Adam sat at the bar, swirling the drink in his glass. The thought of Stacey missing ate at him, twisting his insides. His grip tightened around the glass until the bartender shot a nervous glance his way, but Adam didn’t care.He knocked back the drink in one gulp and tapped the glass on the counter. “Another.”The bartender didn’t hesitate, refilling it without a word. The man could sense trouble and knew better than to ask questions.Adam stared at the drink, frustration boiling under the surface. He had the amulet, but it felt useless without Stacey. His mind kept flashing back to Viper’s smug face and how easily they had distracted him. He slammed his fist on the counter, making the bottles on the shelves rattle."Easy, man," the bartender muttered cautiously.Adam shot him a glare that shut him up.He lifted the glass to his lips but didn’t drink. He was furious at himself. He should have known better—Viper played him like a fool, and now Stacey was gone.Just then Adam felt he w
Adam sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples. He was trying to get his mind of whatever happened last night with the strange lady, he was concerned with what she might've seen him as, it wasn't intentional he was also drunk, and she was extremely beautiful. Adam was ready to do anything to get her again.Just then , his phone buzzed on the nightstand. He groaned and reached for it.“Blitz?” Adam answered, his voice still groggy.“We’re outside, boss. Waiting for you by the hotel entrance.” Blitz’s voice was sharp and to the point.Adam sighed. “I’ll be there in five.”He ended the call and ran a hand through his hair. It was time to move. He couldn’t afford to get stuck thinking about last night. There were bigger things to handle—like finding Stacey and dealing with Viper.---Outside the hotel, the morning sun reflected off two sleek black cars, both guarded by men in sharp suits. Among them stood two figures, Blitz and Hammer, rarely seen in public but known throughout Stor
Tessa arrived at her family’s grand estate, her heart still heavy from everything that had happened. As soon as she stepped through the large oak doors, her parents rushed to meet her.“Tessa! Where have you been?” her mother asked, voice sharp with worry. “You didn’t come home last night!”Her father frowned, arms folded across his chest. “We’ve been looking for you all morning.”Tessa didn’t answer right away. The weight of last night still lingered in her mind—the betrayal, the humiliation, and waking up next to a complete stranger.Her mother narrowed her eyes. “And why did you leave Ethan at the bar?”"Ethan," she muttered under her breath, feeling her anger boil. Ethan was everything she despised. He was wealthy, good-looking, and came from a powerful family in Storm City. But his reputation was just as well-known—he was a notorious womanizer, changing partners like clothes.Tessa’s parents had been pressuring her to marry him, believing his family’s influence and wealth would s
Adam, blitz and Hammer, had received a location from their source where Viper could be hiding with Stacey.“The Northern Forest.” A murderous intent erupted from Adam.In no time they arrived at the location.Adam stepped cautiously through the dense underbrush, the cold air biting at his skin. His heart raced with the urgency of his mission. Viper had Stacey, and he wouldn't rest until he got her back.“Blitz, Hammer,” Adam said, glancing back at his two men. “Search the area. We need to know where Viper is hiding.”“Understood,” Blitz replied, his eyes scanning the shadows. Hammer nodded in agreement, both men fanning out to cover more ground.Meanwhile Adam continued deeper into the mountains, the atmosphere thickened with tension. He could feel it—the unmistakable presence of danger. The sound of muffled voices reached his ears, and he quickened his pace.Suddenly, he broke through the trees and found himself in a small clearing. There, tied to a large tree, was Stacey, her eyes w
Adam had dealt with the Deadskull for years, he knew they were sneaky, that was why he told Blitz and Hammer to look around the premises earlier before he approached them. And he earlier got a report that they had taken down ten snipers, which made Adam believe all Viper's snipers were gone.Viper’s smile twisted into something malicious. “Even without snipers, thirty men are more than enough to handle you, these are no ordinary warriors, but elites from the Deadskull. Do you really think you’ll leave this place alive?”Adam’s lips curled into a faint, mocking grin. “You’ll have to do better than that, Viper.”Viper’s patience snapped. “Take him down!” he roared, charging forward with a dagger drawn.The Dead Skull members surged toward Adam, but he didn’t flinch. As Viper’s blade slashed toward him, Adam sidestepped effortlessly. In one swift motion, he countered with a crushing punch that connected with Viper’s ribs. The force of the blow sent Viper flying across the cave, his dagge
In the Armand Mansion, the family gathered around the large dining table for breakfast, their voices animated as they discussed the final arrangements for Tessa’s wedding. The air was thick with excitement, but for Tessa, every word felt like a weight dragging her deeper into despair.Her mother, Eleanor Armand, gestured toward a floral arrangement on the table. “The gardenias should arrive today. Make sure they’re placed near the aisle.”Her grandfather, Gerald Armand, nodded approvingly. “And Ethan’s family will arrive this evening. Everything must go perfectly tomorrow.”Tessa pushed her food around on her plate, her appetite nonexistent. They talked about her wedding like it was a business deal—and in many ways, it was.She had tried to explain that she wasn’t ready, that marriage to Ethan wasn’t what she wanted. But they refused to listen. For the Armand family, she was merely a pawn in their game of alliances. If this was the price to pay for peace in the family, Tessa had no ch
