Avery’s fight isn’t over — but this blow will change everything. The next chapter will uncover who’s behind the attack and what they want from her. Stay tuned, and if you’re enjoying the story, your comments and support mean the world. Maddie B
Even though she was unconscious, blood dripping from her temple and staining the cold concrete, the men continued to rain blows on her limp body. Their fists and boots struck without hesitation, fueled by orders, until the leader finally stepped forward and barked for them to stop.The air hung heavy with the scent of iron.“We should send her head to Lady Lilia,” the second man suggested blankly, wiping sweat from his brow.The first man gave a sharp shake of his head. “No. We should throw her from here.” His lips curled into a cruel smirk as another tossed him a light rope. Without hesitation, he tied it around Avery’s neck and secured it to the railing.But he wasn’t done. He took a blade and deliberately tore into the rope, fraying its fibers so it would snap under her own weight. Each passing second made it strain and tear more.They left her there—dangling, unconscious, death creeping closer—with victorious smirks.But they didn’t expect what waited below.A figure sat calmly on
Avery gulped it down in one hard swallow. Her throat burned. Her chest tightened.She shut her eyes, trying to sink into sleep… but it refused to come.Fury simmered instead—thick and poisonous. Her heart pounded like it wanted to explode right through her ribs. She yanked the pillow close, pouring every ounce of rage into it, fists pounding like it was Kieran himself.Dickface. Arsehole. Dumbass. Weirdo. Psycho… Her voice rose with each insult, until she was growling into the fabric.“Who does he think he is? Think I’ll beg him?” She scoffed to the empty room, punching the pillow again.It went on until her arms grew heavy. Slowly, exhaustion wrapped its chains around her, dragging her under. The last word she muttered before darkness claimed her was a faint, venom-laced— “Dickhead…”Meanwhile…Lilia was ecstatic. The moment she got word Avery had swallowed the drink, she laughed like a woman possessed—sharp, manic, unhinged.Anya stepped in, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “She’s
In Bulgaria, Sergei sat across from the Bulgarian contact — they had one mafia business matter to settle. Smoke thickened the air, curling lazily above the table as Sergei checked over a spread of guns and ammo. Beside him, a heavy case bag stuffed with dollars sat like a silent witness to the deal.Paine stood close, watching with sharp eyes, while the other man’s assistant mirrored his position on the opposite side.A call buzzed on Sergei’s phone. Paine glanced at the screen, his jaw tensing when he saw the name: Petrov — the head maid, Sergei’s second set of eyes. He answered.“Anything?” Sergei’s voice was low as he looked at her through the video feed.“The spy you sent to watch Avery… isn’t found. He vanished today,” she reported.Sergei’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “How the fuck is that possible? She has no idea about him.”“Sir, you shouldn’t underestimate her,” Petrov warned. “She’s sharp. Witty.”“Put more eyes on her. Double the spies,” he ordered.“Sure thing, boss,” she
Lisa was still rifling through her closet, clothes flying over her shoulder one after the other. “Ugh,” she muttered. “Too long. Too plain. Too… bleh.” Nothing felt right. Nothing looked like her. Every dress seemed either outdated or designed to make her feel like a grandmother. She sat on the edge of the bed, frustrated and glaring at the mountain of rejects.A knock at the door startled her. Lisa stood up and opened it to find a maid standing there with a small, beautifully wrapped package.“You got a package, Miss. From Sir Ivan,” the maid said politely.Lisa blinked. “From… Ivan?”She took it slowly, her brows lifting with curiosity. Once the maid left, she sat down and peeled it open.Inside was a neatly folded pink dress—soft, delicate, and stylish. The fabric shimmered subtly, trimmed with lace at the sleeves and hem. Baby-pink bows were stitched into the design, and there was a handwritten note tucked inside:For my little bunny. Don’t keep me waiting. —IvanLisa couldn’t hel
He let go of her neck—finally—but his glare didn’t waver. Instead of sitting beside him, Avery chose the exact same spot he had just vacated, her mischievous smirk daring him to react.He stared at her like she carried a contagious disease.“You’re so daring,” he muttered, cold eyes narrowing.“Says the guy who nearly choked me,” Avery replied, flipping her growing choppy hair with a mock flourish. “I’m the new queen here, you know.”Kieran rolled his eyes and turned away, reaching for his hoodie as if to disappear under it again. But Avery lunged and snatched it before he could.He stared.“Don’t even start with that creepy hoodie. It gives me goosebumps,” she said, clutching it like a trophy.He sighed—long and annoyed—then shoved his hands coolly into his pockets. “Do you sneak into people’s spaces just to issue fashion commands?”She nodded proudly. “Yes. If I need to get what I want, I do exactly that.”A dry laugh escaped his lips, low and humorless. “Bring it,” he said, walking
Lisa couldn’t find the words when he asked.Ivan stood up, letting the book in his hand drop to the floor as he stepped toward her. "You heard it, right?" he asked, voice low."Heard what? I didn’t hear a thing," Lisa replied too fast, her face reddening.“Little bunny is lying,” he frowned, now towering over her smaller frame. “Then why did you trash my coat?”“I thought you didn’t need it anymore,” she muttered quickly, avoid his gaze. “And I didn’t hear a thing.”Ivan crouched slightly, smirking. “You heard moans, didn’t you? Slutty ones.”Lisa’s face flushed deeper. She slapped her hands over her ears. “I didn’t hear anything—nothing!”“But your face says otherwise.” Ivan tilted his head. “I wasn’t there. I saw you leaving my chamber. You heard it, didn’t you? One of the bitches was probably playing with herself.”Lisa looked up, shocked. She’d misunderstood, but still, he was Ivan—the shameless playboy.“How did you even enter my room? I locked it when I left.”Ivan gave a lazy g