Four chapter

Author’s POV

The gates of the Romano Estate slowly opened as one black car followed another into the vast courtyard.

A sharp announcement echoed across the grounds.

“Boss Jen has sent his tribute to Don Grant!”

Inside the grand hall, Grant Romano sat at the head of the room, his posture relaxed but his presence suffocating. At the announcement, he scoffed and glanced at the man standing beside him.

“Go out there and see what he thinks is worth offering me,” he said coldly to his underboss. “If it’s not valuable enough, send it back…start attacking their shipment, stop their business and kill household.”

His eyes darkened.

“I was never supposed to give them time. He should consider himself lucky my aunt convinced me to let him make amends. Whatever he brought… had better be worth it.”

His underboss inclined his head slightly.

“Yes, Boss.”

He turned and walked out.

When Sky stepped into the courtyard, his sharp eyes scanned the scene. Several black cars stood lined up in silence.

Better than nothing, he thought briefly.

The chief enforcer of Jen’s family stepped forward and bowed his head respectfully.

“Mr. Sky,” he greeted. “Boss Jen sends his regards. He is grateful Don Grant allowed us time to respond.”

Sky’s expression remained unreadable.

“So,” he said flatly, “what exactly is this compensation? Half your territory? Your shipping routes? Or a share of your revenue?”

The enforcer stiffened. Instead of answering directly, he accepted a rolled document from one of the attendants and presented it carefully.

“Boss Jen, as a sign of loyalty and sincerity, has sent his granddaughter,” he said. “She holds the highest position among the women of our household. He hopes Don Grant will accept her… and allow peace between our families.”

Sky frowned.

“His granddaughter?” he repeated. “And that is supposed to settle a debt?”

“My sir,” the enforcer said cautiously, “perhaps it would be best to discuss this directly with Don Grant. I believe he will understand the intention behind this gesture.”

Sky let out a dry, sarcastic laugh.

“Incredible,” he muttered. “What a generous offer.”

He snatched the document and turned back toward the mansion.

Inside one of the cars, Bella sat with perfect composure. A thin veil covered part of her face, concealing her expression.

“What’s happening outside?” she asked calmly as one of the attendants returned.

“The Boss hasn’t come out yet, my lady,” the attendant replied. “The chief enforcer is speaking with his underboss. I believe they will call for you soon.”

“Of course they will,” Kaida said confidently beside her. “No man in his right mind would reject someone as beautiful as you.”

Before Bella could respond, another attendant rushed in, visibly shaken.

“My lady…” she said nervously. “Don Grant has rejected the offer.”

The air inside the car went still.

“He ordered that you be sent back immediately… and they should start  attacking your family shipment, stop your businesses and kill household.”

“What?” Bella said softly, though she quickly composed herself.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Her mind moved instead.

Calculating.

Then she spoke.

“Send a message back,” she said calmly. “Tell them I refuse to leave until I meet Don Grant face to face.”

“My lady!” Kaida gasped. “This is his territory. He could have you killed!”

Bella’s lips curved faintly beneath the veil.

“He won’t,” she replied. “This is business. If he kills me, he loses leverage. No intelligent Don makes that mistake.”

Her eyes hardened.

“Tell the chief enforcer to return,” she continued. “He can leave me here.”

She straightened her posture.

“I’ll handle the rest.”

Three Days Later

“Boss, it’s been three days. She’s still outside the gates, refusing to leave—even in the cold every night. Don’t you think you should at least see her?”

Sky stood beside him as he spoke.

Grant remained seated, leaning lazily against the arm of his chair, completely unmoved.

“Who cares?” he said coldly. “She chose to stay. She’ll leave when she’s exhausted.”

He scoffed.

“And I’m still wondering what made Jen think he could buy me off with a woman. Do I look that cheap?”

Sky clasped his hands behind his back.

“When do we move against them?” he asked calmly.

Grant’s eyes darkened.

“The moment that so-called tribute runs back home.”

Suddenly, a guard rushed in.

“Boss! The granddaughter of Jen is forcing her way inside. She’s holding a knife—she’s threatening to kill herself if we don’t let her in!”

Before anyone could react—

The doors swung open.

She was already there.

For a brief moment, she stood at the entrance.

Snow clung to her coat, melting slowly under the warmth of the hall. Her posture remained straight, unyielding, despite the exhaustion faintly visible on her face.

Then she walked forward.

Each step measured.

Controlled.

Fearless.

The room fell silent.

Grant watched her approach—and for the first time, something flickered in his eyes.

This wasn’t desperation.

This wasn’t fear.

She walked like she belonged there.

When she stopped in front of him, she dropped the knife. It hit the marble floor with a sharp echo.

Her eyes locked onto his—burning.

In one swift motion, Grant pulled a gun and pressed it against her forehead.

“You must have a death wish,” he said coldly. “Walking in here like you own the place.”

She didn’t flinch.

Not even a breath.

“You can kill me if you want, Don Grant,” she said calmly. “But we both know you won’t.”

His gaze sharpened.

“Oh?”

“If you wanted me dead, you would’ve done it three days ago when I refused to leave your gates,” she said evenly. “You didn’t—because killing me complicates things. You’re not reckless enough for that.”

A low murmur spread across the room.

Grant’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile.

“So… you understand how this works.”

“But don’t overestimate yourself. I could kill you right now and still wipe your family off the map.”

“Of course you could,” she replied.

“But you won’t.”

Her voice was steady.

Certain.

“If you don’t want me,” she continued, “then do it. Pull the trigger. End this now. At least my family stops paying for a debt they didn’t create.”

Silence fell.

Heavy.

Grant studied her more carefully now.

“I expected you to come begging,” he said mockingly. “Your family has a reputation for that.”

Her eyes hardened.

“Then I suppose I’m the exception.”

She lifted her chin slightly.

“I don’t beg when begging won’t fix the past. Someone has to clean up what was broken… for the sake of the future.”

The tension in the room thickened.

Grant slowly lowered the gun, though it remained close.

“And what makes you think you’re worth anything?” he asked.

A faint smile touched her lips.

“Because I know exactly what you want.”

That caught his attention.

“You have conflicts with five major families,” she said calmly. “That’s the only reason you haven’t taken full control yet.”

Sky glanced at Grant, surprised.

She had done her homework.

Bella continued.

“My family has ties with those same families. Influence. Trust.”

Her voice softened—but her confidence didn’t.

“If you take me, I can fix those alliances. Turn your enemies into partners, they can actually start complying with you”

She paused.

“Once that happens… your position becomes untouchable.”

A breath.

Then—

“And when everything is done… we sign a divorce.”

The room erupted into whispers.

She held his gaze.

"So tell me, Don Grant…”

Her voice dropped slightly.

“Is that enough to settle the debt my family owes you?”