《Daily Life of a Transmigrating Villain》 Chapter 1: 1- First Plot Camphrian City, Country A The vast cityscape stretched as far as the eye could see, a testament to Camphrian City''s status as the world''s second wealthiest metropolis. Skyscrapers and architectural marvels dotted the horizon, reflecting the city''s pride and strength. At the heart of this magnificent city stood an opulent hotel near the seafront. Its towering architecture pierced the clouds, with glass windows shimmering in the night light. The entire city was bathed in a glow, alive and vibrant. This architectural marvel belonged to the Ramphian Group of Hotels, the most luxurious accommodation in Camphrian City. On this particular evening, the hotel seemed even more vibrant, adorned with a parade of luxury vehicles outside its grand entrance. Limousines, Ferraris, Mercedes, Range Rovers, and Lamborghinis gleamed in the night light, arriving through the grand metal gates of the Ramphian Hotel. "Ho ho ho, Sir Raven, is this really happening?" An old man emerged from his black Mercedes-Benz, a mocking smile playing on his wrinkled face as he approached another elder seated inside a limousine, his loose hanfu fluttering in the soft breeze. Bodyguards stood around the vehicle, and several men nearby watched with narrow eyes, their expressions a mix of curiosity and animosity. Previously, the old man''s granddaughter had her marriage proposal rejected by the renowned Damian Raphael, whose own wedding was taking place in this grandiose 7-star hotel. While no official hotel classification reaches seven stars, in the highest echelons of society, the wealthiest individuals often determine the rankings. To those who have never visited such grand establishments, this luxurious venue might simply be known as a 5-star hotel. "Indeed Mr. Lund, it''s Damien''s bad luck to not have a granddaughter like mine as his bride." The old man slowly emerged from the limousine''s door as the chauffeur came forward to open it. He held a golden cane and looked at the others with a smile, though irritation hid behind it. "Ho ho ho, indeed, indeed." Both old men laughed while glancing at each other with disdain, their animosity clear without saying a word. Naturally, high society isn''t as heavenly as portrayed in books. Each member, whether business tycoons or sharks, is always prepared to devour the other given the chance, forming either temporary alliances or permanent bonds through marriage. And this was Raven Harrison''s plan¡ªto marry off her granddaughter, a rising CEO, to the existing powerhouse bloodline of the Raphaels, whose Raphael Group of Industries boasted a total net worth of 9.8 billion NR. Several individuals moved toward the venue through the main gates, where rows of servants stood, sprinkling some kind of liquid on them. Unaware of its reality, they all took it as holy water or a traditional Raphael''s ritual. ... In a long hallway leading towards the main hallroom where the marriage was about to occur, two individuals moved with measured steps, their footsteps echoing through the space. "Young Master Damien, I hope you will reconsider," a soft yet trembling voice, filled with visible hesitation, directed towards a man walking in a black suit with hands resting in his pockets beside the woman who pleaded once again. Her pupils trembled as she glanced at him. Wearing a white bridal dress, the woman''s eyes remained fixated on the young man, her lips quivering as she saw those cold gazes that reminded her of what her future might be like. "What reconsideration, Emilia?" Damien inquired, his eyebrows subtly raised, his deep black eyes reflecting the woman''s milky white skin and blinking eyes, which seemed isolated in that moment. "We both know where this will lead, Sir Damien. You are exploiting my family''s helplessness to marry me. This is ethically incorrect," Emilia protested, biting her lip, her eyes wet with tears as she remembered how her family, falling into debt, had been cornered into forming an alliance with the man renowned for his business acumen, yet wrong enough not to even consider her opinion in this forced marriage. "Emilia, you are forgetting something," Damian interrupted, halting before turning towards her, withdrawing his hands from his pockets to lightly trace her jawline with his knuckles, tilting his head slightly. In a firm tone, he added, "It is I who will decide if it is ethical or not." "Y-you..." Her pupils trembled feeling the coldness of his finger on her skin, those predatory eyes disregarding her feelings as if she was nothing. This added more to her misery. With her gaze turned down, her eyes roamed the floor before snapping up, jaw clenched, as she firmly declared, "Remember this, Damian Raphael. You may claim my body, but you could never capture my heart or have a piece of my love!" ".....pffft," Damian heard her straightforward declaration and was taken aback for a moment. Soon, he burst into a chuckle, wiping away nonexistent tears as he leaned in. Their warm breaths entangled, her chest rising and falling rapidly with visible rage swelling within them, yet Damian seemed uncaring. He firmly informed her, "Who needs your love when your body is more than enough for me, huh?" ????????????????! [ ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ] [???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!] [???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????] [???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????] [ ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ] [????????????????????????????????????????????????????....!!!] ????????????????! [???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? (???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????????) ] ''... Is it 10 times better reward?'' Damian gaze''s remained fixed on the woman whose eyes stared blankly back at him. A tear trickled down her cheek, noticed by Damian, as he inwardly questioned the reward he had received, paying no attention to the woman whose world had just shattered. They were of the same age group, and it had been a dream for her and many of her college classmates to emulate Damian Raphael, who had carried on his family''s legacy despite losing everyone in an accident. He had been an inspiration to everyone, but now, to Emilia, he appeared as a demon. A monster, nothing more than a hungry wolf. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????, ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????. ] "It''s better than nothing, atleast..." Damian redirected his attention to the woman, who had just shed a tear. He lifted his finger and with his thumb, wiped away the trace of her misery with a devilish smile. His eyes teasingly locked onto Emilia as he continued, "But if you believe in love, let me tell you something." "W-what? Don''t come near me!" Emilia stumbled back as Damian took a step closer, causing her to collide with the wall behind her. She realized that even earlier in the long hallway, she had been intentionally maneuvered into the farthest corner without noticing, caught up in their conversation. But it was too late now. Closing in on her, Damian placed one hand on the wall beside her, trapping her against it. She pressed herself against the wall, desperately seeking an escape route, her neck exposed as she turned her face away from him. Leaning in closer to her ear, he softly murmured, "Once I claim your body, you will eventually fall in love with me." ????????????????! [???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!] S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 2: 2- Son of Heaven As the night embraced the hotel''s parking lot, a Ferrari, gleaming under the moon''s caress, skidded to a halt. Its tires screeched, leaving a smoky trail on the tarmac as the doors burst open with a flourish. A man emerged from the driver''s seat, his black hair dancing in the night breeze. He was dressed simply in a white shirt and black pants, a coat nonchalantly draped over one shoulder. He strode to the passenger side with purpose and grace, pulling open the door as he announced, "We''ve arrived, Young Miss." His words confirmed his subordinate status to the woman seated in the front seat. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the luxurious car''s door swung open, it revealed an interior crafted with exquisite wooden accents. Hidden behind those fine details was a beauty seated inside. Her legs gracefully extended out before her pink heels touched the ground. Stepping out of the car, she remarked nonchalantly, "I already told Dad that it''s good he''s getting married." Her tone was indifferent, her gaze hard and scrutinizing. Her face was a canvas of subtle emotions¡ªher eyebrows slightly raised in curiosity and her lips pursed in contemplation. She looked towards the hotel where tonight''s wedding¡ªa union she had no personal stake in¡ªwas taking place. Her eyes scanned the building, betraying a flicker of hesitation before she steeled herself to enter and face the man she had known for over five years and who now was just another stranger. Not that she cared about him before nor today. Through the same corridor, a line of servants stood at attention, each holding a tray. The air was thick with the scent of some pungent liquid that they were sprinkling, causing the man''s brow to furrow as he thought, ''Why do I have this uneasy feeling?'' As a war veteran whose instincts had saved him time and again since he was a mere child thrown into battle, he had learned to trust these gut feelings. Now, serving as a bodyguard for a lady of high standing, his senses were tingling once more, signaling that something was amiss. His sharp eyes scanned the servants'' faces, noting their oblivious expressions to whatever substance they were handling. Turning to the woman, he suggested cautiously, "Young Miss, perhaps you should go ahead. I need to check on something; I''ll be right behind you." Amelia''s gaze was locked on the grand banner that displayed the bride and groom''s names¡ªDemien Raphael and Emilia. Her expression turned icy at the sight of the bride''s name, identical to her own. "Do whatever you want" Ignoring the man''s advice, she strode into the venue determined to uncover the day''s unfolding drama. For five years, she had postponed her arranged marriage to the sole heir of Raphael Industries, wanting to make her mark on her own terms rather than be overshadowed by a business magnate husband. Yet now, news of Demien''s sudden wedding to another had reached her ears, stirring a storm of emotions and suspicions. Was it possible that he had been leading a double life all this while? Or had Damien already prepared a bride with her name as an alternative just to get her attention? As the silhouette of the woman faded into the distance, Edward shifted his intense gaze from her to the line of servants arrayed before him. His eyes finally settled on the figure at the forefront - a middle-aged man clad in a butler''s attire. The air around Edward grew tense as he loosened his tie and strode towards the butler, his expression turning icy. --- "Kughh!? Who are you?!" gasped the man in the butler outfit, his back pressed against the wall of a compact room designed for servants, a space far removed from the scrutiny of the outside individuals. Edward''s iron grip encircled the butler''s neck, his fingers pressing into flesh. "Agh!" The butler''s legs dangled and twitched in panic as he stared into Edward''s eyes, which were as sharp as shards of glass. "Tell me what was in that liquid," Edward demanded, his voice low and menacing. The grip tightened, and a subtle cracking sound filled the room as Edward''s arm muscles bulged with exerted strength. "Ugh, it w--as ho--ly w--ater?!" The butler''s words were choked and disjointed; his eyes rolled back, revealing whites tinged with fear. He was teetering on the edge of consciousness, the suffocating pain clouding his mind and threatening to snap his neck. Edward''s gaze was unyielding as he watched the butler''s eyes, which remained fixed until his struggling legs finally gave out. Releasing his grip, Edward let the butler''s body slump to the ground lifelessly. His gaze then drifted towards the window, ensuring they were still shielded from prying eyes, before returning to the bottle in his hand. ''Could it be poison?'' Edward pondered silently. His intuition was a honed blade; if it hinted at danger, there was likely something amiss. He studied the bottle for a moment longer before uncapping it and tilting it to his lips, swallowing the liquid in one determined gulp leaving behind a salty and bitter taste in his mouth. Poison was the least of his concerns; since childhood, he had been conditioned to be immune to all toxins. If there was indeed something wrong with this liquid, its effect on his body would guide his next move. If malice lurked in the shadows of this whole event then Edward suspected it might be the work of Damien Raphael''s enemies. And truth be told, Edward harbored no fondness for Damien. That man''s reputation was tarnished in Edward''s eyes, marred by years of unsavory deeds. Edward was well aware of how Damien had pursued Amelia with relentless efforts for two years and after facing rejection, Damien resorted to underhanded tactics, such as indirectly targeting her business and orchestrating several other schemes. If not for the explicit orders from Amelia''s father, Edward would not have found himself entangled in today''s events and even brought Amelia here. ''I hope it wasn''t you, Damien Raphael, or else...'' Edward''s thoughts trailed off as he turned towards the imposing building. Adjusting his tie with a swift motion and donning his coat with an air of resolve, he opened the door. With every step he took towards the building, his resolve hardened¡ªa resolve that might just seal the fate of the Raphaels'' future heir. Chapter 3: 3- Kill me ''?!'' The words struck Emilia like a bolt of lightning, her pupils dilating in shock. Her fingers trembled, and her body slackened as her legs buckled beneath her. She slid down the wall, her back scraping against the cold surface, tears welling up in her eyes. ''I want to leave this place,'' she thought desperately, a silent cry echoing in her mind as she sought to escape the nightmare where she was bound to marry a man who was nothing short of a monster. To him, she was nothing more than a pawn, a tool to be wielded by someone of his power and influence. He now held 78% of her family''s business shares, his dominance in decision-making painfully clear. No matter how profitable her choices will be, Damian could always override them with a flick of his pen. Her dreams of graduating from college and elevating her family business to new heights, to reclaim the status her father once held in high society, seemed to crumble before her eyes. And now, it all ended here. Ting! The sound of an incoming message on the man''s phone caused him to casually retrieve the device, his gaze shifting from the broken woman before him to the screen. The message read: :: Young Master, As you have predicted, a man has consumed the chemical. We will proceed to the next phase upon your signal. :: A small smile crept across his face as he pocketed his phone and turned his attention towards the emerald-tinted window screen appeared between him and Emilia. ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? - ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? (????????????-????????????????????????????) ???????????????????????? (????????????????????????????????????????????) ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? (????????????????????????????????????????) ???????????????? - ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? - ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? - ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????. ???????????????????????????? - ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ( ???????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? )* ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? ''...remove the senses amplification from the penalty,'' Damien commanded inwardly, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on the object of his focus. He wasn''t one to doubt his own capabilities; confidence was as much a part of him as his shadow. Yet, Damien understood that even the most well-laid plans could be upended by unforeseen variables. There was no merit in taking unnecessary risks, especially when his taste buds'' life depended on the outcome of his schemes [ ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ????????????????????] ''Take it,'' Damien commanded, his voice cutting through the silence as he leaned down, extending his hand to Emilia. She was lost in a trance, her world teetering on the brink of darkness. Blinking away her tears and biting her lip, she heard him say, "Emilia, we are getting late for our marriage. Stand up." ''How could he?'' Emilia''s gaze lifted to meet his, her eyes tracing the path from his outstretched hand to the softness in his expression¡ªa facade of care. His eyes seemed genuine, yet they harbored a depth of darkness that made her question the existence of such evil. To any other woman, marrying a man like Damien¡ªhandsome, wealthy, and astute¡ªmight seem like a blessing. But for Emilia, forced into this marriage and used as nothing more than a tool, his very presence made her skin crawl. She was acutely aware that she was merely a stand-in for Amelia Crimwell¡ªthe renowned high society belle whom Damien Raphael had pursued for over four years. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emilia''s future loomed bleak; she was to marry a man who saw her as nothing but an instrument, devoid of love, who had cornered her family into this union. ''...I need to kill him.'' The image of her mother flashed before her eyes as she glared at the man who needed to be eliminated. If he could go to such lengths just to marry her, what horrors might he commit in the future against those she cherished? She understood that taking his life would mean the end of hers too. But perhaps it would be a mercy for the world if he were gone. Her family, her friends, and her very existence¡ªall lay in the palm of his hand. And with one clench of his fist, everything could shatter. ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????! ] [ ????????????????????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????. ] [ ???????????????????????? : ???? ???????????????????? ( ????????????% ???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????) ] [ ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????????.... ] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ???????????? ????????????????????: ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????????. ????????????????????????: ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????. ????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ???????????? ????????????????????????! ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ''...Lyra, you are hellbent on killing my taste buds, aren''t you?'' Damien mused about a certain individual as he turned his attention to Emilia, who reached out and clasped his hand, standing up with hollow eyes that stared straight ahead. Observing her state, he felt a twinge of sympathy, but he couldn''t afford to indulge in it too much. After all, causing hurt was a part of his job and a daily occurence. However, thanks to the sub Quest, he was confident he could soon turn her mood around. "By the way, Emilia, did you know that your uncle is also invited?" Damien informed her casually, maintaining his gaze forward as he led the trembling woman whose body quivered with suppressed rage the moment his words reached her. ''...no, no, NO!'' Emilia''s mind was flooded with memories of betrayal¡ªhow her uncle had conspired against her father, dismantling the company and orchestrating his assassination through a meticulously executed plan. Evidence had been wiped clean, witnesses bought off, and even the judge seemed swayed in his favor. The case surrounding her father''s death had evaporated into thin air, ruled an accident. And now, this man had invited that very uncle¡ªthe one who had stolen everything from her: a kind father and a flourishing future. "I...will kill you, Damien," Emilia vowed silently. She wasn''t a coward; she wouldn''t resort to backstabbing. Instead, she declared her intent aloud. Unaware to her, it was a part of her that either sought death to prevent further harm or yearned for support after issuing such a warning. "And how will you do that?" Damien asked nonchalantly as he pulled her along. Their fingers were interlocked; his grip firm as he led her forward. She followed mechanically, her gaze fixed on his back yet sensing his perpetual smile. "I-I will stab you," Emilia proclaimed defiantly as she attempted to free herself with her other hand. "My clothes are stab-proof. Next?" He teased her with amusement, prompting her to come up with something better. "Then, I-I will burn you," Emilia declared again, her delicate fingers struggling in vain to escape his grasp. "I''ll just keep a pocket fire extinguisher handy. Next?" He could see the light from the hallroom growing brighter as they approached. His tone was laced with amusement as he felt her struggle and heard her soft-spoken threats, pushing him to continue teasing her. "And? Maybe I''ll drown you," Emelia declared, her voice laced with desperation. She inwardly cursed herself for not indulging in crime novels or fiction that might have taught her how to execute a perfect murder. "But I know how to swim, you know? Can''t you think of something better?" Damien retorted, halting just ten steps shy of the balcony that led down to the hall. He turned to face Emelia, whose eyes widened in realization that she was being mocked. "You will regret this, Damien Raphael!" Emelia''s outcry was lost amidst the cacophony of the hall below, causing Damien to tilt his head curiously and step closer, prompting her to instinctively retreat in fear. "How about I suggest ways for you to kill me?" Damien offered, his voice a blend of mischief and challenge as he lifted her hand¡ªher fingers struggling against his. His deep black eyes mirrored her image back at her: the slight quiver of her dewy lips, eyes wide with apprehension, chest heaving with each breath, sweat beads tracing a path down her forehead before dissapearing in depths of her plump cleavage. To anyone, this sight was intoxicating, compelling him to finally suggest a method for her to end him. After all, if the would-be killer was this hot, even death would be divine. Leaning in close enough for his breath to graze her ear, he whispered suggestively, "How about you kill me by getting stabbed instead? Burn my calories until I''m malnourished and drown my consciousness in your bodily fluid¡ª" "How dare you!" Emilia felt humiliated as she cried out, her hand swinging to land a slap on his face. "Come on, I was just helping you," Damien protested with feigned innocence as he caught her hand mid-slap. His smirk was triumphant as he turned back towards the hall room, leading the tear-streaked woman out of the hallway, having already achieved what he wanted by seeing the movement of someone within the curtains trying to spy on them. ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ] Chapter 4: 4- Villainess on move "Mr. Abhishek, is it true that your sister got into an accident a few days ago?" asked a man in a resplendent, expensive suit, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern. Both of the men stood in a corner of the vast, opulent hall, which was poised to transform into a wedding venue. Mr. Abhishek, elegant yet tense, held a wine glass in his hand, his brow furrowed as he contemplated his response. The hall around them shimmered with crystal chandeliers and intricate floral arrangements, creating a backdrop of luxury and anticipation for the upcoming ceremony. "Indeed, she had lost her ability to walk, and it''s disheartening for me, but from now on I will handle the company," Abhishek lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowed and a lost smile forming on his face. "Hmm, I see..." The man hearing those words, which could only be understood by a high society member, now realized that the real owner of this company would be the man in front of him, the one who had caused the accident involving his sister. Such manipulations were not uncommon among those who held the ability to climb the ranks. "Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen." Suddenly, a captivating sound from the balcony drew the attention of everyone busy forming alliances with each other, causing them to turn their gazes towards two figures. A handsome man in a black suit looked magnificent with his muscular physique, while a beautiful woman in a bridal gown stood beside him, smiling, her face entranced and tears evident. Yet, no one seemed to care. Why would they care about the tears of someone considered insignificant, marrying the sole heir of Raphael Group of Industries, Damien Raphael? "Good evening, Mr. Raphael." "Indeed, a very good evening. I must say, your bride is more beautiful than my wife! Hahaha!" "Oh my, I can''t deny that fact." Each spoke from their viewpoint, their words filled with polite facade towards the star of the night, paying little heed to the woman who was here for Damien Raphael. ''I hate this,'' thought Emilia, standing beside him, keenly observing the sports they wore like a lie, her eyes scrutinizing their faces while they mockingly laughed at her with their clear desire to climb up, even at the cost of someone''s life. That''s all she could see in them. Not a single person here showed any sympathy towards her. "Shut up! Can''t you all see that she is unhappy with this marriage!" Suddenly, a voice resonated inside the hall, catching Emilia''s attention. Her eyes slowly lifted to a man in a white shirt and pants, glaring at Damien. ''?!'' In that moment, Damien interlocked his fingers with hers, causing her gaze to shift towards him, thinking, ''What does he want now?'' Emilia appreciated the young man''s sympathy towards her, but she also knew her family was under this man''s control, so she remained silent. "How dare he?" "Who is this beggar?" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How presumptuous of him to speak like that." One after another, the background characters played their roles, not letting this opportunity slip away, revealing their offense while sugarcoating themselves in front of Damien Raphael. "It''s alright, gentlemen and ladies. I appreciate your concern, but it seems someone else should address this insolent behavior," Damien intervened, not allowing this event to pass unnoticed. He followed the actions of the background characters before turning towards Amelia, smiling and narrowing his eyes, noticing the frown on her face and understanding where this was heading. Since Amelia had entered the room, she paid no attention to the people around her, focusing only on understanding Damien''s intentions. Seeing the bride''s tears now made it clear he was plotting something to gain Amelia''s attention. Previously, he had even staged fake relationships to provoke her jealousy, something Amelia appreciated, but in the end, her responsibilities came first, and she refused to hide behind the Raphael name. "Damien, I think Edward is correct," Amelia stated, analyzing the situation. Her mind raced as she evaluated the implications of siding with her bodyguard. She knew it was better to align herself with Edward than with Damien to avoid risking Damien misunderstanding her motives as her love for him. Watching Damien use that innocent girl as a pawn while she cried struck a chord with Amelia, prompting her to take Edward''s side. "Miss Amelia, I didn''t ask if he was correct. His tone is the problem," Damien snapped, his eyes flicking toward Edward before narrowing at Amelia, who stood with folded arms, defiant. "And also, you should call me Damien Raphael, since I don''t think we''re that close." ''...What the...'' Amelia''s fingers twitched at his words, but she quickly composed herself. She recognized this as Damien''s attempt to appear strong in front of so many onlookers. She nodded slightly, maintaining her poise. "I understand, Mr. Damien Raphael, but I would like to reiterate what my bodyguard said: Why is the lady beside you crying?" Damien glanced at the woman beside him, a smile curling his lips. Amelia''s eyes met his, and she saw a flicker of triumph there, her pupils dilating with a mix of dread and defiance. Emilia, standing next to Damien, was indeed heartbroken and terrified. Despite the faint support she received from those two individuals, she knew it wouldn''t translate to real help. Her father was dead, her mother was drowning in debt, and her sole source of support was Damien Raphael. Her lips quivered as she tried to speak up. "N-no, these tears¡ª" But Damien interrupted smoothly, "Exactly, these tears are of happiness, not pain." ''...What?'' Amelia was baffled by Damien''s claim, especially when Emilia''s sadness was palpable, and it was obvious she was being forced into this marriage. "Y-yes... I," Emilia stammered, attempting to back up Damien''s words, her hands clutching her dress tightly. Her body trembled, and she bit her lip, barely holding back her tears. "Bullshit! Don''t think that just because you have money you can buy anyone, Damien Raphael. I know what kind of person you are," Edward retorted. He noticed Emilia''s subtle lip-biting and trembling body, her fingers clenched around her dress. It was clear to him that she was being forced into this marriage. Edward''s concern for the woman, despite just meeting her, stemmed from his disdain for those who used their power to control others'' lives. He wasn''t about to let this slide. ''Keep walking, you''re on the right track,'' Damien thought, his lips forming a sinister smile. He moved his hands before wrapping an arm around Emilia''s waist, pulling her into his embrace. Her already fragile body collapsed against him. His smile turned into a cold gaze as he fixed his eyes on Amelia. "Miss Amelia, I know that I previously rejected your advances, but now I want to marry and be happy. Seeing you bring this barbarian here to ruin my wedding suggests you''re still in love with me and can''t stand to see me marry someone else." ''?!'' ''Will you look at that,'' thought a woman standing in one of the dimly lit corners of the hall. She wore a sleek black dress that clung to her curves, the deep neckline revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage. Her dark red lips curled into a knowing smile, partly hidden by the elegant fan she held. She bit the corner of her lip, feeling a thrill of excitement at the unfolding drama. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, focused intently on the young man causing the commotion. A small mole near the curve of her cleavage accentuated her allure as she pondered her next move. ''Damien Raphael, wasn''t it? Should I kidnap you, huh?'' The thought of such a bold move stirred her adrenaline, her mind racing with possibilities. The fan snapped shut in her hand with a decisive flick, her gaze never leaving Damien, as if marking him as her target. Chapter 5: 5- Irritating Son of Heaven "Don''t cross the line, Damien!" Edward cried out, his eyes shot red and his feet lifting to approach that man and tear him to pieces upon hearing such words against Amelia. "It was you, Mr. Edward, who crossed it first," Damien retorted, his gaze shifting from Amelia to Edward. His tone remained composed, a small smile playing on his lips as he addressed Edward directly, amused to see him becoming agitated over a woman who hadn''t spoken a word in her defense. Indeed, it was Damien who reacted first, catching Amelia off guard but her trembling pupils betrayed her shock at his accusation. She couldn''t fathom how he could condemn her in front of so many people, especially since everyone knew he had been the one pursuing her. ''Are you serious, Damien?'' Amelia thought, looking towards him with a mix of emotions upon hearing the false accusations. She noticed the scrutinizing gazes of others, realizing Damien''s deliberate use of Edward''s behavior to underscore his own status was now tarnishing her reputation to elevate his. "Damien, please stop. We will leave," Amelia said, sensing the evening was spiraling out of control. She wasn''t sure what was going through Damien''s mind, but she knew this was over. He was using her to polish his image while manipulating others to achieve his selfish goals, prompting her desire to leave. ''Not so fast,'' Damien thought, noticing Amelia preparing to leave and willing to let the night end like this. After all, he still had a job to do and scores to settle for the previous owner of the body he inhabited who was made to run after a woman for four years who seemed unhinged by his presence. "Miss Amelia, forgive my earlier aggression. It seems I may have been too hasty. I would greatly appreciate it if you reconsider staying, as this is a memorable day for me," Damien said, changing tactics once again, directing his words towards Amelia''s retreating figure, causing her to hesitate before turning back to him. His approach was simply to push Edward until he burst and attacked. ''...What do you want?'' Amelia''s inner thoughts trembled slightly as she looked at Damien''s smile and heard his apology, unsure of his true intentions. Unnoticed by her, Damien glanced at Edward with a sly grin, observing the frustration boiling beneath his surface. Edward''s clenched fists and visibly pulsing veins betrayed his internal conflict, torn between displaying his power or maintaining composure¡ªclearly intending to kill Damien or not. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Very good, keep it up,'' Damien thought to himself, noting Edward''s tightening smile and clenched fists, understanding the turmoil within him. Indeed, the man named Edward before him was not just an ordinary human but a veteran returned from battlegrounds while possessing a weapon. A weapon called Cultivation. Indeed, Edward was at the Core Foundation Realm (Middle stage of Foundation Establishment), which in itself was rare to achieve at his age. This made the whole situation one-sided if he decided to attack right now. Of course, Damien had intentionally not invited his parents today; otherwise, not only he but even Edward''s Master would have a hard time escaping unscathed. Indeed, Raphaels weren''t just a hollow name in this high society and still existed in a world were cultivators roam around freely. Damien had even switched his bodyguards from veterans to normal ones; after all, he couldn''t let his dear ''Son of Heaven'' dodge bullets, could he? Because technically, this isn''t a movie where some random guy enters, beats dozens of armed bodyguards, insults a business tycoon, and still leaves unscathed. So this whole venue was prepared for Edward, someone who was, in reality, the star of the night. "Mr. Damien, I can''t exactly understand what you are trying to achieve," Amelia said, looking directly at Damien, unable to comprehend why he would go to such lengths to pressure or seek attention. If he really wanted to make her feel jealous, then he had to be aware that he was going about it the wrong way. She would definitely start hating him. "Sigh, it seems the surprise I have prepared for my bride will have to be revealed before our marriage," Damien sighed, shaking his head in apparent dismay, revealing a defeated smile as he looked toward Emilia before placing his palm on her cheek making her gaze at him with confused, saddened eyes. Seeing his genuine acting, Emilia began to understand the tale about how a devil could appear beautiful and alluring yet harbor deeper darkness than anyone. "More bullshit," Edward muttered, now seeing how much he despised this guy, the visible anger boiling within him wanting to teach Damien a lesson after witnessing how disrespectful he was. First, he was clearly using that woman, referring to her as his bride. Second, he was targeting Amelia in front of so many people. Everything was really getting under Edward''s skin and pissing him off. "Miss Amelia, please control your guard dog; he seems to bark too much," Damien taunted Edward, though he didn''t look towards Amelia, knowing she was a minor target tonight. The main target was this guy who seemed ready to snap at his words. "DAMIEN!" Edward cried out, feeling deeply humiliated but managing to restrain himself somewhat, realizing Damien was trying to provoke him. Yet, his cultivation strength meant he cared little for Damien''s status. Simply put, if Edward wanted, he could easily kill Damien here and flee the country with his team, leaving Damien''s fate to cool down and return back. But the issue was Amelia. Knowing that even if he left, the Raphaels would take out their grudge on her family made Edward pause. After all, he was slowly starting to develop feelings for her. "Edward, we need to endure this," Amelia gestured for Edward to stop and not fall for Damien''s provocation, though she herself was struggling to keep her composure. The issue was the presence of many high-ranking people, including major investors in her new company. One mistake and everything could fall apart. "....I understand," Edward said, glaring at Damien, who maintained a mocking smile before turning his attention to the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, let me first introduce you to my soon-to-be bride, Emilia Blake," Damien smiled, clapping with a narrowed gaze as he nudged Emilia''s shoulder, prompting her to look towards the people who, instead of mocking, began to applaud her loudly. Indeed, the Blakes were known for their criminal activities in underground casinos and several weapon businesses¡ªactivities spearheaded by her uncle. "Congratulations, Lady Emilia." "Indeed, you are very beautiful and noble." Pleasantries were showered one after another by those individuals who would have mocked her at any other party. ''Are they...'' Emilia started, confused by Damien introducing her using her family name, which could clearly alter his image. She also noticed that her uncle was notably absent from this party. Turning towards Damien, she politely inquired, "Where is he?" Damien, with a nod and a strained smile, glanced towards the floor before meeting her eyes. "You see, your uncle is in my basement in one piece, for now" ''?!'' Chapter 6: 6- Huh ''?!'' In an instant, a chill ran down her entire body at Damien''s words. His fingers interlaced with hers played a crucial role in amplifying the intensity of that fleeting moment, making her whole body tremble. She couldn''t understand why her body reacted this way until Damien leaned down, his lips just an inch away from her ear. He whispered with a sly grin, a devil''s whisper, "How about after our wedding night, I give you his head?" "Y-you are a monst-er," Emilia murmured, her voice barely a whisper. Her body trembled uncontrollably, her pupils dilating rapidly as beads of sweat formed on her forehead. ''Will you look at that,'' Damien thought, a smile creeping across his face as he noticed the sudden change in Emilia''s behavior. Her fingers, which had been resisting his touch moments ago, now tightened around his, clearly indicating that the first wall of her resistance had crumbled. After all, every human, no matter how saintly, has a hidden monstrous side. The difference is in how they reveal it: some do so with a loud boom, while others, like Emilia, keep it hidden until the last moment. Right now, Emilia wanted nothing more than to see the man who killed her father suffer and he knew that with a slight push, he could even make her kill that man with her own hands. "Easy, woman," he muttered under his breath before turning towards those high ranking individuals below the balcony with his face holding a smirk knowing how easy was to read through a woman or manipulate them. Emilia didn''t even show anger when he added the condition for her uncle''s head being their wedding night. Instead, she just focused on the gift awaiting her afterward. "Fucking bastard!" Edward''s senses, heightened by the flow of internal energy, picked up Damien''s muttered words about the wedding night, murder, and calling that trembling woman weak and easy. Each word from Damien felt like a thread snapping in Edward''s mind, pushing him closer to the edge of wanting to kill Damien. "Don''t make your face even uglier," Damien taunted, a smug smile on his lips with intent to make Edward hear it but not loud enough for others below the platform to hear. "Y-you!" Edward growled. Damien could see the fury etched into Edward''s face and felt a wave of satisfaction, knowing his words had struck a nerve. He had intentionally murmured those words aloud about the wedding night and Emilia being an easy woman instead of keeping them to himself, fully aware of Edward''s cultivation prowess and acute hearing. After all, this whole party was for Sir Edward. ''Why a Blake?'' Amelia''s eyes remained fixed on the woman beside Damien, her mind racing to fathom why he would go to such lengths to marry someone from that family. The Raphaels held power and prestige, but a small dark spot could tarnish even the most pristine reputation. Though the highest society members often committed crimes, they maintained a facade. Announcing an alliance with a gangster''s family was beyond the pale. Indeed, everyone was wary of Gabriel Blake. As the head of several kidnappings, murders, and with his subtle control over the underworld, his reputation cast a long shadow. ''What were you thinking, Damien?'' Amelia couldn''t understand why he would go to such lengths just to capture her attention and marry that girl. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He could have just hired some actors like before to try to get her attention instead of doing something this stupid. "Can I meet him?" Emilia softly whispered, her eyes remaining downward. She tried to imagine how much she wanted to see the man who had destroyed her life suffer. Her father was a kind man who had done everything with honesty. He trusted his brother and had even tried several times to make him leave his path of evil, which was tainting the name of Blake. But in the end, he was murdered in an accident. Emilia could vividly recall that day''s events. Her father was on the phone with her when she first heard the sound of a car crash, followed by her uncle''s voice through the microphone: :: Brother, you are very weak and undeserving of this society where they could kill you at any moment, just like our father. So I will become much more evil than them so none of those bastards can touch a single hair of the Blakes. :: And after those words, the only thing she heard in her phone was the sound of gunshots. ''I will...'' Emilia''s heart harbored hatred against the man who killed her father, but she couldn''t decide afterward what she would do. The thought of that man being locked up in a basement filled her with a burning desire to end this wedding quickly and rush to confront him. "What? Who?" Damien asked, his curiosity piqued as he glanced at Emilia with a raised eyebrow. "The one whom you placed in the basement of this place," Emilia said, avoiding calling the man her uncle as she reminded Damien of the proposal he had just given her. "Are you kidding me? We''re in a hotel. You expect me to kidnap a mafia boss and keep him here?" Damien felt like laughing, amused at how easily she believed his words. "Did you place him in any other basement?" Emilia asked, hoping Damien had kept her uncle somewhere else to avoid police entanglements and to kill him quietly. ''Yes, it must be the case,'' she thought. "Hey, are you stupid? Do you think I would go against the underworld for you?" Damien saw an opportunity to shatter her hopes and harvest some hatred points. "Huh?" Emilia looked at him, blinking in confusion before her mind slowly started to understand. ????????????????! [???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????!] [???????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????] "B-bast...." Emilia began to utter, her anger boiling over as she turned to the man who had been toying with her emotions. Her lips parted, ready to curse him, but before she could finish her words, Damien leaned in close, his voice low and intimate near her ear. "Though I can make it true if your intense desires and determination overcome me without loosing consiousness on our wedding night. Deal?" Chapter 7: 7- Showing the mirror of truth Ting! Suddenly, Damien''s phone notification rang out, likely signaling the confirmation of the task he had delegated while he bided his time provoking Edward and teasing Emilia¡ªfarming hate points. Damien''s hand moved into his suit pocket, fingers brushing against the cool fabric before he retrieved his phone to check the incoming message: :: Young master, we have sent the letter with the bottle''s fingerprint to the police chief, and also the other letter to Gabriel Blake, who has left with two dozen armed men to attack the Ramphian Hotel. Awaiting your further orders. :: ''...Well...'' Damien lifted his gaze, glancing toward Emilia. Her eyes, wide with fear, trembled as they locked onto his. Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand, feeling her slight resistance, and led her down the platform stairs. "Let''s begin the celebration, gentlemen," he announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. His eyes narrowed as he met Edward''s glare. Edward stood beside Amelia, who appeared dazed. His jaw clenched, but he was met only with a smirk from Damien. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien relished the irony: Mr. Son of Heaven had carelessly discarded the glass bottle after drinking from it and killing the innocent butler, neglecting to wipe his fingerprints from either the bottle or the body. Damien, being a man of justice, had ensured that the fingerprints would serve their purpose. The first letter, written by Damien, was sent to Gabriel Blake, detailing some of his crimes. The second letter, along with an HD+ 8K high-definition video pendrive of the murder titled ''A mad dog biting the neck of an innocent butler,'' and a sample of the fingerprint, was sent to the police chief of the main city. The police chief would come here to arrest a single man, unaware of Gabriel Blake and his armed men, who would be the first to arrive at the scene. Afterwards, the scene here would be like¡ªBoom. ''...Now just need a simple attack,'' Damien mused, maneuvering everything to ensure that Edward would bear the blame and the hatred. All that remained was to push Edward to the point where his hatred for Damien became visibly evident. After all, the night would eventually end, and once it did, Damien would need to be the victim here. "Wow, you both appear to be a match made in heaven!" "Indeed, what a gorgeous bride, and Sir Damien is already so handsome, hahaha." "Yes, and please ignore the third leg; they are just jealous of you." ''Fucking bastards,'' Edward gritted his teeth, noting the mocking glances of those around him, their minds oblivious to his true strength while they called him a dick. In this moment, he etched their faces into his memory, planning to show them true fear when he eventually dealt with them by either killing them or destroying their businesses. "Bring the rings," Damien commanded. The servants moved with subdued elegance, presenting a tray made of silk cloth on which two ring boxes rested, both appearing to be made of glass, showcasing the marvelous pieces crafted from the most expensive stones. But one of the boxes was empty, evident from the hollow space visible through the transparent cover. "Th-this? Sir, we are unaware of this," one of the servants stammered, fearing they would be blamed for the missing ring. "You don''t have to feel nervous. This is exactly how it''s supposed to be," Damien clarified, turning to Emilia, who looked back at him with confusion, unable to comprehend his next move while noticing his softening gaze. ''What does he want?'' Emilia glanced at the ring box and then locked eyes with Damien, who appeared to be plotting something again. Her anger visibly flared at his behavior. First, he had seized the majority of their company shares and then lied to her about her uncle''s being in his grasp. Not only that, he even told her to sleep with him as payment for his agreement to act against that man. She didn''t know what was going on inside his mind or if he would keep tormenting her like this. It was intolerable for her. She only wanted to help her mother, who was in debt, but now she was being forced into marriage with this man who seemed nothing short of a monster. "Here, this is the ring that Emilia will wear." Damien took out another black box from his suit pocket, opening it to reveal an old-fashioned black ring inscribed with words in an unknown language. ''?!'' ''No, don''t tell me...'' Amelia, watching with narrowed eyes, felt them widen the moment she saw the ring Damien offered to Emilia, the same one he had offered her a year ago. At that time, her memories were still vivid, allowing her to recall the events clearly. ~~~ "Amelia, will you marry me?" Damien knelt in front of her with a helpless gaze, proposing despite knowing her reluctance. "Damien, you know I don''t want to marry until I secure my future," Amelia averted her gaze, feeling burdened by the elaborate seaside proposal with drones and fireworks lighting up the sky. The spectacle could melt the hardest of hearts, but she found it overwhelming, not wanting to be tied down as someone''s wife. "I... I see," a faint smile crossed Damien''s face as he looked down, his hand loosening its grip on the ring. Despite kneeling, his eyes betrayed the emotional turmoil in his heart. "Although, this ring is beautiful," Amelia tried to change the topic, acknowledging the unique and attractive black ring that had been offered to her. "Yeah, this was my mother''s last possession. She wanted me to give it to the woman I want to spend my life with," Damien beamed, his eyes lifting with a smile as he shared its origin. "Oh, I..." Amelia felt a pang of guilt, sensing she had hurt him deeply with her rejection. She started to speak but stopped herself. "No, no need to feel guilty. Let me tell you more about my mother," Damien shook his head, understanding her position but eager to share more of his life. He stood and took her hands, leading her to a nearby bench. The night was long as Damien recounted stories of his mother who had passed when he was seven, his father remarrying ten years later. Amelia sat beside him on the bench, hands clasped in her lap, listening intently as Damien shared his life''s story. Despite knowing she would never love him back, Damien knew he would continue to love her. ~~~~ ''Are you kidding me?'' Amelia''s widened eyes trembled, her fingers slowly clenching her tight red dress, whose silky fabric started to feel suffocating against her skin. Finally, a dreadful feeling shrouded her mind: the entire marriage plot Damien had seemed to arrange to get her attention was not fake. It was a feeling that everything was genuine, and he was really going to marry someone else. ''?!'' "S-stop it!" Suddenly, Amelia cried out as Damien''s hand pulled Emilia into a tight grasp and his tongue entered her mouth in a deep kiss. badump Instantly, it crushed Amelia''s heart, her voice reverting to that same place. Chapter 8: 8- New Sub quest ''Is it poisoned?'' Emilia, who had lost trust in that man, couldn''t bring herself to have a shred of faith in the black ring he had just taken out of his pocket. Her brain¡ªhaving been influenced by the only crime show she had ever watched¡ªeven imagined that the ring had a small needle inside it, coated with a paralysis poison he could use to slowly feed her sweet poison over time, deteriorating her health to the point of inevitably killing her after he lost interest in her body. ''It''s definitely not what you think,'' Damien, noticing her horrified gaze on the ring and her hands clutching her dress, understood that she was definitely imagining the worst. Naturally, there were several instances he could remember where he had used a ring to kill some of the heroines while doing his daily job. However, none of them were that obvious. The last time he remembered was in an apocalyptic world where the heroines had decided to run away to a camp prepared by the son of heaven, who had a 10000¡Á storage system and was a Regressor. Irritated by not getting his salary, Damien had chosen a crippled villain who would have died soon due to terminal illness¡ªhe chose this villain because he needed to finish the job sooner. So, seeing his childhood friend, who was a heroine, wanting to leave him and join the camp, he gave her a ring as last goodbye gift. A ring carrying plutonium and Cesium-137. Long story short, his childhood friend died of cancer, and then the son of heaven kept her keepsake in his storage, which soon get multiplied into 10000 of them, and then started a massacre. Though it depends on the type of son of heaven to decide what to do, applying the same thing to this Edward guy would be futile due to his senses always ringing with threats. Indeed, there are several types of sons of heaven: ones who want only virgin women, ones who prefer MILFs, ones who see everyone except themselves as evil, some who treat their women as part of themselves, some who think from their dick, and some who have a gut feeling about everything, etc. So, Damien this time used Edward''s ability to detect threats, against him. Background story: Edward entered the hotel, felt something amiss in the liquid being sprayed over everyone, and due to his trust in his immunity, he drank the bottle that contained nothing but a simple chemical component which needs another one to react. So, why would Damien add a poisonous needle to poison a supporting character when he could do something fitting of his status as a transmigrating villain?¡ª Of course, he could guess what was going on inside Emilia''s mind. "Give me your hand," he called out to her with a small smile and narrowed eyes, making her feel even more suspicious of his behavior and prompting her to hide both hands behind her back. ''...Come on, Gabriel must be arriving soon,'' Damien thought, noticing the time slowly moving forward and the imminent arrival of a gangster with arms. He felt the need to help this woman open her mind. ????????????????! [???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????...] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ???????????? ????????????????????: ???????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????-???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????: ???????????? ???? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????. ????????????????????????????: ???????????????????????????? (???????????????? ????????????''???? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????) ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ''...Hey Lyra, don''t you think you''re asking for too much?'' Damien felt baffled, seeing that someone was becoming too greedy now. [???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????, ???????? ???? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ????????.] ''Fine, fine,'' Damien finally accepted defeat¡ªif only in name. He turned his gaze towards Amelia, whose widened eyes caused a smile to form on his face. After all, this ring had very deep memories attached to her. "D-don''t even dare to make me wear that ring!" Emilia protested, clenching her hands behind her back. She saw Damien''s eyes fixed in another direction, a devilish smile on his face. His hand first rested on her shoulder and then slid towards her wrist before clenching it. "Shut up, woman," Damien said, knowing how this would give Amelia a boost to become a true heroine. He pulled Emilia with a bold tone, showing he didn''t care about her at this moment¡ªonly one thing mattered to him right now: His Bonus. "Come here" Damien''s firm grasp on Emilia''s hand caused her to stumble, her breath catching as her breast collided with his solid chest. Heat surged through her as their eyes met, his devilish gaze lingering on her lips. High society''s elite remained around them, their murmurs becoming a distant hum. Emilia''s cheeks flushed with a mix of fleeting feelings and surging anger, but before she could retaliate, her body flinched as his hands wrapped around her back, tracing the white fabric of her bridal dress as he grasped her possessively. "N-no!" Emilia''s lips parted to retaliate, but her tongue was visible under the hungry gaze of the man who seized the moment, instantly claiming her dewy lips in a fervent kiss. Mppffhh?!" Her muffled voice was all that remained beneath the sudden weight of his kiss. thump thump Emilia''s heartbeat raced as she initially tried to pull back, but his tongue pushed into her mouth with insistence, seeking to conquer her reluctance. "Umm...nhh", His hand began to explore her curves, fingers stretching downwards toward her ass before both hands gripped the peaks in their way. "IEEKK~!?" Her body tensed with embarrassment and arousal as Damien''s hand moved boldly, molding her ass possessively and pressing her perky breasts against his chest. The contrast of her pristine white wedding dress against the intensity of his touch sent a shiver down her spine. "Mmmmmmh~!!", Despite her initial resistance, Emilia found herself glaring at the man as he assaulted her lips, acutely aware of the many onlookers with his eyes just centimeters away remained locked with hers as his lips continued to devour hers. Slurp~ Her lips hurt, and her eyes became teary as she slowly loosened her defenses, succumbing to her fate. It was true that she once had a crush on Damien Raphael, just like many of her classmates, but being kissed like this by him was slowly melting her mind and resurfacing memories of her days dreaming of marrying this person. Simply put, every normal woman''s dream is to have a rich husband who loves her possessively, cares for her, and makes her feel blessed to have him in her life, but... She was hating this man even more. He was an evil, lecherous monster! "Mphhh....Hngh?!" ''....Now, this is something else,'' Damien felt the plump softness in his palm while ignoring Amelia''s cries in background for them to stop, his hands tightening even more on Emilia''s soft ass, molding it mercilessly. "Mmgghh~?!" He alternated between pressing and stretching those plump ass outward with controlled force, responding to the twitch of his crotch area. Her lips were soft, almost silken, and pillowy against his own. He could feel the soft tickle of her haggard breath against his nose, her breasts expanding and relaxing as they pressed against his chest. He could clearly feel the shape of her boobs, her tightened nipples beneath her bridal dress pressed on his firm chest, as his fingers caressed her voluptuous ass, the middle finger slowly making its way toward the center between both booty, trying to touch her Rosebud¡ª But before he could feel anything, "STOP IT!" Amelia arrived and cried out again, realizing Damien was not heeding her cries. She finally used the force of her hands to separate them, her eyes shot red with anger. Instantly, her hand lifted before forming an arc against his cheek. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Slap! A loud sound filled the hall as Amelia''s hand whipped across Damien''s cheek, yet his head remained eerily still, showing no sign of the blow. ''!?!'' In that fleeting moment, a sharp freezing chill gripped Amelia''s entire being. Damien''s eyes underwent a startling transformation, turning a deep, complete black with no trace of white. His gaze, cold and piercing, fixed on the woman who had just slapped him with killing intent surging from within. ????????????????????! [ ????????????''???? ????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!! ] [ ???????????????????????? ????????????''????! ???? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????! ????????????''???? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????! ] Chapter 9: 9- Constellations ????????????????????! [ ????????????''???? ????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!! ] Suddenly, the robotic voice of the system began to transform into a more womanly tone, infused with urgency, as it warned the man not to undertake an action that would jeopardize the mission. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????''????! ???? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????! ????????????''???? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????! ] SWOOSH But upon noticing his eyes turning black, the voice instantly seemed to materialize into a small fairy, no more than an inch in height. With her appearance, the entire world seemed to lose its color, transitioning into black and white, as time around them came to a halt. The only ones in color were Damien and the fairy, who had secretly worked behind the system to manipulate the plot. Indeed, the fairy served as Damien''s side assistant, helping him wield the perks that come with playing a villain role¡ªsuch as the System, soul beasts, or special abilities¡ªher task being to adjust things as necessary like penalty, rewards etc. ''....I am in complete control, Lyra, don''t panic,'' Damien kept his eyes fixed on the figure of the woman, now frozen in a colorless static image after slapping him. She glared back at him with anger and teary eyes, halted by the time stop, his claws poised near her neck yet restrained from harming her or strangling her delicate neck. It was clear he was under control, evident from him opening the portal for constellation votings, causing the entire world to freeze momentarily until he chose his next move. As part of his daily routine as a transmigrating villain, he relied on input from his clients, who ultimately suggested his forthcoming actions. Though not compelled in the slightest, he could easily dispose of the woman who had slapped him. A woman who ignored the efforts of this body''s previous owner to gain her attention. And yet, if he were to kiss another woman, her reaction would be exaggerated¡ªhypocrisy itself seemed embarrassed in this scenario. Of course, Damien, playing the role of a villain and a star employee in this field, would never become angry just because she slapped him. His anger stemmed from the pain inflicted by such hypocrites on all the villains he chose to portray. ''Open the Suggestions of Constellations,'' Damien ordered, his black eyes tilting slightly upward. Lyra exhaled in relief, knowing her bonus was secure, and flew upwards. She circled and sprinkled a stardust substance that quickly formed into a screen. ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ????????????????????????_???????????????????????????? = ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????_???????????????????????????????????????? = ???????????????? ????????????, ???????????????? ????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????, ???????????? ???????? ???????????????? ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ''Only two?'' Damien remarked, noting the limited number of constellations suggesting the next course of action. He attributed it to their ignorance of how the system operated, their roles merely observational and not taking part in doing comments. ''Lyra, didn''t you add an announcement?'' Damien queried, turning to the fairy. She flinched, then averted her tiny body, scratching her chin with a broken smile as she realized she had indeed forgotten to announce the special privileges granted exclusively to constellations by Damien¡ªprivelege to suggest his upcoming actions. ''Should I request another assistant?'' Damien contemplated replacing the incapable fairy who couldn''t even handle a simple task, leaving him with just two suggestions for the next plot. Whenever his eyes turned completely black, he would open the portals for constellations and listen to their suggestions, deciding for himself whether to accept them or not. With limited options, he reviewed both comments from the constellations. ''Kill her, hmm'' Damien mused, focusing on one of the cruelest constellations who relished in suffering. However, he quickly realized he couldn''t simply erase this world, as it required his investment to secure a seat in different worlds and he lacked enough investments. Technically, all these worlds were real, born from the supreme consciousness of the constellations. But now each seeking a new path for the destinies of these worlds. This establishment gave rise to the company where Damien excelled as a star employee in the villainous roles. And to establish a particular world as his playground, Damien collects investments from constellations in the form of Power Stones, a special currency used exclusively for selecting specific worlds. Each world has its own price, paid solely in Power Stones. Observing how one constellation suggested destroying a world that had cost him half of his life savings, Damien closed that window and pocketed the suggestion for future consideration. As a star employee, he securely kept all suggestions to use at his discretion, disregarding those from constellations that didn''t suit his plans in future and using back up he stored for now in future. ''Let''s begin then,'' Damien said, lifting his finger to select the constellation he had decided upon. In that moment, the sound of his snap echoed, shattering the colorless world like glass. Snap "S-stop it!" Amelia cried out, her hand poised after delivering a resounding slap to the man who once claimed to love her more than anyone, now caught in a vulgar situation with another woman. ''Amelia?'' Edward''s senses tingled with an unfamiliar unease as he witnessed her pulling Damien and Emilia apart and delivering a decisive slap. Edward recognized the significance of that slap and Amelia''s enraged, tear-filled eyes¡ªit hinted at feelings for Damien were still inside her heart which Edward could never accept. GASP Every member of the high society present held their breath, shocked at Damien Raphael receiving a slap, regardless of it being from someone like Amelia Crimwell¡ªthis was truly unprecedented. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Heh?" Damien, his eyes back to normal, stared at Amelia unfazed by the slap he received, without blinking, confronting the woman who felt betrayed and cheated upon. "How could you!¡ªSLAP " Before Amelia could finish, a sharp slap landed on her cheek, causing her body to stagger and tumble to the ground, veins in her neck tensed from her words which was disrupted by a hit on her face. thud Her body lay on the floor, hands trembling as tears welled in her eyes, reaching slowly towards her now warm cheeks. She couldn''t comprehend what had just occurred. ''N-no, did he just slap me?'' ''now, it''s your turn'' Damien, observing Amelia''s fallen form with disheveled hair, formed a smirk and lifted his gaze toward Edward. "N-NO AMELIA!!" Edward''s widened eyes and clenched jaws betrayed his shock and fury as he lunged toward Damien, his body pulsating with internal energy that shattered the floor tiles beneath his feet. "I could at least hit her back, can''t I?" Damien added casually. "DAMIEN! YOU BASTARD!!!" Edward roared in rage as he swung his fist towards the man who had dared to lift his hand on a mere woman. Chapter 10: 10- Tonights Hero "DAMIEN! YOU BASTARD!!!" Edward roared in rage as he swung his fist towards the man who had dared to lift his hand on a woman, closing the distance to just a meter from Damien. ''Here it comes,'' a visible smirk formed on Damien''s face as he watched everything in slow motion. His pupils ignored the slowed punch and fixed on a small metal projectile entering his sight, passing between him and Edward. BANG! A sharp gunshot sound reverberated as the bullet that had just passed between them collided with something nearby, causing a ruckus without harming anyone. "Kyaaaah~!!" "No!...It''s an attack!" Panic surged inside the place, with individuals not understanding how someone had infiltrated and started shooting despite the presence of bodyguards outside the hotel. "Move!" Unbeknownst to these high-profile individuals, Damien had intentionally provided a secret path to Gabriel and his goons to enter with guns, ensuring that none of the sounds from this place escaped. This was evident in his choice of this particular 7-star hotel. Indeed, there were several other hotels under the name of Ramphian Groups, but this was the only one that provided complete soundproofing in its hall to enhance the experience for their customers. With the sounds of bullets, men carrying weapons entered the hallway, causing a ripple of chaos throughout the place. "Where are you, Damien Raphael!" yelled a masked man, crying out the name of the one who had forgotten his limits and crossed the line by sending that letter. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Holding AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, Gabriel and his men instantly searched for the man who had called them but they don''t forget to wear masks, knowing that the one they were dealing with today was none other than Damien Raphael, heir of Raphael Industries. Even with 25% control over the underground, Gabriel wouldn''t had acted today if he hadn''t heard that Damien Raphael was not declared the official heir; instead, it was his stepsister. Not known to many, but only a few in the country''s high circles were aware that the company and everything else would soon be led by an orphan adopted by Damien Raphael''s grandfather. After all, it was a known fact that Damien, instead of focusing on his business, was always after a woman from the Crimwell family, pursuing her for more than five years. Thus, he was declared unfit to handle the Raphael empire, worth 9.8 billion NR. An enormous amount for anyone. "Hey fucker, are you hiding behind a woman¡ª?!" Gabriel lifted his gun, pointing it towards the man he aimed to kill today. Suddenly, the man held a woman in front of him, causing Gabriel''s finger to hesitate when he recognized the woman as his niece. Not that he cared, but the issue was that the woman had recognized his voice. ''Damn it!'' Gabriel thought. He had planned to kill everyone present after getting support from a few of Damien''s enemies who had helped him enter the hotel room secretly. By killing everyone, he would have erased all the evidence. But now, his own niece had recognized his face, complicating his plan to kill everyone present. "You? No... Why?" Emilia, who had recognized the voice of Gabriel Blake, felt her eyes widen with anger slowly filling them. Her hands, which were already holding two hands on her waist, tightened as her nails dug into Damien''s hands flesh. Damien, who was clenching her from behind, looked towards Gabriel with squinted eyes, analyzing the situation. A smile formed on Damien''s face as in a split second, his body seemed to vanish and reappear with a knife in his pocket. "You bastards! How dare you?" Edward yelled, seeing dozens of men entering the place. The guy in front, who appeared to be the leader, was immersed in thought, his hands not on the trigger. Edward, charging his internal energy, closed the 10-meter distance in the blink of an eye. "Ugh?!" Gabriel''s men tried to react, but their response was too slow. Edward''s hands clenched Gabriel''s face before throwing his whole body to the floor. CRACK! Edward''s strength, enhanced by his internal energy, shattered the floor beneath Gabriel into pieces. "KHUGHH?!" Gabriel coughed out saliva mixed with blood, his widened pupils reflecting the immense pain he was experiencing. His bones were broken, a rib bone had punctured his lungs, his intestines were completely messed up, and his skull was cracked. ''Now it''s your turn, bastards!'' Edward thought, instantly backflipping to dodge the bullets fired by the dozen other men. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Edward''s body moved swiftly, avoiding each bullet. Blood was seeping from his wounds due to some of the bullet''s grazing his physically enhanced body, but he continued to evade the attacks. "It''s end for you all!" He reached for his pocket to take out his knife and realized it was missing. ''Where''s my knife gone?!'' He thought. If it were just a few people, hand-to-hand combat wouldn''t be hard for him, but he couldn''t recklessly fight while dodging bullets, making everything much harder. ''Where the hell is my knife?!!!'' BANG! "Kughh!" . . . . . "Can you hold this knife for a second?" Damien asked, arriving at the end of the hallway after secretly moving from the hall to a safe place, bringing two women with him. One was Emilia, who was being pulled by his hand. The other was Amelia, whom he carried in a princess hold. Amelia appeared lost in another world, her closed eyes and the red mark on her cheek from a slap indicating she was in a trance. Of course, he could have simply left her there, but he couldn''t let her die given her recent heroine status. It was likely she would have survived, but he chose to utilize this moment to the best of his ability. "You, why did you run away? You could have killed that man!" Emilia''s whole body burned with rage, remembering those eyes and the voice she wanted to erase from existence. She didn''t care about the situation; at least the man was out in the open instead of hiding inside underground auction houses. "Hey," Damian halted in his path and turned towards Emilia, who flinched before glaring back at him, wanting to know about the promise he made to kill her uncle today. Damian, looking at her with a smirk, added, "Do you really want him to just get this peaceful death?" "Wh-what?" Emilia, slightly bewildered, looked at Damien, whose face carried a devilish smile and whose voice sounded like a whisper. Her eyes blinked as she tried to understand the meaning behind his words. Slowly, they widened as she realized¡ªno, she didn''t want to give that man a simple death. ''How naive,'' Damian thought, looking at Emilia. Her face no longer showed pure anger but rather a hint of desire, falling for his trap, which would eventually lead her to fall in love with him. He would give her what she wanted¡ªGabriel''s death¡ªand she would give him what he wanted¡ªher everything. "Mmm....wha....doing...Dami," came a mumbling sound from his embrace. Damian turned towards the woman sleeping in his arms. Her hand rested on her cheek, her eyes closed, as if she were dreaming. Seeing her like this, Damian understood it was a Vasovagal Response¡ªa combination of emotional and physical shock triggering a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to fainting or a strong urge to sleep. Seeing her like this just made it easier for him to take her from there and proceed to his next step. A simple move of slapping her had caused things to become much easier prompting him to turn his eyes towards a pillar standing adding," Is this really right way to keep an eye on people secretly, Miss...." Chapter 11: 11- From where it all Started (Skippable backstory) "What are you doing here, Damien?" Amelia asked, looking toward the usual arrival of the man who held a bouquet in his hand while entering her office. "Um, I just wanted to celebrate my birthday with you," Damien said, placing his hand behind his neck. He felt slightly down today due to hearing some stern words from his grandfather for leaving the birthday party he hosted to announce new heir. "...You could have just celebrated it. You already know Mr. Carlos is targeting my new company, and it''s making me busy." Amelia rubbed her forehead, looking at Damien, who had come here after leaving his birthday celebration. She didn''t understand why he would leave such an important event to visit her when she had told him she was busy today. "Huh, if you want, I could make him stop doing that," Damien said, seeing her tired face and dark circles. He understood that she had been working late, prompting him to move forward and place the bouquet on the desk. He had received it from a flower shop he visits regularly to help the paralyzed woman who makes most of her sales due to his timely visits. "No, I want to do everything alone. Don''t think of something stupid again, Damien," Amelia sighed, looking at him as he took a seat on the other side of the desk. She remembered how last time he had tried to help her by convincing an investor, which boosted her company''s growth but didn''t sit well with her desire to be self-dependent. "I see... By the way, what happened to your hand?" Damien noticed that her left hand had a graze mark, prompting him to look at her with a furrowed brow. "Ah, this, it''s just some issue with my stepmother. You already know how they are," Amelia sighed, knowing that Damien also had a stepmother who didn''t treat him well. This was the major reason for their friendship, as they understood each other''s pain. Slowly, Damien had developed feelings for her, which she was aware of, but her future came first. "I will take my leave then" Damien slammed the desk before standing up and turning to leave, prompting Amelia to glance at him. She then turned her attention back to her files, letting him leave. Three hour later, {Time: 12:57 am } ''Wait, I forgot to wish him,'' Amelia thought. After finally finishing her work, she looked at the clock and realized the day had passed. She had forgotten to wish Damien a happy birthday, prompting her to take out her phone and type the message: "Happy Birthday." As her fingers hovered over the button to send it, another message notification came. Ting! ''?!'' Amelia hastily stood up after reading the message, which read: :: Young Miss, Master Damien and Madam are arguing :: The weather was cloudy, and soon rain poured down. Inside the mansion of the Crimwell family, a black car arrived, getting drenched in the heavy rain. The door swung open, revealing a woman in office attire, who quickly entered the mansion. "Mrs. Crimwell, I had already told you not to harm her, then why?" "You are an idiot who just moves around that bitch who doesn''t even give you a glance¡ª" "Mrs. Crimwell! Mind your language! How dare you call Amelia¡ª" Bam! "What are you doing here, Damien?" Amelia hastily entered the main gate of the mansion, the first image in her sight being him clenching her stepmother''s hand, who tried to loosen his grip. "Oh, Amelia, you arrived? Come and see how your stepmother just tried to slap¡ª" "Damien!" Amelia, seeing how Damien had tried to attack her stepmother, sprinted toward him. Slap! A sharp force landed on Damien''s face, his head tilting from the impact. The hand that had once tried to stop the slap from Amelia''s stepmother now rested on his face, his eyes blinking and looking at Amelia. "Are you stupid!" Amelia couldn''t believe the stupidity of this man who tried to attack her stepmother inside the Crimwell house, not understanding that he could be sent to jail and charged with several crimes. Considering that the media would make headlines of this whole event because he was the sole heir of the Raphaels, Amelia was incredulous. "A-Amelia?" Damien, feeling warmth in his cheek, yet the pain seemed to source from his heart instead of his face, prompting him to keep looking at her in confusion for a moment. "Leave this place, this instant!" Amelia declared, gesturing toward the main door for this foolish guy who had barged in without knowing the consequences. "I-I..." Damien, holding his cheek, kept looking at her while Amelia''s stepmother turned and left. Damien, with eyes betraying his pain, turned and left the hall abruptly. ''Sigh, this idiot,'' Amelia thought, exhaling. She observed how her stepmother had left too, and now that guy had also left without this becoming much of a scene. "Y-young miss, it was Madam who tried to slap Master Damien," a maid came forward, trembling, trying to explain the reality of the misunderstanding. "What? Really?, I...let me talk to him," Amelia said, already feeling a headache from all the work. She first looked at the maid and then toward the door before moving toward it, rubbing her forehead. Arriving outside, Amelia looked around and found Damien standing in the rain, staring at the gates. ''What''s with this new drama?'' Amelia exhaled before taking a step forward to come out from under her mansion''s roof into the open area but was halted by his voice. "You did not wish me yet, Amelia." ''Huh?'' Hearing his voice, she slightly furrowed her brow but responded, "I was about to send a message but you caused a ruckus here." "Do you remember the day I proposed to you?" Damien, getting drenched in the rain, smiled as it hid his tears. He turned toward the woman standing with folded hands. "Yes, you told me about your mother''s ring," Amelia replied, already trying her best to control the headache caused by overwork. "I see, So, you forgot the sky...Leave it, Today, I am hurt, Amelia," Damien said, feeling shattered after today''s announcement at his birthday party about his stepsister being declared the official heir. He had come to meet Amelia to soothe his pain, but it only intensified. "...Didn''t you always say the one we love the most sometimes hurts us the most?" Amelia recalled his words whenever she mistakenly hurt him. She then turned toward the maid who had arrived and told her to bring pain relief pills for her headache. "But you don''t love me, right?" Damien tilted his head, looking at the woman who had brought him this far¡ª he felt he had lost everything except his life. He was declared unfit, his love was not reciprocated, and now he had nothing left except his own broken life. For him whose value was decided only because he was sole heir of Raphaels, now he was fallen from the sky and knew how soon things will take ugly turn. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Damien, can we talk tomorrow? My head hurts," Amelia said, turning to go back inside her mansion. She had been awake for a whole week without sleep and was overwhelmed by the stress of her work. "N...ot even an umbrella....hahahHAHAHA," Damien laughed bitterly, seeing the mansion''s door shut. He lifted his gaze towards the sky, biting his lips, his eyes filled with pain as he accepted the proposal of that devil whispering in his ears since the day began. "Take my body and do whatever you want." He declared ?¨T???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????¨T? ????????????????, ????????????????... ????????????''???? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ????????????! ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???? ????????????, ???????????? ???????? ????????????????????????, ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????. ????????????????, ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????-???????????????? ????????????????????????????????: ???????????????? ????????????????: ???????? ????????????????: ???? ?¨T???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????