Chapter 3: Your Daughter

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Rihanna’s voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge beneath it. She stood in front of her husband, adjusting his tie with careful hands, smoothing out a crease that wasn’t really there. Andrew didn’t answer immediately as he stared at his reflection in the mirror.

“It’s not like I have any other choice,” he said finally. “Unless you do want to go back to that life.”

Rihanna paused and for a brief second, her hands stilled against his chest. “No,” she said quickly, “I don’t “

Going back to the life she came from? Never.

She had worked too hard to leave that behind. She had climbed too far to even think about falling back into it. The thought alone made her stomach tighten. She stepped back slightly, looking him over.

“Let’s just hope he agrees to see you,” she added. “The Crownes aren’t easy to approach. People don’t just walk in and ask for favors.”

Andrew let out a quiet breath. He already knew that.

The Crowne family wasn’t just powerful, they were untouchable. They weren’t like other crime families who fought for territory or influence. They were above all that. They made the rules and the others followed. And if they didn’t… they disappeared.

Andrew swallowed, the weight of what he was about to do settling deeper in his chest.

“I know, I might be walking into my own funeral.” he said. she sighed as she walked past him and picked up his watch from the table, handing it to him.

“You’re overthinking it,” she said. “You said it yourself—you know him.”

Andrew hesitated as he took the watch. His fingers tightened slightly around it.

“I knew him,” he corrected quietly.

Rihanna frowned. “What’s the difference?”

Andrew didn’t answer right away.His mind drifted back—years ago in high school, to a time he didn’t like to remember.

Back then, Davis Crowne had already been… different. Being around Davis meant protection. It meant no one bothered you. But it also meant… doing things. Things Andrew didn’t like to think about now. Things he had buried deep and refused to revisit.

“I can’t call him a friend,” Andrew said at last. “Not after everything.”

Rihanna tilted her head slightly. “Then what are you to him?”

Andrew gave a small, bitter smile. “Someone from the past,” he said. “Nothing more.”

Rihanna didn’t look convinced. “But it’s still something,” she said. “That’s more than what most people have.”

Andrew slipped on his watch slowly. “Maybe,” he said.

But even as he spoke, doubt crept in. People like Davis Crowne didn’t hold on to the past. They didn’t care about old connections. They cared about power. And right now… Andrew had nothing to offer.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to her. I can’t believe I’m crawling back to him.

Rihanna walked closer again, adjusting his collar one last time.

“Listen to me,” she said, her voice softer now, but serious. “Whatever happens in there, don’t show weakness.”

Andrew almost laughed at that. “Don’t show weakness?” he repeated. “I’m going there to beg, Rihanna.”

“Then beg smartly,” she replied without hesitation. “There’s a difference.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Screams tore through the room, raw and desperate, echoing off the cold walls. The man tied to the chair struggled weakly, his body trembling from the pain. Blood stained his clothes, dripping slowly onto the floor beneath him. His breathing came out uneven, broken by sharp cries he could no longer hold back. Across from him, Davis Crowne sat comfortably, as if he were watching something mildly entertaining. He leaned forward slightly and reached for the cigarette resting on the table beside him. Sliding it between his lips, he dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out an old, gold tiger lighter.With a soft flick, the flame came alive.

He lit the cigarette and took a slow drag, the tip glowing faintly in the dim light. Then he leaned back, exhaling smoke into the air. The smoke curled lazily around the room, blending with the silence that followed the man’s screams. Bodyguards stood around them, still and expressionless, like statues placed there to watch. Davis took another drag before speaking.

“The audacity to betray the Crownes,” he said calmly.The man shook his head desperately, tears mixing with the blood on his face.

“Please… I—I was forced,” he stammered. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please… don’t kill me.” Davis let out a soft, almost amused breath.

“Too late.” He reached for the pistol on the table without hesitation. He raised the gun and a single shot rang out. The man’s head snapped back, and his body went still. The room fell into silence as blood spread across the floor beneath him.

Davis looked at the dead body and simply took another drag from his cigarette.

His phone rang and one of the bodyguards stepped forward immediately, bowing slightly as he handed the phone to Davis. Davis glanced at the screen and a small smirk touched his lips. He picked the call.

