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The words hit like a slap in the face. Allvar’s eyes darkened, his usually calm demeanor now strained as the cashier’s attitude shifted. "You’re threatening us?" he asked, his voice low but dangerously firm.Seraphina, her patience wearing thin, took a step forward, her eyes blazing. "We’ve been nothing but polite," she said, her voice unwavering. "And we don’t need to explain ourselves to you, Serena, or anyone else."Serena tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, of course, you don’t need to explain, do you?" she mocked. "You’ve got the whole thing figured out. A woman of mystery and lies, pretending to be something she’s not."Derek snorted, crossing his arms. "And don’t forget the poor, sad little man with her," he added, his voice dripping with derision. "A perfect pair of losers, if you ask me."Seraphina’s eyes flicked to Allvar, her expression unwavering, but her voice cut through the growing tension. "We will pay," she sai153Derek’s eyes widened, a flicker of surprise breaking his smug expression. “Oh, big hero, are we?” he jeered, but there was a hint of disappointment in his tone. He hadn’t expected Allvar to be able to step in.Serena’s smile faltered for a split second before she covered it with a sneer. “Well, well. Allvar to the rescue,” she said mockingly. “Didn’t see that one coming.”Serena’s smirk spread wider as Derek burst into laughter, the sound harsh and filled with disbelief. “You?” Derek managed between gasps, his eyes gleaming with derision. “Pay for all this? What a joke! You think anyone’s buying that, Allvar? You’re nothing but a worthless, pauper loser pretending to be something you’re not.”Serena’s laughter joined his, sharp and biting. She took a step forward, her eyes narrowing as they roved over Allvar’s plain, worn jacket and scuffed shoes. “You can barely afford lunch, let alone a bill of $240,785.67,” she sneered. “What’s the plan, Al
154“You’re really doing this?” Seraphina said, shaking her head slightly. “Allvar, this is madness. They’re going to tear you apart if—”“Wait for it,” Derek interjected, his voice louder now, meant to command attention. “Let’s all watch as the great Allvar tries to buy his way out of a hole he dug for himself.”Serena smirked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Oh, this is rich. Watch him squirm.”The soft hum of the register processing the transaction seemed to echo louder than before, filling the silence that had descended. The cashier’s expression shifted subtly as seconds ticked by. Her eyes darted between the screen and the card in her hand. The sneer she wore began to slip, replaced by something approaching unease.Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat. She glanced around the room, noticing how the spectators had drawn closer, their disbelief giving way to a more predatory interest. “Allvar,” she whispered
155Inside the shop, Serena and Derek stood frozen, unable to speak. Their eyes were wide with shock, searching each other for any semblance of explanation, but neither had one to offer. The crowd that had gathered moments earlier now buzzed with low murmurs and scattered whispers.“Did you see that? The card actually went through!” a young man whispered to his friend, eyes gleaming with astonishment.“No way. He must be loaded,” another voice chimed in, disbelief still lacing his tone.Serena’s hands clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms. She turned to Derek, her expression a mix of frustration and fear. “Derek, say something! How could this happen? I thought you said he was bluffing!”Derek’s jaw was set, the muscles in his face twitching as he tried to suppress the humiliation surging through him. “I don’t know, Serena,” he hissed, each word sharp. “This doesn’t make sense. It can’t make sense.”The murmurs grew
156They made their way to where Seraphina had parked her car. The narrow alley they passed through was filled with the muffled hum of distant traffic. Seraphina kept glancing at Allvar, her eyes wide, her pulse drumming in her ears as if amplifying the unspoken questions swirling in her mind.“Allvar,” she said, breaking the silence, her voice taut and uncertain, “who 'are' you, really?” The words came out in a near-whisper, but they carried a weight that made Allvar pause mid-stride.He turned to face her, for a brief moment, his eyes met hers, dark and unfathomable, before flickering away.“Seraphina,” he began, forcing a smile that looked almost convincing. “My family had investments. Some of them paid off… more than anyone expected.”“Investments?” she echoed, her brows knitting together. The word felt hollow, like an excuse crafted too neatly to be the whole truth. She took a step closer, tilting her head as if proxim
157Seraphina listened intently, her brow furrowed as Allvar explained his family's involvement in "private security work." A small, disbelieving laugh escaped her lips."Private security work, huh?" she echoed, her tone layered with a hint of amused skepticism. "I have to say, Allvar, that's a far cry from the 'investments' you first mentioned."She stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with a mix of curiosity and playfulness. "So, are we talking about some high-tech, James Bond-esque operation here? Or is it more of a glorified bodyguard situation?"Allvar chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Well, I suppose you could say it's a bit of both," he admitted, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "My family has certainly had its fair share of, shall we say, 'exciting' adventures over the years."Seraphina couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of the situation slowly sinking in. "I have to hand it to you, Al
