wasn't just another criminal case.It was the final chapter of a scandal that had haunted two influential families for more than twenty years.A black luxury sedan slowly rolled to a stop near the private entrance reserved for witnesses and immediate family members.The rear door opened first.Damian stepped out, his polished leather shoes touching the pavement before he straightened
Neither of them spoke for a long while.The vineyard below continued its quiet rhythm. Workers moved from one row to another, baskets slowly filling with freshly harvested grapes beneath the bright summer sun.Life went on.As if it had been waiting for this moment.Clarine lowered her gaze, her fingers still gripping the wooden railing."I lost."The words came out barely above a whisper."I've been losing for a very long time."A quiet laugh escaped her lips."I just refused to admit it."Enola remained silent.She wasn't waiting for an apology.She wasn't expecting one either.Clarine finally turned to face her.There was no anger left in her eyes.Only exhaustion."I kept blaming you."She smiled bitterly."It was easier than admitting that none of this was your fault."Her shoulders slowly relaxed."My father spoiled me.""He kept telling me I deserved everything.""He convinced me that if I kept reaching...""...one day Spark Winery would belong to me."She shook her head."But
The midsummer sun hung high above Spark Winery, casting a warm golden glow across the endless vineyards. Gentle winds swept through the rows of grapevines, carrying the familiar scent of earth, leaves, and ripening fruit.It was the kind of afternoon Enola had always loved.Long before board meetings.Before contracts.Before betrayals.Before she became President of Spark Winery.She had simply been a little girl running barefoot between these very vines.The second floor of the old vineyard lodge overlooked almost the entire estate. Built decades ago, the wooden structure served as a storage area for farming equipment on the ground floor, while the upper level offered an open resting space where workers often took breaks during harvest season.Today, it was quiet.Only the occasional rustle of leaves and distant laughter from vineyard workers drifted through the warm air.Enola sat near the wooden railing in her wheelchair, a cup of warm tea resting in her hands.She didn't drink it
The light from the crystal chandelier illuminating the living room with its luxurious and elegant decor reflected off the long, dark brown, wavy hair, giving an elegant but frightening impression. The owner of that hair was staring intently at a group of people discussing the political marriage of
Damian rarely felt nervous.Angry?Yes.Impatient?Frequently.Dangerous?Almost always.But nervous?That was different.Tonight, as he stepped into the evidence division of the police headquarters, he felt something disturbingly close to it.Ronald Hayes was already waiting.The police commission
The call ended.But the silence that followed felt heavier than the conversation itself.Damian stood motionless beside the floor-to-ceiling window, his phone still in his hand.Across the room, Enola watched him.The city lights stretched endlessly beyond the glass, but neither of them seemed inte
The message stayed on Damian's screen long after the sender disappeared.>Ask Evelyn what happened the night Isabella disappeared.The penthouse was quiet.Too quiet.Enola stood across the room, watching him.Damian rarely looked shaken.Angry?Yes.Cold?Always.Ruthless?Without question.But th







