LOGINThe masquerade ball had been on Alex's list for four months. It is a charity commitment he made before his opposition became stronger. If he canceled it without a valid reason, it would signal weakness,, so he gave out invitations. They went.Lillian dressed in a black floo-lengthh gown that hugged her skin, a blackmask,k and a diamond necklace that costs a lot more than the price of a mansion. Alex dressed ina blackk suit with a mask that lasted only four minutes after entering the room before he pulled it off and tucked it into his jacket pocket. "You're supposed to be wearing the mask," Lillian said."I know.""It's a masquerade.""I'm aware of the concept.""Then…”"I don't hide my face," he simply said, his eyes scanning the room. She looked at him for a moment. Then she put her own mask back on properly and let him lead her into the room.The ballroom wasextraordinary,y with high ceilings, candlelight that reflected through the crystals on thewall,l and a lot of high-profil
Chapter 78 — Ask Him How It Was AuthorizedHe was not what she had imagined.She had imagined someone threatening in the obvious ways — physically imposing, cold-eyed, the visible menace of a man who had ordered violence. What she was looking at was a man who could have been anyone's charming grandfather at a gala. The smile reached his eyes. The grip on her wrist was exactly the right pressure — firm enough to communicate intention, light enough to be deniable.She did not call out. She did not reach for the small device Sam had made her carry. She stood very still and looked at him and waited, because something in the quality of his attention told her he had something specific to say and intended to say it quickly."Lillian." Her name in his accent. "You're exactly what I expected.""I don't know what you expected," she said. Her voice was steady. She was remotely proud of this."Someone worth the trouble," he said. "Alexander doesn't give his attention to things that aren't worth t
The lockdown started on a Friday, and by Sunday she was furious.She knew why she was angry. She was angry at Jessie. It had been days, and she had not spoken to Jessie. She wanted Alex to take Jusin from Jessie and bring him to live with her, but Alex declined because that would make Vicenzo’s cartel aware of his plans. He made sure to tighten security. Her movement has also been restricted, and she didn't know if she should blame Jessie or herself for choosing to stay with Alex. She has only one month left on her contract with him, but she is now in greater danger. The gym had been the first thing. Sam had explained it. No more off-site visits, no public locations, no movement outside the building without full advance coordination, and a minimum of two plainclothes personnel.She agreed to it.Then Jessie. The communication protocols that had been placed around her contact with Jessie were monitored by reviewers. She had found Alexander in the training room on the lower level, w
Lillian helped Mrs Steele with breakfast that morning. She had aways enjoyed waking up and helping out with breakfast immediately after her training.Now Alex’s home feels like her home because she interacts with everyone. Alex sat in the kitchen. His hands were resting on the table as his index fingers were going tick tick. It seemed like he had been seated there for a long time.She was already there when he walked in. She was standing at the counter with a cup of coffee, still wearing the clothes she had on that morning, looking out the window at the gardens below. She turned when she saw him and immediately read his face with the look he had on. “Alex, what's wrong? You've been like this for days.” she said. Alex shook his head. “No, Lilian I'm okay.” he said, trying to hide his facial expression. He didn't know how he would face Lillian and break such news to her that her sister had betrayed her. He doesn't want t be the one to cause such feelings. He had faced all his enemi
Lillian found a small velvet box on her pillow at seven forty-three in the morning.She sat up right and looked at it for a moment without touching it. She picked it up after some minutes. There was a delicate gold chain on a small pad of black silk. It was so small she had to bring it closer to her, and then she noticed the small rose pendant. There was no note, not even a single hint, but she smiled, realizing that only Alex would do that. Alex was speaking on his phone when she found him in his study. He was standing at the window with one hand in his pocket. She stood in the doorway with the velvet box open in her palm and waited for him to finish his conversation. He finished the call a few minutes later, and when he turned around, he saw her standing by the doorway, and he smirked. "This was on my pillow," she said."I know.”He walked to the other side of the room where she stood. She held the box as he reached into it and lifted the chain between two fingers carefully an
Lillian found a small velvet box on her pillow at seven forty-three in the morning.She sat up right and looked at it for a moment without touching it. She picked it up after some minutes. There was a delicate gold chain on a small pad of black silk. It was so small she had to bring it closer to her, and then she noticed the small rose pendant. There was no note, not even a single hint, but she smiled, realizing that only Alex would do that. Alex was speaking on his phone when she found him in his study. He was standing at the window with one hand in his pocket. She stood in the doorway with the velvet box open in her palm and waited for him to finish his conversation. He finished the call a few minutes later, and when he turned around, he saw her standing by the doorway, and he smirked. "This was on my pillow," she said."I know.”He crossed the room. She held the box as he reached into it and lifted the chain between two fingers carefully and stepped behind her.She felt his
Lillian’s POV:The makeup artist arrived in the afternoon just as Alex announced. Brushes and powders were swept across my face. My hair was styled again, making it softer and wavier. When they were done with the makeup, I dressed in a silver dress. I looked into the mirror, and I couldn't recogni
Lillian stretched and stirred on the bed before opening her eyes to the warm morning sun. Every now and then, she closed her eyes, thinking about her family. She wondered how they were fading and how her other was coping. After a few minutes, she rolled out of bed and got into the closet.After ha
The convoy pulled into a heavily guarded compound in Italy. The iron gates slid open, and men with rifles were mounted all over the compound. Lillian was still shaking, and her chest rose and fell rapidly. When the SUV came to a stop, Alex scanned the whole environment before stretching his hand t
The private jet landed on the smooth runway after some hours. Lillian had fallen asleep the moment they were in the air. Alex moved his gaze to Lillian; her cheek was pressed against the leather seat, and her lips were slightly parted. For a few minutes, he simply watched her sleep, and he was fi







