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Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 163
163The crowd surged forward, the air thick with derisive laughter that bit at Allvar like a swarm of stinging insects. The taller guard, his eyes cold as polished stone, stepped even closer until he loomed over Allvar, blocking the light from the chandelier above. “Look, boy,” he spat, his voice lowering to a dangerous rumble, “you need to walk away before this becomes a problem you don’t want to have.”Allvar’s throat tightened, but he lifted his chin, holding the guard’s gaze. “I’m telling you the truth. Leonard Falck sent me. I’m his—”The young woman in silver, her sequin-studded dress catching the light like shards of ice, let out a scoff so sharp it might as well have been a blade. “Oh, spare us the theatrics. Do you expect us to believe that Leonard Falck, who could hire any polished envoy in the city, sent you here?” Her dark eyes swept over his simple sedan parked at the edge of the lot. “In that tin can?”The crowd erupted in renewed laughter, faces flushed with mirth and
Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 164
164The guards moved, reaching for Allvar with practiced precision. Allvar’s heart thudded, the heat of humiliation and fury coursing through him like fire. He took a step back, raising his hands defensively. “Don’t touch me.”The taller guard’s expression darkened, and he lunged. “Enough of this—”Before he could finish, the guards’ hands closed in around Allvar, their expressions a mix of irritation and relish. Allvar's breath quickened, his heart thundering beneath his ribs as he forced himself to stand tall. He met the taller guard's glare with a defiance he barely felt."Touch me again, and you’ll regret it," Allvar warned, his voice low and tight.The guard sneered, throwing back his head with a bark of laughter. The sound was quickly picked up by the onlookers, who jeered and clapped as if this were some grand show meant for their amusement."Regret it, will we?" the second guard, the one with a scar cutting across his cheek, mocked. He pushed Allvar back, the movement rough en
Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 165
165“Are you Allvar Falck?” he called out, his tone brisk, leaving no room for hesitation.Allvar’s eyes widened slightly, but he nodded, straightening his posture. “Yes, that’s me.”The two guards exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier bravado slipping away like sand through fingers. Anders’ eyes narrowed as they flickered to the guards, their smug expressions replaced with sudden apprehension.“Follow me, Mr. Falck,” Anders said, his tone softening slightly as he gestured for Allvar to approach. Without a moment’s pause, Allvar stepped forward, ignoring the guards’ shifting feet and shallow breaths. They were watching, but Anders was too, and his gaze was sharp and unyielding.As they walked back toward the building, Anders kept his stride purposeful but slowed enough to glance at Allvar. “My sincerest apologies, Mr. Falck. This oversight is unacceptable. I assure you it will be rectified.”Allvar’s jaw unclenched for the first time since the ordeal began. “Thank you. It’s… appreci
Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 166
166Derek descended the grand staircase, his polished shoes clicking against the marble steps as he approached the glittering ballroom below. The space was alive with movement—women in flowing gowns and men in tailored suits mingled beneath a cascade of crystal chandeliers. The low hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of glasses and the soft strains of a string quartet in the corner. Derek’s eyes immediately scanned the crowd, searching for familiar faces.His father, Victor, stood near the center of the room, commanding attention as he spoke with an air of authority. Beside him was Victoria’s father, Richard, his deep laugh carrying over the noise of the gathering. Victoria stood nearby, her gold dress shimmering under the light as she sipped champagne, her expression carefully neutral but her sharp eyes surveying the room.As Derek approached, Victor spotted him and gestured sharply for him to come over. “Derek,” Victor said, his voice loud and commanding. “Come meet some o
Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 167
167The grandeur of the place overwhelmed Allvar the moment he stepped inside. The chandeliers, resembling cascading frozen waterfalls, cast a warm golden glow across the polished floors and the flowing gowns of the elite. Soft jazz music hummed in the background, blending seamlessly with the lively chatter of laughter and clinking glasses.Allvar lingered awkwardly at the edge of the room, his fingers brushing against a waiter’s tray as he grabbed a glass of champagne. He sipped it, letting the bubbles fizz on his tongue, though it did little to settle the knot of tension in his stomach. His eyes swept over the crowd, searching for any familiar faces, but the sea of strangers only heightened his discomfort. *Everyone here looks like they belong,* he thought bitterly, adjusting the lapels of his suit that felt too tight, too unfamiliar.Determined not to appear like an outsider, he took a breath and stepped further into the crowd. The sound of conversation buzzed in his ears, a stark
Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 168
Derek’s sharp voice cut through the tension hanging in the air. “Is there a problem here?”Allvar’s eyes flicked toward Derek, the man who had just entered the conversation. The moment Derek’s gaze met his, Allvar could see the recognition—though it was followed by a mix of confusion and disdain.Derek’s expression shifted from one of curiosity to outright shock. “What the hell are you doing here?” he spat, his voice laced with disbelief. “This is a private event, not some free-for-all. How’d you manage to sneak in? Didn’t think people like you could afford an invite.”Victoria’s eyes narrowed as Derek’s words settled, the smirk returning to her lips. She tilted her head, taking a step back as though she could sense the shift in power. “Looks like you’ve got some explaining to do, Allvar,” she taunted. “It’s not exactly a place for... well, people like you.”Allvar stood there for a beat, his gaze never leaving Derek. He could feel the familiar knot of frustration twisting in his gut,
Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 169
169Victoria’s lips tightened into a thin line, her anger evident in the way her fingers curled into fists at her sides. “You’ve got a lot of nerve,” she spat. “I don’t know what kind of pathetic games you’re playing, but you won’t last here. Not with people like us watching you.”“People like you?” Allvar repeated with a raised brow. “You mean people who think money gives them power? That’s cute.” He paused, letting the words sink in before he continued. “You’ve clearly never learned that wealth doesn’t equate to respect. Or maybe you’ve forgotten. But I’m here to remind you.”Derek opened his mouth to respond, but Allvar cut him off before he could get a word out. “Tell me, Derek,” Allvar began, his voice steady and dripping with quiet amusement. “What do you think will happen if you try to throw me out? Do you really think your daddy’s money will keep you safe when the truth comes out?” His eyes gleamed as he added, “It’s funny, really. The way you think this place is untouchable.
