Immediately, Leonardo's face fell as he watched Rene approach him, his face blank and indifferent. "You shouldn't be here," Leonardo spoke quietly, his voice laced with distaste, causing Rene to stop in front of him."Who are you?" Rene asked with a raised brow.A look of annoyance crossed Leonardo's features as he looked at Rene through narrowed eyes."How dare you look down on Mr. Varga?!" Ron, Leonardo's head of security shouted.But Varga raised his arm, silencing Ron. He met Rene's cold gaze once more before replying, "Ah-ah... Why get offended? You don't expect such a thing to beware of my image?"A smirk played on his lips at Rene's silence, and then he leaned forward, speaking quietly. "What if I told you that I'm the one interested in your wife?"His smirk faded when Rene continued to glare at him silently. "I know your dumb brain can not comprehend a single word of what I have just said," he said cooly. "But believe me when I tell you that I mean every word."His bodyguards
“Kia,” Maria began, her voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing here? You weren’t invited.”Rene met her eyes, his gaze unwavering. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegant envelope. The golden seal glinted under the chandelier's light, and he handed it to her with a soft smile.“Mr. Gunnar didn't see me as useless after all,” he said quietly, but with a hint of pride. “He sent my invitation later than the rest of the family, and I kept it a secret because I wanted to surprise you. I wanted to make you proud of me.”Tears prickled at the corners of Maria’s eyes as she took the envelope. She could feel the weight of the moment, the tension in the room, the stares from her family and the guests. But all that mattered was the man standing in front of her, the man who had always been by her side despite everything.“Are you proud of me now, Maria?” Rene asked, his voice gentle as he brushed a tear from her cheek. “I know I may not be up to their standar
The smirk on Ron's face widened as he lifted his shoe slightly, raising a brow at Rene, and mumbled, "Go ahead and amend for your mistake. Lick it."The room was cold with silence and some guest anxiously waited with a mocking smile, their eyes glinting with a cruel interest. Within the blink of an eye, the tip of Rene's shoe slammed into his neck, bringing Ron to his knees with a choked gurgle.Before he could catch his breath, Rene grabbed him by the neck, snatching the smashed Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs off the floor, squeezing his neck till his mouth opened wide enough, and then he shoved the egg into his mouth.When Rene let go, Ron dropped to the floor, choking for air, his eyes widening in horror, unable to speak as he desperately tried to take another breath.The look of horror on the guests' faces deepened, and no one dared move for a while as they watched.A frown finally crossed Leonardo's face, and a bloodthirsty look settled there. He was about to take a step when his fat
As the initial shock of the confrontation began to wear off, the murmurs in the room grew louder, each guest grappling with the unexpected turn of events. The members of the Rossi family exchanged bewildered glances, their faces reflecting a mix of shock and concern.“Did you see that? Mr. Gunnar just sided with that... that son-in-law of ours against the Varga family. This is a disaster!” Vittoria's eyes were wide as she whispered to her husband, her voice trembling with disbelief. Josh’s face was pale as he looked around, trying to make sense of the situation. “How could he? This will only anger the Varga family more. They won’t forget this. We’re in serious trouble.”Staring at her parents, Layla couldn’t contain her disbelief. “Did Mr. Gunnar really just back him up?""He's new in the business circle and he dares make enemies with the Vargas. How foolish... He is in for a rude awakening. A lot of people may not want to work with him now." Mr. Abett mumbled with a sigh.Mr. Rossi,
The room buzzed with whispers and hushed conversations as the Fords entered. The sudden appearance of such powerful figures sent ripples of shock and curiosity through the gathered guests. Gunnar's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Rome Ford, Catherine, Mr. Ford, and Mr. Miller make their way through the crowd. He could feel the weight of their presence, their reputations preceding them.When Rome finally approached him, Gunnar instinctively bowed slightly, a gesture of respect mingled with nerves. But to his surprise, Rome extended a hand, grasping Gunnar's in a firm shake. The tension in Gunnar's shoulders eased just a fraction as he straightened up."So, you are the young fellow making bold moves recently," Rome said, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and approval.Gunnar tried to stay humble, his voice steady but respectful. "Yes, sir. It's an honor to meet you. Thank you for coming."Rome gave a small nod, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I've been hearing q
The room was abuzz with excitement and expectation as Gunnar stood at the front, a confident smile on his face. He cleared his throat, and the conversations gradually quieted down.“Ladies and gentlemen,” Gunnar began, his voice steady and commanding, “thank you all for coming. Tonight is a significant night for us as we announce new partnerships that will shape the future of our company.”He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle over the audience. Rome Ford and his family stood to one side, their presence adding gravity to the moment. Rene and Maria were close by, their expressions calm but watchful.“I am proud to announce that the first of these partnerships will be with the Ford family.” Gunnar gestured towards Rome, who nodded his head slightly, acknowledging the announcement.Applause erupted from the guests, mingled with murmurs of approval. Gunnar waited for the noise to die down before continuing.“The Ford family has a legacy of excellence and integrity, and the
