Chapter: 103Chapter 61: Home, BrieflyREGAN Our flight back into the country was uneventful. The cabin was quiet, the weather was clear, and no one interrupted us.Ruby had returned to her usual distant manner. She answered my questions politely, but she kept her eyes on her laptop for most of the journey.Twice I tried to start a conversation about the leaks in her company. Each time she replied with a single sentence and returned to her screen.Strangely, I did not mind it. At least she was sitting beside me, and she was not talking to some stranger who had flattered her at the gate.I still held a grudge against the young man from our last flight. I had never learned his name, and I did not intend to.Several hours later, the plane lowered toward the runway, and I watched the tires touch the tarmac through the window. A soft jolt moved through the cabin, and the passengers began to stir.Ruby stood up and gathered her bag. "I will be going to pick up Leo," she said."He is at my estate,"
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-10-30
Chapter: 102Chapter 61: Home, BrieflyREGAN Our flight back into the country was uneventful. The cabin was quiet, the weather was clear, and no one interrupted us.Ruby had returned to her usual distant manner. She answered my questions politely, but she kept her eyes on her laptop for most of the journey.Twice I tried to start a conversation about the leaks in her company. Each time she replied with a single sentence and returned to her screen.Strangely, I did not mind it. At least she was sitting beside me, and she was not talking to some stranger who had flattered her at the gate.I still held a grudge against the young man from our last flight. I had never learned his name, and I did not intend to.Several hours later, the plane lowered toward the runway, and I watched the tires touch the tarmac through the window. A soft jolt moved through the cabin, and the passengers began to stir.Ruby stood up and gathered her bag. "I will be going to pick up Leo," she said."He is at my estate,"
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-10-29
Chapter: 101Chapter 49: Words Said in AngerAaliyahIan hummed for a moment, and I could hear the hesitation in his voice before he spoke. We had walked without speaking since the woman left, and the silence had grown awkward between us.“Would you like some ice cream?” he asked at last.I looked at him in surprise. It was cold enough for snow to cover the ground, and he was offering me ice cream.“Ice cream?” I repeated.“There's a stall near the bridge,” he said, looking straight ahead. “They sell it all year.”It was obvious that he was trying to restore the mood. I decided that I wouldn't make things difficult for him, so I nodded.“Okay,” I said. “I'd love some. Strawberry, please.”We bought two bowls from the stall, vanilla for him and strawberry for me.“Two scoops each?” the woman at the counter asked.“One,” Ian said quickly.“Two,” I corrected him. “He's paying.”“Fine,” Ian sighed, reaching for his wallet.The woman gave us a small spoon each and a smile that made me wonder what she
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-10-28
Chapter: 100Sable The morning after the trader left, the shelter felt different. I woke up before the others and stared at the tarp above me.Maris was already outside. I heard her moving pots. Tomas was still asleep next to me, his mouth open a little.I got up and folded my blanket. My chest felt tight. I kept thinking about the trader and my mother and the white bread.Outside, Maris looked at me."You did not sleep well," she said."I tried," I said.She handed me a cup of water. "Drink."I drank. The water was cold.Garrick came from behind the shelter. He carried wood."Morning," he said."Morning," I said.We did not talk about yesterday. We acted like it was a normal day, but it was not.After breakfast, Tomas went to get water. I stayed to help Maris wash clothes."Are you angry that I did not go?" I asked her. My voice was quiet.She stopped washing."Why would I be angry?" she said."Because my mother has a real house," I said. "And here we have only this."Maris wiped her hands on he
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-10-27
Chapter: 99VivianMy expression barely hid how much my brother-in-law's words had affected me.If what he said was even slightly true, then my earlier thoughts and assumptions would fall apart. I shook my head, knowing I would have to work from the ground up again."It cannot be true," I muttered under my breath as I walked down the hospital corridor. "It just cannot be."I did not plan on telling Damon about it. In fact, I felt it was wise that I had not mentioned it the last time we spoke.The ward door was open as usual when I arrived. Damien sat in bed reading a book, and he closed it the moment he saw me, a smile spreading across his face."You are early today," he said.I rolled my eyes as I walked toward him. "Of course I am. I got off work early and decided to spend the rest of my day here."He opened his arms, and I stepped into them. We held each other for a while before we pulled apart."I heard about the case," he said gently.My eyes widened, and I did not try to hide my surprise. "
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-10-26
Chapter: 97Sable The bread sat on the table all afternoon.The trader had left it on the big rock when he left. Tomas brought it up, even though I told him to leave it. It was still wrapped in the white cloth.None of us touched it.We tried to go back to normal. Maris swept the floor. Garrick tried to fix the handle of the water bucket. I took the wet blankets down because the sun had moved. Tomas sat in the corner with his knees pulled up, watching the bread.By evening, the shelter felt strange. Quiet in a way it had not been before."You should eat it," Maris said finally, looking at me. "Your mother sent it for you.""It is not my mother's bread," I said. "The trader brought it. My mother did not make it herself.""White bread is white bread," Garrick said gently. "You have not had white bread in a long time."I knew he was right. The last time I ate white bread was in my mother's house, before I left. She would buy it on Sundays from the market and we would eat it with butter that melted.
