Floodlights filled the streets, and cars approached them.
The sudden blaze of white light swept over them, blinding in its intensity, and followed with it, engines rumbled as sleek black cars screeched to a halt, hemming in the alley from both sides. Their polished bodies gleamed under the rainfall, trapping the gangsters like rats in a cage. The thugs froze, glancing nervously around as car doors opened in unison. Men in black suits spilled out with military precision, their shoes striking the pavement in perfect rhythm. Each carried an aura of cold authority, their faces hidden behind expressionless sunglasses despite the night. The leader of the thugs cursed under his breath. “What the hell…” From the central car, a man stepped out. Middle-aged and with a firm look on his face. His presence radiated dominance, making everyone around notice him immediately. His tailored suit clung to him like a second skin, and a polished cane tapped against the ground as he walked forward. Silver threaded his dark hair, his eyes sharp and calculating, carrying the weight of someone used to command. The suited men closed ranks around him, a living wall of power and menace. Yet the man raised a hand slightly, and they stopped as if his gesture carried divine authority. The thugs exchanged uneasy looks. The leader tried to puff his chest out, but his bravado faltered under the weight of that gaze. The man stopped a few feet away from Marcus, his eyes sweeping over the beaten office worker, his drenched clothes, the stubborn set of his jaw, the faint glow of the necklace peeking from his shirt. A slow, knowing smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “So,” he said, his voice calm yet carrying like thunder. “You’re the one who dares to fight fate.” The thugs stiffened. Marcus swallowed hard, not sure whether he had just been saved or marked. The thugs had frozen at the sudden flood of headlights, and their tough front on their faces seemed to evaporate when they saw the cars. They glanced at themselves, and a sense of alarm filled their eyes. Gently, they slowly stepped back as the engines purred low and doors clicked open. Sleek black cars had slid into the street and stopped right in front of them. The men exchanged glances, their bravado gone. Immediately, the door flung open, and the black-suited men stepped out. One spat to the side and muttered, “Forget this.” In the next breath, they scattered into the darkness and threw away the pipes, causing clattering against the pavement as their footsteps faded fast. Marcus exhaled sharply, his body trembling from both relief and the echo of fear. He turned his head toward the cars, bracing himself for whatever came next. The middle car’s door opened with a soft thud. First, a pair of polished black shoes hit the ground, followed by a tall figure stepping into the dim light. The man was older, his hair a regal silver, his suit tailored to perfection. Authority radiated from him like heat from fire. He didn’t need to raise his voice or gesture; his very presence commanded silence. But Marcus’s gaze caught on another figure that also stepped out of the car alongside him, and his eyes widened in surprise. From the rear door, a young woman stepped out. She moved with a grace that made eyes turn to look at her. The dim streetlight showed her features, the delicate curve of her jaw and the sparkle in her eyes, silky dark hair that fell over her shoulders. She was dazzling to the eyes, and Marcus was caught in the moment, staring at her. She was the kind of girl that would have men fawning over her and doing everything to please her. His chest tightened. It was her. The girl he had saved last night. He hadn’t mistaken it, and he was sure about it when he locked eyes with her. The older man followed her gaze and smiled faintly before walking toward Marcus. He extended a hand, firm and steady. “Young man,” his voice carried both gratitude and weight, “thank you for saving my granddaughter yesterday.” Marcus blinked, startled by the sudden connection. The man gestured toward the girl, who stood just behind him, her eyes locked on Marcus with quiet intensity. “This is Evelyn,” he introduced. “She insisted we come to the hospital this morning to check on you, but on the way, she spotted you walking on the road.” Evelyn stepped closer, her presence almost overwhelming in its warmth. Her lips curved in a small, genuine smile. “How are you feeling? Are you hurt?” Evelyn asked, observing his body, but he just beamed a smile at her. “It’s okay. I’m fine.” He was even more surprised that she had come back to check on him. At least that proved that he was not hallucinating last night and somehow the necklace had known someone was in distress nearby and sent him to protect the person for rewards. One thing was clear, the necklace was really powerful, and he had a feeling that there were a lot of mysteries behind it. