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148. Silhouettes of the Past
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2025-12-25 19:05:28
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Tied to the Ruthless Three 153. When Love Turns into Fury
“Why are you doing this to us, Anna?”Gabriel’s booming voice left me frozen in place. I felt cornered instantly, caught red-handed for hiding so many things from the twins. The disappointment on his face cut deeper than anything else.It was as if I didn’t trust them. As if I didn’t love them as family anymore. As if, deep down, I believed Gabriel or Nathaniel would one day betray me.That wasn’t true. I just didn’t want to worry them.Gabriel and Nathaniel already carried too much on their shoulders—holding up Father’s company, maintaining a fragile relationship with Nightshade, even though the syndicate constantly underestimated them.God, I felt like absolute trash.“I just didn’t want to add to your burden,” I said quickly.I stepped closer to Gabriel, but he stood rigid. The sadness mixed with anger in his eyes was unmistakable, his jaw clenched tight. I reached for his hand, but he stepped back.“What kind of business are you doing with Darius Brown? A weapons prototype?” Gabri
Tied to the Ruthless Three 152. Between Trust and Instinct
GABRIEL POV“Identical. Like—really identical?” Nathaniel repeats it over and over, and it’s giving me a headache.I already told him about Benjamin Brown—about how, somehow, he crossed paths with Anna. Even now, Anna hasn’t told me the details. She only said that she met Benjamin at a charity gala dinner.Then Benjamin invited her out to dinner, and turned out… it did not go well.I asked Isolde about it and got snapped at instead. She said she had warned Anna that Benjamin was a stranger, definitely not Alexei, but Anna still insisted on accepting the dinner invitation. Now Isolde wants me to keep an eye on Anna and make sure she doesn’t have any further contact with Benjamin.Well, yeah… I get that Isolde just doesn’t want Anna to get hurt, because this man isn’t the one she loved. But how am I supposed to do that? Anna is an adult. She makes her own decisions.Honestly, it wouldn’t be hard to keep Anna away from Benjamin, but Isolde’s reaction feels a little excessive. It makes me
Tied to the Ruthless Three 151. Familiar Face, Foreign Soul
Yes, I was disappointed in Benjamin. I had thought he was offering friendship, something separate from business or Nightshade. I should have listened to Isolde when she said Benjamin wasn’t Alexei, and that I was being foolish for ignoring that truth.Placing hope in Benjamin just because he reminded me of Alexei was stupid. At least I realized it before I slipped any further.“You seem different,” Benjamin said, ignoring my earlier question. “What’s wrong with you and me working together? I just want everything between us to be transparent.”“You don’t need to talk about Nightshade in front of me,” I replied coolly. “Just keep it to yourself. We both know where we stand.”“It’s just admiration, Miss Anna.”A cynical smile curved my lips. “You sound more like an investigator interrogating me, Mr. Benjamin.”I stood up, even though I hadn’t finished my main course. My appetite was gone. I just wanted to leave. I felt sick to my stomach.“Miss Anna, wait,” Benjamin called.He suddenly g
Tied to the Ruthless Three 150. Dinner with an Agenda
I couldn’t help wondering—was it possible Benjamin had invited me to dinner because he’d already received a mandate from Darius?The message from Benjamin was brief and straight to the point. Darius had sent him the meeting location, and Benjamin simply asked whether I wanted him to pick me up. I hadn’t replied yet.“You’re really sure you’re going to meet Benjamin?” Isolde’s question sounded more like a judgment.According to her, I’d agreed far too quickly. As if I had no backbone. I should have been more cautious. I shouldn’t let logic slip away just because Benjamin’s face resembled Alexei’s.I didn’t dare argue—Isolde wasn’t wrong. And now, canceling was impossible anyway. Benjamin had already made a reservation for seven.“Anna?” Isolde called, snapping me out of my thoughts.“Yes. I think I’ll go,” I said, glancing at her. “I should start getting ready.”“And you still haven’t replied to his offer? Just tell him to pick you up here.” Isolde crossed her arms irritably. “There’s
Tied to the Ruthless Three 149. Benjamin Brown A Familiar Stranger
“How much longer are you planning to stay there?”Gabriel’s voice on the line was starting to sound annoyed. I’d been staying at Isolde’s place for five days now, busy modifying the weapons Darius had ordered. And, if I were being honest, I also hoped I might run into Benjamin again—though the chances were slim.“I’m not sure. A few more days, maybe,” I replied calmly.“Do you want me to come pick you up?”I chuckled softly. “No need. You and Nate are busy; there’s no way you’d drive all the way out here. Besides, it’s not that far. Just two or three hours.”“I don’t care. Even if you were at the end of the world, I’d come get you.”Unlike Nathaniel, Gabriel no longer hesitated to show his affection and concern. He never missed a day of reminding me to eat, rest, and take care of myself—small things, but strangely comforting. No one could match Gabriel’s gentleness.Nathaniel showed his concern differently. He called me directly. Aside from work, he’d ask what I was doing, but never f
Tied to the Ruthless Three 148. Silhouettes of the Past
The atmosphere of a charity gala was, as always, anything but social. Designer gowns, tailored suits, expensive perfume—everything stood in sharp contrast to the cause being advertised. But that was the reality of these events. Which was precisely why I hated them.After years of being kept under Katerina’s watch, then thrown into dangerous missions, standing here made my skin crawl. Isolde felt the same. We were field soldiers who suddenly didn’t know how to function among high society.“We should be used to events like this by now,” Isolde whispered. “I think Katerina brainwashed us.”“Do you think a normal life like this would actually suit us?” I asked.Isolde smiled, as if to anyone watching, we were only discussing dresses and jewelry. “Yes. This kind of life is far better, Anna—compared to dodging bullets and knives every day.”She wasn’t wrong. Nearly dying on missions had fueled my adrenaline, kept me sharp. And now, surrounded by glamour and polite smiles, maybe this was how
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