Elena shook her head with a happy smile. That was exactly the question she had been waiting for. Almost as if rehearsed, she walked over to the stack of cartons neatly arranged by the wall.With deliberate pride, she pointed at them. “This will help me out, Mother. These and many more.”Rita let out a short laugh. “Perfumes?”“Yes,” Elena answered proudly.But Rita’s amusement quickly turned to skepticism. “So, you’re planning to use these perfumes as a bridge to bring you and Franco together? Elena, come out of your dreams. The Franco you once knew is gone. The man you’re talking about now is the Ruffian Lord. He’s calculating, powerful, and highly influential. Do you really think he’ll fall into such a trap again?”Elena’s smile deepened, almost coaxing. She looked at her mother with the confidence of someone who believed she held the winning card. “Exactly, Mother. I know this Franco isn’t the same one I divorced. But I also know him too well. Back in our marriage, he was obedient—

Elena’s fists clenched so tightly her knuckles whitened. Her mother’s words echoed in her head like a merciless slap—Will Franco leave his wife who stood by him all these years for another person who had dumped him in the past? The answer is capital letter N.O, equal to NO! It can never happen!She tried to convince herself she wasn’t shaken, that her mother’s words were nothing but lies meant to discourage her. But deep inside, she couldn’t deny there was a sting of truth—especially the part about Franco never leaving the woman he loved for someone who once abandoned him.Still, refusing to show weakness, Elena lifted her chin and met her mother’s eyes. Her voice came out thick, edged with warning.“You should understand something, Mother,” she declared boldly. “This Franco you claim is so deeply in love with another woman was once madly in love with me. He loved me more than anything—and I was the one who made him feel that way. Or have you forgotten the nature of men?”Her eyes har

Elena turned to her, Dimming her looks. “I think you are right, Mother. The evidence has been there all these time but we just turned blind eyes….”“Yes,” Rita continued. “All these years, Franco was never hiding it all. He was in deed just trying to pass the test as the Ruffian Lord. Because if you notice, It was when you told him about the issue of your company that GLC came from nowhere with that deal. And eevn when the project wasn't done and had that little mismanagement, I remember that the first person you told was Franco. He did it for you, but we mistook it for Edgar!”Elena nodded.“And if you also notice the table shakings and all that. How Franco was able to summon Lord Xoxo to tart event against Eddie. Only the rich and influential were able to do that, yet Franco was able to do it. We turned an ignorant glare to all these and if only we asked questions on how Franco managed to buy all that gifts or eevn kept to every of his words made. If only we were able to a sk questi

“The entire city of Otlanto gathers to welcome the official arrival of the Ruffian Lord from Mekhan!”That was the breaking headline, read out in the steady voice of the anchor.On the screen before them, the video rolled. Maya had brought it up for Elena and Rita to see, and it was nothing short of grand. A convoy stretched endlessly, thousands of cars lined bumper to bumper, gliding through the city’s wide streets. Crowds stood on pillars, rooftops, and balconies, waving and cheering. Above them, the sky buzzed with movement—so many helicopters swarming in formation that counting them became impossible. The camera, carried by a drone, swept across the scene, capturing the city’s electric pulse.The video cut back to the news desk. The anchor leaned forward, voice rising with excitement.“The Ruffian Lord, our very own Ruffian Lord—Mr. Franco Milton—is now back in the country! After completing his service in Mekhan, he has returned home!”As the anchor spoke, the broadcast switched t

Edgar nodded quietly and started the car.The ride began in silence, the only sound coming from the hum of the engine as they drove through the calm streets. No one spoke a word, each lost in their own thoughts, until the car rolled into the buzzing, restless heart of Otlanto.The moment they entered the city center, the scene shifted. Posters and flyers of Franco covered nearly every wall, street corner, and billboard. His face was everywhere—bold letters beneath them reading:“Return of the Ruffian Lord from Mekhan!”“Otlanto’s newest Ruffian Lord, Mr. Franco Milton, returns today!”Crowds gathered at different points, phones lifted high as people snapped pictures of the posters, their voices bubbling with excitement. The entire city seemed to be draped in Franco’s name.Rita leaned closer to the window, her eyes widening.“Oh… wow!” she gasped. “Look how the whole city is celebrating Franco. They’re dancing, singing his praises… they’re practically worshipping him. He is truly love