Malvin stood outside the Aldridge mansion gate, dressed in a neatly pressed shirt and dark trousers, trying to look harmless and respectable.But under his sleeves… under his skin… a new, dangerous confidence.The guard recognized him instantly and opened the gates.Malvin stepped inside.“Malvin?” Sarah blinked, confused. “What are you doing here?”He gave a soft smile.“I heard what happened,” he said. “I wanted to check on Elena. Is she… is she alright?”Sarah’s face softened, though wariness lingered.“She’s inside, although she is still shaken.”Malvin followed her into the living room.Elena sat curled on the couch beneath a blanket, scrolling through her new phone, pale and exhausted.“Malvin!” she turned to him. “You came?”“I had to,” he said warmly. “You gave us all a scare.”She rolled her eyes, her mom must have told everyone what happened.Sophia watched from another corner of the room, arms folded.Sarah suddenly frowned.“Malvin… your hand.”She stepped closer, noticing

The champagne had done its work.Within minutes of draining the glass, the soft lighting of The Obsidian Lounge began to spin slowly around Sophia. The sound of the dinner conversation turned into a dull noise. Sophia's head began to feel impossibly heavy.“Malvin,” she mumbled, gripping the edge of the table. “Malvin... I feel weird. The light... It’s too much.”She leaned heavily toward him, her focus blurring. She struggled to keep her eyes open, but the exhaustion was immense.Malvin’s grin widened.“Nonsense, darling,” Malvin said smoothly, standing up and pulling her chair back. His voice was overly loud, overly reassuring. “You’ve just had a long day. You need rest. Let’s get you somewhere quiet. I’ll take you back to my place.”He slipped his arm around her back, supporting her, but his hand gripped her waist possessively, pulling her tightly against him. He paused, making sure Adrian could see him, and shot a triumphant, wicked smirk across the room before attempting to gu

Sophia’s breathing came fast and shallow, her chest rising and falling in panicked waves.Anger twisted her face, but her body betrayed her.Her knees buckled.She would have crashed onto the marble floor if Adrian hadn’t caught her.“Sophia—”“Don’t touch me!” she rasped, but her voice was too weak, too thin. The drug still crawled through her bloodstream like poison.Her eyelids fluttered dangerously.Adrian didn’t argue.He lifted her into his arms.Behind them, Lilith’s heels clicked sharply across the floor as she approached, her expression carved from ice.“So now you’re taking her home?” Lilith asked with a bitter laugh. “Unbelievable. This woman is always in the way.”She folded her arms, glaring.“And I’m sure she’s even pretending. She loves the attention.”Adrian didn’t react.He didn’t even look at Lilith as he adjusted Sophia’s weight in his arms.“Lilith,” he said calmly, “go home. I’ll call you later. She needs care.”Lilith’s jaw tightened, and her nostrils flared.“Ca

Adrian stepped outside the Aldridge mansion, the cold night brushing against his skin as he answered the vibrating phone.“Adrian…”Valentina’s voice came through the line. Soft. Elegant. Urgent.“My father would like to see you. Please. It is urgent.”Adrian exhaled. “Alright. I’ll be there tomorrow.”He ended the call.The night swallowed him as he walked back to his car.THE NEXT MORNING.The estate of Don Maurizio Ventresca, the Shadow King of the Western Mafia, was a fortress of opulence and danger.Adrian’s car rolled past dozens of men in black suits stationed at every corner.Their expressions were carved from stone.The gate closed behind him with a deep metallic thud.Adrian stepped out of the car.Valentina was already waiting at the door.She looked breathtaking as always, with long dark hair flowing over her shoulders and a fitted emerald dress that matched her eyes.“Come,” she said softly.She led him into the grand dining hall.The table was already set with golden pla

The guard straightened instantly as Gaius approached, his voice suddenly nervous.“This man claims to be here for Don Ventresca, sir,” the guard said quickly. “But he’s not on the list.”Gaius stopped in front of Adrian, towering over him.He looked Adrian up and down with slow, deliberate disdain.Recognition flickered in his eyes.Then he burst into laughter.A deep, harsh laugh that made the other guards smirk.“Well, well,” Gaius drawled. “Adrian Lancaster. The famous little doctor.”His lip curled mockingly.“The one who follows the Triad Princess around like a loyal puppy.”Several guards laughed under their breath.Gaius leaned closer, his breath hot with arrogance.“Tell me,” he said, voice dripping poison, “is Don Ventresca truly so desperate he’s using Lilith’s sloppy seconds as his shadow?”Adrian’s expression didn’t move.Gaius chuckled again, pleased with himself.“Moretti doesn’t need protection,” he said. “He needs a coffin. Go home, Doctor. Crawl back to your girlfrien