LOGINI reached Leonardo's study and lifted my hand to knock. Before my knuckles touched the door, Damien's voice drifted through the narrow gap left by the half-closed door.“You're really going to keep avoiding her?”I froze.After a long silence, Leonardo answered “...Yes.” His voice was calm, stripped of its usual warmth. “It's what's best for her.”My brows knitted together. Avoiding me?Damien let out a frustrated sigh. “No… it's what's easiest for you.”“I've made my decision.”“You can't keep making decisions for Riley.” Damien's tone grew firmer. “She deserves to know the truth.”“I know.”“Then tell her.”“I can't.” Frustration slipped into Leonardo's voice, surprising me. Damien refused to back down. “You're pushing away the one person who wants to stand beside you.”Leonardo let out a quiet, bitter laugh. “And after she knows everything…” He said softly “...she won't.”“That's not your decision to make.” Damien's voice softened. “Tell her the truth... then let her decide.”My
I don't know how long I remained in Leonardo's study. By the time I finally stood, my chest felt strangely heavy.I had come looking for him because I wanted to see him. Instead, I left with more questions than answers.The promises he'd whispered. None of it matched the man who had just walked away from me without even looking back.I forced myself to stop thinking about it. Maybe he really was busy. Maybe I was simply overthinking everything.Taking a deep breath, I made my way back toward my room. As soon as I pushed the door open, I froze.Avery stood beside her bed, folding clothes into a travel bag. Her suitcase lay open on the mattress, already half full.I stared at her. “What are you doing?”She looked up. “I'm leaving.”My heart sank. “...What?”She lowered another dress into the suitcase before quietly zipping one side.“I can't stay here anymore.”I walked toward her. “Why?”She let out a tired sigh. “You already know why.”I shook my head. “No, I don't.” I walked farther
Adrian placed a brown file on my desk. “We've identified the men responsible for the accident twenty years ago.”My brow furrowed. “What accident?”He looked at me for a long second before answering. “Riley's parents' accident.” I felt my jaw tightened.He opened the file, removed an old, faded photograph, and slid it across the desk.Four men stood together outside what looked like a warehouse. Time had faded the picture, but not enough to hide their faces.I recognized one of them immediately. Sebastian's father.My grip tightened around the edge of the desk. “Who are the other three?” I asked quietly.Adrian's expression hardened. “Those three are the men Sebastian's father hired to carry out the attack on Riley's parent and uncle.” He pointed at each face one after another.A cold chill crawled down my spine.“We've confirmed the motive.” Damien stepped closer. “Riley's father refused to hand over the key to your father's vault.”Every word landed like another blow to my chest.R
The room fell silent after Leonardo's words. His voice was calm, yet it carried a quiet menace that sent a chill through me. I followed his gaze toward the shattered doorway before looking back at him. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable and the warmth that had filled his eyes only moments ago had vanished, replaced by determination and rage.Around us, Blackwood’s men moved swiftly through the building, securing every remaining guard. Adrian barked orders while several men dragged the unconscious captives outside. Within minutes, the entire factory wing was under Blackwood control.Leonardo however, didn't move. His hand remained firmly wrapped around mine, as though letting go even for a second might mean losing me all over again. Adrian cleared his throat. “We should leave, Boss.”Leonardo nodded once before turning back to me. He looked into my eyes for a long moment before speaking. “Let's go home.”Home. I hadn't realized how desperately I'd needed someone to say thos
The convoy rolled to a silent stop several meters from the abandoned western wing of Blackwood Factory.I stepped out of the SUV and stared at the abandoned production wing looming in the darkness. Years ago, this place had been alive with workers, machines, and endless production. Now it stood forgotten, swallowed by rust and silence.“Our investigators were right,” Adrian said quietly, lowering the binoculars “Four guards are posted outside the warehouse. We couldn't confirm how many are inside.” I studied the building. Floodlights illuminated only the operational side of the factory. The abandoned wing remained buried in darkness, making it the perfect place to hide someone.Sebastian had chosen too well. But he'd made the mistake of bringing Riley onto my land.I looked at the men gathered behind me.“No gunfire unless absolutely necessary.” I said quietly. “We don't know how close Riley is. We move fast, and take them down quietly.”Every man nodded. I raised two of my fingers,
Silence settled over the warehouse after Sebastian left. The heavy door slammed shut behind him, leaving Avery and me alone once again.I opened my eyes and turned toward her. She was staring at the opposite wall, her face distant, lost in her own thoughts. “Avery,” I whispered.She looked at me.“If you wanted to hide someone from Leonardo…” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “...where would you take them?”She frowned. “I don't know.”“Think.”She sighed and rested her head against the chair. “Somewhere he'd never suspect.”I nodded slowly. “But where would that be?”Silence stretched between us.Then Avery gave a small shrug. “If I were Sebastian…” she said quietly, “...I'd probably hide you in Leonardo’s own house.”A quiet, humorless laugh escaped her. “He'd search everywhere else before searching himself.”Despite everything, the corner of my mouth twitched. "It's ridiculous.”“Maybe." Avery gave a small shrug. "But that's exactly why it might work. If you're trying to
I turned and walked back to my desk without looking at anyone. Still, I could feel the subtle shift in the room. The quiet attention. I sat down, pulled my laptop closer, and stared at the blank screen. I had to write a proposal for a major contract, from start to finish.I exhaled slowly and ope
The hallway was dim when I stepped out of Sofia’s room.Quiet in a way that made every thought louder.I closed the door behind me and turned, already halfway to my room when a voice stopped me.“Couldn’t sleep?”I looked up and Damien stood a few steps away, leaning casually against the wall, like
was still looking at the ring that had rolled out of my bag, when the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway. The corridor went silent the moment Leonardo arrived. Clarisse froze and the other maid straightened instantly, bowing their heads. Leornado stood there, his gaze sweeping over
The knock came again. I stood in the middle of the room, breath uneven and my palms damp, I stared at the door contemplating whether to open the door or not. I reached for the door knob, my fingers trembling, I twisted the door knob and the door swung open. Leonardo stood there, his expression u







