“The egg, Lila,” Jim finally choked out, his voice hoarse. “We were so close!”Lila scoffed a sharp, unpleasant sound that echoed in the small room. “Close? Jim, we were a laughingstock. ‘The Great Auction That Wasn’t.’ You call that close?”“It wasn’t my fault!” Jim protested, slamming his hand on the table. The flimsy furniture rattled. “The security, the… the chaos! Who could have predicted that?”“I could have,” Lila said, her voice dripping with contempt. “Anyone with half a brain, Jim. But then, that’s the problem, isn’t it?”The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Jim flinched as if struck. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“It means you’re useless, Jim!” Lila’s voice rose, cracking with a fury she’d clearly been holding back. “Always have been. Always fumbling, always missing the crucial details, always expecting someone else to pick up the pieces! The egg was our shot, Jim! Our only shot! And you fucking blew it!”“I blew it?” Jim’s voice was a low growl. “You want to

“Where is your whore? I want to fuck her again,” Viper said to Luther while the latter bowed his head before him.For reasons he didn't know, Viper had summoned him.“She's still in the hospital, recovering, boss,” Luther replied to Viper.“You have a special woman, Luther. I didn't think she could take my dick and survive it. No woman has ever survived my fuckery. Now, I'm compelled to ask for more…” Viper responded.Luther swallowed hard as he took a good look at the monstrosity before him. Deep down, he knew Amanda would not survive another encounter.And he didn't want Amanda dead. She still carried his child. And her pregnancy was becoming noticeable. “Boss, I really do not think she's in the right state of mind to handle your glory anytime soon. She nearly died. It would be best if you gave her proper time to heal. That way, she can serve you better,” Luther said in a whisper.Viper's fierce eyes roamed Luther like two fiery lamps and burned hotter than a flame. “If I needed y

Honestly, young master, I can’t believe you’re finally doing it! Kia is going to be over the moon.”Devin, perched on a stool with a mug of lukewarm coffee cradled in his hands, offered a hesitant smile. “Yeah, well, it feels right. It’s time.”“Time? It’s been time for ages!” Yvonne laughed, a warm, infectious sound. “But don’t you worry about a thing, darling. The surprise engagement party? Consider it handled. Venue, catering, guest list – leave it all to me. You just focus on finding the perfect ring.” She winked, a playful glint in her eyes.Devin chuckled, a genuine, relaxed sound that was a rare commodity these days. Just as he was about to express his gratitude, his phone buzzed, a sharp, insistent sound that cut through the domestic tranquility. He glanced at the caller ID and his brow furrowed. It was a number he didn’t recognize, but it had a familiar, official prefix. He answered, his voice tinged with caution.“Yes?”The voice on the other end was curt, professional, a

“Who is that?” “He looks ominous. I'm getting scared.”“Shh. Don't let him hear you. He looks dangerous.”People whispered as Viper walked past them, still wearing the shrewd smile on his face. Devin stood his ground, studying the sleek foe with utmost curiosity.“For weeks, I've heard about you. Devin, the kick-about who somehow managed to claw his way into the spotlight…” Viper said and stopped walking, sizing Devin from head to toe.“I imagined that you'd look shabbier,” Viper added, forcing a smile.“I don't remember inviting a clucking duck to my party. So, who the fuck are you?” Devin asked. A wave of anger flashed across Viper's eyes.But he managed to keep his cool. For the meantime.“I am your nemesis. The one who will kill you. I am a snake, a venomous one. And when I sink my fangs into you, you will feel the bite of terror! I am Viper!” Devin arched his brow at Viper's introduction.“Am I supposed to shudder and croak? And what clown ass name is that?” Devin asked, and pe

“Bend that fucking ass over!”Viper yelled at Amanda and grabbed her waist, clutching so hard she groaned from the grasp.Her wounds from last time were barely healed. She wasn't in the shape for another rampage of his.“P-please. Can I just take the night off to heal? I promise to do anything you wish, but just let me heal!” Amanda begged him, but he slapped her.“You promised yourself to me when you crawled into this room begging for my help with that bastard Devin. And now you want to back out? You can't fucking back now!”He yelled at her again and slapped her ass so hard he left a palm print. Amanda yelped as the slap burned, and he ripped her panties.“Devin humiliated me. He is powerful. Too powerful. I only managed to survive because I stole some of his powers. I need to become stronger. Faster. Meaner. I need to become more!”He yelled again. And then, he gently stroked Amanda's hair with a stillness she's never felt from him.“I need to let out my anger, Amanda. You have dem