158When he finally arrived at his family’s mansion, the sky was a deep indigo, speckled with the first stars of the evening. He parked in the circular driveway and stepped out, the grand facade of the house looming before him. The cool night air whispered past him, carrying with it the faint scent of jasmine from the gardens.The mansion was silent, save for the quiet rustle of leaves in the breeze. As he stepped inside, Mr. Lorentz, the family’s ever-attentive butler, was already waiting in the foyer, hands clasped behind his back.“Welcome back, sir,” Mr. Lorentz said with a polite smile that hinted at genuine concern. “Long day, I assume?”Allvar managed a tired nod. “You could say that, Mr. Lorentz. Anything noteworthy while I was away?”“Not particularly, sir, except for a message from your father. He mentioned he would like to speak with you in the morning.”Allvar’s brow furrowed. “Did he say why?”Mr. Lorentz shook his head. “Only that it was of importance, sir. Would you lik
159“It’s at the Hawthorne mansion,” he said, trying to keep his voice neutral. He could feel his father’s sharp eyes on him, reading every flicker of emotion that crossed his face.“Something wrong, Allvar?” his father asked, his voice low and probing. “You look... unsettled.”Allvar straightened and forced a casual shrug, schooling his features into calmness. “Not at all,” he said smoothly. “Just surprised.”His father’s eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned forward, fingers steepled together. “Surprised? The Hawthornes have hosted plenty of gatherings before. This one shouldn’t be any different.”“It’s just been a while since I’ve attended one of their events, that’s all,” Allvar replied, maintaining an even tone. “I’m sure it’ll be as extravagant as ever.”His father raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching in a smirk. “Extravagant? Is that what concerns you, son? The glittering chandeliers and their over-the-top wine collection?”“Hardly, Father.” Allvar’s lips curled s
160The night of the party had arrived, and Derek stood in front of his ornate, full-length mirror, fingers fastening the last button of his tailored, jet-black suit jacket. The fabric was impeccable, crafted from the finest silk with subtle gold-thread embroidery at the cuffs and collar.Despite the meticulous attire, a faint bruise still shadowed his cheek, a stubborn remnant of the confrontation that lingered as a dull throb with each movement of his arm. Below, the deep bass of music pulsed through the walls, signaling that guests were already mingling in the grand ballroom, glasses clinking and laughter echoing like a challenge.Derek took a deep breath, trying to steady the fury simmering in his chest. The humiliation of that day still stung, and his hatred for Allvar, the man who had sparked it all, burned brighter than ever.Suddenly, the door burst open without warning. Victor strode in, his imposing presence filling the room in an instant. His cold eyes swept over Derek, not
213The next day at Waterfall Corporation, Darwin leaned back in his sleek leather chair, a smug grin etched across his face. He tapped his fingers against the polished oak desk, his thoughts swimming with satisfaction. Yesterday's encounter with Serena and Derek had been nothing short of delightful. The way they’d left—angry, humiliated, and seething—was a perfect appetizer to the meal of revenge he was planning. “This is just the beginning,” he muttered under his breath, his smile widening. Serena. Her name alone sent a rush of anger through him, but he kept it buried beneath his polished exterior. She had dumped him, publicly no less, treating him like some disposable piece of her glamorous world. And Derek? That self-righteous fool had dared to tarnish his reputation with those baseless allegations. Oh, they would both pay, and dearly. A knock at the door broke his train of thought, and Clarabelle, his efficient and ever-loyal secretary, stepped in. She carried her tablet in
Serena's grip on Derek's arm tightened as they reached the entrance. Her breath came in shallow, uneven gasps, and her eyes darted around as if looking for answers in the gleaming marble floor or the polished chrome fixtures. The silence between them was suffocating, filled with unspoken accusations and the sting of embarrassment.“I can’t believe we let him play us like that,” Serena hissed, her nails digging into Derek’s sleeve. “We’re not just going to let him get away with this, are we?”Derek’s jaw clenched, but he kept his eyes fixed on the revolving door in front of them. “And what do you suggest we do, Serena? March back in there and challenge a man who could buy and sell us ten times over?”Serena’s eyes flashed with anger. “No, but we’re not going to crawl away with our tails between our legs either. We need to hit him where it hurts—his reputation, his alliances. If he thinks he’s untouchable, we’ll show him he’s not.”Derek scoffed, the bitterness in his voice cutting thro
Emily had never been one to back down, but as she stumbled towards the door, her face flushed with humiliation, her thoughts were a tangled mess. How could she have been so blind? How could she have dismissed him so easily? The man she had thought was just some arrogant, rich playboy was, in fact, a billionaire with more power than she had ever imagined. The realization was like a punch to her stomach, leaving her breathless.She could still feel the weight of Allvar's gaze on her, his icy eyes cutting through her with the precision of a sharp blade. It wasn’t just the shock of his wealth that had shaken her—it was the way he had handled the situation. The way he had turned the tables, dismantling their arrogance with effortless ease. The way he had put Derek and Serena in their place without so much as raising his voice. It was as if he had orchestrated the whole thing from the very beginning, knowing exactly how it would play out."Did you hear him?" Serena whispered, her voice bare
