Claire looked terrified after Pikitis' declaration. Was he going to claim her as a sex slave? How could Elias have the audacity to issue such orders? Did he think he was above the law because his father was the state's Governor?"Don't worry. I will not let him touch you," Victor assured Claire loudly. He turned to Pikitis with a smirk. "Your voice is annoying, and your face is too despicable. It's a good thing your life is about to come to a sorry end. You just haven't realized it yet"Pikitis gulped slowly, a tinge of anxiety touching him. Why was the young man so confident in his insults? He wore ordinary clothes and had no special training in combat. What made him act so haughty?Did the blind arrogance come from his street life? Often, people steeped in poverty and delinquency develop delusions about their abilities. Depravity could drive people off their rockers. Victor had most likely lost his mind after a divorce and bankruptcy. It was necessary to silence his gnarly tongue fo
Carol and Josh were seated in Elias' private chamber. Josh's eyes were sparkling in wonder as he admired the extravagance and high-living amenities. The room had luxurious lounges, an expensive mini-bar, and aquarium walls.The Mayor entered, dressed in his brand-new suit, and greeted his guests."Carol… It's so good to see you after a long time," he said warmly, extending his hand.Carol smiled in response and shook his hand. He looked impeccable with his expensive suit, slicked-back hair, and charismatic smile. Elias was still every bit the perfect, aristocratic young man she remembered from college. Expect that now, he wielded tremendous power and wealth at his fingertips."Elias… The pleasure is mine," she replied with a soft tone.The Mayor frowned to see Josh, who had tagged along with his sister. He wanted some privacy to propose to Carol and, if possible, get physically intimate with her today. However, her brother might throw a wrench into his exciting plans."You are Josh, I
Carol gasped and covered her mouth in shock. She couldn't believe her eyes or ears. Did Elias just propose marriage to her? She looked towards Josh as if to confirm she wasn't mistaken. The brat looked less surprised and more delighted by the event.Why did Elias want to marry her in the first place? He was the Governor's son and could have any woman he wanted. Did he invite Carol over only to confess his feelings? It was all too sudden!"I am waiting for an answer…" Elias said, his charming smile persistent. He had been expecting an immediate YES to his question. In his mind, no woman in her right mind would turn him down. He was the heir to the powerful Crane family, and his social status outranked everyone in Springfield.Carol took half a minute to process the situation before she could respond. "Elias… First of all… Please get up. Let us talk normally. No pageantry is necessary."The Mayor nodded and returned to his seat. He assumed that Carol probably was on the verge of giving
'Absolutely not,' Carol told herself, as Victor's face rushed into her memory. He was a considerate, kind gentleman who really cared for her. The young man wasn't wealthy like Elias, but the warmth and security Carol felt around him was unmistakable. Even though theirs was an arranged marriage, she eventually developed feelings for him. Now that he was no longer in her life, it hurt badly.The Ateliers constantly berated Victor over his middle-class income. But Carol liked him just the way he was. Her bonds with Victor hadn't been entirely severed. Right now, if she got remarried or entered into a new relationship, it would be cheating on him.Even though Victor had been dishonest with her about certain aspects of his life, there was a chance for them to be together again. They could resolve their differences if they sat down and talked like adults. She hoped."I'm sorry, Elias," Carol replied warmly. "The diamond ring is beautiful and exemplary. Whoever marries you will be a lucky wo
"Do you really know him, Carol?" Elias asked, raising his voice for emphasis. "He's not the man you thought he was. Claire even announced merrily that they were going to Miami for a couple's holiday. They may stay there for a month!"The color drained from Carol's face. Had Victor and Claire's relationship advanced so rapidly? "I don't believe this…"Carol was familiar with Claire's personality. She was flirty but was not a woman who'd have casual relationships. If she slept with Victor, it meant they were seriously involved. Were they considering marriage already? Was Victor a gold digger and hence wanted to marry Claire?"It's the truth," Elias said earnestly. "You can ask my secretary.""There's no need for that," Carol said bitterly. She felt like a fool. She had been betrayed yet again. The poor woman still harbored feelings for her ex-husband while he led an extravagant life with multiple immoral women. She overlooked such debauchery, considering it was his life, and she had no
Victor made no attempt to respond to Carol's controversial question. The unfortunate and uncomfortable truth was Claire's teeth had indeed caused the hickey on his neck. But it was the consequence of her childish behavior. Victor had no idea she wanted to mark him like a werewolf's mate.Carol's reaction convinced him with regret that women took such things seriously. At this point, would she even believe him if he told her the truth?"Is it a love bite from Claire?" Carol asked, her voice faltering. Victor didn't respond to her query regardless. A tear escaped the beauty's eye and ran down her cheek. The man didn't deny her allegation, which meant the hickey was indeed from Claire.Carol was now convinced the billionaire goddess had won Victor over, a fear she harbored when she was married. The man now shamelessly brandished his love bites as trophies to the world. He had forgotten their past love and bonds of marriage, spiraling down the path of sexual indulgence. She was a fool for
Carol let out a ghastly shriek and rushed to help Josh. Elias eyed the brat's situation and almost sniggered with amusement. However, as Carol turned to him in dismay, he pressed the intercom and called for help.A medic and rescue team in the building reached within minutes and extracted Josh from the aquarium. The wall was also patched up immediately.The brat's head wasn't severely injured, but it was a bloody mess. The carnivorous fish had eaten away a layer of his scalp.As the medic team carried Josh away on a stretcher, Carol turned to Victor. Her lips trembled as she spoke."Everyone else is right about you!" she snapped with tears streaming down her cheeks and her voice a bitter slur."You are a deranged psychopath with no human feelings! You like only violence and the company of promiscuous women! We are done! Forever!"Victor was slightly taken aback by her reaction. Wasn't it Josh's fault for charging at him? Even though the boy was too weak to even lay a scratch on Victor
The men surrounded Victor but kept their distance. The fierce-looking men were waiting for Elias' orders."These men are not your standard gangsters. They are underworld warriors who have fought under the most dangerous circumstances. Your street-fighting skills will falter before them. Since you already want to die, they'll put you out of your misery.""My misery?" Victor asked. His aura had darkened, bringing a sense of dread to everyone else. But Elias was clueless because of his loud, egoistic rant."Well, are you so oblivious of your condition, Victor? You are dirt poor and absolutely worthless. Maybe you earned some money from pimping out your body to female billionaires. However, I am sure you spent it away like the fool you are.""Because of your insanity and poverty, Carol left you. Don't you see your misery? Perhaps you thought showing up here like a hapless orphan would persuade her to sympathize and take you back. What a joke! Instead, your erratic behavior only made her s