Get Ready For Allvar Falck's Ruthless Return 170
170Victoria’s nails dug into her palm as she glared at Allvar’s retreating figure. Her lips curled into a sneer as she turned to Derek, her voice a low hiss. “Are we really going to let him walk away like that? He just humiliated us in front of everyone!”Derek’s jaw tightened, his gaze still locked on Allvar. “He’s lucky I didn’t smash that smug look off his face,” he growled, slamming the champagne flute onto the nearest table. “We can’t let him get away with this.”“Damn right we can’t.” Victoria’s heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she took a determined step forward. “He thinks he can talk down to us and just walk away? Not a chance.”Derek grabbed her arm, his grip firm. “What are you planning, Victoria? You can’t just march up to him again and make an even bigger scene.”She yanked her arm free, her glare cutting. “You think I care about a scene? This isn’t over, Derek. Not until that arrogant bastard knows his place.” She spun on her heel, stalking after Allvar
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256As the door to the dining room shut behind Mrs. Penrose and Tobias, Lily turned to Allvar, her voice trembling with frustration. “He’s wormed his way into her trust for years, and she always believes him over me. Always.”Allvar folded his arms, his gaze still fixed on the now-closed door. “Trust me, Lily. Tobias just played his hand. The more desperate he gets, the sloppier his lies will become. We’ll catch him.”Lily frowned, shaking her head. “It won’t matter. Grandma’s too stubborn to see reason when it comes to Tobias. He could light the house on fire, and she’d still blame me.”Before Allvar could respond, the door creaked open, and a soft voice interrupted them. “Lily?”Lily turned to see her younger cousin, Clara, peeking into the room, her wide eyes darting nervously between Lily and Allvar. “I... I think I saw something,” Clara whispered.“What did you see?” Lily asked, stepping toward her.Clara hesitated, wringing her hands. “I didn’t want to say anything earlier becau
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255Tobias’s anger dissolved into feigned sorrow as he turned to Lily’s grandmother, his expression desperate and pitiable. “Mrs. Penrose,” he began, his voice trembling, “I’m so sorry you had to see this. I never wanted it to come to this point, but Allvar has been trying to turn Lily against me. He’s been manipulating her, feeding her lies about me. I only wanted to protect her.” Lily’s jaw dropped. “What? That’s not true, Grandma! He’s lying!” Mrs. Penrose held up a hand, silencing Lily. “Tobias,” she said softly, her piercing eyes fixed on him. “You’ve always been like family to us. Tell me exactly what happened.” Tobias cast a quick glance at Allvar, his expression carefully crafted into one of righteous indignation. “It all started when Allvar came into the picture. He’s been filling Lily’s head with nonsense, telling her I’m possessive and controlling. I only care about her well-being, Mrs. Penrose. I’d never hurt her. But he... he’s turned her against me.” “That’s not
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254The tension in the room grew thicker as the noise of Tobias's shouting reverberated through the walls. People began to gather at the doorway, whispering amongst themselves, their faces a mixture of concern and curiosity. “Isn’t that Tobias?” someone murmured. “He’s completely lost it,” another whispered back. Tobias’s face was red with rage, his voice echoing over the quiet hum of the spectators. “You think you’re better than me, Allvar? Strutting around here like you own the place with your smug face and pompous attitude!” Allvar tilted his head slightly, his calm composure unbroken. “Smug? Pompous? My dear Tobias, if confidence and composure offend you so deeply, I shudder to think how you handle everyday life.” His voice was as smooth as silk, laced with a subtle arrogance that made Tobias’s fists clench even tighter. Lily’s temper flared once again. “Tobias, stop this! You’re acting like a child throwing a tantrum,” she snapped, stepping forward and placing herself f
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253Allvar smiled warmly as Lily approached, his deep blue eyes softening as they met hers. He held out the box with a gentle nod. "For your grandmother," he said, his voice steady yet filled with a quiet reassurance. Lily took the box, her hands brushing against his briefly. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Relief poured through her like a river breaking through a dam. "You have no idea how much this means to me." But their moment was short-lived. "Unbelievable," Tobias growled, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. His footsteps were heavy, purposeful, as he strode toward them, his face contorted with rage. Lily instinctively stepped closer to Allvar, clutching the box tightly to her chest as if it could shield her from Tobias’s fury. "You," Tobias spat, pointing an accusatory finger at Allvar. "You think you can just waltz in here, play the hero, and take what’s mine?" Allvar’s brows furrowed in confusion, but he held his ground,
