............(Aria Veridian POV)"Ahhh... so boring. Seriously, when is my brother coming back?" I sighed, throwing my hands in the air as I lounged on the worn-out couch after savoring the warmth of the breakfast he specially made for me."Oh, what's this card?" I recalled seeing it on the slightly cluttered table. Grabbing it, I discovered it was his credit card, and strangely, he left the PIN code too."Why would he leave this behind?" I wondered, thinking he might have forgotten it amidst the morning rush."Ahhh, maybe he left it for me!" I mumbled, realizing he intentionally left the card for me.Looking at the small piece of paper with the pin code, I almost missed, and understanding that my brother left it for me, a mix of emotions overcame me – a blend of gratitude, confusion, and a touch of melancholy."Ahhh, Big brother. I really...really love you. I hope I can repay you for everything you did for me!" I muttered, hugging the soft pillow tightly, my fingers tracing the edge
............'Ohhh...no...this is bad, what should I do!' My legs almost gave up on me, and my body shivered unconsciously as I started to panic, unable to think of any bright ideas in this terrifying situation.Feeling extremely terrified, I hesitated for a moment, my eyes widening as I took a step back in fear."Clannnk...!"Unintentionally, my foot stepped on something hard, creating a sudden loud clank noise that echoed through the dimly lit alley.The three scary men turned abruptly towards me, their eyes narrowing with curiosity and suspicion sparked by the unexpected sound."Oh, what's this?" one of them grumbled, eyeing me suspiciously. His gaze felt like icy fingers crawling down my spine.Panicking, my breath became rapid, and my heart pounded in my chest like a drum."Whoosh...!"I managed to take three hurried steps, but before I could get any further, a strong grip seized me from behind, halting my escape."Trying to run, eh?" sneered one of the men, his voice dripping w
............"What...how did...!""No...never mind...can you give me a ride? Also, can you find the location where she was seen last time?" Aarav hesitated to question how Maya knew about his sister's predicament, but his immediate concern was his sister's safety."Yes, please. Follow me!" Maya nodded eagerly, a sense of urgency in her eyes.She got up, leading him out towards her sleek car parked nearby."Vrooomnm...!"The engine roared to life before driving him away from the troubled scene. With fast speed, they zoomed through the streets, headed towards the location, Maya received in her phone."Screech...!""Is this the place?" Aarav inquired, already out of the car."Yes, this is the place, I am sure," Maya nodded, surprised by Aarav's swift exit."Alright, you should wait here while I check the place!" Aarav directed her, disappearing into the dimly lit area before Maya could express her opinion."Ahhh...wait! Shit...I need to call Grandpa, who knows what kind of danger is th
............However, when she attempted to stand, her body shivered so much that she couldn't manage. Aarav, sensing her distress, offered, "Get on my back and hold my neck tightly."The teenage girl, looking at him with sorrowful eyes, nodded again.As Aarav emerged from the half-destroyed office, he carried his unconscious sister in a princess carry and the shivering teenage girl on his back. Maya, accompanied by four black-suited bodyguards, anxiously approached them. Her eyes widened as she saw Aarav with the distressed figures."Mr. Veridian! What happened? Are they okay?" Maya questioned, her voice filled with concern. Aarav, with a serious expression, gently laid his sister on the floor before addressing Maya."They are safe now. We need to get this girl to a hospital," Aarav replied, his face displaying concern as he looked at teenage girl on his back. Maya signaled her bodyguards to arrange for transportation, and she looked at Aarav, saying, "I called an ambulance. They
............"Yes, she mentioned she'd be back today, but her flight got delayed," Antonio Rossi replied, wiping his mouth. Sophia's expression eased up at the mention of her eldest daughter's name."Did she talk about her business? How did it go?" Sophia asked with curiosity."Yes, she mentioned it was successful, but it's a little complicated. She said she'd explain everything when she gets back," Antonio shared, feeling a bit pleased with his eldest daughter's growth and achievements.Once everyone finished eating, Bella Rossi left for her bedroom in a bad mood. Meanwhile, Antonio Rossi and Sophia Rossi entered the living hall, settling down on the comfy couch."Ahhh!" Antonio let out a comfortable sigh as he rested on the couch, feeling the exhaustion catching up."By the way, dear, how is the new project coming along, as you mentioned before?" Sophia initiated the conversation, taking a seat across from her husband."Hmmm, it's not good. The government is not approving the proje
............Sophia's concern lingered as she voiced another worry, "But what if Elara doesn't listen to our plan or disagrees with it?"Antonio's expression turned stern as he responded, "She will have to listen. This is crucial for our family's future. If she shows any stubbornness or reluctance, I won't hesitate to force her to divorce that trash. Our family's success comes first.""Humph... I have been telling you for a long time that you should throw that trash away from our family. That trash brings nothing but shame to the Rossi family name," Sophia's expression turned disgusted as she spoke with disdain."I would have done that, but Elara was being stubborn about it," Antonio replied with a frowning face."Why did you have to put that condition to begin with? If not for that, she wouldn't have married that trash and brought shame to our family!" Sophia's sharp words reminded Antonio of the mistake he made previously."How should I have known that our good daughter would make
............The next day, morning at the Rossi Family Estate,"Screech...!!""Click... Step...!"The sleek, luxurious car glided to a stop in front of the mansion gate. The driver, swift and efficient, opened the back door with a sense of urgency."Hmmm," a young man with a lean physique and average appearance emerged. The driver, showing deference, gestured respectfully.Dressed in stylish yet casual attire, the young man carried an air of arrogance and nonchalance, his demeanor screaming attention."Hahaha! Welcome... welcome, Young Master Blackthorn, please come this way!" Antonio, standing at the entrance, laughed heartily, extending a warm welcome."Fufu! Young Master Blackthorn looks handsome as always!" Sophia Rossi, standing beside her husband, flashed a flattering smile as she praised the guest."Hahaha! Thank you, Uncle and Aunt!" Darius Blackthorn maintained an amicable smile, expressing gratitude for the warm reception.'What are they playing at, inviting me so suddenly?
............"Hello, Elara! It's been a while!" Darius greeted her with a sense of familiarity, as if he were a very good friend of hers."Please don't address me by my first name; we aren't so close. Keep a respectful distance, Mr. Blackthorn!" Elara's response carried a chill, her words creating an invisible barrier. Her displeasure with his presence was evident, rejecting any attempt at a casual rapport."Dear, do you know Young Master Blackthorn? Are you acquainted with him?" Sophia asked, sensing the tension between them."Hahaha! Yes, Aunt, we sure are acquainted. Actually, I know her quite closely for a while now!" Darius laughed, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Sophia caught the subtle hint, and her smile widened."Oh, that's great. Elara, dear! You shouldn't show such a rude attitude toward the guest. If you both have some misunderstanding, I'm sure you can talk it out!" Sophia beamed as she chided her daughter for being rude to Darius just now while attempting to diffuse