Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 171 - Chapitre 176

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

With trembling lips, Maria’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she led them toward the hallway outside the ballroom. Her hair was disheveled, her back ramrod straight with rage and fear. Her hands, still coated in blood, trembled against her gown as the crowd reluctantly followed, but neither of them dared utter a word.Catherine walked behind her, silent and composed, her jaw clenched. Madam Rossi, a few steps behind them. The men, Mr. Rossi, Jason, Antonio, Juan, and the rest, followed too.When they reached the bathroom, Maria didn’t hesitate.She shoved the door open.And there it was.The blood.A grotesque smear down the stall door. Splatters across the sink. The jacket draped over the edge of the counter, soaked through with something too dark to be anything but real. It had started to dry around the edges, turning rust-colored beneath the vanity lights.Catherine took one step in, and for the first time that night, her face faltered.“Oh my God…” she breathed.Maria wa

The police presence added to the already rising tension, with all boots and badges, but somehow it still paled in comparison to the storm that was Rome Ford.The Chief of Police, a broad-shouldered man named Captain Rainer, nodded toward Rome with all the deference of a soldier reporting to a general. The officers behind him moved with quiet precision, lining the hall with tactical efficiency, yet none dared to step ahead of Rome's line of men.Jason, however, felt his chest inflate. Power always made him blind than a bat. He tucked his hands in his pockets, chin tilted up slightly, and walked forward with the swagger of someone who believed himself untouchable."Well, Master Ford," he said, with an amused drawl, stepping just enough into Rome's line of sight to be noticed. "Now that the authorities are here, I think we can all take a deep breath. No need for theatrics."He paused, shooting a glance toward the police chief, who looked... uncomfortable."Captain Rainer and my father go