At nine sharp on the dot, the broad room of the Rossi enterprise was occupied with every member of the family, seated at the oval table except for Maria and Carlo Rossi.With his sharp suit and tighter expression, Jason sat near the head of the table, his gaze darting towards the door every few moments. Suddenly, the large double doors swung open with a creak and Mr. Rossi entered with his usual commanding presence. His face was set in a grim expression as he looked around until his eyes locked onto his grandson and his scowl deepened.Jason's fist tightened as his grandfather strode over and sat down, giving him a piercing glare that held no warmth or welcome."Last night was a complete disaster," Mr. Rossi began, his voice firm and filled with disappointment. The room fell silent, the gravity of his words sinking in as he addressed his family.Jason shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his earlier bravado diminished under the weight of his grandfather’s gaze. He tried to maintain his
In the tense atmosphere of the boardroom, Antonio leaned forward, breaking the silence that Jason's departure had left. "Father, what are you planning to do about Maria?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience. "Are you thinking about having her head the partnership with ReF Inc.?"Raising his gaze to his son's, Mr. Rossi’s expression remained unreadable, and he didn’t immediately respond. The pause stretched out, and Antonio’s scowl deepened. "Giving Maria the position would be like rewarding her bad behavior," he pressed. "And don't forget, she's supposed to marry Leonardo Varga for our future benefit with the Varga. There was already tension last night between the Vargas and Mr. Gunnar. If Maria directly spearheads the partnership, it will create even more hard feelings between us and the Vargas."Mr. Rossi's eyes flicked to Antonio, measuring him. "And what is your suggestion, then?" he finally asked.Antonio took a deep breath, clearly ready for this moment. "If we want to
As her tears washed away her makeup, Maria stumbled back from the bathroom door, her heels nearly slipping on the tiles. Her breath came in gasps. The scream had torn itself from her throat like something wild and ancient.The heavy doors of the ballroom burst open with a thunderous crack that silenced the music and hushed every murmuring voice in the vast chamber.“BLOOD!” she shrieked, not caring that the music had stopped, not caring that every head in the room turned toward her like she was on fire. “THERE’S BLOOD IN THE BATHROOM! WHERE IS MY HUSBAND?! WHERE IS KIA?!”The crowd stared.Her hands were trembling violently at her sides, her fingers stained red. Somewhere between the stall and the door, she’d leaned against the sink, and her palm had smeared through it... blood. She looked feral. Unhinged. Her eyes darted wildly across the sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits, looking for someone, anyone, but none of them mattered. Not now.“Maria, Maria!” Madam Rossi stood qui
The bathroom door clicked shut behind Rene, muffling out the hum of the ballroom. He exhaled. Deep. Controlled. Let the silence press into him.He stood still for a moment, just past the threshold, the artificial light above casting a sterile white hue over the room's marble walls and gleaming fixtures. A mirror stretched across the far wall, reflecting the image of a man who looked calm, composed. But only just.Rene stepped forward, one hand brushing at the wine blot on his blazer like the gesture might undo it. The fabric clung to him, damp and sticky, the smell of the cabernet still ripe in the air. He peeled the jacket off slowly, folding it once and draping it over the gold hook on the wall. He turned on the faucet, letting the cold water rush over his hands. The temperature bit into his skin, grounding him. He cupped the water and splashed it on his face once, twice, letting it drip down his chin and throat. He closed his eyes and let the cold drag the heat out of his skin.Bu
A hush swept over the ballroom, heads turned. Glasses paused mid-air. Even the chandelier light seemed to bend its attention toward the entrance.She stood there... Catherina Ford.Grace was too small a word.She didn’t walk in, she arrived... poised like she owned the ground beneath her heels. Her dress was a deep emerald silk, folding around her like liquid elegance. Hair up in a classic twist, neck adorned with a single strand of pearls that looked like they'd been fished from the private vaults of royalty. Not a wrinkle in her brow, not a misplaced gesture. Only presence.And it was majestic.Mr. Rossi’s jaw dropped open, actually dropped, hanging loose like a broken hinge before he caught himself with a little cough and a half-step forward.“My God,” he muttered. “Is that-?”Gunnar turned toward the entrance as well, brow lifting in curiosity.Rossi's voice was low but urgent. “Gunnar… please tell me you invited her. We’re not… we’re not close enough to the Fords.”But Gunnar onl