Derek’s face hardened as he tried to muster whatever defiance he could. "What do you want from us? Haven’t you done enough already?" His voice was laced with false bravado, but his shaking hands gave him away.Allvar stepped forward, his polished leather shoes clicking softly on the marble floor. His sharp, tailored suit made him look even more imposing. He tilted his head slightly, studying Derek as if he were an insignificant insect. "Done enough?" he repeated, his voice calm, dangerously so. "You mocked me, insulted me, and attempted to humiliate me in public. And now, you think you can walk away without facing the consequences?"Serena whimpered, clutching Derek’s arm tighter. "W-we didn’t know who you were! We didn’t mean—""Didn’t mean?" Allvar’s icy gaze locked onto hers, cutting her off mid-sentence. "What you mean is you didn’t think I was someone who could fight back. That’s always the problem with people like you. You respect power only when it’s shoved in your face."Emily
209Mr. Alves froze, the receiver trembling in his grip as the weight of the words settled over him. He couldn’t breathe, his eyes flickering nervously to Allvar, who still stood there, calm and composed."Y-you can't be serious..." Alves whispered, as if trying to reason with the invisible figure on the other end of the phone.The voice was cold and unforgiving. "I don’t make jokes about business, Mr. Alves. You’ve disrespected someone you shouldn’t have. Pack your things. Security will escort you out shortly."The line clicked dead.For a moment, no one moved. The silence was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the restaurant's air conditioning. Derek and Serena gaped at the manager, their smug smiles wiped clean."What did—" Derek started, his voice cracking."Vacant?" Serena’s voice was a high-pitched squeak. "H-he said vacant!?"Mr. Alves stumbled back, his face still ghostly pale. "T-this is impossible," he muttered, eyes darting to Allvar, who now smiled ever so faintly,
208Allvar clenched his fists in anger, grinding his teeth at Derek's audacity. Serena scowled with flaming cheeks, rolling her eyes dismissively.Allvar remained composed, arching a brow at their reaction. "There seems to be an issue here that requires your assistance," Allvar replied calmly into the phone.On the other end of the line, the voice grew sharp with concern. "What sort of situation, Young Master? Are you alright?"Allvar couldn't help but let a small, wry smile flicker across his face, his eyes glinting with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "I've been accused of theft, of all things," he explained, his voice laced with disbelief. "The manager here refuses to believe the gold card is mine. He's threatening to call security on me."He went on and relayed all the events that had transpired, describing how he had been openly mocked and ridiculed by the manager.The butler listened attentively, a frown forming on his aged face. Such disrespect towards the young master wa
Allvar's lips curled into a faint smirk, his calm demeanor betraying none of the turmoil his accusers expected. “How… How did this hobo come into possession of this?" Mr. Alves gasped, his eyes widening in disbelief as he scrutinized the exclusive card in his hand. Allvar remained impassive, his posture relaxed as he watched Mr. Alves struggle to reconcile the elegant card with the man before him. The manager cleared his throat, masking his astonishment with an air of accusation. His gaze darkened as he fixed Allvar with an intense glare. “You’re a criminal! Where did you get this card? This isn’t something just anyone can own. Where did you steal it from?” “From my family," Allvar replied casually, his tone devoid of concern. Emily froze, her pale face reflecting her confusion. She trusted Allvar's integrity but couldn't fathom how he had acquired such an item. In stark contrast, Derek and Serena scoffed simultaneously, their eyes rolling in unison. “Like your pathetic fam
206“Hey!! You're making a mistake here!” Serena called out in a harsh voice, her face scowling at the waiter, who turned slightly to acknowledge them once more.“Do you know who this man is?!” she demanded, pointing dramatically at Derek, who had the audacity to look smug. Emily could only roll her eyes at their theatrics.With newfound determination, Serena stomped toward their direction, intent on blocking their path. She crossed her arms and glared daggers at the trio. Pleased with the development, Derek swaggered forward to join her, standing beside her like a soldier in solidarity. He eyed the waiter and Allvar with disdain, sneering as if he owned the entire establishment.“Do you know who I am?!” Derek bellowed, his voice dripping with arrogance. “Do you realize what weight my family name carries? How dare you relegate me to the background just to attend to this nobody?!”He jabbed a finger toward Allvar, his contempt thinly veiled, while the waiter’s face twisted in confusion
205Allvar took a slow, deep breath to calm himself. Then, with steady hands, he reached into his wallet and extracted a sleek gold card his father gave him, it shimmered under the restaurant's ambient lighting. He placed it on the table with quiet confidence."I would like to be considered a VIP as well," he declared, his voice steady, betraying none of the inner storm churning within him.Derek's response was swift, his laughter sharp and full of disbelief. "Oh, come on! You think that piece of plastic makes you special here?" He leaned in closer, his eyes narrowing into a mocking glare. "This isn't some game where you can just buy your way to the top. It's about who you are, and clearly, you're playing out of your league."As Serena joined in, Allvar's gaze turned toward her, wondering what had ever drawn him to such a cruel woman. Her beauty was undeniable, but now, her biting cruelty far eclipsed any physical allure she once held."Absolutely, darling. It's adorable you think a b