¨T? With that screen being shown, a thick book materialized in front of Damien, who had already reached the threshold of brokenness. It wasn''t like he had anything left in him now except dying. And who even reads such a long contract? "Here you go..." Damien signed. ?Thanks for selling your Soul? DING! Chapter 12: 12- Women ? "Is this really the right way to keep an eye on people secretly, miss?" ''....'' The figure hidden behind the curtain flinched upon hearing the sudden words directed at her. Prompted to remove the curtains, she revealed herself and, with a closed demeanor, bowed. "Apologies, Young Master. I was about to reveal myself." ''Heh, reveal yourself?'' Damien smirked at the black-robed woman, who appeared to be an assassin. Her entire body, except for her eyes, was covered in black cloth, with two daggers resting on her waist. Ignoring her approach, Damien focused on his task. "How amusing that Lady Vandiana herself did not come to meet me." His smile was not for this woman who was caught but for the dear Villainess who had escaped this place safely. Vandiana Panthera, also called the queen of the underground mafia, possessed 75% control over all the illegal activities inside Cramphian City and 40% inside Country A¡ªthere was a reason for her to be the final boss or major Villainess. And if Damien had invited the son of heaven, shouldn''t he also have invited that woman? So, he definitely invited her as a plan B. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Naturally, the story should be like this: Edward, detecting the threat due to his powers, escaped this place, leaving behind Gabriel, who, with his men, attacked high society people. Unaware of Vandiana''s presence, he barged into the hall room, opened fire, and got his head crushed at the hands of the queen. Of course, this was a backup in case things didn''t go Damien''s way due to the son of heaven''s luck favoring him. And even if everything went perfectly, his actions¡ªprovoking her by siding with the Blakes, where 25% of the underground mafia was still under Gabriel''s control¡ªand the letter sent to her would definitely ignite her interest in him¡ªa letter containing very personal secret details. So, either way, Damien was securing two women. One was Emilia, who would soon inevitably receive the gift of her uncle''s head. The other was Vandiana, who would show interest in him due to his removing an obstacle like Gabriel without her even lifting a finger. Though there were several variables¡ªlike Vandiana herself not seriously wanting Gabriel removed, or she would have crushed him long ago, and Emilia not necessarily falling in love with him just because he killed someone. But he had ignited a flame that would soon grow into a fire. "Here, the Queen has left this letter for you," the woman narrowed her gaze as she observed the man in front of her from top to bottom, analyzing and trying to see through his power levels to understand how he had noticed her presence even with her stealth technique hiding her well. Yet, she appeared unable to detect any power level, clearly meaning the man in front of her had not even initiated Body Refinement. "Is it a love letter she talked about previously?" Damien smiled and stated confidently, causing the woman''s eyes to tremble as she glanced towards the letter. For a split second, she even doubted if it was indeed a love letter. ''A love letter?'' Emilia, suddenly hearing those words, was pulled out of her thoughts from what Damien had told her earlier about how he would not give Gabriel an easy death. Looking towards the letter in the robed woman''s hand, Emilia''s fingers instinctively clenched her dress. Not that she understood why, but it didn''t feel right seeing someone giving him a love letter. ''How cute,'' Damien thought, holding unconscious Amelia in princess carry. He glanced at both Emilia and the woman, whose gazes were fixed on the letter. It wasn''t a love letter, but it was enough to ignite internal conflicts¡ªone doubting her own master and the other doubting herself. "Young Master, I don''t think... Please, just take it," the woman mumbled while looking at the letter, but then, composing herself, offered it to Damien, who took it with a smile. "I will take my leave then," the woman said, turning to leave. But she halted before glancing back at him for a few moments, unable to hold her curiosity, and inquired, "How did you notice me?" There was no loss for her in asking, prompting her to inquire while looking at the man whose eyes first settled on the letter, now looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Sorry, but I bet even Emilia noticed you?" Damien stated in an obvious tone, glancing towards Emilia, who was taken aback, unable to understand what he was going on about. After all, even now, if she turned her eyes away from the woman, she couldn''t feel her presence. Indeed, Emilia had initially felt it, taking it as her mind playing tricks, but now, after focusing on the woman, she was bewildered by how her senses couldn''t register the woman''s presence in front of her. Prompting her to turn towards Damien, she said, "No, I didn''t notice¡ª" But before Emilia could finish saying how she didn''t feel the woman''s presence, Damien smiled and nudged his elbow on Emilia, adding, "Obviously you definitely noticed, Emilia. After all, how could that thin curtain hide those G-cups without forming a bump?" ''!?!'' "Wh-what?" Emilia stammered, caught off guard by Damien''s sudden remark. "Shameless!" The woman appeared suddenly flushed, her steps sliding back before halting. She glared at him with a blushed face due to embarrassment, instinctively covering her chest while blinking at the man who appeared nonchalant and obvious. "Mind your words, lady," Damien''s demeanor changed, replaced by a firm tone with coldness shrouding his facial expression. He looked intensely at the woman, who again appeared taken aback. He further added, "You were the one who asked for the reason and now act like this. I will not appreciate this kind of behavior." ''?!'' "I-I apologize, Young Master." Suddenly, the woman''s words made her realize it was indeed she who had inquired first. Now, after hearing the answer, she acted as if Damien''s intentions were to objectify her. ''Sigh, women,'' Damien thought, grinning as he looked at the woman staring downward, amused at how easy it was to play with someone''s mind. Even though he was at fault for saying those words, it appeared as if she was at fault. And of course, this wasn''t the end. If Damien''s thinking was correct, he would hear exactly what he expected from her. ''He is a d-devil,'' Emilia thought, standing beside him. She had noticed the grin on Damien''s face, her pupils trembling as she realized how that handsome face was playing with the woman''s mind. "I will take my leave," the woman said, feeling her behavior might be unacceptable to Lady Vandiana. She slowly turned into mist¡ªa stealth technique¡ªwith her lips parting under her clothes to clarify something to these people. Her eyes coldly looked at the man before adding, "It''s 34DD to be exact, Sir Damien." With those words, she disappeared. "Oh, my bad, it seems I need physical experience," Damien smiled, seeing the woman vanish. His eyes narrowed, glancing beside him at Emilia, who appeared shocked. He teased, "How about after our marriage, you help me out, Emilia¡ª" Suddenly, hearing such vulgar words from him, Emilia swung her hand to slap him, but like before, he tilted his head and dodged, causing her to stumble forward from the recoil. She cried, "How dare you¡ªkyaaah~!!" "Let''s move faster, shall we?" Damien swiftly twisted Amelia in his arms and placed her on his right shoulder, grabbing Emilia''s waist with his other hand before lifting her up in the same manner and placing her on his shoulder. "Kyaaah~! Leave me, you evil lecherous monster!" That innocent woman could only cry as the man, carrying two beauties on his shoulders, disappeared down the long hallway, her cries fading away. Ahem. Chapter 13: 13- Third leg(1) "Kyaah~! Leave me!" Emilia cried out, feeling her body freely hanging on Damien''s shoulder with her legs flailing to escape. Her eyes darted to the back of the man, where she kept punching in a struggle. "Can you do the left too?" Damien chuckled, enjoying the light back massage while he lifted two women on his shoulders, moving through the hallway. Didn''t it hurt, using his weak body to carry at least approximately 100 kg of weight? Of course, it did, but wasn''t he getting a back massage too? "We''ve arrived," Damien finally reached the end of the hallway before taking a turn and facing a wall, which revealed a small room for staff members of the hotel. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He kicked the door open, quickly glancing to see if this room had a window at the height he needed. He had already received information that this was the only room in the entire hotel with a large enough window at a 10-foot height. After all, before starting the drama, one must prepare the stage first. "Wh-what? We did? Fine, now leave me," Emilia, realizing her attacks were futile against this man, felt this was a chance to finally escape his shoulders and come down from such a height. Now, even her abdomen was hurting. "Let''s throw this weight first," Damien said before looking at the floor where some blankets were placed as cushions. In an instant, he removed his hand from his right shoulder, where it was wrapped around a delicate woman, and she slid from his grip as he hastily threw her away, causing Amelia''s body to freely stumble before her head lightly hit the nearby wall. thud "Wait! No, not like that!" Emilia cried out, drenched in sweat as she heard Amelia''s head hit the wall. Even with the blanket softening the landing, she knew if he threw her the same way, she would definitely get hurt. "Huh? Why would I even throw you like trash?" Damien, whose eyes glanced at Amelia fallen on the blankets with her disheveled hair, turned towards the butt beside him¡ªhe held Emilia on his left shoulder, seeing only her lower body with its struggling legs. He snorted at her words. Naturally, why would he throw her? He wasn''t some cruel person at all. "Oh, thank you, but did you call her trash¡ªIEEEK?!!" Emilia felt grateful she wouldn''t suffer the same fate as Amelia, but to her surprise, a sharp slap landed on her butt. Her eyes widened, accompanied by a surprised cry escaping her mouth. "Wait, wait, wait! No, what are you doing?!" She felt his hand, which had just slapped her butt, clench it now. Her pupils trembled in shock, and her hands gripped the back of his clothes, not wanting to think about what her mind was playing right now. She was alone with this man inside this room (excluding unconscious Amelia), with the way his hand groped her rear tightly clearly meaning he was in heat. She couldn''t imagine what fate awaited her. Her eyes started to turn teary, and her lips quivered as she loosened her body, knowing she couldn''t expect any mercy from this cruel man even if she struggled to escape. ''I hate you, Damien Raphael,'' her mind repeated, remembering how much she hated this man. He was evil, who first took advantage of her family''s helplessness and now was going to take hers, prompting her to mutter in a defeated tone, "Do whatever you want, but remember this, I will definitely kill you." ''What is she mumbling?'' Damien raised his eyebrows, not understanding what Emilia was on about. He just wanted to land her safely, so he firmly gripped her base. Of course, due to instinct, he had landed a hit without considering it might be painful for her. But her mumbling those words was definitely making him think that her brain was dirty. [???????????? ???????????????????????? ???? ???????????????? ????????????????????????.] ''Huh?'' The moment Damien heard the system''s notification, he became even more sure that Emilia was concocting something evil in her mind. Given that just by helping her out, he was declared hateful. Not that he hated her untold suggestion, prompting his hand to grip even tighter before slowly sliding her body forward to land. His shoulder felt her flat, curvy waist from that bridal dress before a plumpness reminded him that he was soon going to meet that angry face too. "Hah? Are you crying?" Damien, who had slowly landed her feet on the floor with his hand gripping her butt, met her eyes, which were teary, as she tried to clear away the remnants of her pain with her palm and wrist. Looking at her, Damien snickered, prompting her eyes to tremble before widening as she felt his forehead press against hers. "I will not touch you before our wedding, Emilia," he added calmly, a genuine smile on his handsome face. His sharp jawlines and spotless skin seemed to give no hint of a lie. ''Bullshit!'' Emilia thought, unable to believe this man''s shamelessness in giving her fake promises. He had just bitten her lips the moment she wore rings, leaving her lower lip swollen and sore. Not to mention his hands, which had molested her. Not in a million years was she going to trust this man being so genuine! "Sigh, you don''t believe me?" Damien showed a defeated smile, looking at her. His head retreated before his demeanor shifted. His fingers traced down from behind her ears, tucking a strand of hair back. His knuckles slid along her jawline before his thumb and forefinger lifted her chin. He sneered at her sudden surprise and declared, "How about I leave no trace of doubt in your mind and fill it with only one thought?" "Wh-what thought?" Emilia''s swollen lips trembled under his intense gaze, trying to understand if what she was thinking matched his intentions. Damien tilted his head, his narrowed eyes focusing on her red, swollen lips, still touched with dew. He recalled their peach taste and began to close the distance between them, her panicked eyes remaining fixed on his, her small hand resting on his chest. A perfect alignment for a deep, immersive kiss to make her brain freeze. But bad luck. "Unh... Damien? What are you doing?" Amelia, looking at the man holding another woman''s face, felt confused. She rubbed her head, which hurt, her eyes barely open to only see blur image. Chapter 14: 14-Two fighting for one Amelia barely opened her eyes as she rubbed her forehead, feeling dizzy. Her mind seemed to be spinning before she saw Damien''s head tilted towards Emilia, approaching her to kiss her. "Um... Damien? What are you doing?" "Tch." His body halted in mid-motion, a raised eyebrow clearly displaying his annoyance towards the woman who had rudely disrupted him at such a crucial moment. Despite the warm, tired breath still lingering on his skin from Emilia, her wide eyes remained glued to his face. However, Amelia had just spoiled the moment. "You!" Amelia''s mind gained clarity as her gaze snapped to the man who had slapped her moments ago, triggering a flood of memories that caused her to grimace and clutch her head. Damien chose to ignore her and proceeded with his previous task of kissing Emilia. Suddenly, Amelia fixed her enraged, reddened eyes at him, crying out in anger. "Who are you? Where is my Damien!?" ''...huh?'' However, he paused upon hearing Amelia''s remark about his lack of originality. A slight curve formed on his lips, eventually transforming into a devilish smile. With narrowed eyes, he looked at her and said in a firm tone, "How hypocritical of you to expect me to stay quiet when you slap me, yet label me as fake if I retaliate. Quite amusing, isn''t it?" "What?" Amelia''s pupil trembled as they looked at him talking to her in such a disrespectful manner after slapping her in front of everyone. After all, her reputation was completely destroyed due to that slap in front of high society. "Are you seriously more concerned about your reputation than the fact that you were the one who slapped me first?" Damien let out a quiet sigh before walking over to her and gently crouching down on his toes to meet Amelia at eye level. She was shocked, her pupils trembling, not understanding how he could see through her thoughts. But looking through her face, he added, "So, I was correct, huh?" Of course, he didn''t have some ability to read her thoughts, but just guessed from all the traits he had noticed from this woman. Firstly, she openly slapped him in front of everyone, showing a blatant disregard for consequences, which made him realize it wasn''t her first time. Secondly, the instant he retaliated and slapped her back, her initial reaction of embarrassment quickly shifted to self-awareness as she noticed how others perceived her vulnerability. For a woman who wanted to be self-dependent, it wasn''t hard for Damien to understand that it was more of a bloated ego of hers, which didn''t even care for others while perceiving that. "N-no, I never..." Amelia stammered while looking in his eyes, which appeared to mock her, though she realized it was her fault to hit him in front of many individuals but in the end, her eyes drifted towards Emilia as she pointed at her, "You!" ''...pretty much expected'', Damien, seeing how Amelia¡ªfollowing the same psychology as humans who try to completely change the subject when caught¡ªfound a way to escape without raising suspicion as she tried to avoid the whole matter even without apologizing. Sure, he wasn''t irritated because that would only make him want to increase the pain he inflicts on her and possibly lead to the constellations granting more power stones when pleased. Ultimately, it was simply a routine aspect of his job, whether currently or in the future. Breaking her piece by piece would yield different results compared to a single shot. "You! What you did to him!" Amelia glared at Emilia, who was taken aback by suddenly becoming a target of her, given the fact that she was herself a victim here under the clutches of that devil who was smiling while leaning near Amelia. Amelia''s anger arose from the fact that it all started the moment this woman entered their lives, not that her anger was solely Emilia''s fault. Despite the situation, Amelia made a conscious choice to keep her composure. Rather than directly addressing Damien''s apparent use of this woman, she opted to wait for the right moment. Once Damien''s emotions settled and he returned to his normal self, Amelia planned to have a conversation with him about his actions today, including slapping her and speaking so rudely. But for now, she needed to calm down Damien even if to make him forget this matter by condemning Emilia for now. To put it simply: if things weren''t in her favor then she will just wait for the whole thing to end. "S-sorry?" Emilia stammered with her eyes planting towards Damien for some support not able to compose herself due to his previous actions and now the sudden outburst from Amelia had taken her off guard. "Don''t act like this, Emilia Blake, he could be like this but you too?" Amelia pointed her finger towards Emilia with a frown on her chin and her hand supporting her body as she lifted herself up. ''How dreamy,'' though Damien had noticed that how Amelia while yelling at Emilia didn''t forget to call him an idiot, but stayed silent as he looked towards the episode forecasting with the name: Two booty fighting for one stick. Who doesn''t want to see two beauties fighting over a man? So, he sat on the blanket lying on the floor before glancing at the nearby vending machine with a smile forming since shouldn''t these women will need some cold drink to quench their thirst after the battle. Now that the battle was mentioned. Shouldn''t the favored son of heaven also be coming here? "Yeah, I choose you Emilia, attack," Damien stood with a grin as noticed how Emilia was looking at him with a confused gaze causing him to tease her as he made his way towards the vending machine to prepare some special cocktail for particular individuals. ''Y-you devil!'', Emilia noticed Damien moving towards the vending machine, leaving her alone to deal with the psychopathic woman who had once supported her but was now condemning her for stealing her man. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 15: 15- Why not drink something else? ''Hm, let''s see,'' Damien gazed at the vending machine''s glass window, showcasing a variety of cold drinks. His eyes settled on the lemon juice before shifting towards the coin slot. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled out a small coin from his pocket. A thread appeared to be tied to it. He inserted the coin and, after seeing his drink fall, he tried to pull the thread to get his coin back. ''Hmm, that used to work previously?'' But due to the advanced mechanism, the slot had already been sealed shut, forcing him to settle for a cold drink instead. As his hand held the chilled metal of the drink, memories flooded back of a past assignment where he played the role of a villain who tragically lost his family to the hero. It was certainly challenging being an F-Class Villain who cucked the SS-Class Hero. Without any money to his name, he resorted to using devious tricks to survive. However, it appeared that the machines in this particular assignment were far more sophisticated than he had anticipated. ''Utter evil?!'' Emilia''s gaze briefly flickered towards Damien, who, despite being the heir to a wealthy family, attempted to steal something from a vending machine. "Hey, can''t you hear me?" Amelia noticed that Emilia was ignoring her and looking at Damien who stood behind her, causing her eyes to turn cold. She repeated herself, saying, "Listen, Emilia, how about I help you get out of this situation?" ''....'' Emilia noticed Amelia''s eyes glancing towards her fingers, specifically towards the black ring she wore, prompting her to understand that this woman wanted the ring in her hand more than helping her out. She stammered, "I-I don''t understand¡ª" "No, let me first apologize for pulling you into this mess." Amelia also observed that her intentions could be misinterpreted due to her glancing towards the ring, prompting her to clarify, "It''s not the first time for him to pull such a stunt, so you can rest assured he isn''t evil at heart." In the end, Amelia knew that it was nothing but some sort of drama which Damien had pulled to get her attention or at least to make her feel hurt, but he was failing at it. She was really angry at him for going this far. So, it would be better for this whole drama to end soon, prompting her to clarify to Emilia that it was his daily habit to do such things. ''Huh? He isn''t evil?'' Emilia, who had just heard those words, wondered if this woman truly knew Damien. On the other hand, she thought that perhaps he always treated this woman better than others, which could explain why she didn''t think he was evil. ''What is this feeling?'' Emilia realized that Damien truly loved this woman, causing an uncomfortable feeling in her heart. But she tried to see it more as pity for this woman whom Damien Raphael loved. Unaware of the small flame that had ignited in her heart being the source of her feelings. "Miss...um, can you let me pass?" Emilia chose to disregard Amelia''s words as she walked by her without a second glance. This left Amelia staring blankly at Emilia, who then proceeded to approach Damien. Without hesitation, Emilia reached out her hand and spoke to Damien. "I am thirsty." ''....did she just'', Amelia stood there, looking straight ahead as she tried to understand that she had just been ignored by that woman. She bit her lips, a sick feeling clenching her face due to the humiliation she was facing from the series of actions¡ªfirst Damien slapped her, and now Emilia ignored her words. "No, this is for Amelia." ''?!'' Amelia''s eyes widened as she stood there, a slight curve forming on her lips before transforming into a smile upon hearing Damien directly reject Emilia''s offer to give him a cold drink. Those simple words were more than enough for Amelia to realize that in the end, her value was more, prompting her to turn towards both individuals¡ªDamien and Emilia¡ªwith a smile. As Emilia''s eyes trembled, her hand hovered in the air, trying to grasp the cold drink that Damien, with his hand firmly in place, refused to let her have. "Now that I think about it, I was indeed thirsty," Amelia said with a smile as she walked forward, giving a side-eye to Emilia, who had ignored her a moment ago and was now receiving the same treatment from Damien. It was clear that in the end, Damien cared for Amelia more. "....I..see." As Emilia stood there, she noticed her hand tightly gripping her bridal dress, her defeated eyes accepting the harsh truth that her worth hadn''t elevated simply because she was engaged to him, ''what did I expect?'' With a defeated smile, her hands slowly started to loosen as Amelia took the drink from Damien''s hand. "Thank you, Damien," Amelia said, but coincidentally, it was a sour beverage which Amelia didn''t like, prompting her to only hold it and not directly drink. ''I will just give it to Edward,'' knowing that it would be a waste to throw it away after seeing the defeated expression on Emilia''s face, Amelia decided to give it to Edward. ''Predictable,'' Damien thought, his plans hitting the mark¡ªhis choice of drink was not to this woman''s liking, and the situation was exacerbated by it being turned into a competition with the drink going straight into Edward''s mouth as a result. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In short: Soon, a chemistry lab practical demonstration would take place where the Son of heaven''s stomach would be used as a test tube. ''Now, it''s your turn miss,'' Damien sported a mischievous grin as he gazed at Emilia, who averted her eyes and awkwardly clutched her own elbow while gently biting her lips. Ignoring Amelia, who was engrossed in her cold drink and lost in her own thoughts, Damien leaned towards Emilia''s ear. Despite her clear signal that she did not welcome his attention, Damien disregarded it and moved even closer, whispering in a mischievous tone. "I will make you even more thirsty until you feel a strong urge to satisfy your thirst by drinking something else, my dear Emilia." Chapter 16: 16- Small game (1) ''Look at you finally letting your true colors show, Devil,'' Emilia, unlike before, refrained from slapping him upon hearing his words this time. She knew he would likely dodge it again, possibly even opting to kiss her. With great effort, she managed to control herself, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists, all while averting her gaze downward. "Heh, I know you are impatient, but you can pounce on me. No need to control it," Feeling amused, Damien playfully teased Emilia with his eyes, admiring how she kept her teeth in check to control her anger. Her cute demeanor only fueled his desire to playfully push her buttons even more. Of course, not pressing those two pinkish buttons yet, but her patience. "I will kill you," Emilia gritted her teeth, glaring at the man who was now overstepping boundaries, attempting to test her patience. As she noticed his smirk, she knew what was coming next. All she could manage was a disapproving click of her tongue, showing her irritation with a simple "Tch." ''How cute, but...,'' Damien definitely wanted to tease her more but found it not the right time as he noticed Amelia looking towards him. He retreated his head back from Emilia''s face while taking a deep breath of her scent to annoy her even more. "Basta¡ª" Emilia wanted to curse this guy but before she could, Damien''s words interrupted her. "Amelia, Can I have your phone for a bit?" With a smile, Damien stretched out his hand, knowing that right now she doesn''t have any other option but to give him her phone. "Um, but..." As usual, Amelia hesitated to give her phone to him, knowing how he always used to ask for her phone only to get her personal number. But the moment she caught Emilia''s stern gaze directed towards Damien, Amelia knew that this wasn''t the moment to repeat past mistakes and let that woman have upper hand. With a resigned nod, Amelia reluctantly retrieved her phone and passed it to him. "Here." ''Really?'' Damien found it amusing how Amelia showed reluctance in giving her phone, and after a slight struggle, he finally took it before putting it in his pocket, slightly confusing her. "Damien? Why keep it?" Amelia feeling confused tried to inquire the reason for him to not use it and place it in his pocket but before that Damien interrupted. "Now we need to escape this place safely, Emilia. Can you help me with something?" Damien asked urgently, directing his attention towards Emilia while feigning ignorance of Amelia''s presence, trying to provoke her into following the direction he wants her to go. "Huh? What help?" Emilia pointed a finger towards herself, feeling confused by his sudden change of expression, which seemed genuine and filled with urgency to escape the place. "Wait, I will help you," As soon as she caught wind of his words, Amelia wasted no time stepping between them and declaring assertively with a proactive demeanor. ''Very predictable,'' As Damien witnessed the events unfolding exactly as he had foreseen, a smug smile formed on his lips. He then shifted his gaze to Amelia and motioned towards a tall window in the corner of the room."Let''s do some calorie-burning work, shall we?" . . . . . Bang! Bang! "Kugh?! He is a monster!" In a state of terror, the man screamed and tightly held onto a pistol, frantically pulling the trigger. Edward, covered in blood and holding a piece of glass, evaded the incoming bullets, moving in a zigzag pattern before thrusting the glass into the man''s throat. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Agh!...p-lea-se?!" The man''s eyes widened in horror as a shard of glass entered his throat, his desperate plea cut short. Edward''s cold gaze reflected a deadly resolve, blood staining his face like a grim mask of battle. Despite the man''s wordless plea, Edward showed no mercy as he swiftly severed the vines constricting his throat. THUD The man''s lifeless body, now filled with blood in his neck area, fell to the floor with a loud sound. The ground was already littered with several more corpses, their hands busily cleaning the guns that had run out of bullets. "Haah....Haa...damn it!" As Edward cried out, he clenched his teeth and looked upon the lifeless, bloodied bodies of the men now lying on the ground. His skin bore the wounds of multiple bullets - some lodged in his legs, others merely grazing his shoulder. Luck was on his side as a few of the guns jammed just as they were aimed at his head, buying him precious time to eliminate some of the professionals. "Damien, you Bastard!!" As Edward cried out, the memories flooded back to him of the moment when that man had taken Amelia while she was unconscious, clearly revealing his sinister intentions towards her. Disregarding his bloodied wounds, Edward pivoted towards the hallway where Damien had fled. He dashed after him, the agony of his bullet wounds a familiar sensation from his days as a battle-hardened veteran. "Amelia, can you hear me!?" After just a short amount of time, he had already made his way through several meters, frantically calling out the name while his mind raced with various thoughts on what Damien might have done with Amelia. ''I will shred you, bastard, if you touch her!'' ''Calm yourself, Edward,'' suddenly calming himself, realizing that he was indeed overreacting. Instead of panicking, Edward paused before taking out his phone and dialing Amelia. "Pick up the phone, damn it!" Ringing ''Finally,'' Edward felt relieved as the call connected. He instantly yelled, "Amelia! Where are you? Did that guy do something to you?" "Agh! Damien, stop it! My legs hurt, Ahh! I can''t take it anymore! Ahnn!" Came a voice from the other side of the call, which took Edward off guard, causing his eyes to widen before stammering, "A-amelia? "N-no, Damien, don''t stretch my legs. Ahh! It''s too deep! Stop, let''s stop now! It hurts! Ahn, no!" Another series of voices acted as the last line, which snapped Edward''s mind. As his last ounce of internal energy burned, he demolished the phone to dust, his red eyes blazing with intensity as he sprinted down the hallway, shouting at the top of his lungs. "DAMIEN, YOU BASTARD!! I WILL SHRED YOU!" Chapter 17: 17 - Wasnt that easy? A strange noise emanated from a window in a room within one of the hotels owned by the Ramphian group. "Ah, Damien, will it be fine?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Two delicate milky white hands suddenly appeared, peeking out from the narrow window panels near the top of the wall. "Of course it will be," replied a voice with an amused look, directed upwards towards a woman who stood with both legs on two different tables while attempting to climb out of a window to escape this place. The window was only 1 meter wide and half a meter in height, but it was nearly 10 feet from the floor. To help the 5 feet 7-inch woman climb out, a makeshift 5-foot-tall stool had been created by stacking several items. However, the entire tower of makeshift items shook as Amelia climbed, causing her to inquire about its safety. ''Curse my luck'', Amelia stretched her hand towards the window, feeling it was a mistake to intervene when Damien was assigned the task by Emilia. With a trembling body, she finally grabbed the window frame before nervously saying, "P-please don''t remove your hands from the table." Damien had explained that he shouldn''t be the one to climb because he needed to use his strength to keep the table steady. However, she did not feel the table was steady at all; in fact, it felt even more unstable. "Of course, trust me," came a sarcastic voice from below as Amelia, finally getting some support from the window, tried to pull herself up in hopes of seeing the situation outside. ''Trust? Bullshit!'', Emilia cannot believe what she is witnessing. Her eyes are filled with surprise and fear as she watches Damien stare blankly at Amelia''s phone screen, not even bothering to hold onto the table as he shakes it with his left hand. Emilia''s mouth twitched at the thought of him assigning the task to her. She couldn''t even fathom what mischief this irresponsible guy would have caused if she were in Amelia''s position. Trinnngg~ Suddenly, a ringing phone caught Emilia''s attention, causing her eyes to dart towards Damien. She saw a mischievous grin forming on his face before he answered the call. However, Amelia was too preoccupied with her struggles at the window to notice the incoming call on her own phone. "Ah! Damien, please stop!" Amelia suddenly felt the table moving more aggressively, causing her hand, which was trying to open the window panel, to struggle. Her legs, which were stretched out under the table, started to part as the table continued to move. "My legs hurt, Ahh!" Amelia felt her legs give way due to sudden strain caused by them stretching apart as Damien shook the table. "I can''t take it anymore! Ahhh!" Somehow, Amelia managed to cling to the edge of the window, preventing her body from falling. She then brought her legs together and restored the tables to their original position. ''Some more, shall we'', Damien, whose eyes were fixed on Amelia''s phone where Edwards'' caller ID was showing, felt that he needed to shake more. After all, in her phone''s contact list, there was no number saved under the name Damien Raphael, only others. He had expected this after she showed some hesitation in giving him her phone, but after seeing the reason for her reluctance, he once again kicked the stools. "N-no, Damien, don''t stretch my legs." It was not hard for her to notice that Damien had just kicked the table, causing her legs to stretch even more with her hand already too deep inside the window panel. The sudden support from the trembling stool stumbled her. "Ahh! It''s too deep! " She cried because her hands were stuck inside the window panels and her legs were struggling to support her weight through her toes. This made her realize that she couldn''t continue the task because her body had already reached its limit. " Stop, let''s stop now! It hurts! Ahn" "Damien, stop, she will fall," Coming forward, Emilia saw that Amelia was about to fall from a great height. As she approached Damien, who was smiling after hearing the call being cut from the other side, she nervously suggested, gripping his suit''s clothing with worried eyes. "....Fine" Damien noticed Emilia moving forward with a request that he didn''t want to follow. However, when he heard the sound of a dog''s barking coming closer to the end of the hallway, he quickly kicked the stool that Amelia was standing on and pushed Emilia away, yelling, "Get back!" As if utilizing that moment to hit two birds with a single stone. He twisted his body with a speed unnoticeable by anyone, as if time was slowed down. Amelia was falling from the table with her front towards the floor. Damien adjusted his position using his fingers to form a camera angle before lying on the ground with open hands¡ªall within the blink of a moment. Thud! "Kyaaa~!"As Amelia landed directly on Damien''s body, her own form sprawled over his chest, the room''s door suddenly swung open with a resounding noise. "Amelia!....N-no" Upon entering the room, Edward witnessed Damien and Amelia intertwined on the floor, with Damien''s hand resting on the ground as Amelia hovered over him. ''Are they'', It seemed as though Edward had lost a part of himself in that moment, gazing ahead. Ding! [ ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????! ] [ ???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????''???? ????????????????????! ] [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????! (???????????????? ????????????????????????????????) --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????! ] [ ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? (???????????????? ????????????????????????????) --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ] [ ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? (???????????????? ????????????????????!) --? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????! ] One after another, sounds came from the system with its rewards changing to be suitable for someone like Damien who doesn''t need any cultivation. The rewards would either focus on his physical body or give him an advantage in initiating cultivation for another person. ''Wasn''t that easy?'' Damien smirked, seeing how smoothly everything went. He stared blankly at Amelia''s hair spread over his face, waiting for her response without attempting to hug her or take advantage of the situation. A beautiful and curvaceous woman had just been named the heroine, lying on his body with her breasts on his chest yet he only felt repulsion towards her. It''s because he wasn''t thinking rashly when it came to someone like Amelia. Instead, he was focused on breaking her mentally, torturing her conscience before finally pushing her to the brink of committing the same act which her actions would have led to in the original body''s host¡ªa suicide. In fact, the end of the plot would have been Damien Raphael committing suicide within five years, after witnessing the destruction of his entire family at the hands of a few sons of heaven and heroines who crossed his path. Chapter 18: 18- Two fluffy shock observers. "I am fine, Edward," Amelia said, hearing the voice from behind. She understood that it was going to create a misunderstanding, prompting her to stand with the support of her hands. Her eyes seemed to look at Damien, but only received a cold gaze without any reaction. In this scenario, it wouldn''t be a big deal to hear his rapid heartbeat as she lay close to his chest, but he seemed unfazed by her falling on him which didn''t go unnoticed by Amelia. "What?", Edward seemed to not comprehend the scene before him as his eyes moved forward while his gaze shifted towards the table and a slightly open window. Analyzing the situation, it was not difficult for him to determine that Amelia had fallen from that height. ''This fucker...?'', When his eyes landed on the base of the table, he noticed footprints, causing anger to fill Edward''s mind. He then realized that Damien had made Amelia climb to that height and kick the table to make her fall intentionally on him. "You should be cautious, Miss Amelia. I can''t always be by your side to act as your cushion.", Damien raised his head to gaze at Amelia while brushing off his suit, his cold stare fixed on her as he stood from the ground. ''What?'' Suddenly, upon hearing him once again referring to her in a formal tone, Amelia felt bewildered. She squinted her eyes before blankly looking at Damien, who didn''t show any response, causing her to glance at Edward behind her. She interpreted it as a formal tone because of Edward''s presence. So, she didn''t push the issue and asked, "Fine, Damien, whatever you want. But how are we going to leave this place?" Raising her hand and rubbing her forehead, she prepared to ask how they would leave this place, but suddenly felt confused when she saw a unique smile on Damien''s face. ''Is that a grin?'' "You Bastard!" Edward cried out when he realized that even though Damien used formal language, Amelia started talking casually as if she had forgotten what had happened in the hall room. And this was just what Damien wanted, leading him to sneer at Edward as he approached Damien abruptly. ''Now, who will first come to save me?'', Damien looked towards Edward and then suddenly glanced at Amelia and Emilia, both of whom were taken aback. They observed how Edward was going to punch Damien, which prompted Damien to snicker inwardly. Naturally, he had intentionally first used a casual tone to call Amelia''s name, prompting her to forget about the warning he gave her in the hallway to use formal titles. Then suddenly, when Edward arrived, he switched back to his previous self, making it appear as if Amelia had forgotten about his slap and was now casually trying to talk with him. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Finally, all that was left was for him to wait for someone to save Damien''s vulnerable, fragile, and mortal body. ''Don''t be obvious, woman'', Damien''s mouth twitched when he noticed Emilia''s lips forming a curve, turning into a smile as he was about to get punched by Edward. He found it cute how she didn''t care for him and made a mental note to remember this slight betrayal and definitely get back at her. "Stop!" Amelia, being near Damien, instantly jumped between him and the incoming punch with a determined look towards the one who had just arrived. Despite her quick action, the punch missed her and instead landed directly on Damien''s face. Technically, the punch would have landed if his head wasn''t tilted to avoid it. The punch was nearly invisible to the naked eye. ''Purchase a blood capsule'', In that fleeting moment, Damien''s hair was blown back by the force of the punch that had just narrowly missed him, thanks to Amelia jumping between them. He sharply turned his eyes towards Emilia as commanded.''it''s revenge time.'' [ Here you go ] In an instant, a small red capsule materialized between his teeth. He crushed it before taking a step back and pouncing on Emilia''s body. Of course, he can''t just fall on hard ground, so he chose something for a soft landing. "Urgh!" Damien groaned and with a wink, signaled to Emilia that he was about to get back at her in retaliation for her earlier laughter at him. "Kyaaa~!" Emilia instinctively reached out to shield her face as Damien suddenly fell. She noticed a small amount of blood near his mouth, but her main priority was ensuring her own safety first. ''Woah!'', Damien, who didn''t care about her face, felt as if his hand was sinking the moment they landed on the two perky peaks of her bridal dress. The sensation of softness, a handful of grip which felt like enough cushion to act as his last lifeline. Thud "Argh!...ouucch...my chest.." Emilia, though she had fallen, cried. Her head hit the pillow and blankets directly, providing a soft landing without any injury to her back. However, she felt pain in her breasts instead of her back, causing her eyelids to open as she tried to understand the source of the pain. drip drip "Cough! Thank you for saving me, my love, pttu," Damien smiled wryly as he spit out the outer shell of the capsule. ''This devil'', Emilia pursed her lips, noticing that Damien had fallen on her in a way that his face was near her belly button. Both of his hands were grabbing her breasts over the bridal dress, and his lifted head revealed genuine pain, with blood trickling from his mouth. Was Emilia so ruthless that she didn''t even feel the pain of her soon-to-be husband? Nope, the issue was that her husband had winked at her, groped her breasts, and even was molding them in this broken state. He also spat out a capsule from his mouth into a nearby corner. So, Emilia was one hundred percent sure that he had just acted to annoy her even more. "Damien!, How could you hit him Edward?" Amelia''s eyes widened when she saw Damien fall to the ground, but he was saved by Emilia. This made her glare at Edward before rushing towards Damien. ''What?'', Edward stood there while retracting his punch, looking at his hand. He thought that he didn''t even feel like hitting something hard; it was as if his hand just passed through air. However, he looked at Damian, feeling conflicted about whether he actually punched him or not. Chapter 19: 19- A return gift "Damien, Are you all right?" Amelia attempted to approach Damien, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw Emilia''s hands resting on Damien''s hand, as if trying to push his hand onto her chest. ''What is this?'' Amelia''s frown deepened as she considered the possibility that while falling, Damien may have accidentally placed his hand on Emilia''s chest. However, her frown intensified further as she observed Emilia seizing the opportunity to hold his hand on her chest. ''Remove your hands!'', Emilia silently wept as she realized that, despite her efforts to hold onto his hand, it now gripped her breasts tightly, preventing her from removing it. ''Nope, do your role'', Damien, at that moment, kept his gaze low as he pondered something important. He felt the urge to convey to Emilia that, as a supporting character, she should embrace her role and support him in his very important task at hand. After a moment of contemplation, Damien slowly opened his eyes while still burying his face in her belly. He realized that the task he was working on was important. Taking a deep breath, he then confidently responded, ''it''s definitely a D cup.'' [ Wrong ] ''Hmm, it appears the thickness of the fabric is causing me confusion,'' Damien nodded as he snuggled into her abdomen. Less than 20 seconds had passed since he fell on Emilia, yet he had already seized the opportunity to use 4 different combinations. "Leave him", Amelia, indifferent to the situation, swiftly reached out and grasped Damien''s hand, guiding it upwards to create distance from the testing mountain it groped. ''Finally, but..'', Emilia finally found comfort on her left side as Amelia''s hand replaced the one that had been gripping her, but when she caught Amelia''s intense gaze, she sensed that something was amiss. Wasn''t she the one who suffered in this situation? "Cough! L-eave me!", Damien pulled his hand forcefully from Amelia''s grasp, his expression filled with rage. He placed his trembling hand on the ground for support as he struggled to lift himself up with just one arm. Clutching his chest, he finally managed to sit down right next to the wall, gasping for breath. "D-damien?" Amelia was left bewildered by the abrupt resolution of the situation with her hand, as she noticed the anger brewing in Damien''s eyes directed towards her. "Miss Amelia, there is no need for you to take action now when you were the one responsible for all of this.", His glare intensifying, Damien watched as blood dripped from his mouth, casting his cold gaze towards Edward and then Amelia. It was evident that he was fully aware that Amelia had orchestrated the situation, provoking Edward to attack him. "Wh-what?, You seem confused¡ª" Upon hearing such words from him, Amelia was slightly taken aback and struggled to comprehend his sudden change in behavior. However, before she could make sense of it, Edward stepped forward. "It''s good that you know, bastard!", Edward, who had been bewildered seconds ago by the unexpected damage from a punch that didn''t even land, seized the opportunity when Damien was also confused and pointing fingers at Amelia. Edward stepped forward to exacerbate the situation and manipulate it to his advantage. ''What is he saying'', Amelia stood next to Edward, her gaze shifting towards him in confusion as she tried to make sense of why he would lie about punching Damien when it was his own choice to do so. "Cough!...urgh...It''s pathetic seeing how you could fall this much", Damien hacked up a mouthful of blood, clutching his chest in agony. His eyes blazed with anger as he fixed a disbelieving gaze on Amelia, shocked by the extent to which she had gone. "N-no" Amelia was puzzled and wanted to clarify how Edward was also being deceitful. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "H-help me, Emilia", Damien''s eyes moved from Amelia to the woman in the bridal gown, who was frantically fixing the top of her dress around her chest. This was a direct result of Damien''s earlier behavior, causing her discomfort and to readjust her bra. ''Huh? Now what you want from me'', Emilia blinked and turned her gaze to the man, who shifted his colors rapidly like a chameleon. She didn''t succumb to his vulnerable state, sensing that he sought support from her. Instead, she subtly distanced herself by moving slightly away from him while remaining seated. "E-emilia...I am thirsty ", Damien barely raised his eyes as he reached out his hand towards Emilia, gasping with a desperate thirst for something to quench it. ''...N-no'', From Emilia''s point of view, Damien seemed like a lustful predator. His hungry gaze roamed over her figure, making her skin crawl as she instinctively crossed her arms protectively across her chest. "Huh, Wait" Amelia, though confused by Edward''s actions and then condemned by Damien for supposedly having Edward punch him intentionally, was brought back to reality by Damien''s words. She heard that he was thirsty and looked towards the table to find the drink Damien had given her a few moments ago to offer it to him. ''What?'', Edward, who was looking down at Damien, suddenly noticed how Amelia was reaching for a drink placed on the table. He realized that, most likely due to Damien''s condition, she was helping him by giving him the drink with her hand, while also showing her support and affection towards him. Previously, Edward had accepted that it was Amelia who had manipulated him into punching Damien to create hatred between them. But now, seeing Amelia offer him a drink, he swiftly moved his body, grabbed the can from the table, and quickly opened it, taking a big gulp in one go. "Edward, stop that!" Amelia said suddenly, trying to prevent him from taking the drink. "N-no, I am thirsty," Damien extended his hand towards Edward, who looked at him with a raised eyebrow while taking a sip of his drink and smirking. Suddenly, Edward''s eyes widened as he noticed Damien''s expression turning into a snicker. "Idiot", Damien then cockily raised both of his hands and proudly showed Edward his middle finger, sticking out his bloodied tongue in a mocking manner. ''Did he lose his mind¡ª?!'' As Edward finished the last sip of canned lemon juice, he was taken aback by Damien''s strange behavior. Before he could process his confusion, he was overwhelmed by feelings of suffocation, nausea, and dizziness, causing him to stumble backwards. "W-what?", Edwards'' grip loosened, causing the can to slip from his hand and fall to the floor. He clutched his head in confusion, wondering why he, who was immune to poisons, was feeling dizzy after drinking the can. His eyes was barely under control as he lifted his hand towards Damien, but just then, in a fleeting moment, he only managed to catch a glimpse of a punch thrown his way. "This is a 10¡Á Return gift," Seizing the moment as Edward stumbled, struggling to keep his eyes open, Damien dashed towards him with lightning speed. As both Amelia and Emilia watched in shock, Damien''s eyes locked onto Edward''s before he clenched his fist and landed a powerful punch on Edward''s face. BAAMM! Chapter 20: 20- Did we miss something? ''W-where am I'', Finding fragments of consciousness returning to his previously blank mind, Edward made an effort to comprehend his situation. Although still not fully alert, the movements around his body indicated to him that he might be in some kind of vehicle. ''What happened?...'', There was definitely still some pain on his face, but he seemed to not fully recall the events of a few moments ago. He was shaking at the sound of an engine revving, possibly from a car. "Haah....Haahh....Basta¡ª?!", After his mind flashed back to the moment Damien''s fist connected with his face, the only recollection Edward had was of his body jerking forward as he awoke, his eyes immediately taking in the sight of the vehicle he was in. "Wh-where am I!" Edward cried out the moment he found himself handcuffed inside a car with a partition separating the driver''s seat and back seat, indicating that it was a police department vehicle. "Wait. Amelia!" As soon as he tried to glance out the window to take in his surroundings, he realized he was in a moving car that had just started. In the distance, he could see two familiar figures engrossed in conversation with a woman dressed in police attire. This caused him to call out the name of a familiar figure. Unbeknownst to him, a woman in a bridal gown with a blank expression was sitting in another police car behind him, gazing at her handcuffed hand. Her trembling lips were tightly pursed, barely containing her tears before glancing at the man standing outside as she placed both palms on the window. ''How could you do this to me, you devil?'' Both Emilia and Edward, who were handcuffed, were now inside different police cars, with Edward''s car already heading towards the police station. "Ameli...." Edward''s voice faded as the car created distance from those familiar figures. "Thank you Miss....um Tin" Damien smiled as he looked towards the policewoman, who was coldly gazing at him. He ignored the sound of a dog''s cry coming from a nearby police car as it drove away from them. "It''s Lin, not Tin or Aluminum, Mr. Damien", Wanruo clenched her fingers on trigger tightly as she glared at the man, seething with anger as she observed this incompetent and unworthy second-generation heir of the Raphael family. "Yes, same, but I have already told you that I am innocent", Damien again repeated his statement with both hands raised in the air, while a gun was pointed at his face by police woman. "You are guilty until proven innocent, don''t forget this Young Master Damien." Lin Wanruo didn''t move as she held herself back from pulling the trigger. Her anger was increasing, not towards the man in front of her, but towards herself for not having any proof against him. He could be the one responsible for everything. Naturally, the head of the police department was on his way to the location, but he was delayed. As a result, she, who was near the hotel, arrived with her team to find several high society individuals injured and in distress. Though she found dead bodies of the ones who seemed to attack this place, it was confusing for her to not understand how so many men had entered a hotel with arms when there were several bodyguards and security present outside. And then she found out that the host of the party was none other than the worthless piece of trash known as Damien Raphael. Everyone was aware of his habits of doing anything just to impress the woman from a Crimwell family, even going as far as using his influence on the police department or threatening innocent people. For instance, there was a strike organized by the labor union against the safety department of the Crimwell family. In the presence of the police, this man entered with a rod and beat up innocent people who were peacefully protesting to improve safety in the company. Not only that, he even went as far as giving bribes to the police department and forcing eyewitnesses to remain silent after an event where a member of the Crimwell family was involved in a car accident. A man from such a well-respected family was behaving like trash, following a woman around, licking her feet, and even going as far as to bite others without considering their innocence. "I must have been unaware of a new law, or did Miss Tin create it herself?" Damien''s head lifted with a smirk as he looked down at the woman in front of him, completely ignoring the notifications that kept popping up beside him. [ 3 ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ] S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [ 2 ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ] [ 5 ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ] ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ???????????? ????????????????????: ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????. ????????????????????????: ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????????. ????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ¡Á10 ( ????????????????????! ¡Á0, ???? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ) ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ "You Insolen¡ª" After hearing Damien''s words, Wanruo was about to say something, but her words were interrupted when Amelia stepped forward. "Officer, first you arrested Edward even after being given proof that he protected us from assailants. And now, without following the laws, you are pointing a gun towards an esteemed member of society. Isn''t this a violation of rules?" Amelia stepped forward, remembering how Edward had been arrested by this woman, while ignoring Emilia''s arrest. She further added that this woman was using her authority to arrest Damien without any evidence, solely based on her own unreasonable suspicion. Wanruo became angry and stepped forward, keeping her gun pointed at Damien''s face. She exclaimed, "Esteemed member? Huh? Don''t joke with me!" She then turned to Amelia and continued, "You and your boyfriend are constantly breaking the law by playing games all around the city. Can''t I do the same for once?" "What boyfriend¡ª" Amelia was slightly taken aback by her referring to Damien as her boyfriend, but before she could complete her sentence, Wanruo interrupted and added. "And, speaking of evidence, wasn''t the knife used on Mr. Harrison found on Damien''s wife?" Wanruo looked at the man she had pointed the gun at, recalling the evidence linking the weapon to the deadly attack on one of the esteemed wedding guests. Wanruo was convinced that Damien, after rejecting a marriage proposal from the Harrison family, may have tried to harm the man who had suggested the alliance, due to Damien''s connection with the woman from the Crimwell family. This led her to believe that Damien was capable of going to extreme lengths, including murder, to sabotage the marriage. Chapter 21: 21- Pitiful Damien Some moments Ago, "Edward!" Amelia screamed as she saw Damian forcefully punching Edward, causing his body to be shoved against the wall without putting up a fight. The impact made Edward collide with the ground, rendering him unconscious. ''This body?...'', Damien, on the other hand, after punching Edward, glanced towards his knuckles which were now covered in blood and had a fracture near the fingers. He could feel the pain, making him realize that his body was not strong enough to maintain his mental balance. Technically, the human brain limits the amount of pressure muscles can exert to prevent harm to the muscles or bones. This restriction decreases the full capacity of muscles to exert force. This can be proven by the fact that when adrenaline is released, this restriction is momentarily removed, causing muscles to push to their limits. However, this can result in the body burning out. The same was true for Damien. His brain was already stronger than any cultivator present in this world, but his body seemed unable to withstand his unrestricted mind. This made him realize that he needed to harden and strengthen his body first, as he had broken his own fingers just by landing a punch. "What have you done, Damien?!" Amelia was well aware of Damien''s punch, which seemed to be connected to his desire for revenge after Edward had punched him moments ago. Despite this, she wanted him to realize that there was no need for them to resort to physical violence at this moment. There were multiple men standing outside armed with guns, yet here they appeared to be struggling with inner conflicts. "It was him who punched me without judging the situation." Damien withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and silently wiped his bloodied hand, indifferent to the pain that didn''t bother him much, even with his broken fingers. He glanced down at Edward, who had easily fallen for the simple trick and was now unconscious, beforw turning towards amelia with her Cold gaze adding," Don''t tell me you expect me to just keep getting beaten." "Are you serious? He did it because of a misunderstanding that you caused...never mind, just accept that you were wrong." Amelia rubbed her forehead, already getting fed up with the series of events since the moment she arrived. He was acting strangely, trying everything to get her attention - whether it was slapping her to make her think about him or going as far as making her fall from a height just so he could catch her and be seen as a hero in her eyes. Amelia could clearly see that it was a deliberate attempt to make her only focus on him, but there was a limit to how much she could bear, and now it was irritating her. "And what if I don''t?" "What?" Noticing some unexpected words spoken in a flat tone, Amelia raised her gaze towards the man who was placing his handkerchief in his pocket. She narrowed her eyes and felt confused, wondering if she was about to witness another drama from this man. "I asked, What if I don''t accept that I was wrong, then?", Damien firmly stated as he looked towards Amelia, his expression cold and uncaring. He had already achieved what he wanted for now. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You are testing my patience, Damien," Amelia folded her hands while using one to rub her forehead. She knew he was now taking this whole situation in the wrong direction. Earlier, she wanted to do her best to prevent him from marrying Emilia, as she considered it a real marriage. Not because she feared losing him, but because her reputation would be tarnished if people found out that after pursuing her for 5 years, the heir of the Raphael group chose a woman from a Mafia family. It would be a stain on her, Amelia Crimwell, to be seen as inferior to a woman from such a disreputable background. But now, it seemed her efforts were in vain, as Damien did not understand the seriousness of his actions. "Sigh" Damien sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets as he approached Amelia. With a chilling smile, he said,"First, you will lose your patience. Then, you will lose your mind. After that, your ambitions, your pride, and everything you have worked for will vanish. It''s just that your patience was the cheapest thing to test right now." "Damien! You have crossed the line!" Amelia attempted to free her hand once more, instinctively wanting to slap him, but the memory of his earlier slap made her clench her hand tightly. She glared at the man with visible anger, feeling powerless to do anything beyond that. Her anger originated from his audacity to critique her diligent efforts. As a woman carving out her place in the business world on her own terms, she now felt challenged by this man who threatened to dismantle all of her hard work. Only she could perceive the extent of her current rage. "DON''T SHOUT AT ME!" In an instant, after already hearing her yell several times, Damien also cried out loudly, much more dominantly than her, to let her know that crying and screaming her words won''t make them true or have any effect on him. If she can yell, then he can also do the same in the end with more energy. "Y-you, did you just yelled on me?" Amelia''s folded hands loosened the moment she heard him shouting at her. It was the first time someone had tried to speak so loudly to her, especially him, as he always remained silent and tried to do everything in her favor. ''What the hell?'', In that instant, the last shred of favor she had for him disappeared. Naturally, she wanted him to stay away from Emilia in an attempt to protect his(*her) reputation, but now that was no longer the case. ????????????????! [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? (????????????????????????????????????????) ???????? ???????? (????????????????????????????????????????????????). ] ''Heh, pity you, Damien,'' Damien can''t help but feel amused seeing how, even after pursuing her for five years, the most this pitiful man could achieve was being friend zoned. Chapter 22: 22- Lin Wanruo Bam! The door to the room burst open. "Put your weapons down!" Startling everyone in the room, a woman wearing a police uniform entered, pointing a gun at all three of them. Her eyes focused on a man lying unconscious on the ground, with a broken nose and missing teeth, and a large blood clot on his face. Standing opposite him was a man with black hair and eyes, accompanied by two other women. "Don''t move! Get on your knees now!" Lin Wanruo glared at the man standing in front, removed the safety lock of her gun, and showed her complete intent to pull the trigger and unload all the bullets into the man''s skull. "Yes, Hey Emilia come here and get down on your knees",Not paying attention to any of the words of the woman, Damien lifted his hand and gestured towards a woman wearing a bridal gown to come towards him and kneel down infront of him. "Don''t fuck with me! Damien Raphael, I am talking to you, Get down right now!" Lin Wanruo cried out again as she closed the distance with her eyes fixed on the man, not caring about the others in the room. Damien Raphael, the man who always used his position to engage in misconduct, breaking rules without concern for consequences. Justice was irrelevant to him; he was nothing more than a hooligan, worse than a third-rate criminal. "How noisy." Damien furrowed his brows as he calmly glanced towards the window in front of him because a woman had just burst in with a gun, causing a series of notifications to appear. DING! [Heroine detected] [Sending the necessary details...] ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Name: Lin Wanruo Age: 21 Cultivation Level: Body Refinement (Mid-Stage) Status: Heroine Strength: 10 (equivalent to an average human adult) Agility: 19 (equivalent to an athlete) Vitality: 20 (Enhanced by Vitality pills) Spiritual Power: 1-2 (not completely manifested) Charm: 90/100 (100 is the limit of human comprehension) Luck: 91/100 (Above 90 could easily let one win poker in a row) Measurements: Height: 168 cm (5''6") Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs) Breast: 92 cm (36 in) Waist: 60 cm (24 in) Hips: 94 cm (37 in) Skin Tone: Fair with a radiant glow Bust-Waist-Hip Ratio: 92-60-94 cm (36-24-37 in) Cup Size: D Hair: Long, silky black hair tied in a ponytail reaching her waist Eyes: Almond-shaped, deep brown with a captivating allure Lips: Full and naturally rosy Preference: Executing Justice on evildoers Favorability level: -68/100 { Tada! Lyra here! Here''s Recap: Page number 26768 } ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Damien, without paying attention to her status, immediately remembered the pages of the document he had viewed to understand the situation that had occurred with the original owner of this body. Naturally, when a file about a potential villain is provided to him, the best course of action for him to take is to read through the backstory and the characters that the candidate has interacted with in their lifetime in the form of a text document containing more than 30,000 pages. As a star employee, he is expected to stay ahead of others. This prompts him to remember every detail and focus mostly on the part towards the end of a candidate''s life. As they reach the end of their lives, humans become more vulnerable to their emotions, letting them out while remembering all the things that have happened to them. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This is especially true for villainous individuals who have been betrayed and are filled with the determination to seek revenge on those who betrayed them. "Damien Raphael! I will pull the trigger!" Lin Wanruo cried out as her eyes watered, noticing how the incompetent man was ignoring her even when she pointed a gun at his head. "Miss Tin, If you pull the trigger, I''ll strip that uniform off you and leave you without your police status." Damien was about to press play on the video, but lifted his gaze before sharply replying in a cold tone, causing the woman to be taken aback by his firm voice. "Y-you bastar¡ª" Lin Wanruo heard how, even after committing the crime of hitting someone, this man was still acting arrogantly. She was about to retaliate, but was interrupted by Amelia, who came forward. "How unruly of you officer, there is a misunderstanding here and nothing else, it would be good if you put down that gun" Amelia, who wanted to leave the place, was slightly taken aback by the police woman entering the room. Composing herself, she came forward while thinking about how the situation was escalating and how it could potentially become a major issue if news of what happened in this room were to be leaked to the media. The Crimwell family, and even Amelia herself, will face severe backlash due to a news story that the media will widely spread: Damien Raphael fought with Amelia Crimwell''s guard to claim her love and so on. "What misunderstanding? It''s clear that Damien Raphael punched this man", Wanruo was slightly confused upon hearing Amelia''s words. She started to lose her grip on her gun, as the presence of her team mates arriving could be detrimental to her career. However, she kept her gun pointed at the man, already considering Damien as the prime suspect. "That''s¡ª" Amelia was about to speak but was suddenly interrupted by a firm voice from Damien. "Officer, that man has consumed Benzene, which is illegal if you are not aware." Damien closed the window with a smile on his face and turned to the woman after watching the video until the end of Series 4. He then pointed his finger towards Edward. ''?!'' "Are you kidding me¡ª" Lin Wanruo felt her mouth twitching as she interpreted Damion''s behavior as him wanting to escape the situation by blaming the victim. Before she could finish her sentence, he interrupted her. "You, behind her, do a medical test of him and if he found guilty" Damien tilted his head and looked towards another police officer who had just arrived at the scene after hearing the commotion. He was slightly taken aback to see his senior pointing a gun at none other than Damien Raphael, and was even more surprised when the Damien referred to him. This caused him to nod and move out to bring the necessary equipment. Not stopping there, he turned his eyes towards the police woman with a snicker that soon turned into a cold smile, and continued, "You will need a very large series of excuses this time to cover up for pointing a gun at me, Miss Tin." Chapter 23: 23 - Emilia really needs a spanking. "T-this man had ingested benzene, ma''am." The police officer, startled by the sudden report of the test performed on the lying man, quickly approached Lin Wanruo. She was holding her gun at rest, seemingly filled with hesitation from Damien''s words. Her natural apprehension about potentially losing her job flared up as she contemplated the possibility of this man using her irrational behavior against her, prompting her to lower her gun in that moment. "What?!" Amelia, who had been standing still while the officer analyzed Edward''s blood samples, suddenly felt taken aback after hearing about how he had ingested Benzene, which was banned and could be considered illegal due to its highly toxic and poisonous effects on the human body. ''How is this possible?'', Even more bewildering to her was the fact that Edward had mentioned being immune to poisons when he caught her stepmother in the act of food poisoning. It was also the day when her father introduced him as her bodyguard, just two weeks ago. At that time, even after eating the poisonous food, he was perfectly fine, while the servant who also ate it was hospitalized. This incident led Amelia to have confidence in his immunity, which made the situation even more perplexing since it seemed impossible to poison him. "Ooh, should we strip you down now?" Damien''s hand lay casually over his mouth as he let out a mischievous snicker, aimed directly at the police woman who was completely absorbed in reading the report. Her eyes appeared to quiver with disbelief as they took in the shocking details. "What?" Lin Wanruo asked again, as she couldn''t hear clearly due to her focus on the report, prompting her to lift her gaze towards the man. "I mean, I need a proper explanation for your actions, Miss Tin" Damien released his hand and signaled for a thorough clarification by opening both hands towards the woman who had aimed a gun at a well-regarded and presumed innocent man like himself. "I-i..." Hearing his words, Wanruo flinched before biting her lip and turned her eyes towards the report. She felt struggling due to the situation she was in without any proof or clear evidence that he was at fault. "Ma''am, all the guests have been evacuated safely, but it appears that Mr. Harrison will need to be admitted." After receiving the information on his walkie-talkie, the police officer informed the woman, giving her some time to collect her thoughts before changing the topic. "Oh, how many bullet wounds did he have?" Lin Wanruo asked, trying to find a way to escape her current situation and shifting the conversation away from the unnecessary details. Despite her job being simply to rescue individuals without doing proper investigations due to the involvement of high-society members. "Madam, Mr. Harrison has knife wounds, specifically cuts on tendons that appear to have been caused by a karambit knife," the police officer stated as he relayed the information through the walkie-talkie to inquire further about the wounds. "What? A karambit knife?" After feeling a bit confused, Lin Wanruo considered the possibility that someone might have taken advantage of the situation by harming Mr. Harrison when Blake, armed with a gun, forcibly entered the hotel. ''Was it him...no'', Lin Wanruo lifted her gaze to look at Damien, noticing his icy expression that seemed to convey displeasure at her failed attempt to aim a gun at him. Fearful of the consequences, she quickly abandoned the idea, not wanting to fall into her own dangerous game once again. ''Huh? A knife?'', Emilia stood, still feeling a pain in her chest, and observed everything while analyzing the situation. Her mind could clearly see that the police woman had prejudice against Damien based on her actions of pointing a gun at someone like him. Naturally, no one had the guts, not even the commissioner of police himself, to do something against the heir of the Raphael group. Not that Emilia cared, given the fact that a curve formed on her lips as she remembered all the humiliations she had endured until now. Her eyes filled with anger as she turned towards the man standing with a mocking gaze at the policewoman, who appeared oblivious to this. ''I told you, I will kill you, Damien Raphael.'' Determining herself to escape the present situation or get some rest from that man, Emilia''s feet lifted as she approached the policewoman, her hand clenching her dress with fingers taking out and gripping a knife that Damien had given her on their way there. