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Maxime’s eyes widened. He attempted to stand up and p the man in his head, but the man pressed a firm kick to his shoulder, keeping him on the floor.
1
A scream of pain echoed as his body hit the floor
hard. “ARGHHH-”
His bloodshot eyes fixed sharply on the man. If re could kill, this man would already be dead from his sharp stare.
“W–Who the hell are you? What are you doing to me?” Maxime’s voice shook, his entire body screaming in pain.
Ethan said nothing, but he clearly enjoyed watching this foolish man get angry.
“Do you even know who I am??” Maxime continued, his tone raised, “My family will hunt
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you down! They will punish you, throw you in jail! Say your name, who the hell are you?”
Ethan stared at him with the same t expression
and a hint of disdain.
“Who the hell am I?” He finally spoke, crouching down to Maxime’s level, his voice calm and quiet. “I’ll tell you who I am. I am your fucking nightmare.”
Maxime shivered in horror as he felt this man’s
overwhelming aura beginning to suppress him. Meeting the man’s frightened gaze, he realized he was in serious trouble. Whoever this man was, he
had kidnapped him and put him in a helpless position.
“Why are you doing this? I remember I never did anything to you. I swear! I was only drinking with my friends. And maybe partying. And maybe—”
“Yes,” Ethan interrupted him, voice sharp. “You were doing many things.”
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“Did I offend you? I don’t even know you. Please let me go. Please…” Maxime pleaded, fear rising in his voice. “Sir, Brother, I will give you a ton of money if you let me go… Please tell me how many you need?”
Ethan didn’t blink. He grabbed Maxime by the cor and lifted him slightly.
“Prepare your soul, young man. After this, maybe tomorrow, you might never see the sun again.”
“W–What? What do you mean?”
Ethan stood and walked to the door. Before
leaving, he ordered his men to tie Maxime securely.
“Yes, sir!” They answer.
“Brother, Sir, please let me go…” Maxime’s loud
voicees from inside.
Ethan stopped and turned to look at them, saying, “Beat him if he still makes noise!”
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In the middle of the city.
The elite bar shimmered with a warm, golden light, its crystal chandeliers reflecting softly off the polished marble floors.
Several sofa sets were arranged throughout the entire hall, and a jazz band yed on the small stage, their music smooth enough to rx the people inside.
The scent of aged whiskey lingered in the air, blending with notes of expensive perfume and the faint sweetness of cigars. It was the kind of ce where politicians, heirs, and CEOS came to hide from the world.
In one of the private corners, Dn lifted his ss, smirking as Jackson and Collins settled beside him.
The three had carved out their own quiet space
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away from the noise, the kind that only longtime
brothers–in–arms understood.
“Cheers to our freedom,” Dn dered, raising his ss with azy grin. “And to our boss’s happiness.”
Collins tapped his ss to Dn’s. “I am happy for him. And for myself. I no longer need to work like a madman because the boss is distracted by his wife and kids.” He chuckled, leaning back in
his seat.
Jackson joined in with a shrug. “Well, even though I am not Axel’s employee, I am happy for him too.” He lifted his drink and drained it with
exaggerated enthusiasm.
After their sses hit the table again, Collins cleared his throat. “But seriously, why only the three of us tonight? Where are the others?”
“They are busy,” Dn replied with a casual shrug.
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Collins raised a brow. “Or maybe they are no
longer single.”
“Collins, damn it, can you not remind us of that?” Jackson groaned. He poured himself another drink, sshing more than necessary.
Dnughed, pointing at him. “Look at this man suffering.”
Jackson shot him a re. “I am fine. Absolutely fine. Being single is a choice.”
“Right,” Collins teased. “A choice you never made.”
Dn burst intoughter. Even Collins, usually more serious, cracked up.
Theirughter mellowed into afortable silence, broken only by the music and the low murmur of conversation surrounding them.
They drank slowly, enjoying the rare peace. With Axel celebrating his birthday with his family, the three of them had slipped away to enjoy their
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own quiet night.
But it did notst long.
Collins‘ phone buzzed on the table. He picked it
upzily, but the moment he saw the name on the screen, his expression stiffened.
“Huh? Why is the boss calling me now?” he muttered, voice tight enough for Dn and Jackson to hear.
“Pick up,” Dn said instantly.
“Yeah, before he calls one of us next,” Jackson
added.
Collins hurried out of the bar, nearly tripping over a server. The door closed behind him, leaving the two men staring after him.
Jackson sighed dramatically. “Poor Collins. He
cannot catch a break. It is almost eleven.”
Dn nodded, but his expression turned serious.
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If Axel called at this hour, something must have happened. He set his drink down and pushed it away. “Man, I will stop here. Axel might need meter. I should stay sober.”
Jackson rubbed his temples. “You are right. I am starting to get a headache anyway. I should go home.”
They stood, paid the bill, and walked outside. The night air was cool, carrying the faint scent of
rain.
Dn waited near the entrance, watching Collins pace while talking on the phone. Whatever Axel had said clearly wiped all color from his face.
When Collins finally ended the call, he looked
drained.
“You done?” Dn asked.
Collins nodded. “Yeah. I will talk to you tomorrow. I need to get home first.”
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They lived in the same building, so Dn
naturally fell into step behind him as Collins walked faster toward their apartmentplex, just a few blocks away.
The city was quieter at this hour, and only the streetlights cast long shadows across the
pavement.
Halfway through the park path, Dn slowed.
Something felt wrong.
Up ahead, a moonlit corner of the small park revealed a girl surrounded by three men.
Their voices were low and threatening. The girl had her hands raised in front of her, her posture
stiff with fear.
Dn exhaled, annoyed. He decided to keep
walking. This was not his business. His night was already heavy with worry about Axel.
He took another step.
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Then a voice stopped him.
A voice he knew.
“Stop. Please do not touch me.”
His entire body went still.
66
<i>Thank </i><i>you </i><i>so </i><i>much </i>for <i>the </i><i>Golden Ticket </i><i>& </i>Power Stones<i>. </i><i>Please </i><i>continue</i><i>. </i><i>We </i><i>need </i>to raise the rank to <i>give </i>this <i>book </i><i>more </i>
<i>opportunities</i><i>. </i><i>Xoxo </i>
PurpleLight
Creator’s Thoughts
19:46
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.