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice melodic. “You didn’t have to help me… but you did. I owe you more than words.” She spoke with so much gratitude in her voice. Marcus shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s fine. Really. You don’t need to repay me. I’m just… glad you’re safe.” The older man’s brows lifted, amused yet firm. “Nonsense. A debt of life cannot be brushed aside. We owe you a lot.” He placed a hand on Marcus’s shoulder, patting his back. “Tell me what you want. Anything within my power, and I’ll repay you for saving the life of my precious granddaughter,” the man said with softness in his voice, and his granddaughter beside him beamed a grateful smile. Marcus hesitated. It was all thanks to the necklace that he had saved her, and he had already gotten the reward from it. Besides, it was just a good deed that didn’t necessarily need payback. “Truly, sir, I’m fine. I don’t need anything.” But the man shook his head, unwavering. “Then you’ll accept my granddaughter’s gratitude.” Evelyn stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable—curiosity, maybe even admiration. She tilted her head toward the open car door. “Come with me. Please. At least let me thank you properly.” Marcus opened his mouth to decline, but the old man’s hand gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. “Go with her,” he urged, his tone kind yet commanding. “She’ll see to it that you are treated well. Do not dishonor me by refusing, my friend,” he said, patting his back again. Marcus met the old man’s firm gaze, then Evelyn’s eyes gleaming with hope that he would accept their gesture. Realizing there was no way out, he gave a small nod. Evelyn’s lips curled into a smile. “Come with me then.” She gestured as she turned, guiding him toward the waiting vehicle. Marcus slid into the seat, still uncertain, and a moment later she joined him, the faint scent of jasmine brushing past him as the door shut. The car pulled away, carrying him into a future he hadn’t imagined just moments ago. Marcus sat quietly in the plush leather seat, his hands resting stiffly on his knees. She sat beside him and told the driver to take her to a certain location. As she sat there beside him, the faint scent of her perfume filled the car. It was a light and floral scent that brought a refreshing feeling with it. She turned to him, her eyes warm despite their dazzling glow. “About last night,” she began, her voice soft, “I’m sorry I ran off. I was just… scared. Everything happened so fast before I could process what was happening,” she said nervously as she looked at him. Marcus only nodded, and an awkward smile formed on his lips. “Oh, that’s okay. I understand.” She glanced at him again, almost expecting him to speak, but when he didn’t, she simply smiled faintly and looked forward. After a moment, he cleared his throat. “Where… where are we going?” Her lips curved into a mysterious smile. “You’ll see.”Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 012
Marcus didn’t move for a long moment. The night breeze brushed past him, but his mind was trapped inside the echo of the pendant’s warning.Lost my heart of humanity.Become the villain.He swallowed hard.Evelyn stepped closer. “Marcus, you’re scaring me. What’s going on with you?”Before he could answer, the ballroom doors swung open sharply. Victor stepped out, followed by two security officers.“Marcus!” Victor called. “We need to talk.”Evelyn straightened but didn’t leave his side.Victor approached with urgency. “The security team checked the chandelier mount. That hook didn’t break on its own. Someone tampered with it.”Marcus tensed. “You’re saying it was intentional?”“Yes,” Victor said quietly. “Somebody wanted Melissa dead.”Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Why would anyone want to kill her?”Victor’s jaw tightened. “Because she filed a major complaint against Sterling Corporation last week. It… threatened some powerful business partners.”Marcus stiffened. “She didn’t tell me that
CHAPTER 011