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Here", Emilia smirked as she glanced at Damien while offering the knife to Lin Wanruo. Lin Wanruo''s widened eyes observed the woman in a bridal dress who kept looking towards the man. ''....'' Damien, upon seeing how Emilia had just snitched on him with that expression on her face, had his face lose all expressions and blankly looked at her. ''Now, you are getting what you deserve'', Seeing Damien''s face turn pale, Emilia''s smile bloomed even more, feeling amused that the facade which had teased her for so long was now crumbling. "Sigh" Damien sighed, causing Emilia to smirk before turning her gaze towards Lin Wanruo to reveal that the source of this knife was none other than the man beside her. But before she could speak, Damien cried out, with a disheartened voice, "How could you do this, Emilia!" ''Heh, now crying aren''t you?'', Emilia simply wanted to laugh at the man who had given her such clear evidence, unwittingly providing her with a weapon for the crime. So now, she will seek her revenge little by little. "Damien, you deserv¡ª" Emilia shook her head in resignation, a smile playing on her lips as she attempted to hold up a mirror for the man. However, she was cut off by Damien''s sorrowful cry. "How could you harm Mr. Harrison! How could you do this, Emilia!" "Huh?" As Emilia flinched, she felt the icy touch of the steel handcuffs on her wrists, her eyes staring ahead blankly as tears welled up slowly. Despite trying to turn her head towards the man, she was only able to take a peek through her turned pupil. "Please don''t arrest my wife, I am sure she would have an explanation." Damien pretended to be sad as he wiped away a non-existent tear, then flashed a big smile behind his hand, only showing it to Emilia who was next to him. His raised eyebrow mockingly questioned her, further adding to clarify her situation,"Dear, I hope you have a proper explanation as there are your fingerprints on the knife." Chapter 24: 24 - One line to ignite a spark. PRESENT "And, speaking of evidence, wasn''t the knife used on Mr. Harrison found on Damien''s wife?" Wanruo looked at the man she had pointed the gun at, recalling the evidence linking the weapon to the deadly attack on one of the esteemed wedding guests. Wanruo was convinced that Damien, after rejecting a marriage proposal from the Harrison family, may have tried to harm the man who had suggested the alliance, due to Damien''s connection with the woman from the Crimwell family. This led her to believe that Damien was capable of going to extreme lengths, including murder, to sabotage the marriage. "That¡ª," Amelia began to say, but Damien interrupted her before she could continue. "Though you are correct, Miss Tin, but..." Damien grinned as he looked towards one of the police cars. Inside, a woman sat with both hands handcuffed, her wrists resting on the window glass. She gazed at him with puppy eyes, hoping for some compassion. However, Damien decided to ignore her suffering and turned towards Wanruo adding,"There is a possibility that Emilia was simply jealous." ""Huh?"" Both Amelia standing beside him and Lin Wanruo, who had a gun pointed at him, were left speechless upon hearing those words. ''Me? Jealous?'', Emilia, perhaps unable to hear Wanruo whose back was turned towards the car, managed to interpret Damien''s words by reading his mouth movements. "Miss Tin, you already know my grandfather wants me to marry Mr. Harrison''s granddaughter." Damien remembering the event when he entered this body, the real Damien had just been demoted from his rightful position as heir, replaced by his sister, and had even had his engagement fixed with the Harrison family reminded Wanruo. As he raised his gaze, he saw Lin Wanruo''s nonchalant reaction to the news, indicating that she was indeed aware of the events that transpired the day Damien Raphael lost his status at the function. He continued speaking softly, his eyes showing defeat as he looked at the car and said, "It appears that Emilia, not wanting to lose me, stabbed Mr. Harrison." ''?!'' ''Bullshit!'', As Emilia slammed the glass, she felt her eyes tremble with fear as she watched Damien skillfully play his game, unknowingly forcing her further into her own trap, causing her to cry out from inside the car. "Inspector, he is lying. Please, he was the one who gave me that knife!" "Miss, your voice cannot reach them." The police officer, seated in the driver''s seat, informed the woman who had just cried out, while covering his ears in response to the loudness of her voice. "What? Wait, please officer, open my handcuffs. I am innocent!" Emilia was caught off guard by the voice, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned her eyes towards the man in the driver''s seat and realized his height was less than 4 feet, causing her to overlook him initially. However, when he spoke, she quickly focused on him, prompting her to clarify. "I''m sorry, Miss. The boss will decide who is innocent and who is not." The man, who appeared to be a child of around 13 or 14 in height, shook his head slightly as he leaned forward, resting his elbow on the steering wheel and laying his head down for a quick nap. "Boss? Are you sent by my Uncle... no, he is dead, right? Then," Emilia was taken aback when the man referred to someone as boss, but soon understanding dawned on her. Her head swiftly turned towards the window, where her eyes trembled at the sight of Damien waving at her. ''No, is this all?'' It wasn''t long before Emilia noticed that all the other police officers, aside from the woman holding a gun to Damien, appeared suspicious due to their lack of activity. Instead of being proactive, they were lazily wandering around and sneaking peeks at Damien as if they were waiting for instructions. ''How can that police woman be so dense?!'' Emilia was left puzzled by the woman''s unfathomable mind, which allowed her to bravely point a gun at Damien, yet somehow failed to realize that everyone else except her was hesitant to take any action. "Are you kidding me?", Lin Wanruo felt her mouth twitching as she listened to an excuse from Damien as he blamed everything on his future wife, causing her to clench her jaw in frustration and quickly withdraw her gun. Indeed, she doesn''t have any proof against this man, and with so many officers present, she can''t use her privilege to have someone like him in custody. ''Darn it!'' S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You are lucky, Damien Raphael", Lin Wanruo calmed herself and placed her gun back in its place, then gestured for one of the officers to come near her. "Keep an eye on the servants and allow the guests to leave. We will wait for Commissioner Sir to arrive." Lin Wanruo observed several bodyguards and media slowly arriving at the place, while several luxurious cars were leaving. It was clear to her that this would soon become breaking news. Wanruo thought to handle the situation as quickly as possible. "I understand and what to do with other suspect" The police officer nodded but, taking a glance at Damien who stood calmly with a smile, he inquired about the next course of action regarding Emilia, who was arrested on charges of harming Mr. Harrison. "Hmm," Lin Wanruo initially felt annoyed that she couldn''t take any action against Damien, but when she saw a woman in a bridal dress looking towards them from a vehicle, she saw an opportunity. Wanruo turned her eyes towards Damien who appeared to be looking at her with that same annoying face, which caused her to smirk and say, "No, take her to the police station. I will personally interrogate her." ''....now, it seems perfect'', Wanruo felt her smile widening the moment she saw Damien''s expression turn blank, prompting her desire to see despair on his face when she mistakenly kills his future bride while interrogating and then just simply apologizes for her mistake. It would be fascinating to watch his face distort when he hears the news of her death... "Hey, Lin Wanruo" Suddenly, the firm voice of Damien interrupted her thoughts, making her widened smile come to a stop. It was the first time she had heard him pronounce her name correctly as he approached her with enraged eyes, causing her to freeze in place as he leaned in close to her ear. Her body appeared to be immobilized, lacking the strength to be moved, while she gazed directly ahead as he approached her ears with a menacing tone, Damien issued a clear warning lashed with death threat,"If something were to happen to my wife, your death would seem like a blessing to you." Chapter 25: 25- Arrest (1) "Y-you" After hearing Damien''s words, Lin Wanruo was naturally shocked at the audacity of this man threatening her in front of everyone. Anger flashed in her eyes, and in a moment of rage, she reached for her handcuffs and firmly locked them around Damien''s wrists, boldly staring him down as she declared,"You will see hell for crossing the line, Damien Raphael!" ''Idiot,'' Damien''s grin spread all the way up to his eyes, revealing a devilish smirk when he saw the woman lose her sense of reasoning and handcuff him in front of many individuals, even with the media present, who were just waiting for this particular breaking news moment to boost their TRP. Looking at the police woman who acted however she wanted just because her family background was always there to back her up, Damien felt that this whole thing was much easier due to this particular fact. From the moment he saw Wanruo, treating Damien whom everyone knew too well as if he was just some third-rate guy, it was clear that this woman had never once in her life felt retaliation from criminals or people she offended in her police career. And, of course, after learning about her name, he had recalled the plot involving this woman and its influence on Damien''s life. It made him want to show this woman what it feels like to have the fake castle she built around her being shattered. Though, of course, he can''t just waste this opportunity where he can resolve two scores at once. This prompts him to provoke this woman and let her act on a whim in front of many people. Simply put, a mere police officer, dared to touch the heir of the Raphael Group (an incompetent heir who lost his status and support from the family) and still handcuffed him in front of everyone. This damaged the reputation of the Raphael Group in the eyes of many high society individuals and even the nation. As the final outcome, this mere police woman will soon see what it feels like to be at the lowest level of the food chain. "S-stop it?!" Amelia, who stood beside Damien, instantly noticed the media outlets'' camera flashes and realized that this moment would soon be in the headlines. Considering she was standing next to Damien, her image would also be captured, which could potentially impact her newly established business. Ultimately, Damien''s risky behavior and his romantic feelings towards her were widely known, causing worry. It wouldn''t be unexpected if media sources spread rumors about Amelia Crimwell being behind it all and tarnsihing her reputiatuion, ''No, I can''t involve with this guy now!'' Having witnessed his previous behavior towards her, she had already determined that she would never cross paths with this man again, which is why she was eager to avoid any gossip that could tarnish her reputation. "No, You should stop Amelia!" Damien''s eyes widened and his jaws clenched as he cried out, feigning anger. His voice caused an uproar among the media, who were eagerly taking pictures of his handcuffs. In an instant, their cameras shifted focus to Amelia. "What?, You all stop this!?", Amelia was caught off guard by Damien''s abrupt yelling, but her shock escalated when she noticed all the camera flashes directed at her. Without thinking, she instinctively raised her hand to cover her face in an attempt to shield herself from the intrusive flashes. "I regret this!" Damien shouted loudly enough for everyone to take notice, particularly since all eyes were already on him. His voice carried throughout the crowd and could be heard in the live news footage captured by the press. "What are you¡ª" Amelia was once again flinched due to his loud voice prompting her to remove her hands from her face as she looked at Damien with trembling eyes. But before she could complete her words, he once again declared. "I lost everything because of you Amelia! My self respect, peace and even went far as to harm others! But you!" Damien directed his eyes towards Amelia, who was standing at arm''s length from him. She took a step back in fear due to his enraged gaze, as he cried out with visible green veins appearing on his neck. After hearing a death threat from Damien, not even Lin Wanruo, who was the most enraged person present, could comprehend why he suddenly started accusing Amelia Crimwell. This caused her to tug on the handcuffs, but they wouldn''t move an inch. ''Where did this strength come from?'' Although Lin Wanruo was in the Middle stage of the Body Refinement Realm, giving her the strength of a healthy adult, she couldn''t even budge the single-handed grip on Damien''s wrist with her two hands. It may have been possible that he was strong, but just a few moments ago she was able to do it. However, now, with his hand noticeably weaker, she still found herself unable to make a move. ''?!'' Lin Wanruo was startled when Damien abruptly tugged on his handcuffs, causing her hand to be yanked towards him. In an instant, the gap between them closed as a result of his height, leading to her body crashing into his chest. In the heat of the moment, she hardly understood what happened but before she could voice out her words, Damien continued with a loud tone," And You Amelia! You blamed everything on me?!" "What? Is Amelia Crimwell the reason why Damien Rachel is in handcuffs?" A series of murmurs instantly erupted throughout the place, causing everyone to fill the whole place with their words in an instant. "Mr. Damien, can you elaborate?" "Especially on the part where you mentioned harming others. Was it to get Miss Amelia''s favor?" The press members fired off one question after the other, focusing their inquiries on Amelia, especially after Damien''s controversial comments about feeling used by her. "Miss Amelia, Is the rumours circulating true?" A female reporter attempted to approach but was stopped by a police officer. After a quick glance at Damien, who gave a subtle nod, the officer signaled for the reporter to pass through. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What?", Amelia already felt overwhelmed being the center of attention, things were starting to become too unbearable for her. Her feet instinctively began to retreat as the female reporter approached her. "Miss Amelia..." The female reporter extended her microphone towards Amelia while subtly glancing in Damien''s direction. She fixed her eyes on Amelia and continued with a clear voice, "Is it true that out of jealousy, you attempted to suppress Emilia Blake''s businesses? "What!?" Chapter 26: 26- Arrest(2) "What did you say?" Amelia suddenly heard the words of the reporter and felt her body going numb as she blankly kept looking towards her, trying to understand the meaning behind those words and make sense of that rumor. Amelia herself learned about the woman Damien was marrying today and there were already rumors about her being involved in the suppression of Blake''s business. The most annoying fact was that everyone seemed to believe this, as all the reporters had become silent as if they wanted to hear her answer. This was despite knowing that due to the reputation of Blake''s, the business run by Emilia Blake''s mother, was experiencing losses for several years. And now these people are blaming her for all of this? Unforgivable! "To which news channel do you belong?" Amelia clenched her fist and glared at the female reporter, feeling humiliated to see how such a simple question could become a headline for other channels, prompting her to ask. ''....'' The woman reporter, after being asked the question by Amelia, glanced towards Damien, who had hired her to act like a reporter. "Just arrest me, I can''t stand here," Damien declared. Seeing that it was enough for the act, he directly loosened his hand that had caused Lin Wanruo''s body to collide with him. She pushed him away, but found herself being pushed back. ''Did he just tried to...'', Wanruo clearly felt his firm chest when she collided with his body as he pulled his handcuff upward, prompting her to grit her teeth and growl, "You bastard, were you trying to take advantage of me?" "Huh?" Damien, who had just let the woman pull his handcuff again, raised his eyebrow, realizing that she must have misunderstood his actions as him taking advantage of her. He sighed before firmly declaring, "Miss Tin, you think very highly of yourself. Isn''t it clear that you, a mere police inspector, are just trying to create a scandal with the heir of the Raphael Group by fabricating false statements?" "What? A scandal with you¡ª" Lin Wanruo was taken aback seeing how he just blamed her, accusing her of trying to get involved with him. This made her enraged, but she was stopped in her tracks. "Leave it. I can''t expect others to understand me if my own have abandoned and betrayed me," Damien interrupted her, his face showing sadness as he looked towards the sky with a defeated expression. He didn''t forget to strike a good pose for the press to capture a compelling picture. In the end, people believe what they see, and he was just making sure to provide enough information to garner sympathy from those who would see a heartbroken man betrayed by his lover, who had him arrested while one who arrested him was trying to take advantage of his status by creating a scandal. ''Huh?'' ''Huh?'' Both Amelia and Lin Wanruo remained static while being bombarded with camera flashes, their minds still trying to understand what exactly had happened. Amelia was trying to understand why Damien acted in such a way, as if blaming her for all of this. Lin Wanruo was confused seeing him just pass by her before entering the police car without paying much attention to the mess he created outside. And, Damien? He had a devilish grin while watching the scene in front of him ¨C a woman with teary eyes, looking like a trembling rabbit, with her hands cuffed, while he held the car door open. "I-i was k-kidding." Emilia pushed herself away as she saw Damien looking at her with that smile, causing her to tremble in fear as she remembered how she had just tried to set him up. "Oh, is that so?" Damien pretended to be surprised as he widened his eyes and took a seat inside the car before closing the door. Turning his head towards Emilia, he said," You should have just told me." ''H-he believed it'', Emilia, seeing that he appeared genuine, felt relieved that he didn''t take her actions to heart and showed leniency, prompting her to sigh in relief before abruptly nodding, "Yes, I wanted to prank you." "Ah, a prank, I see," Damien nodded as the driver in front passed a key for his handcuffs. Damien used the key to unlock his hand, and as he opened the handcuffs, he amusingly stated, "But, you see, I am pretty much offended here." "Sorry?" Emilia flinced as a sudden chill spread across the seat in the car, Damien''s voice resonating inside, causing her to slowly turn her head towards him. Her face was blank, lips parting to speak but quivering. "How dare...," Damien dropped the handcuff out of his hand and met Emilia''s tearful eyes with a small smile forming as he continued, "You tried to set me up. You are done for, Emilia." S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "N-no" Emilia felt her back hitting the other side door of the car. Due to the compact size of the interior, she wasn''t able to get away, with her handcuffed hands also being a hurdle. She saw Damien rubbing his wrist as the car started to move, causing her to panic and cry out, "Someone, please save me! Someone help!" Unfortunately, the car had already departed from the hotel gate, leaving behind everyone who could have potentially heard her desperate plea. "So, shall we begin then?" Damien began to take off his coat, a playful expression in his eyes as he focused on Emilia, who instinctively shielded her body with her hands out of fear. Frantically looking around, she attempted to flee. "Please, what do you want? Let me go!" Emilia felt herself in trouble after trying to set him up. She cried for mercy, clearly seeing through the man''s lecherous gaze, but to her dismay, she was helpless. "I?" Damien stretched out his hand, then grabbed her wrist as she struggled. He pulled her close in one swift motion and whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine,"I just wanna let others hear your voice, wouldn''t me helping you could provide your whimpering a boost?" Chapter 27: 27- The power of wealth "Ma''am, the commissioner has arrived" Rushing over to Lin Wanruo, a police officer informed her in a concerned tone about the approaching car of the Commissioner, who held the position of head of the police department in the Camphrian city. ''Damn it'', As Lin Wanruo watched Amelia Crimwell''s car drive away following the arrest of Damien Raphael, she learned about the arrival of the Commissioner. Considering it a high priority, she headed towards the approaching vehicle. ''That bastard, How dare he?!'', While moving towards the higher-ups, Lin Wanruo felt frustrated and annoyed by Damien''s behavior. He dared to humiliate her and act as if he were the victim, portraying her as some evil villain persecuting him and even trying to link herself with him in a scandal. Her annoyance grew from the constant camera flashes that she could still see, giving the impression that reporters and the press had already assumed she was attempting to stir up a scandal and exploit the only heir of Raphael Groups. ''I will definitely wipe that pride off your face, Damien Raphael'' she declared, her gaze sharp with killing intent as she approached the three police cars. She stood there with her hands folded behind her back, in a stance of ease. "WHERE IS THAT IDIOT?!" The voice echoing through the place made her eyes widen, causing her heart to skip a beat when she saw a large man step out of the car and scan the area before landing his furious gaze on her. ''Did he call me an idiot?'' Lin Wanruo felt confused but let it slide as a misunderstanding caused by the lack of facts, prompting her to straighten herself firmly and raise her head high. "Did you know what you did?!" Upon finally catching sight of the woman who had foolishly laid her hands on none other than the Heir of Raphael group, the chief of Police broke out in a sweat. He approached her with the intent to slap her, but upon noticing the camera and remembering her family, he stopped himself with only harsh words. "Huh? I don''t understand." Lin Wanruo was taken aback as the chief, who always praised her when she caught a criminal, approached her and shouted at her in front of all the press and reporters who didn''t miss this opportunity to take pictures of the whole event. "I had told you to only evacuate, and here you are touching innocent citizens to satisfy your old rivalry?!" The man yelled as he pointed his finger at the woman''s face with an enraged look. He had seen everything live on his tablet and cursed his luck for sending this incompetent woman of all people. Naturally, because of the considerable distance between him and the hotel, he had requested assistance from the nearby police station to manage the situation. They were asked to stay on guard to prevent anyone from escaping and to assist in evacuating people. However, everything changed when he observed this woman taking stupid decisions and getting stupid results. As the chief of the police department in this area, he was well aware of the usual rivalry and animosity this woman had with Damien Raphael. There were several instances when he had to apologize to Damien because of this woman''s actions, but Damien always appreciated her sense of justice and would laugh it off. However, today in front of everyone, without any evidence, she accused the respected member and even attempted to flirt with him to establish a connection. As a result, the chief will now have to deal with the backlash from Raphael''s groups. "What? So it wasn''t ordered by the head of the department?" One reporter noticed this and called it out, prompting others to also take note and start writing it down for live reporting. :: We are live from one of the Ramphian hotels, where a mass attack occurred tonight. Reports indicate that a group of assailants infiltrated the hotel''s security and opened fire on high-society individuals attending a party hosted by Damien Raphael. Raphael himself appeared visibly exhausted and was seen bearing wounds on his knuckles, reportedly from his brave efforts in fighting off the attackers. :: :: According to witnesses, Damien Raphael single-handedly took down all of the assailants, risking his life to protect the guests. :: :: However, in a surprising turn of events, the police arrived after the situation had calmed down and arrested Damien Raphael under unclear circumstances. As seen in the footage, three-star officer Lin Wanruo was the one who handcuffed Raphael, and afterward, she hugged him, though Raphael appeared noticeably uncomfortable with the gesture. :: Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. :: Stay with us as we continue to provide updates on this unfolding story, including the reasons behind the arrest of the man being hailed as a hero for saving everyone tonight. :: "What utter nonsense!" Lin Wanruo exclaimed, grinding her teeth and glaring at the press and reporters who were fabricating stories without any knowledge. She then turned to the other police officer and shouted, "Arrest all of them for defaming me!" "Yes?" All the officers looked confused as they turned towards the Chief of Police, who was clenching his teeth with a red face, appearing to be enraged by the stupidity of the woman who seemed clueless in a situation where the odds were not in their favor. "What are you looking at? Arrest those individuals¡ªBE QUIET! YOU IDIOT!!" Before Lin Wanruo could say another word, the police chief''s loud voice interrupted her. "What? Sir?" Wanruo was taken aback, not understanding how, even after seeing everything from his eyes, she only followed protocol and arrested the prime suspect, who was none other than Damien Raphael, yet these people were against her. "You brainless girl, can''t you see that Damien Raphael saved everyone today?" the Chief of the police department shouted as he poked his finger at Lin Wanruo''s forehead two times, causing her to flinch and tremble as she looked at him. She observed the situation and noticed how everyone was looking down on her. At that moment, she appeared to be looked down upon as the only thought running through her mind was, ''Are these people blind?'' Chapter 28: 28 - Where is Emilia Blake? ''No, did he fool everyone?'' Lin Wanruo kept looking down with her fingers clenched on her uniform, but finally lifted her eyes and glanced towards the fat man in front of her, saying, "Sir, it was not Damien Raphael who saved everyone. I have confirmed it. Lin Wanruo didn''t understand why everyone was giving credit to the unworthy and undeserving heir of the Raphael Group and not listening to her, who was always praised for her sense of justice. "What? Do you think all of these people are blind?" The police chief exclaimed, trying to explain the situation to the woman who did not understand. Instead of apologizing and letting the situation end, she continued with her confusion, prompting the police chief to express his frustration,''do all women have brains in their knees?'' The police chief felt frustrated, knowing well that in such situations, they need to adapt and show their most likable side in front of so many cameras to prevent everything from becoming public. "Yes! All of these were purchased by that worthless person!" Lin Wanruo was going through the most difficult time of her life as no one seemed to appreciate her accomplishments in protecting all the high society members. Instead, these people were defending someone with a terrible track record. :: As you can see, the officer in charge of this area seemed to deflect responsibility for the situation, either blaming Mr. Damien Raphael or even us, the press, for providing live updates during the crisis. :: "Shut up!" Lin Wanruo couldn''t understand the hypocrisy of the media reporters who were giving biased opinions and showing double standards. They praised her when she caught a criminal, but now that she revealed the true face of a person who hosted a party to harm reputable individuals, they were blaming her. "LIN WANRUO! SHOUT ONE MORE TIME AND YOU LOOSE YOUR JOB!" The police chief saw how poorly this woman was handling the situation and knew that he would have to deal with the consequences. He felt the urge to slap the woman at that moment. Naturally, if he had been alone, he would have praised her to gain favor from her family, and behind her, he would have supported Raphael''s groups in order to gain favor from both families. But now this woman has disrupted everything by behaving like this in front of the whole world. Now, he needs to give a proper judgement to maintain his image and not offend Raphael, who could be considered to have higher priority in his list of concerns. "?!" Lin Wanruo felt her heart stop for a moment as she was being scouted like this for the first time. She kept looking towards the police chief with trembling pupils, biting her parted lips and gripping her hand tightly enough to cause her fingernails to dig into her flesh. "Alright, if it wasn''t Damien Raphael, then who saved those people?" The police chief composed himself, realizing that if it had been a regular officer, he might have reprimanded or even suspended them immediately. Understanding her background and family connections, he asked with genuine compassion. "Yes, it was Edward who was Amelia Crimwell''s bodyguard," Lin Wanruo replied instantly, seizing the opportunity to dispel the heroic image that everyone was creating for Damien Raphael, who had hidden in a room with two women instead of protecting anyone. "You mean the man whom you arrested, right?" The police chief rubbed his forehead and gestured with his finger towards a police officer who was moving towards his car. The officer took out a piece of paper and a tablet. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, I just arrested him because Damien falsely accused him of consuming Benzene," Lin Wanruo nodded, glancing towards the reporters who appeared calmer now. Instead of blaming her, they seemed to look towards each other and murmur. "You definitely have prejudice against Damien Raphael, don''t you?" The police chief felt annoyed as he opened a video on his tablet and played it, then turned the screen towards Lin Wanruo and continued, "You seem to view a murderer as a savior, but not Damien himself." "Of course not¡ª?!" Lin Wanruo''s voice turned icy as she witnessed Edward lifting a butler by the neck, choking him to death, and then letting him fall. "And here is the fingerprint report for the bottle that may have contained the Benzene Edward was falsely accused of consuming," The police chief handed over the report with squinted eyes as he looked at the trembling woman''s body. "No?" Lin Wanruon began to reject everything that had just unfolded before her eyes while shaking her head. "It''s fake¡ª" However, she noticed everyone looking at her with disdainful eyes, as if they were judging her for trying to paint Damien as the villain here. ''Why? Why are they looking at me like this? I am telling the truth. He was behind everything!'' Wanruo was not understanding why everyone was blaming her instead of the real culprit. Her heartbeat was racing and her mind felt isolated as she looked at all the people accusing her. "Now Wanruo, tell me, why did you arrest Damien Raphael?" The police chief demanded, glaring at the woman with no other excuse left. He poked his finger at her forehead, tapping repeatedly in an attempt to control his frustration. "Sir, we found the knife that was used to attack Mr. Harrison in Emilia Blake''s possession," Lin Wanruo explained, her eyes wide with concern as she felt like she was running out of options. She knew she still had one last card to play, a witness against Damien Raphael. "So?! You idiot! Why arrest Damien Raphael if the knife was found on Emilia Blake?" The police chief felt a headache coming on due to the stupidity of the woman in front of him, who he kept tapping on the forehead with his finger. " I-i, S-she accepted that he was the one who gave her that knife." Lin Wanruo felt humiliated as her head was hit, as if she were a dumb child, while all the media and reporters captured the moment live as she was reprimanded by the police chief. At this moment, she realized she had only one hope ¨C to cover her tarnished image. Her last hope was Emilia Blake, who would be her vocal witness. "Fine, bring her here. Where is she?" Seeing Lin Wanruo''s eyes turning watery, the police chief stopped as he did not want to upset her family further. He gestured towards the other police officers to bring Emilia Blake to meet him. "....." "....." All the police officers standing there looked at each other before glancing at the policewoman, whose head was bowed down in humiliation from what had just happened. "What? I asked, where is she? Bring her here!" The police chief, seeing that none of the police officers were giving a proper answer, shouted towards all of them in frustration. He noticed that all of the police officers were looking towards Lin Wanruo. He turned to her and asked, "Wanruo, tell me, where is Emilia Blake?" "I... I sent her to the police station," Lin Wanruo said, wiping away her tears with her wrist as she slowly lifted her eyes to look at the chief. ''Fucking idiot!'' The police chief was already feeling his anger bubbling up, but he managed to swallow it down and maintain his composure for the cameras. He warned Lin Wanruo, "IF WE DON''T FIND EMILIA BLAKE BY MORNING, BE PREPARED TO FACE SUSPENSION!" ''??!! '' Chapter 29: 29- Revelation(1) "T-this is molestation!" Emilia cried out as she sat on Damien''s lap inside the speeding police car on the highway. Her voice trembled from the struggle as she found herself perched on his lap, his arm wrapped around her waist. Despite her efforts, she couldn''t help but shriek when she felt his fingers tracing circles around her belly button through the thin fabric of her bridal dress. "Nah...this is heaven." Damien rested his chin on her shoulder, his fingers tracing the lines of her abdomen, feeling the softness of her silky skin. His eyes were closed, head tilted resting on hers, even as she yelled and squirmed in discomfort. Right now, his priority was to forget about his broken knuckles. Yes, because of the punch he landed on Edward, he ended up fracturing a finger and a few bones in his hand. Even though he could handle the pain, the feeling of her perky rear pressing against his thighs, the trembling of her body muffling his throbbing shaft, was getting him all hot and bothered. Her body seemed tailor-made for cuddling, wrapping him in a cocoon of softness, fluffiness, and heat. He had inhabited various bodies for different villains, and among all of them, he had to use resources to help him navigate their issues. Currently residing in Damien''s body, he found himself simply a human with sexual desires. He believed this was the most effective method to cope with the suffering. (He was just using resources, definitely not enjoying this) S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You will be in jail if you keep poking that thing!" Emilia''s face turned crimson the moment she felt something hard and trembling poking beneath her, while he seemed to move his body while hugging her from behind. It was as if he was adjusting her body to his desired angle, which she clearly understood what he was trying to achieve. "I''ll even handle hell if you stay seated," Damien grinned lasciviously as he nuzzled his head, tapping lightly while his fingers inched up the two perky curve of the bridal dress with eager anticipation. Deliberately, he had positioned the delicate fabric to trace the softness of her skin with thin yet strong fabric tingling as clouds hiding the two peaks firmly within. Once again, Emilia retorted, "You''re disgusting, using me like this!" Damien remained indifferent as he casually used his hand to move in a circular motion around her lower bust, causing a sudden flinch to ripple through her body as he whispered, "Disgusting? Or dangerously good? Your body can''t seem to decide." "Ah?!, How dare you!" Suddenly, Emilia''s eyes widened as she felt his fingers tracing her lower breasts. She leaned forward, then swiftly backed away to land a hit on Damien''s face. "Ouch!" But to her dismay, by tilting his head he dodged the upcoming attack, causing her head to hit the back of the seat as she abruptly clenched her head and fell on the nearby seat while wincing, "It hurts!" "Sigh, who told you to hit me then?" Damien released a heavy sigh and turned his head to glimpse at her backside. Her head was tucked beneath her hands on the opposite side, her perky rear end lifted towards him. The tight bridal gown accentuated her curves, causing Damien to feel torn. Was he the villain, being tempted to toy with this innocent woman? Or was she the cunning one, flaunting herself so openly to entice him into becoming the villain? In any case, he was aware that in this scenario, the constellations would either blame him for being a wicked lecher if he pounced on her, or label him as na?ve if he chose to let this opportunity slip away. So, he smacked her cakes. "Kyahhhh~!?" Emilia''s tear-streaked face contorted in pain as she gripped her buttocks, the sensation of a tight slap sending shivers down her spine. With no support, her head fell back onto the seat as her buttocks remained tightly stretched by her hands under the white fabric. "Boss, we arrive¡ªum, should I park the car in the alley?" Braking the car, the cop¡ªbarely 4 feet tall¡ªglanced towards the rear seat. His eyes widened as he spotted a woman in a revealing bridal gown, squeezing her buttocks seductively, enticing the gentleman next to her to make a move. (*his distorted perspective) "Huh? How indecent of you, Emilia," Damien snickered at the humorous misunderstanding that had occurred, which could be considered perfect timing. ''Ow, what is he uttering,'' Emilia, unaware of all the miscommunication caused by her very seductive posture, slowly rubbed her buttocks as she stood and sat. With her hand still pressed between her skin and the seat, she felt the pain of his slap. She turned her teary eyes towards him, giving him a pained gaze as she reminded him in a mumbled tone, "I''ll never forgive you for this." Damien, who opened the car door as it swung open before taking a step out from the car, glanced at the woman who didn''t notice how she was now not handcuffed, with a teasing gaze and devilish smile on his face, he declared, "Forgive me or not, you''ll never forget how I make you feel." badump ''How humiliating,'' Emilia thought, feeling embarrassed by the situation she found herself in. The remnants of heat near her ears betrayed her feelings. ''Woman, why are you so obvious?'' Damien turned his eyes away from her with a smile forming as he saw how easy to read Emilia was, and confirming her doubt was another notification. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? -???????? (????????????????????) ???????? -???????? (????????????????????????????). ] ''Good development,'' Damien thought, feeling somewhat satisfied by the noticeable change in her favorability towards him. He then reached out his hand towards her and said, "Let''s go, you need to see your mother too, don''t you? "What?" Emilia blankly looked at this man, knowing well that a man like him would never pass up this opportunity. Instead of taking her home, he would likely take her to a hotel to fulfill his lust. So, she was not going to trust his word in a thousand years. Chapter 30: 30- Revelation(2) "Huh? Why are we at my house?!" Emilia couldn''t help but cry out in shock as she recognized the familiar walls of her own dining room. Taking a seat at the table, she noticed the assortment of food items placed in front of her, while Damien indulged in his pudding on the opposite side. Her mother continued to appear, presenting a new batch of freshly cooked dishes. "Aunty, can I sit beside Emilia? It''s cold here." Damien took a spoonful of pudding before turning towards a middle-aged woman who appeared much older than her actual age, evident of her hard life and struggles through businesses yet wore a formal attire like an office lady. "If Sir Damien wants to, please take a seat." The woman with her closed eyes and wrinkled face nodded before moving towards the kitchen to bring more food for both Damien and her daughter. "Cold? Seat? Why are you sitting beside me¡ªNo! That is not the question, why are you at my house?" Emilia shook her head as she held the bowl of rice and gestured towards Damien, aware of his flirty words. Despite feeling embarrassed, she knew he would just say she was hot and he wanted to sit beside her to prevent himself from getting cold. So, she was definitely not going to fall for this clich¨¦ dialogue. "Isn''t it obvious, you are sitting while covering the heater, idiot." Damien pushed her chair and sat near the single room heater placed in the dining room. Due to business losses and debt, several apartments and houses under the Blake family were sold out, leaving one remaining which belonged to Emilia''s grandmother, where they lived while still struggling with the last remaining company''s decision-making since Emilia''s mother had less than a 2% share in her own debt-driven company. ''She seems old,'' Damien glanced at the exhausted woman who kept a fake smile as she came out of the kitchen and finally took a seat on the other side of the table. He kept looking and understood this was the result of all the struggles and hard work this woman had to go through, yet ignoring her physical appearance, what Damien noticed was the condition of this house. Even though it appeared humble, his eyes observed the floors, paintings, and decorative items which in truth crossed the valuation of 30 million NR (1 NR= 1 USD), something which no one would expect from a widow and debted woman. And this was why Damien had chosen this particular woman; particularly, he just wanted to have someone support him financially and handle his businesses until he was done with his villain game and coincidentally he found Emilia going around here and there with her mother. So he grabbed two birds in his hands, knowing how Emilia''s pronunciation matches Amelia. "Disgusting, she is an old woman, you rascal." Emilia frowned as if insects were crawling all over her when she saw Damien''s eyes fixed on her mother, clearly looking at her with malicious intent. "....oh my, What''s with your words, Elly?" The woman, who was already aware of Damien''s gaze had noticed the things she decorated in her home, remained ignorant until she heard her daughter for the first time abusing someone whom she had just met five days ago. A week ago, Damien Raphael purchased a large number of shares from her company which was already facing problems because the board members were not giving value to her suggestions and supporting the board member who was the right-hand man of Gabriel Blake, leading to the company facing losses. Helpless as she was, the most she could do was keep her tax-free assets safe and away from the eyes of Gabriel and their men while waiting calmly for the company to be destroyed, leading all investors to sell their shares, leading board members to also leave the company, and then she would use her assets to once again support it. But, this young man purchased most of the shares and created a disbalance between both her and that board member, leading the overall losses the company faced to become lower due to decision-making being in better hands. However, she doesn''t need small profits for a company which was dying much faster but needed to face faster losses to get complete authority over the decision-making of the company which her husband had messed by transferring the things into the hands of board members. Whatever the case, things were going to be fine now because she had already made a deal with this young man. "Mom, do you know where he took me tonight?" Emilia gritted her teeth, turning her gaze downward in frustration. Two days ago, this man had warned her that he would destroy her mother''s business and leave them without a home. She had seen how much her mother had to suffer after her father''s death when due to his kind heart and foolishness, he had scattered the control throughout board members who turned against her mother. When her mother assured her everything would be fine, Damien Raphael purchased shares in her company. Emilia had seen her mother frustrated that night while mumbling about how if he hadn''t purchased shares, everything would have been fine. So, she being helpless, chose to follow this man who humiliated her so much within two days that she removed all the ideal image her na?ve mind had for this person. Unbeknownst to her, her mother wanted the company to end much sooner, but with the arrival of Damien, losses significantly decreased. Since knowing about Raphael Group''s heir investing in a company, several investors entered the line. And this misunderstanding was what Damien took profit of: a woman who was smart and cunning but needed a leash and on the other side, her daughter who, seeing her helpless mother, wanted to help her in some way. "What? Did he do something to you?" Suddenly the woman''s hand halted in her path, glancing towards Damien as she remembered the last time, according to their deal, he was going to use her daughter to play a fake marriage role and in exchange transfer all shares to her. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yes, She and Damien had already discussed it beforehand, or else she wouldn''t have let her daughter come into the limelight by being engaged with Raphael. But she weighed profit and losses, knowing how after this small drama, she would get shares and due to rumors of her daughter being engaged to Raphael Group''s heir, even though he was now technically not the heir but not many knew about this, leading several investors to boost the company. Though she had heard several rumors about this useless heir, which was why she trusted him knowing how he was interested in another woman from the Crimwell family and would not harm her daughter but solely was using her to make his girlfriend jealous. However, if this man were to harm her daughter, considering that he had already lost the support of the Raphael Group long ago, it wouldn''t be difficult for her to bury his dead body in her backyard, especially since she still has a few rifles from her younger days buried there. "H-he," Emilia clenched her fists and looked down before her mouth twitched because Damien placed his hand on hers and gave a nod as if giving her emotional support, prompting a vein to form on her forehead. In a mumble, disheartened tone, she revealed the fact that she was married to Damien by pointing her finger at him, she declared, "I am now married to this thing over here." ''.....Thing?'' Damien raised an eyebrow upon hearing Emilia still not accepting him as her man and calling him a thing. He leaned on his palm with his elbow supported on the table and glanced at Emilia''s mother to see her reaction. "Ahem, I see," the woman cleared her throat and averted her eyes, not wanting to reveal to her daughter that she had bargained her daughter to gain shares of her company. Technically, it was guaranteed, but still, she felt guilty about taking advantage of her daughter''s naivety. Chapter 31: 31 - A Brief Retreat Before the Attack (1) "Mom? Are you paying attention here?" Emilia realized her mother was avoiding eye contact, her brow furrowed in confusion about why she wasn''t confronting the man sitting beside her. "Yes, Elly, it''s just I..." The woman wished to share the truth but avoided making eye contact with Emilia, feeling too burdened to say anything to her daughter. "Aunty, I would like to take my leave." With a grin, Damien interrupted, drawing the attention of Emilia and the woman, who glanced his way just as he finished the small pudding on the table. He tilted his head slightly and offered the woman a gentle smile, her eyes widening in surprise before she relaxed, feeling grateful for his support. Indeed, she could understand that he interrupted to prevent her image from dropping in her daughter''s eyes. "Please go," Emilia responded with a dull gaze, blinking while focusing on Damien, who had unexpectedly said something that was advantageous to her. "....Can I get the documents first?" Damien felt his mouth twitch but, prioritizing his play, he directly turned towards the woman, ignoring Emilia, who was definitely itching for a good teaching moment. "Wait, what? Right now? B-but?" The woman was caught off guard when Damien requested the documents they had agreed to sign after his return tonight. What surprised her most was that he asked in front of her daughter. ''What is he trying to accomplish?'' While she felt a sense of relief that he interrupted her before she could admit her role in today''s mess, witnessing him preparing to unveil the truth in front of her daughter raised her suspicions. "What document is he talking about?" Emilia''s ears perked up as she glanced towards the woman and took a peek at Damien while cursing inside since earlier he had placed his hand on her thighs and was going overboard by molding her thigh. Above all else, she struggled to comprehend how her mother could be so oblivious, failing to ask why she was in a bridal gown. Instead, she had to inform her mother about marrying Damien, yet her mother''s reaction remained surprisingly casual. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unknowingly, Emilia was blind to the fact that her mother stayed quiet and refrained from discussing the bridal dress, as she wished to avoid the issue, knowing deep down that her actions¡ªtrading her daughter for shares¡ªwere truly reprehensible. "That''s¡ª" The woman tried to handle the situation by dodging the inquiry, trying to transfer it as the documents regarding some small work or something, but Damien interrupted. "I intend to give back all the shares I acquired to your mother, Emilia." Damien nudged closer, supporting his head on the knuckles of one hand on the table, while his other hand attempted to gently explore her thighs, his pinky finger reaching toward her sensitive area but falling short due to the space between them. ''?!'' "Wh-what! For real!" Emilia, already clenching her fist for a punch due to feeling his hand, suddenly pulled back from his words. She stood from her chair, looking between him and her mother with lightened eyes, believing in Damien''s words because he accepted it in front of her mother. It was highly possible that he wouldn''t lie. Or even if he did, wouldn''t it be favorable for her that even her mother would see his true face? "I don''t quite grasp what you''re trying to convey, Sir Damien," the woman remarked, momentarily disregarding her daughter. She felt somewhat relieved that he hadn''t revealed all the details, yet she was cautious since he mentioned the transfer of shares to her. "I just want to transfer all my shares to you, Aunt." Damien, seeing how this woman was trying to cover up her image in front of her daughter, felt amused but not caring much since she didn''t hold much value to him compared to Emilia. So, he prioritized her over this woman who needed to prove her worth. "Mom, what are you waiting for?!" Emilia, seeing how her mother remained seated while looking at Damien, felt this moment slipping as it was possible that this man could change his offer, prompting her to leave the dining room, adding, "Leave it, I know where those documents could be. I will just bring the documents myself." "E-elly? How do you..." The woman wanted to inquire about how Emilia was able to find the document she hid somewhere inside the room secretly, but Emilia had already left. "You are treating her as a child," Damien, pulling his hand which was once on Emilia''s thighs but now due to her sudden leaving felt ache from the previous fracture resurfacing, massaged it while trying to pick on this woman who from the start was treating Emilia as a child. Did he care if she treated her daughter as naive? Nope. It was just that his hand was in pain and he wanted to not heal it before utilizing it for gain, so for now, he just wanted to relieve his irritation. "She is my child, so? What are you even trying to say?" The woman felt confused, with a twitch on her face visible, seeing how her daughter had just left and this man who had messed up her plan acting up. "Tch, you call her a child when she could have her own child at this age?" Damien scoffed, shaking his head as he folded his arms, meeting the woman''s cold gaze, who felt her mind snap at his words. "Here, sign it." Emilia arrived inside the dining room before placing a document and the pen on the desk, looking at Damien with her folded hands, who seemed to rub his other hand, prompting her to notice red blood clots near it. ''Is he okay?'' "Hm, here you go." Damien, calming himself, lifted the pen and signed the document, causing Emilia to feel a burden lifting from her shoulders with each sign while thinking about such a change in the heart of this man, who acted evil all the time but now suddenly decided to help her out. ''It can''t be.'' For a second, she thought something unbelievable but rejected the notion, knowing how he could not have fallen in love with her when she was just a mere tool for his use. "Done." Damien finally signed the last page before placing the pen down and standing up as he gave a sidelong glance to the woman, who kept glaring at him but controlled herself due to her daughter''s presence. Chapter 32: 32- A Brief Retreat Before the Attack (2) ''Finally,'' Emilia lifted the papers that contained the signs and evidence that all the suffering she felt had finally been resolved and that her mother wouldn''t have to suffer any longer. But while looking at the documents, she felt confused. Why would he just give away the leash that kept her tied to him? After all, after getting the shares, why would she follow whatever he wanted instead of reporting him to the police for molestation? Her eyes noticed a black ring on her finger while she held the document. ''....'' Emilia kept looking at the ring while remembering the event where he had kissed her, causing a blush to form. Ignoring her flooding memories, she noticed him rubbing his hand, which was slowly becoming swollen. "Mom, take it and you, follow me!" Emilia placed the document near her mother''s side and with her other hand pulled Damien''s hand as she led him out of the dining room while he held a smile, seeing how everything was going in the right direction. Indeed, he knew how Emilia was overwhelmed in the police car, harboring ill will towards him to the point where she didn''t even notice his injury. But now that he had made her free, it was normal for her to return like a bird that gets addicted to the presence of someone. In the end, Emilia followed his ways just because she had been helpless regarding the shares he possessed, and now that she had obtained them, it was as if she felt free and also grateful for his favor unconsciously. ''Should I call the police?'' The woman glanced at her daughter, who had just taken Damien out, and then at the table where the documents were placed, knowing well about the latest news through the press that Damien and her daughter were charged with some crime and had run away. But she stopped for today, knowing it would be a hassle since ultimately he would need to leave her house. ---- "Oh my Emilia, are you that thirsty to claim my body?" Damien snickered, seeing how Emilia kept pulling him until they reached her bedroom, before she placed her hand on the doorknob and flinched due to his words. ".... How did you get that injury?" Emilia had already become accustomed to his words and didn''t pay any attention as she glanced at his other hand, which was visibly swelling with a blood clot nearby. "This? I got it when I punched Edward." As Damien watched her open the door, he couldn''t help but reply. Entering the room, he was struck by the sight of a single bed, a well-ordered table, and a bookshelf in a tidy, minimalist space. It was nothing like the pink, feminine room he had anticipated from Emilia, yet it had its unique charm. "Come sit. If you were weak, shouldn''t you have just used a rod or some hard object?" Emilia, making him sit on her bed, moved towards a drawer to take out the first aid box, kneeling on her knees and starting to check his wounds. "Are you going to suck me off?" Damien grinned, seeing how she knelt while he sat on the bed, feeling like teasing her more but only meeting her glare. "....Thanks for helping my mother," Emilia ignored his words, which was enough to make her punch him, but she knew he would just dodge it, and she would fall onto the bed, and who knows what this lecherous man would do with her. She had already brought him inside her bedroom, which she did not regret since her mother was downstairs and this man was in serious pain. The wound appeared swollen and could lead to infection if left like this, prompting her to start the first aid. "I will leave this town tomorrow, Emilia." Damien informed her, his eyes softening, starting his plot to see if this woman would fall for his masterful acting as he glanced towards the nearby small glass window with a defeated gaze. "Thanks for giving me second good news," Emilia looked at his face, which genuinely appeared hurt knowing he would leave this town and seemed bad for separating from her, causing her to give a blank look, knowing well about his ways as she shrugged her shoulders and focused on his wound. ".... Shouldn''t you be happy that I helped your mother?" Damien, seeing how she didn''t give any reaction, at least understood that she was trying very hard not to show anything, enough to prevent him from guessing it if it wasn''t for notifications. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? -???????? (????????????????????????????) ???????? ???? (????????????????????????????????????). ] "It''s done. You can go now." Emilia stood before approaching the drawer and placing the first aid inside it before taking a seat beside him and folding her hands with closed eyes. "Sigh, I see, so you aren''t going to fulfill your promise." Damien leaned near her and whispered, causing her to open one eye and look at him. "What promise?" Emilia raised her brow, feeling satisfied that she was now free. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Naturally, if Damien laid a hand on her now, she was going to scream and call the police; now, she wasn''t under his control. "Haven''t we decided on a passionate night if I killed Gabriel Blake?" Damien smiled, with his eyes fixed on her lips, which parted to say something but halted and trembled before she covered her face with her wrist, forming a crimson blush as she remembered his words, causing her to avert her gaze. "N-no, it doesn''t count now. Yes, it doesn''t count." Emilia, looking away from him, felt flushed, with a clear warmth spreading across her face, remembering all those memories filling her mind, not the least wanting to do anything with this man who was so much of a pervert. "I knew this would happen." As Damien got to his feet, he shot a fleeting look back at the room before heading toward the door. With a gentle push, he opened it and let his parting words echo behind him: "Emilia, I don''t think we will ever meet again." Chapter 33: 33- To Emilias heart (1) ''Is he just going to leave?'' Emilia, seeing him, felt confused but slowly stood and looked outside the window of her room. A few minutes later, Damien left with a defeated look as he glanced in her direction before waving, "...just go away." Even though she was hesitant, Emilia averted her gaze and returned to her bed. She lay down and curled up, lacking the mood to take a bath or even change her bridal dress, wanting nothing more than to control herself from running to that man. . . . . . ''Sigh, she didn''t even come running to hug me. How pitiful,'' Damien thought, seeing Emilia turn away. His heart ached as he shook his head and shrugged his shoulder, knowing well that in the end, she would have no choice but to come running and hug him. "Boss, is the work done?" The police officer, stationed in his car, questioned Damien as he climbed into the backseat. "Yes, and this thing works, right?" Damien entered, closed the door, and glanced in the officer''s direction. "Of course, Boss, they are not called Joke Ball pens or disappearing inks for nothing, trust me," the officer informed about the pen he had provided the man seated in the back, which was known for having their ink disappear over time, applying a simple scientific method of ink composition breaking due to humidity. "Give me your phone," Damien tapped on the board separating both of the seats, causing the officer to provide his phone through the space between them. Damien further inquired, "Have you brought shovels too?" "Yes, Boss, they are in the back," the man seated in the driver''s seat informed, though feeling confused about why he was asked to arrange a shovel. But he wasn''t going to ask for reasons since it was against his work ethics. "Hm, let''s see," Damien opened the caller dial of the phone before starting to dial a number belonging to a particular board director who was considered the left hand of Gabriel Blake. He had remembered these numbers from the time he had purchased the shares of this company. Before the call could connect, he ordered, "Take us to highway number NH-972." The motivation behind memorizing phone numbers was straightforward: It''s essential to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. :: H-hello :: [ ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? -- ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ] "Hello Jonathan, your rival has just gotten Damien Raphael to give most of his shares to her," Damien informed on the phone with a grin as the car started to move, his eyes glancing in the direction of the house, which was currently empty except for Emilia since her mother had rushed out somewhere. :: Wait, is that why she called a meeting this late at night? :: ''Ah, mother-in-law, you seem too enthusiastic,'' Damien couldn''t help but notice how, as he came down the stairs, he didn''t notice her presence, but now it came out that she had gone directly to the company and called all of the board members this late at night. Not that it was unexpected from a woman who was cunning and hardworking, but she was old, and Damien, as a son-in-law, wanted nothing but to have her take some rest. :: But who are you? :: "Me? It''s Amelia, but does it matter? Shouldn''t you be thinking about how dangerous it could be after you lost Gabriel tonight?" Damien, placing one hand on the nearby window, glanced at the passing area, his head resting on his knuckles while with his other swollen hand he held the phone, which went silent for a moment before receiving another response. :: Hey, bitch, why should I believe you? :: "Hm, nice title, but whatever. Maybe you don''t know, but Emilia Blake has engaged with Damien Raphael and in exchange, Damien returned all the shares," Damien, whose voice had become womanly, replied while foreseeing things that were needed to be placed in a format where at the end of the path, everything would align to his interest. :: Is she correct? :: ''At least see the news, dumbass,'' Damien felt his mouth twitch due to the stupidity of this Jonathan who had not even watched the news. Damien had given money to so many reporters just so that they could report about him getting engaged to Emilia Blake since mostly everyone was unaware of this engagement due to it being announced just a few days ago. He paid all those reporters, showing how Amelia Crimwell was on the bad side with Damien Raphael and his fianc¨¦, and even after that much publicity, this goon didn''t even watch the news. :: Damn it! How dare that old hag try to act smart! :: ''Hmm, at least his sidekick watches the news,'' Damien kept tapping his feet, feeling how hard it was to deal with stupid people who didn''t act the way they should. "She has left for the company; right now, she should be on highway number NH-972," Damien informed as his car slowly turned towards the same highway. :: She is dead! Fuck, call our men..... :: With those words, the call got disconnected, causing Damien to roll his eyes before sighing, seeing how Emilia would be saddened, but he wanted to help his mother-in-law get together with her husband. Was he evil for doing that? "Boss, when will I receive my payment?" The officer, seated in the front, who was of short height, inquired after hearing how the man in the back just talked like a woman. He had heard everything and could at least understand that a few moments ago, the black sedan he saw was most likely going to be in some accident. Though he didn''t have complete knowledge about the situation, his phone''s microphone was loud enough for him to hear everything and calculate the things. "How about right now?" Damien placed the phone on the nearby seat, with his eyes turning towards the front seat, which was separated from the back one by a thin steel net wall acting as a protective layer. "Can you please turn the car to the side of the road?" "Huh? Yes," Prior to merging onto the highway, they were only ten meters from the primary lane, which was bordered by trees along the regular road. "You know why I chose you for these tasks?" Damien inquired with a soft smile while his one hand moved towards the nearby seat belt, lifting it and wrapping it around his palm, inquiring the officer who had a height of less than 4 feet, a thin physique, and was not popular among his gang due to being hardly suitable for any killings. Yes, he was a criminal working on particular money according to their client''s needs, and especially, his boss chose him among all the bulky men and even promised ten times more pay. He thought it would be a risky task, but in the end, it wasn''t much. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Isn''t it because I am swifter and sharper than those bulky bastards? Haha, right Boss¡ªKughgg?!!" Before the man could say something, a sharp force bound his neck before pulling his neck back with a force that seemed to break it at any moment, causing his eyes to turn red with saliva dripping as he felt the thing wrapped around his neck being a seat belt. "Aghh....B-boss...arghhh?!" "Nah, you see, I chose you because you will not be that heavy to bury somewhere," Damien calmly replied, with the moonlight making its way through the car''s window and falling over his body as both his hands clenched the seat belt''s ends, one leg placed on the front seat as he increased the force in his leg, tightening it to strangle the officer sooner. "Arrhhggg¡ªy-yo¡ªCRACK" Before the man could utter a word, his neck broke with a sharp crack, his eyes bulging and crimson as though they might pop from their sockets. Saliva pooled in his mouth while his nose ran, veins protruding from his face, all vividly illustrating the excruciating agony he experienced before succumbing to death. Chapter 34: 34- To Emilias heart (2) [ ???????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????, ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????. ] ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????. ] [ ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????? ] "Not now, let''s first deal with this," Damien said, giving a sharp tug to confirm whether the man was really dead. After all, taking risks in such scenarios could be dangerous, and since most people leave some evidence in such cases, he was cautious enough. "Sigh, how hectic," Damien loosened his grip as he leaned his head back on the back seat with a yawn, unable to help but feel bored due to all this hard work he had to do alone, without someone present to dirty their hands for him. But then again, to eliminate any eyewitness, he would have killed that person too, so it wasn''t worth having a sidekick. Damien didn''t even trust himself, let alone others. "Phew~, it''s a cold night." Damien opened the door before adjusting his suit and glancing in the direction from where they had arrived and then towards the highway. Due to this area being underdeveloped, there weren''t many vehicles passing on the road; mostly, a few were passing from the highway, providing a blind spot for Damien as he opened the front door of the car, looking at the sleeping officer who had finally gotten rest after so much work. Damien stretched his hand before taking out the body, which was lighter due to its small height, easily allowing him to carry the now-dead body before opening the back of the car where lay the shovel he had ordered this man to bring for his own burial. "I bet everyone would want an employer like me; after all, who would give his employees such eternal peace and rest, right, constellations?" . . . . . Vrooomm! On the asphalt, a black sedan sped along the highway, maintaining the speed limit. The woman behind the wheel, her expression cold and focused, kept her sharp eyes fixed on the road. ''I shouldn''t have left my daughter alone, but...'' she thought, a wave of guilt washing over her. But she knew she had to reach the company quickly; she had already notified all the board members to assemble as soon as possible. Time was of the essence, and she needed to take control of the situation to secure the company''s future. The sooner she could make a decision, the sooner she could turn things around. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''?!'' "STOP IT!, NOOOO!" She cried out as her eyes widened in shock as a truck suddenly veered into the wrong lane, barreling down the highway towards her. Panic surged through her as she slammed her foot on the brakes. The woman''s heart pounded in her chest as the car screeched, the tires screaming against the asphalt in a desperate attempt to stop. But it was too late. CRASH! The impact hit like a thunderclap. The truck collided with the sedan''s front, crumpling the metal like paper. The car spun wildly, the force of the collision lifting it off the ground. "Khuck!?" Her body lurched forward, restrained only by the seatbelt digging into her chest and shoulders. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel, eyes wide with terror as the world outside became a blur of metal and sky. Thud! "Argh!?" The car hit the ground, bouncing twice before sliding on its side across the asphalt. Sparks flew, the metal grinding against the road with a horrific screech. The airbag exploded, slamming into her face and chest with a dull thump, forcing the air from her lungs. "N-no..." Her head snapped to the side, a sharp pain shooting down her neck. Her vision blurred, the adrenaline numbing the agony spreading through her body. Blood trickled down her forehead, warm and sticky, as her breathing became ragged. Finally, the car came to a halt, resting on its side in a mangled mess. The sound of shattering glass, hissing steam, and the faint hum of the engine sputtering its last breath filled the silence that followed. The woman''s chest heaved as she struggled to stay conscious, her fingers trembling as they slipped from the steering wheel; only the last few words could make their way out, "S-om..hel.. "Should I kill her?" Two men jumped out of the truck, which had damage in front, before they swiftly moved towards the car, arriving there as they noticed the woman still breathing with a blood-drenched body. "Go take those papers, I will deal with her." With those words, the other man pulled a gun from his back, removing the safety lock as he pointed the gun at the woman who was still able to see things blurry. ''Is this it?'', The woman''s eyes were drenched in blood, and drops mixed with her tears as she saw herself facing the same fate as her husband. All her hard work to reclaim the legacy of her husband was brought to nothing as the man pulled his trigger. BANG! "KUGH! Run, it''s police!" Before the bullet could aim at its target, a police car collided directly with the man, throwing his body six feet away as he clenched his chest and stumbled toward the other side of the lane, following his comrade who, retrieving the papers, instantly leaped inside a black van. "Damn you bastards! How dare you harm Aunt!" Damien swiftly left the car while holding a phone whose display was lit and instantly sprinted toward the black sedan, which was soon engulfed in flames. As he arrived near it, he pulled the door open, crying, "Aunt! How did this happen?" ''D-Damien?'', the woman thought, not able to clearly see everything, but she could understand how the arrived car had just saved her life, causing her to burst into tears due to the pain shrouding her body, crying as she repeated, "H-he..lp." "Y-yes, instantly," Damien lunged forward inside as he opened the seatbelt, pulling the woman from the car, which soon blasted, but he covered the woman while slightly getting burned on his back, "Kughhh... A-are you alright?" "P-plea-se s-ave me," the woman pleaded as her life flashed in front of her eyes, clenching Damien''s collar to support her body while seeing how he had just saved her from the blast that could have killed her instantly. Overwhelmed by pain, she apologized, "I..-am sorr-y." Her mind replayed how she had disregarded his help, and now had reached the deathbed; right now, the most she wanted to do was apologize to him and request, "Pl-ease, ta-ke c-are of Emilia." "A-aunt!¡ª" Damien shouted as he struggled to lift the semi-conscious woman, a cold glint passing through his eyes before it vanished as he directed his gaze to the phone''s display, where a woman was depicted running, her eyes brimming with tears. The image of her wedding gown and red-rimmed eyes disappeared behind her anguished cries. "Mom! Damien! Save my mom....sob...Damien! Help her please!" Emilia cried out through the call, her voice breaking as she had been on video call with Damien a few moments ago, where he had just video called her, but now she was seeing everything falling apart like this. She once again repeated as through the camera of the phone she saw her mother''s state, "DAMIEN, PLEASE!" "Calm down, Emilia, I will not let anything happen to her." Damien slowly stood as he cut the call, where he could see the young woman on the other side broken into tears as she sprinted out of her house. Putting the phone into his pocket, he looked at the bloodied body of the unconscious woman, sighing as with a snicker, he tilted his head and wished, ''Hope you don''t miss your husband too much, Aunt; after all, Emilia would have no one except me to lean on if something happened to you.'' Chapter 35: Chapted 35- Hospital (1) ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ???????????????????????????????? - ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????. ???????????????????????? - ???? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????? ????????????. ????????????_???? - ???????????????? ????????????. ????????????????????????_???????????????? - ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????; ????''???????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????. ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ''How evil of them.'' Looking towards the few screens popped up around him, Damien felt pity for the innocent old woman who didn''t receive any from the constellations. "Excuse me, sir," suddenly interrupted the voice of a female receptionist standing on the other side of the desk where Damien stood while holding a paper mentioning the guarantee or affidavit he needed to sign holding documents like consent for treatment and responsibilities. "Yes, I will sign it," Damien nodded before taking out his pen. He calmly started to sign it slowly, appearing completely patient, except for the surrounding doctors who stood in panic, looking towards the bloodied body of a woman lying on a stretcher just near him, completely drenched in blood and wounds as if she needed urgent emergency treatment, yet this man was holding them from doing anything until he was done with the documentation. "W-we can start the treatment until you sign the document, Mr. Damien. She needs urgent treatment," one of the doctors, checking the woman''s heartbeat with a stethoscope, suggested as he observed the situation. He indicated that the man was following the procedures of the hospital, which was implemented in case of accidents where they obtained a warranty from the patients. If the person in question died, then it would not be the hospital''s responsibility. Until now, they had always heard patient relatives yelling at the hospital for not giving the patient urgent treatment but rather going through procedures. But this was the first time in such an emergency situation someone was strictly adhering to the procedure instead of allowing treatment to begin. "No, I respect the rules set by the hospital. I will go through the process, and of course, if something happens to the patient, this hospital will see hell," Damien signed the document and filled in the details about the accident and his relation to the patient while smiling. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His mind was calm and unhindered by the haggard breathing of the woman. Following the words of the constellations, he decided to give this woman a simple chance based on her own luck. If she was stubborn enough, then she would survive; otherwise, it would end here. In both cases, it was to his advantage: either he would use this woman or simply become a shoulder for Emilia to cry on. "M-MOM!....Haah...Haah.." Suddenly, a cry tore through the place, causing everyone to turn their eyes towards a woman who was gasping for breath, wearing a bright gown completely filled with dirt and dust as if she had run for miles. "N-no! Why is she outside? Mom!" Emilia cried out the moment her eyes settled on her bloodied mother lying on a stretcher surrounded by a few doctors, who seemed to be performing only vague treatment while Damien stood near the counter filling out documents. "Emilia? I am sorry; these doctors are not admitting her and are telling me to fill out the documents first," Damien looked at Emilia before turning his eyes away in defeat as he spoke in a defeated voice. This caused all the doctors who heard him to flinch as they broke into sweat, not understanding why they were being blamed when it was Damien himself who pressured them to first complete the process, which was applicable only to individuals of low status unlike Damien Raphael, who was known to everyone in Crampian City. Indeed, it was a standard process in these hospitals (a few corrupt rural area hospitals) to fill out the procedures and documents before admitting patients, regardless of their lives. But it wasn''t applicable to everyone, such as someone from the Raphael family. "Y-you monsters!...sob...My m-mom! Take her inside now!" Emilia''s eyes, already red and exhausted from tears all the way here, became heavy, and she struggled to control herself from losing consciousness due to all the accumulated fatigue of running a distance and then taking a taxi to arrive here. Before she could finish her words, her body lurched forward, and with her eyes becoming heavy, focusing only on her mother''s bloodied body, she collapsed toward the floor, "M-mom..." ''?!'' "I signed the papers. Can you all take that woman inside now?" Suddenly, Damien''s voice caused the few people present, including doctors and receptionists, to widen their eyes as they felt as if they were witnessing an illusion. Because the door and the desk were at least 10 meters apart. Yet, somehow, they saw Damien holding the woman who had just fallen to the floor, losing consciousness in that dirty state¡ªtattered white dress, messed-up hair, tear-stained face, reddened eyes, and barely standing body. "Y-yes, right away! Let''s move!" Coming out of their dilemma was the cold gaze from Damien, who held Emilia right now, making the doctors forget that he had just approximately teleported from one place to another as they moved swiftly, taking the woman who was somehow still alive, as if battling to live for another moment, into the ICU. ''....this idiot,'' As the doctors disappeared inside the emergency room, Damien glanced at Emilia''s feet, where blood was oozing with a few pebbles still embedded in her flesh, showing the state she was in without realizing the pain inflicted on her, as her only goal was to reach her mother. But seeing her state at least made him aware of how much she cared for and loved her mother, which was definitely a good thing for him. Since now he could save her mother while using both of them against each other to keep them in check and control as he desired. [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????? ] inquired the system, which suggested using one of the three rewards he had gotten from his encounter with Edward. ''....'' Damien kept looking at Emilia, who was exhausted beyond her limits. He observed her face, completely messed up due to tears and dirt, as if she had fallen on the road while making her way here. He waited to analyze if using a reward like that on her could be profitable since having sympathy for her would not yield results, after all; he had a separate personal life and business life, and right now, he was focused on the job, finally replying, ''No'' Chapter 36: 36 - Hospital (2) :: Your Mom Died Emilia :: "NO!!" Suddenly, Emilia''s body lurched forward as she was pulled out of the nightmare, causing her to gasp for breath. She quickly turned her eyes around to meet the white marble walls, blue curtains, and various pieces of equipment, revealing that she was in a hospital room. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Where am I¡ª?! No, my mother!" Due to her sudden awakening, she couldn''t recall things immediately, but the memories of seeing her mother''s bloodied body assaulted her mind, prompting her to swiftly try to stand from the bed. "Stop there, you idiot. You will harm yourself," a voice came, and she felt a hand holding her shoulder, stopping her from standing. She looked up to see a man whose deep black eyes met hers. She blinked blankly at him before a small tear rolled down her cheek. "Are you a child?" Seizing the moment, Damien reached out with one hand to gently wipe away a tear from her cheek before placing his palm behind her head to pull her into a warm embrace. He held her close, her face nestled against his abdomen. Her eyes widened in surprise before she eventually broke into tears. "Sniff... sob... D-Damien." "Sigh, what luck I have. How did I marry a crybaby?" Damien teased, feeling her hiccups and sobs as he gently ruffled his hand over her hair, trying to calm her as he glanced down. "My mothe-r, Damien... sob," Emilia''s voice broke in between, overwhelmed by all the heart-wrenching thoughts filling her mind about what might happen to her mother, who was her sole support. "She is out of danger; the doctors are looking after her," Damien informed her, knowing that her cries might seem immature for an adult, but the pain and agony in her voice could only be understood by someone who had lost someone beloved. For Damien, human emotions were something he had seen and experienced often. He learned that when a person reaches the limit of their pain, they forget to care about their appearance and express their emotions without regard for what others might think. "Pl-please, she is the only one I have! Save her, p-please... sob," Emilia cried, her hand clutching the back of Damien''s suit as she felt heartbroken by all the thoughts overwhelming her mind. "Cry one more time, and I will leave," Damien stated clearly, realizing she needed to calm down instead of being consumed by her emotions. He understood it was crucial to plant some seeds now while she was most vulnerable. However, if she didn''t listen to him, how could he achieve that? "Sorry¡ª" Emilia said, pursing her lips while tightening her grip on him, feeling a desperate need for emotional support. Before she felt a gentle tug on her hair, her eyes were firmly closed; upon opening them, she found herself gazing at Damien''s face. "Have you seen your state? You look like a drunk bumpkin bathed in mud," Damien chuckled, using his other hand to nudge her nose, which had some dust marks. Since she had lost consciousness, he had brought her into one of the hospital rooms, where nurses had provided some first aid. "And here you are, hugging this muddy bumpkin, you mentalman," Emilia protested, feeling the warmth and firmness of his abdomen, clear enough for her to guess he had a well-built physique. But she knew his brain was rotten. Even right now, she knew something evil and lecherous must be going through his mind, but somehow, she didn''t want to part from him. "Hm, then how about we get rid of your mud first, and I will show you how much of a gentleman I am?" With a teasing smile, Damien let his hand travel down from her hair, lightly tracing from her forehead to her nose, brushing over her lips as he lifted her chin to connect their faces. "H-how?" Emilia inquired, her concerns about her mother''s health still weighing heavily on her mind. But in that moment, as she looked at the face that had captivated her during her college days, she found herself entranced. She remained still, barely blinking, trying to commit that visage to memory¡ªdefined jawline, perfectly proportioned nose, deep-set eyes, and impeccable complexion. She noticed the gentle strength of his fingers supporting her chin. "Let''s bathe together." Without giving her a chance to react, Damien moved closer, watching as her face turned a deep shade of red and her lips trembled, struggling to articulate her thoughts. In one fluid motion, he slid one hand around her shoulder and the other between her legs, lifting her into a Princess Carry. ''!??'' "Whaaat! D-Damien?! Wait, wait, give me time!" Emilia fought back, her hands pressing against his chest as she attempted to push him away. But it was too late; he had already lifted her off the bed. With no support beneath her, her hand instinctively clutched his collar. She tried to voice her plea, but he turned away, heading toward the nearby bathroom, ignoring her desperate words as she was mercilessly taken with him. "Mom! Help me!" In the end, the most the innocent woman could do was yell for help from her mother, her only protector. Yet, deep down, Emilia knew she was not giving her best to resist, as if her body wanted to go along with this man. "I promise I will leave you if you call my name instead of your mother," Damien snickered as he opened the bathroom door, clear in his intent to seize this opportunity without a second thought to retreat today. "Fine! Damien! Help me!" Emilia, wanting to play along since she knew no one was coming to rescue her, yelled as she lifted her face and cried loudly near his ears to annoy him. Unfortunately for her, he glanced at her and, in a hushed voice, softly said, "Of course, I''m going to thoroughly inspect your body and then help you, Emilia," before playfully nibbling on her flushed red ear with a light bite. "IEEKKK~!?" Chapter 37: 37- Sleeping dragon "Haah.... Haah, W-we are at hospital.", Emilia gasped as the water from the nearby shower poured down, soaking her completely and making it difficult for her to catch her breath. Her back pressed against the cold marble wall, she stared at the man only inches away from her, cornering her near the shower and leaving her with no escape. "Isn''t it good then? We will not have to care about birth pill."Damien wore a sly grin as he leaned in closer, feeling her warm breath against his skin. The water continued to drench him, and with one hand pressing against the wall, he trapped Emilia in the corner. He lay there, utterly exposed, showcasing his well-defined physique. thump thump ''Ohh god'', Emilia''s heart raced as she glanced ahead, her line of sight dropping due to their height difference, and she was greeted by the sight of him completely unclothed, showcasing his chiseled physique and the sizable lump of flesh between his legs. Her heart raced wildly, pounding against her chest as she crossed her arms protectively over her body. She was desperate to keep her clothes safe from the man who after entering the bathroom had immediately stripped off his black suit, declaring that his attire could get wet, and was now intent on unbuttoning her garments too. In a frantic attempt to flee, she found herself cornered, with no way out. ''I-it''s unlike those videos'', The only relieving thing in all this was that, unlike her expectations, where she always wondered how a long thing like those possessed by porn actors could even fit inside the small space of a woman but she didn''t need to fear this in the case of Damien, whose size was slightly longer than her middle finger. Of course, she isn''t some naive maiden who doesn''t even know what sex is, but she has already seen intimacy in porn videos and read everything about reproduction. She at least knew how the first time hurts due to hymen tearing and about how that thing penetrates inside. However, theoretical knowledge is different than practical and right now she was just relieved that in case something happened the pain will not be intense. When it comes to size, let''s just say this guy''s got the confidence of a lion but the equipment of a little mouse! "Fu fu fu~," Emilia smirked, avoiding his gaze as amusement bubbled within her at this man who had persistently harassed her¡ªpressuring her to sit on his lap and trying to grope her chest. It now became clear that his aggressive demeanor was just a disguise to mask his average-sized penis while attempting to assert his masculinity. ''What with that smirk?'' With raised eyebrows, Damien questioned her intentions, noticing Emilia''s playful smirk that suggested she looked down upon him. As he followed her line of sight, he discovered she was gazing at his sleeping dragon, which seemed to be approximately 5 inches long (*without erection). This prompted him to snicker and say, "Aren''t you a pervert, Emilia?" "Huh? Wh-what pervert!?" With a yell, Emilia lifted her eyes to glare at him, but her expression changed to one of surprise the moment he claimed her lips, giving her no time to react as he pulled her body into his."Mphhh~!?" "L...eave... m..e" Emilia attempted to push him away by placing her hands on his chest, but instead ended up in his embrace. His arms secured her against him, holding her firmly as he kissed her deeply. This felt different from before; where he had been exploring her body, now his sole focus was on her lips. Emilia quickly realized that if she remained passive, she would again gwt herself molested by this man. Her instinct kicked in, and her tongue resisted, yet in the midst of this struggle, her lips unintentionally parted, allowing his tongue¡ªcoarse, stiff, and slightly slippery¡ªto clash with hers in a fierce confrontation. The struggle was fierce, with each side steadfastly defending their territory. Yet, Emilia''s choice to open the gates for a face-off against the adversary turned out to be her greatest blunder. Little did she know that the enemy possessed substantial experience, skillfully maneuvering his tongue past hers before striking from behind and twisting it in a flash. In that moment, an unexpected reinforcer swooped in, creating a powerful suction that pulled her tongue into the enemy''s grasp. ''?!'' ''Help me!'', All she could do was internally scream for assistance the instant she felt her tongue being pulled away, the last remnant of comfort she had. Just then, the grip on her back loosened as Damien withdrew, tugging at her lips along the way. ''Wh-what''s touching my leg?'' To her growing distress, she could feel him wedging her numbing leg between his own, attempting to grind his hips against her thighs. She could feel something firm pushing upward, steadily expanding. He continued to shift and rub his groin against her bridal gown, which clung to her skin because of its sheer fabric and was soaked in water, sliding higher with each movement. "Muwaaah...Haah Haah, it tasted like vanilla? Did you ate that pudding Emilia?", With a playful grin, Damien retreated while tugging her tongue along with him before settling his gaze on Emilia as her legs buckled, causing her to sink slowly to the ground, propped against the wall. She looked up at him, a teasing glimmer in her eyes. With a bold lick of his tongue, he cast her a roguish and lecherous glance. "Y-you are gross.", Emilia struggled to find her words, her mouth saturated with his saliva, as the image of him drawing her tongue into his mouth triggered a series of unsettling sensations throughout her body, reminding her of how repulsive he could be. After all, she had seen French kisses in several movies, but sucking someone''s tongue was extraordinarily gross. "So what? Do you expect me to get a blowjob with that dry lips? Don''t kid me", Damien raised an eyebrow, looking at the woman who had finally hit the ground, her back propped against the wall and her head tilted towards him. Her eyes widened the moment she heard his voice. "B-Blowjob? Bastard, How....!?!" Emilia gazed at his face, attempting to decipher his words as she silently cursed this vile man who was taking advantage of her. Her eyes eventually drifted downward, but they widened in shock when something thick, warm, and hard made contact with her cheeks. