Chapter 749 The Net Tightens


    The wine in Derrick’s ss glimmered crimson under the light, his profile cut sharp and cold against the sun. Marie caught herself staring before his voice snapped her back.


    “Seen enough?”


    She jolted, cheeks heating, and quickly stepped closer with a pout.


    “You’re going out?” Derrick asked, noting her change of clothes.


    “I have to check myself which bastard in Ashen Pact has Tessa,” Marie said. Ste’s call still weighed heavy on her chest, guilt gnawing at her.


    Derrick’s brows drew tight. “You’re not going.”


    “What?”


    Before she could react, he tugged her into hisp. His legs were solid, his chest hot, heat radiating around her. Marie squirmed in protest.


    “Let me go…”


    But her fidgeting only stoked the fire in him.


    “Don’t move,” he growled, voice hoarse.


    To him, Marie had never been a woman–until the night he tasted her. Now her presence struck him like a drug, impossible to ignore.


    Marie stilled, wary. “What are you doing?”


    “Just making sure. You really have no feelings left for Dan?”


    Her eyes widened. “What the hell kind of question is that?”


    Derrick pressed on, tone low. “Because I’ve set my sights on his territories–and on Artemis’s,


    too.”


    Marie scoffed. “If you want them, take them. Why are you asking me?”


    His jaw flexed. Damn it. Why was he asking at all? Since when did he care about her feelings toward Dan? Whether she had them or not, it shouldn’t matter.


    “You afraid I’ll cry if you grab too much and beg you to give it back?” he snapped instead, masking his slip.


    16:44 <b>Sat</b>, Sep 20 G..


    Chapter 749 The Net Tightens


    <b>47 </b>


    +8 Pearls


    Marieughed outright. “Me? Cry to you? Don’t kid yourself.”


    “Remember those words,” he muttered darkly.


    She pushed free of his arms with a huff. “All I want is Tessa.”


    That shut him up. Her focus was clear.


    Marie went on, oblivious to the flicker in his eyes. “The harder you hit, the sooner they’ll hand her over. And if Victor sees you press, he’ll press even harder.”


    Derrick said nothing, but the weight in his gaze deepened.


    :


    Marie leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Haven’t you noticed? Victor’s going after Ashen Pact like he’s got a personal grudge.”


    Derrick tilted his head. “A grudge? What makes you say that?”


    “My people reportedst night–Victor’s men struck everywhere. Ruthless. No breathing space at all. It’s not just ransom pressure, it looks like payback.”


    Derrick swirled his wine, quiet.


    “I just worry,” Marie admitted, frowning, “push too hard and they might kill her out of spite.”


    But Victor, she’d noticed, showed no such fear. He struck with calm precision, as if certain.


    Derrick downed his ss, eyes glinting. “Ashen Pact can’t kill her.”


    Marie blinked. “You mean they don’t dare? Don’t underestimate monsters like them. People that twisted could even butcher their own blood if cornered.”


    That was why she’d promised Artemis and the others–if they returned Tessa, she’d restore what she’d taken. Leave them hope, so they wouldn’t burn everything to ash.


    But Ashen Pact had already fractured.


    With Derrick and Victor pressing from both sides, chaos was spreading like fire.


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