جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

“Their new leader is young, Vincent Bianchi. He took over after his father died under unclear circumstances.”“In a short time, he has expanded their influence. They are now on equal footing with us.”A brief silence followed.“As if he’s challenging De Luna itself.”“Many Minor House leaders have already expressed concern. It may only be a matter of time before---”“It won’t happen.”Rafael’s voice cut cleanly through the room, firm, absolute.He didn’t need to hear the rest. He already knew what they meant.Defection. That some of their own might turn to the Bianchi.This wasn’t new to him. Even before he became head, he had seen it coming, the calculated moves, the silent attacks, the tightening pressure.This wasn’t just rivalry. It was personal. As if Vincent Bianchi had set his sights on destroying De Luna entirel

An hour later, Rafael stepped out of the bathroom, the last traces of tension leaving his body. His hair was still damp, droplets of water trailing down his neck and shoulders. A single towel hung loosely around his waist.The room was quiet.Too quiet.His gaze shifted toward the bed, and there she was.Seren sat curled into herself, her arms wrapped tightly around her body as if trying to hold herself together. For a moment, he thought she was awake.But she didn’t move.A faint crease formed between his brows.This silly girl… he thought.He walked toward her, his steps slow, almost hesitant, before stopping right in front of her.“Hey---” he called softly, placing a hand on her shoulder.No response.Rafael stilled.Only then did he realize she had fallen asleep.A quiet breath escaped him, something between annoyance and something far more complicated.“Stupid girl,” he muttered under his breath.Without another word, he carefully lifted her into his arms. Despite his tone, his m

Anna didn’t say another word as she led Seren away.They moved quickly through the streets, her grip firm, almost desperate—as if she was afraid Seren might disappear if she let go.Seren followed in silence, unease slowly building in her chest.Until--They stopped.Seren’s steps faltered. Her eyes lifted and widened.A police station.The moment the realization sank in, she instinctively pulled her hand free.Confusion flooded her mind.“Why are we here?” she asked, her voice edged with suspicion. “Why did you bring me here?” Anna didn’t answer.Instead, she reached for Seren’s hand again, her fingers tightening as she gently—but insistently pulled her inside.Seren frowned but allowed herself to be led.Inside, the air felt heavy, sterile, suffocating. The faint sound of ringing phones and murmured conversations echoed through the space.They approached the information desk. Anna spoke to one of the officers, her voice low but urgent. Seren barely paid attention until she heard a na

“What did you say? Where did she go?” Rafael’s voice was sharp, bordering on commanding. He was in his office, going through reports from his various businesses, when a call from one of his men interrupted him. This was the same agent he had assigned to follow Seren; he knew she hated being watched, but Rafael couldn’t take chances.The agent reported that a young woman had picked Seren up from her university. Rafael instructed him to follow Seren closely and make sure she stayed safe. The agent added that Seren had taken her mother to a police station earlier and that they had seen a man pick them up afterward. Rafael also demanded a picture of the station Seren had visited.“Where is she now?” Rafael asked, standing abruptly.“She’s heading to Club Athena, boss,” the agent replied.“Club Athena? What’s she planning to do there?” Rafael muttered, tension tightening his jaw.At Club Athena, Seren sat alone, the events at the police station still fresh in her mind. The heated confronta

“You really never learn, do you?” Mr. Romero said coldly, staring down at the man kneeling before him.Blood trickled from the man’s mouth, a deep cut visible on his forehead. His body trembled slightly; he had clearly just endured a brutal beating from Romero’s men.They were inside a private gambling den.And the man on his knees was Seren’s father.A man is buried deep in debt after losing everything to gambling.“Give me one more chance. I can win it back,” he pleaded.“Win it back?” Romero scoffed. “How many times have you said that? You don’t have any money left. What exactly do you plan to bet now? Do you even have anything to pay me with?”“I’ll find a way,” the man insisted desperately.Romero’s expression darkened.“Get him out of my sight. I might lose my patience and kill him,” he snapped.Two of his men immediately grabbed Seren’s father, dragging him toward the exit.“I know the son of the Head of De Luna!” the man suddenly shouted.Romero froze. With a small gesture, he