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She quickly focused on the brownish skin adorned with vines, which now appeared as a distinctly different mass of flesh than what she had just observed moments before. "WHAT IS THIS!" With a frantic yell, she instinctively swung her hand to swat away what had unexpectedly touched her face. SLAP However, before she could land her slap, that hard object quickly struck her cheek instead, as Damien made a slight hip swing to execute a counterattack before Emilia could react. "Kyaaa~!?" ''....it must have hurt'', Damien had a fleeting thought of teasing her by swaying his hips to let his shaft brush her cheeks. However, considering its erected size¡ªaround 8 inches¡ªand its considerable thickness and weight, he realized it must have struck her with some force. Seeing her eyes glistening with tears, even amid the shower downpour that soaked them both, made him feel guilty. he sighed "Are you okay, Emilia?" However, even before he finished speaking, she caught her own murmurs as tears streamed down her face and her gaze shifted away from him. "...Whaayy...bi..g?" "What?" As Damien knelt down to Emilia''s level, he gently lifted her chin to bring her face closer to his. With wide, pleading eyes, she gazed at him, making her feel a bit deceived. She responded by raising her hand and gesturing around five inches with her fingers, emphasizing her point. "Where did that tiny one go? Let me go; I am not taking that cucumber inside me!" Frustrated, Emilia cried out, sensing the injustice of it all as she faced the harsh reality of losing her innocence to something so massive, as thick as her wrist. "...." Chapter 38: 38- Bathroom scene ''....'' Seated, Damien looked at Emilia, who was kneeling and had turned her face away, hiding it behind her hand. As he observed her, he couldn''t help but wonder to himself, ''Has it still not activated?'' [ No, I am trying to get a subquest, but it seems hard to trigger without a crucial event. ] A robotic voice emerged from the system, detailing the essential steps required to establish a subquest. This was the primary reason Damien urged Emilia to reach this stage, despite being aware that it might jeopardize the considerable effort he had invested in rescuing her mother to boost her favorability. ''A difficult task?'', Damien couldn''t help but glance at Emilia, feeling a twinge of disappointment that he hadn''t managed to trigger any new subquest related to her. Despite having already received two quests from her¡ªone where he needed to have her behave like a supporting character and the other aimed at making her regret her choice to kill him¡ªit seemed increasingly difficult to activate another subquest from his end. "Why has it become so big!" Emilia thought about how thick and bulging his dick was, and the way her eyes still lingered on those nerves and veins made her want to scream, all while trying to curl up to protect herself from this beast. "What? Have you not heard about erect¡ªHey Emilia, have you ever dated someone?" Damien raised his brow, feeling confused due to her antics, but suddenly realizing something, he inquired as he stretched his hand to pull hers and look into her eyes. "Eh? A b-boyfriend?" Emilia looked at him as her eyes blinked before she pursed her lips and furrowed her chin as she remembered her past, where she always tried to focus on her studies to help her mother, while due to her crush on this second-generation rich guy, who was once her senior, she never dated anyone. "What? Really?" With a smirk, Damien stood up, and Emilia just kept staring at him, her eyes quivering as he combed his wet hair back with his fingers. The shadow of his dick''s outline hovered over her, and her tear-filled eyes along with those moist lips made for an enticing sight. ''Uwah?!'' For a fleeting moment, Emilia found herself entranced by his irresistibly handsome features. But as the shadow loomed over her, her gaze dropped, revealing the impressive length and thickness of his shaft poised above her. A shiver ran through her lips, quaking with a mix of fear. "Pfft, hey, I will not force you, now get up." With a chuckle, Damien reached out his hand to Emilia, his gaze warm and inviting. Emilia felt a flicker of self-doubt for an instant. Yet, her hand gradually lifted to grasp his as she got to her feet. She stammered, "Th-thank you." "Just kidding!" Damien flashed a grin and yanked his hand away fast, causing Emilia''s outstretched hand to comically land on his erected dick. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "IEEEKK~?!" As soon as her fingers brushed against his dick, she pulled back in shock, realizing she''d fallen into this devil''s trap. But luck wasn''t on her side, as Damien quickly grabbed her hand, holding it right above his shaft. "Whaaaaatt! Leave, you bastard!" Emilia''s entire body tingled as if struck by lightning. When the sensation from her palm reached her brain, it revealed an unmistakable recognition of holding something¡ªrigid, yielding, laced with veins, and substantial. In that instant, her mind screamed that it was his dick she grasped or, more accurately, was compelled to grasp as Damien''s hand firmly enveloped hers over it. "Do you hate it?" With a slight tilt of his head, Damien inquired, his expression filled with sorrow and defeat as he gazed at Emilia, truly affected by her words that made him feel like a villain among them. "I-I?" For a brief instant, Emilia experienced a pang of realization, acknowledging that she had acted without pressure towards him on multiple occasions, despite the fact that he had saved her mother today. However, feeling a twinge of remorse, she lowered her eyes, only to quickly lift them again and unleash a fierce cry, "Pervert, Stop moving my hand!" Emilia can''t fathom whether this man was really the incarnation of some devil, as he was acting hurt and sorrowful with his face while his hand kept making her stroke his dick all the while he talked with her. "Hmm...Your hand is really soft Emilia, Ahh...just more pressure", Damien didn''t pay any attention to what she was saying; he just tightened his grip and kept using Emilia''s cold hand, the one that got chilly from the shower water, to stroke himself, loving the way it teased her and enjoying both carnal pleasure and her flustered face. "Ewww?! That''s enough of you, rascal! Let go!" Emilia cried once again as she could clearly feel the sensation of his erection throbbing under the strokes of her hand. It was her first time experiencing something like this, even though she had seen it in porn videos. "Fine, let''s go or we will catch the flu," Damien loosened his grip, allowing Emilia to easily retract her hand as she held her wrist, looking towards her palm while dancing back from the man who, somehow unexpectedly, retreated and showed a human side for the first time. "Y-yes, now you are talki¡ªkyaa~!?¡ªstop now!" Emilia, believing she had made a grown-up choice, nodded in agreement but was caught off guard when he swept her up in a princess carry. As he exited the bathroom in his bare skin, without bothering to dress, it was evident he had other intentions. This prompted her to scream, "This is a hospital, you idiot! What if someone came?!" "It''s midnight, Emilia, and I specifically arranged for them to allow us a soundproof room," Damien stepped out of the bathroom and strolled over to the bed in the room. The mirror nearby showed off his well-defined muscles and strong physique, and he was sporting a proud erection. With both hands occupied carrying a woman in a bridal gown, he gently set her down on the bed, adding, "It''s our wedding''s first night, Emilia. Shouldn''t you show your love for me?" Chapter 39: 39- Huh?! "No! That marriage will not be counted," Emilia reclined on the bed, clutching the pillow behind her as she confronted the man who had just thrown her there, yelling and striving to escape this moment. "Fine, but at least change your clothes; you are wet," Damien said, ruffling his hair. He reminded the woman that she was wet and the night was cold, and there was a chance she could catch the flu. "Shut up! I know you will pounce on me the moment I remove my clothes!" Emilia, not the least bit willing to believe this man''s nonchalant attitude, knew he was just waiting for her to fall into his trap. And true to her suspicion, a curve formed on Damien''s face, which soon turned into a deadly grin as he muttered, "It''s the first night of our marriage, and you already understand this much about me?" "Hmph, now go away, shoo~~ shoo~~," she plopped down on the bed, folded her arms, and pouted, then gestured with her hand as if she were telling a dog to get lost. "Hah? Why do you hate me this much, Emilia?" Damien shook his head before sitting on the bed, folding his hands, and glancing towards the woman who was mistreating him and cursing him all the time. "What? You ask why? If any woman, after being forced to marry someone she met for the first time and then getting sexually molested several times, would still hug you and love you, do you think this is some brain-dead adult web novel?!" Emilia yelled at the man who had mistreated her from the very beginning while not caring about her feelings at all. Most likely, she would have accepted him as her life partner if not for his behavior, which was just trying to use her or treat her like a tool all this time, only because she didn''t have any option and also had a crush on this man. But curse her luck! Just as normally teenagers fall in love with or get obsessed over idols or models, who in truth, unlike on the screen, go around sleeping with producers and directors, she had only seen one side of this second-generation heir, who in truth was a clear playboy. "I see, but didn''t you have a crush on me?" Damien scratched his chin and nodded thoughtfully before asking, deliberately seeking an opening to confront her, yet consciously avoiding any impression of aggression. "Wh-what crush? I was a child at that time!" With a deep blush spreading across her face, Emilia looked down, recalling the time when she had been in love with him. "What? You label me a pervert, yet you too made a mistake by falling for a stranger when you were a child?" Damien narrowed one eye at Emilia, giving her a critical glance as he shrugged his shoulders. "I-I meant, I was immature and naive." Emilia''s lips twitched upon hearing Damien provoking her to give him a punch, but she held it in, knowing he would dodge it and just once again start molesting her. "Do you hate me, Emilia?" Damien looked forward before glancing at Emilia, inquiring to know her opinion, even though he was already aware of her favorability stats through the system. "Yes," Emilia responded candidly, directing her gaze at Damien, who, in her perspective, was merely pretending to be defeated. With a feigned look of submission, he rose and climbed onto the bed, prompting her to stammer, "W-wait, what do you think you''re doing?!" "Rest assured, I just want to sleep here," Damien already seeing how Emilia was not being true to herself while trying to act, felt like providing her a little push. "N-no, I don''t believe you?!" Emilia instantly stood from the bed, running away towards the corner of the room, far away from the bed as Damien lied on it with his back toward the bed while his erect shaft pointed toward the ceiling. "Cough! Sigh, I will just take a nap," Damien coughed as he placed one hand above his head, which was bandaged due to his injuries, something Emilia clearly noticed. ''What is he doing? Does he want to get cold?!'' Emilia, in contrast, was damp but quickly grabbed a blanket from the vicinity and wrapped it around herself. However, upon noticing Damien sprawled on the bed entirely unclothed, clutching the first aid bandages she had prepared, her self-esteem took a hit, especially since it was because of him that her mother remained safe. She remarked,"Damien, wear something at least or you will get sick." "We''re not a couple, Emilia, and after being rejected by the Raphael family, it feels like my health is the least of anyone''s concerns." In desperation, Damien leaned into his sob story, showcasing just how pitiful and fragile he truly was. "Keep up your lies for another time, at least wear some clothes," Emilia, hearing Damien''s latest fabrication about being expelled from the Raphael family, attempted to persuade him to put on some clothes instead of continuing with his lies. "Not gonna do it. Why does it matter to you if I get cold?" Damien personally believed this approach was futile, yet with no alternatives, he continued the melodrama, yearning for even the slightest opportunity. "You are stubborn, at least take this," Emilia rubbed her forehead before taking a blanket from the table and approached the bed. Opening the blanket, she tried to cover Damien, "Kyaaa~!" "Hug me, it''s cold," but Damien, finding this chance, directly pulled her into his embrace, not caring if she was wet, as he twisted her body and came above her. "Wh-what hug is this?!" Emilia instantly saw the world turning upside down before finding herself in front of Damien while her face was towards the ceiling. Before she could lift herself, she caught his erect dick just near her abdomen; a slight movement down and it would reach her puffy vulva. "I am entering now, Emilia," Damien declared as, without giving her the chance, he directly pushed his body closer, causing his dick to slide between her legs. "HNGHH~?!" sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 40: 40 - A Smart Tool "HNGHH~?!" "It''s inside! It''s inside!" Screams erupted from Emilia as her fingers clawed at Damien''s back, creating raised marks while tears glistened in her eyes. Her legs shook uncontrollably, trying to break free from the bed, but they were trapped by Damien''s feet. "Shut up, idiot, I just parked it", When Damien observed Emilia''s exaggerated behavior, he head-butted her. He had positioned his throbbing shaft between her legs, steering clear of any penetration, wishing to hold her tight without barriers¡ªhis member getting in the way of their hug¡ªhis mouth quivering from her dramatic performance. "P-parked! It''s pressing against me!" Currently, Emilia is unconcerned about the technicalities of whether it was truly inside her. The intense sensation of something solid and cucumber-sized pressing and throbbing against her lower body was more than sufficient to leave her feeling uncomfortable. "Say one more time and I will enter you", Damien shut his eyes, using his body weight to shift sideways while embracing Emilia. His legs intertwined with hers as he wrapped his arms around her, then buried his face in her hair, which was conveniently close due to their height difference. "W-wait, I will not say anything", Emilia shuddered as her lips instinctively accepted this man''s words, allowing him to take control while she clung to him tightly. Her embrace wasn''t driven by affection, but by the fear of him escaping and the potential for him to pounce on her. She was determined not to let him slip away. "Hey, Emilia", Damien murmured as he inhaled deeply, appreciating the subtle scent of her hair, which carried a delicate fragrance. To him, it seemed more like a natural essence rather than anything artificial like perfume or cologne. "Wh-what?", As soon as she heard him mention her, she instinctively tightened her hold, wondering if he had reconsidered and might actually do something with her. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "...You will be delicious to eat." Damien softly murmured as he pressed his nose against her scalp, gently caressing her dark hair. "Huh?" Emilia was struck by lightning, her face becoming pale with her eyes only blinking as her body was wrapped around by Damien. Her mind was still processing the fact that this man had just called her delicious, making her doubts and suspicions about him being some devil even more true. Damien, not letting her say other words, he continued as his hand slowly moved upward before gripping the chain of her bridal dress from behind as he started to slowly slid it down. While to hide it from her, he kept whispering some words to make her mind busy, he whispered,"You are warm to hug, soft to touch, and have an alluring aroma coming out of you...." "So, tell me Emilia" Damien continued to murmur as he stealthily unhooked the chain of her dress, unnoticed by her. His hand moved inside, gliding over her tender skin, which felt comfortably warm against the wetness of her clothing,"...Aren''t you just a delicacy?" thump thump When he called her delicious, her heartbeat seemed to stop, especially with her face so close to his chest. Even while hearing his heartbeat, her own thudded fiercely, as though his words had landed a surprising blow, flushing her cheeks bright red and causing her previously tight grip to relax. She tilted her head up to meet the mischievous glint in his eyes and inquired, "Wh-why are you doing this to me?" As she sensed her sanity slipping away under the weight of his relentless flirting, which made it all too clear he was interested solely in her body, she bravely questioned him, gazing at that strikingly handsome face that resembled nothing more than a devil luring her into darkness."You don''t truly love me; it seems like you''re merely pretending to care so you can exploit me before tossing me aside. Please, Damien, don''t do this." "....you are at least smart enough," Damien''s eyes widened for a moment before relaxing as he noticed the tear-filled eyes of Emilia, who looked at him with an unfair gaze, feeling completely shattered due to his continuous trials. He was also surprised knowing that she at least knew he was trying to use her for his own benefit. "You can just find another heart to break; why me?" Emilia watched him smile and tightened her jaw, recognizing he resembled nothing of the heartless devil she expected. When she bit her lips again, she was engulfed by feelings of helplessness, both mentally and physically. After her father''s death, she witnessed her mother''s struggles, which made Emilia try to remain strong, work hard, study, and be a help to her mother. While ignoring everything a young woman like her might do, from socializing with the opposite gender to falling in love, and even giving time to develop any romantic feelings, she entered her first year of university and encountered a senior renowned as the heir of the Raphael Group. It wasn''t love at first sight; she didn''t fall for how handsome he was or for his status, but rather for the way he acted differently from most of the second-generation heirs who developed egos or pride. This is what made her develop a crush on him. And after three years when he came back into her life, it appeared as if he was savoring every moment while showing how cruelly he was playing with her heart. She hated him for treating her as a tool, but she felt helpless due to his continuous attempts to make her fall for him. "Haah? Isn''t it because you are better than the others, Emilia? Or why would I want you this badly, huh?" With a mischievous grin, Damien''s pitch-black eyes met Emilia''s, causing her to gasp in surprise as she nervously bit her lips. Her face twisted in frustration as she reached out, pressing her hands against his chest in an attempt to shove him away. However, Damien merely halted her push after she barely managed to move him half a hand''s breadth. She glared back at him, her eyes igniting with anger, desperate to grasp his true intentions rather than enduring heartbreak and falling for someone who could never reciprocate her feelings, as she yelled, "Just tell me, Damien, what you want and stop making me truly fall in love with you!" With those words, she lunged forward with her hand clasping his face and, on her own initiative, pressed her lips against him in a kiss. "Mmphhh....t..ell... me.. ...amn it!" Chapter 41: * 41 - You are inexperienced, Damien! ''What?'', Damien was stunned when he saw Emilia grasping his face, pulling him into a kiss. At that moment, their lips merely touched, but gradually, Damien eased into the embrace. His hand slipped beneath her dress, gliding down her smooth skin and feeling each curve along her spine. She was unaware of his movements until his hand reached the delicate curve between her buttocks, his middle finger pressing gently against her rosebud. "Angh!", Emilia''s eyes grew wide as she sensed his finger pressing against her tiny spot, having already slipped in a small millimeter. She attempted to pull away from the kiss, but Damien shifted his weight, twisting his body to hover over her, his hand still positioned at the back of her dress, above her forbidden area. "Remember you were the one who asked me to tell what I want;" Ignoring her stunned expression and widened eyes, he took hold of both her hands with one hand and positioned them above her head on the bed. Meanwhile, his other hand began caressing her rosebud. To stifle her whimper, he kissed her deeply, entering her mouth with his tongue as she attempted to cry out. Positioned above her, he enveloped her entirely, applying his weight as he pressed down. One hand was tucked inside her dress, while his palm rested on the gentle curve of her spine, situated between her rounded rear buns that continually pressed against his hand, with the blanket thrown aside. "Ahn... Nnhn....", Her soft whimpers and subdued moans were silenced by his kiss, all while he held her retaliating hand tightly in his grasp. He felt the warmth of her supple body pressed against him, trapped between his weight and his hands. His touch was unyielding as he explored her Rosebud, which quivered under his caress. She was clearly sandwiched between his body and his hand. ''No, no, no, what is he doing, not that place!'', Emilia''s eyes were widened as her legs were the only thing which could flail or try to retaliate. But it all felt futile due to weight of this man and his strength which seemed as if playing with her. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''He is inexperienced!'', She can''t understand why he wasn''t doing it the way it was shown in the porn videos, where they used foreplay and then started getting intimate. But it was completely different from anything she had seen before. It was just gross and, at the same time, something new to her. First, in a kiss, he sucked her tongue, and now, while kissing her and holding her down, his other hand was trying to play with her little hole, while her body was trembling and lower muscles were twitching. She had never encountered or heard about anything like this in those adult films! "Mphh... slurp... surrender.... ", Damien could clearly feel that his body was completely submerged in softness. It was a sensation that could be considered otherworldly; despite his physique, which was firm enough, it felt as if he were pressed against a soft cushion that was warm and alluring. While his hand, trapped beneath her body weight, was continuously struggling to survive due to the hydraulic-like force of her buns twitching to protect her, Conversely, her teasing Rosebud was stimulating him. His dick remained nestled between her legs, but the increasingly constricted space made it difficult for him to stay there. As he watched her legs move slowly, he raised his hips to create some room, which caused his erection to press against her lower region, still shielded by her bridal gown. "Hah...! Ahn....! no...!", As he pulled away from her lips, glistening and resembling dew-kissed rose petals, he could hear her loud moans while continuing to caress her delicate rosebud. "Now that I noticed, Emilia, you really have a beautiful voice?", Damien smiled, his gaze mirroring her astonished face¡ªlips parted in a gasp, her breath forming a delicate mist as her tongue pressed aside to allow for it. Her eyes widened, rolled back as if struck by a surge of passion¡ªhe intensified the pressure of his hand, wanting to see her face and hear that melodious, rhythmic voice even more clearly. "HIEKK~!?" In a heartbeat, Emilia''s eyes grew wide as she felt his finger penetrate her forbidden region. The lack of lubrication made the intrusion harsh, scraping against the delicate lining of her anus and sending waves of sharp pain coursing through her thoughts," S-stop! It hurts! This isn''t the right way!" She cried out, feeling that this man was really an idiot, not understanding that this isn''t the way how it should be done. Realizing that he don''t even know how to kiss, nor do know which hole is for sex. "Emilia, trust me, this is the right way. Let me tell you a secret.", Damien could unmistakably sense the intense heat emanating from her body as his finger penetrated deeper inside her anus, which gripped him tightly, almost as if it were crushing his bones. Yet, the supple inner walls provided a contrasting sensation, making him feel as if he were nestled within soft cushions rather than experiencing a hydraulic press. He leaned closer to her ear before whispering her universal truth," In the desert, a thirsty man values a single drop of water, while a hungry person delights in basic food. This highlights how suffering makes rewards sweeter. Endure the pain, Emilia, and you will appreciate the ecstasy that accompanies this pain." "MNGH~!!! Haanh...! N-no....!" Emilia moaned softly, flinching from the pain, unable to grasp the nonsense this man was spewing, completely oblivious to the reality of intimacy, which made her realize that, no matter what, she would never accept this gross experience and even think of doing this again with this bad guy, causing her to yell,"Just do whatever you want, but I''m sure you don''t know how to have sex!" Chapter 42: * 42: Rabbits? "Oh, you are one to talk, Emilia", Damien laughed softly as he maneuvered his body once more to bring her closer, gently withdrawing his fingers from her little hole which felt like suction, while tracing a slow path up her spine, which trembled with each movement, until he grasped the hem of her dress. "Hahh... Hahn... enjoy your mockery as much as you want.", Emilia, breathless and still feeling the echoes of discomfort in her forbidden area, exhaled deeply as he removed his finger. Though the pressure had lessened with his weight being lifted, he continued to grip her hand tightly, not allowing her any freedom of movement. "Are you not going to stop me?" Damien asked, locking his gaze with hers, as his hand gently pulled the hem of her dress towards him. "Not like you will stop if I say so." Emilia turned her gaze away, not wanting to look at his face as her heart inwardly scolded her for anticipating what was to follow. She had learned from past experiences that no matter how hard she tried to push him away, he would always return just as quickly. "You know me well, Emilia." With a swift motion, he yanked her dress closer, the fragile straps breaking away. As the dress descended, it unveiled her cleavage but kept her breasts mostly hidden. "Kyaaah~! Wh-what are you doing!", Emilia quickly attempted to withdraw her hand and shield her body, but his grip was too tight for her to succeed. In a desperate effort to protect herself, she drew her legs in, but it was useless as Damien entwined his leg with hers, thwarting her attempts to cover up. "Of course, it''s an unboxing." Damien grinned as he playfully teased her, his fingers brushing against her milky white skin. It felt velvety smooth, even though he was only touching her cleavage. ''It''s smooth'', The soft texture reminded him of cotton, gradually sliding down his finger towards the curve that formed a small gap between both of her buttocks. He let his finger glide lower before entering that small crack between the two peaks keeping the dress in place before swiftly pulling it down in one motion, indifferent to the possibility of it tearing. ''!?!'' "HEUKK~! Ahh! D-damien!" ''fuck'', Disregarding her sweet call, Damien''s gaze seemed to capture every detail in slow motion, his eyes slowly widening as his pupils shrank from the tiny droplets of water that splashed onto his face, originating from her damp, gently curved, and perfectly shaped bosom that spilled open from the confines of her now ripped dress. The sight of her curvy bosom, with pink cherries atop it, rising and falling with each breath she took, accentuated by her milky skin, was an undeniable magnet for his gaze. The gentle contours of her pink cherries, which seemed one of a kind¡ªslightly curved inward with tiny indentations on both peaks¡ªoffered a subtle indication of softness and warmth, accentuated by glistening water droplets that sparked a distracting desire and an undeniable allure. This caused Damien''s mind to snap in that moment as he once again twisted and came over Emilia. "Uwah! D-damien! It''s embarrassing, don''t look!", Once again, Emilia cried out, her eyes tightly shut as she felt him clasping both of her hands with his. She reclined on her back while he positioned himself over her, knees folded. There was a faint distance separating them, yet his warm breath intertwined with hers, and she could sense his eyes lingering on her bosom. "You are truly beautiful Emilia."For the first time, Damien truly felt the weight of his emotions. His eyes landed on the woman whose skin radiated perfection. Her dark hair framed her features, cascading onto the bed around her as her breath caused her chest to rise and fall. A rich crimson shade painted her cheeks with her eyes closed, while her body shimmered with droplets of water, making her an enchanting vision that could send even the most devout saint into losing their sanity. Badump [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? - ???? (????????????????????????????????????) ???????? ???????? (????????????????????) ] "....D-don''t talk and done with it", Emilia avoided looking at him, not wanting to meet his gaze or hear his voice, which was like a devil''s provocation. She was trying not to let her naive heart be manipulated into falling for him," J-just take my body already!" She yelled while clearly telling him to just done with it. She don''t want to fall for him knowing how much he will hurt her since her feelings will not be reciprocated by him. So it''s good that he just fulfill his sexual desires and leave her alone. "Huh? Did you forget that already? Emilia?", Damien said, while his eyes were glued on her cherries, wanting nothing but to pounce on her just now. But seeing how he needed to remind something and warn her beforehand, he reminded her. "Wh-what?", Emilia, avoiding eye contact, continued to gaze sideways, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked her question, her heart pounding and her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, acutely aware of his intense gaze on her exposed bosoms. "I had told you, didn''t I?", Damien said has started to lean down slowly while opening his mouth with his both hand gripping her both wrists tightly as he added," Once I claim your body, you will naturally fall in love with me." Once he finished speaking, he wasted no time and opened his mouth widely, positioning it toward her delicate right breast. She barely had a moment to respond; as she breathed in, her chest rose invitingly, prompting him to hungrily accept her cherries, and he instantly enveloped half of her breast in his mouth before mercilessly sucked as hard as he can. "AaaNnnGggHHH~??!" The abrupt pull on her chest triggered a shocking wave that surged through her spine, as if her brain was flooded with overwhelming pleasure. Her thoughts blurred in a haze of sensation, emanating from her right breast. The tingling in her fingers accompanied the quivering of her body, while her feet rubbed together, caught in the grip of this unfamiliar feeling that coursed through her very core, signaling that she had just attained a peak of ecstasy. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 43: * 43 - Evil Man ''It''s tasteless'', Damien, even though hearing her cry, ignored it as focused on the softness inside his mouth, which in itself appeared far softer than cotton candy, jelly, or everything combined¡ªYet, of all things, he felt that even though with this much softness and smoothness, it wasn''t giving him any taste. Realizing that his own taste buds might be the problem, he found it hard to believe that something so lovely, aromatic, and tender could lack flavor. As he sucked more fiercely on her breast and released a warm breath, he let his tongue glide over her cherry, feeling the gentle curve of her bosoms as he attempted to press the tip of his tongue against them. "HNGH! It hurts! You are rough Damien! Ahng...??!" In contrast, Emilia attempts to fight back by yanking her hand or thrashing her leg, but as always, it proves to be in vain, while her mind is bombarded with a confusing mix of pleasure and pain signals as he latched on to her breast. Even though the suction was too much for her delicate skin, but she was somehow able to feel the wetness of his mouth and how hot it was, while his tongue teasing her nipples only made her lips to pressed tightly, feeling losing her mind any moment. "Muuuhwaaa...! Haah....! Haah, Emilia, do you remember when I suggested that I would take your breast size measurement?" As he drew back from her, his mouth lingered on her nipples, reluctant to let go. He swiftly pulled his face away, causing her slightly inward-curving pink nipple to pop out and reveal the small pink dot above her milky white bosom, twitching as if fully aroused, while he gazed at her and left her hands. "Heuk! My breasts!", Emilia, indifferent to the man, immediately covered her breast as soon as her hands were free. She attempted to massage her right breast, but the sensitivity was overwhelming, sending a jolt through her. Nevertheless, she still managed to slightly raise her hand while covering her both breasts. "The thing is, I lost. They are too elastic and soft for me to measure clearly.", Damien pushed his damp hair away from his face while retreating back and standing on his knees while she lay between his legs, his dick''s shadow falling over contour of her breasts. Looking down at her, he felt a sense of helplessness, unable to fathom the size of her bosoms which made him feel defeated. He couldn''t possibly accept this defeat, making him cast his eyes downward at her hands that shielded his arch-enemy. Determined to find out her bosoms size, Damien resolved to go to great lengths. He concluded that the only method he could imagine was to ensure they became rigid enough for him to measure easily. "Ahn... st-stop, let''s do this some other time, please...", Emilia was panting, her body glistening with droplets that made it seem as if she was sweating. Her chest heaved up and down as she attempted to persuade the ruthless man before her to spare her for the day. In that moment, she signaled for another time instead of insisting on it right then. With her eyes finally gaining some clarity as she lifted her gaze to look at him, they widened as her pupils reflected the sight of his throbbing erect dick, which was adorned with several vines, showcasing its thickness and length, enough to cause her tremble, just by imagining the pain this thing will cause her when it enters her. "Emilia, it''s impossible", Damien firmly replied, clearly feeling that his own mind was getting overwhelmed due to the sensation throughout his body, wriggling enough at the sight of her, wanting nothing to fall in this sexual desire while trying to forget about everything for a moment. Ultimately, before tackling the challenges of hard work and dealing with heroines, he deserved some peace and rest. And who hates to get rewarded even before the game starts? "P-please, Damien I will loose my mind.", Emilia pleaded as her eyes which were already teary started to well up again looking towards this merciless man who don''t even care about her. She knew very well that if this continues she''s definitely gonna fall for him. If he decides to leave her at this moment, she will certainly start taking steps to manage her sensitivity and seek advice from medical professionals to help her body become less responsive to sexual stimuli, as currently her body reacts very sensitively to his touch. Though he had touched her only a few times, somehow she could feel that her lower nether area was wet. This made her realize that if this continued, she would definitely get hurt¡ªnot just because of that monstrous dick of his, but also due to the emotional burden that would come after he discarded her once his work ended. In the end, he will never love her back. "What about my mind, huh?" Damien glared at her as he placed one finger on her forehead, looking intentionally at her while imprinting her image in his mind. He continued, "Do you know what horrible thoughts are going through my mind? Will you take responsibility if I lose my sanity?" "Wh-what?", Emilia instinctively queried, her eyes fixed on his face as she felt his finger, which had been resting on her forehead, gradually slide down to her nose and finally onto her lips. Using his thumb, he carefully pushed his finger into her mouth. Her lips, already a swollen red and damp, were too tired to fight back as his finger, wet with her saliva, entered her mouth effortlessly. "You are foolish, Emilia, for not knowing....", Damien spoke as he rubbed his forhead before leaned in closer, his warm breath mingling with hers at such a short distance. Her eyes widened with hope, anticipating another kiss. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, this time, using his fingers gently in her mouth, he turned her head slightly and reached for her neck, placing a light peck there as he whispered with fervent desire," How much I want to ram you and keep railing you until, due to getting pounded all night, your body molds in shape of my dick." Chapter 44: * 44 - Craving for You thump thump "Hngh~! Ahn~!", The room was filled with a succession of soft moans as his hands persistently shaped her side boob, while his forefinger massaged against her pink nipple, which, despite its resistance, twitched in response to growing desire. Meanwhile, his other hand began to gently glide down, aiming to peel away the last remnants of her dress that concealed her lower half. Damien''s hands moved gracefully, like a pianist caressing the keys, each note evoking a sweet melody, as he gently explored her boob. Meanwhile, his firm chest took every opportunity to brush against her delicate, soft skin. With every moment her moans mingled in the air, his ears, eager to hear more, tempted his mind to continue Playing with your fingers, willfully disregarding the discomfort it caused her. His left hand, which had some old knuckle fractures still showing, felt like it was floating in bliss right now, surrounded by fluffy clouds healing his wound through some crazy nerve sensations. At the same time, he couldn''t help but notice how her soft, plump breast''s outer softness was molding to his grip. His hand wasn''t entirely submissive either in that pleasure¡ªit was like a little dance, urging him to use his fingers more as he felt the firmness, that heart-stopping nipple, flinch at each touch, revealing the arousal occurring inside her body. "Haah~ Huek~?!" Emilia''s eyes widened while moaning due to painful sensation near her breast. But suddenly she felt him directly biting near her neck. More like sucking it too hard that she flinched due to pain, Causing her to wince,"Hngh...! Ahh... it hurts Damien... Haah" Emilia couldn''t wrap her head around why she was getting dissolved in this feeling. She''d only ever seen it in those porn movies where the guy keeps grinding his hips while the girl moans louder and louder. It always made her think that you could only really feel the high once the actual penetration happens. But here she was, and even though he was just playing with her breasts and nibbling on her neck, she could feel her saliva slipping out, showing just how wild her mind was getting, causing her to reply with her teary eyes making her vision hazy,"Ahn... w-why...? Hngh~? it''s d-differnt... Heukk~ from... p-orn... Nngh~?" On a regular day, she would never have dared to ask such a question out of sheer embarrassment. But at this moment, her mind felt fuzzy and lost in a weird sensation, her legs rubbing together like they were waiting for something to ease that annoying itch. She didn''t quite get what was happening, but with his weight on her, she couldn''t really arch her body or use her fingers to scratch that itch down there¡ªat her pussy, which felt damp, itchy, and as if craving something to rub against it. "Hmm.... Porn? Emilia, the women shown there are not real.... slurp", Damien, noticing the way her voice intertwined with soft moans, understood the unspoken question she had in mind. He responded while continuing to place a hickey near her neck, the natural fragrance assaulting his senses, forcing him to claim her as his own. "Mmmmmhhh~! N-not rea¡ª Ahngh~!?!" Emilia, hearing his words, claiming how the woman shown in porn video are not real, wanted to argue but her eyes rolled back the moment she felt his other hand slid through her dress and directly land on her puffy vulva which was soaked wet due to water and her own fluid Caused due to unbearable sensation Assaulting her mind. "Yeah, those are not real women", Damien whispered as he released her hands, allowing them to drift downwards. His fingers moved gently over her face, which bore a look of madness, suggesting she was lost¡ªher eyes rolled back while her lips glistened with saliva. It was evident that her body reacted with much greater intensity to his touch. With skills honed over many lifetimes, Damien''s fingers moved smoothly over her porcelain skin before lightly trailing across her lips. After a gentle tap with his index finger, he revealed with a slight groan,"Arg... they are whores or bitches" "AaaNnnGghhhh~?" SQUIRT His fingers, initially just seeking to graze her vulva, found themselves slipping in due to their wetness, pushing against a delicate membrane before encountering a strong force that gripped his fingers from every direction¡ªplush, pliable, drenched, cozy yet unyieldingly powerful. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Comparing it to a hydraulic press wouldn''t be an exaggeration, as the pressure from her vaginal walls caused him to groan, bringing back memories of his knuckle injuries. Yet, it seemed he wasn''t alone in his suffering at that moment. As if attempting to submerge his finger in water and suffocate it with a lack of air, a wave of fluid erupted from her vagina, preventing any chance for his finger to breathe. The dampness enveloped his finger while accompanied by a loud howl from her lips, which were parted while trying to catch her breath. "You know the difference between a whore and a woman?" Damian, feeling that his finger would just hurt itself by staying in that flooded small cave, retreated back. For the last time, he wanted to tell Emilia as he came near her ear, her haggard, warm breath brushing through his face. He replied, "A whore''s voice is like the tune of a costly, broken instrument, which can only be appreciated by those who have purchased it without having tasted the real melody. On the other hand, a woman''s voice is like a perfect, flawless instrument, like you, my dear Emilia, an instrument which wants me to keep playing it again and again." "Haah...! Haaah....! P-please d-do it... D-Damien," Emilia stretched her hand while trembling, not understanding any of his words as her fingers slowly reached for his black raven hair before clutching it tightly, using it as her support. She pushed him lower, trying to relieve the sensation inside her lower body that was craving to be filled right now. It was not that she had never masturbated before, but the sensation right now was completely different from self-pleasure. It felt as if she could die at any moment¡ªa death filled with pleasure. Her chest felt heavy with a distinct weight. It was very tight. She could feel her nipples twitching and flinching as his firm chest rubbed against her body. Right now, she wanted nothing but him inside her. Chapter 45: * 45 - Completely Exposed "No", Damien observed her as she clutched his hair tightly, attempting to push him down slightly. Standing up to see her entire body, he supported his prone form with one hand. He noticed her body twitching, with her downward-curving nipples standing stiffly, revealing a pink blush accented by hickeys near her ears. Her face was turned towards him, her pleading eyes shimmering with tears that reflected her current state. "Sob... W-whaaaayyyy~!!" Tears started to brimming through her eyes as she looked towards the man who was unfair to her, pushing her this hard till now and now again he was playing his devil''s game, right now she just wanted to be relieved from this sensation coursing through her body. She was unsure if she had been drugged or given an aphrodisiac, but one thing was certain: the pleasure she felt was intoxicating. She desperately yearned for some kind of release, but as he locked his legs between hers, preventing her from rubbing her thighs for relief, overwhelming sensations flooded her body, leaving her mind in a haze of confusion. "Give me a blowjob, Emilia", Damien grinned as with his other hand, slightly, snapped, gave a light tap on her one of the nipples, causing her to clench her jaws as felt her body melt down, looking at him, asking her for something which she can''t do right now in her present state. "P-please? O-only this time", Emilia implored, her jaws clenched tight as she struggled to fully articulate her thoughts. Instead of succumbing to despair, she steadied herself by gripping the nearby bedsheets, her gaze fixed on him with a sense of injustice. All she desired was for him to provide her some comfort, rather than indulge in his own pleasures. She silently wished that this time, he wouldn''t behave like a devil. "Hm, let''s see. But you don''t even love me. Shouldn''t we stop here and let you give your first time to the man you love?" With a playful grin, Damien tilted his head as he lay in a prone position. His other hand roamed over her body while gently traced along her breasts, sliding downward. He glanced at her dress, which had slipped lower, revealing just a hint of dark hair beneath, few enough to be considered negligible. "I-i don''t care!, Just, please, Damien", Emilia protested upon seeing him again trying to tease her and play with words. She tightened her grip as she pulled his hair, even going as far as to fight today to make him do what she wanted. "Urgh... Hey, leave my hair..." Damien groaned in pain as he felt her pulling his hair tightly. Using his other hand, he clasped her hand over his head, trying to stop her from hurting him. "No! Do it now, or I will not leave!", Emilia had long crossed the boundary where she was willing to listen to this man now. Knowing well that she needed to use force to make him suppress the sensation she was feeling right now. "Fine but you need to promise to give me blowjob", As Damien presented the offer, she nodded and relaxed her grip, yet inside, a dark smirk crept onto her face. She was fully aware that, like in hell, she was about to open her mouth to take in that thing. It was a fleeting exchange where she would feign acceptance in the moment but ultimately had no intention of following through. ''Huh?'', Out of the blue, Emilia remembered that the dick she had seen was too large to fit in her hand. She blinked, thinking about how she disliked the idea of putting something so thick in her mouth, yet here she was, pleading for him to bring it between her legs and enter her, "Hhhhheeeehhhh.....?!!" "Urgh, you shouldn''t have hurt me, Emilia" As soon as Emilia let go of his hair, a wicked smile appeared on his face. He cast a smug glance at her, flicking his hair back before leaning down, evidently eager to repay the torment Emilia had caused him a hundredfold. In the moment Damien noticed how Emilia''s face had turned into one indicating she was getting healed from the foreplay they had engaged in, she tried to part her lips to tell him to stop. He instantly lowered both of his hands and tore her dress apart, shredding her undergarment along with it, revealing her lower nether lips, which she instantly covered with both of her hands," Wait, wait! I take that back!" Emilia attempted to defend herself, bringing her hands together to shield her most nether area. She noticed he was kneeling between her legs, his hands resting softly on her thighs before he began to slide them down towards her hips. ''!?!'' With a firm push, he pressed her legs toward her upper body, leaving only her hands to cover her wetness. "Kyaaah~!!?" Her legs were lifted off the bed, with her hips slightly above, as he started to push her up even more. This caused her lower body to slowly lift until she was barely on her upper back, as if she were doing some exercise while he was testing her stretchability. He completely folded her before using his legs to support her body while kneeling. He brought his face just two inches away from her hands, which were covering her drenched pussy. "Wait! I can''t breath!" Emilia retaliated as she most likely had only her neck area and head on the bed while her lower back was resting against his abdomen and chest, with both her hands forward to cover her soaked vulva from him. "Remove your hands and show me", Damien firmly declared, using both hands to hold her legs while supporting more than half of her body with his strength. With his other hand, he reached towards her hands and pulled them away from the region they were trying to protect. Her pussy was fully exposed to him now, soft and swollen with arousal. Her nether lips, slightly parted, were slick and glistening with wetness. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A thin, clear sheen of moisture coated her folds, catching the light as she trembled slightly under his gaze. Her clit peeked out from beneath its hood, engorged and begging for attention. Her skin was flushed, the contrast between her thighs and the darker, more intimate area drawing his attention even more. The soft mound above her pussy rose gently, her pubic hair were negligible, framing the entrance to her most sensitive spot. "Aaa..... w-wait!" Feeling helpless with her lower body elevated near his face, Emilia instantly covered her eyes in embarrassment. She couldn''t bear to meet his gaze, which was fixated on her sensitive intimate area. Shutting her eyes tightly, she felt the heat of embarrassment wash over her until a genuine, gentle voice interrupted from Damien, causing her heart to stop beating. "Is it alright if I plant a kiss on these irresistible lips of yours, Emilia?" Chapter 46: * 46 - Hymen Break "Is it alright if I plant a kiss on these irresistible lips of yours, Emilia?" Damien''s voice was casual, yet his tone carried a hint of playful menace. With a brush in hand¡ªan object Emilia hadn''t even noticed due to her face being buried under her hand¡ªhe began to lightly brush it over her wet, exposed pussy. [The 100% clean Brush works wonders! (All harmful substances are eliminated.)] The system chimed in and pointed out that the brush he just used was actually the reward he got right when this whole adventure kicked off. (chapter 1*) ''KILL ME!'' Emilia cried out inwardly as she tightened her hands to cover her ears, trying to block out the words from this man who was just going to tease her and make her hate him even more. "Will it hurt if I¡­" Damien trailed off, his fingers moving to her abdomen, pulling her closer until her back arched, pressing her body against his chest. With a mischievous grin, he lowered his face and aimed his mouth at her sensitive clitoris, his eyes locking onto hers as he gently bit down. ''!?!'' "HIEKKK~!?" Emilia''s eyes shot open, her hands instinctively moving to cover her nether region as she felt a sharp, surprising bite mixed with intense pleasure. The sting was mixed with the pleasure of his touch, her face flushing red as she tried to fend him off. Damien''s teasing smile only widened, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin as he continued his playful assault. "SLURP¡­ You didn''t give me a blowjob, but I, unlike you, will give you one," Damien taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. Despite Emilia''s desperate attempts to push him away, he simply allowed his tongue to explore the small crack between her damp, puffy vulva. "Hngh~! It''s gross!" Emilia cried out, her voice tinged with a mix of disgust and pleasure as she struggled to comprehend how Damien could be so audacious, his tongue exploring her with no regard for cleanliness. Her body squirmed, but Damien was relentless. "Is it really?", Damien had already used the brush over her nether area just now and had also done the same previously with her lips and whole body without her realizing it when he brought her into the hospital room while she was unconscious. Indeed, he wasn''t just going to kiss her and engage in this intense intimacy without ensuring hygiene. So, even before starting all of this, he made sure to brush over all her skin, leaving behind only her private parts, which were under the dress, and he had left them to be cleaned after he undressed her. At this point, Emilia was pretty much 95% germ-free, but he still needed to give her butthole a quick clean-up before kicking off his lessons. "We have all night, Emilia. Wouldn''t it be a waste to let it pass so soon?" Damien noted, observing her attempts to angle her body away from him. His resolve to complete his quest and claim more rewards was firm, especially since the one he truly desired was still out of reach. "Haaah¡­ You''re playing with me! Please, Damien, stop it," Emilia begged, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. The intense stimulation had rendered her extremely sensitive, and her pleas came as tears welled up in her eyes, her body clearly struggling. Damien''s gaze softened slightly as he saw her tearful, pleading expression, her hair splayed around her face. The sight of her vulnerability tugged at his heart, making him reconsider his approach. With a sigh, he slowly retreated and positioned her back onto the bed, his hands firmly grasping her naked ass as he lowered her onto the bedsheet. Emilia''s teary gaze fell to Damien''s throbbing cock, pre-cum already dripping from the tip. She reached out, her hand trembling as she tried to grasp his cock, its size almost overwhelming her grip. Her other hand provided support as she maneuvered it closer to her wet pussy. "Haaah¡­! I-it''s wet," she murmured, her breath hitching as she tried to align his cock with her entrance. The wetness made it difficult to aim, causing her to struggle with each attempt, as his shaft kept slipping here and there, not going directly inside her. "What are you doing?" Damien inquired, his voice tinged with amusement as he watched her struggle. The way she was trying so hard only made him want her more. Despite feeling a bit sleepy and turned on himself, he couldn''t help but admire the focus in her narrowed eyes. It was like she was really putting in some serious effort. Feeling a bit playful, Damien arched his hips back a little before pushing them forward. Pah "Ahh¡­ Please, Damien, do it¡ªARRGHHH! It hurts!" Emilia cried out, her plea cut off by the sudden, intense sensation as Damien pushed his cock into her. The pain was sharp and overwhelming, her body arching as tears streamed down her face, her cries filling the room. "I already told you, you should have just listened," Damien said, his voice cold and indifferent as he continued despite her discomfort. He grabbed her wrists before lifting her legs and positioning her in a more accommodating way. "It''s fleeting pain", He intertwined his fingers with hers and leaned in, his strong chest pressing against her. He shifted his weight, bracing himself because, you know, he had to tackle some farming today. Pah Pah "Aannnnghhh! I-it, Heuk! D-Damien!" Emilia''s cries were desperate, the pain too intense as Damien''s cock stretched her beyond her limits. Her body shook with each thrust, the initial pleasure overshadowed by the raw, tearing pain. "I''m entering you completely now, Emilia," Damien said, his voice resolute as he pushed forward, his cock penetrating her further. The tearing of her hymen added to her agony, the sharp, intense pain mingling with the sensation of him finally filling her. He arched his hips, thrusting forward with a forceful push. PAHHHH! "AaaNnnGgghhh! It hurts!" Emilia''s scream echoed through the room, her body tensing as Damien continued to thrust, her pain clear and intense. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 47: * 47- The farming "Ugh... Calm down, just hug me," Damien groaned, feeling the unbearable tightness of her inner walls squeezing around his shaft. She was gripping him as if her body was desperate to keep him inside, her heat engulfing him, clenching from every direction. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He could feel her trembling against him, her muscles fluttering as she tried to adjust to the intrusion, her inexperience evident in the way her body fought to cope with the pressure. "Aghh! It hurts!" Emilia cried out, her voice strained as Damien retreated slightly, only to push forward again. PAHH! He entered her halfway, his thick shaft stretching her, causing her body to tense. Her eyes widened in shock, her fingers digging into his back as she clung to him, nails sinking into his skin. The mix of pain and the foreign sensation of him filling her made her squirm, her breath coming out in ragged gasps. ''Damn it,'' Damien thought, struggling to hold back. Her tightness was overwhelming, the feeling of her slick, wet heat making it almost impossible to keep control. The temptation to thrust deeper, to claim her fully, surged within him, but he fought against it. He could feel her damp, slippery walls accommodating him, the pressure of her body increasing with each slow stroke. He had already pierced her hymen, and now he had to make sure she could take the rest of him. "Ungh~! Aahn~!" Emilia''s body shuddered beneath him, trembling uncontrollably. She tried to shift, as if instinctively wanting to escape the unfamiliar sensation, but there was no turning back now. Damien knew this was inevitable¡ªShe had to endure this if he were to create a bond between them. Her reactions only heightened his desire, the primal need to claim her completely gnawing at him. PAH PAH "Hngh~! Angh~!" Her voice was laced with a mix of pain and something deeper as he gave two more slow, deliberate strokes, pulling back before sliding in again, each movement making her body convulse. Emilia hugged him tightly, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, seeking comfort in the midst of the overwhelming pain. Her body trembled, every muscle taut, her warmth radiating against his skin. "p-please sl-ow Hngh~!" she stammered, her breath hot against his neck, her voice barely a whisper as she clung to him. The sensation of him buried halfway inside her was overwhelming, her virgin body fighting to adjust to the intensity of the moment. Damien reatreated one last time before thrusting forward with a bit more force, his cock sinking fully inside her. PAAAAHHH! He felt the last bit of resistance break, her tight walls finally giving way to the full length of his shaft. "A-Aahhh!" Emilia cried out, her eyes wide with shock as she felt every inch of him stretching her impossibly, the pressure almost unbearable. "Ahng.....~?!" Her face twisted in a mix of pain and disbelief, her lips parting as a soft moan escaped despite the discomfort. She clung to him, her nails digging deeper into his back, marking him as her body fought to adjust to the sensation of being filled so completely. "F-Fuck¡­ you''re so tight," Damien grunted, his jaw clenched as the slick, hot grip of her inner walls made it hard to control himself. Her wetness coated him, easing his movements as he slowly pulled back, feeling her clench around him, only to slam back in again. PAHH! The sound of their bodies colliding¡ªskin on skin¡ªechoed through the room. Pah Pah Every thrust was deliberate, measured, making sure she felt every inch of him filling her. "Ahh¡­ ngh~! Too deep¡­ it''s too much!" Emilia whimpered, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her body trembling violently beneath him. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, trying to hold him in place as her hips arched upwards, meeting his strokes. She felt him pushing against something deep inside her, a mix of pressure and pleasure building with each thrust. Pah Paah Paahh Each stroke became faster, more forceful, and the wet, sloppy sound of his cock sliding in and out of her echoed with the slap of their hips. "Hngh~! Mmh~! Heuk~?!" Emilia''s body jolted with each pounding, her soft cries turning into louder, breathless moans. Her face flushed, a sheen of sweat forming on her brow as she tried to cope with the overwhelming sensations tearing through her. "Ahn~! Nghh~?!" Emilia''s moans grew louder as her body betrayed her, pleasure slowly mixing with the pain. She buried her face in his neck again, her breath hot against his skin. "It feels¡­ I¡­ can''t¡­" Damien formed a smile as he watched her struggle beneath him. The sight of her flushed face, her parted lips, the way her eyes glazed over¡ªit was driving him insane. He could feel her inner walls tightening, squeezing him as he thrust deeper, hitting that sensitive spot inside her again and again. The pressure built with each movement, and he could barely hold back. pah pah! pah!! "You''re doing good... Just a bit more," he growled, his hips pounding into her mercilessly now. The pleasure of her warm body wrapped so tightly around him was unbearable, her warmth drawing him deeper with every thrust. Her soft, breathy moans were like music to his ears, encouraging him to push further. Emilia gasped, her back arching as she felt his cock rub against a spot inside her that made her toes curl. "Nnngh¡­ D-Damien! I¡­ I can''t¡­" she moaned, her mind slipping into a haze of pain and pleasure, her body trembling uncontrollably as she teetered on the edge of something she didn''t understand. DING! [ A sub quest has been fulfilled ] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ Sub Quest: Make Emilia Blake regret her decision to kill the Host. Reward: Will be according to the result. Penalty: You have to eat a raw potato! ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ [ Calculating the rewards based on the path taken to make her regret her decision. ] [ Congratulations....] [ Host received a dual cultivation technique ] [ Analyzing the body condition...] [ Your body is found unsuitable for the dual cultivation technique. Postponing the process of technique infusion until the criteria are fulfilled. ] Chapter 48: * 48 - Now, you move. "You seem comfortable, Emilia", Damien pulled out of her abruptly, causing Emilia to gasp as her body shuddered, the sudden emptiness making her thighs quiver. ''?!!'' Before she could even process what was happening, he flipped her onto her stomach with a firm grip, her breasts pressed against the sheets. He yanked her hips up, positioning her on her knees, her ass raised high as he knelt behind her, lining himself up again. "W-wait¡­! Ahhh!" Emilia yelped, her body jerking as she felt his cock push back into her, sliding in easily through her slick folds. Pah The new angle made her feel even fuller, stretching her as his thick shaft entered her completely in one rough stroke. "Hah¡­ nghh~! S-so deep!" she moaned loudly, her voice cracking as her body jolted from the force of his thrusts. Pah pah pah The position had her spread wide, her ass bouncing back against his hips with each hard slam. The wet, obscene sound of their bodies colliding filled the room, drowning out her breathless gasps. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien grunted as he pounded into her from behind, his hands gripping her hips tightly, fingers digging into her soft skin. Her body was trembling beneath him, her inner walls pulsing as she struggled to keep up with the intensity. He leaned over her, pressing his chest against her back, one hand sliding around to grab her breast, squeezing it roughly as his other hand snaked down to her clit. "Ahn~! Ahh! D-Damien¡­ nghhh~!" Emilia cried out, her moans turning into sharp gasps as his fingers circled her sensitive nub, sending jolts of pleasure through her body. Her breasts were crushed against the bed, her nipples painfully hard as they rubbed against the sheets with each thrust. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, her mind barely able to comprehend the overwhelming sensations. Pah. Pah. Pah. The force of his thrusts was relentless, his cock plunging deep inside her with a brutal rhythm. Emilia''s body jerked with every movement, her ass bouncing back against him as he slammed into her. The wet, sloppy sounds of their coupling were mixed with her loud, desperate moans, her voice rising with every deep stroke. "Hnnngh~! Ahhh! A-Ahh! It''s too much¡­ I-I can''t¡­!" she whimpered, her legs shaking as she tried to hold herself up on her knees. The pressure inside her was building, her body tightening as she teetered on the edge of something she couldn''t control. "Ugh" Damien growled low in his throat, his hips slamming into her with reckless abandon. He leaned down, biting down on her shoulder, his teeth sinking into her soft flesh as his cock drove into her harder. Emilia cried out sharply, the pain mixing with the pleasure in a dizzying rush that made her head spin. "A-Ah! Ahh! N-not there!" she moaned loudly, her voice cracking as his teeth sank into her skin, sending a wave of pain through her body that only intensified the heat pooling in her core. His rough grip on her breast tightened as he tugged on her nipple, rolling the sensitive bud between his fingers. "Hahh~! Nngh¡­ nghh! So good!" Emilia cried, her voice rising with each sharp thrust, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she clung to the sheets. The mix of pain and pleasure was driving her wild, her mind fogging over as she felt herself approaching the brink. Pah. Pah. Pah. Damien groaned as he slammed into her from behind, his cock sliding in and out with ease now, her wetness coating him. His hand came up to squeeze her other breast, his fingers pinching her nipple roughly. Emilia yelped at the roughness, her body trembling uncontrollably beneath him, her inner walls squeezing him tightly as her hips instinctively pushed back to meet his thrusts. "Ahn~! Ahh! Ahh! I-It''s too deep! Hnnngh~!" she moaned, her voice high and breathless as her body tightened around him. She could feel herself losing control, the pleasure building to an unbearable peak as Damien''s cock slammed into her relentlessly, hitting that sweet spot deep inside her over and over again. Her cries grew louder with each pounding thrust, her body jerking forward with every hard slam of his hips. Her mind was lost to the overwhelming sensations, her thoughts consumed by the feeling of him stretching her, filling her completely. "It''s not that deep, Emilia" With a satisfied growl, Damien tightened his hold on Emilia''s hips, driving into her from behind. His thumb danced around her butthole, stretching it just a bit while keeping it in reserve for later, all while he couldn''t take his eyes off her body. But as he watched her quivering body beneath him, her back arching and trembling from his relentless thrusts, he couldn''t resist the urge to change things up. He wanted to see her face, see the way her eyes widened with each wave of pleasure. "Let''s change things." Without warning, he pulled out, causing Emilia to gasp sharply, her body jolting from the sudden emptiness. "W-wha¡­?" Emilia barely had time to catch her breath before Damien lifted her up, swiftly repositioning her. He guided her to straddle his lap, her legs spread wide over his thighs as he sat back on his heels. Her chest was pressed against his as his strong hands gripped her waist, helping her lower herself onto him. "Nghh¡­ ahh~!" Emilia moaned loudly as she sank down onto his cock, her body trembling at the feeling of him filling her again, this time from a different angle. Her arms wrapped around his neck instinctively, her breath hot against his skin as she pressed her forehead to his. Her hips rocked slightly, trying to adjust to the new sensation, her inner walls gripping him tightly. Damien groaned, his hands sliding down to her ass, squeezing her cheeks roughly, molding them as he stretched them outward while helping to guide her movements. "Ride me, Emilia," he growled softly in her ear, his voice thick with lust. Her face flushed, her mind clouded with a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment as she slowly started to move her hips. The sensation of him filling her from this angle made her head spin, every inch of his cock rubbing against her sensitive walls. She could feel every movement, every twitch, and it sent shivers down her spine. Chapter 49: * 49 - Cumming Inside Her "A-ahh¡­ nghh~! L-like this¡­?" she gasped breathlessly, her hips rocking back and forth as she clung to him, her moans growing louder with each passing second. "Yes, urgh" Damien groaned deeply, his hands gripping her ass firmly, guiding her to ride him faster and harder. He molded her flesh with a rough intensity, stretching her butthole while the wetness from her pussy trickled down, coating his cock in a slippery embrace. The pressure of his thrusts and the tight friction drove him wild, each thrust making her gasp and moan as her arousal mixed with the rhythm of their bodies. Pah. Pah. Pah. The sound of their bodies colliding echoed through the room, her ass slapping against his thighs as she bounced on his lap. Her breasts pressed against his chest, her nipples hard and sensitive as they rubbed against his skin. Every movement sent jolts of pleasure through her body, her moans turning into sharp gasps as her pace quickened. "Hahh¡­ nghh~! Ahh! S-so good¡­!" Emilia moaned, her voice rising with each thrust, her legs trembling as she struggled to keep up with the intensity. Damien''s hands roamed up her body, one hand moving to cup her breast, squeezing it roughly as his lips found her neck, biting down gently on her sensitive skin. "Ahn~! Ahh! Y-you''re¡­ nghh~!" she whimpered, her body trembling beneath his touch. Her hips rocked faster, her body grinding against him as the pleasure built to an unbearable peak. "Let''s try something different." Suddenly, Damien shifted again, his hands gripping her thighs as he lifted her off his cock and turned her onto her back. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''?!'' Her legs were spread wide as he positioned himself between them, his cock poised at her entrance once more. Without hesitation, he slammed back into her, her body jerking from the force. "A-Ahhn~!" Emilia cried out, her hands flying to his shoulders as her back arched. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper as he thrust into her with a wild, almost primal rhythm. Pah. Pah. Pah. Damien grunted with each thrust, his hips slamming into hers with reckless abandon. Her body bounced beneath him, her breasts jiggling with each hard slam, her nipples painfully hard as they moved with the rhythm. His mouth found her breasts again, his lips wrapping around her nipple as he sucked it hard, his teeth grazing the sensitive bud. "Nghh~! Ahh! Too much¡­!" Emilia whimpered, her body trembling uncontrollably as the pleasure and pain mixed together in a dizzying rush. Her head spun, her mind clouded as she clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she gasped for air. But Damien wasn''t done yet. He pulled out again, his cock slick with her wetness as he guided her to sit on the edge of the bed, her legs hanging off the side. He knelt between her legs, lifting one of her thighs onto his shoulder as he positioned himself at her entrance again. "Damien¡­ ahh!" Emilia gasped, her body jerking as he thrust into her from this new angle. The position allowed him to go deeper, hitting that sweet spot inside her with every stroke. "Hahh~! Nghh~! So deep¡­ nghh!" she moaned, her voice growing louder with each thrust, her body shaking as he pounded into her. Her fingers gripped the sheets, her back arching as his cock stretched her, filling her completely. Pah. Pah. Pah. Damien grunted, his pace unrelenting as he watched her body tremble beneath him. The sight of her writhing, her moans growing louder and more desperate, only drove him to go harder, faster. Her thigh trembled against his shoulder as he leaned down, biting down on her inner thigh, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin. "Nnghh~! Ahh! Damien¡­!" Emilia cried, her voice cracking as the overwhelming sensations pushed her closer to the edge. SQUIRT Damien, his breath ragged, suddenly stopped, pulling out of Emilia with a sharp, wet sound. Squelch Her body twitched from the sudden emptiness, but before she could even process the loss, he wrapped his arms around her waist and effortlessly lifted her off the bed. Her legs dangled for a moment before instinctively wrapping around his waist, her eyes wide as she clung to his neck in surprise. "W-What are you¡ªahh!" Emilia''s voice was cut off by a sharp moan as Damien aligned himself with her entrance and, with one rough thrust, buried his cock deep inside her once again. Her body jerked violently in his arms, her nails digging into his back as she gasped for breath, her breasts pressing tightly against his chest. Her head fell back, eyes rolling as her mouth opened in a breathless moan. "Nghh~! So¡­ ahh¡­ D-damien!" she whimpered, her legs trembling as they clung to him. Damien grunted, tightening his grip on her ass as he lifted her body up slightly before slamming her back down on his cock, his hips thrusting upward to meet her. The force of his movements had her bouncing in the air, suspended only by his strength and the frantic grip of her legs around him. Pah. Pah. Pah. The sound of his cock slamming into her echoed through the room, Emilia''s body bouncing with every powerful thrust. Her breasts jiggled wildly, her nipples grazing his chest as she moaned uncontrollably, her mouth hanging open as pleasure rippled through her. Each time he lifted her slightly, then slammed her back down, her eyes fluttered, her face contorting with a mix of pain and overwhelming pleasure. "Ahh! Ahhn~! Damien, I¡­ nghh~! I can''t¡­!" Emilia gasped, her voice high-pitched and breathless as the intensity grew. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her nails dragging across his skin, leaving red marks in their wake. Her face was flushed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as her breath came in ragged, broken gasps. "Take it," Damien growled, his voice low and rough as he pounded into her, his grip on her ass tightening as he pushed deeper with every thrust. He could feel her inner walls gripping him tightly, the slick heat of her body driving him wild. Her head lolled back again, eyes half-lidded, mouth hanging open as she moaned loudly with every jolt of pleasure that surged through her body. "Ahn~! Ahh! Hnnngh! P-pleas-e¡­! Ahn~!" Emilia''s moans were growing louder, more desperate, her body trembling uncontrollably in his arms. Every inch of her was on fire, every thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure through her, her mind unable to keep up with the overwhelming sensations. Damien growled as he watched her fall apart in his arms, the sight of her face twisted in pleasure only spurring him on. He thrust harder, faster, slamming into her with reckless abandon as her cries grew more frantic. Her legs clung to him tighter, her hips grinding against him as she sought out more of the unbearable pleasure he was giving her. Pah. Pah. Pah. Her body bounced in the air with each brutal thrust, her breasts jiggling wildly as her head lolled back and forth. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, her pupils dilated, her gaze unfocused as she tried to keep up with the intensity of the moment. Her lips parted, her moans spilling out uncontrollably as her entire body trembled. "Nghh~! Ahhh! S-stop¡­ nghh~!" Emilia whimpered, her voice cracking as her body quaked with pleasure. Her face was flushed, her eyes glazed over as her body surrendered to the wild rhythm, lost in the relentless sensations coursing through her. Damien grunted, feeling her body tighten around him, her inner walls squeezing him as her pleasure reached its peak. He could feel his dick throbbing hard as he also reached the edge of finally letting his stored stress go," Emilia, ugh, I will make sure to give you the birth control pill, so just take it." "A-Ahhh~! Ahh! N-not in-side¡­ nghh~!" Emilia cried out, her voice breaking as her body convulsed in his arms. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her nails digging deep into his skin as her eyes squeezed shut, her face contorting with the overwhelming pleasure that consumed her. "Kugh...!" He lifted her slightly, her legs still wrapped tightly around his waist, and then slammed her down hard, driving himself deeper inside her. PAHHH A torrent of cum erupted from his cock, flooding her insides and filling her completely, the warmth of his release painting her walls with each intense spurt "Angh~! D-damien...!?" Her back arched, her head falling back as she let out a long, breathless moan, her body trembling uncontrollably as the intensity of the moment overtook her. Chapter 50: 50 - Chain Reactions As he stood with Emilia in his arms, Damien was acutely aware of his fatigue, a result of the countless hours he had dedicated¡ªwhether it was doing intense workout with Emilia or preparing for Edward and Amelia''s face-slapping event, he had truly exerted himself to the brink. Now, after the intense workout, he was drained and fatigued. As he calmed his racing mind, his cock, still coated in Emilia''s bodily fluids, slowly slid out from her pussy. A mix of white cum and traces of slight blood began to trickle down from now empty gap, evidence of their intense union. "Ah¡­ D-Damien, n-not more." Her voice was steady now. Her skin was slick with sweat, and her breathing was erratic as she struggled to keep her senses in check. Previously, in the heat of the moment, she had become more erratic, moaning louder from intense pleasure, but now exhaustion was becoming too much to bear. "¡­Okay." Damien approached the bed before she collapsed onto the mattress, her body spent from the strain of the moment. Exhausted and limp, she turned to her side, exposing the aftermath of her ordeal¡ªwhite fluid mixed with blood was still trickling from her lower region. ''What was his number again?'' Damien took the seat on the bed and glanced towards a table where Emilia''s phone was placed. He took it before dialing a number, recalling the phone number he had gotten from one of the board members from the last remaining company under the blake, whose shares he had purchased. "Hello, is this Mike speaking?" Damien asked as the phone was answered on the other end. Standing there, his bare body drifted towards the window, where he gazed at the night illuminated by the moon. "Yes, who is this?" the voice on the other end inquired, recognizing the identity of the caller number, which belonged to the daughter of the company''s owner. "Listen well, Mike. Aisana Blake has gotten into an accident," Damien informed, referring to the name of Emilia''s mother, who, unfortunately, due to some bad luck, had gotten into an accident and was now in the hospital. "What! Is Madam fine?" The voice on the other side showed urgency as it inquired, sensing something with a raging feeling shrouding it. It added, "Don''t tell me. Was this the reason that bastard was laughing right now?" "Indeed, Gabriel is dead, and the company will eventually fall into the hands of his sidekick, given how Aisana, though safe, is in the hospital right now," Damien informed as his fingers tapped on the window, trying to confirm that everything would go smoothly. He knew he had to secure his company, which he would need to live in the hands of Emilia and her mother. Indeed, his main aim was to have some financial support in the form of Emilia or her mother. So there was no other way to confirm the loyalty of Emilia''s mother except by making Emilia a weakness to her mother. "Damn it, please tell me what I should do." Hearing the voice from the other side of the call, which held urgency, and not even trying to inquire who was on the call, a smile formed on Damien''s face as he glanced towards Emilia, approaching the bed. His knuckles danced over her smooth skin, moving from the subtle slope of her waist to the pronounced curve of her ass, a playful smirk on his lips as he responded, "Record whatever they talk about in the board meeting. Make sure the video comes out clear." "That''s¡ª" Beep Even before the caller on either side could complete his words, Damien cut the phone and lay beside Emilia. He lifted his legs to rest them on her, his hand firmly clutching her sensitive breasts as he pressed his body against her soft, silky form. Overwhelmed with tiredness, he soon fell asleep, waiting for the chain reaction of his choices to unfold, especially since he had already drained all his savings on what lay ahead with the approaching storm. