LOGINELLISON–WALTON MANSION, MONACOPsyche Overhears EverythingTahimik ang buong mansion, pero ramdam ni Psyche ang tensyon mula sa ibabang palapag. Kakatapos lang niyang maligo nang marinig niya ang boses ni Harrison—stern and cold—mula sa receiving hall. Nagtaka siya; bihira kasing magtaas ng boses si Harrison kapag may bisita.Nanatili siyang sa may hallway, bahagyang nakaawang ang pinto. Hindi niya intensyong makinig… pero nang marinig niya ang salitang “sister” and “scandal,” her feet froze.Downstairs, Marcus Romanov sat elegantly on the leather sofa, legs crossed, eyes sharp. Katabi niya ang pinsan nitong si Dimitri—mas tahimik pero intimidating, a true French-blooded Romanov.The two Romanovs spoke in perfect English, with a mix of French as they discussed the headlines.---THE HEADLINES, displayed on Marcus’s iPad:“ELLISON HEIR SPOTTED IN AN INTIMATE MOMENT WITH HIS YOUNGER SISTER”“The Monaco Mystery Princess – Who Is She?”“L’Héritier Ellison et la sœur… plus que de la famill
DANGEROUSLY SWEET HARRISONHe guided her to a velvet couch overlooking the moonlit marina.A staff member approached.“Wine for the lady?”“No,” Harrison cut in, eyes never leaving Psyche.“She’ll have rosé champagne—fresh, chilled. And macarons.”Psyche blinked. “You didn’t even ask me—”“I know what you like,” he smirked, brushing his thumb along her jaw.“And I like taking care of you.”Her heart somersaulted.“Grabe ka… sweet ka tonight.”“Sweet?”He chuckled darkly.“Azalea… you haven’t seen me sweet. Yet.”She blushed.Then his gaze dropped—slow, possessive—to her lips.“You’ve been smiling at other men today.”“Ha?! Hindi naman—!”“And I hated it.”“Harrison!”He leaned closer, voice husky.“I don’t want them looking at you the way I do.”“And how do you look at me?” she whispered.He held her gaze for a long, burning moment.“Like you’re mine.”He brushed his knuckles down her cheek.“And like I could destroy anyone who thinks otherwise.”“Harrison… sobra ka.”“Sobra talaga,”
BACK TO THE CASINO — MILLIONAIRE FIRES & BILLIONAIRE BLOODAfter resting sa suite nang saglit—fresh makeup, new dress, and Harrison wearing a navy suit na parang ginawa para sa kanya—they returned to Casino de Monte-Carlo.The moment they stepped in, halos sabay lumingon ang mga tao.Elegant. Powerful. Untouchable.Psyche felt Harrison’s hand slide to her lower back.“Stay close to me,” he murmured. “You’re too gorgeous tonight.”“Harrison…” pilit niyang pigil sa ngiti, “hindi mo naman kailangang bantayan ako bawat segundo.”“Of course I do.”His eyes darkened.“This is Monaco, princess. A single look from you can start a war.”---DAVID HARTZ VS. HARRISON – BILLIONAIRE GAME NIGHTPag-akyat nila sa VIP floor, naroon na sina David Hartz, a well-known oil tycoon heir—isa sa pinakamahirap talunin sa high-stakes table.“Ellison,” bati niya. “Let’s make this interesting tonight.”Harrison smirked.“Thought you’d never ask.”The two sat facing each other, with stacks of chips like mountains
CASINO MONTE-CARLO — BILLIONAIRE GAMES Pagdating nina Harrison at Psyche sa private entrance ng Casino de Monte-Carlo, sinalubong sila ng marble columns, warm golden lights, at ang unmistakable scent ng luxury—cedar, leather, at mamahaling perfume na parang signature ng mga old-money billionaires ng Monaco.Nasa tabi nila ang valet na agad kumuha ng susi ni Harrison, halos yumuko sa respeto.“Monsieur Ellison, welcome back.”Nginitian lang ito ni Harrison, habang hinahawakan ang lower back ni Psyche.“Stay close to me, princess. This place is a jungle of bored billionaires.”“Hindi naman ako mawawala,” sagot ni Psyche, pero halatang kinakabahan sa sobrang ganda ng lugar.Inside, sa VIP floor, naghihintay ang Romanov Family—kilalang old-money dynasty ng Europe. The entire section was booked exclusively for them: velvet ropes, private croupiers, exclusive bottles of old champagne, antique chandeliers na may sariling security, at marble tables na may embedded gold trims.Isa-isang lumap
Monaco Marina — First Close Encounter with the Romanov FamilyHuminto ang sasakyan sa malapit sa pantalan ng Monaco Marina. Sa harap nila, nakahilera ang mga luxury yachts na kumikintab sa ilalim ng araw—parang bawat isa’y palasyong nalunod sa dagat at muling isinilang. May mga champagne glass na nakataas sa iba’t ibang deck, marahang humahampas ang alon sa mga gilid nito, habang ang hangin ay may halong amoy ng alat, leather, at mamahaling pabango.Tahimik si Psyche sa unang segundo. Tila ninanamnam niya ang tanawin.“Parang… hindi totoo,” mahina niyang sabi, nakasandal sa bintana. “Parang movie set.”Napangiti si Harrison, hindi naitago ang tuwa sa mga mata habang siya’y tinitignan. “It feels unreal… but you’re here. So that makes it real for me.”She gave him a side glance. “You’re starting already?”“Starting what?” He raised a brow. “I’m just stating facts, Azalea.”Bumukas siya ng pinto at agad na inabot ang kamay ni Psyche habang bumababa ito sa kotse. Mula sa di kalayuan, papa
Nagising si Psyche na mag-isa na lang siya sa kama ni Harrison. Ang kama ay malaki at maluwag, pero parang kulang ang espasyo sa kanya nang wala si Harrison.Pagbangon niya, namataan niya ito sa balcony. Nakatalikod si Harrison, nakatingin sa lungsod at sa malayong dagat. Hindi niya mapigilan ang mapatingin at ma-appreciate ang kagwapuhan nito—ang broad shoulders, ang linya ng jaw, at kahit nakatalikod, halatang maayos at maamo ang postura niya. Napangiti si Psyche.Hindi nakaligtas sa mata ni Harrison ang pagmamasid niya. Napalingon siya, at ngumiti—isang ngiti na nagpapakita ng init, ngunit may halong pang-aangkin.“Good morning, my Azalea,” bati niya, hawak ang coffee cup, na parang hindi lang simpleng pagbati, kundi may nakatagong pang-aakit.“Good morning, Harrison,” sagot ni Psyche, bahagyang nahihiya, pero hindi nakaiwas sa kilig.“Gising ka na pala… I thought you’d sleep in,” sabi ni Harrison, habang papalapit sa kanya. “Do you want some coffee? Or maybe… milk?”Tumunog ang ma







