The room fell quiet as Grandpa Ben moved forward, his face like stone. He had his security guys with him, and his eyes were glued to Victor, filled with a cold anger that made everyone uneasy.Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the soft music and murmurs, silencing the room.“Victor!” Grandpa Ben’s voice was harsh, laced with authority and contempt. Flanked by his security, he stepped forward, his gaze narrowing in on Emma like a predator about to strike. “I’ve tolerated this long enough. It’s time we settle this.”Victor’s jaw tightened, but his smirk remained as he turned to face the old man. The entire room shifted their attention to the brewing confrontation, the tension thick in the air. Emma could feel every stare on her, their judgment clear. She squeezed Victor’s hand tighter, her heart pounding.“Grandpa,” Victor greeted coldly, his voice calm yet dangerous, “what seems to be the issue?”Grandpa Ben sneered, his eyes flickering with disdain as they landed on Emma. “This,”

Unlikely AlliancesVictor couldn’t shake the frustration gnawing at his gut. Alexei, the Phantom, had slipped through his fingers. The bastard was still out there, plotting his next move. The headquarters lay in ruins, his empire shaken to its core, and now Victor knew he couldn’t take down the Phantom alone. He needed allies, no matter how much he despised the idea.The room was tense, the air thick with mistrust as Victor gathered with his former enemies. These were men he’d fought against, men who had once been out to destroy him. But now, circumstances had changed. Desperation had a way of making unlikely bedfellows.Victor stood at the head of the table, his gaze cold and unyielding as he addressed the group. “We all know why we’re here. The Phantom is a threat to all of us. If we don’t take him down together, he’ll pick us off one by one.”The men exchanged wary glances, their expressions hard. These weren’t the kind of men who trusted easily. Each of them had their agenda and

The final confrontationVictor and Emma narrowly escaped the Phantom's trap, only to discover that one of their most trusted allies, Seraphina, was the traitor. After a fierce battle, they managed to take her down, but the Phantom still loomed large, ready to strike again. The time had come for their final assault on the Phantom's stronghold. The stakes were higher than ever, and this time, failure was not an option.The night sky was lit with the fires of war as Victor stood at the front lines, his heart pounding with adrenaline. The fortress stood tall in front of them, a fortress of stone and steel that had become a symbol of the Phantom’s reign of terror. Now, it was about to become the battlefield for their final confrontation.“This is it, Emma,” Victor said, his voice low but resolute. He turned to face her, his eyes burning with determination. “We either take him down tonight, or we die trying.”Emma’s gaze was steely, her expression unreadable as she scanned the horizon. “We

As they arrived at the park gate, Emma’s mood had already been sour from the long drive. When they saw the sign in bold letters, “KEEP OFF — NATURAL DISASTERS,” her patience snapped. “Are you kidding me?” she yelled, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “Three hours of driving, and this is what we get? A closed gate?! Victor, you’ve got to be kidding me!”Victor winced, knowing he messed up. He had been so sure the park would be open. “Emma, I’m sorry. I had no idea. If I had known—"Emma cut him off, eyes blazing with frustration. “This is the last time I let you plan anything! Three hours, Victor! Wasted!”He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I am. Next time, don’t follow my instructions when I suggest a picnic. I suck at planning these things.”Emma rolled her eyes, zooming the car back down the road. “You can say that again. I’m not listening to you the next time you suggest some ‘romantic getaway.’” She mimicked him in a playful but frustrated voice, making ai

Burned JusticeEmma’s heart raced as gunfire echoed behind her. She threw the car door open and bolted toward a truck parked nearby. Her legs felt like lead, her breaths quick and shallow, but she couldn’t stop. The gunman was right behind her, his footsteps closing in fast.“Where do you think you’re going, princess?” he taunted, his voice carrying over the sound of her frantic breaths.Emma didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Her mind was focused on one thing: survival. She threw herself into the truck, her hands shaking violently as she fumbled for the ignition. Her fingers searched for the keys, panic setting in when she realized she didn’t have them.*Where are the keys?* Her mind screamed.Her eyes darted around the truck’s interior, her heart racing as the gunman closed in. She saw him through the rearview mirror, approaching fast, his gun raised and ready. Emma’s breath hitched in her throat.“You can’t hide forever!” the man shouted, his smirk widening as he raised his weapon.Emma