102Once out of the villa and near his car, a woman of striking beauty approached him, clad in elegant attire. "Mr. French!" she called out.Darien furrowed his brow, looking at her face, trying to place where he had seen her before. "Who are you? Do we know each other?" he asked, a frown forming.The woman who happened to be Camila, Amelia's sister, irritated that he didn't recognize her despite seeing each other a week ago, was seething with anger. How could he forget someone like her? Someone as beautiful as her? No man had ever forgotten her. "I'm Amelia's sister," she huffed, crossing her arms.Recognition finally dawned on Darien's face. "Ah, Romania," he said with a smile.She corrected him sharply. "It's Camila, Camila Fairchild, not Romania. But that's not important right now.""Ooh, sorry, Roma––Camilla," David replied, slightly surprised. "It's been a while. How can I help you?"Camila's expression turned a mix of concern and frustration. "I need your help," she urgently s
103As Darien fumbled and dropped the syringe, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry," he muttered, bending down to retrieve it. His professional demeanor struggled against the personal turmoil stirred by the situation.Amelia, lying vulnerable under the soft glow of the bedside lamp, embodied an unexpected distraction. Her figure, a striking silhouette against the muted bedding, was both elegant and intensely alluring. The curve of her waist flowed into rounded hips, and her skin, illuminated by the light, seemed to beckon for attention. Her chest rose and fell with shallow, erratic breaths, each one a silent call that seemed to echo in the tension-filled room.Camila, observing Darien's evident struggle, frowned. "Is everything okay, Mr. French?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of suspicion and concern.Darien cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Yes, everything's under control," he assured her, avoiding eye contact. "I just need to concentrate on t
1043 hours later,As Amelia guided Darien up the ornate staircase to the second floor, Darien, still reeling from the depth of their previous conversation, felt a mix of apprehension and curiosity about meeting Lord Fairchild again. The elder had always been kind to him, a stark contrast to the often cold world outside.Upon entering the lavish sitting room, Lord Fairchild, seated in a high-backed chair, looked up and a warm smile spread across his face. "Ah, Darien, my boy, welcome!" he exclaimed, his voice rich with genuine affection. He attempted to rise, but Darien quickly gestured for him to stay seated, not wanting to strain his elder."Lord Fairchild, it's an honor to see you again," Darien said, his voice carrying a note of respect. He remembered saving the man's life, an event that had forged a bond between them.Just then, another man entered the room. His presence was commanding, and his sharp suit spoke of wealth and power. Amelia stepped forward, her posture straightenin
105Darien took a deep breath, focusing on the man before him. He noticed the subtle signs: the slight grimace when Hawkins moved, the way his hand occasionally drifted to his side, the faint lines of discomfort etched around his eyes. Undeterred by the tycoon's scoffing and self-assured demeanor, Darien began, his voice steady and filled with conviction, "Mr. Hawkins, your external appearance may be deceiving, but your heart, weak from birth, bears the scars of previous injuries."What?The tycoon, his face etched with incredulity, waved off Darien's words. "What nonsense is this, young man? I exercise rigorously and consume the finest herbs from Tibet and Brazil. My health is impeccable."Hawkins's arrogance resonated through his dismissive tone. Darien couldn't help but detect a subtle flicker of insecurity in the tycoon's eyes, a fear of facing the reality that contradicted his carefully crafted image of invincibility.Darien persisted, undeterred by Hawkins's dismissive attitude
106She was taken aback by his question, maintaining her poise, Amelia replied, "Mr. Hughes is in good health, thank you for asking. As for the wedding, we'll announce the date when the time is right."Hawkins smirked, his words dripping with condescension. "Considering your fiancé's temperament, Miss Fairchild, he surely wouldn't appreciate you fraternizing with other men."Amelia's composure faltered for a moment under his piercing gaze, but she quickly regained her equilibrium. "The engagement to Mr. Hughes was arranged by our families," she retorted confidently, "and such arrangements can be dissolved if circumstances change."The tycoon leaned in, his eyes narrowing as he issued a veiled warning. "But, my dear, do consider the implications. The Hughes are not a family to cross lightly. To break off such an engagement would be... less than prudent."Amelia felt a surge of rebellion at his words. Her engagement to Mr. Hughes was indeed a matter of convenience, not of the heart. Yet
107In a dimly lit room, the air was thick with the smell of old leather and cigar smoke. Marco DeSilva, the formidable leader of the Texas family, lounged in an oversized armchair, a glass of whiskey in hand. Across from him sat a man known only by the name Gangatsu, his presence alone enough to fill the room with an aura of danger. Gangatsu, the iron warrior and revered healer, he was a figure shrouded in mystery. His reputation as a formidable fighter was matched only by his skill in crafting poisons and antidotes.Adding to this formidable duo was Lucas Blackthorn, the enigmatic leader of the Crimson Shadows, whose presence seemed to make the air around him thrum with power. The tension in the room was palpable as they discussed the fate of Amelia Fairchild, the spirited young woman who had unknowingly become entangled in their plans. Marco’s face was a mask of amusement as he contemplated the situation, his lips curling into a smirk at the thought of Amelia's predicament.Marco’
108Lost in his thoughts, he was caught off guard when a powerful punch came at him from behind. Instinctively, he dodged the attack, his years of training and quick reflexes coming to his aid. He swiftly turned around to face his assailants, his eyes narrowing in suspicion."I've noticed that you've been following me all along," Darien calmly remarked, his voice filled with a hint of authority. "Who sent you?""Who sent you?" Darien demanded again, his voice steady but laced with an edge that betrayed his readiness for a fight. The assailants, momentarily taken aback by Darien's calm demeanor and quick reflexes, exchanged a quick glance before the taller of the two sneered, "That's none of your business."The shorter attacker, muscles bulging under his tight shirt, cracked his knuckles and added with a grin, "Yeah, just stand still, and this will be over quick."Darien couldn't help but let out a short, derisive laugh. "You really think it's going to be that easy?" he taunted, shifti
109Finally, he reached the room. The door was slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling into the dim hallway. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room."Miss Fairchild?" His voice was softer now, tinged with concern.From the shadows, a figure emerged, and Darien felt his heart leap. Amelia. She was here, and she was safe.Darien's heart was a frenzied drumbeat in his chest as he stepped into the room, the soft call of "Amelia?" escaping his lips. The tension in his body was palpable, muscles coiled like a spring, ready for any threat.Standing with Amelia was a burly man, his features rough and menacing. Darien's fists clenched at his sides, the instinct to protect surging within him. However, the sight of Amelia engaged in what seemed to be a calm conversation with the man tempered his initial rush of aggression. She looked unharmed, her posture relaxed.The man turned, and Darien caught a glimpse of his face. It was Marco DeSilva, but Darien did not kno