Adam stared at Tessa, his expression unreadable. "How do you know it’s mine?"Tessa’s face twisted with fury, her hands clenched into fists. “How dare you ask me that?” she hissed. “You think I sleep around?”Adam stayed silent, unsure how to respond to her sudden outburst.Tears welled up in Tessa’s eyes. “You were the only one. I was a virgin before that night… and you—” Her voice broke as she fought back a sob. “You’re the only man who’s ever touched me.”Adam’s expression softened as guilt washed over him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you."She turned away, wiping her tears. Adam stepped closer, his tone gentle. "Listen, I can take care of you. I have money, more than enough to—”"Shut up!" Tessa snapped, her voice filled with frustration. "Stop boasting about your stupid money."Adam froze, stunned by her reaction. “You don’t get it, do you?” she said bitterly. “I’m Tessa Armand—the heiress of the Armand family. If they find out I’m pregnant with a stranger’s child…” She
Adam’s expression turned to one of disbelief. “Married? Just like that?”“Why not? It’s simple. You need a way out of your current life, and I need to secure my future. Plus, you’ll be the father of my child,” Tessa said, her tone matter-of-fact.Adam smirked, intrigued by her boldness. “So, I’m just a tool for you to avoid a scandal?”“Pretty much,” she replied, unfazed. “But think about it, Adam. You wouldn’t have to struggle anymore. You’d have everything—a wife, a family, a comfortable life. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”He leaned forward, a mix of amusement and contemplation in his eyes. “And why would I accept such an offer? What’s in it for me?”Tessa rolled her eyes, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “You’re not as stupid as you look. I’m not some damsel in distress. I know what I want, and I know how to get it. Marrying me is your best option.”“Are you sure you want to marry a ‘poor man’?” Adam teased, leaning back again.Her eyes narrowed. “I see potent
“I’ll take it then,” Reeves said, his expression lighting up with satisfaction. In fact, he looked almost gleeful as he turned to the staff and asked, “How do you feel after I’ve bought your dog for five million?”“Mr. Reeves, are you serious?” the staff member stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief.Reeves nodded confidently and wrote a check for five million dollars right away. When the staff took the check from his hand, she still seemed stunned, unable to process what was happening.Clement was so elated that he turned to Stacey and said, “Ms. Gold, can you do me a favor? Tell your hotel staff to have the dog killed and retrieve the pill from its stomach.”Stacey hesitated for a moment but then nodded. She quickly called two hotel employees over to take the pug away.It was only then that everyone in the room seemed to grasp what was going on. The initial fight between Clinton and Reeves over the dog hadn’t been about the animal at all. Instead, it was about the pill the pug had
Clinton looked utterly heartbroken, his shoulders sagging as disappointment swept over his face. Stacey, standing nearby, mirrored his dismay, her lips pressed into a thin line.“Ms. Gold, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Reeves—what are you doing?” Gerald asked, his confusion evident.Clinton sighed deeply, his expression darkening. Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, his eyes lit up with urgency. He turned toward the pug sitting innocently nearby and pointed at it. “Whose dog is this?”A staff member hesitantly stepped forward, her face pale with nervousness. “It’s mine, sir. I… I’m terribly sorry for bringing him here. It was unprofessional of me.”Stacey shot her a sharp look but quickly softened her tone. “Let this be the only time. Don’t let it happen again.”“Yes, Ms. Gold. Thank you!” The staff member bowed repeatedly in relief, but just as she began to leave with the pug, Clinton raised his voice.“Wait! Hold on!” he called out urgently.The staff froze mid-step, her heart racing. “Y
“Enough with the nonsense. You just got lucky with your guess. Don’t think you’re all that,” Henry said, rolling his eyes. Despite his dismissive tone, his fidgeting fingers betrayed his growing panic. David, sensing the tension, stepped forward with a scoff. “Even if Mr. Diamond’s painting is fake, it doesn’t change anything. He was deceived! He spent over ten million dollars on it—that’s worth far more than whatever trash you’re calling a gift.” Adam chuckled, his voice tinged with sarcasm. “Trash, you say? You’re calling the pill trash?” David snatched the small bottle from Adam’s hand, shaking it aggressively before pouring out a single black pill into his palm. “Look at this!” David held it up for everyone to see. “Who in their right mind would dare eat something like this? It’s nothing but a scam!” “Dad, look at this nonsense,” he added, handing the pill to Gerald. “Why should I waste my time looking at trash?” Gerald replied coldly, his face twisting in disgust as he
