Semua Bab THE PRICE FOR HIS NAME : Bab 21 - Bab 30

The evening sky stretched wide, painted in strokes of burnt orange and dusky lavender, with wisps of clouds drifting lazily across the heavens. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, carrying the lingering warmth of the sun as a cool breeze whispered through the vast estate.Cicadas hummed in the distance, their rhythmic song blending with the occasional rustling of leaves. The golden light of the setting sun bathed everything in a soft, dreamlike glow, making the fields look like something out of a painting.Maria stood in the middle of it all, barefoot, her toes sinking into the slightly damp soil as she watered her land. She was dressed in a flowy, off-shoulder sundress, the fabric clinging to her form whenever the wind picked up. Stray strands of hair fell from her bun, sticking to her damp skin as she focused on her task, the spray of water arcing from the hose in her hand, drenching the rows of thriving plants

The bedroom was quiet except for the soft rustle of pages as Maria absently turned them, her mind elsewhere.The earlier laughter had faded, leaving only the weight of everything that had been left unsaid. She curled her knees to her chest on the oversized chair, her thoughts tangled with Luca’s words.She had barely noticed when he slipped into the room, but she wasn’t surprised either. Luca never really let her sit with her thoughts for too long, not when he could see them wearing her down."Can’t sleep?" he asked, his voice softer now, stripped of its usual teasing edge.Maria exhaled, shaking her head. "Not really."Luca hummed in understanding before dropping into the armchair across from her. He didn’t press her to talk, didn’t push. He just sat there, elbows resting on his knees, watching her.After a long stretch of silence, Maria spoke. "Tell me about you and Johan."Luca blinked, and for a moment, she thought h

By mid-afternoon, the internet was in chaos. News outlets, gossip blogs, and social media were flooded with a new headline: "Model Cherry Gold: The Woman Who Stole Luca Avancii’s Heart?" For years, Luca Avancii had been one of the most sought-after bachelors in the country. Powerful, wealthy, and notoriously private, he had never been linked to any woman. No dating scandals, no rumored fiancées, no whispers of a secret romance. Until now. The article claimed that Cherry Gold—a rising model who had done a few ads for SpitFire Autos—was his soon-to-be wife. Photos of Cherry attending company events, promotional shoots featuring her draped over SpitFire’s sleekest cars, and an old image of her laughing beside Luca were plastered everywhere. Speculation exploded. Had Luca been hiding a relationship all this time? Was Cherry the reason he never entertained romantic pursuits? Some fans were ecstatic, thrilled that their beloved Cherry had seemingly tamed the untouchable bu

The estate was silent. Not the kind of silence that came with unease but the calm, undisturbed hush of the night, blanketing everything in stillness. It was nearly 1 AM when Luca finally pulled into the long driveway, his car slipping past the towering gates with ease.The prototype was secure, locked away in one of his hidden warehouses—untouched, untraceable, his. He had made sure of it.Now, he was home.As he stepped inside, the air was warm, carrying the faint, comforting scent of vanilla and something uniquely Maria. The security lights outside cast long shadows through the halls, but inside, the mansion was steeped in darkness, except for the soft golden glow spilling from their bedroom.Luca entered soundlessly, his body moving with the predatory grace that came naturally to him. The tension in his muscles should have still been there after the night’s events—the hunt, the kill, securing what was his

The world erupted the moment Luca’s press conference ended. Within minutes, news outlets flooded the internet with headlines:"Maria Avancii Takes Over as CHRO of SpitFire Technologies – Strategic Genius or Nepotism?""From Kale Industries to SpitFire: Maria Avancii's Unprecedented Business Move!""Luca Avancii’s Secret Weapon: How His Wife is Changing the Game."Social media was an absolute battleground.Some admired Maria’s rise, pointing out that she wasn’t just a trophy wife—she was a businesswoman who had helped build Kale Industries from the ground up. Others, however, weren’t as kind."Maria Kale... wait, no, Maria Avancii? When the hell did they get divorced??""Did Avancii steal Kale's woman? Or was she always cheating on Edwards with him?""So let me get this straight—Maria was Kale’s right hand for years, then suddenly she’s his competition? That’s not suspicious at all.""This slut really slept her way to the top. F