FAZER LOGINLorenzo looked at me as he walked into the room, his face showing a brief flash of relief before his eyes moved to the television screen.He let out a heavy sigh, walked straight over to Chloe, and snatched the remote control right out of her hand. He clicked the power button, shutting off the screen, and turned around to face me."My media team is handling it," Lorenzo said, his voice flat and tired. "The video will be taken down soon. Until then, stay away from the television."Marcus stepped forward carrying a warm flask of food. He pulled out a small bedside tray, opened the container, and carefully served the soup into a bowl for me."Thank you, Marcus," I whispered, reaching for the spoon.I began to eat, my hands still trembling slightly. From the corner of my eye, I noticed Lorenzo watching us, his arms crossed over his chest and his expression icy cold.Chloe slammed her hand against her mattress, pouting her lips. "Hey! What about me? I just gave blood! Feed me too!"Marcus
~ Kate ~When I opened my eyes again, the harsh hospital light stabbed at my vision. I blinked slowly, adjusting to the brightness until Marcus came into focus. He was sitting quietly in a chair by the wall.I tried to call out to him, but no sound came from my dry throat. It felt completely parched, burning for a single drop of water. I turned my head to the other side of the room and noticed a second bed. Someone was lying there under a thin white blanket.I leaned closer, squinting through the blur, and realized it was Chloe."Marcus..." I tried to speak, but the sudden movement sent a sharp, throbbing spike of pain straight through my temples. I quickly pressed my hand against my forehead, holding still until the dizziness passed.Marcus sat up immediately, stepping over to the side of my bed. "Kate? Are you okay?"I could not answer. I just shook my head slightly, keeping my body as rigid as possible to avoid the pain. Marcu
~ Lorenzo ~I stared at both of them in utter disbelief, completely shocked by the level of their selfishness."Are you joking?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.Kate's father sighed heavily, rocking back on his heels. "If you think I am joking, Don Moretti, the door is right behind you. You can walk.""You're nuts, what's this to you?A Get-rich-quick gig?," I said through gritted teeth. "A billion dollars for a blood transfusion is insane."He shook his head, offering a mocking smile. "Take it or leave it. That is my price."I looked down at my watch, the seconds ticking away like a bomb. My jaw tightened until my teeth ached. I could easily handicap her father right here on this floor and carry Chloe over my shoulder to the hospital, but I could not force the doctors to perform a blood transfer on an unwilling patient."Fine," I growled, glaring into his greedy eyes. "I agree."His eyes widened slightly, caught off guard that I had actually accepted without putting up a fight. I
~ Lorenzo ~I held onto Camila’s throat a little too firmly, my thumb digging into her skin as raw anger raced through my veins. She thrashed slightly against my arm, her heels scraping the black asphalt.I let her go with a harsh shove, my breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps. Before she could regain her balance, I snatched the car keys straight from her trembling grip."Lorenzo, you maniac!" she choked out, clutching her neck.I ignored her, getting behind the wheel and starting the ignition. Camila scrambled around the front hood, moving toward the passenger side door to get in, but I slammed my foot on the gas pedal. The car surged forward, missing her hip by mere inches as she screamed and stumbled back onto the concrete.I drove straight to the hospital, my head pounding violently with every beat of my heart. My mind raced with dark thoughts of my father. Had he made it to the hospital already? Was he still lurking near the villa?The second I pulled into the emergency lot, I ju
~ Lorenzo ~The drive to the station was excruciatingly slow and quiet. I sat in the back of the cruiser, staring out the tinted window as my heart hammered against my ribs. I could not stop thinking about the worse. About Kate, She had completely passed out in my arms, her skin ghost-white, her body entirely limp.When we finally arrived, two officers escorted me down a dimly lit hallway into a cold interrogation room. A detective sat waiting at the far end of a metal table.After brief introductions, he leaned forward, opening a yellow folder. "Let us skip the pleasantries, Mr. Moretti. Who is Kate?""A guest," I said flatly, keeping my expression like stone."Why was she in your home?" the detective asked, tapping his pen. "Was she there willingly?""She was staying there," I replied adding slowly as my head continued to throb. "Willingly.""Then who shot her?" he pressed, his eyes narrowing. "Who walke
~ Lorenzo ~I stared in horror through the vision panel as Kate and Marcus stood frozen, wide-eyed in front of my father.Dread filled my chest instantly. I pushed myself forwar, thrashing against the interior elevator doors, slamming my shoulder into the metal, but they did not budge, the elevator continued to move upward I reached frantically into my pockets, my fingers trembling as I pulled out my silver lighter. I ripped off my suit jacket, pulled my small pocket flask from my waist, and poured the remaining liquor over the fabric.With a fast flick of my thumb, I lit the coat. The fire caught with a swift swoosh, spreading across the wool in seconds. I dropped the burning fabric onto the floorboards.Smoke filled the small cabin, stinging my eyes as the ceiling sensors caught the haze. The fire alarm started blaring at a deafening pitch. As programmed for emergencies, the elevator ground to a sudden halt, its doors sliding open on the middle landing.I burst out into the hallwa







