Sophia’s hands were locked together so tightly her knuckles went pale.Every breath she drew felt ragged, quivering with dread. Beside her in the car, Hanks kept his posture rigid.He knew better than to lay a finger on a woman destined for Harlan Drake.He valued his own skin too much.“Listen up,” Hanks said in a low, steady voice. “You’re about to meet Harlan Drake. Do exactly what he tells you. Man’s got no patience, and he’ll break you if you give him a reason. One swing from him could shatter every bone in that slender arm of yours.”When the car finally stopped, Hanks threw the door open. “Out. Now. Don’t make me haul you out myself.”Sophia’s legs trembled as she stepped onto the gravel.The mansion sprawled before her—its cold, imposing silhouette framed by perfectly trimmed hedges.A heavy sense of foreboding clung to the air. Hanks clamped a hand around her arm and dragged her inside, the grand entry hall gleaming with polished marble floors and crystal chandeliers.Without

“The people who play with fire will get burned,” Alex said, his tone cold. “And people who play with fear will find fear coming to take their life.”“I heard you’ve been spreading fear across Vancouver to make people know who you are,” Alex said, narrowing his eyes.“I don’t dare!” Harlan stammered, trembling.“If only you spent your time being kind and waited for it to come back to you, you’d be the happiest person on Earth,” Alex said, positioning his thumb and middle finger to flick Harlan’s forehead.“Next time when you’re born, please, be a good person.”“Please…” Harlan whispered, his voice barely audible.Alex flicked his fingers.Suddenly, Harlan felt nothing—only darkness.His body collapsed to the ground, lifeless. Inside, his brain had already turned to mush.Alex sighed wearily and walked out of the study room.Without needing confirmation, he could feel Sophia’s presence in one of the large rooms.Beyond a towering wooden door, the lavish scent of expensive candles filled

Inside the cramped apartment, Sophia stepped out of her bedroom and practically stumbled over her parents and Megan, all sprawled like dead weights on the couch.Then Marco slunk out of the kitchen, clutching a bottle of mineral water like he’d just stolen it.He froze the instant he saw Sophia—like he was staring at an unwelcome ghost.The bottle slipped from his grip and fell on the floor, water splashing everywhere.“S-Sophia... how can you be here?” he gasped, sounding as if he might keel over at any moment.Panic churned in his gut.His eyes flicked to a kitchen knife lying on the counter—grim thoughts swirling in his head.Did she know?Did she know I sold her out?Should I just grab that knife and make sure she never talks?He swallowed hard, then looked all people on the couch and starting to panic.Maybe I’d have to shut them all up…“What do you mean?” Sophia’s voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.“I—I heard the Drakes kidnapped you,” he blurted, voice unsteady. It felt

Two of Charles’s men tore down the valley in a frenzy, only to find two vehicles smashed together and pinned by a fallen tree.Sprawled on the ground was a corpse, the sight so grim it turned their stomachs. Instinct jolted them to draw their weapons, scanning every shadow with anxious eyes.One guard snapped open his radio, voice tight with urgency. “Young Master, Kelly’s out of the forest. Two of our guys got wasted.”Chris’s reply exploded through the speaker.“Are you all braindead? She’s poisoned and barely standing, yet you let her slip through? Worthless bastards! Either find her and drag her back, or don’t bother coming home!”“Yes, Sir.” The guard’s voice was clipped, dread rolling off him in waves. He signaled to the others. “She’s weak and poisoned—move it!”The four men dove into the trees like wolves on the hunt, their fear of failure overshadowed only by their fear of Chris.Back in the study, Charles stood tall, his tone deceptively calm as he addressed Chris Nolan and

Luke had been born and raised in Vermont, he resented the new monarch.In his eyes, the rightful successor to the throne was Jericho Kane—no one else deserved that honor after the old king’s downfall.But when the old king lost and fled into hiding in Vermont, Jericho Kane’s hunger for power was ignited.Luke’s dislike for the current ruler only grew into seething contempt.Standing tall beneath the trees, Luke scowled at Kelly, letting her cling to him in desperation.His tone cut through the still air. “You Kingston people—followers of that new king—nothing but maggots and bitches.”The venom in his words reflected the unwavering pride in his eyes.He leaned closer, his voice dripping with arrogance. “I’ll show you how a man from Vermont pleases a maggot and a bitch like you. We are the superior men.”Kelly pressed herself against him, her breathing quick and shallow.A sultry whisper escaped her lips. “Really?”Before Luke could process her intent, a glint of silver flashed in Kell