"How may I help you?" Victor Crowe asked, snapping Mr. Damon out of his stare at the lavish office, drenched in blue paint from top to bottom—couches, office chairs, even the tiles. It reflected the power he wielded in the political world."I guess you already know me," Mr. Damon smiled, adjusting himself and turning his gaze to Victor Crowe, a man in his early fifties with broad shoulders and a chiseled jawline."What if I say I don't?" Victor retorted with a straight face, prompting Mr. Damon to force a small laugh."We both know that's not true. Well, if you say so. I'm Mr. Damon Archer, owner of the well-known Archer's law firm and various companies bearing the same name.""And also one of Europe's philanthropists," he added, a proud smirk curling up his lips."Do I need to check the names of companies I visit when I travel?" Victor remained unfazed."Well, you don't, but I assume you're familiar with the Archer's law firm. One of the most sought-after firms in the whole of Europe
Despite being assured of her safety, Scarlet still felt helpless in the face of her brother's threat, knowing his fearsome nature, especially now that he was an ex-convict. Pushing those worries out of her mind felt almost impossible."I'll be having my siblings over for Christmas," Scarlet mentioned, rising from the couch."Siblings?" Harry inquired."Yes, my half-siblings from my father's remarriage after my mother left," she explained, noticing both Harry and Jade leaning in with interest."Your family is quite complicated," Jade remarked with a smug smile."I have to head home early to prepare the house and make some designs for their arrival," she added, picking up her Chanel bag and swiftly exiting the office. "Bye!" she called out as she left.Descending the stairs slowly, memories of her siblings, Henry and Gabe, filled Scarlet's mind. She rarely saw the boys as they attended school in Russia, shielded by their mother from the chaos of the Sacramento family.Despite Scarlet's
Her gaze darted nervously around the room. She wasn't sure if the sounds were playing in her head or mere mind games, but she was certain she heard noises from somewhere in the house.Pulling her phone closer, she attempted to stand and reach for her heels, but her wobbly legs betrayed her. She ended up crawling out of her apartment, glancing back every minute during her crawl until she reached her car.She dragged the handle and it was locked, the keys forgotten inside the house.Returning inside felt like a different realm entirely, an eerie aura surrounding the place but she persisted and brought her phone.She sniffled while dialing Harry's number, her heart pounding against her chest with each ring. But Harry didn't pick up.Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she checked her phone—it was 8:14 PM. She couldn't walk to L&M Hotels, as she knew it was the safest place for her.Standing up with newfound confidence, she strode back into her room, her eyes fixed on the entrance in case th
The next morning, Scarlet laid in bed tired of the whole ordeal of last night, her mind clouded with the events of the previous night. From the raid to the trail and Mr Damon joining the UPP party.Mr. Damon joining the (UPP) party was particularly astonishing for everyone.It wasn't just any party; the UPP was known for its strict protocols when admitting new members. Someone with Mr. Damon's history of scandals wasn't expected to be inducted.Especially after being associated with drugs he wasn't supposed to be an inductee.Slowly rising from the bed, Scarlet left the room Harry had offered her for the time being.“Good morning,” greeted Harry from his seat, engrossed in his phone and sipping on a cup of coffee. He glanced up. “Your siblings are coming today?”Scarlet nodded, feeling a surge of nervousness at the thought. Recalling her raided house, she considered the option of taking them to a hotel for the holidays but that would spoil the fun and bond.“I'm considering installing
“I didn't know it would come so fast,” Ms. Oct remarked, walking majestically to settle into one of the couches, while Scarlet stood there, watching her.Watching her settle into the couch brought back memories of the day she'd escorted her to her father, seeing her settle into that same couch, unfazed.Her eyes darted around the large living room, noticing that much hadn't changed—ceilings awaited renovation, the couches and dining area remained untouched, yet the space had been repainted, attempting a subtle transformation.She observed her mother, who settled in, smiling proudly, awaiting Scarlet's speech.“You can have a seat if that's what you need to get started with whatsoever you want to say,” Ms. Oct stated, gesturing to the couch opposite to where she was sitting.“I don't think I need to. I won't be taking time,” Scarlet replied.“Then get started already!” Ms. Oct snapped, glaring at her.“Tell your son to stop the tricks and stop trailing me. It won't benefit him!” Scarle
Scarlet drove slowly, hitting the brakes in the ongoing traffic.“Urgh!” Gabe grumbled. “Can this traffic just stop already!”His words snapped Scarlet out of her thoughts. She couldn't help but smile at his frustration. They were almost at the grocery store. It wasn't too far now.“Is it always this way in Europe?” Henry asked.“Not really. I guess it's because of Christmas,” Scarlet replied.As she reached the front of the store, she parked her car by the side of the road, ensuring it didn't block any traffic.Grabbing her purse, she closed her door and moved to the passenger's side.“What do you guys want?” she asked.“Don't really know till I get inside,” Henry stated, opening the car door to step out.Scarlet initially didn't want them to get out of the car due to the recent threat. She had planned to quickly go in herself while they stayed in the car. But since they insisted, she allowed it.“Drop your backpack,” she instructed Henry, who still had his bag on.Once he did, she he
"Goodbye!" They chorused, waving as Scarlet as they entered their airplane,She stood until the plane took off and ascended into the sky.Rubbing her tired eyes with her arms, she felt exhaustion settling in. Throughout the night, she'd played the role of a vigilant watchman, not allowing herself a moment of sleep as different thoughts jumbled through her mind; thoughts of her crashed car and raided house within twenty four hours still lingered in her mind.Slowly making her way back to her second car, a Honda Fort, she couldn't stifle the inward sigh at how her Christmas had been ruined. What was meant to be a time spent with her younger ones had turned into sending them back a day before the holiday—an unexpected twist of fate.She settled into her car, turned the ignition, and headed back to L&M Hotels.Entering, she sank into the couch with a relieved, audible sigh."Happy Christmas in advance," Jade's voice startled her, causing Scarlet to almost jump out of her skin."Oh my god!
December 28th. The sun streamed through the windows of the Luciano mansion as Mrs. G hurriedly prepared breakfast to match Harry's schedule. They were all leaving today.Scarlet and Jade arranged their bags while Jade attempted to cheer her up. However, since that threat on Christmas day, Scarlet hadn't been herself, despite Harry's assurances that she'd be safe.They all went out to the beach and cinemas, but she refused and decided to stay home all alone. The morning's message had dampened all the excitement she had about spending Christmas with people who cared, unlike in previous years when she was always lonely or spent it by herself.She resigned herself to solitude, and since then, she hadn't been herself, consumed by thoughts of what kind of gift Martin had left at her house.After they finished breakfast, they headed downstairs and loaded their luggage into the car.Soon, they arrived at the airport, and Pietro swiftly paid for parking before they departed for Houston. He acce