Lahat ng Kabanata ng clutches of fate: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

CHAPTER 11Alex's povThe flight from Toronto to Naples stretched on, but sleep was impossible. The threat still echoed in my mind, pulsing with the steady rhythm of my heartbeat: Alice.Marcus Dared to threaten her life, like she was just another pawn in his endless game. This time, he'd gone too far.Naples greeted me with its deceptive charm, bright and chaotic in the early dawn. But beneath the city's beauty lay a darkness, and Marcus thrived in that underworld. He'd built the largest gambling ring in Italy, trapping desperate souls with debts they could never repay. Those who failed him didn't just disappear; they were sold piece by piece, their bodies scavenged to pay back what they owed. I knew every ruthless detail of his empire, because I'd been his protégé, the weapon he'd shaped to secure his grip over this city.But not anymore. Today, I was here for retribution. And Marcus, of all people, should have known better.I reached Corte dei Leoni, his fortress in the heart of Nap

Chapter 13Alice's POVGolden light seeped through the heavy drapes of my room at Gray Manor, casting a soft, early-morning glow that seemed at odds with the silence that filled the vast house. I opened my eyes slowly, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. Memories of my late arrival the night before trickled back as I glanced around, taking in the elegant yet restrained decor. I was here now, and somehow, that realization brought a strange mix of comfort and tension.I slipped out of bed, my feet brushing against the plush, cool rug beneath me as I made my way to the bathroom. A hot shower helped clear the remnants of sleep from my mind, each drop of water revitalizing me as I mentally prepared for the day. Once dried off, I took my time selecting my outfit—a fitted black pencil skirt paired with a tailored, white silk blouse adorned with small, pearly buttons. I wanted something professional yet understated, a look that reflected the authority my role required with

Chapter 1 Alice's POV Airports. They’re chaotic, noisy, brimming with people who’d likely rather be anywhere else. Today, though, I found myself seated in one of the plush, quiet lounges of an international airport in London, nursing a bitter black coffee and trying hard not to think about the mess that awaited me back home. I took another sip, letting the bitterness settle, bracing myself for Caroline’s latest updates. My assistant had an uncanny knack for breaking news—especially the kind I dreaded. Right on cue, she looked up from her tablet, wearing that careful expression she reserved for bad news. “Alice,” she began, her voice soft but cautious. “It seems your brother's made headlines again. He’s been accused of... assault, and the company shares have already taken a hit.” I froze mid-sip. “What?” She nodded, glancing back at her screen. “It’s everywhere. The story just broke about an hour ago. The scandal… it’s already intense.” I steadied myself, forcing my pulse to cal

Chapter 17Alice's POVThe day at work had started like any other, and I was focused, determined to get through my workload before lunch. But as the morning wore on, I began to notice a shift outside. The sky was darkening, the once-bright light filtering through the windows now muted and gray. I brushed it off, thinking it was just a passing cloud—until I saw Carol rushing toward me, her eyes wide with urgency."Alice, it's about to rain," she said, her voice low, as if she knew what that meant for me.My heart instantly picked up its pace, and I forced a calm smile, hoping she wouldn't see the faint tremble in my hands. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll just… wrap this up quickly."But as I attempted to finish typing, the first low rumble of thunder shook the building. My fingers froze over the keyboard. This wasn't just any rain; it was that heavy August rain, the kind I'd always hoped wouldn't come this early in the season. I hadn't been prepared. And now, the memories I'd pushed

Chapter 19Alice's POVI waited in the car, my heart hammering as I watched Alex walk toward the vehicle that had been following us. Everything was still, yet my pulse raced with a tension I couldn't ignore. I tried to tell myself it was nothing—that it was probably a misunderstanding. But something deep down told me this was no coincidence.Just then, the car door swung open, and out stepped a tall, slender blonde dressed in a fitted shirt, sleek trousers, and combat boots. She was striking, her movements filled with an easy confidence that unsettled me. I watched in disbelief as her eyes lit up at the sight of Alex, and before I knew it, she was rushing toward him with a delighted squeal, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him into an embrace.A sharp pang of jealousy hit me so hard it was almost dizzying. Who the hell was she? And why was she hugging him like they were something more than friends? My stomach twisted as I watched them, her laughter mingling with his, to