All Chapters of The Tycoon’s Temptress - Red Flower’s Chase: Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

Valentina’s POV My eyelids fluttered, heavy as lead, and the world came into focus in blurry fragments. No grand ballroom chandeliers. No swirling gowns or champagne flutes clinking. Just a soft, diffused light filtering through green curtains, and the faint, soothing scent of lavender hanging in the air blending with strong disinfectant. My mind was in a foggy state, thick and disoriented. What had happened? I remembered… a golden box. Ribbons unraveling. My own screams echoing in my ears, deafening and raw. I shifted slightly, wincing at the pull of something in my arm—a needle, taped securely, dripping clear fluid into my vein. The room was unfamiliar: cream walls, tall windows framing a skyline of terracotta rooftops kissed by the sun’s faint rays. Venice? It had to be Italy still, but this wasn’t our hotel. It seemed to be a hospital. Private, by the looks of it. My gaze drifted downward. There, at the foot of the bed, Raffaele lay half-draped over my legs,

Valentina’s POV The room was elegant and spotless, with calming green curtains that softened the light. I sat up in bed, still weak, the steady beeping of the heart monitor a quiet reassurance that my baby and I were both better now. Raffaele sat close to me, his arm wrapped around me, his hand moving in slow, careful strokes over my belly. “I’m so relieved you’re awake,” he said softly with his voice thick with restrained emotions. “I’m glad you stayed,” I whispered. “And… caro, I heard you when you spoke to me. I just couldn’t answer.” I tried to smile, but it trembled at the edges. A faint exhale escaped him “I didn’t care if you didn’t answer. I could talk for hours if it meant that you would come back to me” I squeezed his hand. “You all did your best.” He brushed a knuckle along my jaw, then let his hand rest against my cheek. “I don’t want you to worry. We’ll reclaim your father’s research. We’ll find the orichalcum. We already have the flower—everything else, we

Valentina’s POV I was bone-tired, every muscle aching, my skin pale as a ghost against the silk pillows of the hospital’s VIP wing. The room was a cocoon of luxury—soft green curtains, polished wood, a view of Venetian forests through wide windows. But it couldn’t mask the dull throb of my bandaged neck or the worry in my heart. Raffaele was slumped at my bedside, still in his suit and blue tie, dark hair falling over his forehead. He’d been up all day and night, working and never resting. His chest rose and fell, a faint salty sandalwood cologne clinging to him. “Ssh!” I whispered as Maria slipped in, her grin bright despite the sterile air. “He’s finally sleeping.” I brushed a dark lock from Raffaele’s face, my fingers lingering. “I miss the beach house at the Al Faw peninsula, the Persian Gulf,” I said, turning to her with a tired smile. “The waves, the salt air… it feels like another life.” “Me too,” Maria said, her eyes sparkling. “And I miss Lorenzo, that big b

Maria Medri’s POV This villa Domenico had put us in was smaller than the beach house at the Al-Faw Peninsula with its glittering Persian Gulf view. Here, the villa had a compact living concept style with whitewashed stone on the outside, big panoramic windows facing a secluded garden and pool. “Do you like it?” Valentina asked. She looked pale, her pastel yellow chiffon dress flowing to her calves, thin spaghetti straps over her shoulders. “Are you alright?” I said, taking her hand. “You look almost translucent.” I was so worried she might get sicker. “Should I call the doctor?” “No, I’m alright. But seriously, I’m starving!” I giggled. “That’s good. Keep up the appetite so our little national swimmer in there can grow properly. What do you think, a boy or girl?” “Mm… I’m not sure,” she said with a smile. “It doesn’t matter. All I want is for my baby to be healthy.” “I agree. And we have to plan a baby shower. What would you like? I’ll even bake the cake for you! Monica promi

Valentina’s POV My whole body was trembling, and Raffaele held me like I might slip away if he loosened his grip. The living room looked like a warzone. Splintered wood from the bathroom door littered the floor, the bookshelf was in ruins, pasta and blood smeared across the tiles. It smelled of iron, garlic, and busted cedar wood. Time blurred. I clung to Maria, who was crying uncontrollably against me. My hands were shaking, my throat raw from screaming. Rage and terror tore through me in waves. My heart beat so hard it hurt. My stomach churned with hunger and adrenaline until I thought I’d be sick. “Look what you’ve done to her!” I screamed at Tullio, tears burning down my face. “Maria is crying because of you! How could you ever believe she wanted you? Pain and heart ache, that’s all you ever give her. You’re fucking delusional!” Tears blurred my vision. My chest felt crushed, every inhale ragged. I was shaking so violently my whole body trembled again. “All I e