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien fell asleep while leaving everything in the hands of¡ªpress/reporters whom he had purchased, police officers whom he had bribed, and several other small players who would show him results tomorrow. . . . . . . . Far away from the hospital building, which was located at the edge of Camphrian City and surrounded by the rural area, everything was calm. Unlike in the main center of the city, the situation was completely different. "Why is this checking happening here?" a man seated in the driver''s seat inquired, glancing towards the police, who were checking each of the passing cars as if searching for someone. "Don''t you watch the news? It seems the heir of the Raphael group got kidnapped," a truck driver informed as he increased the volume of the radio inside his vehicle. The sound of a reporter broke through the car horns and the engine sounds of several vehicles stuck in traffic due to police checks. :: Breaking news: the heir of the Raphael group, who was just engaged today to Emilia Blake, has been kidnapped. The prime suspect in this event is police officer Lin Wanruo. :: :: Statements from the police chief have been published, indicating that they are searching the whole city to find Damien Raphael. He assured the public that he would take appropriate actions against the recklessness of the police officers involved in this whole event. :: "What? Then why the heck are those dumbasses disturbing us when it is their department''s fault?" The series of drivers showed their anger towards the police personnel who were searching, while a few of them had search dogs with them, snuffling around the large vehicles trying to find the man who was kidnapped due to their own faults. Soon, the news of Damien Raphael''s kidnapping became the headline in the news inside Camphrian City, given that it spread like wildfire, catching on and spreading instantly as if someone were promoting this news from behind. The news of an heir being kidnapped would soon reach the ears of the Raphael family, and given the weight of their authority, Camphrian City¡ªand especially the police department¡ªwould soon witness the strength of those who sit at the top of the food chain. . . . . Inside the police department main headquarters, "Where the heck is that idiot Lin Wanruo!?" the police chief shouted as he threw his phone toward one of the police officers, having just received a call from someone from the Raphael group. Chapter 51: 51 - Edwards Escape from Jail Inside the police headquarters of Camphrian City, the atmosphere was intense due to the presence of several police forces in the area, activated to find the heir of the Raphael family. It had already been more than five hours since the disappearance of the heir of the Raphael group and Emilia Black, who had been kidnapped under the nose of the police by one of the police cars that used a fake number plate to avoid being traced. The situation did not seem under control, considering how the higher authorities were putting pressure on the police to deal with this case as soon as possible, given the involvement of someone from the Raphael family. "Is the Chief okay?" one of the police officers, holding a few computer drives carrying the CCTV footage of different roads from where the suspected car had passed, turned towards the direction of the main cabin belonging to the police chief, from which loud noises had been coming a moment ago but had now subsided. "Y-yes sir, we are... no, no, please rest assured... Sir, the problem is she is from the Lin family..." After receiving a call, the police chief had been discussing the details of the case in a very humble manner. His demeanor had changed as he engaged in conversation with someone from the Raphael group. "N-no... sir, not my job... huh?" After finally hearing a threat that clearly indicated he could lose his position, the police chief was taken aback as the call got cut, leaving his body frozen in place, eyes blinking as he still couldn''t believe where he had fallen today due to the recklessness of someone stupid enough to clearly show her hostility in front of reporters towards Damien Raphael. Indeed, the prime suspect, according to the reporters and media, was police officer Lin Wanruo, who had intentionally kidnapped Damien Raphael to vent her anger and take personal revenge on him, given the video recordings and the footage taken by reporters when she clearly displayed her dissatisfaction with Damien. "Where the heck is that idiot Lin Wanruo!?" the police chief shouted as he threw his phone toward one of the police officers. The phone collided directly with the nearby wall as the police officer dodged it by kneeling while covering his head. The chief stood and slammed the table. His eyes flared with anger. The visible nerves bulged near his neck, showing his frustration beyond recovery. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had gotten into his position today after climbing over so many people, and now he was about to be thrown out and stripped of his power just because of that woman''s own ego. "S-sir, she is in the interrogation room," a police officer stammered as he lifted his hand to reply to the police chief, feeling dreadfully surprised at how the chief''s bulky body had shown so much agility as it moved past him from the table. "Good, I will interrogate her myself!" The chief saw that at least some of them were smart enough to put Lin Wanruo in the interrogation room without him ordering it. He made his way, folding his sleeves, preparing to teach that idiot woman a lesson for messing up with his life. "Um, sir, she is interrogating someone else." As the police chief came to a stop, the officer couldn''t help but notice the police chief''s jiggling belly. His eyes were drawn upward, meeting the chief''s face, which was flushed scarlet and seemed to bubble with rage, veins protruding, and eyes wide with fury. "What did you say?" The police chief, as if he had heard something nonsensical, did not understand how the woman who was guilty of kidnapping had decided to interrogate someone else. "Sir, Lin Wanruo is interrogating Edward," the police officer informed, looking through the document that contained the name of the criminal who was inside the interrogation room with Wanruo. "Th-this woman!" The police chief''s hand clenched as his eyes shot towards the direction of the main gate of his office, glaring at it, and the veins bulged all over his face, showing his enraged state as he moved towards the other building inside the headquarters, where he had personally brought Edward to interrogate himself. Knowing well about how that woman was once again doing something stupid to mess everything up. "Lin Wanruo!!!" . . . . . Inside the interrogation room, present in one of the buildings inside the main headquarters of police in Camphrian City. "Lin Wanruo?" Seated on the other side, with his hands cuffed, Edward glanced coldly toward the woman who sat looking downward. "Damn it, I knew that bastard couldn''t have killed that many gunmen!" Upon hearing that it was Edward who had killed those men, including Gabriel, Lin Wanruo couldn''t control her frustration. Remembering how Damien had looked down on her today and even faked it for the media to believe that he was the one who protected everyone. "What do you want to do now?" Edward inquired. After hearing several questions from this woman, he could understand that she also hated Damien Raphael, giving him a glimmer of hope in this interrogation room, considering how he had been brought to the police department and was unable to contact the main head of the Crimwell family to arrange some lawyers for himself. He didn''t clearly remember what had happened after he lost consciousness. But he found himself inside a police car that had brought him here. And given the number of police officers carrying guns, he decided not to escape using force. However, hearing from other policemen''s conversations, he understood that Damien Raphael had been kidnapped. "Nothing, just stay here. I will bring the police chief to clear up the misunderstanding!" As Lin Wanruo got to her feet and stepped out of the room, her distraction caused her to forget to lock the interrogation room''s door. Her thoughts were consumed with a single goal: to expose the truth behind Damien Raphael''s carefully crafted hero image, which had convinced others he was the killer of Gabriel Blake. ''.....'' Edward watched the retreating figure of the woman as she disappeared before his gaze moved to the door''s lock, which was evidently not secured. His features hardened as he raised his bound hand. With a slight exertion, the handcuffs shattered into pieces, resembling fragile twigs rather than steel, clattering to the ground. Standing from his position as he made his way out of the room while determining, "I will make you beg for death, Damien." Chapter 52: 52 - (Tasks for Each Individual) "What happened to the lift?!" The police chief, arriving in front of the lift, saw a few police officers and a mechanic walking next to it. His frustration was increasing. "Forgive us, sir, the lift is under maintenance," the mechanic, wearing a cap pulled down slightly as if trying to cover his face, informed him, while the surrounding police officers nodded. "Damn it!" The police chief felt frustrated as he moved toward the stairway to walk down from the 5th floor of the building. ---- ''Our work is over here (stopping the police chief from taking the lift).'' The mechanic and the police officers glanced at each other as they entered the lift, which unexpectedly was completely fine. They pressed the button for the ground floor and looked ahead as the lift''s doors closed. The lift slowly descended and reached the ground floor in no time. Before anyone else, Lin Wanruo had just arrived and entered the lift. Noticing one of the officers of a higher rank than her, she greeted him with a nod. "Are you Lin Wanruo?" the mechanic inquired as he came forward, glancing toward Lin Wanruo. She nodded, feeling curious as to how this mechanic knew her name. "Oh, you may not remember, but previously you caught some criminals who were bullying my father. I am grateful to you." The mechanic nodded, taking her hand firmly in his own and shaking it energetically to express his eagerness to meet her. "Ah, I see, but you don''t have to feel this way. I just did my job," Lin Wanruo wasn''t able to remember who exactly he was, but knowing how she always brought justice to innocents, she nodded, accepting the greetings of this man, without noticing that one of those officers had just taken out the car keys that were hanging near her pant pocket, along with the ID card tied to her belt. "Miss, can you write another report of mine against that hooligan since he returned?" The mechanic spoke in a sad tone, revealing his problem as he looked downward while other police officers exited the lift at the ground floor before the door could shut. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Th-that''s..." Lin Wanruo considered the need to urgently meet with the police chief about the false rumors claiming Damien was a hero. However, upon realizing that this man had suffered at the hands of the same troublemaker she had previously brought to justice, she ultimately chose to write a report based on his account before taking any further action. "Please follow me, I will write it." ''And here I accomplish my second task (distract Lin Wanruo).'' . . . . . "Haah, haah, why is this not ending?!" The police chief, walking down the stairs, felt his lungs burst due to lack of air, gasping hardly after just walking down two floors. He turned his eyes towards a board which read ¡ª3rd floor¡ª causing him to burst in frustration. "Lin Wanruo!" All his anger was directed towards Lin Wanruo, given that even reporters were asking where and why the police department hadn''t taken any actions against her, while even profile groups had been doing the same, as if everyone was aware that the prime suspect for this kidnapping was none other than Lin Wanruo. "Sir, please drink this," While heading down the staircase, the officer remarked to his chief, who was struggling to catch his breath, offering him a can of beer (*with a very high alcohol concentration), knowing how alcohol affects an angry person. "What?! Why do you not have water, dumbass?!" The police chief shouted at this foolish officer who brought beer but not water, wanting nothing more than to slap this man. But knowing he still needed to walk down three floors and that if he fell unconscious, this man would be the only one to help him, the chief decided to save his slap for after they reached the ground floor. "Give it¡ªGULP." Taking the beer can, he directly gulped it down, feeling frustrated as the effect of alcohol took over, causing his hand to clench so tightly that the beer can smashed. ''My work is over now (feeding alcohol to the police chief),'' the police officer thought, as he saw the chief gulping down the beer and finally felt that the money he had received from an unknown source to feed a high alcohol content beer to the police chief had been accomplished. . . . . "Haah... Haah... h-how much time!" the chief inquired while holding the railings of the last and final step at the ground floor, gasping as he tried to take in as much oxygen as possible while asking how long it took him to come down from the fifth floor. "Sir, it''s been half an hour," a police officer informed him as he looked toward his watch, seeing how just walking from the 5th floor had taken this heavy police chief half an hour. "Damn it, I will kill that bitch!" The police chief shouted, his anger already enhanced by the effects of alcohol, reaching another level where he didn''t care about her belonging to the Lin family. His anger was only fueled further by the sound of the lift. Ting~ "Huh?" Halting in his tracks, he turned his face toward the lift, which had just stopped as its doors slowly slid open. The frustration he felt about having to walk down from the fifth floor suddenly flared up upon seeing the lift working perfectly fine. His anger rose to such a degree that he felt he might have a heart attack from blood pressure without needing all the cholesterol stored in his body to do anything. "Oh, Chief, I was searching for you. Where were you?" With the lift door finally opening, Lin Wanruo stood there as the first sight she saw was the middle-aged man with a belly, stranded in front of her while supporting his body with his hand on his knees as he gasped for breath. "....." The moment the police chief saw the woman who had caused him so much suffering, he directly moved toward her without saying a word. "Chief¡ª" Just as Lin Wanruo was about to speak, the police chief approached her. SMACK! In an instant, a powerful slap struck her face, sending her crashing to the ground. She fell with a stunned expression, gazing at the chief while shielding her reddened cheek. The chief pointed his finger toward her and shouted, "You fucking bitch! How dare you!¡ª" Even before the police chief could say more, a police officer sprinted directly, arriving inside the building. He was about to report, but finding the police chief on the ground floor, he informed him, "Chief! Edward has escaped from his cell!" Chapter 53: 53- Dealing with Lin Wanruo A few moments ago... "It was hassle-free." As Edward moved outside the building, he glanced toward the main headquarters, where the number of police officers was slightly lower than usual, given that they had mostly gone out on patrol searching for Damien Raphael. This gave him enough time to escape this place without harming any officers. "Stop there, Edward!" Suddenly, a voice startled Edward, causing him to halt. He turned and clenched his fist while charging his internal energy into his feet. With a cold look, he instantly directed his gaze towards the voice before charging his internal energy to close the distance between them, forming a fist to hit him, but halted the movement when he heard, "The head of the Crimwell family gave these keys. Escape now." A police officer presented Edward with a key, which caught him off guard for a moment. After confirming that nothing seemed amiss¡ªhis instincts weren''t alerting him¡ªhe quickly took the key and dashed toward the parking lot. Using the smart key, he located a sedan. Vroom! With the engine''s roar, he drove the car out of the headquarters as the gates opened. Yet, no one seemed to stop him since the car belonged to one of the police officers¡ªLin Wanruo. Gazing at the car that was fading away, the police officer shifted his focus to the building with interrogation rooms and cells from which Edward had broken free before moving in that direction. ----- Present... "What?!" The police chief, hearing that the prisoner had escaped from the main headquarters of the police department, felt his blood run cold. Stopping mid-step, he swiftly turned and sprinted towards the cell, knowing very well that if any reporter got wind of this incident, his reputation would be ruined. At this moment, the image of the police department was already severely tarnished due to Lin Wanruo. And now, with someone escaping from the main headquarters, it could be catastrophic for him to even consider keeping his position as police chief secure. ''H-he slapped me?!'' Lin Wanruo held her cheeks while feeling the heat and pain assaulting her face. Due to the slap, her cheeks had swollen from the force while her ears rang violently as she slowly tried to lift herself to follow behind and ask for an explanation as to why the police chief hit her. She hadn''t done anything wrong and had always followed justice. Then why was she treated this way and blamed just because some media outlets were publishing articles against her? Shouldn''t her previous merits be considered enough to overwrite all these false allegations against her? ''It hurts.'' While making her way to the interrogation building, Lin Wanruo felt the overwhelming swelling on her left cheek. The agony was so great that it hindered her ability to see clearly, a direct consequence of the sudden and powerful slap that had caught her off guard. Struggling to maintain a normal pace and cradling her cheek with both hands, she could feel the warmth radiating from her inflamed skin, which bore the mark of five fingers imprinted on her face. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Come here, you dumb bitch!" Suddenly, a voice from the direction of the main building caused her to lift her gaze towards the police chief, who was glaring in her direction, his expression filled with anger. ''What happened?'' Lin Wanruo, still holding her face due to the intense pain, knew that something was amiss. Given all the circumstances today, where she was unjustly blamed, it was clear that even now she was likely to be blamed for Edward''s escape. But this time she wasn''t going to remain quiet and accept a slap, knowing very well that since most of the technical team had gone to collect data from CCTV in other road surveillance departments, there was no one available to check the CCTV at that moment. This would make it impossible for the police chief to blame her due to the lack of any evidence against her presence there. "Chief, you can''t slap me; I wasn''t even here!" Arriving near the police chief, she lifted her gaze and observed saliva dripping from his mouth, as if showcasing the intensity of the anger burning within him. But she had already prepared an excuse in advance. Because of the ringing in her head, she couldn''t concentrate on the left side of her face, which was throbbing with pain that urged her to cry. The tears forming in her eyes were a clear indicator of her agony, but she managed to suppress her breakdown, motivated only by her standing in the police force. "What is this, bitch?" Frustrated at seeing that this woman, who had made so many mistakes, was trying to lie to him, he used his trembling hands to control his anger and offered her the evidence he had found inside the interrogation room. "Chief, you shouldn''t have slapped¡ªth-this?!" Lin Wanruo wanted to tell him that he shouldn''t have slapped her, as she could report him to higher authorities for assaulting an innocent woman like her. However, her eyes widened the moment she saw him holding her ID card. "N-no, Chief! I am being framed!" Lin Wanruo distinctly recalled taking off her identity card from around her neck as she left the building, where she had fastened it near her waist. It puzzled her why it was positioned like that, clearly indicating that Damien was involved. She added, "Y-yes, it must be Damien¡ª" SMACK!!! A sharp slap struck her right cheek, delivering enough power to knock her onto the harsh ground. As she hit the ground, she grimaced, a wave of intense pain coursing through her, "ARGHH!" "You dumb idiot slut! Are you blind?!" The police chief had finally snapped, lifting his leg to kick her, not caring a bit about the repercussions since the rules were for the weak. Given that he himself sat in the highest seat of justice in the country and city, no one had the power to file a complaint against him. Individuals who believe that their innocence will ensure the law and justice work in their favor are oblivious to the stark truth he aimed to reveal to this woman today. "Ch-chief! She is a woman!" Seeing how their bulky chief had lifted his foot to kick a woman even though she was at fault, both police officers tried to stop him without using force, knowing that their jobs were at stake. "I support gender equality!" Under the influence of alcohol, the police chief''s mind was not processing clearly, making his judgments solely based on his emotions as he kicked Lin Wanruo''s abdomen. Smack! "Kheeukk?!" Her eyes grew wide as saliva spilled from her mouth. Her cheeks puffed up, and her eyes brimmed with tears, splattering around from the force that hit her stomach, bringing her deep, searing pain that made her feel as if her world was crumbling. Chapter 54: 54- Crimwell Mansion ''Where did he go?'' Finally able to pass through the traffic, Amelia reached her family estate as she entered the main gate of Crimwell Mansion, driving through the metal gate as she passed by the two or three guards while thinking about the location of Damien, given that they had received news about his kidnapping. In the bigger picture, she could clearly understand he would most likely be found by morning, considering that right now the police forces were concentrated in the main city instead of focusing on the edges of Camprian City. Amelia didn''t know what he wanted, but at least she hoped it wasn''t just another stunt of his to get her attention. After all those things he had done to her, from intentionally making her fall to shouting at her after she tried so hard to save him from marrying that girl from the Blake family. Finally exiting her car and parking it in front, a servant came to take the key as she ruffled her hair. Her black hair scattered in the cold night breeze, and the bright moonlight reflected her beauty as she passed through the door. "Oh my~ Who is she? Ah, now I know. Isn''t she the abandoned gold digger?" Suddenly, a mocking womanly tone reached Amelia''s ears as she entered the hallway leading to the staircase. She halted as she glanced toward a woman seated on the sofa, with two maids¡ªone applying nail polish and the other giving her a foot massage¡ªstanding around her. "What do you want?" Amelia, seeing her stepmother trying to pick on her once again, folded her arms, giving her a cold look as she glared at the woman. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I don''t want anything, unlike you, my poor bird." The woman seemed much more lively today as, with a smile and narrowed gaze, she looked down on Amelia, feeling finally satisfied knowing that, contrary to her expectations, even she thought that Damien just wanted Amelia''s attention; he had finally married someone else. "Prepare me some food; I am not in the mood to talk." Amelia rubbed her forehead, already feeling frustrated after dealing with too many things, and turned to leave for the staircase while ordering the maids to bring some food into her room. "By the way, where is your new boyfriend? Huh?" The woman tilted her head, noticing no one was coming through the door, and remembering that her daughter had been seen with another man these days, she inquired with curiosity. "He is not my boyfriend, and right now he should be in jail." Amelia, realizing that this woman was referring to Edward as her boyfriend just to annoy her even more, moved toward the staircase, recalling how Edward had been arrested by the police after being unconscious. Not that she wanted to get involved with him now, considering she would most likely face backlash and that involving with him would tarnish her image. After all, it had been proven that Edward had taken benzene, even though she could understand it was most likely Damien who had fed it to him. But there wasn''t any proof, nor did she want anything to do with either of them. "Huh? First Damien and now him? Pity. I never expected much from someone who ate her mother the moment she was born." The woman taunted, chuckling, folding her legs as she kept looking at Amelia, who walked to her room with her gaze lowered and fists tightened, not protesting. ----- "Haaah, it was a bad day," Amelia said as she fell directly onto her bed, pulling the pillow over her face and burying it in exhaustion. Before she could collect her thoughts, her phone rang, prompting her to lazily reach for it. She answered, "Yes, Dad." :: I saw the news that Edward got arrested. Talk to Uncle Max; he will arrange a lawyer. :: A voice belonging to a middle-aged man came from the other side of the call, suggesting that Amelia contact the lawyer to help Edward. "What? It would be a problem for my image, Dad. Leave him there for some time," Amelia replied, raising an eyebrow in confusion as to why her dad would call to save a mere bodyguard. Given that Damien had just gotten married today, it seemed likely that associating with Edward could harm her business. According to public opinion, the most interesting headlines for them right now would be about how, after being abandoned by the rich second-generation heir, Amelia Crimwell started to pursue another man¡ªa scenario she would never allow to happen. :: Amelia, don''t be a fool. Do you even know Edward''s master was called the God of Medicine? Even the current ruling party''s president has received a favor from him, so don''t do anything reckless. :: "Dad? Weren''t you the one who always said when Damien got arrested to not do anything since it would harm our image? Now what?" Amelia was already frustrated from being forced to attend his marriage and witnessing how Damien looked down on her. In her exasperation, she let slip whatever words came to her mind. She remembered the one time she thought of helping Damien because he had killed someone who was harassing her. Her dad had told her that the Crimwell family wasn''t able to do anything because they needed to protect their image. :: DON''T COMPARE THAT ABANDONED IDIOT WITH EDWARD! :: Suddenly, Amelia''s eyes widened the moment she heard her dad yelling. She distanced the phone from her ear before bringing it back as she asked, "Abandoned?" :: Sigh, you don''t know, do you? Damien Raphael was thrown out of his family on his birthday last week. This news is still not known, but it will be published soon, given that his kidnapping has triggered the Raphael family''s reputation. :: ".....I see." Amelia, hearing his words, recalled the day when it was raining and she had forgotten his birthday. She remembered that it was the day when he might have had his title revoked, causing her to turn on her back and look at the ceiling for a moment before closing her eyes. ''Is this why he was desperate?'' Chapter 55: 55- Luna Harrison Amelia now understood that perhaps losing his title as the heir of the Raphael group made Damien desperate in his attempts to secure someone for his future, given that today he whimsically announced his marriage to Emilia Blake¡ªa family known for their broken state, just before the news of his abandonment could be published. Given the opinions of high society, it was most probable that due to his already depleted image, no one would have accepted to marry him. Additionally, because of his being abandoned by the Raphael family, it was even more unlikely, as influential groups would have already gotten this news. This left only those from fallen families who were still unaware of the news and could easily engage their daughter in hopes of rising in their ranking. It appeared that Damien tried both ways; first, he decided to announce his marriage to Emilia Blake, and second, he thought that Amelia would feel jealous and accept him after his marriage announcement. In the end, everyone knew about Damien pursuing her for more than five years, making it impossible for him to have forgotten about her so easily. Given this information, it was most likely that he would be desperate in the present situation, considering how Amelia''s value increased in his eyes since she was a successful businesswoman. Marrying her could make his life easier. ''How pathetic of you, Damien,'' Amelia thought, looking towards the ceiling while on the call. She now understood that Damien was trying to make her feel jealous and come after him so that he would be able to have a wife smart enough to manage businesses while also securing Emilia Blake in case Amelia didn''t marry him. :: Amelia, contact your Uncle and save Edward; this is to elevate our family''s position :: "I am not going anywhere; just do it yourself," Amelia cut the call abruptly, frustrated with how she had followed his decision to attend Damien''s wedding today. She silenced her phone and threw it on the bed before closing her eyes in an attempt to sleep. ''You should have just told me, idiot.'' She believed that Damien should have shared the truth about being abandoned by his family. Perhaps then she could have offered him support. It had been a week since he last said a word to her. On his birthday, she hadn''t felt able to talk to him because she was worn out due to working on a project, and after watching him quarrel with her stepmother, she might have acted out and slapped him. She thought he was just angry with her for the past few days, but then he suddenly announced his marriage. She had planned to call him either today or tomorrow after completing her work projects. However, his decision to marry someone from that family was so childish that it made her want to reprimand him. But after meeting him today and experiencing his outburst, she felt unfit to comfort him or even talk to him for at least a few weeks. ''Even if you are depressed, at least try to understand others'' state too,'' Amelia rested in sleep while thinking that even though he was depressed or worn out due to being abandoned by the Raphael family, he shouldn''t have reacted that way and yelled at her today. This made her decide not to take the initiative to have a conversation with him and to wait until he himself called her to ask for some money. After all, knowing Damien''s personality, it would be impossible for him not to call her for more than ten days. Now that he was abandoned, only she was his support. ''Idio...'' . . . . . . . Far away from the Crimwell mansion, while the night was at its peak inside the Camphrian city''s top hospital, existing near the Ramphian group of hotels, several cars were lined up. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each of them belonged to the Harrison Group, which boasted a net worth of 7.6 billion NR, making them the fourth largest group in the whole country. The convoy, filled with Land Rovers and Rolls Royce Phantoms, was parked just outside the hospital gate as the doors of a freshly arrived Lamborghini swung open. A woman with white hair, accentuated by the moonlight, stepped out of the car as dozens of bodyguards greeted her with boredom while she made her way inside. A white coat draped over her shoulders, and her eyes, with a slight grey hue accentuating her white eyebrows, guided her through the hospital. "Where is grandfather?" Luna calmly inquired upon entering the hospital. Her grandfather, Raven Harrison, had sustained some injuries and knife wounds, and upon hearing the news, Luna had instantly rushed there to check on his condition. "This way, young miss," the assistant guided her as they moved to the left, accompanied by two bodyguards for safety purposes. "How did it happen?" Luna asked in a composed tone without having any expression on her face, taken aback that her grandfather had been attacked while she was out of town for business meetings. "Young miss, we were attending the marriage of Damien and Raphael, and then..." the assistant began explaining the situation that unfolded in the marriage hall where some gunmen rushed in and started open fire. The assistant had managed to save Raven Harrison, but when he left to monitor the situation outside, he returned to find him injured. ''Damien...'' Luna recalled the name of the man who had turned down her grandfather''s marriage proposal, which was intended to offer him support. At the very least, her grandfather had hoped to postpone Damien''s separation from his family, especially because Damien''s real mother was the daughter of a close friend of Raven Harrison. Luna still remembered the time when her grandfather had asked her to marry Damien Raphael, whose reputation had already deteriorated in high society. Nevertheless, her grandfather suggested this marriage in the hope of mutual benefits. On one side, Luna would have supported Damien in business, thereby making him an eligible heir for the Raphael group, which would have prevented his abandonment. On the other side, she would have leveraged him to gain control of the entire Raphael group. It was a mutual proposal between heads of families, so of course, Damien was unaware of this. If Damien had accepted the marriage proposal on his birthday last week, everything would have been fine, and he would not have been abandoned. Upon exiting the lift, she ordered, "Send me the details about the names of those who attended the marriage event." Chapter 56: 56- Damiens talents The night was too long for Campiran City, as most of the police personnel were on the move to find the trail of the kidnapped Damien Raphael. But in the end, it eventually came to a close with the morning rays gracing the city with their warm glow. Sunlight moved towards the edge of Campiran City, where the area was mostly underdeveloped, with a density of rural backgrounds being more prevalent than in the center of Campiran City, which was not less than a metropolis filled with skyscrapers and high-class standard facilities. Inside one of the hospitals at the corner, far away from the main center of Campiran City, one of the rooms was exclusively allotted to Damien Raphael. "Doctor, should I inform the police about Damien Raphael being safe here?" one of the nurses inquired to the doctor, as they finally received news about the kidnapping of Damien Raphael after the police division contacted them and tried to search for him in this area. "No need. Sir Damien already told me everything about how he somehow escaped from the kidnappers, and in doing so, that lady got into a car accident as they were fleeing. So he requested that we not call the police due to his suspicion that the kidnappers were from higher-ups in that department," the doctor informed about how Damien Raphael had requested a room to spend the night in the hospital after revealing that someone from the police department was behind the kidnapping event. Given such circumstances, he had requested to stay here until morning to contact his family and reveal the names of those behind the kidnapping. "Indeed, I also saw the news. It was said that a police officer named Lin Wanruo was involved in the kidnapping," the nurse nodded as she recalled the news about the involvement of one of the police officers in the kidnapping event. "Yes, so keep quiet," the doctor informed, using his finger to adjust his glasses on his nose, a smile forming as he thought, ''Yes, just don''t disturb them until he comes out and tells everyone how our hospital provided shelter to the heir of the Raphael group, even in this risky matter.'' "Kekeke." He couldn''t help but break into a chuckle just by imagining how their hospital''s reputation would elevate after the news about them protecting Damien Raphael became public, possibly even gaining favor from the Raphael group. ''Did he finally snap?'' the nurse thought as she looked towards the doctor, feeling that he might have finally lost his mind, before turning towards the room allotted to Damien Raphael. Looking at its gate, she thought it was time to go and prepare good food today, knowing that serving the regular food for patients would be harmful for their image. ----- "Umh..." As the morning rays fell on Emilia''s eyes, her eyelids slowly fluttered, and her mouth mumbled due to pain assaulting her body. It felt as if her lower body was hurting, along with several muscles all over her frame. "Good morning, Wife." "Huh?" Suddenly, her eyes shot open at the sound of Damien''s voice referring to her as his wife. The first thing she saw was his face looking at her with a teasing smile, while his knuckle brushed over her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Whaa--?!" Emilia instantly pulled her blanket over her face, as all the memories of the previous night assaulted her mind, playing a vividly series of memories from all the actions they had gone through. Her eyes moved rapidly while her face flushed crimson due to embarrassment, leaving only one thought in her mind. "Are you really embarrassed right now? After acting so intensely last night?" Damien turned towards the ceiling after seeing her acting shy after all the energy she had shown the night before. His eyes settled on several screens in front of him. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ Sub Quest: Have Lin Wanruo suspended from her job. Status: Completed. Reward: All heroines will have delayed memory awakening. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ He shifted his eyes to the side, focusing on a different screen. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ Plot: Face-slapping event of Damien Raphael at the hands of Edward (protagonist). Quest: Decide yourself ¡ª? Calculating the major events... Escaped the face-slapping event + Slapped the heroine Amelia Crimwell + Punched the Son of Heaven Edward + Humiliated heroine Lin Wanruo + Dealt a fatal blow to the reputations of all three of them + Awakened the sub-heroine into a heroine + Triggered the next event of heroine Luna Harrison + Took the virginity of a supporting character... sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The events are too numerous, calculating the reward ¡ª? Overwriting reward from System.... Reward Granted from Lyra''s side: Lifting Level 1 Restriction. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ''Now this is a considerable reward,'' Looking at the reward, which was the best he could ask for, Damien felt satisfied; it had been a week since he came into this body, and he had done so much to prepare, while his main aim in every life was to lift his restrictions. Technically, these restrictions were placed on his talents, specifically the talents of all his previous life-bodies which he had inherited, regarding their professions, knowledge, power, and so on. ''Show me things under Level 1 Restriction,'' Damien commanded, wanting to see how many of the professions he could unlock with the first level of restriction lifting. The professions and talents were mostly divided into several levels to balance the present world and the character he had inherited. But as he completed the main events, he was able to lift his restrictions. [God Level Hacking, Master Blacksmith Talent, Bomb-Making Talent, Firearms Mastery, Weapon Master, Master Tactician, Poison Crafting Talent, Mechanic and Engineering Talent, Martial Arts Prodigy, Lockpicking and Security Breach Talent, Alchemy and Pharmaceutical Talent, Golden Massage Hands, Piano God, Acupuncture Mastery, Master Chef, Calligraphy, Chess.....see more] Suddenly, a screen popped up, showing a series of professions and talents that had been unlocked and were allowed for Damien to use. As the restrictions lifted, a surge of memories was transferred into Damien''s mind. The new memories, which had been transferred to his brain, were naturally a part of his brain but were just sealed away, allowing him to connect with all of it easily without feeling any pain. Chapter 57: 57- Emilias dilemma (1) "Now, this is something good." Damien, feeling the burst of professions filling his mind, believed he finally had some cards to play in order to move forward and unlock all of his restrictions, including his true powers. However, given the level of this world, he hardly thought that even before unlocking that level, he would most likely complete all his missions. "Now, shall we look at my wife?" With a playful tone, Damien glanced at Emilia, who had wrapped herself snugly in the blanket beside him. The thin material allowed her figure to subtly show through, resembling a snow-capped mountain with curves flowing gracefully from her waist to her hips and down her legs. The delicate white blanket draped over her was reminiscent of fresh snow adorning a towering peak. With that imagery in mind, Damien grasped the fabric of the blanket, resolved to uncover all the hidden ''snow'' himself. "Kyaaah~!" Just when Emilia thought she was beginning to overcome the whirlwind of memories, the morning sun poured into her line of sight as Damien pulled back the blanket, forcing her to instinctively cover her breasts with one hand and her intimate area with the other. "Now this is something gorgeous," Damien whispered, his gaze wandering across her bare form, unable to control the way his eyes flicked up and down. Her body was laid bare in the soft morning light, every curve accentuated by the natural glow. Her breasts, firm and full, pressed against her arm as she tried to cover them, but her efforts only emphasized their perfect shape. Her nipples, a soft pink and still slightly hardened from the lingering arousal, peeked from between her fingers. The curve of her waist drew his attention down to her hips, wide and inviting, leading to the softness of her thighs. Her skin, flushed from their night together, glowed with a faint sheen of sweat, the smoothness of her stomach leading his gaze lower. Between her legs, her pussy, though modestly covered by her hand, still held traces of the night''s passion. Her nether petals, or vulva, were slightly swollen, and the faintest glisten of moisture remained. Traces of dried white fluid mixed with remnants of blood remained near them, while her inner thighs bore the softest hints of redness¡ªa reminder of how intensely they had shared the night. Even in her attempt to shield herself, the beauty of her form was undeniable. The way her body reacted to him, how her legs remained slightly parted, revealed her vulnerability and the satisfaction she had clearly felt. Every inch of her was a masterpiece, from the curve of her neck to the way her raven hair cascaded across her shoulders, her chest rising and falling with each breath as she watched him with a mix of embarrassment. "St-stop! Don''t look," As Emilia caught sight of his gaze lingering on her, she quickly shut her eyes, determined to avoid his piercing stare. She curled her body, folding her legs tightly against her as she lay on the bed in an attempt to shield herself. Ding [Emilia Blake''s favorability increased from 30 (Crush) to 58 (Lover).] S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even though Emilia had yelled and acted as if she hated him, the notification that had just popped up in front of him assured Damien that he had indeed achieved what he wanted. This caused him to slightly lean forward near her ear and whisper, "Do you remember when I said you would eventually fall in love once I claimed your body?" ''?!'' The moment Damien whispered those words near her ear, Emilia''s body flinched. While tightly shutting her eyes and covering her private parts with her hand, she felt even more mentally exposed to this man who realized that she had indeed fallen for him. She hated herself for falling for someone like this man, who could just throw her away. Though she wasn''t aware of why he was doing this, she at least knew that he was evil¡ªvery evil; he was clearly a devil. And it appeared she had fallen for this devil. Even in her college years, when her friends would mention how they categorized boys into two kinds: those who were loyal and those who were clearly f-boys. She always heard from a few of her friends how they preferred a loyal boy over an f-boy. But they eventually found themselves attracted more to f-boys, finding them hot instead of loyal ones who acted immaturely and had not much social experience with women. Though, of course, in all the cases where a woman fell for such an f-boy, their relationship didn''t last long since there wasn''t any loyalty, only infatuation that ended soon. Emilia was thinking about those things just now because she had just categorized Damien in the f-boy category since she knew he wasn''t loyal at all. ''Stupid, Emilia, why him!'' Emilia cursed herself inwardly as she tightly clenched her jaws, shutting her eyes as she felt that she had made the biggest mistake of her life by falling for this man and coming to terms with the fact that she sensed him once again whispering near her ears. "You really have fallen for me, haven''t you?" Damien grinned as he whispered while his hand brushed her cascading hair, inhaling its scent as he felt like teasing her, seeing that expression on her face. "Damn you!" Emilia couldn''t help but express her frustration as she opened her eyes, teary-eyed, looking toward the man who was smiling at her with a face that made her feel helpless. Though her vision was blurred by tears, she could still see him. She was aware that she was just going to be used for his selfish gains, but it appeared she was caught by the well-known shackle called love, prompting her to look at him with a teary gaze. "Shouldn''t we take a bath now?" Damien, seeing her teary eyes, directly lifted her off the bed before moving towards the bathroom while carrying her in a princess carry. One hand groped her breast while the other firmly held her ass as he carried her. "Stop now, you pervert! Why do you smell like you pooped?" Emilia, being carried by him, noticed a very bad smell coming from his body. It was so repulsive that it seemed as if he had bathed in human waste. Due to her embarrassment and the fact that her mind was engaged in other things, she hadn''t noticed it before. But now that she was aware of it, "Bluerrghhhh!" "Shut up, I am going to rub this poop on you," Damien grinned as a tease. However, upon closer inspection, it became apparent that black liquid was seeping from his body. Because Emilia was averting her face and not looking at him, she didn''t notice the change in his facial features. Chapter 58: 58- Body refinement ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[ INVENTORY ?? 1. Resurrection pill -- (only for animals) 2. Brush (100% clean) 3. Salary bonus coupon (auto-redeem once mission is finished) 4. Healing potion (can even regenerate a severed limb) 5. Cultivation initiation for others 6. Body refinement pill 7. Reward box for first kill 8. Dual Cultivation Technique (current body is unsuitable) 9. Swift Soul Steps (granted as the newbie pack when signed into this world) ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a Damien looked towards the window in front of him, seated on the bed, as it was early in the morning. Slowly, the sunrise was occurring, and Emilia was sleeping exhaustingly beside him in deep sleep. Zzz-zz-z It felt funny how, even being an adult and acting so seamlessly last night, she was sleeping boldly beside him, completely naked with only a thin blanket over her. Ignoring her, he focused on dealing with the problem in front of him, which was about learning the dual cultivation technique, that would help him in the short term until he was able to lift all restrictions over his body. Until that moment, he needed strength. His eyes turned towards the inventory screen in front of him, observing each of the rewards he had gotten in this place after completing missions. While going through his options, his eyes fell on the last option, which was an ability he got when accepted to join this mission as a bonus factor provided to him due to his star employee badge. He would get any random overpowered ability, and among those was the ability to move a very short distance around an area of ten steps with a speed of 120 meters/second, equivalent to the speed of a normal bullet. This was the ability he had used to dodge Edward''s attack and even inflict knife attacks on Raven Harrison. He had previously used it in several places in these past few days, but there was a significant limit to it, which was his own body experiencing intense pressure when he used it, so he kept it to a minimum. ''Give me the body refinement pill,'' he said, and to tackle the same problem which was stopping him from growing further¡ªhis own body''s weakness¡ªhe directly tapped on the pill, which appeared reddish-black in color. Gulp He swallowed the pill whole and waited for a few moments. Slowly, a black liquid began to emerge from his pores, oozing visibly as it became apparent that these were the impurities being expelled from his body. His skin started to soften, while his facial features¡ªeyes, nose, and others¡ªwere undergoing a process of refinement. The color of his skin improved, becoming spotless, and his eyes became more defined. Already handsome, he shed all traces of acne, spores, or blemishes. "Uhm...." Suddenly, he noticed that Emilia had woken up, her eyes fluttering, and he grinned before lowering his head towards her. Thinking that it was time for him to take a bath, he greeted her. "Good morning, Wife." . . . . . . . . Finally exiting the bathroom alone, Damien used a towel to dry off his body and started to put on his clothes. "Good morning, S-sir Dami..." The nurse walked into the room, balancing a tray filled with various foods, including pasta and an assortment of items you wouldn''t typically find in a hospital setting, ready to serve. But it appeared her words stuck in her throat the moment her eyes fell on the man in front of her. "Good morning," Damien said, after wearing his shirt and other clothes. He tightened his suit and put on his black shoes. He greeted the nurse before sitting down to eat, adding, "You may leave." "Uh, y-yes," the nurse was drawn in by his words, her body responding without hesitation as if she were bound to that instant. It felt as though she were obeying the order to leave, yet she remained fixed in that moment where the sight before her was captivating¡ªhis sharp jawline, flawless skin illuminated by the morning sun, the delicate contours of his features, and the gentle breeze that tousled his hair, all accentuating the outline of his chest beneath his shirt¡ªcaused her mind to malfunction at that moment. "Bring some clothes for Emilia; you already saw how muddy it was?" Damien smiled as he relayed the news to the nurse, realizing that his physique was now impressive enough to cause someone to pause in awe. He requested her to bring some clothing for Emilia, who was currently in the bathroom after their three vigorous sessions. In the first session, he pushed her against the wall while molding her ass, before thrusting his dick inside her pussy again and again until her body limped. In the second session, he continued to rail into her while holding one of her one leg over his shoulder and supporting her upper body with his hand. In the third session, he kept pounding while lifting her body with her legs wrapped around his waist. During each of the three sessions, Emilia couldn''t help but stare at his face, a rosy blush tinting her cheeks and extending to her ears, revealing just how much she found him captivating. After finishing the sessions and stepping out of the bathroom, he was surprised when she said she wanted to stay inside for a while longer, leaving him to exit by himself while she lacked anything to wear. And given there weren''t any clothes for her, Damien reminded the nurse, knowing well how they would have seen Emilia last night¡ªhow she had been wearing a muddy dress that had gotten dirty due to her running all the way here. "Sorry, Sir, but we only have patient dresses," the nurse sensed that it would be difficult for her to find a dress for his wife due to the absence of nearby shops, so she suggested the idea of a patient uniform to him. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No problem, just give any of the present on you," Damien said, tilting his head and smiling towards the nurse, causing her face to turn crimson as she hastily bowed before running away from the room, feeling her heart crashing. Having just cast her gaze at the man who had it all¡ªgood looks, wealth, and a kind heart¡ªshe seemed to be falling for him. Chapter 59: 59- Helpless woman ''Oh my god!'' Emilia, naked in the bathroom, sat with her legs folded and her face buried in her hands, replaying the events of just moments ago. Her ears were flushed crimson, her face equally heated. The cool water surrounding her body did little to ease the warmth that had spread through her as she recalled that teasing look in his eyes. Right now, her mind was spinning in another world. Damien seemed like a completely different person overnight. She couldn''t figure out why¡ªperhaps it was because of what they''d done¡ªbut somehow, he looked even more handsome. For a fleeting moment, she even felt as though his thing inside her had grown firmer. ''How did he become this handsome?!'' Emilia cried internally, struggling with how quickly she''d fallen for him. And now, even his face and body seemed to have been carved out of Greek mythology¡ªa living Greek god. It left her feeling utterly helpless, as though she were nothing more than a ripe fruit, ready to be sliced at any moment. thump thump "Uhmh... this is bad," Emilia muttered, curled up, her heart pounding as she glanced down. Her eyes caught the sight of the white fluid gushing from her lower body, mixing with the water she was soaking in. The pungent smell lingered, and though she was in the bath, the amount was far too much for her to clean easily by just sitting there. Frustration washed over her; there was nothing she could do about it now. She had fallen into a trap, sinking deeper and deeper, as tears began to form in her eyes, slowly falling. A soft whisper escaped her lips in the bathroom, "sob... I-I shouldn''t have fallen for him..." "Wifey, have you bathed? I am putting cloth on the door; wear it." Suddenly, pulling her out of her thoughts, there was another teasing voice coming through the door, which was locked from the inside. She lifted her head towards it and shook her head as she slowly stood. Her legs trembled due to exhaustion as she made her way towards the door, opening it before taking the clothes and starting to wear them. As she made her way out of the bathroom, the first thing she saw was Damien seated while eating his food, without even waiting for her. This made her lift her fist in anger, clearly thinking about how he had made her wake up all night, exhausted her, and even just now made her do all those things, and yet he was eating like a pig. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Give me some too," Emilia, knowing that just by sitting beside him, he wasn''t a gentleman enough to provide her food, offered her hand to ask directly of him. As he took a plate of pasta and handed it to her, she started eating it while her face twitched as she saw him eating meat while giving her all the other things. "I also want meat," Emilia grabbed the plate from which Damien was eating, trying to pull it as she protested, showing her dissatisfaction with a cold look. "What? Didn''t I give you my meat all night and even a few moments ago? How hungry can you be?" Damien tilted his head and nudged her shoulder, causing Emilia''s face to twitch even more. Wanting to hit this man just with a punch but prioritizing her empty stomach, she decided to first eat and then beat him. Her body was sore and had muscle pains in several places. At least one thing was good: she used to stretch and exercise regularly. Otherwise, with the way things went, in the absence of flexibility, she would have been torn apart. "What are you going to do next?" Emilia inquired as she glanced towards him, feeling slightly annoyed that he didn''t even look at her. However, seeing his face, which appeared really attractive even from the side angle, caused her to want to pull his cheeks, but she controlled herself as she continued eating. "Returning to the main city, I guess," Damien had thought of leaving Camphrian City in the next few days after dealing with the situation here and handing over the company to Emilia and her mother to take care of. After all, most of the shares were with him, and after he dealt with the other board of directors in the company, he would have a stable source of income. He could guess that today the Raphael family, in order to clear their image¡ªwhich had been tainted due to the fake kidnapping event¡ªwould most likely declare that Damien had been abandoned by the Raphael group. Given that his bank accounts and everything else had already been frozen last week, with the remaining money stored in a secondary account, Damien was able to purchase lower-valued shares of the company under Blakes with the last remaining money he had. He even used Raphael Group''s name to book the Ramphian Group of Hotels, given he was penniless, but due to his name, he was able to pull a few strings, including purchasing reporters and police officers on the guarantee that he would give them money and promotions. In conclusion, he had scammed all of them. Due to having enough money, combined with the bankruptcy, Blakes had a very low share value, and he was able to purchase most of them and become the major shareholder. Now, of course, once he dealt with the board members under Gabriel, the share value would balance in favor of Emilia and her mother, making them equivalent to him with a 50-50 percent share margin. "Okay, I see," Emilia listened to his words, looking down as a slight emptiness filled her heart. It was confusing, but she knew that even though she loved him, his feelings were not genuine. Still, it felt bad to hear that he was going to leave her. "So, deal with the company, and once it stabilizes, come to the main city, dear wife," Damien, hearing that saddened tone of hers, understood what was going through her mind. That was why he took this chance to push her and give her motivation¡ªto come to the main city and meet him if she balanced and stabilized the bankrupt company. "Huh? What? I-I don''t want to meet you again; just go away," Emilia suddenly flinched, hearing his words as warmth surrounded her heart, but shaking her head, she directly denied the fact that she was definitely going to do her best and come to the main city, as her words showed an uncaring tone while she feigned ignorance. "Will you be able to live without me, dear wife?" "...." Emilia suddenly noticed his head resting on her shoulder as he spoke in a calm voice, while his hands brushed against hers. Lowering her gaze, feeling helpless and defeated, she mumbled, "....I hate you, Damien." Chapter 60: 60- Morning In the bustling streets of Camphrian City, a sense of disbelief filled the air as the latest news dominated every screen and broadcast. :: Breaking News: Raphael Group Disowns Heir Amid Kidnapping Scandal! Family Claims Abandonment Occurred Last Week :: The headlines flashed across every news channel as anchors delivered the shocking announcement. :: In a stunning move, the Raphael family has officially disowned Damien Raphael, distancing themselves from his recent kidnapping ordeal. Sources confirm that the family had severed ties with Damien last week, though this was kept private until now. :: Crowds gathered, voices overlapping in disbelief. "Did you hear? They disowned him before the kidnapping. Now they''re just trying to protect their reputation," someone murmured, shaking their head. "Cold move," another chimed in. "He gets kidnapped, and instead of helping him, they just wipe their hands clean." The city buzzed with speculation and gossip as the Raphael Group''s strategic distancing from Damien dominated the morning''s conversations. While some had sympathy for him, others who had interacted with him held a different opinion. "Honestly, it''s not surprising," one man said, shaking his head. "Damien always had a terrible reputation. People say he was trash¡ªnever treated anyone with respect." "Yeah, I''ve heard he was just a spoiled brat," another added. "Always getting into trouble and pushing people around. The family probably had enough of his behavior." A woman nearby nodded in agreement. "I heard he was always using his position to intimidate others. Guess they finally decided he wasn''t worth the trouble." In a caf¨¦, looking through the glass window and then turning towards a television, a man seated looked in front of him towards the screen, where he had just seen the news of Damien''s banishment. ''No, no, NO! That bastard!'' A man wearing a uniform belonging to one of the news agencies felt his whole world crumble as he gritted his teeth, anger clouding his mind as he remembered how he had just been tasked by Damien to spread fake news about a police officer named Lin Wanruo and to portray him as a hero. "What should we do now?" Seated beside him, another man gripped the table with clenched fists. He, too, had been tasked with the same assignment as a reporter and felt deceived by Damien, who had guaranteed him a hefty sum of cash. "He is nowhere to be seen too," another member of the group of five chimed in as he rubbed his forehead, feeling completely trapped given that they most likely had offended the Lin family due to Damien and spread the fake news, leaving them with no option but to flee. It may have appeared that everything went well, but now things had turned the other way. Now that Damien had been abandoned, there was no family background to support him. Making the first ones to be cursed those who had offended Lin Wanruo or Amelia Crimwell. All five of these reporters had been promised a large sum of money, and given that the one offering it belonged to the Raphael family, they had trusted him, knowing well that even if something happened, the Raphael family would handle the Lin family and the Crimwell family both. Tring~ ''?!'' "Damn it, have they already caught up to us?!" One of the five reporters felt sweat break out as he saw their female colleague''s phone ring, causing all of them to look towards her in fear as she also nodded before taking out her phone, where an unknown number was flashing, and picked it up. "H-hello, wh-who?" Her voice stammered as she inquired about the identity of the caller. :: You can''t even recognize your employer? :: "D-Damien!" Out of nowhere, the woman froze at the sound of the voice, instantly identifying it. She stood clutching her phone, while her colleagues, upon hearing her exclaim, tightened their fists in recognition; the caller was none other than Damien Raphael. "Ask him where he is..." One of them, covering his face to not let his voice be heard on the phone, whispered, trying to inquire about Damien''s location. "Yes, a-and what about our money?" Another one whispered, knowing that even if Damien was thrown out of his family, he likely still had a well amount of money on him, which they could at least use to leave this city. :: No need to exclaim; do you think I would lie to all of you? :: "N-no, Sir Damien, we were just..." The woman, slowly taking her seat, started to talk, her words slowly becoming normal. Knowing that right now they needed to at least get their money, and even though Damien was banished from his family, in the end, he was still from the Raphael family. :: Listen well, I will pay all of you twice the amount I initially said, but under one condition. :: "C-condition? Th-that''s..." The woman glanced towards her colleagues, who heard the twice amount as their eyes widened, knowing they would be able to receive so much money, making them fall into a daze for a moment. One of them nodded and gestured for the woman, who then replied, "What is it, Sir?" :: I will message you the address and pay in cash; you will not reveal the police about my location, do you understand? :: "Huh? Yes, yes, no problem, please send me the address." Hearing about the condition, the tense mood of all of them instantly broke as they would have never contacted the police since they would be the first ones to die under the sword of the Lin family, making them feel relaxed that they would at least get the money, and in cash, so there would not be any hassle of having a bank account transfer or taxes. All these conditions were in favor of them, making all five of them smile as they looked towards each other, feeling proud, as the call got cut. "Finally! I told you, Damien is a man of his word!" One of the journalists picked up the cold drink and took a sip. Reaching out his hand, he encouraged the others to join him, and they all shouted in unison, "CHEERS!" S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 61: 61- A firecracker "Now, it''s police," Damien sat alone inside the hospital room as he had sent Emilia to purchase some items for him. He dialed the number of the police officers whom he had hired to deal with Lin Wanruo inside the police station. Though their work was simply to distract her and create the scenario he had already predicted, in the end, Damien was not the type to leave loose ends. "Hello, Damien here." Dialing the number, Damien introduced himself as a hurried voice came from the other side of the line. New chapters at m v|le|mp|yr :: Sir Damien? Where are you at this moment? :: The voice on the call belonged to the technician of the lift, who was the vocal head of the police officers whom Damien had purchased using his status as the heir of the Raphael Group, and now that the news was on the headlines, most likely these people were in search of him to get back at him for lying to them. "I am sending you the address, and about your promotion, it would be hard as you have already gotten the news, so I will just give you each 30,000 NR. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Will that be fine?" Damien informed as he moved towards the window, observing the morning rays, which were warm like the smile forming on his face as he thought about providing a hundred times this warmth to all of these people who had provided him so much help. :: 30-30,000? R-really, Sir Damien?! :: On the call, the officer faltered a bit, realizing that the money he had referred to was in fact their five years'' salary. "Yes, but it will be in cash since my bank accounts are frozen. I am sending you the address, but remember, don''t inform anyone about my location. Do you understand?" Damien glanced down and noticed Emilia holding a bag had entered the hospital while running, gasping, but seeing how she was about to arrive, Damien cut the call. "D-DAMIEN?!" Suddenly arriving at the door, Emilia kicked it open, holding two bags in her hand. Gasps for breath, she looked towards Damien, who stood near the window with a smile. "What happened? Why are you screaming?" Damien shrugged his shoulders and approached Emilia, resting both hands in his pockets. "You!" Emilia dropped the bags in her hand as she sprinted towards him, clasping his cheek and glaring at him as she inquired, "Why didn''t you tell me that you were thrown out of the Raphael family?" "Thrown out is harsh, Emilia." Though Damien felt her clasp on his cheek resembled a slap, he chose to overlook it as he leaned in, gently tapping her forehead with his. With their proximity, he could feel her warm breath stirring against his skin. "Idiot, don''t tell me you were searching for a sugar mommy all this time?" Emilia''s first thought was that if this incident of vanishment had occurred a week ago, it was obvious that Damien would search for someone for economic support, given his habit and living standards set on the level of the heir of the Raphael Group. Her doubts became firmer the moment she realized how he had purchased shares of her company and even, just a few minutes ago, told her to stabilize the company, making her understand he was wanting to have economic support. "S-sugar, what?" Damien hearing Emilia''s words felt his mouth twitching as he retreated while observing her facial expressions turning into a smirk, as if showing her superiority towards him. Instead of the sympathy he thought she would have, it was more like an inflated ego. "Hehe, I see, I see. No problem, I will take on that position," Emilia nodded as she folded her arms, clearly feeling proud as she had finally found a weakness in this man, which was his poverty. Now she was feeling that she had the upper hand, where she could easily throw money at him and make him do whatever she wanted. ".....I guess, thank you?" Damien noticed that Emilia was responding in a way he didn''t anticipate. Still, he took some comfort in the fact that she would do him the favor of helping him make some money. He chose to overlook this realization while allowing her to indulge in her own fantasies. As he walked past her, he headed toward the bags sprawled across the floor. "Have you brought the items I asked for?" Damien inquired. Lifting both the bags, he placed them on the table and started to pull out the items. "Yes, but aren''t they just random things you asked me to purchase so you could get alone time to talk with your girlfriends?" Emilia came forward while folding her arms behind and leaned as she glanced towards the items, making Damien halt and look towards her with a blank gaze. Sighing, he turned back to the items. "....Be quiet." Damien took out a small bottle of gasoline, holding hardly 1L of it. "What quiet? It''s obvious or else why would you tell me to purchase gasoline, bleach, batteries, long wires, several metal nails, a small pipe, and a stopwatch?" Emilia, seeing the items he was taking out of the bag, felt it was obvious that these items were just random things without any link with each other. "Emilia, do you know I am good at chemistry?" Damien took a seat on the bed before taking a black bag available near the drawer, where he started to put these items into it while continuing to chat with Emilia to at least tell her something about him. "...How?" Emilia, hearing some random words from him, folded her arms and sat on the bed, inquiring and feeling confused as he said how he was good at chemistry. "You remember Edward?" Damien inquired while immersed in placing the items in the bag. "Ah, the one whom you punched and falsely arrested." Emilia nodded her head, remembering the guy who was clearly provoked by Damien and in the end even got his teeth broken by him. "You are smart, aren''t you, Emilia?" Damien definitely appreciated her observation skills, given that not even the son of Heaven was able to do that before, adding, "So, tell me, how do you think police officers found benzene in his stomach?" "Hm, how?" Emilia thought for a moment about how police officers could be purchased but rejected the fact given Edward was vomiting. Then she even thought about the can Damien gave Amelia that could carry the benzene, but also rejected it since it was tightly sealed. "I made him drink Sodium Benzoate," Damien revealed while recalling the thing they were sprinkling on the name of holy water, which was sodium benzoate, normally not harmful for human skin, but for Edward who had drunk it, things were slightly different. "Why am I not surprised?" Emilia looked at the man who was immersed in putting those things in his bag. As he finally closed the bag, it made her feel that this man was a demon, a devil, who could do anything for his interest. Given her basic knowledge of chemistry, she could guess the can filled with juice Amelia gave Edward clearly contained ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and when both sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid mixed in the favorable atmosphere of the acidic nature inside Edward''s stomach, benzene formed. "You want to be surprised?" Damien lifted his eyes and glanced at Emilia as he inquired, looking at her becoming even more casual with him, which he appreciated given her favorability had already reached a fine value. "...." As Emilia continued to gaze at his face, her attention drifted to his lips that began to part slowly, as if he was on the verge of speaking. The words that escaped were softer than a whisper, but when she comprehended them, her eyes grew large with one thought resonating in her head: ''a b-bomb!'' Chapter 62: 62- Doctor "Sir, what should we do now?" a nurse inquired of the doctor, her voice barely concealing the tension after seeing the news that confirmed Damien Raphael had been officially cast out from his family. "Let''s talk to him first." The doctor''s voice was steady, but his mind was a storm of shattered hopes. Walking down the sterile hospital hallway, he couldn''t shake the disappointment gnawing at him. He had envisioned that, with Damien''s support, he might finally gain the approval and acceptance of the powerful Raphael family. But now, that dream seemed as distant as ever. Still, amidst the disillusionment, there was a small solace¡ªDamien shared the same blood, and that connection, that lineage, still tied them together in some way. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" ''?!'' The doctor and nurse froze at the loud, angry voice coming from Damien''s room just as they opened the door. Their eyes immediately darted to the scene inside¡ªa woman dressed in a nurse''s uniform had one hand gripping the collar of a man while her other fist was raised, ready to strike him in the face. "S-Sir Damien?" the doctor stammered, recognizing the man. Damien stood there, looking oddly calm, a smile playing on his lips as the woman¡ªthe one they had brought in last night, now in a nurse''s uniform¡ªwas on the verge of punching him. "Relax, Doctor, she just wanted a change of clothes. And you know, with my account frozen, there wasn''t much I could do." Damien casually brushed Emilia''s hand off his collar, straightened his shirt, and grabbed a black bag that lay on a nearby chair. He moved forward without causing a scene, though Emilia''s silent glare trailed behind him, her anger simmering but contained. "Th-that''s... I was hoping to ask exactly what happened?" the doctor managed, finding his voice. This was the question that had been on his mind since hearing the news. Just last week, the Raphael family had announced that they were severing ties with Damien, rendering the doctor''s long pursuit of their approval meaningless. But he tried to maintain composure, hoping to get some clarity on the situation. "You know how these family games work, right? They spread false news to reduce my value so the kidnappers would leave me. It''s all part of the plan," Damien explained, shaking his head as he passed the doctor. The doctor and the nurse followed closely behind, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over them at Damien''s words. Stay connected with m v l e mpyr If it was all a game, perhaps his connection to the Raphael family wasn''t truly severed after all. The doctor, though, couldn''t ignore the subtle change in Damien''s demeanor. His mind, however, was more focused on the hospital''s future. If they played their cards right, they could still secure the funding promised by the wealthy groups for saving Damien. For the nurse, her focus was entirely on Damien¡ªthe way he carried himself, his calm confidence¡ªit all left a strong impression. She couldn''t help but feel drawn to him, pushing away any sadness that lingered. "Oh, I see." The doctor nodded, understanding that he might never fully grasp the inner workings of these powerful families. They could twist the truth as they pleased, publishing one thing today and denying it tomorrow. "Doctor, what''s the condition of the woman I brought in?" Damien''s question cut through the air, his voice sharp and precise. He was referring to Emilia''s mother, though in his mind, she was nothing more than a tool, a means to an end. He had a plan, and if Emilia couldn''t prove herself useful, he would have to turn to her mother to achieve his goals. "She''s stable for now, but it will take a few weeks for her to wake up. The internal injuries were severe, and she suffered from heavy bleeding," the doctor reported, scanning the paperwork the nurse had handed him. Then, he hesitated for a moment before adding, "Sir Damien, the young lady in the room with you earlier, is she... Emilia Blake?" He asked because the recent news of Damien''s engagement to Emilia Blake had caused quite a stir, and seeing her in that altercation made it clear she was no ordinary woman. "Yes, and her mother is the woman in the accident. Make sure both of them are well cared for until I return," Damien ordered as he exited the hospital. His words were final, punctuated by a slight gesture, and both the doctor and nurse instinctively bowed in response. They knew they had little choice in the matter. To displease him was to lose what little hope they had of elevating their careers. After all, they had been stuck in this rural hospital for over four years, far removed from the VIP clientele they so desperately sought. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. While Camphrian City was well-organized and modern, the hospital, though equipped with advanced technology, rarely attracted the kind of patients who could open doors to a better future. The doctors here were competent, even exceptional, but the lack of connections with the upper echelons of society kept them trapped. They saw Damien as their golden ticket, a second-generation rich young master who might offer them a way out and a transfer to a more prestigious hospital in the city. "Sir, what about the hospital bills?" The receptionist, timidly approaching, presented the doctor with a bill for Damien''s treatment, which was still unpaid. "Are you an idiot? You want me to ask him for some trivial amount of money?" the doctor snapped, his irritation evident. He pulled out his own card and handed it to the receptionist, grumbling, "Put it on my account. When Sir Damien decides to pay, let him know I covered it with my own salary, got it?" He wasn''t about to let something as petty as a bill tarnish the image he was trying to cultivate. If he played his cards right, Damien would see him as a loyal supporter, and that could only improve his future prospects. "Y-yes, me too," the nurse chimed in quickly, pulling out her phone. "I''ll pay for his meals and clothes." Their salaries, provided by the government, allowed them some flexibility, and they knew that investing a little now might yield significant rewards later. "Where is my mother?" A sudden voice interrupted their conversation. It was Emilia, standing a few feet away, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the nurse, her instincts immediately picking up on the other woman''s interest in Damien. "Oh, Good morning, Miss Emilia. Please follow me," the nurse responded, recovering from her initial surprise and guiding Emilia toward the emergency room where her mother was being treated. Chapter 63: 63- Factory "Fuck, how could I make this mistake!?" Seated in the back of a police car that was heading toward headquarters, the police chief felt his blood turn cold upon seeing the news that the Raphael family had abandoned Damien. Memories of last night, when he had beaten Lin Wanruo, resurfaced, making him realize the catastrophe he had brought upon himself. "Sir, we are being followed," informed the police officer seated in the driver''s seat, observing in the car''s mirror that three or four black cars were following closely behind. Read first on m|v|l|e|mpyr sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What? Have these idiots lost their minds?" The police chief felt frustrated as his anger boiled up, causing him to glance back and pull down the window of his car, yelling, "Bastards, do you even know who I am?" The moment he opened the window and yelled, a small ball-like object leapt into the back of the car, prompting his eyes to turn toward it. He realized it was a grenade, instantly causing him to open the door and leap out of the car. BOOM! Within seconds of his jump outside the car, as his body rolled on the ground, he sustained injuries all over, acquiring fractures in his hand and abrasions due to the speed of the car. Suddenly, the whole car blasted apart, tearing into pieces due to the explosion. "Kugh!?