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-10-25
Betrayed And Sold To The Mafia King
Valeria DeLuca built her empire from nothing, turning an old vineyard into a prestigious wine brand. But her family—greedy, reckless, and selfish—destroyed everything. Her father and brother gambled away her fortune, and when the debtors came knocking, her entire world crumbled.
Then came Dante Moretti, a feared mafia king, offering a twisted deal. At an underground auction, he silenced the room and made his bid.
"Isn’t she up for sale as well?"
$200 million. For her.
Sold like property. Trapped in his world. But Valeria was no helpless victim. If Dante wanted her submission, she would give him seduction instead. If he wanted her loyalty, she would take his power.
But there was something Valeria didn’t know. Dante orchestrated her downfall. He had planned it all—her family’s destruction, the debts, the auction. He had wanted her in his world from the very beginning.
And when she found out, there would be hell to pay.
Baca
Chapter: The Empire That Needed Two(Finale)NicoThe underworld changed faster than anyone expected once Aurelio was gone.Word traveled through the city within days, spreading from one district to another until every remaining piece of his organization understood there was nothing left worth protecting. Some of his men scattered, disappearing into other cities where nobody would recognize their faces or ask questions about who they used to work for. Others made the smarter choice and folded quietly into the alliance Dante and Valeria had built during the war, accepting new leadership rather than risk becoming irrelevant.Captains who had once openly questioned whether they could follow a woman now deferred to Valeria as naturally as they deferred to Dante. That shift did not happen because they feared the name people had given her during the worst weeks of the conflict. It happened because they had watched everything she sacrificed to keep the empire standing when Dante was gone. Fear could force obedience for a while, but it n
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-07-30
Chapter: End of His WarValeria and DanteThe room became completely silent after Valeria stepped into Maria's study. For several seconds, no one moved. Dante remained standing where he was, his attention fixed on Valeria. Aurelio stood across from them, watching the two people who had become the greatest threat to everything he had spent years trying to reclaim.There was no fear on Valeria's face. There was no hesitation in Dante's expression. And somehow, that seemed to anger Aurelio more than any weapon pointed at him could have. For the first time, he looked at the two of them and seemed to understand that everything he had done had not created the separation he wanted. He had wanted Dante isolated. He had wanted Valeria broken. He had wanted them both desperate enough to make choices that benefited him. Instead, every attempt to destroy what they had only forced them to rely on each other more.Aurelio's expression hardened as he looked between them. But even then, even at the end, he refused to accept
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-07-30
Chapter: The Difference Between UsDanteThe silence inside the estate bothered me more than the gunfire had. For the past several minutes, every step I took deeper into the building felt heavier. The sounds of fighting had almost disappeared completely, leaving behind only the occasional movement of my men clearing rooms and confirming that Aurelio's remaining soldiers were no longer a threat.I had expected another trap. That was the only thing that made sense. Aurelio had never been a man who accepted defeat quietly. Every move he made had been calculated, every person he used had served a purpose. The idea that I would walk into the heart of his operation without another obstacle felt wrong. Too easy.My hand remained close to my weapon as I moved through the hallway, my eyes carefully scanning every corner. The estate was different from the places I had seen him occupy over the years. This was not just another hideout. It was personal. The walls carried memories that I had spent years trying not to remember. Photo
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-07-30
Chapter: Losing My Own BrotherValeriaThe estate had gone quieter than I expected. After everything Aurelio had done to prepare for Dante's arrival, I had expected my path to be filled with resistance. I had expected traps, more guards, and another attempt to slow us down. A man like Aurelio did not surrender territory easily, especially when that territory contained the last pieces of control he still believed he had.But as I moved through the eastern side of the estate, the reality became clear. He had used most of what he had left against Dante. Every explosion that echoed through the building, every gunshot that came through the communication line, every desperate attempt to hold the front entrance had been designed to keep Dante occupied. That meant Lorenzo had been nothing more than a hidden piece on the board. Aurelio had never planned to defend him. He had planned to use him.The thought made my jaw tighten as I moved through the dim corridor with my weapon raised. Two of Nico's men followed closely behin
