บททั้งหมดของ SOLD AS THE ALPHA KING'S PET : บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Lucas’ POVThe moment the plane touched down, my phone vibrated in my hand.I hadn’t even stood up yet when I unlocked the screen, a faint smile tugging at my lips before I could stop it. I already knew who it was. Emily had been texting me since before takeoff, and the thought of her waiting on the other end of every message made the distance between us feel smaller than it really was.I leaned back in my seat, ignoring the noise of the other passengers as they stood and gathered their bags.For a moment, everything felt normal. Almost peaceful. I let myself sink into that feeling, even though experience had taught me better than to trust calm moments too much.When the last passenger finally exited the plane, I stood and made my way through the terminal, my phone still clutched in my hand.I checked the time. There was plenty of time to focus on why I had flown out in the first place.The negotiation.Joe’s empire had been bleeding for a while, but this was the final cut. The meetin

Emily’s POVI didn’t know when I blacked out.One moment there was pain and Joe’s arms were tight around me. The next, there was nothing. When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the smell. It was damp and old, like a room that hadn’t been used in years. The air felt heavy in my lungs, making it hard to breathe properly. My head throbbed viciously, and when I tried to move, a sharp pain shot through my wrists.I gasped and forced my eyes open.The room was small with grey walls and no furniture other than a thin mattress on the floor.“Hello?” I called out, my voice hoarse.There was no answer and I pushed myself up slowly, every muscle screaming in protest. My wrists weren’t chained, but they felt sore, like they had been bound earlier. My throat was dry, burning.“Lucas?” I whispered, even though I knew he couldn’t hear me.Saying his name made my chest ache. I pressed my hand over my heart, trying to breathe through the tightness.I staggered to my feet and walked to the door

Joe's POVI stood outside the door for a long moment, listening. She had been banging the door for a while now and I needed to see her, before the guards did something stupid and ruined everything.I turned to the men behind me and lifted a hand. “Move away,” I said. “Out of sight.”They hesitated but eventually parted the way for me to pass. One of them stepped forward anyway, holding out a pair of handcuffs.“Just in case,” he muttered.I took them without any comment and then I opened the door.The smell hit me first. It was blood. My jaw tightened as I stepped inside and shut the door behind me, locking it myself this time.“Emily,” I called softly.She was on the floor, back against the wall, head tilted, hair stuck to her face with sweat. Blood smeared her clothes, her hand pressed tight against her chest. For a split second, something uncomfortable twisted in my gut. She had pushed things too far.I walked closer to her. “I told them to leave,” I said gently. “It’s just us

Clarisse's POVThe music throbbed through the mansion and laughter echoed into every hallway. Glasses clinked and someone shrieked in delight near the bar as another bottle of champagne was opened.I stood at the center of it all, a smile carved onto my lips. This was how it was supposed to be. This was how it should have always been.Emily was gone. The thought warmed me from the inside out and for the first time in weeks, I didn’t feel that familiar tightness in my throat. I didn’t feel like I was choking on rage or jealousy or humiliation. I felt light, free and above all, victorious.My friends surrounded me, dressed in glittering fabrics, their faces glowing beneath the chandeliers. They laughed loudly, drank recklessly, and leaned close to whisper things that made them giggle again. I accepted their compliments with grace, letting their admiration wash over me.“Clarisse, you look incredible,” Nadia said, touching my arm as if she needed to confirm I was real. “I swear, I’ve nev

LucasLater that evening, the house felt too quiet. The party mess had been cleared, and the guests chased out.I left Emily asleep under heavy guard. She had cried herself into exhaustion, clinging to my arm like she was afraid I would disappear if she let go. I had sworn to her that I would bring Karen back and I intended to keep that promise.Clarisse’s wing was sealed off when I got there. Two guards stood outside her door, stiff and alert, their hands resting on their weapons.“Leave us,” I ordered.They hesitated only a second before obeying.I opened the door and stepped inside.Clarisse sat on the edge of the bed, her back straight and her chin lifted. Her wrists were unbound but the guards outside ensured she wasn’t going anywhere. She didn’t look at me and immediately I closed the door behind me.“Clarisse,” I said.I took a few steps forward. “I’m giving you a chance to talk.”Her eyes remained fixed on the window, staring out into the dark grounds as though the world beyo