¡ªDamn it!" Due to his chubby body and excess fat, the skin tore, and bleeding began at several places as he tried to lift himself. But the cars that were following him suddenly struck him. "Khuek!" His body was hit by a car, throwing him onto the asphalt and hitting his head as he tried to roll out of the way in hopes of survival. Three bikers came in behind the cars, starting to move in a circle around the police chief. "St-stop," he stammered, lying bloodied on the asphalt, hardly visible in the pool of blood where he lay. His body had several injuries, fractures, and internal bleeding. His face was completely drenched in blood as he tried to stretch his hands toward the bikers who were moving around him. Due to the highway being near an area that would have normally been busy, it appeared suspicious how there were no other vehicles in this part of the highway, most appearing as if the road was blocked from both sides. He moved his hands toward his pocket where his gun was placed. Bang! "Aaargh!" But even before he could pull out his gun, a baseball bat landed directly on his face, throwing him a distance away due to the sheer force as he was thrown out of the circle the bikes were moving in, as the bikes halted before once again moving toward him. "N-no!" He didn''t understand why this was happening to him. Considering he was the police chief, it was confusing that, when being the head of the department, he was being attacked in broad daylight on a busy highway. Vrooooom Bang! "Khuck! Aghh! ¡ªcough!" With another engine roar, the biker moved beside him, holding a rod that landed directly on his face, throwing him off the ground as he once again splattered a mouthful of blood directly on the ground, feeling his consciousness finally slipping away as his eyes succumbed to darkness. "What to do with him now?" Finally, the bikes stopped as one of them inquired, glancing in the direction of the black cars from which a few men wearing black coats came out and moved toward the unconscious man. "Hm, check his phone and see if someone was behind him," a bald man with scars on his face said as he halted. Another one provided him a cigarette, and after taking it and lighting it, he inhaled before blowing out some smoke. He glanced in the direction of the road and added, "Wash the blood marks and bring him to our place. Let''s see which bastard tried to mess with our young miss." Currently distanced from the highway where the recent events took place, an empty paint factory lies in a remote region, situated seven miles away from the rural parts of Camphrian city. The abandoned factory was in complete disarray given its abandonment caused a decade ago, making it filled with rust and weak walls, evident from the door which had been broken by someone present inside the warehouse. "And this goes here," Damien connected the last wire as he started to roll out while exiting the door. He attached the battery to cover the stopwatch before opening it and doing something with it before he started the timer for 4 minutes. "Let''s see, they must be arriving," Damien said, resting his hands in his pockets while using his shoes to dust over the wires to hide them on the ground. He glanced toward the empty barren land where four cars came into view as they approached the abandoned factory. Soon enough, both cars hurling in his direction finally came to a halt as several individuals came out of them, revealing their identity: the four police officers and the five reporters, who were the ones Damien had promised or assured to complete some tasks for him. "Sir Damien, how are you?" Leaving them behind, the first one to move forward was one of the police officers, wearing his uniform as his service revolver hung from his fist as he moved forward with a smile, clearly betraying his inner hatred and evil. "Well, for now, it''s good, I guess," Damien kept a small smile, looking toward all of them clearly, observing their facial expressions as some of them averted their gaze while some of them tried to hide their inward anger, as if, if given a chance, they would instantly kill him for lying to them. "I see, well then, where is the money?" the officer inquired as his face turned expressionless, looking coldly toward Damien, who, seeing this, felt amused before nodding as he stepped aside and gestured for them to enter. "Ladies first," Damien offered a place for the woman reporter to move, who slightly looked toward her colleague who initially found it suspicious, but then ignored it, knowing well about Damien''s trashy personality, as they accepted it. "No, you will move first," the officer who stood just nearby directly took out his revolver and pointed it toward Damien, not caring a bit after realizing that this man had no background support now. "What is the meaning of this?" Damien''s gaze turned cold as he feigned surprise, his eyes widening at the sight of the revolver. Chapter 64: 64- Boom "Meaning? Isn''t it obvious?" Pointing the gun''s muzzle at Damien''s head, the officer clearly showed a murderous intent, with a face that displayed his determination to pull the trigger. ''Isn''t this d¨¦j¨¤ vu?'' Feeling the gun pointed at his head, Damien was forced to remember last night''s events when Lin Wanruo had also pointed a gun at him, unaware of the consequences that would not end with just her being suspended. "I-I understand," Damien said, with hesitation in his voice, as he slowly lifted his hands in surrender, showing a hint of fear. He was going to such lengths only because he had a different plan to deal with these people now that they had shown him their fangs. Naturally a lenient person, Damien had thought to give them a peaceful and kind death, where their bodies would turn into small pieces due to the explosion without giving them the time to even blink, but now it seemed these people didn''t deserve his mercy. "Move!" Seeing one of his colleagues pointing a gun at Damien, the technician who had been tasked with distracting Lin Wanruo inside the lift came forward with a smirk, trying to push Damien back. It was futile, as it felt like his hand was pressing against a wall, even though it was on Damien''s chest. "Okay, I am moving," Damien nodded and gave a small blink to the woman reporter, who had been dazed since the moment she first saw him. She kept looking at him with a blush, finding him somehow more appealing. Unbeknownst to them, this was also the reason why the officers or others were reacting so aggressively towards Damien; they were feeling inferior to him either in charm or in personality. Though their minds blamed it all on him lying to them and wanting to put Damien in his place, in reality, they were unconsciously feeling inferior to him in every respect, which was making them act hostile towards him, although they were not accepting or aware of it themselves. Thump thump. "W-wait, I-I will go first," the woman reporter on her own initiative came forward, trying to act and present herself in a more appealing and attractive way to Damien by speaking in a soft voice, unlike her usual self, while acting all shy and innocent. ''T-This bastard!'' It didn''t take long for her colleagues to understand why she had just accepted what Damien said, making them glare at him. Their frustration increased even more the moment they saw Damien looking toward them with a grin as if mocking them. "E-excuse me." With a catwalk, trying hard even with her average face and body features, she moved in front inside the factory, while her eyes slightly wanted to feel the way Damien was looking at her from behind. "You are excused." Damien, with a calm smile, followed behind her while focusing on her movements, particularly the balanced hips that were like a pendulum, giving away proper curves at which his eyes were fixed on her phone. Indeed, his eyes were fixed on the phone he had placed in her back pocket, while others who followed him were glaring from behind, seeing how this man was truly known for his useless and worthless personality, which was evident as he was looking at the hips of that innocent woman. "Where is the money?" Arriving inside the factory, which was completely empty, while filled with several old barrels and cans containing the raw material of this abandoned factory, they all looked towards Damien. "Hm, it will be soon 2 minutes in few seconds and given the distance, it would take all of you 1 minute to reach the door, I see," Damien nodded and gazed outward, his grin resembling that of a devil, sneaky and mischievous, which made those standing behind him recoil slightly as an unsettling feeling washed over them. "What does that mean?" The officer pointing his gun at Damien clearly tightened his grip on the trigger, prepared to click it at any moment as he inquired, feeling suspicious at those words which didn''t make any sense right now. "Nothing, it''s just I would not waste all of your time here now and give all of you enough time to run away after telling you that there is a bomb in that container," Damien with a calm smile pointed towards two drums where he had implemented a stopwatch which had reached 1 minute 10 seconds, before his body suddenly vanished in front of their eyes. ''?!?!'' "B-bomb?!" "D-don''t bluff¡ª?!" Hearing the information about the bomb, all of them were shocked as their heads were fixed on the particular barrels that Damien had pointed to before turning towards him, but they noticed he had vanished from there, causing them to instantly turn their heads here and there to find where he went. "Woohoo, here, come fast or all of you will die!" Suddenly the voice very familiar to them came from the entrance of the factory, causing all of them to glance in that direction as they saw Damien covering more than a hundred meters of distance in a blink, now standing there while waving towards them. In that moment of shock, their minds seemed to fall into a trance. Was there really a bomb here? And even if there was, then why had Damien warned them? What if this was some other trick of his? Several thoughts crossed their minds, but all vanished the moment their eyes caught sight of that particular woman beside them screaming, "B-BOOMBB!" Officers and reporters instantly turned their gazes towards the woman who had just opened one of the barrels while looking into it, as her legs became numbed and she fell on her back, her face horrified, drenched in sweat, eyes trembling as she stretched her hand towards her colleagues, with a barely audible voice, "H-help..." "Run!" All of them, without even thinking of helping the woman, instantly turned towards the entrance, running as fast as they could, not knowing when the bomb would blast, as their only hope was to run towards the entrance where Damien stood, clearly signifying the range of the bomb was not that long if Damien was standing there. "Pffft." Amid the chaos, it felt as though their last shred of hope was taunting them. As they ran, their eyes widened in panic at the sight of Damien''s grin. One hand clutched a phone, while the other gestured mockingly. His form disappeared as if by magic, appearing only as a sinister silhouette that laughed at their misery, leaving behind a chuckle like a devil. Zwwoooo¡ªBOOOOOM! S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before long, a searing light engulfed their eyesight, muffling their screams and pleas while a deafening roar reverberated around them. The intense heat rapidly incinerated their garments and outer layers of skin, silencing their cries that were trapped within the collapsing walls, which soon gave way to the force of the explosion. "AaaaRrrGgggHhHhhhhh.....!!!!" Stay updated with m-v le-mpyr "Hel¡ªKkHhrGghh!!!" The intensity was such that it immediately caused the barrels containing raw magnesium to disintegrate. Since this was an abandoned paint factory, the oxidizers present in the barrels magnified the minor explosion, triggering a chain reaction that led to all of them detonating. Soon, the whole factory turned to rubble. Chapter 65: 65- Kill "Hmm, let''s see," Damien seated himself on the bonnet of one of the cars while looking at his phone as he was doing something just 200 meters away from him. Flames from the explosion were engulfing the area, but due to the falling rubble of the factory, they were slowly being extinguished. It had already been more than 3 minutes since the explosion occurred, which had broken the walls of the factory that had already been weakened due to lack of maintenance. The explosion was strong enough to fill the area with intense heat for several meters. The walls were collapsing while suppressing the fire. [Activating voice transformation.] "H-hello, BBQ n-news." Damien was dialing the number displayed on the caller ID, which showed the name of the news agency where the woman, now trapped beneath the debris, had worked. He lifted the phone to his ear. :: Who are you, and why is Saliya''s phone with you? :: "Cough! Argh, I am her colleague; Saliya is dead." Damien coughed while adjusting his voice to sound like an innocent man who was injured beyond exhaustion, hardly able to call and communicate with the news agency, feigning the most over-the-top painful tone he could muster. :: D-dead?! Don''t joke with me! It''s impossible! N-no, w-was that those rich bastards?! :: Find joy at m-vl_em|p,yr Hearing the voice, Damien could clearly understand which bastards were referred to¡ªthe Crimwell or Raphael family. Given that, after the news of Damien''s banishment and last night''s kidnapping events, which were covered by these reporters who were now getting a sunbath, it was possible for those families to suppress and search for this particular reporter. "Urgh! I-I don''t know, but it was someone from last night. P-please record the call, since I will not survive longer." Damien slowly stood from the car as he saw the flames were now under control and likely extinguished as he made his way slowly toward the factory. :: N-no! Wait, wait, tell me your location! I am recording. :: "C-Crimwell family! Cough!? I-it was a bodyguard whom Sir D-Damien had arrested last n-night." Damien kept speaking while resting one hand in his pocket, as the other held the phone and moved toward the direction from where he could hear groans and someone''s cries. "W-water... water..." Thanks to the purification of his body and his advancement to the body refinement stage, he could distinctly perceive the cry even from a great distance due to his sharpened senses. :: Wh-what Crimwell?! Tell me more, who exactly?! :: "H-his name was Edw-ard¡ªUrgh?!¡ªHe was subdued by Sir Damien and got arrested yesterday night b-but due to jealousy, L-lin Wanruo helped him escape from the main headquarters." Damien kept feeding the information, knowing well that most likely this call recording would soon be displayed on all the news channels, given that the family in question was the Crimwell family, not the Raphaels. Naturally, Damien was well aware that this particular news would soon spread more due to the influence of the Raphael Group. They would hope to distract the public view, which was currently focused on their heir''s kidnapping and the banishment of their heir, and redirect it towards the Crimwell family. After all, the public only needs more exciting news to forget older stories. Considering the news spreading about the Raphael Group, who would never want to bear any taints on their name, they would most likely choose to sacrifice the Crimwell family and the Police Department of Camphrian City. In the end, this is how hierarchy worked, and right now Damien was going to use the Raphael Group to crush the Crimwell family without even having the title of heir himself. :: What? So-so, the Lin family is also involved? :: "N-no, it was Lin Wanruo''s personal jealousy since Sir Damien had rejected her proposal to spend a night with her¡ªArgh!¡ªSh-she is a b-itc.... Beeeeeppp." Upon uttering those words, Damien released his hold, letting the phone drop from his ear, and then proceeded to crush it beneath his feet. :: H-hello¡ª crack S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hm, now, should we see our roasted shrimps?" Due to his body undergoing physical enhancement, he had enough force to turn the phone into crushed pieces, which were impossible to restore. He continued to rub his foot to destroy the SIM card before making his way toward the factory. ".....urgh...w-water." One of the officers, who had somehow distanced himself from the others due to his athleticism, was nearer to the door. His whole body was burned in the flames, but he was somehow still alive, looking upward with his burned body, asking for water. "Weren''t you the one who pointed a gun at me?" Damien arched his brows as he arrived near the rubble, observing three or four dead bodies lying scattered on the ground in broken states, with blood likely dried due to the flames. The bodies were completely burned, with no hair and eyebrows or skin left to identify which officer had pointed a gun at him. "....y-ye...h-help." Hardly able to form words due to his vocal cords being damaged, and with intense pain bombarding his mind, the officer accepted with hope for at least a drink of water at the door of death. "Water? Here you go." Damien moved his hands down before unzipping his pants and started to pee. Drip drip While looking with a grin at the now completely ridden body of the man who was receiving the water in his final moments of life directly from Damien''s penis as he urinated on him, the officer, with heavy eyes, slowly succumbed to death, feeling that he was no longer looking at a human. "....Kugh...n-no." From a distance, the technician who had tried to push Damien crawled out from beneath the rubble. Though a few bones in his body remained intact due to jumping inside one of the metal barrels, the explosion had thrown the entire barrel a considerable distance away. He had been shielded from the heat, but in the process, his lungs were punctured by his own ribs. His jaw hung loosely due to fractures, while the bones in his limbs had disintegrated into a powder-like substance from the heavy impact. "Oh, isn''t there one more here?" Suddenly, a chilling voice reached the ears of the man who had barely crawled out of the container. His trembling eyes looked towards the man in front of him, standing with a green shadow covering his face, revealing laughter stretching to his ears as he peed on a dead body. This sight instantly sent a chill down the man''s spine. His whole body, already exhausted and injured, felt like it was shattering as he tried to shake his head, with snot and saliva dripping as he begged, "N-no!... Agh.... Someone.... help!" "Don''t cry, I will not kill you," Damien zipped his pants before moving towards that man who tried to crawl away from there while hearing his words as his heart raced due to pain and internal bleeding. He could feel that if he didn''t escape now, he would die the most miserable death. So right now the man was aware that death was inevitable due to all the injuries to his body and the pain which numbed all his senses. So the most he could do was not die a dog''s death like that officer. Chapter 66: 66- Keeping the three families in check "R-really?" Hearing Damien''s words, the man momentarily understood that he couldn''t trust this individual. Yet, knowing death was so close, he still inquired, hoping for a chance to survive. "Yes, I will not kill you myself." Damien moved forward, slowly leaning before sitting on one of the rubble piles while the man''s body lay in a bloody state near his feet. He looked up, resting his chin on his palm and supporting his elbow on his thighs, gazing at him with a smirk. "...urgh... th-then¡­" The man, clearly understanding Damien''s implication that he would not kill him, felt reassured that at least he would not die a dog''s death. He was already certain that there was no chance for him to survive this. "Your son is still six years old, right? And your wife, hm?" Damien, already conscious of his surroundings, had gathered family details of these individuals, making him well-aware that in a situation like this, he could easily threaten them. But seeing that this man was dying, he thought of using it to his advantage. ''?!'' "St-stop?! N-not my family..." A chill ran down the man''s body the moment he heard Damien mention his family. He struggled against the pain and tried to lift himself, but it was all in vain, and he fell back again. "Fine, fine, I will not harm them, but it depends on how you act," Damien said, seeing how he had positioned himself well, gesturing with his hand. "Wh-what¡­ Argh¡­ t-tell me¡­" Due to heavy bleeding, the man realized he might hardly survive more than a few minutes, prompting him to inquire as he clenched his teeth, trying not to succumb to sleep and holding himself from falling into oblivion. "Nothing, just simply say the Crimwell family and Lin Wanruo were the ones who did all this." Before moving away, Damien made his demand and waved his hand as the sounds of numerous police vehicles and reporters began to converge on the area. In the end, as Damien had expected, the call he made to the news agency had already spread, given that the Raphael family would have boosted it within a few minutes of realizing it could be a chance to divert public attention towards others. It may appear that big companies that contribute the most to a country''s economy don''t care about people''s opinions and thoughts. But in truth, if public sentiment crosses a certain threshold, it becomes problematic, and major companies have to face backlash. Customers may begin to boycott their products or services. So, amidst all the controversy surrounding the Raphael family, they were most likely trying to avoid losses or damage to shareholder trust, prompting them to address public perception first, even at the cost of sacrificing a few individuals. This was evident from the fact that reporters and police officers had already arrived at the scene. Damien had already used a phone whose location tracking enabled the media and officers to pinpoint this place, all while destroying any evidence of his involvement in this case. The only person he called was that woman, whose phone was now turned to dust, including one of the officers who had been among those burned, which also destroyed his phone in the process. Enjoy reading at m,v lem|p,yr "Fast! What happened here?!" "Call the firefighters!" "W-wait?! There''s a survivor!" One after another, the officers and reporters exited their vehicles, sprinting towards the rubble where remnants of flames still flickered. Given human greed, in a society where everyone is selfish enough to care about their own gain, each of them had a different perspective on the situation. Reporters, for instance, rushed to collect news that could be used against the Crimwell family and others. ''I-is this it?'' Hearing the sounds of several individuals sprinting in his direction, the man in a broken state felt that this was the end for him¡ªa moment where the most he could do was secure his family''s safety. "Cough! H-here, P-please h-help!" Even in that bloodied state, the man pulled himself as he crawled, holding onto the rubble. He lifted his body, waving his hands towards the reporters, ignoring the fact that his movements increased his bleeding. It was clear that survival was impossible, so right now, the most he could do was follow the orders given to him. --- ''They will be busy for a while.'' Damien, already a mile away from the scene, moved toward a public garden before taking a seat there, breathing heavily as he felt slightly exhausted and fatigued from using swift soul steps. Under normal circumstances, the exertion would leave his body aching, but with the impurities eliminated and his physique upgraded, he only felt fatigue from running such great distances. He had already dealt with the distractions involving the Lin family, the Crimwell family, and the Raphael family, who would likely become entangled in a complex game, ignoring him for a few moments. Damien felt the need to move, so he stood and walked out of the garden in the direction of the hospital, which was still two miles away. Without a single penny to his name, he was unable to book a taxi. He had no choice but to walk. --- "M-mom?" Emilia entered the ICU, where a woman with bandages and a patient gown lay sleeping with an oxygen mask over her face. The sounds of machines were buzzing around her. "When will she wake up?" Emilia inquired, looking toward the heartbeat monitor and other displays that showed her mother''s current state¡ªstable, but not well. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We don''t know, but it appears she has fallen into a coma," the nurse who had guided Emilia to the room said, bowing as she informed her about her mother''s status. The woman had been through an intense accident that could have cost her life. However, it appeared she survived solely by her will to live. It was as if she were fighting to avoid death, forcing herself with each breath to remain conscious and alive until the end. But eventually, there is a limit to how far a human can push themselves with sheer will. This was evident from her present condition¡ªshe was now in a coma. Chapter 67: Chapter 67 - Emilias Mothers Secret (1) "Oh, Sir Damien, where were you?" the doctor, who had just attended to a patient while moving toward the reception, noticed Damien entering through the doorway. Clasping his hand, he moved toward him, greeting him with a hint of pleasantry in his voice. "Just for a walk," Damien calmly replied before looking toward the doctor and adding, "You need to do a paternity test for me, doctor." "S-sorry?" Suddenly hearing Damien refer to a paternity test, the doctor was slightly surprised, considering that it might be related to Damien''s illegitimate child or something. After all, it was no secret that Damien Raphael had a somewhat bad and unreliable reputation. "I would hope you keep it a secret, doctor," Damien moved forward toward the particular individual who was next in line to deal with. Having finally finished dealing with the Raphael family and making them busy for a few days, he sought to sort out matters with the Blakes. Specifically, now that Emilia Blake was most likely under his favor, another anomaly that needed to be addressed in her business had to be handled. "I understand, but we will need blood samples, sir," the doctor nodded before informing him about the need to collect blood samples from both the parent and the child to conduct the paternity test. Damien, without answering, moved toward the ICU at the end of the corridor on the ground floor before entering. "D-Damien? Are you okay?" Emilia sat at a table close to the bed where her mother lay, holding one of her mother''s hands with both of her own. As she wiped away the tears that threatened to fall at the sight of her mother''s condition, she noticed Damien walking into the room. "Yes, how is she?" Damien inquired, glancing at Emilia while taking a peek at the woman who lay on the bed, a grin forming on his face, given how this woman was much more stubborn than he had anticipated to even survive all this and was now trapped in the consequences she would need to face in the future. Naturally, Damien had initially decided to just kill this woman but then changed his mind to give her another chance, where she needed to survive by her will. But now that she had survived, he needed to tame her, to make her do things the way he wanted. At this moment, he had exactly the particular tool he could use against this woman. "They said she is in a coma," Emilia clenched her hand and turned her gaze downward, not caring about the smile she had noticed on his face, considering she had already identified him as a devil. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I see..." Damien nodded before glancing at the woman, who appeared wrinkled and old even for her age. He then turned his attention back to Emilia, stretched out his hand, and placed it on her shoulder, adding, "The doctor said he needs to take your and aunt''s blood samples for some tests. Will that be fine?" ''!?'' ''Huh? Is she the one to have a test?'' Standing behind Damien, the doctor understood that the paternity test he needed to perform was on these two women, who were mother and daughter, according to the previous information provided by Damien. "....fine," Emilia only nodded before lifting her gaze to look at Damien. She stretched her hand and pulled him into a hug, emotionally cornered and feeling the pain of seeing her mother in that state. "Emilia, will you believe me if I say I can heal your mother?" Damien inquired as he slowly rested his hand on her head, lightly caressing her hair while her head was against his abdomen, her hands wrapped around his waist. "Nhhm..." Emilia, hearing his words, wanted to shake her head in denial, but somehow she wanted to trust this man, prompting her to nod while not saying anything, her mouth shut as she struggled to control her tears since she knew Damien was just trying to console her. "Fine, doctor, prepare to take blood samples of Emilia and her mother while also bringing several silver needles for me," Damien turned his head toward the doctor and ordered, making the doctor slightly taken aback as he glanced at the woman who was in a coma. He thought about how he should convince Damien not to try some unproven medical technique on her, given it could be fatal, but instead, he remained silent. The doctor only nodded before turning, as his priority was not these two women but Damien himself, so whatever he ordered would be followed, even if, due to some medical errors, something happened to these women. After all, this is how the world worked, where one needed to sacrifice something in the hope of climbing the hierarchy. As the doctor slowly left the room, Damien looked down at Emilia, who was hugging him, before turning his eyes toward the woman in the coma with an oxygen mask on her face, a smile forming on his face as he inwardly commanded, ''Show me her status window.'' ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Name: Visana Age: 32 Strength: 8 (10 for an average human adult) Agility: 7 (30 for a professional athlete) Vitality: 3 (10 for a healthy human) Charm: 32/100 (Degraded due to ingestion of poisonous herbs and drugs) Luck: 43/100 (average human luck) Measurements: Height: 173 cm (5''7") Weight: 60 kg (132 lbs) Breast: 100 cm (40 in) Waist: 64 cm (25 in) Hips: 102 cm (40 in) Skin Tone: Creamy, fair skin with a seductive sheen, soft to the touch Bust-Waist-Hip Ratio: 100-64-102 cm (40-25-40 in) Cup Size: Full DD, bordering on E, with a generous, rounded shape Hair: Thick, silky black hair with a glossy shine, cascading style that reaches her hips. Eyes: Smoky, almond-shaped eyes with a deep, tantalizing brown hue, exuding an irresistible, sultry gaze. Lips: Plush, voluptuous lips with a seductive curve, naturally full and inviting, with a soft, moist sheen. About: Very ambitious woman, stubborn, and shrewd. Favorability level: 10/100 (stranger) ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? ''What a mess,'' Damien thought, looking at the unconscious woman. As he glanced at her name and age, which revealed all her secrets, he realized it was time to yet again clean up another issue that he would have originally ignored, considering it was about a side character¡ªEmilia Blake. But now, he needed to address this issue regarding this woman who claimed to be Emilia''s mother, whose official name was Aisana Blake, not Visana Blake. Chapter 68: Chapter 68- Damien is a doctor? "I hope it didn''t hurt, Miss Emilia," a nurse said as she slowly pulled the blood out through a syringe from Emilia''s hand before collecting the blood in a small tube while smiling and inquiring. "No, it''s fine," Emilia shook her head, applying pressure with a cotton ball to her hand where the needle had just been inserted. She then turned to face her mother as the nurse approached to take her blood sample as well. Stay updated with m-vl-em,py-r "Sir Damien, do you need anything else?" As the nurse collected the blood samples, the doctor, glancing at Damien, was by a table where he was disinfecting and cleaning the silver needles he had requested. He used alcohol and other cleaning solutions typically found in hospitals. "No, you both may leave," Damien replied in a calm tone, clearly showing his intention of not having anyone inside the room except Emilia when he applied the treatment. "W-we understand," the doctor said, interested in observing the medical treatment traditionally called acupuncture, though it wasn''t widely popular among practitioners due to a lack of scientific proof, as modernization had advanced enough to fade away such typical old methods. "Emilia, turn your mother over before removing her clothes," Damien said with a calm voice and a composed demeanor while focusing on arranging the dinner on the tray. He ordered Emilia, who was slightly taken aback. "Wh-why clothes?" Emilia stood from her place and inquired, somewhat aware of his perverted personality but not to the level where she thought he would take advantage of the situation; she still wanted to know. "You see, I need to perform acupuncture. Do you want me to puncture her organs by applying it above her clothes?" Damien replied, giving Emilia a look with a raised brow as he revealed his obvious intentions. "W-wait? Puncture her organs?!" Emilia, hearing the dangerous aspect of the acupuncture technique Damien was proposing, felt taken aback as she approached him while looking into his eyes intentionally, as if doubting that he may harm her mother. "Come on, just have faith in me," Damien let out a sigh and shook his head, wondering if humanity even existed when he saw Emilia doubting his kindness and whether he really cared. He genuinely wanted to treat her mother, and here she was doubting him? "...yes, why not," Emilia just averted her gaze, hiding her expression, which revealed that not even 1% of her trusted this man, who was yesterday known as a worthless person. Today he showed her his perverted side and now claimed to be a doctor. She couldn''t even wrap her head around the idea that he knew what paracetamol was, let alone that he had any medical talent. "Just do what I say, or...." Damien, seeing that Emilia was not being active, looked at her before slowly moving forward, knowing that this woman needed doses from time to time. "Or...?" Emilia inquired, her eyes fixed on his face, which slowly reached her ears as his breath was clearly audible to her, and warmth was sensible on her skin. "Or what? I would just do it myself," Damien, seeing how her breathing slightly increased, instantly retreated and shrugged his shoulder, replying in a nonchalant way. "Tch, what I expected," Emilia shook her head before gesturing for Damien to turn his eyes to the other side before she started to undress the patient uniform''s shirt her mother wore and then laid her on her front with her bare back clearly visible. "You can start," Emilia fixed her stare and balled her fists, getting ready to throw a punch if this guy dared to pull anything sketchy with her mom. She was laser-focused on his hands, not wanting to give him a single chance. "Umm, you look cute," Damien noticed how Emilia appeared while looking intently at his hand with her fist clenched, appearing more like a baby bear trying to protect her mother, which he found cute. "Wh-what?!" Emilia, suddenly hearing his words, covered her face with one hand as she felt her cheeks turn crimson with warmth spreading across them, feeling embarrassed and her heart racing as she really felt this man was again teasing her. "How easy," Damien grinned as he noticed how embarrassed Emilia became just from a simple compliment. He then turned towards her mother, who lay on the bed, while he had no physical attraction or emotion regarding this woman claiming to be Emilia''s mother. Naturally, the reason why Damien became physical with Emilia was to reassure loyalty and tie down a loyal person to him. And given that nothing can be much stronger than love, he subdued her in the best possible way he could think of. But this definitely wasn''t the case with her mother, considering that even thinking of getting physical with her would ruin all the hard work he had done to make Emilia loyal to him, and additionally, there was no reason to use physical relations when he could just subdue her in other ways. [ Using the Basic Divine Doctor (Level 1) detected. ] "I am starting," with those words Damien took out the needles from the tray and, with a precise motion, holding a silver needle, pierced it near the woman''s neck where her spinal cord was attached. Following the same trail down the path of the woman''s spinal cord, he started to slowly add a needle every two vertebrae and the third one he inserted. Naturally, the brain controls all bodily functions by using electrical signals transmitted through neurons, which are present in various receptors throughout the body. The nerves that carry these signals are enclosed within the spinal cord, which provides them with protection. "She is not moving," Emilia observed as Damien casually poked small silver needles in a straight line along her spinal cord, feeling the visionary pain within herself while also noting how his medical technique did not seem to make her mother move. "I am not some Divine Doctor who can show some miracle, so keep calm," Damien used one hand to gesture for Emilia to be quiet while he focused on his work, taking the needles as he started to poke them into other areas around the shoulders and the lower region where the kidneys existed. Damien adjusted the final needle with care, his hands steady as he aligned it precisely over the kidney region. "Acupuncture," Damien began, his voice calm but deliberate as he kept his eyes fixed on the nerves, "works by stimulating specific points in the body. These points align with nerve clusters and blood vessels. When needles are inserted, they can trigger the body''s natural healing processes by affecting neurotransmitters and promoting the release of endorphins." As he spoke, he inserted a final needle along the adrenal gland near her mother''s kidneys. "In this case," he continued, "I''m targeting the adrenal system to stimulate the release of catecholamines¡ªhormones like adrenaline¡ªwhich can elevate her heart rate, blood pressure, and help kickstart the brain''s response systems." "And where did you learn all this?" Emilia''s eyes narrowed as she heard him explaining some medical details, feeling suspicious of this man who was trying to convince her by uttering information that went over her head, prompting her to inquire. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? Isn''t it obvious?" Damien, halting, glanced towards Emilia as a smile started to form on his face, wanting to tease her even more. "I learned all this from UTube." "!?...D-Damien..." Emilia''s eyes trembled the moment she heard him confessing before she lifted one fist with irritation, understanding that this man had fooled her and was pulling a prank on her mother, causing her to strike her fist at his face. "Damiiieeeen! You scamming rascaaaal!!!" Chapter 69: Chapter 69- Visana "So, I''m guessing you''re the one who saved me, right?" A woman with heavy eyes appeared exhausted, having gone through the toll of blood loss. She sat on a hospital bed while glancing towards a man standing at some distance from her, before looking down at another young woman who was hugging her. "Y-yes, mother... sob... D-Damien saved you," Emilia said, unable to control her tears. Seeing her mother awake, she tightened her hand around her, unwilling to let her go, as she had lost hope just like previously with what had happened to her father, but still her mother was able to survive. "...I see," the woman was gazing at her daughter, sporting a tired smile as she lifted her hand to gently pat her daughter''s head, then turned to face Damien, both of them sharing a moment of weariness. "Thank you for saving me, Sir Damien." "It''s my pleasure, Aunt Visana," Damien replied with a gentle smile. "You are kind¡ª!?!?" The woman was about to greet him again but suddenly felt as if something struck her body. A realization dawning over her as if the whole world turned upside down, with her hand clenching the bedsheet as her eyes widened looking at Damien with her jaw clenched. All her weariness and the gratefulness towards them instantly vanished, replaced by anger and a slight bit of hesitation, hearing how her life''s biggest secret was known to this man. "Emilia, leave the room," the woman coldly looked towards Damien with malicious intent, clenching her hands enough for her nails to dig into her flesh, ordering Emilia to leave the room. "Huh? Why?" Emilia suddenly halted as she heard her mother''s tone, which appeared firm and as if she was not ill or had gone through an accident right now. "I said, leave the room, Emilia!" the woman yelled, not being able to control herself, causing Emilia, who was retreating back from the hug, to flinch as she felt her heart escape a bit from hearing her mother yell at her for the first time. "M-mom?" Emilia looked at her with her widened eyes, not understanding the reason for her to react so aggressively and yell at her, prompting her eyes to turn towards Damien, who was smiling at her mother. "It''s fine, Emilia, you can leave for now; this is just a small side effect of acupuncture," Damien preserved his tone as if taunting the woman to yell at Emilia while holding a smirk, seeing how he had just caught this woman off guard without having the hassle to reveal things slowly in a dramatic way. "W-what? A side effect? She''s gonna be okay, right?" Emilia, looking towards Damien, slowly started to stand from her seat. While clearing her remnant tears, she looked at Damien with an anxious gaze, who met her eyes and nodded, assuring her as she moved towards the door, not forgetting to take a peek at her mother, adding before leaving, "I will bring something to eat, mother." "....." The woman heard Emilia''s words but did not turn her gaze towards her, keeping herself focused on Damien with clenched fists, clearly overcoming all her physical fatigue just by sheer will, as if she were completely healthy. Though of course inwardly she was not able to move due to physical exhaustion, her mind seemed far stronger than that of a middle-aged woman. "Hm, so if my guess is correct, then you must have killed your sister?" Damien, with closed eyes and an open arm, tried to make a wild guess, instantly tilting his head as something sharp tearing through the air passed right beside his ears before landing on the wall behind him. "Haah? So, my guess was wrong?" Damien slowly opened his eyes as he looked towards the sight in front of him¡ªVisana leaned forward in an instance of a knife throw, her jaw clenched enough to show her visible rage in the form of teeth, her fist clenched with her body tightened in a predatory stance¡ªmaking him smirk. "Pfft, don''t tell me you thought to attack me with that body of yours?" "Haah....Haaah.....bastard!" Visana hissed with clear rage, her eyes saturating with the green veins bulging near her neck as her messed-up hair scattered over her face due to the recoil of her leaning, clearly unable to hide the rage expression on her face. Powered by m|v|l|e|mpyr "Bastard? Come on, this is not the way one treats their son-in-law," Damien moved towards a table, not approaching the woman, as he felt that she was dangerous. Not knowing well about her, considering she was the mother of a supporting character, there was not much mentioned about her in any plot he had read in the provided documentation about her having any role in Damien''s fall. But from the fact that Emilia was a supporting character, even though she could hardly support herself, he couldn''t think of any way how she could be of any support to any of the characters who played a devastating role in Damien''s life, except that someone behind Emilia was helping her out. Given the fact that her father was already dead and the company was already in ruins, with her mother smart enough to try to get it back, it all came down to the fact that most likely it was her mother who, in truth, was behind the support that was bestowed upon Emilia as a supporting character. "What nonsense are you spouting?" Visana was hardly controlling her anger, not because she wanted to, but her physical body was as if breaking from within, not giving her enough strength to do something to this man, as all the poisons she had consumed in hope to make her body appear more aged, just like her twin sister. "Nonsense? Oh, you just woke up, so you don''t know, but mother-in-law, you can expect a grandchild in 9 months," Damien, looking at the woman, lifted his head slightly, giving her a smirk and a clear, mocking smile. "How dare you lay hands on my daughter!¡ªTHUD!" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 70: Chapter 70- A backstory Visana was unable to control her anger, and in a fit of rage to attack the man who dared to lay his hands on her daughter, she fell from the bed, hitting the floor. Her body was already reaching its limit, where even her strong mind, honed from her previous profession as an assassin, seemed to be of little help. Seeing a pitiful woman yelling at him and displaying her position as a mother, Damien couldn''t help but want to provoke her even more. He slowly knelt from the table, setting it aside as he seated himself on his toes, not even daring to close the distance to her, having seen how her aim was directly toward his eyes just moments ago. He added, "Pfft, not just my hand; I even laid my whole body and rubbed it hard all over your daughter." "Damien!" The woman was unable to control her anger as she cried out, her hands stretching toward the man. Flat on the ground, she couldn''t even lift her head due to being completely exhausted, as if her whole body were paralyzed. The only thing she could do was show her visible anger and feel helpless. Otherwise, she would have buried this man right then and there. "Ahem, let''s tease you some other time," Damien said, noting that just as he was drawn to tease Emilia all the time, he was now feeling the same urge toward her mother. He coughed as he focused on his work, standing and walking toward a drawer to take out the papers in an envelope that the doctor had provided him moments ago regarding the paternity test. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So, Emilia is not your biological daughter, am I correct?" Damien threw the report directly toward Visana, who could only clench her fists as she saw all the papers scattered in front of her, her anger making her want to kill this man, even at the cost of suffering internal injuries or bleeding. "You have cut your life short by doing this, Damien!" the woman yelled again while lying flat on the floor, dressed in a patient uniform and unable to move at all. She felt frustrated by her helplessness as she thought about how the paternity test could provide proof that would convince Emilia she was not her biological mother, destroying all the efforts she had put in over the years to be a good and kind mother. "Cry all you want; this room is soundproof," Damien said, scratching one ear. He reminded her of the hospital room''s soundproof nature, meant to avoid outside noise disturbing the patients, as he folded his arms and looked down at her. "Let me heal first¡ª" Visana turned her face toward the marble floor, her breath scattering the dust nearby, her eyes red with the clear rage building up inside her. She finally recognized Damien as her enemy, the man who had pushed her to the corner where she felt compelled to touch her weapons, which she had promised never to do again, but was interrupted in the middle. "I will not tell Emilia anything," Damien replied nonchalantly in a casual tone, his eyes fixed on her body, which was lying on the floor with her cascading hair covering her face. "Do you think I would believe you?" Visana felt cornered by this man, who had information about something more precious to her than her own life. Now he was claiming he would not reveal these things to Emilia, as if trying to blackmail her. "Don''t believe me now; once I give you a football team of grandchildren, then¡ª" Damien, observing how the woman was still acting stubbornly, averted his gaze toward the ceiling. As he expected, knowing well about this woman''s weaknesses, she instantly interrupted. "No, no, I believe you! I believe you," Visana said, unable to move her hands to cover her ears, which forced her to accept whatever he said, not wanting to hear any more nonsense about her daughter. "Hm, now tell me why you care so much about Emilia when she isn''t even your daughter?" Before getting to his priorities, Damien wanted to understand this woman''s background and why she was reacting so strongly to the mention of Emilia, considering the two were not related by blood. "You... how much do you know?" Visana, hearing his question about the reason, felt that she had fallen for this man''s trick, revealing that she cared about Emilia through her overreaction to his taunts. This made her feel deceived, falling into such an obvious trap. Naturally, given how he had just performed the paternity test, it was clear he wanted to confirm if Emilia was her daughter or not. When he saw she wasn''t, he likely wanted to know if he could use Emilia against her. The situation was unlike her usual demeanor, and due to her exhaustion, she didn''t catch it in time, losing her composure and revealing her particular weakness to him. Discover more stories at m v l e mpyr "Nothing, so start talking," Damien said, not nearing even a hand''s distance from this woman, feeling somewhat threatened by her presence as if that single shot from her had triggered his instincts into survival mode. Of course, once he tamed this woman, it would be much easier, but he needed to understand what this whole drama was about first. "I was originally from the main city..... Visana began recounting her story to Damien, explaining how Emilia''s life changed when she was just nine years old. Emilia''s real mother, Aisana, was killed by Visana''s enemies during a visit to the main city. At that time, Visana was a prominent member of an infamous assassination group called the Nightcrawler, recognized as the world''s strongest with a remarkable success rate of 96% to 98%. Visana was not only a founding member of the organization but had also taken on a mission to assassinate a member of the royal family. However, after successfully completing the mission, her client betrayed her, sending an army of assassins to kill her. Chapter 71: Chapter 71 - Pushing the Cornered Cat That same day, Aisana, Emilia''s mother, had come to visit Visana, bringing along her nine-year-old daughter. In a matter of moments, the mansion was surrounded by professional assassins¡ªover 100 of them, some even hired from other countries. They stormed in, attacking anyone they came across, turning the place into a gruesome battleground. Amid the chaos, Aisana, realizing the danger, hid her daughter Emilia under a chimney. Since Aisana resembled Visana, she used herself as bait to lure the assassins away, running to draw them toward her. This gave Visana the time she needed to fight back. She managed to defeat the assassins one by one, but by the time she had killed the last one, it was too late. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Visana found Aisana in a pool of blood, dying in her arms. In her final moments, Aisana made Visana promise to leave behind her life of assassination and raise Emilia as her own, giving her the love and care that Aisana could no longer provide. At just 23 years old, Visana was devastated by the loss of her sister, a loss she blamed on her own actions. To keep her promise, she took Emilia and fled to Camphrian City. Using her knowledge of poisons, Visana aged her appearance with wrinkles, making herself look like Aisana to protect Emilia and hide from their enemies. "....I am sorry," Damien feigned guilt, appearing genuinely disheartened after hearing the story of Visana, understanding that he shouldn''t have asked her about her backstory. After all, now he couldn''t help but feel greedy to have this woman by his side, given that she was the most helpful woman for him. "I don''t need your pity," Visana, unable to lift her head, could not see what expression Damien was making, but at least hearing his tone, she felt as if he were trying to show her sympathy, which she desperately didn''t want, considering that she had done everything in her power to remain as silent as she could, and she had even studied business; this was not to gain pity from someone. "I meant, I am sorry for Emilia, who is not even aware of her real mother''s death," Damien said, shaking his head. Now that he had grabbed the rope which was attached to this woman''s neck, he was not going to leave this place; instead, he was even thinking of making it tighter. "Y-you, don''t tell me..." Visana suddenly felt her eyes tremble, understanding that he was going to reveal everything to Emilia, making her feel anxious as she tried to lift her head, struggling to finally settle her eyes on him. But due to her weakness, her neck trembled as if any moment her head would hit the floor. Stay updated via m_v_l_e_m_p_y_r "Indeed, I am going to tell her everything if you do not follow what I say," Damien, looking into her eyes in a bold tone, declared, clearly showing a smirk. "What do you want?" Visana gritted her teeth, knowing very well that after hearing about her tumultuous background, he would most likely use her to do more murders, which weren''t unexpected since if she had been in his place, while having a weak position as the leader of the Raphael group, she would have done the same. "I want you to help Emilia in handling the business," Damien, already aware of what this woman must be thinking, prioritized using her for now as a consultant to make Emilia somewhat helpful for him, considering how he could trust her, but not this woman. Since more than strength, loyalty matters. And if you can make that loyal person more useful, then it would be beneficial. "Huh? What?" Visana was taken aback, looking toward Damien, who showed a smile at her, causing her eyes to tremble,, not understanding what this man was saying out of nowhere, acting all kind and merciful when just now he had tried to blackmail her. "To tell the truth, I did all this just because I feared you would separate Emilia from me," Damien, with a straight face, lied. "....." Visana, hearing Damien''s confession, was slightly taken aback as he showed his genuine care for Emilia rather than wanting to use her. This made her inquire, "Emilia is naive, so she might not see through your hidden motives, but don''t take me for a fool, Damien!" "Tch, it''s really not easy to fool smart people," Damien, hearing Visana''s words, shook his head, showing how he found it a hassle to convince these types of people who use their brains more than they could afford. He moved toward her; due to all the vigorous motion, her body was now immobilized, and he placed one foot on one of her hands. "Aughh.....! Y-you?!" Visana suddenly felt her right hand being crushed under his shoe, the hardness of his boot causing her to groan in pain, considering how using poisons on her had already corroded her body beyond repair. She had lost all her physique that she possessed nine years ago as a top assassin. "So, instead of dealing with them, I find it much easier to kill them," Damien, looking down with a cold tone, threatened this woman while rubbing his boot on her fingers. "Argh...! Damien! Do you think Emilia will forgive you after this?!" Visana was at her weakest, as she had already destroyed her own achievements and body in these nine years. After the accident, she was even weaker than a normal adult, prompting her to use the Emilia''s name, knowing well how Damien seemed to hold some value for her. "Forgive? She will even forget about you once I reveal the secret that you killed her parents," Damien grinned, hearing this woman using his own methods against him, prompting him to feel amused as he was soon going to score a perfect win against this woman and corner her into helplessness. "Bullshit! I didn''t kill them! How dare you?!" Visana, groaning in pain, yelled as she felt, for the first time, regret over her decision to destroy her body. She considered how she would have been able to kill this man today if only she had been in perfect health. She tried to move her body, but it was all useless. "Pfft," Damien sneered as, with a devilish tone, he whispered, "But who will tell Emilia this?" Chapter 72: Chapter 72- Escape "Argh... Y-you?!" Visana''s hands throbbed with pain, and fueled by anger, she directed all her rage at Damien. Feeling utterly helpless and depleted from the recent accident and her overwhelming exhaustion, she could only endure the agony at the hands of the man who dared to lay a finger on her daughter. "Tch, let me clarify this again: I want you to become my slave¡ªa good slave who makes money." Damien''s ears pricked at her winces and groans, and he realized he should ease up on her fingers. The risk of breaking them was too great, especially with her already being in such a fragile state of near death. "Urgh...f...uck off!" "Haah, Screw mercy." The moment he heard her curse, any flicker of mercy he might have had vanished. He increased the pressure until he felt the sickening crack of her bones under his boot. "Arrrghh!? I-it, y-you bastard¡ªcrack!" Not stopping there, he began to grind his shoe against her fingers, worsening the damage to the point that her nerves were beginning to deteriorate and the state of her hand became progressively dire; the kind of condition no doctor could return to its original form. "Stop! Stop!" Visana''s mind raced as she realized she was utterly cornered, mercilessly attacked while poisoned and vulnerable. The humiliation ignited a furious blaze within her, a desire to kill this man rising within her chest. But to fulfill that ambition, she first needed to recover. Thus she resolved to tackle the immediate situation and find a way to kill him later. "Why? I just need your brain, and seeing how you plan to off me afterward, wouldn''t it make more sense to break your hands instead?" Damien raised an eyebrow, fully aware of the thoughts that crossed the minds of cornered individuals, knowing full well he would think similarly if the roles were reversed. He showed no mercy as he pressed down with all his might. "Urgh... Y-you will not touch my daughter!¡ªBAM!" Visana winced as her forehead pressed against the cold tiles before lifting her head and swiftly, with much force, hit the tiles. Her intense determination was evident as she felt the world closing in around her. In that moment, she understood the depths to which Damien would sink to achieve his goals. She realized that he wouldn''t hesitate to discard her daughter if he deemed her useless in the future. The thought was unbearable. For Visana, surrendering Emilia to a man like him was not an option. Stay with us at m.v.l.e.mpyr Rather than allowing herself to be a pawn in Damien''s cruel game, she would prefer to end her life right now. With only the two of them in the room, and with Damien holding evidence against her that could prove she wasn''t Emilia''s biological mother, the fallout would be catastrophic but even with that Emilia would never forgive him for killing the woman who had raised her with love and care. Moreover, Visana understood that Damien needed her to teach Emilia about business, or rather, to make Emilia a useful asset to him. If she were no longer around, he would have no reason to keep Emilia by his side and would likely abandon her sooner rather than later. drip drip In an instant, blood began to trickle from her forehead, prompting Damien to narrow his gaze as he observed the scene unfolding before him. Without hesitation, he knelt and placed his hand between her head and the floor the moment she tried to lift her head to hit it on the floor. BAM "¡­you really hit hard," Damien muttered, feeling the force of her forehead slamming against his hand before it met the unyielding floor beneath, becoming quickly saturated with her blood. Dealing with this stubborn woman was turning into quite a hassle for him. "Haah¡­ Haaah¡­ don''t even think about getting your hands on my daughter," Visana gasped, struggling to breathe. Her eyes grew hazy from the impact, and as she glared defiantly at Damien, blood trickled from her forehead, coursing down through her nose and over her eyebrow, painting her face a vivid shade of crimson. DING [ Vitality level reached critical level 1 --? Target will die in 3 seconds ] S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the harsh reality of her situation dawned on her, Visana sensed her life slipping away. Once focused solely on survival after the accident, her thoughts now turned to escaping from this man. She was determined that either he or she would be destroyed, refusing to let him lay claim to either her or her daughter¡ªeven if it meant sacrificing her own life. As darkness began to envelop her mind, she managed to part her blood-streaked lips in a final effort, whispering, "I w¡­on¡­" Her vision darkened and she found herself immersed in an all-consuming darkness, trapped in an abyss where her entire body was rendered indistinct, dissolved within the shadows. Only her face remained, slowly becoming obscured as the void claimed her. A faint smile graced Visana''s lips despite the encroaching abyss, her head beginning to sag towards the ground. Her heartbeat dwindled to a mere flutter¡ªmost likely, her body from the neck down had already succumbed to death''s grasp. In her final moments, as her consciousness began to dissolve, shock rippled through her at the thought of her utterly unexpected situation. She was dying right now when she wanted to live for her daughter, just because of this man, a demon who destroyed her life, at which she, being cornered, could do nothing but bite her own tongue and kill herself. Only one thought vanishing with her consciousness as she finally succumbed to eternal sleep reverted inside her dying mind and even in the mumbled voice, "y...ou l..ost D..am..ie¡ª" "Did you really think you could escape me, even in death?" Damien interrupted her in the middle as he saw Visana''s life slipping away. Without hesitation, he stretched out his hand and grabbed the front of her cloth, yanking her towards him with enough force that the top button of her patient gown tore open, exposing part of her cleavage. Her body, weakened and lifeless, collided into his. His eyes fixated on her blood-streaked lips, with a grin forming he muttered,"I''ll make sure you regret that." Chapter 73: Chapter 73- Not a chance He pulled her closer, adjusting his grip as he lowered himself to the floor, settling her in his lap. Her legs naturally parted, falling to either side of his hips, while his own legs crossed beneath her, forming a stable base. One of his arms remained wrapped around her waist, holding her upright, while the other gently guided her thigh, closing any remaining distance between them. Her head slumped against his shoulder as he cradled her body, but there was no intimacy in his movements¡ªonly purpose. [ Use of Healing Potion (can even regenerate the severed limb) detected ] The healing potion appeared in his mouth, and without a second thought, he pressed his lips against hers, ensuring the potion would reach her before it was too late. As though something far darker than the abyss itself were stretching its hand into the void where she was dissolving, a sensation suddenly engulfed Visana, causing her eyes to widen. She was yanked back from the precipice of death, consciousness flickering as something warm and soft pressed against her blood-drenched lips, muffling her voice. The sharp sting of pain from her forehead faded, replaced by an unexpected sensation on her lips¡ªDamien''s mouth pressed against hers. "Mmmmph¡­" She whimpered, her heart weakly fluttering in her chest, but she knew it was momentary due to the shock and that she would soon die. Visana felt a deep sense of vulgarity and disgust at this man who, even in her dying moments, dared to kiss her while claiming his love for her daughter. It provided her with a twisted sense of assurance that, even after her death, he would find himself cornered with nothing. It didn''t matter that he had taken her first kiss; in the end, she felt victorious, knowing she would leave this world with his final struggle of helplessness etched in her mind. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet, buried beneath her anger was a profound sadness as the memories of her child''s growth slowly dissolved¡ªmoments where she had earnestly tried to be a good mother were slipping away, just like her life. A small tear began its descent down her cheek, a tear that had never come even at the sight of her sister''s death. His breath was hot, mingling with the metallic tang of her blood smeared across her mouth. Stay updated with m-v le-mpyr The warmth of his lips surged through her, jolting her from the dark abyss she had been prepared to embrace. Without warning, a sudden wetness invaded her mouth¡ªthe healing potion sliding over her tongue as Damien forced it past her lips. Their kiss deepened with every heartbeat. "Slurp...uhm.." The faint sound echoed in the otherwise silent room, the kiss''s quiet intensity piercing the air. Her instinct was to resist, yet her body, limp and on the verge of death, betrayed her. The burning sensation of the potion spread through her, a strange vitality mingling with the overwhelming revulsion she felt towards him. Her muscles trembled, caught in a battle between conflicting sensations¡ªdisgust and an unfamiliar surge of life vying for dominance over her senses. "Gulp... gulp..." Each pulse of the potion surged into her with the kiss, carried by Damien''s lips in slow, deliberate movements. He cradled the back of her head, holding her close, as if refusing to let her slip away from him¡ªnot even into death. He pressed harder, his lips firm against hers, as if sealing a pledge that he would not allow her to die under his watch. Her thoughts, once filled with anger and bitterness, blurred, disjointed by the steady rhythm of their kiss. She felt his tongue brush against hers briefly, sending an unsettling jolt through her paralyzed body. The wet sounds of their lips meeting¡ªsmacking softly together¡ªonly intensified the surreal horror of the moment. "Slurp... smack..." The sound echoed louder in her ears. Visana''s eyelids fluttered, her breath quickening. Understanding that whatever liquid was going down her throat was healing her, she tried to look at him, although not from passion¡ªher mind churned with pure confusion and indignation. How could this man, this monster who had torn apart her body and soul, now be using a kiss to save her? She wanted to bite his tongue, to spit the potion back in his face, but her strength failed her. The bitter taste of the healing potion, now mingled with the warmth of his saliva, slid down her throat. "Mmhhh... slurp..." With each passing moment, her shattered bones began to realign, her body healing under the effects of the potion he forced upon her. The kiss was relentless, the obscenity of their connection heightening the discomfort within her. Yet, her traitorous body began to respond. Her heartbeat, once erratic and faint, started to stabilize. The life that had been slipping away was being tugged back into her, one breath, one kiss at a time. "Slurp... smack... gulp...." Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Damien pulled back, his lips leaving hers with a wet pop. He gazed down at her, his eyes dark and unreadable, a trace of her blood smeared at the corner of his mouth. He languidly licked it away, as if savoring the taste. "You''re not dying yet," he whispered, his voice low and commanding. "Not after revealing how useful you can be." Damien slowly distanced her to a hand''s distance as a precaution, bringing both his hands and wrapping them around her body, including grasping her arms along her body. Visana lay in his embrace, her chest heaving as the warmth of the potion surged through her body, healing her. She felt her strength returning, the numbness in her limbs fading, yet her soul felt dirtier than ever. The haunting mix of emotions swirled within her¡ªrevulsion, bitterness, confusion, and a flicker of life¡ªleaving her in a tumultuous state. Yet, this turmoil was short-lived. It was soon eclipsed by an overwhelming surge of anger that clouded her thoughts. As she felt her body gradually returning to its normal state¡ªno, it felt as if she were returning to her former self from nine years ago¡ªher instincts kicked in. She clenched her hands into fierce claws, her long nails resembling the talons of a predator. Driven by a primal urge, she aimed to rend his flesh and rip out his heart. SWISH A chilling tone accompanied her claw as it shot through the air towards his chest. "Damien! Watch as your heart is ripped out, beating one last time... then everything goes black!!" Chapter 74: Chapter 74 - Subduing (1) As an assassin, she had long since honed her skills, and now, with her body seemingly back to its former strength and memories flooding her mind, she forgot the promise she had made to her sister¡ªa vow to never take another life. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. SWISH In a frenzied moment, she lunged her claw at Damien, her hands aimed directly at his chest, intent on rending his flesh apart and extracting his heart from within. ''?!!'' "Don''t even think about it," Damien warned, tightening his grip as she sat in his embrace. Visana was still recovering, not yet back to her former strength. Perched on his lap with her legs slightly apart, she found herself in a position that made it nearly impossible to break free from his hold. He locked his hands firmly around her, pressing her breasts against his solid chest. Although fabric separated them, it was enough to keep her body restrained. "Let me go!" Visana protested, trying to move her hands. In a burst of defiance, she attempted a head-butt, aiming for his face. But even at this close range, Damien managed to dodge her attack and retaliated with a head-butt of his own. Bam! "Urgh?!" Visana winced. The previous wound on her forehead¡ªinflicted when she had struck it against the tiles¡ªhad barely begun to heal. Now, being met with Damien''s forceful head-butt only aggravated her injury. Though the healing potion she had taken worked to counteract the poisonous herbs she had ingested, it wasn''t prioritizing her external wounds. "Listen carefully, woman," Damien said, realizing that if he continued to indulge her stubbornness, it would only prolong the inevitable. He needed her to understand the seriousness of the situation. "This isn''t a dramatic tale where your sacrifice could save your daughter. Remember this: if you die now, I will kill Emilia without hesitation." "Y-you!" Visana seethed, her urge to kill this man bubbling to the surface as her glare locked onto him. She listened as he threatened her, claiming she wouldn''t dare harm her daughter. "Don''t yell; just listen," Damien said, his voice steady and menacing. "You have two options: first, teach Emilia about business and continue sending me money, or second, face death at my hands, and I''ll send your daughter to join you." His killing intent radiated from him, clearly visible in his eyes, aimed at the woman who had attempted to attack him. He had no intention of killing Emilia; her value was too great for him to simply discard. But her mother''s worth elevated significantly due to what she could offer in terms of assistance. "I will never forgive you," Visana spat, her jaw clenched. She felt helplessly ensnared by him, the words escaping her lips in a near whisper. Deep down, she sensed he spoke the truth and could indeed harm her daughter. "So tell me," Damien continued, his voice firm and low, lingering near her ear to strike fear into her heart, "will you follow my orders, or should I just kill you?" He knew full well that though she was strong enough to overpower him, his speed would allow him to evade her attacks, and he would strike hard if it came to that. He merely needed to demonstrate how weak she was in comparison to him. Breaking her spirit would be challenging, but he didn''t need to do that; her vulnerability was already within his grasp. ".....leave me," Visana murmured through gritted teeth, a hint of resignation in her tone as she lowered her gaze. As he released her, she distanced herself, falling onto the floor, and slowly getting up to sit on the bed. "Send Emilia in." Damien narrowed his eyes at her but turned towards the door, maintaining his guard. He was acutely aware of her presence, knowing that he needed to give her a moment to gather her thoughts and understand that any attempt to threaten her would only lead to loss. ''He is dangerous,'' she thought, seated on the bed, her eyes fixed on Damien''s silhouette. She recognized the threat he posed, considering how he had deftly dodged her attack and his use of a potent healing potion on her. All of this reinforced her suspicions about his abilities and resources¡ªhe could potentially kill her without breaking a sweat. After all, if he had the means to heal her, it wouldn''t be far-fetched to assume he could just as easily inflict harm. The healing potion was not merely mending her wounds; it felt like something profound coursed through her veins, restoring her body to its peak state. As she inspected her hands, she noticed the wrinkled skin, once marked by age, gradually returning to normal, as though the toxins were being expelled from her body. Years of consuming small amounts of poisons had taken their toll, and while many methods could have healed her in this world, Damien''s potion was something extraordinary, prompting her to deliberate more carefully on her next moves. ''I will keep an eye on him for now,'' she resolved, feeling the pain ebb away, replaced by a soothing calm. Discover the saga at m-vl-em-pyr Each moment that passed seemed to heal not just her body but also her mind, clearing away the stress and anger that had clouded her thoughts. She sat still, observing the remarkable changes unfolding within her. Slowly, she focused on her breath, her eyes fixed on her skin, which was healing and becoming lustrous and soft once again. The wrinkles that had once etched themselves into her flesh were disappearing as if by magic. She could clearly feel her body growing stronger from within, as though some miracle were taking place. As she sat there, lost in this transformation, ten minutes had already slipped by. Her senses sharpened, and she could feel a swell of sadness rising within her, reaching its peak as she heard the sound of footsteps echoing from outside. The movement was disturbingly familiar. It was Emilia. "Mom!" Emilia burst into the room, the door swinging open. Her gaze immediately landed on the woman seated on the bed in a patient uniform, who looked back at her with a weary smile that spoke of defeat. "I''m sorry, my daught¡ª" Visana began, immediately feeling guilty for the harsh words she had spoken earlier. She wanted to apologize but felt as though her entire world had come to a standstill when she heard Emilia''s next words. "Who are you? Where''s my mother? O?_?o " Chapter 75: Chapter 75- A help :: Breaking news: An accident has occurred this morning involving several police officers and reporters. A recording has been circulating on social media and across news channels, alleging that two major families in Camphrian City are behind the incident. :: :: Indeed, it has been reported that the daughter of the Lin family, previously suspected in connection with the kidnapping case of Damien Raphael, was involved in the events that unfolded this morning. :: :: Things are taking a troubling turn as individuals who had reported on the kidnapping have been murdered in a blast. We have obtained the recording of that tragic event, and we invite the public to make their own judgments. :: "What in the world is happening?" The man in the office yelled, hurling his phone against the wall, where it shattered on impact. Anger boiled within him as he watched various media houses seemingly siding with the Crimwell family, refusing to acknowledge the truth. "How could all of this occur? Get Amelia on the phone right now!" The heads of the criminal families could sense their world crumbling around them. The media''s aggressive push of this narrative was alarming, especially after the Crimwell family had clearly denied any involvement in the events. Just as the media had previously propagated the kidnapping of Damien Raphael, the news about the murder of ten individuals spread like wildfire this time. The shocking events were being broadcasted by almost all popular news channels in Camphrian City. While some smaller news agencies hesitated and chose to present the news without commentary¡ªsimply airing the recording to let the public form their opinions¡ªthis restraint was not shared by the more prominent and influential news organizations, which were linked to powerful families within the city. "Y-yes sir," the system standing beside him responded, quickly dialing the number he had specified before passing the phone to him. He yanked the device from her hand, irritation bubbling to the surface. "Hello? Amelia, didn''t you say not to save Edward? How could you even attempt to rescue him yourself?!" He pressed the phone to his ear, his voice escalating as he berated his daughter for the sheer absurdity of acting without informing him in advance about making arrangements for Edward''s escape from the police headquarters. To complicate matters, a recording released by one of the reporters who died in the incident indicated that Edward was the one who had killed everyone involved. Considering Edward''s skills and his formidable mentor, the leaders of the Crimwell family knew well that retaliation from him was not only possible but likely. :: Umm¡­ Hello? What''s going on, Dad? :: Experience the best from m|v|l|e|mp|y|r A groggy voice, unmistakably Amelia''s, broke through the line, the sound of someone who had just woken up. Her father felt his fist clench as he slammed it onto the table in frustration. "Kyaaa~!" His secretary shrieked as the items on the desk scattered, and she flinched at the sight of her boss''s furious, red eyes glaring ahead as he abruptly stood from his chair. "You idiot! At the very least, shouldn''t you have told me?!" he shouted, his blood pressure rising as he contemplated the disastrous consequences of Amelia''s reckless action to save Edward. :: What? Wait, did you just say I saved Edward? Are you joking, Dad? Didn''t I already refuse your proposal last night? :: "Shut up! You ungrateful brat! You''ve caused nothing but trouble!" He yelled again, bewildered that his daughter couldn''t recognize the mess she had created. :: Why are you yelling at me? At least try to use common sense! Do I have the manpower or the strength to orchestrate an escape from prison?! :: Amelia''s voice had turned sharp, reflecting her discontent over being wrongfully accused of an act she hadn''t committed. "You¡ª!" He opened his mouth to shout once more but halted mid-sentence, grudgingly realizing that it was indeed improbable for someone like Amelia, who was primarily focused on business and had little involvement in the darker realities of life, to have the resources necessary to orchestrate Edward''s escape. With a begrudging sense of clarity, he concluded that either Edward had managed to break free on his own or there was an unseen force at work, pulling the strings in a conspiracy aimed squarely at the Crimwell family. "Courting death!" the man silently yelled as he disconnected the call, barely handing the phone to the secretary''s outstretched hands before it clattered onto the desk. Clenching his fists and resting them on the surface, he felt an urgent need to resolve this situation swiftly and clear the name of the criminal family. However, as he perceived the media outlets'' unwillingness to heed his words, it became increasingly clear that someone far more powerful and influential than him was manipulating the situation from the shadows. "Call that incompetent fool! I want to speak to him!" He rubbed his forehead in frustration, his jaw clenched tightly as he instructed his security personnel to dial the number of the police chief of Camphrian City. "S-Sir, but he''s missing," the secretary stammered, relaying the information she had obtained that morning. Desperate to resolve the crisis, she had attempted to contact the police chief to better understand the status of Edward, whom her boss had ordered to be released on bail. However, it appeared that the man had vanished from prison just the night before. "Damn it!" The man slammed his hand on the desk, frustration surging through him as his blood pressure spiked and his heartbeat quickened. It was painfully evident to him that the police chief''s disappearance was no simple case of fleeing. Instead, he suspected that the man had likely been kidnapped or, worse, eliminated. The only individuals capable of removing someone of the police chief''s caliber¡ªsomeone who wielded significant power and oversight over the justice system and police¡ªcould only belong to a formidable and influential family. "S-Sir? What are your further orders?" The secretary asked, observing her boss clasping his forehead with both hands, appearing utterly exhausted and distressed. Holding her files tight, she felt a pressing need to help resolve the situation urgently, as failure could lead to losses in business and cause several investors to reconsider their commitments. In the worst-case scenario, they could even lose crucial projects if this incident remained unresolved. "Haah... Dial a number," he finally said, collapsing into his chair with a sense of defeat. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 76: Chapter 76- Vandiana Panthera The patriarch of the Crimwell family knew he had to act swiftly. Although it might have appeared trivial at first glance, the truth was that the Crimwell family faced a threat from someone far more powerful. If this situation continued unchecked, they would likely suffer enduring repercussions, particularly with the spread of false information swirling around them. "Yes, sir." The woman took the phone from the desk, dialing attentively while she listened to the digits her boss relayed. Finally, the call connected, and she handed the phone to him. "Hello? Who''s on the line? A rat being hunted by a snake?" A soft, melodious voice floated from the speaker, prompting the middle-aged man to grit his teeth. He was hesitant to stoop so low as to ask for a favor from someone like her, but he was well aware of her strength and influence. Gathering his resolve, he took a deep breath and made his request. "...Lady Vandiana, I need your help." As he spoke, his expression transformed into one of determination, tinged with seriousness, a contrast to the frustration simmering beneath the surface. :: And why would I choose to help you? :: Her voice was laced with intrigue as she considered the request from a man in an undeniably precarious position, a request laden with risks. He tightened his grip on the armrest, irritation bubbling just below the surface, yet he managed to control himself. "I hope Lady Vandiana hasn''t forgotten the promise she made to my wife." He couldn''t shake off the memory of the promise of one favor that Vandiana had made to his wife. Given the gravity of the situation, he felt it was the right moment to invoke that favor. :: Heh? I don''t recall mentioning any favor to your wife. :: Vandiana''s tone was curious, her interest piqued by the unexpected mention of a promise regarding a favor that he had never explicitly linked to his current wife. "Y-you!...I¡ª I mean my first wife," he stammered, struggling to maintain his composure. The irritation in his voice was palpable, while his secretary, standing by his side, continued to keep her gaze fixed ahead. