Chapter 4

I lowered my eyes in thought as the diamond ring in my palm dug painfully into my skin.

"Sir, you shouldn't put any strain on your wrist." A gentle voice brought me back to the moment.

Lucia Janson gently bandaged my wound, then slowly took the diamond ring from my hand and tossed it into a box.

My eyes fell on her. I had picked her up six years ago.

Lucia was even more ruthless than Valentina.

Valentina still had family and people she cared about, but Lucia had grown up on the streets as an orphan. Yet somehow, this wild, untamable woman showed me a loyalty I never expected.

A spark lit up in my eyes, and I pulled her toward me. "Lucia, would you dare to marry me?"

Lucia was tough, but she willingly leaned against me. A bold, alluring look crept into her eyes. She answered firmly, "I would."

The next day, we got married. Then we decisively split up everything Valentina and I owned.

All these years, I had worked in the open while Valentina operated behind the scenes. Most of the businesses I handled were legitimate, so separating our assets would only benefit me.

But dividing up the family business wasn't that simple. An operation this large was deeply intertwined.

The people under us had fought and bled beside us for eight years. A complete break between Valentina and me was bound to meet fierce resistance.

I needed a reason.

Just as I was figuring out how to make my move look justified, that idiot Elliot handed me one. He found out that Valentina had proposed to me, and he couldn't stop himself from making a move.

"Damon, someone planted a bomb under our car."

Lucia casually tossed a small knife in the air, but her voice was chilling.

"I'll kill him."

I raised an eyebrow. Tomorrow was my usual meeting with Valentina.

Elliot was certainly in a hurry.

What he did to Mom last time still hadn't been dealt with. Clearly, he hadn't learned his lesson.

I narrowed my eyes slightly. If that was how he wanted to play it, I'd do the same to him.

"Kidnap Elliot's mom tonight and put her in that car tomorrow."

I gave the order as casually as if it were nothing. Lucia agreed, then eagerly slipped into my arms.

At the same time, messages from Valentina kept lighting up my phone.

"Damon, can we talk tomorrow? I miss you. I really, really miss you."

I ignored them and enjoyed myself even more.

After a wild night, we quietly headed to the company the next morning.

Sure enough, the rigged car exploded right on schedule along the way. Under the flying debris, the person inside was burned beyond recognition.

The blast caused a traffic jam, but Lucia and I weren't in any hurry.

Valentina's calls kept coming one after another, but I ignored them all.

…

At the top of Blackwood Group's headquarters in the southern district, Valentina smashed her fist through an antique painting on the wall.

"Who the hell did this? Why did Damon's car explode?"

Her face was flushed with rage, and her heart pounded in her chest.

Everyone held their breath and lowered their heads in thought.

Elliot walked over with an air of concern. He hid his excitement and pretended to comfort Valentina.

"He made too many enemies. There was nothing we could do. It's Damon's own fault for making himself such a target. Don't be sad, Tina. We'll give him a proper funeral."

The moment he said that, I kicked the door open and walked in.

I laughed. "Whose funeral are you planning to hold?"

Elliot's eyes went wide as he stared at me like he had seen a ghost.