All Chapters of THE HUSBAND THEY BULLIED, THE KING THEY FEARED: Chapter 91
- Chapter 100
138 chapters
CHAPTER 91: THE DON’S HOUSE
THE DON’S HOUSEThe club pulsed with rhythm like a living beast, the base from the music within rolling through the air like thunder. The walls and floor vibrated with every drop as colored lights flashed across the room in shades of bright, casting shifting shadows over the tightly packed bodies gyrating at the center. Girls danced on the elevated platforms scattered across the room, their sweaty bodies glistening as they swung around the polls. Some barely wore anything, thin ribbons of fabric the only thing keeping the world from viewing everything. Others had already tossed away whatever clothing they'd walked into the building with, their breasts jiggling as they danced to the music. Stacks of money dotted the place. They occupied tables, were scattered across the floor and clutched between manicured fingers wrapped tightly around the necks of men drinking and cheering. At the center of the entire chaos sat Don Rafael Moreno. His heavy frame occupied the velvet couch that loo
CHAPTER 92: A PROMISE OF BLOOD
A PROMISE OF BLOOD“Then tell me something,” Rafael said as he studied him carefully. “Why did you not shoot him on sight?”Brooks held his gaze for a long moment, the buzz of music and drugs pressing in from around him. A stripper slammed into him from the side, chuckling as she apologized. “I couldn't tell how many people he'd informed before coming to the docks," he answered, wiping off the white she'd rubbed on his suit jacket. “If Damien was to disappear that night, people would start asking questions immediately. Especially if he'd already told them where he was going." Don leaned against his seat, silent for a moment. He took a long drag from his cigar and blew the smoke out before him before running a hand over his hair. “And what have you discovered about the bastard?" he finally asked as he bit down on the cigar stick. "Well…not much,” Brooks replied. "But I am pretty convinced he and Ryan are much more than just business partners.”Rafael arched a brow, his jaw tighteni
CHAPTER 93: A MAN WHO DOESN’T STAY DOWN 1
A MAN WHO DOESN’T STAY DOWN 1A steady, slow rhythmic beeping–that was the first thing Ryan heard from the void he's been plunged into. BEEP!BEEP!BEEP! They all sounded distant at first, like a foggy memory he just couldn't quite grasp. But the quiet echo gradually became clearer and louder, acting as an anchor his mind used to claw its way back to the surface. Ryan groaned softly, his eyes fluttering open. He tried to move his body as his consciousness returned. But the moment his fingers moved, a wave of pain crashed over his entire body. It wasn't sharp like before–not like the violent, quick shots that tore through him during the fight–but a deep, burning agony that seemed to seep past his flesh and enter his bones. His chest felt like it was wrapped with steel bands, making it hard for him to breath. And his legs throbbed like they had been stuffed with molten metal. He tried to speak, but the mere thought of it made his ribs scream. Laying perfectly still, he finally op
CHAPTER 94: A MAN WHO DOESN’T STAY DOWN 2
A MAN WHO DOESN’T STAY DOWN 2The moment the door clicked shut behind her, silence soon filled the space again. Ryan closed his eyes, letting himself drown in it as he counted the seconds that passed by. Ten seconds. The noise outside the room reduces, footsteps passing by as the machine monitoring his heart slows its beeping. He steadied his breathing, jaw tight as he waited. Twenty seconds. He heard a child cry outside for his mother, a woman wailing from the dirty of her newborn and a man hailed for taking his first walk. Still, he waited. Thirty seconds. The place quietened… and Ryan took that fraction to act. Eyes flying open, he brought his gaze downward to the metal curd around his wrists. It was still there, chaining him securely to the bed railing. He stared at it for a moment, mind running with different options. Then he turned, his body screaming as he moved his gaze around the room. He took in the IV stand, the small table beside the bed, the sunlight streaming fai
CHAPTER 95: SHADOWS IN MOTION
SHADOWS IN MOTIONThe room was dark and quiet. The silence that filled it wasn't one that came from emptiness, but one that lingered after too many thoughts had been left unsaid. The unspoken tension rose in the air, thickening. Soft amber light from the bedside lamp pooled across the floors of the bedroom, casting long shadows over the walls of Elara's penthouse. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sun had begun to set, letting the city glow with evening lights. Traffic could be seen crawling the distant streets below and neon signs of the restaurants around flickered awake, one by one. Damien’s breath left him in a soft exhale and he turned on his back, staring at the chandelier hung above him. Beside him lay Elara, her head rested against his bare chest. She draped one arm loosely across his torso as she breathed calmly, steadily. He knew she wasn't asleep. Neither of them were sleeping… and neither had spoken for several minutes now. The silence kept on stretching, u