Stacey quickly understood Adam's intention and turned to an elderly man seated not far away. “Mr. Spark, you’re an expert in paintings. Could you help us authenticate this piece?”The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Charles Spark. Known as a renowned art expert, his opinion carried significant weight.One guest chimed in, “Mr. Charles Spark is a leading authority in the art world. If anyone can authenticate this painting, it’s him.”Another nodded in agreement. “But do we even need to go that far? Mr. Diamond wouldn’t dare gift a fake painting. He has a reputation to uphold!”“Exactly,” someone else added. “Ten million dollars is nothing to someone like him. Why would he risk his name over a counterfeit?”The murmurs of agreement spread through the room. Brian, however, felt a bead of sweat forming on his temple. His confidence wavered as he realized the scrutiny was about to intensify.Feigning nonchalance, Brian scoffed, “Authenticate it? That’s rich. But the painting has alr
Brian sneered with an air of superiority. “Well, brat, did you notice anything? Or are you just bluffing again?” Adam didn’t respond immediately. Instead, a playful smile danced across his lips as he picked up a glass of water from the table. He swirled the water in his mouth, as if savoring it, but he didn’t swallow. In a sudden, unexpected move, Adam sprayed the water directly onto the painting. “What are you doing?!” “How dare you?!” The room erupted in chaos. Wendy’s face turned beet red as she jumped to her feet, her finger shaking as she pointed at Adam. Brian was equally furious, his fists clenched tightly. Even Brenda, Gerald, and several other guests stared at Adam in disbelief. “You lunatic!” Wendy’s voice trembled with rage. “That painting is worth millions! How dare you destroy it? You must pay for this, or I swear you won’t leave here alive!” Tessa’s expression shifted from shock to anger as she shouted, “Adam, what are you doing? Are you out of your mind?” She gr
“Adam, I’m begging you. Please, just stop spreading these rumors.” Tessa’s voice trembled with a mix of frustration and disbelief, her gaze fixed on Adam with evident disappointment.She had always thought Adam had a tendency to boast, but this was different. This wasn’t mere exaggeration; it was crossing a line. Her chest tightened as the reality sank in—she was beginning to lose faith in him.Adam, however, remained calm. His sharp gaze locked onto Brian as he asked, “If you’re so confident it’s not a fake, would you allow me to inspect it?”Wendy, unable to hide her irritation, scoffed. “Inspect it? Do you even hear yourself? That painting is worth millions! How dare someone like you even think of inspecting it?”“Exactly!” Brenda chimed in, her arms crossed in disdain. “You have no right to touch something that valuable. If you so much as leave a smudge on it, you’ll be paying for it for the rest of your life!”Brian smirked arrogantly, adjusting his pristine designer watch as he
Gerald’s expression darkened further, his patience wearing thin. If it weren’t for Adam’s association with Stacey, he might have lashed out already. He clenched his fists, suppressing his growing annoyance.Meanwhile, Brian, oblivious to Gerald’s restraint, sneered disdainfully. “How shameless can you be? Offering this junk as a gift? It’s downright embarrassing.”“He’s absolutely right,” Wendy chimed in, her tone dripping with contempt. She rolled her eyes dramatically and added, “Just look at Mr. Diamond. His gift is worth millions, while yours is nothing but a worthless trinket.”Adam let out a quiet chuckle, his smirk widening. “I’ve been holding back, trying to ignore the two of you. But you’ve pushed me too far. Since you seem so eager, I have no choice but to expose the truth.”The sudden shift in his tone caught the room’s attention. Brian and Wendy exchanged uneasy glances but quickly masked their unease with indignation.“Expose us? You?” Wendy scoffed, crossing her arms. “W
“What? How dare you curse me?” Gerald’s voice thundered through the hall, his expression darkening with fury.“I’ve told you before—he’s nothing but an ungrateful wretch. Do you believe me now, Grandpa?” Brenda sneered, seizing the opportunity to pile on the insults.“How dare you curse Grandpa? Apologize to him immediately!” Richard roared, his face contorted with anger.“What are you waiting for?” Eleanor shouted at Adam, her voice trembling with rage. “Do you want to drag us all down with your reckless behavior? Apologize now!”Their frustration was palpable. Despite their disdain for Adam, he was still tied to their family through marriage. If Gerald's anger boiled over, it would spell disaster for everyone associated with him.“Adam, you’ve crossed the line this time! Apologize to Grandpa right away,” Tessa demanded, her face flushed with anger and embarrassment.The crowd, sensing the mounting tension, erupted into a chorus of condemnation.“What kind of son-in-law dares to curs
After all, Bulgart Industry was the leading company in the world. Compared to them, the Diamond family was insignificant. Moreover, the Supreme General’s terrifying underworld organizations was not something the Diamond family would dare to provoke.By now, most of the guests had arrived, and the banquet was about to begin. But before the festivities could commence, an important tradition took center stage—the gift-giving ceremony.Henry was the first to stand, holding an exquisite vase in his hands. He stepped forward confidently and addressed Gerald. “Grandpa, this antique vase cost me eight million dollars. I hope it brings you joy and prosperity on your birthday.”The crowd murmured in approval, nodding at the sight of the lavish gift. Gerald smiled warmly, clearly pleased with Henry’s gesture.“What a thoughtful gift,” someone whispered.Next, Brian rose with a proud smile, presenting a rolled-up painting carefully encased in protective wrapping. He handed it to Gerald with a sli