Semua Bab HARSH: Bab 121 - Bab 130

Victor’s mood was unpredictable the next morning. He avoided Olivia entirely, retreating to his study and shutting himself away. The silence was suffocating, but Olivia couldn’t bring herself to approach him after what had happened.By the time evening was around, Victor emerged. He found Olivia in the library, her fingers idly tracing the back of books.“Come with me,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.Olivia followed him to his study, her heart pounding. She half-expected him to get angry, to punish her for her attempted manipulation.But instead, Victor surprised her.He poured them both a drink and gestured for her to sit. For a long moment, he simply stared into his glass, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on them.Finally, he spoke. “Do you know why I am the way I am, Olivia?”She shook her head, unsure of how to respond.Victor’s jaw clenched. “When I was a boy, I had a sister. Isabella. She was everything I wasn’t kind, compassionate, full of life. She

The aftermath of the attack left Olivia shaken. Smoke still lingers in the air, and the faint bitter scent of gunpowder clung to the walls of Victor's mansion. She sat on the bed in her room, staring at the half-shattered mirror on the far wall. Her hands shakes slightly as she recalled the events…. the loud gunshots, sharp cries of Victor’s men and the raw fear flowing through her body.Victor had been in the middle of it, an unyielding force that stood between her and the danger. His imposing presence had shielded her, his commands like a lifeline as he took her to safety.She hated how her mind kept replaying that moment when he grabbed her wrist, pulling her behind him. The pure determination in his eyes had startled her more than the bullets. For a brief second, she had seen something in him…. something protective.The door creaked open, jolting Olivia from her thoughts. Victor stood in the doorway, his suit jacket discarded and his shirt slightly unbuttoned. A faint bruise marke

The hours dragged on in the study after Victor’s departure, and Olivia could feel the silence pressing in around her. She paced the room, unable to settle her thoughts. She had always been good at handling her emotions, but now, with each passing minute, her feelings for Victor were slipping out of control.Her mind kept replaying the look in his eyes, the unexpected tenderness of his touch and the way his words had pushed the feeling between them. It was all wrong. She knew it was wrong. She had to push him away before it was too late.She wasn’t naive enough to believe she could find happiness in this twisted world they were caught in. She had come too far to let herself be distracted by desire, by emotions that would only drag her deeper into danger.Her heart twisted at the thought.Why do I care so much?Victor was a threat to both, her body and her heart.Olivia stopped pacing and walked towards the window, staring out at the city below.A knock at the door startled her from her

Victor’s estate was quieter than usual, yet the silence seemed on edge. The threat from the rival gang hung over everything, but inside the mansion, there was a different kind of battle steeped between Victor and Olivia…. one of control, trust, and a promising connection.Victor had always been cautious, keeping Olivia under a metaphorical lock and key. However, something in her recent decision to cooperate had softens him. Though she still bristled against his authority, her willingness to acknowledge the danger surrounding them marked a light shift in their dynamic.That morning, Victor summoned Olivia to his office. When she entered, she noticed how different he looked. His usually harsh expression had softened, and there was an unusual calm in him.“You wanted to see me?” Olivia asked, keeping her voice even.Victor gestured for her to sit, his dark eyes scanning her face. “I’ve been thinking,” he began. “Perhaps it’s time to loosen some of the restrictions.”Her eyebrows shot up

Olivia’s heart tightens as she watched Victor pace back and forth in his study, his phone pressed against his ear. His voice, sharp and commanding, carried through the room as he barked orders to his men.The mansion was still winding from Emilia’s bold attack. Broken glass littered the hallways. Olivia knew she was walking on a fine line, but she couldn’t stand by while chaos consumed them.When Victor ended the call, she cleared her throat. “Victor, we need…..”He shot her a warning glance. “Not now, Olivia.”“No, we’re talking now,” she said, standing her ground.Victor’s jaw tightens, but he said nothing, his silence granting her permission to continue.“I think I can help,” she said, her voice softening. “If Emilia wants revenge, then maybe we can offer her something that will make her back off. A truce, or...”Victor’s sharp laugh cut her off. “You think you can reason with someone like Emilia? She doesn’t want a truce, Olivia. She only wants blood.”“But have you even tried?” s