Chapter 0004

Vincenzo's POV

I sat behind my desk, fists clenched, jaw ticking with fury for the third time in ten minutes, my knuckles slammed against the hardwood. We’d been trying to wipe the video off the internet for hours... but no luck. Every second it stayed up, my empire bled… dignity, dominance and dollars. I didn’t care how many reposted it. I just wanted the source. The original coward who thought they could humiliate me and walk away. But they wouldn’t walk far, not with their knees shattered by me.

"Argh!!" I slammed my fist on the desk again, eyes burning. Then, Jackson appeared in the doorway, looking cool and cautious. "The board meeting is in five, Boss."

I stood, fixing my suit as my rage simmered beneath the surface — cold, silent, lethal and the deeper this got, the more I craved blood.

"Call an emergency gang meeting," I growled. "Tonight at the penthouse. Everyone must be there. No excuses."

"Understood." Jackson nodded once, then disappeared.

*****

The board meeting was a blur of fake concern and thinly veiled threats. I didn’t bother correcting anyone. Let them talk. Let them whisper.

They’d eat their words soon enough.

Afterwards, I hit the streets — one hand on the wheel, and the other on the pulse of the city. Because it’s one of my ways to staying sane when my empire trembles, I hunt.

And then I saw her.

Sarah.

Walking like a ghost — barefoot, shoulders slumped, eyes hollow. My foot eased off the pedal. Immediately, I knew something was off. Her steps were too slow... infact too heavy.

Out of curiosity, I parked, got out and followed her from a distance. Then, she entered an abandoned construction site. The concrete skeleton of a building forgotten by time. I crept after her, my heart beginning to pound.

And then I saw her. Standing at the edge of the rooftop, arms slightly outstretched as the wind tugged at her clothes.

Ready to jump.

“No. Stop!” I shouted, running.

I grabbed her wrist and yanked her back just in time, causing her to collapsed against me like a broken doll.

“Let me go,” she whispered. “Please. I can’t fight anymore.”

“You stupid girl,” I snapped. “You are really going to let them win that easily?”

Her lip trembled as her eyes widened — full of pain, shame, and something else. Something like... surrender.

“It’s already hard to be human,” she said softly. “But dying? That’s peace. I hate myself. I wish I were dead.”

I stared at her — this fragile thing shaking in my arms and for a moment, something twisted in my chest. Not pity, not guilt but rage for her and at the bastards who pushed her here.

Then, the idea came.

“You want a reason to live?” I asked. “Then take revenge.”

Her eyes flickered. “What?”

“I have a proposition,” I said. “A one-year contract marriage. You pretend to be my wife. In exchange, I give you ten million dollars.”

She gawked, like I’d just slapped her. “Why?”

I stepped closer, voice sharp. “You don’t know it yet, but you’ve just become a weapon. That video? It damaged both of us. But if we spin the story and make you my wife. That will kill the scandal.”

"Your... wife?" she whispered.

"Look. My company’s under fire. Investors are pulling strings. Everyone’s asking questions. But if I show them commitment in form of a marriage, the scandal would die instantly.”

“And me?” she asked bitterly. “What do I get, besides being your pawn?”

“Ten million dollars. A new life. Your name cleared. Revenge,” I said coldly. “The same people who humiliated you will choke on your success. You’ll rise while they rot.”

With that, her eyes shimmered with tears. “Didn’t you already take advantage of me? And now you want to act like you’re saving me?”

I exhaled. “This isn’t about saints and sinners. It’s survival, Sarah. For both of us. So? Do you want to keep drowning? Or do you want to fight back?”

She looked down, lost in thought, causing a long silence. Then,quietly she said. "One year?"

"One year," I confirmed. "Strictly business and full confidentiality. After that, we go our separate ways."

Though her hesitation cracked, but she nodded. "Okay."

"Good," I said as I held her gaze. “Then no more fragility. You use this contract to rise and make them regret ever touching you."

With that, she wiped her tears, lips tightening. “I promise.”

So I led her out to the car — a sleek black machine growling in the shadows.

“Strap in,” I said, starting the engine. “We’re going shopping.”

She looked confused. “Now?”

“My wife can’t walk around in dirty torn clothes,” I muttered. But due to the scandal, I drove us to a boutique off-grid — quiet, hidden, yet expensive. I chose a classic black dress and heels, then handed them to her.

“I’ll take you proper shopping later,” I said. “For now, change. We’re going to the civil registry.”

Her eyes widened. “That fast?”

“My name’s Vincenzo Bruno,” I replied simply. “The faster we act, the better.”

However, ten minutes later, she stepped out of the dressing room and for a moment, the world held its breath.

She looked... stunning. Transformed. No longer the broken girl at the edge of a rooftop.

She looked like a queen.

“Put these on in the car,” I said, handing her diamond studs and a silver chain. “You’ll need them.”

Afterwards, we reached the civil affairs office. There was no queues or questions. Just the flamboyant benefit of my power and thanks to my reputation, the entire registration process took under fifteen minutes.

“Congratulations,” the registrar said. “You are now officially Mr. and Mrs. Bruno.”

Sarah smiled faintly as a camera clicked nearby.

Not long after, a message lit up on my phone and it was from Jackson: Boss. “The gang is waiting at the penthouse.” the message stated, so I turned to Sarah, sliding the phone into my pocket.

I studied her face, thought it was calm now, but her eyes…. Her eyes were dark with something new. It felt like a resolve was now buried in them.

So I took her hand and led her to the car, and as soon we were inside, I turned the key in the ignition and faced her. “Mrs. Bruno,” I said, my tone low. “Are you ready to fight back?”

She clenched her fists slowly... then looked me dead in the eyes.

“I’m ready to make them bleed.”

A slow smile crept across my face and I murmured “Good.” Because I knew it was time to introduce her to the other side of my world.