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted the thin sheen of sweat forming on her boss''s brow¡ªa reaction to the woman on the other end of the line. Discover more at m-vl-em|p-yr S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even from her brief exposure, it was clear that she was none other than Vandiana Panthera. As the patriarch spoke with her, the secretary felt the weight of the moment. The fact she had become involved with the patriarch was surprising¡ªVandiana controlled 75% of the underground mafia in the Camphrian city and 40% across the entire country, including connections in the capital. More astonishing was the implication of a favor promised, which represented a vocal guarantee from the underground queen herself. Vandiana had a reputation for never going back on her word and always fulfilling what she had committed to, making the promise all the more potent given the present circumstances. :: Oh yes, you used to have a first wife¡ªmy mistake. But is it not your fault for removing every trace of her existence? :: The amusement in Vandiana''s voice elevated further, considering how this man spoke about the favor he had bestowed upon his first wife, who had died under mysterious circumstances¡ªmost likely from a disease. Shortly after her untimely demise, he remarried and began changing the names of the companies they had built together, erasing nearly all evidence of her presence, save for his daughter from that marriage. For all these years, he had neglected and buried the memory of his first wife, and now he called Vandiana to request a favor, which had been promised to his deceased spouse. It was difficult for her not to feel a sense of disgust at how shameless and despicable someone could be. "Lady Vandiana, this is a family matter, and I hope you will stay out of it." The man could hardly compose himself, his frustration and anger palpable as he grappled with her pointed words. :: Yes, yes, family matters. By the way, I''ve heard your daughter doesn''t want to marry? :: "Lady Vandiana, I have no idea where you got your information, but I have already selected a suitable young man for her," he replied, struggling to maintain his composure. Rather than simply accepting her assistance, this woman was prying into his family matters. Yet, he found himself powerless to retaliate against her cutting remarks. :: A suitable young man? Oh, you mean the son-in-law of the Blakes? :: "No, Damien is unworthy of my daughter. The young man I''ve chosen is someone you are already familiar with." The man''s perseverance was tested as he listened to Vandiana taunt him and expertly extract information, but he remained silent, unable to counter her sharp comments. :: .....You mean Edward? :: The moment Vandiana spoke Edward''s name, it became clear that the man was aware of this young man, who had only recently arrived in Camphrian City. Given his master''s renowned prestige, Edward had already gained favor with several influential families, including the Crimwell family. However, being in Camphrian meant he had yet to cultivate alliances with the more prominent families residing in the main city, who owed numerous favors to his master. "Indeed, he is a once-in-a-lifetime genius, unlike that trash Damien¡ª" The man began to expound on his opinion, convinced that the candidate he had selected for his daughter was superior to the abandoned Raphael heir, but was abruptly cut off. :: Tell me the favor. :: Her tone conveyed disinterest, as if bored with his tangents. Vandiana directly inquired about the favor he sought. "Huh? Oh yes, I need you to deal with those who are targeting my Crimwell family." He was all too aware of the strength this woman possessed; she had the capacity to create chaos. He directly requested her assistance in dealing with the adversaries threatening his family. :: How amusing. You want me to go up against the Raphaels just because of a promise made to a dead person? :: ''!?!?'' "R-Raphael!!" Both the secretary and the man widened their eyes in disbelief the moment the mafia queen uttered the revelation, their expressions trembling as they processed the magnitude of the situation, realizing they had plunged into serious trouble. Chapter 77: Chapter 77- A favour "You can''t be serious!" The man shot up from his chair, covering his face with one hand. If her words were true, it felt as though the Crimwell family was doomed. What bewildered him even more than the knowledge of the Raphael family''s intentions was why they would target the Crimwell family. After all, his daughter still maintained a strong relationship with Damien, who, despite being abandoned by his own family, shared blood ties with them. Stay updated with m-v le-mpyr He had always been aware of how Amelia held a rather unfavorable opinion of Damien, yet he constantly pushed her to foster a closer relationship with him. Although Damien seemed useless, he was a means to an end¡ªa stepping stone to elevate their status within the Raphael family. The real issue lay with Amelia, who, true to her biological mother''s legacy, was determined to achieve something on her own to prove to society that women could succeed independently. Amelia had repeatedly rejected Damien''s proposals, which concerned him as the patriarch of the Crimwell family. He had tried to persuade her against such foolish decisions, even sending her into a marriage yesterday, hoping that Damien, upon seeing Amelia again, would reconsider and break off his own marriage. He envisioned Damien coming to him, once more, to request a conversation with Amelia. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For years, he had acted as a puppeteer, manipulating the situation to exploit Damien''s potential to his advantage, despite the many obstacles he faced. Nevertheless, he had managed to secure several projects involving the Crimwell family due to Damien''s actions. In his eyes, Damien was a golden goose, but nothing more than that. Now, he was left pondering why the Raphael family, having abandoned that useless heir, would choose to target the Crimwell family. Was it because of all the favors and rejections he had garnered by manipulating Damien all these years? Did the Raphael family finally decide to take action against them now that he had been cast aside? All of this was confusing, especially considering how powerful the Raphael family was in the main city¡ªstrong enough to make even the Harrisons think twice before acting. :: You don''t know? Can''t you see how the media is practically promoting your story in light of the abandonment of the Raphael heir? :: Vandiana, speaking through the call, felt a sense of bewilderment. How could someone in his position¡ªa patriarch of one of the top five richest families in Camphrian City¡ªnot recognize that this was merely a public relations strategy by the Raphael family, using the situation to manipulate public opinion? "What!? Do you mean to say they are attempting to shift public opinion?" The man, understanding Vandiana''s words, realized that the Raphael family, looking down on them, did not feel threatened enough to leverage their own name for their clean-up. The thought prompted him to slam his hand down on the desk in frustration. The sheer force cracked the desk, splintering the wood as it struggled to withstand the might of a body-refinement stage cultivator. :: Something similar :: Vandiana felt her interest in the conversation waning as the man on the other end became increasingly erratic. It was troubling to see someone so reckless, especially given that they were being targeted by stronger enemies. Such behavior could undoubtedly lead to disastrous consequences. "Damn it," he muttered through gritted teeth. Frustration surged within him; while he had some relief in not being targeted by the entire Raphael family, he was acutely aware that they likely intended to use him as a pawn to sway public opinion, even at the cost of tarnishing the Crimwell family''s reputation. :: Say something useful or I''ll cut the call. :: Vandiana was thoroughly disenchanted with any further discourse with this man, who seemed utterly bewildered and childlike, despite being the head of a prominent family known in Camphrian City. "Wait, I have another request," he blurted out, suddenly pulled from his thoughts as Vandiana threatened to end the call. It dawned on him that this was not a moment to celebrate the negligible relief of not being targeted; instead, he should be furious that the Raphael family thought so little of the Crimwell family that they''d be willing to use them as cannon fodder. Setting aside his anger for the moment, he swiftly moved to address the immediate priority, adding, "I want to reach the police chief of Camphrian City." Rather than wasting time hunting down Edward, who had escaped from prison and caused this mess, he needed to connect with the police chief to provide a more favorable explanation to the media about Edward''s escape and how it had no ties to the Crimwell family. :: You''ll have him in two hours. :: With a disinterested, almost apathetic tone, Vandiana ended the call. The man, frustrated, relaxed his grip on the phone just moments before the device shattered into pieces as he slammed it down in anger. ''Uwaaaah!? My phone!'' his secretary, who had remained poised and professional throughout, observed the destruction with a blank expression. She felt a deep sense of loss as a single tear slipped from her eye at the sight of her broken phone. "Call a press conference," he commanded as he stood up from his seat, striding toward the door of the office. He adjusted his suit and tie, preparing to face the media storm ahead. "Call?" His secretary looked back at him, confusion evident on her face as she glanced at the remnants of the shattered phone. Sighing, she moved to gather the broken pieces before setting out to arrange a press conference using the landline available in the company. ------ "Tch, should I have brought better headphones?" Damien muttered under his breath as he sat far from the bustling heart of Camphrian City, nestled inside a countryside hospital. He held a laptop in his lap, an earpiece tucked into one ear, and grimaced as the call he was listening to suddenly surged, sharply piercing his eardrums. "Hm, let''s see, where is she right now?" Damien began to dance his fingers across the laptop keyboard, his eyes locked onto the screen. An amused smile spread across his face, contentment washing over him as he realized that everything was progressing exactly as he had hoped. Chapter 78: Chapter 78- A message ''Emilia definitely wasn''t carrying marriage certificates, was she?'' Damien pondered as he walked down the corridor after letting Emilia know that her mother was looking for her. However, while he was speaking to her, he had caught sight of a colorful document that Emilia was trying to discreetly tuck inside her bag. Setting that curiosity aside, he continued on his way to the hospital''s reception desk. Despite being in a rural area, the number of patients was surprisingly low, likely due to the high charges, which most residents couldn''t afford as they weren''t wealthy. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not that it bothered him; he hadn''t paid a single penny himself so far. Upon reaching the reception, he observed a nurse who had previously spoken to him standing by the desk. "Oh, Mr. Damien, do you need anything?" she inquired, her eyes betraying a hint of blush as she took in his handsome features. The receptionist, too, seemed momentarily taken aback before quickly averting her gaze, realizing she should compose herself in front of someone from such a prominent family. "Yes, I would appreciate it if you could arrange a laptop, headphones, and internet access for me," Damien replied. He had noticed that the hospital offered Wi-Fi, but he needed a decent laptop with specifications strong enough to run software like Kali Linux, Aircrack-ng, and Nmap, along with other professional hacking applications. While it wasn''t necessary for the machine to be a supercomputer, it did need to be reliable enough for internet connectivity. "Oh, could you specify your requirements? We have only a limited selection of computers in the hospital," the nurse asked, eager to keep the conversation going. Even though the computers provided for data entry and other tasks were more powerful than necessary, she seemed keen to assist him further. "Hmm, anything decent enough to connect to the internet will do," Damien said, tilting his head slightly and offering a small smile to the nurse. She lit up at the gesture, and he could sense her underlying eagerness to engage in conversation, which he appreciated but didn''t have time for at the moment. Instead, he pointed at a laptop sitting on the reception desk. "That one would work." Understanding that sending the nurse away or asking her to retrieve a different machine would likely lead to a longer chat, he decided it was best to keep things simple. He took the laptop in his hands and walked toward an empty room within the hospital. "Mr. Damien, wait! Do you need help finding a room?" the nurse called after him, but she stopped short as she felt the piercing gaze of a doctor from the nearby office. With a soft sigh, she returned to her duties, recognizing that there were still patients who needed her attention. --- After searching for an empty room, Damien finally found one and entered. It had two beds inside, and no patients or staff members seemed to be present, as they were all busy with other patients. He took a seat on one of the beds before opening the laptop. Get more chapters on m v l e mpyr [Use of (Hacking God) is detected] With the level 1 restrictions lifted, his mind felt clear, and his knowledge of computers sharper than ever before. He was more than capable of handling the task at hand. ''Let''s see,'' he thought, fingers dancing over the keyboard. The laptop wasn''t a top-tier machine, but with his skill, it would suffice. He quickly installed essential tools: Kali Linux for its penetration testing framework, Nmap for network mapping, and Aircrack-ng to intercept and crack wireless connections. These tools allowed him to map out the devices on the hospital''s network, including mobile devices and servers. He navigated to the official website of the companies under the Crimwell family, immediately identifying vulnerabilities in their public-facing site. Using SQL injections and exploiting unpatched web application vulnerabilities, he bypassed the site''s firewall, gaining access to deeper layers of their network. Most families, including the Crimwells, preferred private servers to shield internal company operations from competitors. Damien knew that accessing these required careful reconnaissance, and he patiently worked through several login gateways. His goal: the private server that housed sensitive corporate information. Using brute-force login and leveraging his knowledge of password-cracking algorithms, he accessed their Wi-Fi network. From there, he analyzed hundreds of connected mobile devices using Wireshark to monitor traffic. Filtering these devices by IMEI numbers, he quickly located the target phone¡ªthe one belonging to the Crimwell family patriarch. By deploying man-in-the-middle (MitM) techniques, Damien gained control of the patriarch''s phone. Due to modern devices having integrated batteries that couldn''t be removed, they still emitted signals even when turned off. Using this, Damien accessed the phone''s microphone, camera, and even location services, allowing him to eavesdrop on the patriarch''s surroundings without alerting anyone. The conversation between the patriarch and Amelia confirmed his suspicions: they had been working to get Edward out on bail the previous night. ''Oh, first evidence,'' a smile crept across Damien''s face¡ªhe could use this knowledge to further trap them in their own schemes. Damien discarded the connection to the patriarch''s phone, knowing that prolonged access could be detected. Switching targets, he hacked into the phone of the patriarch''s secretary. This time, using SSH tunneling to cover his tracks, he intercepted a call between Vandiana Panthera and him. His earphones picked up the discussion clearly until the line suddenly went dead. --- "Tch, should''ve brought better headphones," Damien muttered as he removed the earphones. It was likely the phone had been physically destroyed to cut off any interception, possibly crushed by the man whose voice he had heard. ''Where is she now?'' Damien wondered, already working to track down Vandiana''s location. He quickly ran a geolocation trace on the number that had connected to the patriarch, infiltrating through firewalls as he triangulated her position. Just as he neared success, the attack signatures changed¡ªsomeone was onto him. A reverse hack began. Damien could see the telltale signs: honeypot traps were being laid, subtle breadcrumbs meant to draw him in and expose his location. "Not bad," Damien thought, impressed. Whoever was tracking him was no amateur. They possessed the skill and resources to mount a counteroffensive, even tracing him through the hospital''s weak internet security. The hospital''s basic laptop didn''t have enough power to fend off such an adversary. He knew this wasn''t like a movie, where a hacker could break through high-level security systems with any old computer. While his expertise far exceeded that of most professionals, equipment still mattered. A substandard machine was like a sword master facing gun-wielding soldiers¡ªskill would only get him so far before the limitations of his weapon became evident. Realizing that a professional hacker was targeting him, Damien chose to retreat. He could fight another day, once he had the proper equipment and resources to fully leverage his capabilities. For now, the smart move was to disengage and leave no trace. Before erasing his tracks, he took a moment to leave a specific message for whoever might be on the receiving end, fully aware that it would most likely reach Vandiana Panthera. "Sigh, how bothersome," he murmured. After clearing his digital footprints, he set his laptop down and glanced out the window, realizing that an hour had already passed¡ªor perhaps just a few minutes. With a stretch to relieve the tension in his body, he picked up his laptop and earphones, then made his way out of the room. Chapter 79: Chapter 79 - Underground Headquarters Away from the picturesque countryside surrounding Camphrian City, in an entirely different direction, lay a discreet area bordering the lands owned by small businesses. In reality, these establishments were little more than facades for the underground mafia, which operated their illicit activities in this hidden locale. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tucked within one of the narrow alleyways was an unassuming candy shop. To the casual observer, it appeared to have been untouched by customers for ages, with its faded signage and crumbling exterior, yet the candies inside seemed strangely fresh¡ªalmost strikingly out of place. Behind its seemingly innocuous fa?ade hid a concealed passage. A sliding door led down a staircase into the depths of the basement. As one descended further, the truth became unmistakable¡ªbeneath this unremarkable shop lay an extensive network stretching nearly a square kilometer. What seemed like a small alleyway was actually an entry point to a vast underground complex. The narrow passage opened up to a space that had likely been designed as a bunker or some governmental facility, but now it was firmly under the control of the city''s mafia. This was no ordinary basement; it was a fully operational black market. The air was thick with tension as men and women moved about, clutching firearms, illegal goods, and other contraband. Each step was cautious, every glance over the shoulder a silent acknowledgment of the power that thrived in this shadowy underworld. The place served as the nerve center for criminal activity in Camphrian City, with shady merchants selling weapons, their voices blending into the charged atmosphere. "This is the latest model of the AR-17! Just 200 NR!" one vendor shouted, brandishing a sleek, polished assault rifle. "Grab it while you can!" another voice yelled, the sound of deals reverberating through the underground maze. The entire area was filled with merchants cloaked in garments that obscured their features, peddling items¡ªmostly stolen or unlicensed¡ªat bargain prices, often accompanied by enticing discounts. Of course, the authenticity of these items was not guaranteed. However, amidst this chaos, several customers could be seen exchanging money for wall hangers and other goods, reassured by the presence of the underground queen, Vandiana Panthera. Her reputation served as a guarantee for the legitimacy of these items, instilling a sense of trust, however tenuous, among those willing to engage in this illicit marketplace. Navigating through several lanes that resembled branches, each with alleys leading into one another, visitors encountered signage indicating various goods such as weapons, medicines, drugs, and assorted contraband. At the center stood a small structure that resembled a hotel, albeit one that could be classified as three-star at best, reflecting a level of decency. Inside, a throng of people moved about, primarily filtered by guards who permitted only a select few entry after verifying their invitations. "I hope we''ll get a chance to meet her," remarked a businessman of high standing and familial pedigree as he entered the hotel, accompanied by a colleague. They were greeted by servants and a receptionist who bowed before guiding them to a guest room. As they progressed through the hotel''s interior, the room appeared considerably more elegant and comfortable than the exterior suggested. However, the primary motivation for these visitors lay in their intention to negotiate a deal with the head honcho of this establishment. Discover adventure at m-vl-em-py-r Specifically, these individuals were associated with a political party whose candidate was gearing up for the mayoral elections in Camphrian City. It was universally understood that the key to any election was to secure manpower capable of managing protests and riots, which would be orchestrated according to their political strategies. This venue was a veritable hub teeming with manpower ready to be mobilized at their discretion. Those in the realm of politics understood that while it might seem that true power rested with politicians or the justice system, the reality was far more nuanced. The genuine leverage lay in the hands of those who could effortlessly rally an army of individuals unafraid of confronting death. Politicians, of course, manipulated and occasionally discarded youth like pawns, but ultimately, they shared a symbiotic relationship, each relying upon the other for survival. Despite their public facades depicting them as champions of justice, the truth was that this was the mechanics of the real world, vastly different from the curated images portrayed on social media. "Please wait here. The Queen will join you shortly," announced one of the servants, prompting both men to take a seat in the room, nodding in acknowledgment. They paid little heed to the title of "Queen," a term they would normally find fascinating, particularly given the existence of actual queens from noble lineages. While those royals had significantly diminished influence, the men knew well that the woman claiming the title of underground queen reigned supreme in her own world. Meanwhile, far from the room where the servant had left them, that servant proceeded upstairs to the second floor, where the ambiance shifted dramatically. This area resembled an office bustling with employees, some engaged in computer work while others were absorbed in phone conversations akin to a call center. She was aware that those on the computers and phones were primarily handling transactions conducted through the dark web. After all, to facilitate weapons sales online, they needed to maintain a strong presence on the dark web, where they processed online orders from clients, often involving requests for kidnappings and similar illicit activities. The woman ventured further and discovered a group of a dozen individuals seated at another row of high-end computers, their setup featuring a large central monitor that showcased a department dedicated to managing cyber attacks. knock knock "May I enter, my Queen?" The woman knocked gently on the door, which slowly swung open at the nod of another servant, allowing her to step inside. Upon her entrance, her gaze fell upon a woman in a sleek black dress standing by the window, gazing out thoughtfully. "Greetings, my Queen." The servant, bowing slightly before lifting her gaze, met the sight before her¡ªwhere, within the deep black pools of the woman''s eyes, a serene smile revealed a reflection of the entire empire she had constructed underground. The bustling scene pulsated with life, illuminated by a soft, nocturnal glow. People moved harmoniously about, purchasing goods and creating a vibrant tableau that resembled an entire city thriving in the depths below. Chapter 80: Chapter 80 - The Content of the Letter "Keep them waiting; I''m busy right now," Vandiana said, gazing out the window with narrowed eyes, amusement dancing across her features. Moments earlier, she had found herself embroiled in a conversation that had been unexpectedly leaked by a hacker who dared to target her¡ªVandiana Panthera herself. This forced her to abruptly end the call without raising the hacker''s suspicions, a precaution her technical team had advised in their attempts to lure out the middleman. Having invested a hefty 10% of her profits into the cyber cell within the underground black market, she never anticipated someone in the technical field would dare to cross her. Even though the attack was virtual, she had ordered her team to trace the hacker''s whereabouts, determined to unearth the identity of the audacious individual who had launched an attack against her. Minutes later, she received the disappointing news that her team had lost track of the assailant, only able to determine he was located somewhere in Camphrian City, based on the first few numbers of his IP address. ''How amusing,'' she thought, a smile playing on her lips as she reflected on the irony. Despite having spent so much on high-end equipment and hiring top-tier professionals, someone had managed to record her call and slip away, all while operating within Camphrian City¡ªan area where she maintained control over 70% of the local mafia. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I understand, my queen," a servant replied, bowing respectfully before taking her leave. She brushed off the notion of the arriving guests from a political party; after all, it was they who needed her assistance, which allowed her to prioritize her own orders without concern. "Lulu, have you found anything useful?" Vandiana inquired, turning her gaze toward a young woman seated on a rolling chair. The girl had her legs and arms crossed, appearing almost closed off in her oversized hoodie that obscured her face. A lollipop bobbed in her mouth as her fingers danced across the keyboard, painted nails of various colors gliding with precision as her eyes darted rapidly across the screen. "....He somehow found me early on, but it''s virtually impossible to erase every trace once a network is targeted and a firewall is breached... Ah, found it!" Lulu''s focus remained laser-sharp as she continued to navigate the screens before her, successfully uncovering a handful of files nestled within the computer systems of the Crimwell family. Confident in the firewalls she had painstakingly crafted, she noted how her early alert system had detected the intrusion. She surmised that the attack was not directly aimed at them but rather executed through a gateway that exploited existing vulnerabilities within the Crimwell family''s network. Rather than aimlessly searching for answers, she strategically placed herself in the mindset of the intruder¡ªthe hacker who had attempted to infiltrate her system. Through this perspective, she grasped that the only way to record the call had likely been by breaching the Crimwell family''s network. The underground security measures were fortified by skilled hackers, and the firewalls had been personally designed by her, making a direct attack highly improbable. Being well-versed in the intricacies of computer operations, Lulu understood that in hacking, there is often an oversight of leaving behind residual files used for remote access or control. While these files might appear morphed or encrypted to the untrained eye, it was a simple task for her to reverse-engineer the hack using those remnants. With newfound resolve, she initiated a connection to the private servers of the Crimwell family, ready to uncover whatever secrets lay hidden within. Her mind was racing as she considered the perspective of the attacker. He had discovered a few files, encrypted in a way that had no relation to the business operations or the confidential matters of the Crimwell family. They most likely belonged to the trail of the attacker himself. As she opened one of the files, a message popped up on the screen, causing her heart to sink. "What did you find?" Lulu Vandiana approached the screen with her arms folded, her expression shifting from curiosity to cold intensity as she read the words displayed before her. :: I received your letter, Lady Vandiana, and I must decline the role of your pawn. Let''s meet another time when my position is strong enough that you might consider me an equal, not just a pawn. Your lovely, Damien Raphael :: "He''s playing with fire," Lulu muttered, clicking her lollipop as she pulled it from her mouth. The clear threat in the message was evident, and she understood the grim fate awaiting Damien for daring to defy her queen. "Hmm, so this is your choice, is it?" Vandiana murmured, closing her eyes to recall the letter she had sent to Damien the previous night after attending his wedding. She had left after Gabriel''s arrival, realizing Damien was likely to meet his end at the hands of Edward, who was widely known to command the young man''s loyalty. Understanding this dynamic, she had used the opportunity to send a letter offering to help Damien reclaim his position as the heir of the Raphael family, should he choose to follow her. Fully aware of Damien''s less-than-stellar reputation, Vandiana had intended to use him as a pawn in her grand scheme to seize control of the Raphael family. Her plan involved giving him just enough scraps to keep him compliant, only to later discard him when he was no longer useful. But now, it seemed he had chosen to rebel rather than submissively accept what she had to offer. "Do you want me to call in some men?" Lulu asked, tossing her lollipop aside. She grabbed another from the pack, not quite fond of the flavor of the previous one. She was eager to deal with Damien. Read the latest stories on M-VL-em|p,yr "Don''t. Didn''t he say he would come meet me himself?" Vandiana replied, her characteristic resolve surfacing. She preferred to deal with those who dared to threaten her directly. Last night, she had found amusement in Damien''s behavior; he had acted quite differently, trying to manipulate those around him, even provoking Edward and the rumored woman from the Crimwell family he had pursued for four long years. Seeing this as a positive shift, she decided to allow him some time to impress her. Patience, she thought, could provide valuable insight before she issued further commands. "Send someone to bring the police chief to me and eliminate anyone who stands in our way." Chapter 81: Chapter 81- Marriage Certificate "So, you''re saying Damien''s healing made you younger?" Emilia narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her mother, who appeared significantly more youthful while claiming that the acupuncture techniques had not only brought her out of the coma but had also rejuvenated her. Doubt filled Emilia''s expression as she sat at the table with her hands folded, her gaze fixed on her mother, skepticism evident in every line of her face. "Yes, something like that," Visana replied, scratching her chin in realization that Emilia most likely didn''t believe her. After all, it seemed impossible for anyone to actually become younger through any method. Sure, it was feasible for someone to improve their skin texture, but Visana had physically reverted to her appearance from nine years ago¡ªa feat far beyond any artificial means. "I believe you," Emilia said slowly, eyeing the woman sitting before her with an intensity that wavered between disbelief and curiosity. She closed her eyes for a moment, almost as if to shut out the absurdity of it all, before reopening them and looking straight at her mother. "Oh, really¡ª" Visana began, preparing to commend Emilia for her sudden willingness to accept her story. But she was quickly interrupted. "Where is my mother?!" Emilia yelled, springing up from the table. She reached out, grabbing the cheeks of the woman before her and pulling at them playfully. Deep down, she knew that this young-looking woman was indeed her mother, yet she couldn''t resist the urge to tease her. The sight of her old mother transformed into someone so youthful sparked a familiar sense of mischief, all while she continued her usual banter and lighthearted taunts. "Ouch, Ouch, Emilia! I am your mother!" Visana winced as her daughter pinched her cheeks playfully. Although she felt that Emilia was doing it on purpose, today was one of those rare days when Visana felt a bit of joy. Your next journey awaits at m v|l-e-NovelFire The brief moment of feeling youthful satisfied her enough that she chose not to reprimand her daughter. "How can I believe you?" Emilia seized the opportunity, narrowing her gaze at her mother and raising an eyebrow. "T-Tell me, how can I prove it?" Visana asked, acutely aware of the swelling in her cheeks after Emilia had released her grip. She noticed her daughter heading toward the handbag she had brought with her. "Sign this," Emilia said, extending her hand to present a pink document along with a pen. She smiled at Visana, which caused a slight twitch at the corners of her mother''s mouth. "What is this?" Visana asked, her eyes darting over the bold text that read "Marriage Certificate." It seemed outrageous to her that her daughter would bring this up so soon after she had just recovered from an accident. "I need my guardian''s permission," Emilia replied. She met her mother''s gaze, clearly indicating the requirements she had learned from the marriage office while trying to secure a certificate to marry Damien. Deep down, she also knew that he had a tendency to switch sides and could easily abandon her. So, she thought it wise to tie him into a marital commitment. Even if he decided to run away, she could still stake a claim to half of his wealth. Emilia understood that Damien was probably using her for her money, but she wasn''t naive enough to let him have free rein over her life. She was determined to have him sign these papers as a form of leverage. If he tried to leave her after taking advantage of her, she could use these agreements to imprison him and secure half of what he owned¡ªall while being prepared for any legal battles that could arise. To be precise, this document represented a form of blackmail, a safety net she was preparing just in case Damien entertained thoughts of abandoning her. "W-What?! But why on Earth do you want to marry Damien?!" Visana gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as she shot to her feet, staring at her daughter. She felt as if her very soul was being grasped by confusion, struggling to understand how Emilia could make such a reckless decision to marry someone like him. "We love each other," Emilia asserted, keeping her expression blank and stoic. Deep inside, she was aware that her feelings for him were genuine, even if he didn''t reciprocate them. Still, she couldn''t afford to show any sign of vulnerability to her mother. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "....Do you even believe your own words?" Visana asked, looking at her daughter with a blank stare. She rubbed her forehead in frustration, feeling overwhelmed by the realization that her daughter seemed determined to ruin her own life by marrying an utterly selfish man¡ªa decision that could destroy her future. What shocked Visana even more was how she could tell from Emilia''s expression that her daughter was also conscious of the fact that Damien did not genuinely love her. "....." *Sigh,* "Do you really love him that much?" Visana asked, looking at her daughter with a mix of confusion and a desire to support her decision. She had never rejected anything Emilia had ever asked for, but this was the first time her daughter was demanding something so significant, prompting her to inquire further. "....yes," Emilia replied in a very low tone, her gaze averted as embarrassment washed over her. It was difficult to admit that she had fallen for that idiot who seemed intent on flirting and having relationships with several women, all without a thought for her feelings. "Fine, just tell me where to sign." Visana finally accepted her defeat, seeing how desperately Emilia wanted to marry that damn fool. She couldn''t help but stretch out her hand for the pen, then sat down and opened the document where Emilia had already signed, leaving space for Damien''s signature. Below their names was a blank section for their guardian''s signatures. "Here!" Emilia exclaimed, sensing her mother''s acceptance and bubbling with excitement. She pointed to the guardian sections for both her and Damien, clearly aware that there was no guardian for him, given how he had been abandoned by Raphael''s family. Chapter 82: Chapter 82- Last day in Camphrian City. Sighing, Visana gazed at her daughter''s enthusiasm. "You are such an idiot," she muttered, shaking her head. Yet, despite her reservations, she picked up the pen and signed her name under both guardian marks, biting her lip at the thought of having to confront the man who had dared to kiss his mother-in-law. "Here. By the way, why do you love him?" Visana asked after signing, genuinely curious about the qualities Emilia saw in that seemingly worthless idiot who had captured her heart. "Thanks," Emilia replied, her excitement momentarily sweeping aside her mother''s questions. She glanced at the signed sections of the document and impulsively blurted out, "He''s very good in bed." "Wh-what¡ª?" Visana stammered, caught off guard by her daughter''s unexpected confession. Just as she prepared to ask for more clarification, the door to the room swung open. "What''s going on in here?" Damien entered the room, his eyes settling on Emilia, who was perched on the edge of a table, enthusiasm radiating from her. Visana sat on the hospital bed, her soft expression marred by a frown, and both women turned their attention toward him. "Damien? Come here," Emilia called, gesturing for him to approach. He nodded and walked closer, his hands tucked into his pants pockets. When he glanced at Visana, she shot him a cold glare that he chose to ignore as he focused his gaze on Emilia. "What happened? And what is that?" Damien feigned ignorance, noticing the document in Emilia''s hand. He suspected it was the guardian proof she obtained after getting her mother''s signature, not that it presented much of a problem for him¡ªhe could easily sign it and assure Emilia of his commitment. "Sign it," Emilia urged, her eyes locking onto his with a determination that brooked no arguments. She seemed to implore him to sign it immediately. With a sigh, he took the pen and signed the document. "Done," Damien said, handing the signed paper back to her. He then turned his attention to Visana, who showed no surprise at the fact that he had signed the marriage certificate, indicating his readiness to officially marry Emilia. He added, "We need to contact the board of directors. The situation in the company is deteriorating." Ignoring the weight of the moment, he concentrated on the immediate problem at hand. With just two or three days before he had to leave for the Main City¡ªhaving already spent far too much time in this place¡ªhe knew he couldn''t afford to waste another minute. Enjoy exclusive content from m-v l''-NovelFire "I''ll take care of it myself," Visana declared as she stood up from the bed and headed toward the bathroom. Emilia followed suit, taking Damien''s hand as she led him out of the room. She felt that Damien''s nonchalant attitude toward the marriage certificate and his inclination to tackle the company''s issues suggested that she would likely be leaving sooner than he intended. "Follow me," Emilia pulled him along, not looking back as they exited the room. Damien kept his gaze fixed on her, feeling some relief that he wouldn''t need to intervene in the company matters¡ªher mother was more than capable of handling that. "Are you planning to leave soon?" Emilia asked, approaching a crowded room. She playfully pushed Damien against the wall, her expression a mix of curiosity and mischief. "Yes, as you can see, most of my work is wrapped up here," Damien replied, his gaze locked onto hers. His voice dropped to a lower tone as he maintained that intense eye contact. The atmosphere felt stifled, almost electric, as the inevitable transition loomed. They were in a square of sorts¡ªthis space marked the boundary between the familiar yet modest Camprian City and the bustling main city, where the true narrative would unfold. In Camprian City, most of the families residing there were tied to local businesses that catered to the citizens. Their headquarters and assets were concentrated within this smaller community, creating a tightly-knit environment. In contrast, the main city was home to the wealthiest families, where opulence and influence reigned supreme. Here, in Camprian, only a handful of families held prominence, one being the notable Crimwell family, whose dealings and reputations echoed through the streets. In the bustling heart of the city, influential families like the Lin family and the Harrisons coexisted alongside others, such as the Raphaels. Among them, Damien often found himself ensnared in a repetitive cycle, perpetually pursuing Amelia Crimwell, which ultimately left him confined within the Camprian house. "....I see," Emilia said, cradling her elbow in one hand and glancing down at the page in front of her. Surprisingly, she felt no pang of sadness; she had grown accustomed to his behavior, which resembled that of a womanizer¡ªsomeone who sought fleeting pleasures and then vanished without a trace. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was precisely why she had secured his official signature on their marriage certificate. "You can come by any time you want, but I hope that the next time I see you, it''s in front of my cash ATM," Damien shamelessly remarked, his finger caressing her chin as he made it clear that he expected her to earn enough money to indulge his whims. "Tch, you''re such a bastard," Emilia muttered softly, barely above a whisper. She refused to look him in the eye, knowing how meticulously he had arranged his appearance just to convey his intentions, not even making an effort to disguise them. "A bastard? Oh, I could show you just how much of one I really am," Damien countered, using his knuckles to lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race, while she glared back at him, her expression betraying her clear dissatisfaction and resentment toward him for abandoning her after everything they had shared. Damien''s grin widened, his voice low and commanding, "Kneel, Emilia." Emilia''s face flushed, her breath quickening. "Why?" she managed to whisper, her mind racing as she recalled the scenes from certain adult videos, where the command seemed all too familiar. The small, confined room heightened her awareness of the moment, her heart pounding as Damien''s thumb slid from her chin to her lips, brushing against them with deliberate pressure. He leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin. "Because," he murmured, his voice dripping with control, "I want you to remember me... by the taste I leave on your body." Chapter 83: Chapter 83 - Parting Gift (1) "I''m not¡ª" Emilia''s face flushed a deep crimson with embarrassment as she realized that this persistent man was at it again. They had just spent the entire last night together, and now he seemed to be getting excited all over again. "Kneel, Emilia," Damien said, noticing her flustered state. Just the night before, she''d been bold and confident, but now she was shy and hesitant. As he lifted his right hand and rested it on her head, he gently pushed her down. She found herself sinking to her knees slowly, her heart racing with each movement. "Wh-what? I don''t understand what you want," Emilia stammered, trying to play coy, even as her heart thudded against her ribcage. Her eyes flickered, refusing to meet his gaze, trembling rapidly with uncertainty. "Unbutton it," Damien commanded, not allowing her a moment to speak further. His straightforwardness sent a surge of instinctive obedience through her. With trembling hands, she raised both arms, hesitating only briefly before she placed them on his belt. He had already lifted his suit jacket, making it easier for her to access the button of his pants. Yet, watching her take her time, he added with a teasing smirk, "Don''t you want my signature on the marriage certificate?" "No, I already have it," Emilia mumbled, aware of his attempt to blackmail her using the marriage certificate. She knew he had already signed it, and his bargaining was weak in her eyes. "Check it again," Damien said with an amused smile, prompting Emilia to glance at the marriage certificate in her hand. To her shock, the signature he had just placed moments ago had completely vanished. Her confusion turned to disbelief as she exclaimed, "H-how?!" As she gazed toward the spot where his signal typically lingered, a wave of panic surged within her. She swiftly shifted her gaze to him, her gentle eyes locking onto his devilish grin. In that fleeting moment, it dawned on her that she was cornered, trapped in a predicament where any hope of escape felt utterly futile. She had already relinquished her most treasured possession to him, and considering his notorious reputation as a playboy, the likelihood of him vanishing from her life weighed heavily on her mind. Without a marriage certificate to validate her claims, the reality of her situation struck her with force: she could not demand child support or hold him accountable if she were to become pregnant. "Y-you''re so cruel," she stammered, tears brimming in her eyes as the weight of her deception crushed her spirit¡ªonce again, she had fallen prey to this man''s beguiling charm. Clenching her fists in frustration, she lifted one hand toward his pants, her fingers trembling as she attempted to unbutton them. The fabric felt constricting beneath her touch, and her efforts were met with stubborn resistance. "Am I really?" Damien replied, rolling his eyes before glancing down at her with a mix of amusement and arrogance. Read latest chapters at m_v-l''e-NovelFire "Uhm..." Emilia''s fingers fumbled as she undid Damien''s belt, her breath catching in her throat when his pants slid down, revealing the full length of him. ''How the hell did that even fit inside me?'' She remembered last night, the way his cock had stretched her to her limit, leaving her gasping, sore, and completely spent. She hadn''t expected him to be so big¡ªnot that big. Even now, staring at him, her body still ached from their first night together, a reminder of just how thoroughly he had taken her. Her eyes widened as she looked at him again. ''How does he expect me to handle this?'' It seemed impossible all over again, despite the fact that she had done it before. Damien, of course, was calm and composed as ever. His cool, confident gaze remained fixed on her, his expression betraying none of the intensity she was feeling. He didn''t seem the least bit concerned about her hesitation, standing there as though this was just another day for him. His control, his lack of urgency¡ªit only made her feel smaller, more vulnerable in front of him. "Are you going to stare at it all day?" he teased, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine. Her cheeks flushed as she snapped back to reality, her hands gripping his cock with a soft squeeze. It twitched under her touch, hot and heavy in her hands, making her feel even more nervous. Swallowing hard, she leaned forward, letting her lips graze the tip of him. The sheer size of him made her pulse quicken¡ªhe was too much, but she didn''t want to show any hesitation. Not now. Damien''s hand found its way to her hair, fingers threading through it gently as he guided her, not forcing, but making it clear what he wanted. She opened her mouth and took him in slowly, her lips stretching around his girth as she sank down on him. "Mmhmm..." The weight of him filled her mouth, and she struggled for a moment to adjust, the head of his cock pressing against her tongue as she took him deeper. The memory of last night lingered in her mind¡ªhow full he had felt inside her, how he had pushed her limits, stretching her in ways she never thought possible. And now, here she was, trying to take him again, but this time with her mouth, feeling every inch of him as her lips slid lower along his shaft. "Hh.." Damien groaned softly, his grip on her hair tightening slightly, though he remained mostly composed. She could tell he was enjoying this, even if he didn''t show it as openly as she expected. That only made her want to please him more. "Nhnnn....!" Her hands wrapped around the base of his cock, stroking him in sync with the slow movements of her mouth. pah pah She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder as she went lower, her tongue swirling around the tip before sliding down again. The salty taste of him filled her mouth, but she didn''t slow down¡ªif anything, she quickened her pace, desperate to prove she could handle him, that she wasn''t intimidated by his size. "You know how to do this," Damien murmured, his voice rough with desire. His hand tightened in her hair, guiding her as she bobbed her head up and down. pah pah pah ''Damn you!" The praise sent a flush of heat through her, and she found herself taking him deeper, her lips stretching wider as she struggled to accommodate his length. "Khwack! Khwack!...MMMPHHH?!" It wasn''t easy¡ªhe was thick, too thick ''My jaws?!'' Her eyes watered slightly as she took him in further, her hands tightening their grip around the base of his cock, stroking him in time with her mouth. Damien groaned again, a soft sound that sent a thrill down her spine. He was still in control, still holding back, but she could feel the tension building in his body, the subtle flexing of his hips as she sucked him harder. Her jaw ached from the effort, but she didn''t stop¡ªshe couldn''t. Not with the way his body responded to her, the way he watched her with that intense, unwavering gaze. "You can take more," he said, his voice low, commanding. "You did last night." Emilia shivered at his words, her cheeks burning hotter as she tried to push herself further. Her lips slid down his shaft, her tongue swirling around him as she took him deeper into her throat. It was overwhelming¡ªhis size, his control¡ªbut she kept going, determined to match his expectations. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 84: Chapter 84- Parting Gift (2) "I''m not¡ª" Emilia''s face flushed a deep crimson with embarrassment as she realized that this persistent man was at it again. They had just spent the entire last night together, and now he seemed to be getting excited all over again. "Kneel, Emilia," Damien said, noticing her flustered state. Just the night before, she''d been bold and confident, but now she was shy and hesitant. As he lifted his right hand and rested it on her head, he gently pushed her down. She found herself sinking to her knees slowly, her heart racing with each movement. "Wh-what? I don''t understand what you want," Emilia stammered, trying to play coy, even as her heart thudded against her ribcage. Her eyes flickered, refusing to meet his gaze, trembling rapidly with uncertainty. "Unbutton it," Damien commanded, not allowing her a moment to speak further. His straightforwardness sent a surge of instinctive obedience through her. With trembling hands, she raised both arms, hesitating only briefly before she placed them on his belt. He had already lifted his suit jacket, making it easier for her to access the button of his pants. Yet, watching her take her time, he added with a teasing smirk, "Don''t you want my signature on the marriage certificate?" "No, I already have it," Emilia mumbled, aware of his attempt to blackmail her using the marriage certificate. She knew he had already signed it, and his bargaining was weak in her eyes. "Check it again," Damien said with an amused smile, prompting Emilia to glance at the marriage certificate in her hand. To her shock, the signature he had just placed moments ago had completely vanished. Her confusion turned to disbelief as she exclaimed, "H-how?!" As she gazed toward the spot where his signal typically lingered, a wave of panic surged within her. She swiftly shifted her gaze to him, her gentle eyes locking onto his devilish grin. In that fleeting moment, it dawned on her that she was cornered, trapped in a predicament where any hope of escape felt utterly futile. She had already relinquished her most treasured possession to him, and considering his notorious reputation as a playboy, the likelihood of him vanishing from her life weighed heavily on her mind. Without a marriage certificate to validate her claims, the reality of her situation struck her with force: she could not demand child support or hold him accountable if she were to become pregnant. "Y-you''re so cruel," she stammered, tears brimming in her eyes as the weight of her deception crushed her spirit¡ªonce again, she had fallen prey to this man''s beguiling charm. Clenching her fists in frustration, she lifted one hand toward his pants, her fingers trembling as she attempted to unbutton them. The fabric felt constricting beneath her touch, and her efforts were met with stubborn resistance. "Am I really?" Damien replied, rolling his eyes before glancing down at her with a mix of amusement and arrogance. "Uhm..." Emilia''s fingers fumbled as she undid Damien''s belt, her breath catching in her throat when his pants slid down, revealing the full length of him. ''How the hell did that even fit inside me?'' She remembered last night, the way his cock had stretched her to her limit, leaving her gasping, sore, and completely spent. She hadn''t expected him to be so big¡ªnot that big. Even now, staring at him, her body still ached from their first night together, a reminder of just how thoroughly he had taken her. Her eyes widened as she looked at him again. ''How does he expect me to handle this?'' It seemed impossible all over again, despite the fact that she had done it before. Damien, of course, was calm and composed as ever. His cool, confident gaze remained fixed on her, his expression betraying none of the intensity she was feeling. He didn''t seem the least bit concerned about her hesitation, standing there as though this was just another day for him. His control, his lack of urgency¡ªit only made her feel smaller, more vulnerable in front of him. "Are you going to stare at it all day?" he teased, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine. Her cheeks flushed as she snapped back to reality, her hands gripping his cock with a soft squeeze. It twitched under her touch, hot and heavy in her hands, making her feel even more nervous. Swallowing hard, she leaned forward, letting her lips graze the tip of him. The sheer size of him made her pulse quicken¡ªhe was too much, but she didn''t want to show any hesitation. Not now. Damien''s hand found its way to her hair, fingers threading through it gently as he guided her, not forcing, but making it clear what he wanted. She opened her mouth and took him in slowly, her lips stretching around his girth as she sank down on him. "Mmhmm..." The weight of him filled her mouth, and she struggled for a moment to adjust, the head of his cock pressing against her tongue as she took him deeper. The memory of last night lingered in her mind¡ªhow full he had felt inside her, how he had pushed her limits, stretching her in ways she never thought possible. And now, here she was, trying to take him again, but this time with her mouth, feeling every inch of him as her lips slid lower along his shaft. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hh.." Damien groaned softly, his grip on her hair tightening slightly, though he remained mostly composed. She could tell he was enjoying this, even if he didn''t show it as openly as she expected. That only made her want to please him more. "Nhnnn....!" Her hands wrapped around the base of his cock, stroking him in sync with the slow movements of her mouth. pah pah Read the latest on m_v-l''e-NovelFire She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder as she went lower, her tongue swirling around the tip before sliding down again. The salty taste of him filled her mouth, but she didn''t slow down¡ªif anything, she quickened her pace, desperate to prove she could handle him, that she wasn''t intimidated by his size. "You know how to do this," Damien murmured, his voice rough with desire. His hand tightened in her hair, guiding her as she bobbed her head up and down. pah pah pah ''Damn you!" Chapter 85: Chapter 85 - Parting Gift (3) The praise sent a flush of heat through her, and she found herself taking him deeper, her lips stretching wider as she struggled to accommodate his length. It wasn''t easy¡ªhe was thick, too thick¡ªbut the challenge excited her. ''My jaws?!'' Her eyes watered slightly as she took him in further, her hands tightening their grip around the base of his cock, stroking him in time with her mouth. Damien groaned again, a soft sound that sent a thrill down her spine. He was still in control, still holding back, but she could feel the tension building in his body, the subtle flexing of his hips as she sucked him harder. Her jaw ached from the effort, but she didn''t stop¡ªshe couldn''t. Not with the way his body responded to her, the way he watched her with that intense, unwavering gaze. "You can take more," he said, his voice low, commanding. "You did last night." Emilia shivered at his words, her cheeks burning hotter as she tried to push herself further. Her lips slid down his shaft, her tongue swirling around him as she took him deeper into her throat. It was overwhelming¡ªhis size, his control¡ªbut she kept going, determined to match his expectations. Damien''s grip tightened in her hair, and without warning, he thrust his hips forward, forcing her to take him deeper. "Mnhnmpphh?!" Emilia''s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as he pushed himself fully inside her mouth. "Khwackk?!¡ªSQUIRT" She gagged slightly, her lips stretched to their limit around his thick cock, and before she could even adjust, she felt the first hot spurt hit the back of her throat. Her hands flew to his thighs, fingers digging into his skin as she struggled to take him. "Ugh....Just like this, Emilia", Damien''s hands moved to the sides of her head, holding her in place as he came hard, his cock pulsing in her throat. The salty taste overwhelmed her, but she had no chance to pull back. He was relentless, his grip firm, keeping her locked in place as more of him flooded her mouth. It was too much¡ªshe tried to swallow, but the sheer volume made it impossible. Her throat worked desperately, but the thick cum began to overflow, spilling from the corners of her lips and down her chin. "Uhnnn....umhh" Emilia''s cheeks burned with the effort, her eyes watering as he held her there, forcing her to take every last drop. Her vision blurred as she fought to breathe, her chest tightening as her body struggled to keep up with the intensity. She could feel his cock twitching, the final throbs sending another gush of cum into her already overflowing mouth. It dripped down her chin, thick and sticky, staining the skin of her neck as she coughed around him, her throat convulsing. Damien finally loosened his grip, pulling back just slightly, allowing her a moment to catch her breath. "Haah...! haah..! cough?!" She gasped, coughing as she tried to swallow the last of him, her lips still wrapped around his cock. Enjoy more content from m-v l''-NovelFire.net Her chest heaved, the taste of him lingering on her tongue, and as she pulled back further, the remnants of his release dripped from her lips, splattering onto the floor beneath her. Emilia''s face was flushed, her eyes watery, a mixture of exhaustion and surprise etched across her features. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her breath ragged as she finally met his gaze. Damien looked down at her, still composed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he took in the sight of her¡ªdisheveled, overwhelmed, and utterly at his mercy. "You took it all," he murmured, his voice low, a hint of satisfaction coloring his tone. GULP Emilia swallowed hard, her throat still burning from the intensity of it all, but despite everything, she found herself nodding, wiping her chin once more as she caught her breath. Damien pulled back, his cock still slick from her mouth, and watched as Emilia tried to regain her composure. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, her lips still glistening from his release. But Damien wasn''t done with her yet. Without saying a word, he grabbed her by the waist, flipping her over and pushing her down against the long table. "IIEEEKKK~?!" Emilia gasped, her body still trembling from the intensity of what had just happened. She barely had time to catch her breath before she felt his hands on her hips, pulling her ass up toward him. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wait, Damien¡ª" she started, but he didn''t give her a chance to finish. His hands spread her cakes apart, his gaze fixed on her tight, untouched asshole. She shuddered, feeling the cool air on her most vulnerable spot. "Relax," he said, his voice a mix of calm and command. "I''ll take care of you." thump thump Her heart raced, knowing what he was about to do. She''d never done this before¡ªnot even close. The thought of it made her tense up, but at the same time, a thrill ran down her spine, a strange excitement coursing through her veins. Damien wasn''t exactly gentle. He pressed the head of his cock against her tight hole, teasing her, feeling how resistant she was. Her whole body stiffened, her muscles clenched reflexively as he pushed, just barely breaching the entrance. "Damien... please," she whimpered, her voice trembling as the pain and anticipation mixed. "I''m not ready... it''s too much!" But he pushed harder, his cock forcing its way past the tight ring of muscle. The stretch was intense, a burn that made Emilia gasp sharply, her fingers gripping the bedsheets in desperation. "Ahh¡ªDamien!" she cried out, her voice high-pitched, filled with both pain and disbelief as the thick head of his cock entered her. Her body clenched around him, resisting, but he didn''t stop. Slowly, deliberately, he pushed deeper, feeling her virgin hole squeeze and fight against him. Her breathing turned ragged, and tears pricked at her eyes as she felt every inch of him stretching her open. "It hurts... it''s too tight... st-stop!," she moaned, her voice trembling as her body fought to accommodate his size. Damien grunted, his hands gripping her hips as he continued to push inside her, ignoring her cries. "You can take it," he growled, his voice deep and commanding. "You took me last night... you can handle this." Chapter 86: Chapter 86- Parting Gift (4) PAH! With a final thrust, he buried himself completely inside her, his cock filling her ass to the hilt. "N-not there!?" Emilia''s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in a silent scream as the overwhelming sensation of being completely stretched out hit her all at once. Pah Pah The sound of skin slapping against skin echoed in the room as he started to move, pulling back only to slam into her again. "Ah! Ahh¡ªplease, slower¡ª" she moaned, her voice barely audible as he began thrusting harder, each movement sending sharp jolts of both pleasure and pain through her. The pressure inside her was unbearable, her tight walls clamping down on him as if trying to push him out, but Damien didn''t relent. Pah Pah Pah The sounds grew louder, faster, matching the rhythm of his deep thrusts. Her body jolted with every movement, her ass cheeks bouncing back against him as he fucked her hard and fast. "Fuck, Damien... I can''t¡ª" she gasped, tears spilling from the corners of her eyes as her body struggled to keep up with the intensity of his movements. Her moans turned to whimpers, broken and breathless as he pounded into her. "You can," he growled, his voice rough, primal. "Be a strong woman, Emilia. Take it." PAH PAH PAH He tightened his grip on her hips, his cock driving deeper into her tight hole, stretching her beyond anything she thought possible. Her face was pressed against the rough surface of the nearby drawer, muffling her cries as her body surrendered to the brutal rhythm. "Ah¡ªah¡ªoh, God¡ªDamien!" she sobbed, her voice ragged from the effort of taking him. Her moans mixed with the wet sounds of their bodies colliding, the slap of skin on skin filling the room. Pah Pah Pah Pah The relentless pounding continued, his cock pushing deeper with each thrust, her tight asshole gripping him like a vice. The burn of the stretch hadn''t gone away, but there was a strange, undeniable pleasure that began to creep in, mingling with the pain. "Please¡ª" she whimpered, her voice cracking, her knuckles white as she clutched the sheets. "It''s... so much... I can''t¡ª" Her words were cut off by a deep groan as he thrust even harder, his hips slamming into her ass with an almost brutal force. Her moans became more desperate, her body shaking as she was completely overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. The rhythm never faltered, Damien''s control over her complete as he took her in the way only he could. pah Pah PAH Damien''s thrusts grew more erratic, harder, and faster. Every deep stroke sent shockwaves through Emilia''s body, her tightness only driving him further toward the edge. "Ahn...Hngh...Hann" Her face was flushed, her moans coming in ragged gasps as she felt his cock stretching her ass, filling her in a way she never thought possible. "Ah¡ªDamien¡ª" she gasped, her voice barely audible between moans. Her body trembled with every powerful thrust, her ass clenching around him instinctively, but there was no stopping him now. Pah pah pah The relentless slapping of their bodies echoed in the room, his movements growing more forceful as he drove himself deeper into her. Emilia could feel the tension building inside him, the way his cock swelled with every thrust, stretching her even more. "I''m gonna cum," Damien growled, his voice rough and strained as he pounded into her, his hands gripping her hips so tightly she knew there''d be bruises. His thrusts became shorter, sharper, as he buried himself to the hilt with each stroke, her body trembling beneath him. "Damien¡ªwait¡ª" she whimpered, her voice barely more than a breathless plea, but it was too late. She could feel him pulsing inside her, his cock throbbing as he slammed into her one last time, his entire body going rigid. With a deep groan, Damien shoved himself as deep as he could go, his cock buried fully in her ass as he came. Continue your adventure at m|v-l''e m,p| y- r Hot, thick spurts of cum filled her, the sensation overwhelming as it flooded her tight hole. She gasped, her body instinctively tightening around him, but it was too much. "Ah¡ªahh¡ª" she moaned, her voice trembling as she felt the warmth of his release spreading inside her. Each pulse of his cock sent more cum gushing into her, her asshole stretched and stuffed full of him. The pressure was intense, her body barely able to contain it all. Damien''s grip on her hips tightened as he held her in place, his cock still buried deep inside her as his cum overflowed, some of it leaking out and dripping down her thighs. The sensation of being filled like that made Emilia shudder, her legs trembling as she struggled to hold herself up. She whimpered, her breaths shallow and ragged as she felt his cum oozing out of her, each small movement making her more aware of how much he had given her. Damien groaned softly, his hips twitching as he finally pulled back slightly, but not enough to pull out entirely. His cock was still nestled deep inside her, keeping most of his release locked inside. "Fuck... that was tight," Damien murmured, his voice hoarse but satisfied. He looked down at Emilia, her body still trembling beneath him, her skin flushed and glistening with sweat. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I... I hate you," Emilia mumbled, her body feeling utterly exhausted, gasping for breath as she struggled to express her feelings. She remembered all the ways he had mistreated her, treating her like some plaything. But soon enough, she felt his grip on her hand tighten as she shouted, "Enough, you perverted bastard!" "Hey..." Damien said softly, pulling her close so their bodies collided. She was still wearing her top, and despite the situation, she glared at him. With a defeated smile, he leaned closer and whispered, "I hope you won''t miss me too much, okay?" It was finally time for him to say goodbye. "What?" Emilia stared at him for a moment, her lips biting into her own as she held tightly onto his face. There was no shame left between them, no embarrassment in this moment. Somehow, with determination, she clasped her hands on his cheek, almost as if slapping him, and pulled his face down to her level to bridge the height difference. Their warm breaths mingled as she placed her forehead against his, her eyes searching his, feeling helpless. Hating herself for loving this man, she whispered, "Please... don''t ever forget about me, Damien." "You bet," Damien said with a smile as he pulled Emilia''s phone from his pocket. He had held onto it for some time before handing it back to her, adding, "I recorded a conversation with your mother while she was waking up." "Huh? What conversation?" Emilia asked slowly, tilting her head and blinking in confusion. She struggled to understand the significance of the recording. "Shh, just promise me you''ll listen to it when you''re alone," Damien replied, gently placing a finger on her lips. He pulled her into a warm hug, a grin spreading across his face as he patted her back. Thoughts of finally putting a plan into action swirled in his mind. Given Emilia''s strong attachment to her mother, Damien knew that breaking that bond was crucial. While it may seem impossible, he believed in tackling even the most daunting challenges¡ªafter all, within ''impossible'' lies ''I''m possible.'' So, he had recorded every part of his conversation with her mother, capturing the moment she revealed that she wasn''t Emilia''s real mother and everything that had transpired in the room. Now the question is, what actions will Emilia take after discovering all of this? Chapter 87: Chapter 87- Departure at the Airport On the main highway of Camphrian City, leading toward the airport, a mini truck that looked like an old relic hurtled along at its top speed of 100 km/h. The engine sounded as if it were crying out under pressure, straining to keep up with the demand. "Is this thing an artifact or a vehicle?" Damien mused as he drove the aging vehicle that his mother-in-law had provided. It was far from what could be called a modern means of transport. His thoughts grew slightly cold when he remembered that he was stuck flying economy class from Camphrian City to the main city. Just hours earlier, after emerging from the dressing room, they had crossed paths with Visana, who looked completely healed and was leaving her room after changing outfits. She and Emilia took a taxi to their company to deal with the board of directors, while Damien was headed to the airport to leave Camphrian City. Now the question remained: where did he get the money for his flight ticket? The answer lay with his mother-in-law. After expressing his desire to leave the city, Visana had enthusiastically provided him with a plane ticket and a vehicle. It was expected, considering she likely wanted him as far away from her daughter as possible. However, he hadn''t anticipated her delight in making his life more difficult, even in her excitement. While he was behind the wheel of this beat-up truck¡ªwhich was even older than him and much slower than how a woman climaxes under him¡ªhe muttered under his breath, "I will not forget this, Mother-in-law." His face contorted in annoyance as he focused on the road, barely managing to keep his vehicle steady while others zoomed past him, proving their speed at each turn, as though his mini truck was nothing more than a sluggish turtle alongside their high-speed jets. tuk tuk tuk The truck''s engine sputtered, producing a chaotic cacophony as it screamed in agony under the weight of a single occupant. "Hey, Uncle! Want a race?" shouted a biker as they whipped past him, their laughter booming in the air. "Goodness gracious! Isn''t that model practically ancient? It should be in a museum!" another chimed in. "Oh, yeah! Open your window, Uncle, and tell us the specs, ha-ha!" A horde of bikers clad in black clothing, their attire festooned with spikes and tattoos gleaming under the afternoon sun, whizzed by Damien''s truck. They were a motley crew, ranging from middle-aged men sporting thick beards to older women with brightly dyed hair, leather jackets decorated with pins, and chains jangling against their heavy boots. It felt like a bizarre biker convention had somehow collided with a time warp. The women exuded fierce energy¡ªsome had tattoos creeping up their necks, while one flaunted a pink Mohawk atop her silver mane. Their laughter rang out, filling the air with a sense of chaotic camaraderie as they swerved dangerously close to his truck, their taunts ringing in his ears. "Is that a fossil you''re driving, Uncle? Let''s see who reaches the nursing home first!" "Are you sure that thing runs on fuel and not coal?" One woman in her fifties pulled up alongside him, sunglasses perched atop her nose and bold red lipstick accentuating her features. She winked at him. "Careful, handsome, that antique may break down before you hit the next turn." Damien''s grip on the steering wheel tightened, annoyance flitting across his face as more bikers sped by, their sleek, powerful machines leaving his ancient truck languishing in their wake. Even an elderly man with a white beard, piloting a bike with a sidecar, zoomed past, giving him a thumbs-up and a cheeky grin before disappearing down the highway. The engine of his mini truck sputtered again, the pitiful noise a clear indication that it was struggling to endure this humiliation. As he glared at the retreating bikers, he muttered under his breath, "Mother-in-law, you really outdid yourself this time." Finally arriving at the airport, he brought his unique vehicle to a halt near the entrance. Curious glances turned in his direction, many expecting to see a farmer or country bumpkin emerge from the dilapidated truck. Their expectations were abruptly challenged as a handsome man in a suit, clearly from a well-off background, stepped out, contrasting sharply with the ancient vehicle. "Park it," Damien said as he tossed the key toward a young man who wore an outfit that resembled that of a guard. Of course, it wasn''t his profession, but the fashion certainly made him look the part. "Th-this?! You bastard!" The young man exclaimed, catching the key. He was ready to explode with anger, feeling humiliated in front of his friends as he attempted to confront Damien. However, his companions quickly restrained him from attacking the man in the suit, aware that this was no ordinary individual; they recognized him as Damien Raphael. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What is he doing here?" one of them whispered in disbelief. "Didn''t he get kidnapped or something?" another replied, his voice tinged with confusion. Thanks to the extensive media coverage, Damien''s face had been plastered all over the news throughout the night. Most people in Camphrian City had at least seen his picture, and they recognized him immediately. Damien was fully aware of this, which is precisely why he had chosen to toss the key and humiliate the most foolish person in the crowd. He knew it would be easy to provoke someone like that and watch them flounder in embarrassment. As the tension built, the commotion drew the eyes of others. All around, people began to take notice, whispering among themselves. "Wait, are they about to fight?" Continue your journey on m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net "Huh? Is that Damien Raphael?" one observer remarked, their voice filled with astonishment. With each passing moment, more and more people turned to glance in Damien''s direction, recognizing the infamous figure standing boldly among them. The atmosphere crackled with curiosity and disbelief, the crowd''s collective attention now fully focused on the encounter unfolding before them. Ignoring everyone around him, Damien stepped into the airport, clutching nothing but a flight ticket in one hand while the other was tucked casually into his pocket. As he walked through the bustling terminal, he reflected on leaving Camphrian City behind. "I hope you all hear the news of my arrival soon." Chapter 88: Chapter 88- Edward on airport "You may proceed," the security guard said, gesturing for Damien to move on after scanning him with the metal detector. With a nod, he stepped forward, relieved that he didn''t have any luggage to slow him down¡ªjust his plane ticket, his clothes, and his quirky invisible ink pen. For some reason, he had developed a fondness for that little pen. As he walked through the bustling terminal, the airport stretched out before him, a vibrant expanse filled with travelers from all walks of life. