The elevator doors opened just as Isabella's fist was about to connect with Faye's face. Yemin stepped into the hallway, immediately taking in the tense scene before him."What the hell is going on here?" Yemin's voice cut through the charged atmosphere.Isabella quickly lowered her hand, a innocent smile spreading across her face. "Oh, Yemin! Perfect timing. I was just getting acquainted with your... friend here.""Getting acquainted?" Faye's voice was shrill with anger and hurt. "She was about to hit me!""Hit you?" Isabella laughed mockingly. "Don't be so dramatic, sweetheart. I was just explaining the new living arrangements to her."Yemin looked between the two women, his jaw tightening. "Isabella is not my woman," he said directly to Faye, his voice firm and clear."But Yemin—" Isabella started, moving closer to him and attempting to drape herself against his arm."Back off," Yemin said sharply, shrugging away from her touch. "I said what I said."Isabella's face flushed with em

Yemin's phone buzzed as he sat in his study, reviewing financial reports. Marcus Chen's name flashed on the screen."What do you have for me?" Yemin answered immediately."I've confirmed your suspicions about the woman Isabella went after," Marcus said grimly. "Sophia Reeves does indeed have ties to Justin Castellanos. Her nightclub is built and run by a shell corporation that traces back to him.""Fuck," Yemin muttered, already reaching for his car keys. "Isabella walked straight into a trap.""It gets worse," Marcus continued. "My sources say she brought fighters with her and started a war in the club. This isn't going to go unnoticed."Yemin was already heading for the elevator. "Thanks for the intel. I'm going to get her out of there."As he drove through the city streets, Yemin dialed Isabella's number. After several rings, she finally picked up."Yemin? What's wrong?""What's wrong?" Yemin's voice was sharp with anger. "You disobeyed my direct orders and went after Sophia Reeves

The funeral concluded with the soft thud of dirt hitting Isabella's casket. Yemin stood motionless beside the grave, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached.Every muscle in his body screamed for release, for violence, for revenge.Marcus Chen approached cautiously, recognizing the dangerous energy radiating from his boss."Yemin, we should go. There's nothing more we can do here.""Nothing more?" Yemin's voice was barely controlled, each word sharp as broken glass. "Isabella is dead because of those bastards, and you think there's nothing more to do?""I understand you're angry—""Angry?" Yemin whirled around, his eyes blazing with fury. "Angry doesn't begin to cover what I'm feeling right now, Marcus.""Yemin, please, think rationally about this," Marcus tried to reason with him. "Going after them now, while you're emotional, is exactly what they want.""I don't give a fuck what they want!" Yemin exploded. "They killed Isabella! They sent her head to me in a fucking box! When does it e

"I was afraid for my life," Stevens continued dramatically. "I've been having nightmares ever since. I can't sleep, can't eat. My wife had to take me to the emergency room because of panic attacks.""And you're certain the defendant was the aggressor?""Absolutely. He attacked completely unprovoked. Those poor security guards were just doing their jobs."The prosecution paraded witness after witness, each telling similar stories of Yemin's alleged rampage. The security guards were particularly vocal about their supposed injuries."He broke three of my ribs," claimed Tony Rodriguez, one of the bouncers. "The doctors said I'm lucky to be alive.""I suffered severe internal bleeding," added his partner, James Murphy. "Had to have emergency surgery. The doctors said another few minutes and I could have died.""Your Honor," the prosecutor said dramatically, "we're dealing with a man who uses his wealth and connections to terrorize innocent citizens. Mr. Morgan's violent outburst endangered

Faye didn't hesitate. She dropped the phone and bolted for the door, her heels clicking frantically on the marble floor as she ran toward the stairwell.Marcus made no move to stop her. Instead, he picked up the phone she'd abandoned."Still there, Yemin?" he asked conversationally."You son of a bitch," Yemin's voice was cold with fury. "If you hurt her—""Hurt her?" Marcus laughed. "Why would I hurt her? She's much more valuable to me alive and terrified.""What do you want?""I want you to understand something very important," Marcus said, walking to the window to watch Faye fleeing across the parking lot below. "I can get to anyone you care about, anytime I want, anywhere they are.""If you think—""I don't think, Yemin. I know," Marcus interrupted. "Your little girlfriend is running across the parking lot right now, probably calling for help that won't come fast enough."Marcus left the office and followed Faye's path through the building, taking his time. He could see her throug