For a moment, Marcus couldn’t move. He stood frozen at the top of the stairs, his eyes locked on the woman dancing beneath the swaying chandelier. Melissa. Her laughter floated through the air, soft and careless, like she had never broken him. Like she hadn’t thrown him out when he had nothing left. Every part of him wanted to look away, to let the system’s mission burn itself out. But his chest tightened again, the pendant pulsing with painful urgency. One minute, forty seconds. Target in danger. Marcus’s breath caught. He saw the chandelier’s chain shift and make a sound that was drowned by the music and laughter. No one noticed. No one except him. He clenched his fists and started down the stairs, his heart pounding faster with every step. The crowd blurred before him, faces, colors, laughter, all blending as he brushed past them forcefully towards Melissa. He hesitated halfway, his mind screaming at him. She doesn’t deserve it. She betrayed you. She chose someo
CHAPTER 010
The sound of the ballroom faded as Marcus followed Mr. Sterling up the stairs until they reached a tall wooden door that creaked softly when the old man pushed it open.The room was warm, filled with the faint scent of cedar and the quiet crackle of a fireplace. Shelves lined the walls, packed with old books, faded photos, and what looked like antique pieces from different times. A chessboard sat near the fire, half-played, as if waiting for him to reach out to it.“Sit,” Victor Sterling said, motioning to a velvet chair across from his. “You look uneasy, son.”Marcus obeyed, his heart still racing. “I didn’t mean to cause a scene downstairs. I didn’t even know—”Victor raised a hand. “You have nothing to apologize for. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s Melissa. That girl talks too much for someone who knows so little.”Marcus almost smiled at that, memories of his wife kissing a stranger flooded his memory as he wondered how the old man knew her."You said downstairs that you wer
CHAPTER 009
Miss Evelyn stood at the entrance, the crimson of her gown glowing under the lights like a flare. Her gaze swept over the guards, cold and commanding, a presence that silenced even the murmur of the crowd. The guards froze, glancing at each other, confused. Melissa’s confident smile faltered. “You… you know him?” Evelyn stepped forward, slipping her hand around Marcus’s arm with deliberate grace. “Of course I know him. He’s my guest.” A ripple of shock moved through the onlookers. The guards quickly released Marcus, bowing their heads slightly to Evelyn before stepping back. Evelyn’s lips curved into a faint smile that never reached her eyes as she looked at Melissa. “Is there a problem here?” Melissa stammered, but the words caught in her throat. Marcus said nothing, only adjusting his suit, the faintest smirk tugging at his mouth. Melissa’s voice carried like a blade across the ballroom. “Wait. Do you know who this man is?” She stepped forward, her heels striking the polished
CHAPTER 008
who could easily pass for nobility. When he stepped out of his room, the same car awaited. Evelyn sat in the back, poised, her gaze flickering to him briefly as he slid in beside her. The drive was quieter this time, neither speaking much, though the silence carried an odd weight, as though something important was waiting ahead. Finally, the car slowed and stopped. Marcus leaned toward the window, his eyes widening as the massive structure came into view. A hall, grander than any he had ever seen before, loomed before him. Its steps were lined with red carpet, golden lights cascading across polished marble, and luxury cars pulling in one after another. He turned to Evelyn, bewildered. “What… is this place?” Her lips curved into a faint smile. “This, Marcus, is a ball. My grandfather requested your presence. He wants you here, to meet and socialize with the elite, the true elite. Men and women who make decisions that shape cities.” Marcus was shocked, but the chauffeur opened the
CHAPTER 007
He scratched his head, embarrassed, before muttering casually, “I don’t… exactly have a place right now.” Her brows lifted in surprise, but instead of pity, a small, knowing smile touched her lips. “Is that so?” She gave a light laugh, graceful and soft. “Then hop in. I’ll take care of it.” Confused, Marcus obeyed, slipping into the leather-backed seat of her sleek car. They drove in silence for a few minutes and then pulled up to the grand entrance of a glittering five-star hotel. The valet rushed forward immediately, bowing slightly as he opened her door. The staff treated her politely, and their greetings were filled with so much respect while they just glanced at him. She just nodded at them and walked straight to the front desk, her presence commanding attention, and within moments, she had arranged a luxury suite under Marcus’s name. When she handed him the room card, her smile was warm but mischievous. “This is too much,” Marcus muttered, genuinely overwhelmed. His fingers t
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