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-07-30
Chapter: Last Place He Hid HerDanteThe resistance was heavier than I expected. The moment our vehicles reached the estate, I already knew Aurelio had been prepared for us. That realization did not surprise me. If there was one thing I understood about my father, it was that he never moved without considering every possible outcome. He was arrogant. He was cruel. He was obsessed with control. But he was not careless.The attack had been expected. The number of guards stationed around the estate proved it. The additional weapons proved it. The fact that they had fortified every possible entrance proved it. Aurelio knew we would come. He knew I would come. And that meant there was a reason he wanted us here. That thought stayed in the back of my mind as the first shots were fired."Dante, we have movement on the eastern side," Nico's voice came through the communication device."How many?""More than expected."I looked toward the building ahead. The estate was larger than I remembered. It was not just a place to hi
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-07-30
Chapter: The Place Where It BeganValeriaThe call came before dawn.I knew something was wrong before Nico even finished saying my name. There was something different in his voice. Nico had always been controlled. Even during the worst situations, even when everything around him was falling apart, he maintained a calm that made people believe he had everything handled. But this time, there was hesitation. And that scared me more than panic would have."Valeria."I sat up immediately. "What happened?"There was a pause. A small one. But long enough."Your brother's safehouse was compromised."The room became completely silent. For a moment, I did not process the words. Not because I did not understand them. Because I did. Too quickly."What do you mean compromised?"Nico exhaled. "Aurelio's people were there."My grip tightened around the phone. "Is Lorenzo hurt?"Another pause. That was when my heart started beating harder."Valeria...""Is Lorenzo hurt?""No bodies."The answer confused me. "What?""There are no bod
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-07-30
Trahi et vendu au roi de la mafia
Valeria DeLuca a construit son empire à partir de rien, transformant un vieux vignoble en une prestigieuse marque de vin. Mais sa famille, avare, imprudente et égoïste, a tout détruit. Son père et son frère ont joué sa fortune, et quand les débiteurs sont venus frapper, son monde entier s'est effondré.
Puis est venu Dante Moretti, un roi de la mafia redouté, offrant un accord tordu. Lors d'une vente aux enchères souterraine, il a réduit au silence la salle et a fait son offre.
« N'est-elle pas aussi à vendre ? »
200 millions de dollars. Pour elle.
Vendu comme une propriété. Piégé dans son monde. Mais Valeria n'était pas une victime sans défense. Si Dante voulait sa soumission, elle le séduirait à la place. S'il voulait sa loyauté, elle prendrait son pouvoir.
Mais il y avait quelque chose que Valeria ne savait pas. Dante a orchestré sa chute. Il avait tout prévu : la destruction de sa famille, les dettes, la vente aux enchères. Il la voulait dans son monde depuis le tout début.
Et quand elle le découvrirait, il y aurait un enfer à payer.
Baca
Chapter: Le goût du contrôleDanteJ'ai continué à marcher dans ma chambre, ennuyé avant même de penser à sortir. Elle prenait trop de temps. À quel point était-il difficile de préparer un repas et de le porter ?J'avais déjà enlevé ma chemise et je l'avais jetée sur le lit, et j'avais ouvert une bouteille de vin. Les boissons commençaient à faire effet, et ma patience s'amincissait de minute en minute.Qu'est-ce qu'elle faisait ?J'ai finalement cédé et je suis retourné dans le hall. Elle ne s'éloignait pas de moi sans se battre.Mais comme j'ai à peine fait un pas devant ma porte, c'est arrivé. Au début, j'ai entendu le cliquetis du métal. Puis j'ai regardé la roue du chariot frapper le tapis. Et avant même que je puisse sortir complètement, elle s'est écrasée sur moi et nous avons trébuché en arrière. Mes bras ont agi sur un coup de tête, l'attrapant avant qu'elle ne tombe au sol. Le wagon a fait un petit tour d'un côté, mais j'y ai prêté peu d'attention. Mais elle était dans mes bras. Elle était allongée face
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-08-16
