Seeing the muzzle of the gun, I felt strangely calm. Yes, firstly I was startled, but after that, my body relaxed. My shoulders dropped weakly while I contemplated whether I would have the time to feel the pain from the gunshot. Surely, it would be a less painful death than the one I narrowly escaped. Maybe, because my emotions were still under the influence of the earlier nightmare, I felt exhausted and numb. I didn’t want to fight nor plead for my life. It was pointless, as Xavier said. Just a waste of breath.‘’Miss McCarner?’’ The man’s voice brought me back to reality. He motioned with the gun to the chair in front of his desk. As if in a trance, I moved my legs from the floor and sat where I was told. My gaze was still glued to the pistol. He noticed my wary state and decided to put the weapon down. However, it was close enough for him to take it wherever he wanted.‘&

 After he left me alone, I was finally able to relax my nerves. I looked over my shoulder at the closed door. I didn’t intend to follow his orders. I wasn’t going to stay idle and let him order me around. I stood up, thinking of finding a way to get back home. Waking out of his study, I finally paid attention to the interior of the mansion. It screamed luxury and riches. The dominating interior style was German with a touch of Nordic. I walked around a little bit, looking for the exit. I was thinking of calling a taxi like the previous time. Suddenly, I realised I don’t have my phone. I double-checked my pockets, and surely my purse and phone weren’t there. At this moment, I saw the butler who is going to do his duties. Gloomily, I stopped him.‘’Excuse me, could you give me back my phone and purse. I want to go home.’’ The man’s expression stiffed, followed by his apologeti

 The message was crystal clear. If I dared to disobey Kang Xianliang again, he was going to shot Yan Si. He used a sniper was to show how serious his intentions were. I felt suffocating pressure. Slowly, I found a chair where I could sit. During this whole time, butler Che was eyeing me with a worried face. I tried to conceal my real emotions. I couldn’t show that I felt like an animal caught in a trap. I massaged my temples, gulping a few times because I felt like my heart went into my throat.‘’Young miss, is everything alright?’’ He tried to peep into my phone, but I locked it, making the screen black.‘’Yes, everything is fine.’’ My voice was low but steady. I tried as best as I could to control it, not to tremble. Butler Che looked at me suspiciously. I met his eyes confidently, refusing to show my true thoughts. If I let myself look like I was

 I was thrown into a black Maybach in a very rudely manner. Hissing from the pain in my elbows, I raised my head to look at Leonardo begrudgingly. He sat nonchalantly, not paying me any attention and ordered his chauffeur to drive the car. "Where are you taking me?" I tried to hide my nervousness as best as possible. If I learnt one thing from dealing with people who had ill intention towards me, it was to stay calm and try to keep my rationality. That

 After yesterday’s gala, I finally got permission from the almighty emperor to come back home. It was only for a night, enough to pack my luggage and move to live with him. As someone who kept the given promises, I was efficient and fast. I spent a night organizing my stuff, and it was early morning when I finally finished. Thinking that I would catch up at least a few hours of sleep using the bright daylight, I prostrated myself on the bed. Alas, my hope was squashed. Someone almost smashed the door of my bedroom entering like an angry elephant.‘’I heard by the servants that you were so eager to live together with that b*stard that you spent the whole night packaging your things. Don’t you have some shame, Luo MacCarner?!’’ It took me a good few seconds to register the angry face of Yan Si, his accusing voice and the indignation rising in my chest. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, t