The Rossi convoy pulled into the circular drive of the Grand Meridian, the most opulent skyscraper in the city... glass and steel stretching into the stars. Paparazzi flashes crackled beyond the velvet ropes, their lights bouncing off the tinted windows of the luxury cars. Valets and security formed tight lines, working in sharp, clean choreography.The first wave of family emerged... Mr. Rossi leading with Madam Rossi at his side, flanked by Jason, Antonio, Layla, Bianca, Princess, and the others.Then Maria and Rene stepped out next. He stayed by her side, arm tucked beneath hers, smile faint but present, expression unreadable beneath the golden lights of the entrance.The guards nodded. The family entered.But Alejandro didn’t.He stood off to the side, just beyond the corner of the building where the cameras couldn’t see, leaning against his Jaguar, one leg crossed over the other, a cigarette burning low between his fingers.His tuxedo was only half-buttoned, hair tousled like he'
Maria stood near the window, phone pressed to her ear, her back straight, voice low. She wore a floor-length gown of deep emerald, sleeveless with a high collar and a low, scooped back that exposed the elegant arch of her spine. The silk flowed like water over her body, and her earrings... a cute glimmer of green stones... brought the whole look together with effortless grace.She ended the call with a sigh just as the bathroom door behind her opened.Rene stepped out, adjusting the cufflinks on his crisp white shirt. But it was the suit that caught the room.He wore a midnight black tuxedo, tailored to precision... sharp lapels trimmed in a sheen of satin, shoulders squared, waist nipped, the cut hugging his frame like it had been made by hands that knew him well. Beneath the jacket, the subtle gleam of a black silk vest peeked through, layered over a charcoal-gray shirt with the top buttons undone just enough to be daring, but not vulgar. A small silver pin was fixed on his lapel, a
The evening of the party had arrived.Beyond the grand windows of the Rossi estate, the sky bled into twilight, a deep indigo shroud setting the stage for the storm that loomed unseen. The Rossi residence shimmered with golden light, and distant voices echoed in the halls.The party.The celebration no one could stop.In the master bedroom on the top floor, the world was quieter... thicker with tension.Madam Rossi stood before the ornate mirror, a dark sapphire gown hugging her figure like silk. Her hands were at her sides, clenched and still. The diamonds at her ears glinted like ice, and the sharp bones of her face gave her a statue-like elegance. Yet the furrow between her brows betrayed her.Behind her, Mr. Rossi was finishing the final touches. He moved with an eerie calm, slipping the delicate chain of her necklace into place around her neck. His fingers were steady as always. Precise. Cold.“Your hands haven’t aged,” she murmured, watching his reflection. “Even after all these
The dining room was uncomfortably quiet without Maria and Rene.Jason sat at the head of the long table, his hand around a half-filled glass of wine, his eyes dull and unblinking. Layla sat beside him, unusually still, her perfectly styled hair tucked behind one ear, a forced smile frozen on her lips. Juan and Antonio were seated opposite each other, eating calmly but watching everyone else with barely disguised suspicion.No one spoke unless necessary. Only the soft clinking of silverware and the occasional shifting of chairs filled the room. A storm brewed behind every glance, every twitch of a brow, every sip of water. It was the kind of quiet that could split open at the slightest provocation.Abruptly, Layla’s phone buzzed sharply against the table, slicing through the silence. She flinched. Glancing down at the screen, her stomach turned."Dad."She cleared her throat gently, offering a courteous smile to the table.“Excuse me,” she said, her voice smooth, though her fingers gri
Rene tilted his head slightly, the faintest curve of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. He gave a soft, contemplative hmm, as though the matter were merely an intellectual exercise. The silence dragged, intentionally, until even Madam Rossi’s fork stilled halfway to her mouth.“I must say,” Rene began, voice light, polite, dangerously unbothered, “you make a compelling case, sir. Betrayal, dishonor, public shame… It’s almost Shakespearean.” He set his water glass down with an elegant clink. “But there’s just one problem.”Mr. Rossi’s eyes narrowed to slits.“I didn’t betray anyone,” Rene said, voice sharpening beneath the charm. “I didn’t cheat. I didn’t lie. And I certainly didn’t ask to be used as some sacrificial pawn in your public relations game.”Jason scoffed quietly, just loud enough to be heard. “You act like you’re above the family, like none of this matters to you.”Rene turned his gaze slowly, lazily, toward Jason. “Oh, it matters. Just not the way you want it to.”
The early morning light spilled through the sheer curtains, casting pale gold streaks across the floorboards. Rene stood shirtless before the mirror, the soft scratch of gauze brushing against his ribs as he wrapped the bruises with practiced ease.The muscles in his shoulders twitched slightly at every pull, his face set in quiet concentration. The wound, though shallow, was enough to remind him of the night before... of passion, of pain, and of the call that followed.He barely flinched as he secured the bandage with a strip of medical tape, the sting long dulled. The quiet was broken by a knock on the door.Maria stirred from the bed, tangled in the sheets. Her voice was groggy, but steady. “I’ll get it.”She padded across the room, pulling his shirt over her shoulders, and cracked the door open. One of the younger maids stood there, neatly dressed with her hands clasped in front of her. She dipped into a polite bow.“Good morning, Miss Maria. Your grandfather requests your presenc