Karvel Cross stood tall, unfazed, as Victor Ryker paced slowly in front of him, dressed in his signature silk suit, a twisted smile playing on his lips.Around them, the air was thick with tension, and behind Ryker, half a dozen armed guards waited silently, watching Karvel with a mixture of caution and disdain.These aren't just thugs, Karvel noted. These are his elites—the ones who haven't seen me fight yet.Ryker took a slow drag from his cigar, exhaling smoke that curled upward like a serpent. The acrid scent filled the space between them, a deliberate intrusion."You know," he began, tone deceptively conversational, "I've had a lot of men brought to this room over the years. Some begged. Some cried. Some swore they wouldn't break." And they all did in the end, his smug expression seemed to say.Karvel said nothing, arms loose at his sides, eyes sharp and calm. His mind catalogued every movement, every potential weapon, every exit.Six armed men, one overconfident crime lord, and

Outside Victor Ryker’s mansion, Mariya Carter and Vivian Fairchild were still in a heated argument.“I said you should move aside!” Mariya snapped, her patience stretched thin. “This is my business!”Vivian folded her arms, smirking. “You think because you are Karvel ex once, you have some kind of special ownership over him? Grow up, Mariya.”Mariya gritted her teeth. “At least I didn’t come here just to pretend I care.”Before Vivian could shoot back, the massive iron gates creaked open.Both women froze.Their eyes widened in shock.Out strolled Karvel Cross, hands in his pockets, completely calm, as if he had just come from a casual meeting. And following two steps behind him—head bowed low, face battered and bruised—was none other than Victor Ryker, treating Karvel with the kind of respect usually reserved for kings.Vivian gasped. “No way…”Mariya’s mouth dropped open. What the hell happened in there?!Karvel ignored Mariya completely as he passed, not even sparing her a glance.

Karvel Cross leaned back in his office chair, the supple leather creaking softly beneath his weight.His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest, the only outward sign of tension as his mind weighed down by the new threat that had slithered into Carson City—Leo Romano (V3).Markos stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching Karvel's silent brooding with growing unease. The overhead lights caught the faint scar running along his jawline, a souvenir from their shared past."You're unusually quiet," he said after a moment. "That's never a good sign."Karvel's eyes narrowed slightly, the reflection of the cityscape dancing in his dark irises. "Leo Romano," he murmured, the name itself leaving a bitter taste. "I should've known he'd crawl out of the shadows eventually."Markos frowned, shifting his weight. "You've met before?"Karvel shook his head slowly, his expression hardening into something granite-like. "Not directly."Markos tilted his head, confusion evident. "Then how—?"

Leo Romano stood at the far side of the ballroom, drink in hand, his gaze locked sharply onto the scene unfolding before him. He watched Mariya Carter practically throw herself at Karvel Cross —a man Leo had initially overlooked.Who the hell is he? Leo thought, irritation gnawing at him. And why does he command her attention so easily?The way Mariya—an intelligent, poised woman—abandoned their conversation without hesitation… for a man like that? Leo's pride took a brutal hit. He had thought they were connecting, that she was impressed by his wealth and status as she should be.Clenching his jaw, he beckoned the event host, a portly man in an expensive tuxedo who fawned eagerly at Leo's summons."Mr. Romano," the host said with an obsequious smile. "How can I assist you?"Leo's eyes stayed trained on Karvel, cold and calculating. "That man," he said smoothly, nodding toward Karvel, who was now casually sipping champagne near one of the fountains. "Who is he?"The host followed his g

Mariya Carter hurried after Vivian Fairchild , her heels clicking sharply against the marble as she caught up near the corridor leading out of the ballroom."Vivian, wait!" Mariya called, reaching out.Vivian spun around, eyes blazing. "Save it, Mariya. I'm not interested in anything you have to say."She really believes I betrayed him intentionally, Mariya thought, her chest tightening. When will I stop paying for my past mistakes?"I didn't tell Leo to go after Karvel! I had nothing to do with it!" Mariya insisted, desperation edging her voice.Vivian laughed bitterly. "You expect me to believe that? After the way you threw yourself at Leo the moment Karvel walked in?"She's so blinded by her infatuation with Karvel that she can't see reason, Vivian thought angrily. How dare she play innocent now?"I was just networking!" Mariya protested, her voice rising. "I didn't know who he was—who he is!"Vivian shook her head, disgusted. "Karvel saved you. Your family. And the first chance yo