Chapter: Trop, trop vite.ValérieLa voiture était d'un calme étrinant. J'ai continué à regarder par la fenêtre, mais je ne regardais vraiment rien. Mes pensées n'arrêtaient pas de tourner en rond. Et plus j'essayais de les faire taire, plus ils revenaient plus fort.Je veux dire, tout s'est passé soudainement. Une minute, j'avais du mal à me tenir ensemble, avalant toute cette honte, essayant de ne pas réagir de manière excessive lorsque j'ai vu ses mains pointer vers moi - et puis, il était là. Dante. Debout juste entre Clara et moi.Il avait attrapé sa main. Pas une seconde trop tôt.Et puis il m'a défendu. Ses mots étaient assez tranchants pour brûler un trou dans son nom, son travail, sa position. La manière dont il s'était pris à elle, avait mis fin aux liens de son entreprise et l'avait fait plaider devant tout le monde... ce n'était pas quelque chose que je pouvais négliger si facilement. Ce n'était pas censé signifier quoi que ce soit pour moi, mais d'une manière ou d'une autre, c'était le cas.Je me
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-08-16
Chapter: Le vôtre à casserDanteMon verre était presque vide, et ma glace avait fondu dans le bourbon. Je ne le buvais pas vraiment, je me suis juste accroché au verre parce que je ne voulais pas avoir l'air de m'ennuyer.Mon hôte bavardait à propos d'une transaction immobilière en Toscane - il y était depuis dix bonnes minutes d'affilée. J'ai hoché la tête de temps en temps, ne faisant pas vraiment attention à lui, alors que je scannais la pièce à la place. Il y avait trop de monde ici. Trop d'yeux et trop de bouches souriantes déguisées.Et c'est là que je l'ai entendu.Un cri. C'était haut, bruyant et indéniablement féminin. Je me suis retourné, plissant les yeux au bruit alors que quelque chose se tordait dans mon intestin. Cette voix, ce cri et de cette partie de la pièce semblaient très familiers.Valérie.Je ne savais pas comment je le savais ou pourquoi j'avais deviné que c'était elle, mais je le savais. J'ai coupé mon hôte, au milieu de la phrase. Il a crié après moi, surpris, mais je n'ai pas regardé
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-08-16
Chapter: Une bouchée amère 2ValeriaJe l'ai regardée silencieusement dans les yeux et je n'ai rien dit. Cela l'a rendue plus en colère alors qu'elle faisait un pas en avant. « Pensez-vous que vous vous sentez à nouveau puissant dans cette robe ? Pensez-vous que parce que vous êtes ici, souriant, vous comptez ? S'il vous plaît. Eh bien, au moins j'ai travaillé pour ça. Tu joues juste à l'habillage. » Sa voix est devenue bordée de venin.« Veux-tu un travail, Valeria ? J'ai entendu dire que Dante a un manoir. Il doit y avoir un poste de nounou ouvert. Vous pourriez essuyer la bave et laver les jouets au lieu de prétendre que vous vous intégraiez toujours d'une manière ou d'une autre à ce monde », s'est-elle moquée. Je n'ai toujours pas parlé. J'ai écouté, mon regard toujours fixé sur le sien alors que mes doigts se resserraient autour de la prise de mon verre.« Et hé », a-t-elle poursuivi avec éclat, comme si elle était fière d'elle-même, « le travail d'une nounou est toujours plus respectable que d'être son suga
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-08-16
Chapter: Une bouchée amèreValérieLa voix m'a fait crawler la peau. Je ne l'avais pas entendu depuis des mois, peut-être un an, mais cela n'avait pas changé du tout, mais il n'y avait aucune erreur sur qui en était le propriétaire. Cela avait été long, mais la voix restait toujours la même, toujours dégoulinant de moquerie et d'un faux ton doux qui n'a jamais vraiment trompé quelqu'un qui la connaissait vraiment.Je me suis retourné lentement, en essayant de garder ma main stable sur l'assiette. Nos yeux se sont rencontrés, et en un instant, j'ai senti ce même vieux poids dans ma poitrine.Clara MaldiniBien sûr que c'était elle.Elle se tenait debout avec son sourire suffisant habituel, les doigts à moitié enroulés autour d'un verre de champagne comme si la chambre lui appartenait. Les paillettes de sa robe brillaient dans la lumière, mais je n'étais pas éblouie. Pas d'elle ou de son image fabriquée.« Eh bien », a-t-elle dit, en me regardant de haut en bas, « c'est une surprise inattendue. Je vous connaissai
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-08-16
Chapter: Tous les yeux rivés sur moiValérieDès que je suis sorti, j'ai été accueilli par un tumulte de halètements et de lumières de caméra. Je me suis figé sous le choc. Pendant un moment, j'ai pensé que quelque chose n'allait peut-être pas chez moi. Ma robe était-elle déchirée ? Ai-je eu l'air ridicule ? Pourquoi regardaient-ils tous ? J'ai senti mon cœur tomber dans mon estomac alors que je laissais mes yeux voyager vers le haut à un rythme rampant - Et mes yeux ont rencontré le regard souriant et distaint de Dante. J'ai senti la chaleur monter dans mon cou.Bien sûr. Ce regard sur son visage avait tout donné. Il l'a fait exprès. Il m'a traîné ici comme un appât comme je l'étais juste pour servir de source de divertissement.J'ai serré les poings. « Valeria, respire », me chuchotai-je, en prenant de grandes respirations. À ce moment précis, j'ai entendu la voix étouffée de l'un des hommes de sécurité de l'autre côté de la porte. « Vous êtes magnifique ce soir, madame. Vous n'avez à vous soucier de rien. »J'ai clign
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2026-08-16
Masuk
