Mariya Romano felt her world crumbling as the Head Hunter's words echoed in her mind. The screams of her mother Elena Castellano and brother Antonio Castellano still haunted her ears, and without further hesitation, she knew she had no choice. Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone and began making calls to her financial advisors."I need you to liquidate everything," she said into the phone, her voice trembling. "Every stock, every bond, every asset. I need cash immediately."Vincent Torretti Sr., her investment banker's voice crackled through the speaker. "Miss Romano, this is highly irregular. Liquidating everything at once will result in massive losses. The market penalties alone—""I don't care about the penalties!" Mariya snapped, tears streaming down her face. "Just do it. Now.""But Miss Romano, your portfolio is worth over forty-five million. If we liquidate everything at once—""I said do it!" she screamed into the phone. "I don't have time for your lectures!"Vincent's

Before the next gang of thugs arrived to keep a close and intimidating watch on Karvel Cross, his Sebastian Sterling items were all ready.The house he was staying in was one of his emergency houses - on the outside it looked like trash, but underground, there was an entire mansion complete with surveillance equipment, weapons caches, and multiple escape routes.Karvel descended into the underground lair and began the familiar transformation.He donned the expensive suits, applied the facial prosthetics, and practiced the crude mannerisms that defined his criminal persona. Within an hour, Sebastian Sterling was reborn.Knowing how thorough the Head Hunter could be, Sebastian made his way to the maximum-security prison where he was supposed to be incarcerated.The imposing concrete walls and razor wire gleamed under the afternoon sun as he approached through a network of underground tunnels that connected to the facility.Warden Alessandro Castellano was waiting for him in his private

Mariya Romano knew she had no choice. Despite every fiber of her being screaming against it, she had to face the Head Hunter. Elena Castellano and Antonio Castellano's lives hung in the balance, and their terrified voices from the phone call still echoed in her mind.The upscale Ristorante Romano buzzed with the quiet conversations of wealthy patrons, but Mariya felt isolated in her own personal hell as she sat across from the bald monster who held her family hostage."You know, Mariya," the Head Hunter said, swirling his wine glass with practiced elegance, "there's an easy way out of this mess you've gotten yourself into.""I'm listening," Mariya replied coldly, though her hands trembled slightly as she gripped her napkin."Become my woman. My personal... companion. Do that, and I'll find a way to help you with this little financial problem."Mariya's eyes flashed with disgust. "Over my dead body."The Head Hunter's face darkened instantly, his charming facade cracking to reveal the

They dragged Karvel through the city streets, attracting stares from passersby who quickly looked away when they saw the thugs' sword tattoos.Within thirty minutes, they had reached Karvel's rundown apartment building. The exterior was a testament to urban decay - peeling paint, broken windows, and graffiti covering every available surface."Jesus, what a shit-hole," Vincent Castellano commented as they climbed the creaking stairs. "How does anyone live in this dump?""Maybe that's why he keeps chasing rich women," Antonio Ricci laughed. "Trying to upgrade his living situation."They kicked open the door to Karvel's modest apartment and threw him inside.The furnished space was sparse and depressing - a single bed, a broken television, and a refrigerator that hummed loudly in the corner."Stay put, asshole," Sal Benedetti warned. "We'll be watching the building. Try to leave, and you'll regret it.""The Head Hunter will be coming for you soon," Marco Torretti added with a menacing gr

The plan was put into motion immediately. Mariya Romano sat in her penthouse, her hands trembling slightly as she dialed the Head Hunter's number. Sebastian Sterling had coached her through every word of the conversation they were about to have."Well, well," the Head Hunter's voice came through the phone, dripping with false charm. "Calling to confirm your payment schedule, sweetheart?""Actually, there's a problem," Mariya said, forcing her voice to sound distressed. "I'm having issues with my bank at the moment. I won't be able to transfer the next installment electronically."The Head Hunter's tone turned ice-cold instantly. "What the fuck are you trying to pull, you lying bitch?""I'm not trying to pull anything! The bank is investigating some suspicious activity on my accounts. They've frozen my wire transfer capabilities pending their review.""Do you think I'm some kind of idiot? You're trying to skip out on your payment!""No, I swear I'm not—""Listen to me very carefully, y