Chapter 33: Addicted to You

“Sir, we’ve secured Niki and Reno’s wives and children,” Edric reported to Leonel, who was seated in his grand chair.

“Good. Did they sign the statements?” Leonel asked.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Excellent. Add them to the list of people whose lives we must guarantee. Their children, too—they must receive a proper education,” Leonel stated calmly.

“Yes, Sir.” Edric nodded.

This wasn’t anything new. Leonel always used fear, threatening his captives with harm to their families. In truth, all he required was a signed declaration from the families stating they would not pursue any legal action and would accept whatever happened to their husbands.

“Alright, proceed with their execution,” Leonel ordered, his eyes blazing.

Edric nodded and spoke into his communicator in a firm voice, “Bring them to the execution chamber.”

Leonel rose from his chair and calmly put on his black coat. Each of his steps echoed through the grand, empty room, creating a cold and intimidating atmosphere. Outside, two guards waited with stoic expressions and saluted as Leonel passed.

The execution room was located in the deepest part of the underground base—a steel-walled chamber with dim lighting and an atmosphere that chilled to the bone. Niki and Reno had already been brought in, still bound, their knees trembling. But Leonel showed no mercy.

He stood before them, tall and resolute, like a god of judgment.

“I gave you a chance to talk,” Leonel said flatly. “And you chose this path. It’s my responsibility as a leader to protect trust and stability.”

Reno shouted, “Leonel, I swear, I never meant to betray you! It was a setup—”

With a nod from Leonel, one of the guards struck Reno with the butt of a rifle, knocking him to the ground as blood trickled from his temple.

Leonel looked at Niki. “This is the price of betraying me.”

Niki wept, tears mixing with blood on her face. But she didn’t beg. She knew this was the price she had to pay.

Leonel gave a single nod. “Finish it.”

BANG!

BANG!

Two gunshots echoed. Silence fell over the room. There was no cheer, no relief—only the grim fulfillment of duty.

Leonel turned to Edric. “Cremate the bodies. Make sure their families don’t know where. And ensure they never lack a single cent for their livelihood.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Leonel walked away, his coat billowing behind him, his gaze once again empty. He had just lost two subordinates—but preserved the empire he built with blood.

“Edric, I’ll be going to the office today,” he said as they walked through the corridor of their headquarters.

Edric matched his pace quickly. “Will there be a meeting with the client board today, Sir?”

Leonel didn’t answer immediately. His sharp gaze fixed on the end of the hallway, his mind already racing ahead, calculating the next moves. The world of business and the underworld were both ruthless, and he had to be two steps ahead of everyone.

“Contact Lucas. Tell them to prepare. Today, we introduce our new security system for the Middle Eastern trade network,” Leonel finally said, his voice cold but full of purpose.

“Understood, Sir,” Edric replied promptly. “Shall I also arrange a private meeting with the police commissioner you mentioned yesterday?”

Leonel narrowed his eyes. “Yes. But not in the usual room. Use the lounge at the Alvernia Hotel. Make sure no cameras are active and only our people guard the perimeter.”

“Understood, Sir.”

As they passed the final door leading to the private garage, Leonel briefly glanced behind him. For a moment—just a flicker—the shadows of the two subordinates he had just executed seemed to linger on the walls. But he brushed it aside.

“Traitors must be punished. But loyalty… must be rewarded,” Leonel muttered.

Edric looked at him for a moment. He knew that beneath Leonel’s cold exterior, there was one unchanging truth: he never betrayed those who swore loyalty to him.

A sleek black car with special plates was waiting. Leonel opened the door, got in, and said, “Clovies Headquarters. Now.”

“Edric, have you deployed the Shadow Group to monitor Dmitri?” Leonel asked.

Seated in the front seat, Edric quickly pulled up data on a small tablet. “Yes, Sir. The Shadow Group moved in last night. They infiltrated without leaving a trace. Dmitri still hasn’t realized that every step he takes is being watched.”

Leonel nodded slowly. His gaze drifted to the city lights fading in the distance as the car passed through the main gate of the compound.

“I want to know if he’s the one behind the sabotage of our shipping network. But don’t touch him—just watch for now.”

“I’ve already instructed them not to lay a finger on Dmitri unless you give the order,” Edric confirmed.

Leonel exhaled. “We can’t afford a war right now. But if Dmitri wants to start one... I’ll make sure he never lives to regret it.”

The car sped toward Clovies headquarters, a towering glass skyscraper—the legal face of Leonel’s dark empire.

Inside that building, Leonel ran export-import, investment, and tech businesses. All of it looked legitimate on paper—but behind the scenes, not everything was clean.

“When we arrive, I want all security division executives in the main conference room,” Leonel ordered. “There must be no data leaks like last week. And... prepare the underground room. We’ll interrogate someone tonight.”

“Right away, Sir,” Edric responded quickly.

Leonel leaned back, his eyes wide open. He knew the world was moving—and Leonel Clovies never allowed a single misstep in his control.

Upon arriving at the office, Leonel walked in confidently, followed by Edric and an aide who always escorted him.

Lucas rushed over to report.

Lucas, the head of field intelligence, approached, breathless. His face was tense, and sweat beaded on his forehead despite the air conditioning. “Mr. Leonel!” he called.

Leonel stopped. His sharp eyes pierced Lucas like a scalpel ready to dissect. “Speak.”

Lucas straightened and handed him a digital tablet with the latest report. “We intercepted an encrypted communication signal from one of the old satellite servers. The data suggests this person might be connecting with the Valchev group from the Balkans.”

Leonel’s brow twitched slightly. “Valchev?” he said softly, though his tone was lethal.

“Yes, Sir.”

Leonel resumed walking with the others.

“Who approved this deal? Isn’t Valchev a rival of Clovies?” he asked.

“It was... Mr. Jefran, Sir,” Lucas replied.

They entered an open elevator.

“Edric, tell Jefran to meet me in my office. Immediately,” Leonel ordered.

“Yes, Sir.”

Leonel pinched the bridge of his nose. How could Jefran have recklessly approved a contract without first discussing it with him?

He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the rising fury in his chest. His eyes stared blankly at the closing elevator doors—but inside, a storm was already brewing.

“That boy is getting too bold, making decisions without permission,” he muttered, his voice low but laced with warning.

Edric glanced briefly at Leonel but said nothing. He knew—when Leonel went silent, it meant a storm was coming for whoever was guilty.

When they reached the executive floor, Leonel strode quickly to his office. Once inside, he sank into the black leather chair facing the skyscraper windows. Edric stood by his side, while the aide waited outside.

***