CHAPTER 96: DEAD MAN WALKING
DEAD MAN WALKINGThe door slid shut and the cold night air blew past. It was crisp, stinging his exposed arms. Taking a deep breath, Damien shoved his hands into his pockets and turned, walking down the quiet street that ran behind the building. His coat ruffled behind him as the distant hum of the night traffic traveled through the city, mixing with his thoughts. Walking had always helped him think. Tonight, they were a lot louder and jumbled up than usual. His footsteps followed a steady rhythm that allowed his thoughts to untangle themselves. He could not stop thinking about all that had happened at the docks–the body with the clipped ear, Ryan being dead. No… not dead. That part, he was certain of now. But amidst all of these was the thought about Jim. He exhaled softly, his jaw tightening slightly as he remembered the conversation they both had when Brooks left. He has dismissed the audio recording way too quickly–too easily. The file was corrupted, was the reply that Ji
CHAPTER 97: THE MAN ON THE BED
THE MAN ON THE BEDThe elevator doors slid open with a soft chime that resonated through the hallway. Elara took in a deep breath, clutching her purse as she stepped out. The polished marble floor reflected the warm golden lighting from the chandeliers lining the ceiling. The corridor was silent, left for the gentle clicks of her heels against the floor. Her sleeves ran down her arm and she folded it up in two as she walked. She had changed before coming, wearing a simple black evening dress that hugged her frame at the right places. She did her hair too–loose waves over her shoulders. She had even taken her time to redo her makeup before leaving the penthouse. Damien was the one that had called for her. His voice over the phone had sounded brief, but urgent. “Come over," was all that he had told her. No explanation–no nothing. But there was something about his tone that made her think maybe–just maybe–he was trying to make up for last night. She hoped it was dinner. A dinner a
CHAPTER 98: SHADOWS AT THE DOCKS
SHADOWS AT THE DOCKSThe night outside passed by coollly, the hustle of life beneath them a rhythm of familiarity. But inside the room, tension had settled between them–heavy, palpable. Elara had moved from the foot of the bed to thhe couch by the wall. Ryan’s constant crisis and the blooming red spots all over his bandages body only made her chest tighten. A soft sigh slipped out her lips as she clasped her hands tightly together. Damien had just finished explaining everything that had happened–Ryan’s disappearance, the hospital escape, the body at the docks, the clipped ear, and Ryan's discovery.When asked why he hadn't told Jim about Ryan being alive, he claimed he wasn't sure the commissioner was to be trusted again. He explained how Jim had reacted after asking about the audio tape and Elara was just dumbfounded. All that followed his last sentence was silence. Ryan now laid motionless on the bed, his breath steady than before but still strained. The slow rise and fall of hi
CHAPTER 99: A TOAST TO THE DEAD 1
A TOAST TO THE DEADJust hours ago, Damien had been knee-deep in stitching Ryan's wounds shut and bandaging the bullet holes, but now, he was standing in the midst of wealth and power. The transition felt almost… obscene. Crystal chandeliers glistened like starlight overhead, raining its soft golden light over the cast ballroom below. Chuckles and cheers swept through the place as waiters in pressed uniforms weaved through the crowd, carrying trays of champagne. Damien, dressed in a velvet suit, stood where the calm chaos was felt the least, at the edge of the hall. He held a glass of untouched whiskey l as his stoic gaze scanned the room. Elara stood arms locked by his side. She has changed again, wearing a deep emerald gown that clung elegantly to her frame. Her hair had been styled quickly but perfectly and her presence was commanding without trying too hard. Damien had suggested coming to the banquet held by the city's minister of finance, claiming it was needed to clear thei
CHAPTER 100: A TOAST TO THE DEAD 2
A TOAST TO THE DEAD 2Damien slipped through the sea of dark-colored tailored suits and shimmering dresses, moving through the path he created with his outstretched hand. Conversations dimmed as he passed and a few heads turned, their whispers trailing in his wake. At the center of this calm storm stood Don Rafael Moreno. His posture was relaxed, calm and he looked every bit the king of the city. A single unlit cigar rested between his fingers as he smiled widely at the people flocking to greet him. But behind that calm, Damien saw something far colder. Something that only prompted him to walk faster. Brooks stood just behind the Don, his posture relaxed but his sharp gaze tracking Damien's approach with a quiet interest. “Don," Brooks said, tapping Rafael on his shoulder. “He's coming." Don Rafael turned away from the crowd before him to Damien walking towards him. “Ah," he drawled, spreading his arms slightly as if welcoming an old friend. “If it isn't the devil himself." Dam