2026-09-05 00:00:23
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053
CiroThe man’s words hung in the air for a few seconds.“You’ve made a mistake.”I looked at him calmly.“Taking the Herb?”He didn’t answer.I walked closer until I was standing directly in front of him, then I looked at the other two men who were being held by Gregory’s men.“You came after me, followed me all the way here, and now you’re telling me that I made a mistake?”The man swallowed.“You don’t understand what that Herb is.”“I understand enough to know that you want it.”His eyes shifted toward the black case Catherine was holding.That was all the confirmation I needed.I turned toward Gregory.“Search them.”Gregory nodded.His men searched the three men thoroughly, taking their phones, wallets, and anything else they found on them.One of the phones immediately caught my attention.“Give me that.”Gregory handed it to me.The screen was still unlocked.I went through the recent calls first.There were several numbers, but one appeared repeatedly.I showed it to Catherine
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CiroI glanced at the rearview mirror again, this time paying closer attention to the black vehicle Catherine had pointed out.It had maintained almost the exact same distance from us since we left the Hawkings’ residence.I didn’t immediately react.Instead, I turned onto another road.The black vehicle turned as well.Catherine noticed it too.“See?”“Yes.”“Should I call Gregory?”“No.”She looked at me.“Why not?”“Because I want to know who they are first.”I increased my speed slightly, then slowed down after a few seconds, watching the vehicle’s movements through the mirror.It did the same.Without a doubt,We were being followed.I rested one hand on the steering wheel while my other hand remained close to the black case containing the Herb.“Interesting.”Catherine frowned.“Interesting?”“Whoever they are, they don’t seem to be in a hurry.”“Maybe they’re waiting for us to stop.”“Maybe.”I took another turn, moving away from the busier road and into a quieter area.The bla
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CiroThe room became unusually quiet the moment Mr. Hawkings finished signing his name, and for a few seconds, nobody said anything as the ink settled on the paper, making the agreement official.I looked down at the signature, then calmly reached for the contract and pulled it toward myself.The first part was done.The hardest part, however, was still ahead of me.I needed the Herb.Money had never been the problem, not really, and although one billion dollars was enough to make most people hesitate before spending it, I had already made peace with the amount before walking into this house, because there was only one thing I cared about right now, and that was getting what could save Natasha.I closed the folder.“Good,” I said quietly. “Then we’re done with the agreement.”Mr. Hawkings nodded, although I could see the tension still written across his face.“I suppose we are.”“You’ll receive the money immediately,” I continued. “The debt to the Reynolds family will be settled today
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CHAPTER FIFTYFor a few seconds after Mr. Hawkings signed the document, nobody said anything.The only sound that could be heard in the large living room was the faint ticking of the clock mounted on the wall, but even that seemed insignificant compared to the silence that had suddenly settled over everyone.Mr. Hawkings stared at his signature.He had expected the moment to feel different.Perhaps he had expected relief, or maybe regret, but what he felt was something he couldn’t properly explain.He had just handed over the most valuable possession his family had ever owned to a man who had entered his home as an outsider only a few hours earlier, and in exchange, that same man was about to clear a debt of one billion dollars that had nearly destroyed everything he had spent his entire life building.He slowly lifted his head.Ciro was still standing across the table with his usual calm expression.There was no excitement on his face.No arrogance.No smugness.It was almost as if h
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“Yeah, what are they going to do to him?” Elena asked again, dealing with theworry that had crept into her body. She looked up at Ciro, her eyes searchinghis calm face for any sign of panic, but as usual, he was as unbotheredCiro looked at Elena for a few seconds. He couldn’t possibly tell her the truth.He couldn't tell her that his men, led by Gregory, werecurrently dragging Marcos to a secluded underground facility to ensure he trulyunderstood what it meant to threaten the Supreme Regent. That would only raisemore questions.Taking in enough air, Ciro exhaled slowly and plastered his evergreen smile onhis face.“You don’t have to worry about him, Elena. My men are just... having a littlechat with him to ensure he understands that you are completely off-limits. Afterthat, they will hand him over to the proper authorities.”Elena gasped softly, her shoulders dropping as a wave of immense relief washedover her. She had been terrified that Marcos’s father, the ruthless Mr.R
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CHAPTER FORTY-NINE“Yeah, what are they going to do to him?” Elena asked again, dealing with theworry that had crept into her body. She looked up at Ciro, her eyes searchinghis calm face for any sign of panic, but as usual, he was as unbotheredCiro looked at Elena for a few seconds. He couldn’t possibly tell her the truth.He couldn't tell her that his men, led by Gregory, werecurrently dragging Marcos to a secluded underground facility to ensure he trulyunderstood what it meant to threaten the Supreme Regent. That would only raisemore questions.Taking in enough air, Ciro exhaled slowly and plastered his evergreen smile onhis face.“You don’t have to worry about him, Elena. My men are just... having a littlechat with him to ensure he understands that you are completely off-limits. Afterthat, they will hand him over to the proper authorities.”Elena gasped softly, her shoulders dropping as a wave of immense relief washedover her. She had been terrified that Marcos’s father,
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