เข้าสู่ระบบAuthor’s POV“Speed… didn’t you hear me?” Mr. Elliot’s voice cut sharply through.Speed stood still, head bowed.“I’m sorry, boss… but I can’t.”The words landed like a blow.Mr. Elliot’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Speed?!”He turned slowly, as though searching for confirmation that he had misheard, then shifted his gaze toward Dylan.“I’m giving you until tonight,” he said coldly. “Release them, or ”His voice dropped, darker now. “...you won’t like what comes next.”A slow smirk curled on Dylan’s lips.“They won’t be released,” he said calmly. “Not until I decide they should be.”“You don’t dare go against me,” Mr. Elliot said, his tone firm with authority.Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out as the door shut behind him.“Ahh…” Dylan exhaled sharply, sinking back into the sofa, irritation flashing across his face.His eyes flicked to Speed.“Go,” he ordered coldly. “Bring Elara to me now. She’s going to pay for what she did.”Meanwhile, Elara sat in the living
Author’s POVLucien was dragged out of the room and into the living area.He wore a white singlet, now stained a dirty brown with sweat and blood, paired with black trousers that clung to his bruised frame. His face was unrecognizable; swollen, cut, and battered beyond recognition. His wrists were cuffed tightly behind him.He was thrown to the ground as a guard pressed a heavy boot onto his back, pinning him firmly in front of Dylan.Dylan rose slowly from his seat, drawing in a lazy drag from his cigarette before exhaling with deliberate calm.“Just look at you,” he said, amusement curling at the edge of his lips. A low, mocking laugh followed as he turned briefly toward his men. “Get the other one.”One of the guards immediately moved.Dylan crouched slightly, gripping Lucien’s hair and yanking his head upward until their eyes met.“You really thought you could escape me?” he murmured coldly. “Even the police can’t deal with you the way I can.”His grip tightened.“You still have
Liora’s POVA dull ache pulsed through my head. My lashes fluttered slightly before I forced my eyes open, only to squeeze them shut again as the bright light pierced through.Where… am I?My breathing steadied as fragments of memory rushed back; the restaurant… the food… that bitter taste… the tightness in my throat.My eyes snapped open, and I stared up at the hospital ceiling.My chest rose slowly as I took in a steady breath.A quiet exhale slipped past my lips, then I turned my head slightly and froze when I saw Derek.He was sitting beside the bed, head tilted toward me, eyes closed, one arm resting on the edge of the bed… close enough that his fingers brushed mine.And in his arms was Aurora, curled against his chest, her tiny hand clutching his shirt.They stayed… all night? For me?My fingers twitched slightly against the sheet, and Derek stirred. His brows knitted before his eyes opened and immediately locked onto mine.For a second, relief softened his expression. “You’re a
Derek’s POV“Move!”My voice sliced through as I stormed out, Liora limp in my arms. Her head rested against my chest, her body still.Behind us, Aurora ran sobbing uncontrollably as Cole hurried to pull the car door open.“Get her inside!” I snapped.Cole immediately guided Aurora into the back seat.“Drive now, to the nearest hospital!” I barked.“Yes, boss,” Cole replied, slamming the door shut as the engine roared to life.I adjusted Liora against me, one arm firm behind her back, the other tilting her chin slightly upward.My jaw tightened.“Why would you eat it?” I muttered under my breath. “Why lie about something like that?”I leaned forward. “Faster!”“Yes, sir!”The car surged ahead.My gaze dropped back to her. Something wasn’t adding up.From the moment Marcus served the food, I had noticed the hesitation and fear in her eyes. So why eat it? Unless…My eyes darkened.Unless she knew exactly what she was eating… and still chose to take the risk.Ava had been clear, she sai
Liora’s POVJust then, Marcus returned, placing a plate of chicken satay with peanut sauce in front of me and another before Derek. He set a plate of grilled chicken and fries down for Aurora.My stomach twisted.How could I eat this? If I refused, Derek would know. Ava had already told him my lookalike was allergic… what if he was testing me?My fingers trembled as I picked up the fork.I have to eat this.“Is there a problem, Liora?” Derek asked, his eyes fixed on me.I forced a smile. “I’m fine.” I lifted a piece of chicken onto my fork.“If you don’t want it, you can order something else,” he offered.No… that might be a trap. And besides… what if it doesn’t affect me?I raised the fork to my mouth, my hand shaking slightly. The moment it touched my lips, the taste hit; rich, savory… and wrong.A faint bitterness lingered beneath the sweetness of the sauce, clinging to my tongue as
Derek’s POVI leaned in slightly, my gaze locking with hers. “My mother was only joking. She does that sometimes.”I straightened almost immediately, already turning away, my chest tight with the weight of the lie I had just told.“But what about my ten-year birthday photograph I saw fall out from your suit?”Her voice stopped me dead in my tracks and for a moment, I didn’t move.No… she saw it.Slowly, I turned back to her. My expression softened into a smile, though nothing inside me was steady. “It’s nothing serious.”She stood abruptly, brows arching in disbelief. “Nothing serious?” Her voice rose slightly. “I found a picture of my younger self with you.”Trust me, Liora… you don’t want to know why.“You mother mentioned my mum showed you pictures of me then…” she pressed, her voice quieter now, more curious than angry. “Was that the picture?”My gaze didn’t waver. “Where exactly did you find it? I didn’t even know I still had it.”The lie came out smoothly.Liora studied me for a







