LOGINIan raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t drunk last night. I was completely sober.“Sweetheart, I knew exactly what I was doing. I have been aware of my feelings for you for a long time. I just kept holding them back. But last night, when you hired those male escorts and leaned into that man’s arms, I could
Mia’s expression hardened. “Ian, what kind of thing is that to say? Who I date is none of your business.”“Fine.” Ian gave a short, cold laugh. “None of my business.”His face remained dark as he walked out. From that day on, he never returned to the Quinton estate.Mia did not see him for more than
Mia’s relationship with Ian had changed completely. Somewhere along the way, she had become the one doing the bullying.If she was upset, she would pinch or swat him without hesitation, and Ian would only grin and call her “Little Princess” or “Miss Trouble,” never once fighting back.Later, Mia was
By the time Ian was eighteen and in his senior year, his life was too busy with schoolwork to waste time picking on his stepsister. It had been a long time since he had teased Mia.The high school and middle school buildings were close to each other. That afternoon, he and a few classmates walked to
Lester was often away from home.In the beginning, whenever Mia was bullied by Ian, she would run to her mother, Sharon, in tears. But as a stepmother, Sharon felt she had no authority to discipline Ian. For the sake of keeping the household peaceful, she chose to turn a blind eye and never told Le
The first time Mia met Ian, she was only nine years old.Her mother, Sharon, held her hand and smiled brightly. “Say hello to your new brother.”The little girl tilted her head up at the tall boy in front of her, pressed her lips together, and obediently said, “Hi, brother.”The boy didn’t look the
Sean lifted his gaze and met Joseph’s eyes. “Take me instead. Let her go. Have your men escort her out of here.”Joseph smiled, slow and wicked. “Tsk, tsk. I thought lovers were supposed to stick together through thick and thin. Looks like when the real danger hits, it’s every man for himself, huh?”
When he was sixteen, Joseph was thrown into the gladiator pit and forced to fight wild beasts to the death.The day he walked out of that arena alive, he was no longer just a survivor. He gained his first armed unit. With that, he began working in the shadows for his godfather, handling dirty deals,
“You mute or something? Fine, I’ll make you scream,” Joseph said with a twisted smile.Charlotte’s body trembled. Her voice was tight and strained. “No… please…”“Please?” His smile turned colder, sending a chill down her spine. “Too late.“I told Sean to come alone and exchange himself for you. But
James let out a long sigh. “It was wrong of her to slap Vivian without cause. But your words were far too harsh. Enough. Things have already gotten out of hand. Talking about it now will not help anything.”With that, James walked away.Vivian sat tearfully beside Mrs. Jasper Sr., her voice soft and