“Son,” he said, his tone almost casual. “I’ve taken care of the mole.”

There was a pause on the other end before a cold voice responded. “You’ve retired.”

Davis chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair “Well,” he said, “consider it me helping out.”

“If it were a burden,” the voice replied, “I would have stepped down long ago.”

Davis shook his head slightly, still amused by his son’s cold response. He took another drag from his cigarette before continuing.

“I’m only trying to make things easier for you. You should be thinking about settling down by now. Finding a wife and giving me grandchildren—”

The line went dead immediately and Davis paused, staring at the phone for a second. Then he let out a low laugh. “He hasn’t changed,” he muttered.

He dropped the phone back onto the table and crushed the cigarette into the ashtray. Then, without looking at the body on the floor, he spoke.

“Clean this up.” The bodyguards moved immediately. Davis stood up slowly, adjusting his coat. As he walked toward the door, another guard approached him and bowed.

“Sir,” the man said carefully, “Andrew Rodrigo is here. He’s been requesting and begging for your presence.”

Davis stopped and a faint smile appeared on his lips. “Persistent,” he said.

He turned slightly, his eyes sharp now. “Let him in.”

Davis turned without a word and walked back to his seat as he lowered himself into the chair He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette as he placed it between his lips, flicked his lighter, and took a slow drag. The tip burned softly as he leaned back, exhaling smoke into the quiet space.

The room had already been cleaned but, the stain of blood on the floor was still there and impossible to ignore if you looked closely.

A few seconds later, the door opened and Andrew stepped in. He paused almost immediately as his eyes dropped to the floor, catching sight of the bloodstain. His body stiffened, and for a moment, he forgot why he was even there.

“What are you standing there for?” Davis didn’t look at him when he spoke. His tone was calm and almost bored. Andrew straightened instantly.

“Sorry,” he muttered, quickly stepping forward. He walked carefully, trying not to look around too much, trying not to think about what had just happened in this very room. He sat down across from Davis as his hands rested on his knees, but they weren’t steady.

Davis finally looked at him. He studied him for a moment, taking in everything—the tension, the hesitation, the fear Andrew was trying so hard to hide.Then he took another drag from his cigarette.

“Get straight to it,” he said. “I don’t have all day.”

Andrew swallowed. “I need your help,” Andrew said, forcing the words out before he could second-guess himself. “My company is going bankrupt. If nothing changes, I’ll lose everything.”

Davis didn’t respond immediately but, instead he let out a low chuckle. “I never thought I’d see this day,” Davis said, shaking his head slightly.

Andrew stayed silent.

“Andrew Rodrigo…” Davis continued, still amused. “Coming to me for help.”

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair. “That’s interesting.”

Andrew clenched his hands together. “Please,” he said again, his voice lower now and more desperate. “I have a wife and a daughter. I can’t lose everything.”

That made Davis paused. A thought crossed his mind as the cigarette burned slowly between his fingers.Smoke filled the space between them.

“You said… you have a daughter?”The question came out casually. But something about it made Andrew uneasy.

“Yes,” Andrew replied quickly. “Yes, I do.”

Davis tilted his head slightly, studying him again. Then, slowly, a faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“Everything comes with a price,” he said. He leaned forward just a little more. “Are you ready to pay it?”

Andrew hesitated for a second but, finally nodded.

“Yes,” he said. “Whatever it is.”

Davis held his gaze then, he leaned back again, taking another drag from his cigarette before speaking.

“I’ll clear your debts,” he said. “I’ll make sure your company doesn’t collapse.” Andrew’s eyes widened slightly as relief flickered across his face. “Thank you—”

“But,” Davis cut in smoothly as he exhaled slowly, watching the smoke rise. “In return…” he continued, his tone even, “your daughter will marry into the Crowne family.”

“My daughter…” he started, struggling to find the right words.

Davis’s expression didn’t change. “This is the price,” he said simply. “ You can accept it… or you can leave.”

“I agree.” Andrew said without hesitation. “As far as you keep your own part of the deal.”

Davis smirked “Deal”