Anna gently tucked Marie under the covers, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead as she softly hummed a lullaby. Marie’s eyes fluttered closed, and soon her breathing deepened as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. Satisfied, Anna quietly left the room, carefully closing the door behind her before heading downstairs.Gabriel was seated in the living room, his brows furrowed in deep thought. His mind was racing, filled with worries about his father, his family, and the danger lurking around them. Anna approached him, her footsteps light.“She’s asleep now,” Anna informed him gently.Gabriel looked up, relief washing over his features. “Thank you, Anna. I couldn’t seem to find the right way to calm her down. That’s why I left it to you.”Anna nodded, her expression understanding. “I know. It’s hard sometimes.”Gabriel stood up, stretching slightly. “Alright then, I should head home. Goodnight, Anna.”As he turned to leave, Anna quickly reached out and placed a hand on his arm
Embarrassment flooded Anna as she dropped her hands from her body and straightened her posture.“I… I was just feeling cold,” she lied, trying to regain her composure.Jia glanced at the air conditioner. “But the AC is off.”“I just had a shower,”-Anna muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.Jia nodded slowly and placed the glass of water she had been holding on the table. As she turned to leave, her eyes caught sight of the portrait of Gabriel, and she gasped. “You’ve got a portrait of him…”“Yes. I was planning to give it to him as a gift. Don’t tell anyone,” Anna replied quickly, her voice a bit too sharp.“I won’t say a word. Goodnight, Ms. Anna.” Jia assured her with a small, knowing smile before quietly leaving the room.Anna stood there for a moment, her heart still racing from the intensity of her daydream and the sudden reality check. She sighed, realizing just how deep her feelings for Gabriel had become, and how dangerously close she was to losing herself in them. Anna dropp
Oliver Wellington, a man in his late 50s, looked nothing like the powerful businessman he once was. His graying hair was tucked under a worn-out cap, and his usually sharp features were hidden behind the rough texture of an old, oversized coat. His boots, scuffed and muddy, added to the disguise that made him nearly unrecognizable. His steps were quick but careful as he navigated through the crowded subway station, his eyes darting around, scanning every face with a mix of wariness and desperation.The station was a bustling hive of activity, with commuters rushing to catch their trains, the hum of conversation blending with the distant roar of arriving subways. The smell of damp concrete and the metallic scent of the tracks filled the air. Oliver’s heartbeat quickened as he glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of two men trailing him. Their expressions turned blank, almost indifferent, the moment they realized they had been spotted. One of them, a tall man with a shaved head, l
Oliver's senses returned to him gradually, like a man surfacing from the depths of a dark, cold sea. His head throbbed painfully, and his vision blurred as he struggled to focus on his surroundings. The world around him came into focus in jagged fragments—the cold concrete floor beneath him, the musty smell of the warehouse, and the distant hum of machinery.The damp air of the warehouse filled his lungs as he inhaled sharply, trying to gain his bearings. Blinking away the fog in his mind, his eyes settled on a figure standing a few feet in front of him. The man’s presence was both commanding and menacing, his expression one of cold amusement.“Hello, Oliver. You probably don't know me. I'm Greg. Greg Walclaw,” the man introduced himself, his voice dripping with a casual arrogance that made Oliver’s skin crawl.Oliver stared at him, the recognition slow to come. He nodded slightly, not showing much surprise despite the situation. His gaze dropped to the ropes binding him to the chair
Greg turned fully to face the intruder, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. The warehouse fell into a tense silence as all eyes darted to the figure emerging from the shadows. Dressed in a black leather tracksuit, the intruder moved with a grace that seemed almost predatory. Slowly, the person reached up, pulling off a dark nose mask to reveal sharp, determined eyes. With a deliberate motion, the hood was drawn back, and a cascade of jet-black hair tumbled down, catching the dim light of the warehouse."A woman?" Greg muttered, amusement flickering across his face. The smirk on his lips widened as he watched her step forward boldly, her face now fully visible—stoic and unwavering. It was Anna, her features hardened like a warrior’s, her eyes cold and focused, betraying nothing but the intent to protect.Greg raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Who are you?""Anna," she replied, her voice steady.Greg chuckled, his eyes raking over her with a mix of curiosity and desire. "Wow, regardless of th
Gabriel stepped further into the room, the weight of the moment heavy in the air. As he emerged from the shadows, revealing his full form, his eyes locked onto Anna. She stared back at him, her face a mix of relief and pain, but her eyes couldn’t hide the fear that had gripped her. Blood trickled from a cut on her cheek, staining her pale skin, but she still managed to give him a weak smile.Greg, standing nearby, noticed the exchange and couldn't resist mocking the situation. "Ah, so the hero finally arrives. How noble," he jeered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.In a blur of motion, Gabriel crossed the room with lightning speed. He lashed out with a powerful kick that connected squarely with Greg’s chest, sending him flying into a corner. Greg’s body hit the wall with a sickening thud, and he rolled on the ground, coughing up blood, his breath ragged.The remaining thugs froze, their eyes wide with fear, but none of them dared to retreat. They began to inch forward, ready to attac
The few remaining thugs in the warehouse shuddered, their confidence shattered. They slowly backed away, retreating to the far side of the room, fear evident in their eyes. Anna rushed to Gabriel’s side, concern etched on her face.“Gabriel, are you okay?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.“I’m fine,” Gabriel replied, his tone firm. “Untie my father and get out of here, Anna.”As Anna ran to free Oliver, Greg struggled to sit up, clutching his stomach in pain. “Hey, Gabriel,” he called out lazily, his voice weak but defiant. "Look, even if your father doesn’t die today, you will."Gabriel sneered, his eyes narrowing. “You talk too much, Greg.”Greg’s smirk returned, though it was more forced this time. “Guys, attack him. Now!” he ordered, his voice rising in desperation as he tried to rally his remaining men.But the fear in their eyes showed they knew it was a losing battle. Gabriel braced himself, his muscles tense as he prepared to finish what he had started.Greg’s eyes dar
Gabriel exhaled sharply, the tension easing slightly from his shoulders. “Good,” he muttered, though his eyes still held a spark of concern.Zoe’s expression hardened. “Greg’s not going to get away with this. I’ll make sure of it.”But Gabriel shook his head, cutting her off. “I don’t want the police involved, Zoe. I need to handle this myself.”Zoe hesitated but then nodded in understanding. “Alright, but what about the thugs? We still need to deal with them.”Gabriel shrugged dismissively. “You can make something up. They won’t say anything useful anyway.”At that moment, a tall man in a police uniform approached them, his gray hair and stern demeanor giving away his years of experience. “Gabriel, what happened to you?” he asked, concern etched on his lined face.“It’s nothing really. Just some thugs who wanted to steal from him,” Zoe lied smoothly.Gabriel nodded in agreement, his gaze unwavering. “Yeah, just a misunderstanding.”The man, Inspector Hastings, narrowed his eyes but