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252Lily’s heart pounded in her chest, her eyes scanning the crowded room. The laughter and chatter of the guests around her felt like a distant echo, her mind fixed solely on one thing—Allvar. He had promised to bring the antique clock, the one she’d been dying to give her grandmother, but with every passing second, her anxiety mounted. What if he didn’t show up? What if he had forgotten?Her gaze swept over the guests again, her fingers twitching at her sides. She tried to calm her breath, but the tightness in her chest grew. Where was he?"Relax, Lily, he’ll be here," she whispered to herself, though the reassurance felt hollow.But as if to mock her thoughts, a voice broke through the noise, sharp and unmistakable. Tobias."Still waiting for that prince charming, Lily?" he drawled, his voice smooth and condescending. Lily stiffened, her back straightening in defiance as she turned to face him."Tobias," she said with a strained smile, her tone icy. "I told you already, stay away f
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251**The Next Day** Allvar adjusted the frayed scarf around his neck as he stepped into the crisp morning air. Dressed in faded jeans and an old jacket, he looked more like a man who’d wandered off the street than someone of his stature. It wasn’t often he dressed down—his position demanded a certain level of polish—but today, he needed anonymity. If the antique dealers knew who he was, the price of the clock he sought would magically triple. His goal was clear: find a vintage clock for Lily’s grandmother. He had promised to deliver something special, and Allvar never went back on his word. But as he stepped into the first shop on the narrow, cobbled street, he realized this task might be trickier than he’d imagined. The bell above the door jingled as Allvar entered, and a wiry old man behind the counter greeted him with a suspicious squint. The shop smelled of aged wood and dust, the shelves cluttered with trinkets and relics that seemed to groan under their own histories. “
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250---**Later that evening** Allvar’s office, usually a picture of order and control, was abuzz with unease. Clarabelle paced, her sharp heels clicking against the marble floor as she barked instructions into her phone. “I don’t care how long it takes—trace the source of those logs. Every server. Every access point. I want answers *now.*” Falck watched her silently from behind his desk, his sharp gaze narrowing as he considered her. Despite her loyalty, the evidence against her was too precise, too perfect. It wasn’t her style to leave loose ends. “Clarabelle,” he said finally, his tone calm but loaded with meaning. She ended the call and turned to him. “Yes?” “Do you think I’m a fool?” Her expression faltered for the briefest moment before she schooled it into neutrality. “Of course not.” “Then explain why someone is going to such great lengths to frame you,” he continued, standing and walking around the desk. “Why you, of all people? There are others in my organiza
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249Two days later,The cell door buzzed open, and Mrs. Abbott stepped out, flanked by two guards. Her movements were sharp and deliberate as she adjusted her blazer, her fiery determination evident. Jake and Edgar followed closely behind, their expressions a mix of confusion and relief.“How…?” Edgar finally stammered. “How are we out?”Mrs. Abbott smirked, her confidence fully restored. “Did you really think I’d let Falck win without a backup plan?”Jake frowned. “But the charges—the evidence—”“All part of the game,” a voice interrupted. The tall visitor from the previous night emerged from the shadows, their trench coat billowing slightly as they walked. “Let’s just say some strings were pulled.”Mrs. Abbott crossed her arms, her gaze piercing. “What’s your angle? Why help us?”The visitor’s lips curled into a sly smile. “I told you—I despise Falck. But more importantly, I see potential in you. With the right guidance, you could be more than just pawns in his game.”Jake glanced n
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248As Lily and Allvar walked toward her grandmother’s house, the earlier tension from their run-in with Tobias had mostly faded. The quiet neighborhood felt like a world away from the chaos of the day, and the modest house that came into view looked as welcoming as ever. With its weathered shutters and a garden brimming with winter blooms, it exuded a calm that Lily desperately needed.“This is it,” she said, gesturing toward the house. A small smile flickered across her face, though it didn’t last long.“It’s beautiful,” Allvar said, genuinely impressed. He slowed his steps as he noticed her expression falter. “But you don’t look too happy to see it. What’s wrong?”Lily sighed, her shoulders slumping. “It’s nothing.”“Lily,” Allvar said gently, stopping in his tracks. “Come on. I can tell something’s bothering you.”She hesitated, biting her lip. “I just... I wanted to get my grandma something special. Something original. She’s done so much for me, and I wanted to show her how much