City General Hospital's emergency room was chaos when they arrived. Victor had called ahead, ensuring Lila received immediate VIP treatment.Within minutes, she was on a gurney being wheeled into a private examination room.The attending physician, Dr. Morrison, was a stern-faced woman in her fifties who'd seen everything the city's violence could throw at the human body.But even she paused when she cut away Lila's makeshift bandage and examined the wound."Who treated this?" she asked sharply."I... I don't know," Lila admitted. "I was unconscious. When I woke up, it was already done."Dr. Morrison leaned closer, her experienced eyes taking in every detail. "This is remarkable work. Field cauterization, clean removal of the foreign object, precise burning to seal the wound..." She looked up at Lila with newfound respect. "Whoever did this saved your life. Another thirty minutes of bleeding, and you wouldn't have made it.""But it was just... he used gasoline and a hot knife," Lila s

The hospital's sterile white corridors buzzed with activity—nurses rushing between rooms, visitors clutching flowers, the occasional announcement crackling over the intercom. Alexander sat in the waiting area with Katarina pressed close to his side, her fingers wrapped around his arm like she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.Victor stood near the vending machines, pretending to check his phone while his eyes kept drifting to Katarina with barely concealed hunger. Alexander noticed and positioned himself more protectively, which only made Katarina hold tighter.The elevator doors dinged open, and a man stepped out with the kind of confident urgency that commanded attention. Ethan Zhang was impeccably dressed even at this late hour—tailored suit, expensive watch, perfectly styled hair. His eyes scanned the waiting area with laser focus until they landed on the sign pointing toward Lila's room.He strode past Alexander and Victor without a second glance, as if they were part

Katarina's eyes widened in shock. "You... you speak my language?""I speak many languages," Vanessa said with a small smile. "It's part of my job. Come inside. Let me show you your room."But Katarina wouldn't let go of Alexander's hand. It took another ten minutes of reassurance before she finally, reluctantly, released him and followed Vanessa inside.Alexander waited in the living room, staring out at the city lights. When Vanessa returned, her expression was grim."She's terrified," Vanessa said. "Whatever she went through before you found her...""I know." Alexander turned to face her. "Vanessa, we have a problem. The hooded figure—I fought him tonight. I almost got the ring."Vanessa's eyes sharpened. "You fought him and survived?""More than survived. I was winning." Alexander held up his hands, still amazed by what they'd been capable of. "My body knew what to do. Fighting techniques I've never learned, movements I shouldn't be able to make. It all just... happened.""Your tra

"Don't I?" Ethan's smile was vicious. "I know exactly what you are, Alexander. You're a nobody trying desperately to be somebody. You latch onto successful women, drain them dry, and move on to the next mark. Well, you're not getting anywhere near Lila again."Alexander turned his attention back to Lila, speaking over Ethan as if he weren't there. "I need to talk to you about the rings."Lila's breath caught. The rings. The mysterious rings that had caused so much chaos. She'd almost forgotten about them in the aftermath of the crash and the hospital stay."The rings?" Ethan's eyebrows rose. "What rings?""Nothing," Lila said quickly. "It's nothing important.""Then there's no need for this conversation," Ethan said firmly. "Security will show you out, Alexander. Or would you prefer to leave on your own?"Alexander took a step forward, and Ethan immediately recoiled backward as if Alexander had threatened him. "Keep away from me!" Ethan said loudly, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "God

Victor Chen had patience when it mattered. And right now, getting to Katarina mattered more than almost anything else.He'd done his research.After leaving the hospital the previous night, he'd made some calls, pulled some strings, and tracked down exactly where Alexander had taken the exotic beauty. Vanessa's penthouse.Of course it was Vanessa's penthouse.But Vanessa had patterns. She was a creature of habit for all her wealth and sophistication. Every morning at seven-thirty sharp, she left for her office building. Like clockwork.Which meant for several hours, Katarina would be alone.Victor parked his Bentley across the street from Vanessa's building, watching through tinted windows.Right on schedule, Vanessa emerged from the front entrance, impeccably dressed and walking with that confident stride.She climbed into her chauffeur-driven car and disappeared into morning traffic.Victor waited another fifteen minutes to be safe, then made his move.The doorman at Vanessa's build