Prologue

“What is it that you want now, Lorenzo?” Eliana asked as she entered the study. Her eyes were fixed on the man who was standing, his back to her as he stared out the window.

“I have another loyalty test for you” he said not turning to face her. The man’s eyes were fixed on the garden in front of him, but he could still see her reflection as she clenched her fists in annoyance.

“You have given me dozens of tests, and I have proven my loyalty to you” she responded not flinching. She knew the cost of one wrong move, and she couldn’t risk it after everything she’s been through so far. She had to be in control of her emotions if she was to survive this.

“This would be the last test” he turned around to face her, walking to his desk and heading to his chair which she noticed was turned in the other direction. He turned the chair around to face her, and her eyes widened when she caught sight of her husband.

“Vladimir?”

“Kill him, and you’ll be my official heir. Everything that I ever owned, built, or worked on, will be yours” he said handing Eliana the gun. Her eyes were fixed on the gun for a few seconds too long before taking it from her.

Her eyes met her husband’s before she turned to face Lorenzo “everything would be mine?”

“Yes, prove me wrong, prove to me that you would do anything for power, and it’s yours” he said coldly. She nodded and turned to face her husband, her eyes staying on his as she pulled the trigger. The bullet sound fired, and the shot hit his chest, making him go limp.

“You did it?”

“You underestimated me” she said turning to face Lorenzo whose eyes were wide. He walked toward Vladimir, checking if what he was seeing was true. His back was to her, and she shook her head before shooting him in the back of his head, watching as he fell to the ground “you all have”