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bright overhead lights illuminated the polished floors, reflecting the excitement and nervous energy in the air. Travelers hurried past, dragging suitcases and chatting with companions, while announcements echoed through the space, detailing boarding times and gate changes. "It''s still delayed?" Damien muttered, glancing at a large digital clock mounted on the wall, its numbers glaring back at him. The time showed he still had quite a wait ahead. He turned his gaze to the departure screen, scanning for updates, but found nothing encouraging. With a resigned sigh, he made his way to a quiet corner of the airport, seeking a moment of respite in a cluster of cushioned chairs mostly occupied by weary travelers¡ªsome dozing off, while others scrolled through their phones. Spotting a small child sitting alone, his gaze wandering around the terminal, Damien approached with a warm smile. "Hey there, kiddo. Want some candy?" he asked playfully. The child looked up, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "No, my mom said not to take candy from strangers." "Smart kid," Damien replied, nodding in approval. As he scanned the area, he noticed that there were no guardians nearby. "What''s your name?" "Ben," the child answered, crossing his arms defiantly. "Nice to meet you, Ben. I''m Damien," he said, casually leaning against the wall. "So, what are you doing here all by yourself?" "I''m not by myself! I''m waiting for my mom," Ben retorted, puffing out his chest, clearly proud of his independence. Damien chuckled. "Of course. But you know, waiting can be pretty boring. How about I show you a magic trick?" Ben''s interest piqued. "A magic trick?" [Use of ''Trickster (lvl 1)'' profession detected.] "Yeah, watch this," Damien said, quickly producing a small object from his pocket. He waved it dramatically before tucking it away again. "Ta-da! Now you see it, now you don''t." Ben''s eyes widened in amazement. "Whoa! Can you show me again?" "Maybe later. First, let me borrow your seat for a moment," Damien said playfully, gently nudging Ben aside. As he settled down, he feigned seriousness. "Alright, you''ve had enough fun for now." Ben huffed, not ready to give up his spot. "Hey! That''s my seat!" "Just for a moment," Damien assured him with a grin. His gaze flickered as he recognized someone familiar entering the airport. Turning his attention back to the kid, he continued, "You can sit here with me if you want, but you''ll have to keep it quiet while I figure out my flight." With a reluctant sigh, Ben plopped down beside him, crossing his arms. "Fine, but you owe me a magic show later." "Deal," Damien replied, observing how the child''s posture relaxed. He felt a surge of affection for the kind boy as he lifted his gaze in the direction where Edward had just entered the airport, being scrutinized by a security guard. "You know, you''re a pretty smart kid. It''s good to be cautious." "I know," the kid nodded enthusiastically. But then he noticed Damien pointing at his watch, prompting him to look down. "Do you want to know the time?" "No, I just want to show you a magic trick," Damien smiled, glancing at the colorful, cartoonish watch adorning the child''s wrist, which inspired a thought in his mind. "Do you want it?" the kid asked, his eyes following Damien''s gaze, soon realized that Damien was looking at the watch and understood that this magic trick likely involved it. Without hesitation, the child removed the watch and handed it over at that moment, not realizing that it was important to him. "Thank you! Now, let''s make it vanish," Damien said. He shook his hand theatrically, making the watch disappear from his palm right before the boy''s astonished eyes. "Wh-where''s my watch?!" The child stood up abruptly, stretching his hand out in disbelief, trying to search Damien''s pockets, but found nothing. Discover hidden content at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net "Stop it, it''s not on me," Damien informed the bewildered child, noting how frantically he was searching. Of course, how could the child hope to find his watch if Damien had cleverly hidden it on the floor, mostly concealed by his shoes? Indeed, employing his unlocked memories from his trickster days¡ªeven if they weren''t fully polished¡ªDamien, without making a sound, dropped the watch deftly onto the ground while using his shoe to catch it. This created an illusion, leading the child to believe the watch had truly vanished. "Wh-what? Then where is it?!" Instead of panicking, the boy was filled with urgency, recalling that the watch had been a gift from his mother, who had instructed him never to lose it because it contained a GPS to track his location. "I made it vanish and teleported it to that uncle''s pocket," Damien shrugged, casually pointing to another area where Edward was being confronted by the security personnel. "No!" The kid didn''t doubt Damien for a second; he tried to dart away toward the entrance where Edward was being accosted by security. However, Damien quickly grabbed his hand. "Wait! You can''t just ask him about the watch, or my magic will disappear!" Damien insisted, holding the kid''s hand firmly, explaining that there was a secret code needed to retrieve the watch intact; otherwise, it would vanish for good. "Wh-what''s the code?" the child asked anxiously, his gaze shifting between the man Damien had pointed to and Damien himself. He was desperate to reclaim his watch before his mother arrived and scolded him. "It''s not really a code; since that uncle is under the effects of medicine, he only hears loud sounds.," Damien smirked. Looking again at Edward, he understood that Edward, having escaped from the police headquarters, must be planning to flee the city, unaware that it was still not time for him to slip away. With a mischievous grin, Damien instructed, "When you point at him, shout, ''Give me that watch you have! I can hear the tic-toc sound coming from you!''" Chapter 89: Chapter 89 - Edward is once again in prison. "Damn it," Edward muttered as he stepped out of the car he believed was provided by the head of the Crimwell family¡ªat least, that was what he thought. As he emerged, his gaze fell upon the nearby airport, knowing he needed to act quickly. Given that police department was actively searching for him, it was highly probable they would issue a warrant for his arrest, potentially preventing him from leaving the city altogether. Everything seemed much calmer last night, especially considering that most of the police had been focused on tracking down Damien the night before. But just this morning, while sitting in his car, he had heard on the radio that the Crimwell family was being accused of helping him escape from prison. He was thankful for this and had definitely decided to return after dealing with things in the main city to repay this favor by marrying Amelia Crimwell. Things had become even more problematic since he was charged with murder. Accusations had come his way, pointing fingers at him as the one responsible for killing those reporters and police officers. He had no idea who had actually committed the act, but one thing was clear: if he were caught now, he would face severe consequences for escaping from prison and even for killing people. "Hello, where are my tickets?" he asked hastily as he adjusted his cap, which he had snatched from a nearby stall. Dialing a number, he inquired about his escape arrangements. "It''s the only favor I could do for you, given your master''s help. Head to the main city; your ticket is in the third car in the fourth row," a deep voice responded from the other end of the line. It was a man he recognized, someone connected to the main city who had been prompted to help him in thanks for his master''s assistance. Edward silently thanked his ally before quickening his pace, sprinting toward the fourth row of vehicles. He found the designated car and opened it, retrieving the ticket stashed within. "Abhishek, I will definitely return the favor," Edward replied, cutting off the call. He knew he owed this man¡ªsomeone who had extended a hand in a time of desperation. The weight of the situation hung heavily on him, but he was determined to find a way out of this mess and reclaim his freedom. (Reference to Abhishek appears in Chapter 4.) Checking the ticket, he moved towards the airport before arriving at the entrance as several individuals were following the pace while exiting and entering the airport as he arrived there. Passing through the scanner, he felt a brief moment of relief when the metal detectors didn''t go off. He kept his cool, doing his best to blend in with the sea of travelers bustling through the airport. Everything was going according to plan. But just as he was about to step forward, a high-pitched voice pierced the air. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Give me the watch! I can hear tic-tac sound from your pocket!" The shout came from a small child no older than five, tugging at his mother''s hand and pointing directly at Edward. A chill ran down Edward''s spine. He instinctively glanced at his wrist, where he wasn''t even wearing a watch, and then to his pocket. But that didn''t matter. The security guards had already caught wind of the outburst. The nearest officer shot him a suspicious look, signaling to his colleague. Within moments, several security personnel were now watching Edward closely. "Sir, we need you to step aside for a thorough check," one of the officers said, stepping forward. His voice was polite but firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Edward felt a surge of panic rise in his chest. He couldn''t afford this delay. Missing this flight meant losing his only chance to escape the city. The clock was ticking. "I... I think there''s a misunderstanding. I have a flight to catch. I''m going to miss it," Edward tried, forcing calmness into his voice that he didn''t feel. The officer didn''t waver. "This won''t take long. Please come with us." Edward''s heart sank as they led him away from the crowd. Every second that passed felt like another nail in the coffin. Time was slipping away, and with it, his shot at freedom. Edward''s heart pounded in his chest as he tried to keep up with the unfolding situation. "Sorry?" he mumbled, not quite sure how everything was spiraling so quickly out of control. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, as every passing second brought him closer to the possibility of being arrested. He had a sinking feeling that the police would block any chance of escape if this dragged on much longer. In a last-ditch effort, he looked at the security guard and asked, "Is there really no way I can make my flight? I swear, there''s nothing on me." The security guard''s expression remained unchanged, his tone unyielding. "Sir, you need to follow us. No excuses will be entertained. This is for the safety of our passengers." Edward''s face twitched in frustration. He opened his mouth, about to protest again, when the same child interrupted, tugging on the sleeve of an officer and pointing at Edward with wide eyes. "This uncle can''t hear loud sounds! He is under the effect of some medicine!" the child exclaimed with a kind of innocent confidence only children could possess. The security personnel exchanged glances and then turned back to Edward with an almost sympathetic look, which hid their suspicion of drugs on him, considering the crowd was gathering to watch this whole scene. One of the guards moved closer, grabbing Edward''s hand firmly but not aggressively, as if they were handling a man who might not fully understand what was happening. "We''ll take you to a detention room. We''ll bring someone who knows sign language to explain the situation." Edward''s eyes widened in disbelief, his panic reaching new heights. "What?! I can hear you! I''m telling you, I can hear everything just fine! That kid is lying! He''s just accusing me for no reason!" But no one listened. The child''s innocent proclamation seemed to carry more weight than Edward''s desperate pleas. ''Fuck! I will kill you!'' He glanced at the boy, who couldn''t have been more than five or six, yet his words had turned the situation on its head. The guards, trusting the child''s observation without a second thought, tightened their hold and led Edward away. Edward kept protesting, his voice echoing in the crowded terminal. But all around him, people only watched as if it were just another minor disturbance at the airport. To them, he was already guilty, his words falling on deaf ears as they dragged him toward an uncertain fate. ''Goodbye, idiot,'' Damien stood as he saw his flight was about to arrive before making his way towards it while already making sure that Edward missed his flight. Considering how soon the news would reach the airport security, Edward would be detained in Camphrian City for quite a while. . Read new chapters at m_v-l''e|-NovelFire.net . . . . "Mom, I could only find kitchen knives," Emilia said as she opened the car door. Placing a bundle of plastic knives on the dashboard, she climbed into the passenger seat and closed the door behind her. Dressed in her patient uniform, she glanced over at her mother, who was wearing a white shirt and a skirt, her fingers resting lightly on the steering wheel. Emilia continued, "Do you want us to go home and grab the guns?" She was referring to the firearms her mother had buried in the backyard, which Emilia had stumbled upon at the age of fourteen. At that time, her mother had shared stories of her days as a hunter, before settling down and starting a family. "Come on, we''re not going to kill anyone, Emilia," Visana replied, shifting the car into gear and accelerating onto the highway. She was already bracing herself for the inevitable confrontation that would arise from the board of directors aligned with Gabriel. Now that she had survived the ordeal, her body healing, she felt a renewed determination to reclaim her rightful place. Seconds away from a showdown, she yearned to wield her weapons once more. No longer would she rely on hard work or strategic maneuvers; it would simply come down to a death threat or a massacre. "Huh? But Damien said you used to be an assassin?" Emilia asked, propping her chin on her hands as she leaned towards the window, gazing outside through the transparent glass. She maintained an indifferent expression, but inside, she was reeling from the revelation that Damien had shared with her while her mom was busy arranging tickets and a vehicle for him. ''What?!?'' "Wh-what?" Visana exclaimed suddenly as her daughter''s words registered. She pressed the brakes hard, causing the car to skid slightly, and they both jerked forward uncontrollably. With a twitching mouth, Visana turned to Emilia, her face a mix of shock and denial. "N-no, he must be joking." "It''s alright, you did great, Mom, and I don''t hate you," Emilia replied, her eyes still fixed on the outside world. She muttered softly, her mind replaying the recording Damien had given her¡ªone she had stumbled upon after being left alone. In that recording, she had learned the painful truth: her real mother was already dead. Although the truth stung deeply, Emilia was aware of the sacrifices this woman had made for her. Even if Visana wasn''t her biological mother, she had provided her with everything a child could wish for, perhaps even more than her real mother could have offered. Pride welled up in Emilia for the woman who had raised her, but anger simmered beneath the surface as well¡ªanger for the way Visana had poisoned herself all these years to keep Emilia from suspecting anything. But she pushed those thoughts aside, knowing that voicing her feelings could only wound the woman who had sacrificed so much of her youth to raise her. Instead, she chose to hold her tongue, determination brewing within her as she silently resolved, ''I will kill you, Damien! You pervert!'' Chapter 90: Chapter 90- Entering main City Damien stepped out of the airport, the rhythmic click of his shoes momentarily blending into the city''s steady hum¡ªhonking cars, distant conversations, and the ceaseless buzz of movement¡ªbut it all washed over him like a distant echo. He glanced upward. Skyscrapers reached into the sky, their glass and steel fa?ades glinting under the midday sun. The streets were chaotic¡ªcars were jammed bumper to bumper, and pedestrians darted through the frenzy, all seemingly pursuing something elusive. Yet, to him, it was all inconsequential. ''Main city, huh?'' A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Damien''s lips as his gaze swept over the scene. Amid all this hustle and bustle, he found amusement; to him, it was merely noise. ''Are there any major plot points activated?'' His thoughts shifted. Without pausing, he reached out to his system. His voice, cool and detached, fell from his lips as if it were an afterthought. [No. There''s no plot triggered yet.] ''Perfect.'' The devilish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth only grew wider. He still had time¡ªplenty of it. Edward wouldn''t arrive for at least a month, which left Damien with ample room to maneuver, to plan. ''Location of the side character?'' he asked, feigning a boredom that only partially masked his curiosity, which flared just for an instant. [Akira Malhotra, present location: Rose Street.] A display materialized, marking a spot on his mental map. A library. Of course, it had to be somewhere as mundane as that. Typical for a side character¡ªsomeone easily overlooked, at least for the moment. Damien flagged down a taxi. It arrived almost as if the city itself bowed to his whims. He slid into the backseat, letting out a quiet breath while watching the city rush by outside the window. His thoughts were elsewhere, formulating his next move. But the driver seemed all too eager to engage in conversation. "Busy day, huh?" The man''s voice broke through Damien''s reverie. He noticed the driver''s eyes glancing at him through the rearview mirror. "You don''t strike me as someone who enjoys airports much. Am I right?" ''Is he from another country?'' Damien tilted his head, giving the driver a measured look. Then, without missing a beat, he asked, "What''s your address?" The driver blinked, visibly thrown off by the sudden, unexpected question. "Uh, my address? Oh! It''s in Queens¡ªSunnyside, to be exact. It''s a quiet place, way out of this craziness." Damien let a small smile break through, intrigued by the man''s eagerness to share. "I imagine it''s a nice change of pace," he replied thoughtfully. "All the buzz of the city can be overwhelming." "Yeah," the driver chuckled, adjusting his grip on the wheel. "You get used to it, though. Just need to find your own little escape from time to time, you know?" Damien nodded, contemplating the idea. Escapes were vital. "Do you have a favorite spot?" he asked, genuinely interested now. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There''s this old park by the water," the driver said, sounding nostalgic. "Whenever I feel the weight of the city, I just sit there and watch the boats go by. It''s peaceful, but there are scammers who sell ice cream at double the price." Damien arched an eyebrow, intrigued. A park by the water? He stored that piece of information away, a potential resource for the future. "Sounds lovely," he replied, his voice smooth. "Maybe I''ll check it out someday." The driver nodded enthusiastically, clearly happy to share his slice of paradise. "You should! And hey, if you want, I can drop you off there instead. It''s not too far out of the way." "Some other time," Damien replied as he checked his pockets for money, which were empty, but without making the driver suspicious, he inquired, "What''s your opinion on the city?" The driver chuckled, his demeanor lightening as if relieved that they had shifted to a less fraught topic. "Ah, the city? It''s a love-hate relationship, you know? It has its own rhythm, like a living beast¡ªnever at rest, never stopping. But it has a heart, too. A place like Sunnyside really helps to keep you grounded when you need to escape the madness." A faint smile curled at the corners of Damien''s lips. "And yet here you are, driving through the heart of it every day." "Yeah, funny, isn''t it?" the driver replied, laughter bubbling forth a bit more freely this time. "I spent years trying to get away, and now look at me, navigating the chaos on a daily basis. It can wear you down sometimes, but hey¡ªit''s home." Damien leaned back with hands folded, studying the driver intently for a moment, amusement glimmering in his eyes. "Are you truly content with that? What if someday you offend some rich family''s third-generation heir? Isn''t the main city their hub?" The driver risked another quick glance at him through the rearview mirror, somewhat oblivious to the darker undertones lurking in Damien''s gaze. "About that, who knows when we will kick the bucket, so I don''t care much. Of course, there are only a few young masters or misses I need to care about; otherwise, others don''t even care to ride a taxi." "So, you mean those who you need to worry about travel through a taxi?" Damien murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He reclined back in his seat, his gaze locked on the sprawling city before them. The driver, still riding the wave of their casual conversation, continued to express his thoughts. "Yeah, others stay away from these places; mostly they are found in sector 15 where major clubs and Ramphian groups of hotels are." "But some of them drive rashly, and if they get into an accident, they just throw some money," he added, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice, which was definitely part of the harsh reality. "Last week, a teenager hit two IT professionals on a bike with his car, and the courts made him write an essay about driving safety and granted him bail. I heard yesterday that the car involved in the accident was also returned, since it was an exclusive model. Money can purchase everything, even someone''s life." Damien remained silent for a moment, contemplating the driver''s words. Given the presence of an influential family in the main city, it is obvious that those without power will be crushed. "Who is the well-known playboy of the city?" The driver glanced back, a grin spreading across his face. "Now that''s a question! It''s definitely Ye Fan! From the Ye family, he has slept with several women, either willingly or forced them by using his family''s strength." As the car meandered through the winding streets, Damien''s eyes flicked back to the driver. His interest wasn''t really in small talk, but the man didn''t need to know that. Soon, they approached Rose Street. Damien leaned forward slightly. "Stop here," he instructed, his voice laced with authority. "Here?" The driver looked puzzled. "But we''re not quite there¡ª" "Here," Damien repeated, his gaze locking with the man''s in the rearview mirror. His voice left no room for argument. The driver hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Whatever you say, boss." The taxi pulled over, and before the driver could even glance back to ask for the fare, Damien was gone. The door hardly made a sound as he vanished into the sea of people, his presence fading into the city''s rhythm. The driver stared into the empty backseat, utterly bewildered. "What the¡ª?" he muttered, scratching his head. The door had somehow closed on its own, leaving no trace of Damien''s sudden departure. He sighed, chuckling to himself in disbelief. "Man, did I just get scammed by some con artist?" With another shake of his head, the driver shifted back into gear, a wry smile curling his lips. "And... in this city," he murmured, merging back into traffic before his expression turned to anger as he shouted, "Fuck! If I see you again, you''re dead!" . . . . . . ''Ye fan?'' Damien glancing at a screen that had suddenly appeared in front of him. He took a moment to absorb the information displayed. [ New Son of Heaven Detected = Ye fan ] ''Where is he right now?'' Damien asked, fully aware that the system likely wouldn''t be able to pinpoint his location since no significant plot had been established yet. [ Not possible to track --? Lyra here, he''s in a hotel, sleeping soundly. ] ''....Zero?'' Damien''s focus slipping from the system''s screen. He caught sight of the small tab that indicated his accumulated hate points had dropped to zero. Find adventures on m_v l|-NovelFire.net [ Ahem, you''ve received crucial information! What does it mean for your hate points to reach zero? ] ''....damn you, Lyra'' Damien''s mouth twitched in irritation as the system''s voice chimed in. It had effortlessly drained his hard-earned hit points, delivering what felt like a half-baked piece of information¡ªespecially since he still didn''t know which hotel that bastard of a man was resting in. ''Now, let''s turn our attention to our second supporting character,'' Damien realized that Ye Fan was not currently on Rose Street, so he set off towards the specific library that the system had pointed out to him. Chapter 91: Chapter 91- Akira Malhotra In Rose Street, The old woman stood behind the counter of her flower shop, her wrinkled hands gently brushing over the petals of a bouquet as three men entered. Their expressions were hard, and their eyes cold as they approached her. "You need to empty this place by the end of the week," the tallest of the three said, his voice sharp and demanding. "Orders from the owner." The old woman straightened her back, shaking her head. "I''m not going anywhere. My husband opened this shop with his own hands. This place means more to me than you understand." One of the other men scoffed, stepping closer. "That''s not our problem, lady. We don''t care about your husband or your memories. You have to leave, or we''ll make you." Her eyes flickered with defiance as she met his gaze. "You won''t. I won''t let you." The men glanced at each other, tension building in the small space. Their patience was running thin, but before they could say more, the door opened again. A young man stepped inside. "Go away, the shop is closed," one of the three men said as he gestured for the newcomer to leave. "Is there a problem here?" Damien asked, his tone calm but firm. The three men stiffened slightly at his tone, glancing at him before the tallest one spoke up, "Just telling the old lady to clear out. None of your business, kid." Damien''s gaze shifted to the old woman, then back to the men. "I think you''ll want to reconsider that." "Reconsider? You bast¡ª" Before one of them could curse, the taller one stopped him, realizing the newcomer looked wealthy. Given his handsome appearance and expensive suit, they knew offending him could create trouble. "Listen, we are not forcing her out. This shop originally belongs to the Malhotras, and this woman is forcibly living here," the man explained to Damien, wanting to clarify that they weren''t doing anything illegal. They were forced to make this woman leave since the place originally belonged to them. "Is it true, Grandma?" Damien turned to the old woman, who, knowing it was true, slightly nodded her head before turning it away. He noticed fresh soil on her hands and the apron she wore to plant the flowers. "See? Now go away," the man told Damien more confidently, seeing that the old woman hadn''t resisted him. "I see. If it''s the Malhotras, then you must know about Abhishek Malhotra, right?" Damien inquired. He remembered the name from when he was inviting several high-society people to his marriage with Emilia. ''!'' "Y-yes," all three men replied, slightly taken aback. The man who had been trying to intimidate Damien slowly reiterated, feeling that if this man was aware of their newly appointed boss''s name, it was likely to trouble them. "Call him and tell him it''s Damien," Damien stretched out his hand and requested a phone from all three of them. As they recognized the name Damien Raphael, their expressions shifted. They now saw that he was a trans who had been cast out by his family. "It didn''t work on them," Damien noted, understanding that, unlike the people in Campaign City, these locals were clearly aware that when a major family announces abandonment, it means an irrevocable severance of ties. Damien had managed to uphold his status as the heir of the Raphael family until now, but it seemed challenging moving forward. "Well, well, well, isn''t this the wast¡ªBAM!" One of the men tried to belittle Damien, but instead, he received a punch to the face so swift that it felt like the man''s face was a cushion being hit by a sponge. "Kugh!" The man staggered back, clutching his nose as blood trickled down his face, his eyes wide with shock. His two companions reacted instinctively, stepping forward to attack Damien, but he was already in motion. Damien glanced at the clock on the wall, a smile forming as he noted the time; the library nearby was scheduled to close in 20 seconds, with 10 seconds remaining before the lunar event would occur. ''30'', he counted silently, noting the seconds ticking by. The first of the two lunged toward him, but Damien sidestepped easily, his movements fluid and precise. The man swung wildly, missing entirely as Damien ducked under the punch and delivered a swift jab to his gut. The man doubled over, gasping for air. ''29¡­28¡­'' Damien''s eyes flicked back to the clock as he twisted around, catching the third man trying to attack him from behind. Enjoy exclusive content from m v -NovelFire.net He grabbed the man''s arm, twisting it behind his back and forcing him to the ground with a sharp, calculated move. The tall man, still reeling from the punch, recovered and charged at Damien in anger. "You''re dead!" he yelled, swinging his fist with all his strength. Damien didn''t even flinch. He moved slightly to the side, letting the man''s fist sail past him, and retaliated with a brutal elbow to the man''s ribs. The crack of bone was audible as the man let out a guttural cry of pain. ''25¡­24¡­'' Damien counted in his mind, his eyes calm and calculating, as if he were merely waiting for something rather than engaged in a fight. He glanced at the clock again, his expression unreadable. The men were down but still conscious, groaning in pain and trying to muster the strength to stand. The first man, clutching his stomach, growled in frustration and rushed at Damien again, only to be met with a swift kick to the chest that sent him flying backward into the flower display. Petals scattered everywhere as he crashed into the shelves, knocking over pots and vases. ''20¡­19¡­'' "Stop!" the second man shouted, panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face. "You''re gonna pay for this, man! Do you know who we work for?" Damien glanced at him briefly, his expression still indifferent. "I don''t care." He stepped forward, delivering a final punch that sent the second man sprawling on the floor, unconscious. The tall man tried to crawl away, but Damien grabbed him by the collar, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. He slammed him into the door, his eyes cold. "You think you''re tough because you can bully an old woman?" he said quietly, his voice calm but carrying an edge of danger. ''10¡­9¡­'' He loosened his grip slightly, letting the man drop to the ground in a heap, groaning in pain. "Get out," Damien ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And tell your boss that if he wants this place, he''ll have to come through me." The three men scrambled to their feet, limping and staggering toward the door. Damien watched them go, his gaze fixed on them as he counted down. ''3¡­2¡­1'' Just then, at the exact time, he noticed two people approaching. One appeared to be in a wheelchair while the other pushed it. His smile vanished, replaced by genuine worry as he turned towards the old woman, who would be his ticket to getting into a favorable position. "Are you alright, Grandma?" She smiled softly, her wrinkled face filled with gratitude. "I am now. Thank you, young man." Damien nodded, before hearing voices coming from the door. As he listened, the sound of wheels reached his ears; due to his enhanced senses, he could clearly distinguish that the sound of the wheels was accompanied by a person''s footsteps, most likely someone pushing it towards the shop. He added, "Grandma, they were from the Malhotra family. I would suggest you close the shop and not get entangled with that evil family; they are rotten to the core." "YOU! HOW DARE¡ª" Suddenly, a woman yelled, and her voice echoed loudly inside the flower shop. The old woman looked frightened, covering her face as she glanced towards the two young women who had entered; one was seated in a wheelchair while the other held it tightly, glaring at Damien, but was interrupted by the one in the wheelchair. "Stop it, it''s fine," Akira said as she turned towards the man in front of her. After leaving the library, she had seen three of the men who were often around her family estate being beaten and left in a pitiful state. To understand what was happening here, she just wanted to inquire with the shop owner, but the moment she entered, she heard this young man cursing her family, prompting her to add, "I apologize for my friend''s rudeness; she just thought you were bullying the old lady." Akira didn''t reveal that her full name was Akira Malhotra, but kept it hidden from the man as he thought there was no reason to reveal additional information. From her words, it was clear that no one, in major cases, would reveal their family name. Once here, the man in front of them had an unfavorable impression of it. "Oh, I see. I was rude too, apologies," Damien said. Hearing Akira''s words, he could clearly understand that everything was going in the right direction. It was evident that the man before them held no favorable image of the Malhotras. "It''s fine," the woman holding Akira''s wheelchair just shook her head, showing her dissatisfaction and seeming ready to forgive Damien for cursing the family of her friend. Indeed, she had only gotten angry at Damien because she thought Akira would feel bad hearing her family being cursed. "Apologies, but I heard you expressing some unfavorable opinions about the Malhotra family?" Akira couldn''t help but inquire about the reason for this young man to hold such an image of the family in his eyes, revealing his clear anger towards them. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 92: Chapter 92- Akira Malhotra "It''s not an unfavorable opinion," Damien declared, his tone firm and unwavering as he boldly rejected Akira''s suggestion that he harbored a negative view of the Malhotra family. "Huh? Sorry¡ª" Akira stammered, caught off guard. She had just overheard his conversation with a woman that had clearly revealed his disdain for the Malhotra family, given that he had been cursing them and expressing how terrible they were. However, before she could clarify, he interrupted her. "I hate those bastards," Damien said, his voice steady as his narrowed gaze locked onto Akira. His words left her momentarily speechless as she stared at him in disbelief, joined by the elderly woman and her friend, who was supporting a wheelchair. "Ahem, I mean, particularly that Abhishek Malhotra who cheated me in business," Damien continued, a hint of embarrassment coloring his tone as he realized how harsh his words were in front of the women. He ruffled his hair, redirecting his attention to the old woman. "So, I was saying, Grandma, be aware of them." Without lingering further, Damien calmly made his exit. Both women stood in shock, watching him leave, their expressions blank as he passed by, excusing himself and exiting the establishment. ".....What was that?" Akira muttered, still reeling from his outburst. She blinked in bewilderment, turning to her friend for answers. The awkward silence hung in the air, leaving her question unanswered. She had intended to ask about Damien''s animosity toward the Malhotra family, but his sudden departure had left her confused. Under normal circumstances, Akira would have been a spirited young woman. However, following her recent disability caused by an accident¡ªwhich had been orchestrated by her own brother¡ªher sense of strength began to wane. She felt rendered useless and vulnerable before those who sought to curry favor with the Malhotra family. Consequently, she had taken to spending her days in the library, seeking solace in books and quiet activities. Her brother had made it abundantly clear that she should never think of involving herself with those powerful people, or the consequences would be dire. Thus, she had adopted the role of an innocent and fragile woman¡ªat least, that was how others perceived her. "Rina, what does Damien Raphael have to do with my brother?" Akira''s tone sharpened suddenly, a cold edge settling in the room as her friend, Rina, looked on in surprise. The elderly woman, her eyes squinting due to age, slowly perked up, sensing the shift in Akira''s demeanor. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even her friend released her grip on the wheelchair, surprised as Akira seemed to stand without any support, almost as if it were a theatrical performance. "Young miss, that young man seems to have come here to approach you," the old woman said, her voice imbued with a wisdom that suggested she had seen far worse in her time. This tone felt different, as though awakening a previously dormant spirit within her. She carefully shuffled out from behind the counter, hands folded behind her back, casting a knowing glance in the direction of the door. "Hm, I thought so too, but..." Akira''s instincts kicked in. She had never been one to believe in coincidences. It was apparent to her that Damien had ulterior motives, attempting to manipulate her and the situation to his advantage. If not for her instantaneous recognition of him as none other than Damien Raphael¡ªthe son of one of the richest families she had memorized from photographs¡ªshe might have been caught off guard. Akira possessed a remarkable photographic memory; she never forgot a face or detail of anything she had seen, making it impossible for her to overlook Damien, even after all this time. Continue reading at m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net Already up to date with the news of Raphael''s family abandoning him and now seeing him roaming around this particular rose street out of nowhere, she could clearly understand he was trying to approach her. But the issue was if he wanted to do that, he could have simply acted like he hated the Malhotra family, even if it was a lie, and tried to approach her by getting her sympathy. However, he suddenly left while cursing the family. This was definitely unexpected, even for her, since she had thought to use this fool, yet smart guy in her favor to get into some stronger family other than the Malhotras. Indeed, she wasn''t interested in getting back her family asset given how, all these years, even when her dad was alive, she had made sure to get as much money as she could and even let her foolish brother orchestrate an accident, believing he was successful and got the position of honor of the family without being aware that he was just a puppet manipulated by her without him knowing anything. She had complete control over the Malhotra family, having all the money and assets. While by being behind everything, she had made sure that until she was done with her work, Abhishek acted as a manager, managing her assets, which she could take back any time. Until then, he was simply a caretaker. While acting like a weak woman seated in a wheelchair, she was secretly preparing to become even more successful and get her hands on some bigger family. "Should I interrogate him?" Rina asked, stretching her hand and quite clearly feeling slight cramps due to controlling herself for too long. She was prepared to beat or even break one or two limbs to interrogate that fool who thought his plan was some masterpiece to manipulate someone of Akira''s caliber. The moment he abused Malhotra, she was angered just because her friend, mostly called Akira, would feel bad. And if she did that, who knows what would happen to that abandoned hire? So she was pitying him, not her friend. "No, leave him, and you, why didn''t you tell me that idiot was bothering you?" Akira moved towards a flower pot, using scissors to adjust the dense leaves, cutting them while watering with a spray, inquired her pupil, glancing at the old woman as she stood near a plant in a firm posture, wearing a soft fabric frock that reached slightly above her knees. "Apologies, Young Miss. I intended to take this opportunity to erase my identity by faking my own death," the old woman confessed. Having lived for more than 300 years due to her exceptional cultivation prowess, she felt an urgent need to sever her lingering attachments to this flower shop, once owned by her late husband. After joining the Malhotra family, she had relinquished her claim to it, never imagining that Abhishek would come to cherish this particular location and attempt to intimidate her with thugs. Naturally, the old woman yearned to shed her identity as a flower shop owner, especially after so many years spent in this place. Today, she had planned to enact her ruse of dying right here. But then, an unexpected young man appeared and played the role of a hero. Initially, she believed he would be overwhelmed and forced to flee, yet as the confrontation unfolded, it became clear that he was more than capable; he was also a cultivator. As she observed his movements, she quickly realized his expertise¡ªthere was a precision in his actions that spoke of professionalism. Each motion was deliberate, devoid of unnecessary gestures, and the force behind his punches was astonishing. They shattered the bones of those muscular assailants with ease, indicating that he was at least at the Body Refinement Realm. "Hm, understood. You may stay here for a few more days," Akira remarked, tilting her head thoughtfully. She had a strong feeling that Damien would return, especially since today''s encounter didn''t seem like mere coincidence. It was likely that he intended to get her attention, and she was convinced he would be back soon. "As you wish, Young Miss. Should I deal with any goons Abhishek sends in the future?" the old woman inquired, her head lifting slightly. The sharp look she directed at Akira conveyed a clear desire for permission to eliminate anyone who might attempt to forcibly drive her out of the shop. Now that she had chosen to stay, she was resolute: no one would take this place from her by force. "Yes, but I doubt it will come to that," Akira replied, her tone calm and collected. She was acutely aware of what her brother''s reaction might be if she broached the topic of letting the flower shop go. "Today, I plan to have a word with that idiot," she added, fully aware of the potential fallout from confronting Abhishek about the matter. Though it was necessary to make him aware that he shouldn''t touch this shop. "Let''s go." Taking a flower, she cut it as she moved towards the wheelchair before sitting in it; Rina held it for both of them as they slowly left the shop and made their way out of the place. Looking towards the departing figure of the woman who had inherited her grandfather''s legacy, the older woman really felt nostalgia considering how she had been slightly more connected with Akira''s grandfather, who was a reputed and well-known man in his time. But his son and even grandson were both useless, not able to inherit the legacy of their ancestor. But right now, looking towards Akira, the old woman really felt nostalgia, ''She is the spitting image of you, my friend. She is sharp, cruel, and definitely worthy of your legacy.'' As she stated, the woman turned before holding a smile on her face, moving, and taking a seat near the bench, looking towards the falling night as the streets were emptied and the light of the flower shop closed. Chapter 93: Chapter 93- Getting Flower shop Inside the Malhotra estate stood a grand mansion, home to the main residents of the Malhotra family, primarily Abhishek Malhotra and his sister. At that particular moment, they were residing in their father''s house following his recent passing. The mansion was steeped in history, boasting various secret compartments and an oval structure crafted by the Malhotra ancestors, holding numerous hidden secrets. A longstanding family tradition prohibited selling the estate, and both heirs understood its significance. However, after their father''s death, Abhishek found himself in a position of greater control. "Sir, this is the document that requires both your signature and that of the young miss," announced a group of lawyers as they arrived, presenting a will from the head of the family, directing significant assets to Abhishek, who stood before it, intently reading through the pages. Abhishek was struck by the revelation that the will allocated 80% of the property to his sister, despite the estate primarily consisting of a small hotel chain under his management. Deep down, he resented the notion of sharing with his sister, especially since she had recently become disabled. He was, in fact, searching for a suitable match for her¡ªsomeone utterly reprehensible yet from a reputable family, ensuring that society wouldn''t judge him for trying to rid himself of his sister while also attempting to seize control of the property. "...Here," he muttered to himself, recognizing that there were still various aspects of their father''s legacy that the family lawyers had yet to reveal. Abhishek understood he was at a disadvantage, as he remained unaware of many secrets and hidden assets his father might have left behind through intricate conditions in another will. Therefore, he reluctantly signed the document without protesting against the considerable share given to his sister. "Now, we just need your sister''s signature. Where is she?" inquired the senior lawyer, scanning the hall for her. Abhishek''s gaze narrowed, clearly incredulous; he couldn''t believe that these inept lawyers were searching for his sister, whom he had intentionally harmed, resulting in her leg injury. "She is not inside the house¡ª" Abhishek replied, internally anxious at the thought of her refusal to sign the document. If she failed to do so, she would forfeit her claim to the remaining 70% of the inheritance. He suggested that the lawyers leave, asserting they could devise a plan to manage the situation and ultimately gain control of that 70% from her. Find adventures on m_v l|-NovelFire.net "I am here," suddenly, a woman''s voice resonated in the hallway, causing everyone''s eyes to turn towards the entrance, where two women, one holding a wheelchair and the second seated in it, appeared to look in their direction. "You..." Abhishek''s face turned grim as he clenched his fists, frowning at the sight of her arriving at the wrong time. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Right now, he was able to just send the lawyers away and handle the situation. But somehow, it was his bad luck that this woman had arrived. "Oh, young miss, we were here to get your signature," one of the senior lawyers moved forward with a smile, as his narrowed gaze shared a secret glance with Akira, only understood by both of them. As he nodded, all the lawyers moved towards her. ''Stop, you bastards!'' Abhishek thought, seeing how these people were not even looking at him now that Akira had arrived. He felt frustrated but couldn''t do anything, given he was at a disadvantage, prompting him to simply take a seat on the sofa. He folded his hands and closed his eyes, trying to control his anger from bursting out. Unbeknownst to him, this was simply a ploy where only he was thinking that everything was under his control, but all the servants, maids, and everyone was looking intentionally towards him, with their eyes glancing in the direction of the real owner of this house, including the lawyers; everyone was on Akira''s side, not giving a single ounce of respect to Abhishek, who was nothing but a pawn, used and could be disposed of anytime if needed. "Dear young miss, you need to sign here." The senior lawyer finally provided the document, which Akira took as she glanced towards it, acting as if she were reading. While in truth, it was she who had prepared it to get rid of the small hotel business which was giving her problems, and given how well he knew Abhishek''s personality, she had intentionally made her share more than his, clearly making him want to get his hands on it. To be exact, it was a simple way for her to get rid of those businesses which would be a hassle for her to deal with in the future, like this small hotel group which wasn''t earning much profit but required too much focus and workload. So, she decided to dump it on Abhishek. "....A-a hotel group?" Akira feigned confusion while reading the document. She lifted her head to look towards Abhishek, who, hearing her trembling voice, formed a slow smile, opening his eyes as he understood that finally, his sister was starting to show her real potential, which was fear and nothing else. After all, when their father was alive, he always favored Akira, praising her for all the achievements she had made, as if she were some genius and prodigy born in a thousand years. But soon enough, after taking over following his father''s death, he realized that his sister had become weak to his orders, completely dependent on him. Understanding that this woman was weak-hearted, she needed praise from someone older than her. So, he became a guardian, making her think the way he wanted her to think, even going so far as to orchestrate an accident where she didn''t even doubt him, given how it was he who told her to drive the car whose brakes were already failing. "Do you need any help, Akira?" Directing his gaze towards the woman seated in the wheelchair, Abhishek, with a quiet smile, narrowed his eyes, showing a glint as he could clearly see through his na?ve sister, who wasn''t even aware of the business done under the Malhotra group. A na?ve and weak woman, completely dependent on him. Chapter 94: Chapter 94- Loan shark Experience new tales on m v|l e''-NovelFire.net S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "B-Brother, I can''t handle this much responsibility," Akira''s eyes widened with a slight tremble as she held the document with a shaky hand, her eyes genuinely asking for help from her brother. "No, you need to grow up, Akira. Sign it," Abhishek shook his head, clearly neglecting and rejecting the responsibility his sister was not expecting while trying to show his generous side in front of the lawyers. This was all a simple method for him to manipulate things in his favor, given that most of the time they thought about how he kept rejecting responsibility, while his sister wanted to run from hers. "I-I understand," Akira looked downward, seemingly hurt by his words before taking the pen and signing the document, causing Abhishek''s eyes to widen as he stood from his sofa, hastily moving towards her before yanking the document from her hand. "What are you doing!?" Abhishek shouted, pulling the papers towards himself in disbelief at his sister, who dared to sign the document, prompting everyone to look at him in surprise. Of course, they were acting, but whatever the case, they were shocked to see how he yelled at a disabled woman. "B-Brother?" Akira''s eyes trembled as she looked towards Abhishek, who had just snatched the paper from her hand when she was merely signing the document with a pen that still had a cap on, clearly acting to fool him. Naturally, if she wanted, she could have just forced him and made him act like a slave. But by doing so, he would not be able to act the way he usually did in front of others, raising suspicion as they would start to turn towards her and become harder in her path since she needed to distract others'' attention from herself, appearing as low-key as possible. "Th-that''s," Abhishek, suddenly hearing his sister''s voice, saw her shocked expression and realized that he had just broken his facade due to getting overwhelmed by anger, causing him to adjust himself as he looked towards the document, closing the file as he glanced towards the lawyers. "It seems my sister can''t take responsibility, so I will take it." ".....So, you are trying to force your sister and snatch her share, Mr. Abhishek," the senior lawyer said in a firm tone, glaring at Abhishek, causing him to slightly flinch as he felt that maybe his words were wrong and could create problems for him, causing him to glance towards the file and his sister, who appeared surprised upon hearing him, trembling while looking at him. ''Damn this idiot,'' Abhishek couldn''t help but curse inwardly, given how instead of acting properly, this woman had forced him to act out of character by signing the document, as he, controlling himself, added, "No, I can''t see my sister burdened by responsibilities; she should just enjoy her life." "...And how do you want to do it?" the senior lawyer pressured Abhishek, as if trying to push him into a corner, which was the true aim of his arrival here. "Um, Akira, do you want something to spend your time on?" Being pressured by the lawyer, Abhishek couldn''t help but cling towards Akira, inquiring about what she wanted, though of course, he was clearly determined to reject any outrageous demands he made even at the cost of depleting his image. "That," Akira''s voice trembled, her eyes looking towards Abhishek before she added with a smile, "I-I like flowers, and I saw a flower shop beside the library I go to daily; can I have that shop?" Akira was well aware that Abhishek was keeping an eye on her movements through several spies, which is why she didn''t hesitate to reveal where she went daily and her interest in getting that flower shop. After all, a small flower shop or a hotel group¡ª which would her brother choose? "Huh? That shop? Take it," Abhishek suddenly recalled the scheme he was trying to implement, given that he was aware of her habit of always visiting a library. By taking control of the flower shop, he wanted to slowly get his hands on the library and eventually close it by opening a bar or something; it was a type of revenge he wanted to impose on this woman. But it appeared he should drop that idea and give her that shop in exchange for this hotel group. . . . . . . . "Uncle, that''s my lollipop?!" a small child yelled as he saw a man in a suit passing beside him, taking the lollipop which he had just unwrapped. "Purchase another one," Damien, unwrapping the lollipop, put it into his mouth and directly moved towards an empty alley, heading towards the place where he could be alone, mostly searching for a Lonesark. Naturally, when meeting that woman, he had never expected that a supporting character would be that strong. And things would escalate wrong since the moment he entered the flower shop and observed their status window; it was quite a drama. A lady of flowers at Nascent Soul Level, a disabled young woman at Foundation Establishment Realm, and finally, the woman holding the wheelchair supporting it at Golden Core Level. If it wasn''t for noticing their status window, Damien would have applied the same tactics on Akira he had done with Emilia, given they both were supporting characters, but it appeared that this particular woman would be a hard nut to crack. "Where is it?" While moving, with one hand holding a pamphlet written about getting loans at a very low interest rate, he moved inside an alley where several individuals appeared to be smoking and drinking, as if some kind of criminal hub stood glaring at his direction from time to time. Though, of course, he also appeared the same as them, given how, not to create a hassle, he had also opened his collar and was holding a stick-like cigarette in his mouth, though, of course, it was a lollipop, to seem like these criminals, before arriving near a building that appeared to be a broken hut. Chapter 95: Chapter 95- Taking Loan Damien stood outside the dilapidated hut, his eyes surveying its battered exterior. He reached for the door, intending to open it, but to his surprise, it came crashing down, splintering on the ground while he still clutched the doorknob in his hand. The loud noise startled two thugs inside. "Man, you just broke the damn door!" one of them shouted, a cigarette hanging from his lips. The second thug, a scruffy man with a tattooed arm and a noticeable scar snaking down his face, added, "Yeah, pal, that door wasn''t cheap. You''re going to pay for that!" A wave of amusement washed over Damien. The two thugs, clearly trying to intimidate him, seemed utterly clueless. Maintaining a calm smile, he simply replied, "I''m here to see your boss. I''m looking for a loan." They exchanged quick, uncertain glances, sensing the lack of fear radiating from Damien. "Oh, loans! Why didn''t you say so?" the scarred thug said, his tone shifting. "Come on in." They guided Damien through the derelict hut and into a small office that appeared to belong to a completely different realm. The contrast was striking. The room was air-conditioned, impeccably clean, and furnished with plush sofas, a pristine white carpet, and a large, imposing desk. Behind it sat a malnourished-looking man, sporting a surgical mask and exuding an air of distaste for the surrounding mess. The man adjusted his glasses as Damien approached. His thin frame gave off an almost sickly threat. Standing up, he gestured for Damien to take a seat. "Please, make yourself comfortable." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien complied, adopting a relaxed pose while two muscular men¡ªeach easily five times the boss''s size and three times Damien''s¡ªloomed menacingly behind him. Their cold expressions and unwavering stares didn''t escape Damien''s notice. "So," the thin man began, his voice quiet yet commanding, "how can I assist you?" "I need money," Damien responded, his tone steady and composed, despite the palpable threat hanging in the air. The boss smiled faintly beneath his mask. "Of course, we can assist you. However, our interest rate is set at 30%. Non-negotiable." The room fell into an expectant silence as he awaited Damien''s reaction. The goons behind him shifted, tensing and prepared for any sign of discontent. Yet, Damien remained utterly calm, leaning back in his chair. "That works for me," Damien replied, his tone calm and composed. His air of nonchalance prompted the boss and the two burly men flanking him to exchange amused glances, their faces morphing into smirks as if they had just ensnared an easy mark. They regarded Damien with mocking eyes, convinced he was nothing more than a fool. Unfazed by their derision, Damien maintained his steady demeanor. The boss leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "So, how much are you looking for?" "Five million," Damien stated, not skipping a beat. The room fell into an icy silence. The boss''s eyes widened in disbelief as he shot up from his chair. The two thugs, usually unruffled in any situation, exchanged startled looks. Five million? It was an outrageous figure¡ªfar beyond anything they would ever consider lending to an unknown person. Sure, they could scrape together that amount, but it was practically everything they possessed, and the thought of loaning it out? Utterly impossible. The boss''s expression twisted into a scowl, his features hardening. "You think we''re stupid? Are you playing games with us?" One of the hulking thugs stepped forward, his fists already clenched. "Boss, let me handle this. I''ll make sure this guy understands how we operate." The second thug chimed in, his voice dripping with menace. "Yeah, boss. Just give me a shot at this joker." Before either could advance, Damien interjected, his voice slicing through the palpable tension. "My name is Damien Raphael, heir to the Raphael Group, the one who was cast aside." The moment those words left his lips, the room again fell silent. The boss''s eyes narrowed as they zeroed in on Damien, studying him with newfound intensity. His sidekicks exchanged anxious glances, clearly taken aback by the revelation. A dangerous glint flashed in the boss''s eyes, his lips curling into a slow, cunning smile. "So, why should I lend money to someone like you? Especially given that you''ve been rejected by your own family." Damien remained unmoved. He leaned back casually, crossing his legs on the sofa, resting his head on his hands, and allowing a smile laced with arrogance to creep onto his face. "Because you''re all foolish, which is why you''re poor." The two thugs behind the boss bristled, their fists tightening in anger. One of them growled, "How dare you speak to us that way!" Damien hardly spared them a glance, shaking his head in mild amusement. "Honestly. You''re just ignorant. The Raphael family has made it clear that I wasn''t hired because they want me to forge my own empire. I need the loan for that. And even if I delay repayment, I''ll simply ask my family to cover it. We all know how it goes¡ªyou can never truly abandon family, right?" His words struck a chord. The boss leaned back in his chair, a contemplative expression crossing his face. His fingers drummed thoughtfully against his chin as he mulled over the weight of Damien''s statement. The thugs, too, appeared to be processing what he had just conveyed, realizing the reality of his situation was more complex than they initially thought. The boss leaned back in his chair, studying Damien with a cautious grin. "Alright. I can get you the money, but it won''t be all at once. You''ll receive it in three installments¡ªtwo million today, two million tomorrow, and the final one million the day after." His eyes narrowed, assessing Damien''s reaction. Without hesitation, Damien nodded in agreement. "Good," the boss said, gesturing toward his desk. "Now, sign the contract." Damien raised an eyebrow. "Why would I sign a contract for five million when you''re only handing over two million right now? At the very least, you should add a clause that reflects the actual amount being given." Your journey continues with m v|l--NovelFire.net The boss chuckled, finding amusement in Damien''s cleverness. "Ha! You''re sharp, I''ll give you that. Fine, we''ll draft that clause." With a wave of his hand, the contract was amended, and once the changes were complete, Damien picked up the pen and signed his name. "Give him the two million," the boss commanded one of his henchmen. Chapter 96: Chapter 96- Ye Fan (1) "But boss," the thug protested, clearly uncomfortable, "what if he decides to run off with the money? He''s no longer part of the Raphael family. There''s no guarantee he''ll pay us back." The others in the room chimed in with their own concerns, their voices creating a murmur of doubt and talk of potential betrayal. Yet the boss, a man seasoned in reading the nuances of human behavior, smirked knowingly. "No worries. I have my ways of ensuring I get my money back if anything goes awry." His tone carried an implicit threat, effectively silencing the room. The boss gestured again, and one of the henchmen reluctantly exited the room. He soon returned with a hefty suitcase, placing it on the table with a thud¡ªobviously the weight of two million dollars in cash. It was clear that the boss was keen on evading taxes, and the clandestine nature of their arrangement was unmistakable. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a flick of his wrist, the suitcase was opened, exposing stacks of cash neatly bundled inside. "If you''d like, you can count it," the boss said, keeping his gaze fixed on Damien. Damien cast a quick glance at the cash, then promptly closed the suitcase. "No need for that. I trust you," he replied, his voice steady and unwavering. The boss and his henchmen couldn''t suppress their snickers, exchanging glances filled with derision. Internally, they mocked Damien, believing him to be an easy target. The thought of skimming a little off the top during the next transaction seemed almost too simple. If he''s this gullible, they could easily pocket a few thousand without him ever noticing. Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelFire.net With the suitcase firmly in hand, Damien turned and exited the room. As his silhouette vanished down the alley, the boss''s smirk faded. He turned to his sidekick, his expression serious. "Look into the real situation between Damien and the Raphael family. I want to know if this loan is as secure as he claims." The sidekick nodded and promptly left the room to investigate. Meanwhile, the boss leaned back once more, his eyes locked on the spot where Damien had stood, deep in thought about the gamble he had just taken. --- "This should be sufficient for some time," Damien thought to himself as he glanced at the briefcase that held two million dollars. Right now, that was an immense sum of money, especially for him, considering that the most pocket money he ever received was a mere 300,000. Yet here he was, carrying enough wealth to sustain himself for quite a while in the city. --- Knock knock. "Who could it be?" After spending the entire day navigating the bustling city and dealing with a series of eccentric customers, a weary man finally returned to his apartment, eager to rest. Just as he settled in, he heard a knock at the door. Slowly, he opened it to see who was there. To his astonishment, he found the very person he had cursed throughout his life standing before him. "Huh? Aren''t you the one who bolted this morning without paying the fare?" he exclaimed. "Make some tea, man," Damien replied as he stepped into the modest apartment of the driver he encountered earlier that day. The place was a stark contrast to the polished buildings of the main city; it was in disarray, reflecting the hardships of the local area with little evidence of maintenance or care. As Damien surveyed the surroundings, the driver couldn''t help but feel a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. What was this man doing here, and why did he invite himself into his home? "What do you want? Don''t you have somewhere else to be?" he asked, crossing his arms defensively. Damien smirked, unfazed by the man''s hostility. "Relax; I just wanted to talk. Besides, I didn''t think you''d be so hard to find, given how stuck you are in this dump." The driver''s frown deepened. "This ''dump'' is my home. Most people would be grateful for a place to live, you know, bro." Damien waved a hand dismissively, as if brushing away the complaint. "Whatever, man. Just get the kettle on; we need to have a little chat, and I promise it''ll be worth your while." Reluctantly, the driver stepped into his small kitchen, pouring water into the kettle, while his mind raced with questions. What did this scamming customer want? And why did he think he could waltz in after ruining his morning? As the kettle began to whistle, he took it out for his guest and moved towards Damien before offering him the tea as he took a seat on a small pillow, adopting a completely traditional style. Damien only smiled before taking the seat, though his attire¡ªa suit over his shoulder, a white shirt, and pants¡ªdefinitely didn''t fit with the room. Not caring about it, he added, "What do you know about Ye Fan?" "Why would I tell you?" The man scratched his ear, not caring about Damien, who hadn''t even paid the fare and was now inside his house drinking tea without any shame. Even though, by appearance and dress, he seemed to come from a well-off family, the driver couldn''t understand this man. "Here," Damien directly opened his suit before taking out a bundle of notes and placing it on the table, causing the driver''s eyes to widen as he noticed so much money inside the suitcase. "¡­..He is a playboy," the man informed Damien, the same thing he did in the morning, before taking only two notes from that bundle. One was for his fare and the other for the tea and hospitality he provided to this man. There was no need for the man to take more money than he deserved, clearly not interested in the greed of money. Given how he viewed the world, he knew very well that as a human, he would most likely live for another 50 years, and trying to run in the rat race to accumulate as much wealth as possible was not something he could do. He knew death was coming anyway, so he wasn''t about to chase after money his whole life. Chapter 97: Chapter 97- Night Club Inside the Camphrian city, The highway stretched out under the darkening sky, the once steady hum of engines now replaced by an eerie silence. Three black cars stood skewed across the lanes, their doors flung open, shattered glass littering the ground. Nearby, a few bikes lay strewn on the asphalt, their tires still slowly spinning, as if the momentum of the sudden chaos hadn''t quite stopped. "Arrgh...." Bodies¡ªlarge, muscular, bloodied¡ªwere scattered across the road, each one clad in tailored black suits. They looked like hardened men, the kind whose knuckles were well acquainted with the sting of violence. Their tattoos peeked out from ripped sleeves, telling silent stories of past battles and allegiances. Scars lined their faces and necks, remnants of years in a dangerous game where survival wasn''t guaranteed. Now, their blood pooled beneath them, seeping into the cracks of the road, dark and viscous against the cold grey concrete. A truck lay wrecked a little further down, its back doors flung wide open, revealing a scene of havoc inside. Chains and restraints had been ripped apart, the metal warped and broken as if something¡ªor someone¡ªhad been violently torn from its confinement. Another truck, identical in build but untouched, roared away in the distance, a fleeting silhouette against the twilight. Amid the carnage, four figures stood tall, clad in long, black cloaks that billowed slightly in the wind. Their faces were hidden beneath dark hoods, masks covering any trace of their identity. "Haah....Haaah....kugh..." Their presence was almost spectral, like shadows looming over the fallen who could only groan for a last time. They held themselves with a calm that contrasted with the brutality before them, silent witnesses to the destruction they had just wrought. The air around them was thick with the aftermath of battle¡ªsmoke curling from the vehicles, the faint metallic scent of blood lingering in the breeze. Whatever had happened here had been swift and decisive. The men on the ground had clearly fought, but the cloaked figures hadn''t come to lose. This was a battle of predators, and only one group had emerged victorious. "Report to Queen, we have delivered the police chief as ordered," Not a word was spoken. The cloaked men exchanged brief glances, their movements smooth, deliberate. They had come to take something¡ªsomeone¡ªand in their wake, they left behind a trail of broken bodies and wreckage. The dying light of the evening sun cast long shadows that emphasized the devastation, while the wind carried the distant growl of a fleeing truck echoing down the desolate highway. Tring~ Amid the chaos where it seemed nearly everyone had perished, a sound pierced the silence¡ªa phone ringing, insistent and jarring. The ringtone continued, relentless, until a bloodied hand finally managed to pick up the call. The screen was smeared with crimson, obscuring the caller ID, yet the call was answered nonetheless. A groan escaped the lips of a man who teetered on the brink of death. "F-f-for...give...u-us, S-sir," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. :: Hm, it seems they didn''t realize you were from the Lin family. :: A voice on the other end responded, firm and commanding, laden with an unmistakable sense of authority. The words dripped with dominance, leaving little doubt about who was in control of the situation. "N..o th..ey knew," the man replied, his breathing ragged, eyelids growing heavy as blood loss took its toll. He recounted how those who had attacked him were aware of their identity as members of the Lin family. This knowledge made matters even more dire, as very few dared to confront the Lin family in the country or the city. :: How many dozens of them were there? :: The voice on the phone inquired, clearly wanting to know the number of men who dared to confront the Lin family, even if they were mere pawns, albeit holding outer disciple positions. ".... Four," the man replied, recalling how he had been caught off guard. He remembered how, without a second thought, a brute had ordered his truck to bulldoze through them, displaying a blatant disregard for their lives. Who would have anticipated that the truck would collide with one of the women dressed in a black cloak, a resolute assassin? The truck''s metal crumpled as if it were mere paper. :: ..... Cultivators? :: On the other end of the line, the voice contemplated the possibility of four individuals managing to kill so many members of the Lin family. These men were trained in martial arts and armed with guns, yet they had been so thoroughly outmatched¡ªonly cultivators possessed the agility needed to dodge bullets with such ease. "..yE¡ª" Before he could finish his words, the last man exhaled his final breath, succumbing to death. . . . . . . In the main city, As the night embraced the city, every street and corner sparkled with vibrant lights, casting a glow over the skyline. Nightclubs pulsed with energy, and hotel rooms hummed with quiet conversations and not-so-quiet indulgences. Couples strolled, their laughter mixing with the rumble of passing cars. The roads were busy, luxury vehicles dashing through, each marking the wealth of their passengers. A Lamborghini glided down the main boulevard, sleek and shiny under the neon signs. It rolled to a stop in front of a high-end nightclub, the door swinging open as a young man stepped out, his expression one of casual disinterest. "This is party time," his sharp jawline and tailored clothes made him stand out, yet the way he carried himself¡ªbored and self-assured¡ªmade it clear he was no stranger to the scene. "Indeed, you look handsome, Ye Fan!" Behind him, a woman exited, her smile flirtatious, her body language almost too eager. She leaned into him, giggling softly as he ran his hand down her side, fingers lingering on her clothes, groping at her ass and tracing his hands here and there, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Kyaa~ You are naughty, Ye Fan," Together, they sauntered toward the club''s entrance, the sound of their shared laughter drifting above the music already spilling out from within. The two bouncers at the door, dressed in their usual attire, gave a glance at the pair but remained stoic. The line of people waiting for entry was long, but for the young master, the velvet rope parted without hesitation. With a nod from the guards, the door swung open, revealing the throbbing heart of the night waiting inside. "Hey, look over there." As the occupants blended into the vibrant chaos of the nightclub, something unusual occurred. The headlights of an approaching vehicle drew attention¡ªa modest taxi rolled to a stop right outside the glamorous entrance. Immediately, eyes darted toward it, and a low murmur spread through the crowd like wildfire. "Yo! Who''s this poor guy?" a man sneered, his arm slung around a woman who giggled in response. "A taxi outside a nightclub? Seriously?" another voice piped up, dripping with mockery. A woman beside him, flicking her hair back, added, "I mean... what kind of person shows up here in a cab? Some dumbfuck?" "Pffft, hahaha." Laughter erupted, men and women alike joining in on the mockery. A group of girls, draped in expensive dresses, whispered among themselves, barely able to stifle their giggles. The taxi driver, unaware of the growing spectacle around him, stepped out and looked around the scene. He was out of place¡ªhis worn jacket and tired expression a stark contrast to the sharp suits and designer dresses around him. "Pfft, poor guy, due to a dumb passenger, he got dragged here," his presence alone sent another ripple of laughter through the crowd. "Does this guy even know where he is?" one man chuckled, lighting a cigarette as his eyes followed the taxi driver. But then, the back door of the cab swung open, and in an instant, the tone shifted. Discover stories at m,v l''-NovelFire.net ".....this?" The crowd''s laughter faltered. A man emerged, casually stepping out of the vehicle, his movement slow and composed. His face, illuminated by the nearby lights, caught the attention of everyone within view. His features were sharp, striking, with a face which would be considered really attractive even more than all the people present here. In comparison to him, they all looked like squids. A group of women, who had been at the forefront of the teasing, stopped mid-laugh. One of them, her breath catching in her throat, nudged her friend. thump thump "Wait... do you see him?" she whispered, her heart pounding unexpectedly. The mocking remarks faded into whispers, their once scornful eyes now wide with surprise. "Who is Ye Fan here?" Damien asked, unperturbed by the sudden shift in atmosphere as he casually scanned the room and began moving toward the entrance. The same people who had been laughing mere moments ago now found themselves transfixed by his presence. "That guy," the driver said, nodding slightly and gesturing with his eyes toward a man standing near the entrance. Beside him was a woman, both of them seemingly focused on Damien and his companion. When Ye Fan noticed Damien''s gaze directed at him, he instinctively narrowed his eyes in response. For some reason, Ye Fan felt a strong aversion towards this man, clearly not liking his presence. Yet, he managed to keep his displeasure from showing on his face, aware that the fools around him might misinterpret it as jealousy. "Let''s go," Damien said, his voice nonchalant as he noticed Ye Fan''s barely concealed disgust, which mirrored the sentiments of Edward¡ªanother person who clearly harbored animosity toward him. Without missing a beat, he moved toward the main gate, accompanied by the driver, who nodded to indicate he was following behind. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 98: Chapter 98- Trap for son of heaven "Stop! He can''t enter," the guards at the gate called out, halting the driver. His attire didn''t meet the nightclub''s dress code, prompting Damien to pause and glance back at him. "...It''s fine; you can go on without me¡ªdamn it," the driver began, ready to tell Damien to enjoy the nightclub without him. But as he turned, he noticed Damien distractedly grabbing some candies from a nearby table before he headed inside, not even bothering to look back. "Pfft, poor cab driver," one of the women nearby couldn''t help but chuckle, watching how the taxi driver was left behind by the bouncers. The others chimed in with mock expressions of pity, while in reality, most had caught on to the camaraderie between the man in the suit and the driver, prompting some to move closer, eager to pry for more information about him. However, outpacing them all was Ye Fan, who strode forward confidently, declaring, "He''s with me. Let this poor guy enter." "Huh? Young master, but the dress code¡ª" one of the bouncers stammered, trying to explain the rules. But his protest was met with a fierce glare from Ye Fan. "Dress code? Not even this nightclub will stay open if you go against me," Ye Fan warned in a firm tone. The bouncers, fully aware of Ye Fan''s connection to the powerful Ye family, quickly relented, stepping aside to allow the driver through. The driver gave a slow, respectful bow as he moved past them. "Come on, buddy! Tell me about that guy," Ye Fan said, noticing the driver hesitating. He casually wrapped an arm around the driver''s shoulder, unfazed by his social standing¡ªwealthy or poor¡ªthough an unsettling feeling about that suited man lingered in his mind. With that, he guided the driver into the nightclub, eager to glean as much information as he could. The nightclub was filled with pulsating lights and thumping beats, creating an electrifying atmosphere that enveloped them as they stepped inside. The air was thick with a mix of perfume, cologne, and the heady scent of excitement. Laughter and shouts mingled with the music, creating a symphony of nightlife sounds. As they pushed further into the club, the vibrant crowd swayed and danced under the dazzling lights. Ye Fan spotted a few familiar faces among the throng¡ªfriends who often frequented this establishment¡ªbut his focus remained on the driver, whose demeanor had shifted from confusion to curiosity. "How did you end up driving a guy like that?" Ye Fan asked, gesturing subtly toward the still-visible figure of Damien as he began to mingle with others, effortlessly blending into the upscale environment. As he narrowed his gaze toward Damien, his clear disgust and irritation for that man became evident, with the feeling of hatred slowly looming inside his mind. The driver chuckled nervously, adjusting his cap. "Honestly? It was a regular gig for me. Picked him up at a hotel. At first, he seemed like just another businessman. But then... Continue your saga on m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net well, you saw me almost left behind, right?" Ye Fan nodded, intrigued. "Yeah, what''s his story? He doesn''t seem like your everyday clubgoer." The driver leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice over the booming bass. "I don''t know much, but he seemed a bit off. There''s something about him. He talked about deals worth billions and meetings with highly influential people to purchase a large amount of land in the main city but never revealed much. Told me he had to lay low for a while." Ye Fan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this tidbit, though of course remembering that particular piece of information regarding the land purchases and billions of deals. "And you just left him here? Alone? In a place like this? Shouldn''t you bring him to some hotels with rich people?" "I had suggested the same, but he told me that he wanted to go inside a nightclub," the driver replied, shrugging. "Though when I asked why, he just said that his investors were not the people with small minds and old age, but young minds with broad goals, since he needed to talk with young masters." "And what will you get in exchange?" Ye Fan inquired once again, thinking about how, if the driver revealed that precious information, it was impossible for that guy in the suit¡ªwho definitely appeared handsome and smart enough¡ªnot to give him some reward for making him meet the highly influential people. "But don''t lie to me." The driver blankly looked towards Ye Fan, seeing his eyes fixed in the direction of Damien. He couldn''t help but think that this Ye Fan was a total idiot, who couldn''t even see that everything he was doing right now was going according to the plans set by him. ''Idiot.'' "He promised me 1% from each deal he makes," the driver revealed as he noticed Ye Fan''s body flinch as his gaze slowly turned towards him. "What? 1% to a driver?" Ye Fan couldn''t help but utter the words that came to his mind, not understanding how someone would be that foolish to give so much money to a mere driver just for him going around the city. After all, how could a driver have connections with high-society people? But suddenly, ''wait a minute.'' He found at that particular moment that what if this driver had much intel than others, which was why Damien would have promised him that much money for fake assurance, not giving him a single penny but fooling him. ''Yes, indeed, how can someone even pay money to a mere driver?'' Ye Fan assured himself, avoiding his gaze from the driver, shaking his head as he thought that perhaps the guy in the suit would scam this driver and, after securing the deal, not pay him any money. Tring~ "Oh, is money being transferred?" The driver, seeing Ye Fan once again smiling like an idiot while thinking something inwardly, acted as if he got a surprise message on his phone, though of course he was only looking blankly at an idiot who couldn''t read the room and was just falling into the trap. "What money transfer?" Ye Fan suddenly heard the driver talk about some message and glanced at his direction. While wrapping his hand around the driver''s shoulder, Ye Fan was able to take a peek at the screen of the driver, and there he felt his eyes widen the moment he saw a message written: ( A/c 1XXXXX099 credited by amount 5 million NR, Total Bal: Rs. 5,000,100 NR Clear, Never share OTP/Password for EMI postponement or any reason¡ªCity Bank.) ''!?!'' "5-5 million?!" In an instant, Ye Fan''s mouth dropped open, seeing the amount credited in the bank¡ªa whopping 5 million, which, to be honest, was even too much for him since his pocket money was only 1 million for a month. Of course, the reason he was shocked was that this amount was credited to the bank account of a mere driver. ''Wait? Is he some hidden tycoon?'' He looked toward the driver''s face, which appeared below average with dirt, revealing that he seemed poor from birth, and not even any of his reincarnations in a previous life had ever seen this much amount of money. "Yes, it was a gift from that boss who gave me this if I brought him to the nightclub today," the driver said, as if mechanically repeating the recording he was told, revealing the information to Ye Fan while thinking inwardly how everything was just making him lose his mind. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So, before arriving here, that Damien, whom he thought was a human, told him a plan to lure Ye Fan in. And when doing so, he deposited the 5 million to be added into his bank account. Adding the source of income as agriculture, which was tax-free, the taxi driver submitted it to his bank account. For verification purposes, it took time for the amount to be credited, and just now, as if everything was going according to Damien''s plan, the message came right in front of Ye Fan''s eyes. Though of course, the money belonged to Damien even if it was in the driver''s bank account. Since the driver was not greedy enough for the money, it appeared, he had attracted that demon who, using his kindness, had deposited that large sum into his account, knowing he would not touch a single penny from it. "Huh?" Ye Fan seemed to fall into a trance for a moment, not understanding if he had heard correctly¡ªthat this amount was transferred by that man in the suit, whom he thought was just trying to scam this driver by giving fake hope, but in truth had just given him 5 million NR out of nowhere? If just for making this driver visit the nightclub he could pay five million, what if he found a way to introduce that man to numerous other people in high society? "Hehehe, nice, nice," Ye Fan thought about the possibility of earning more money. Of course, he somehow felt disgusted towards that man, but it was not to the amount where he could forget about money and let it overshadow his anger and emotions. Chapter 99: Chapter 99- Natasha The bass thumped like a heartbeat, perfectly synced with the flashing lights that danced across the crowded nightclub floor. Damien navigated through the sea of bodies, his suit shimmering in the neon glow. In the corner, partially hidden by a cloud of smoke and the sounds of laughter, he spotted a small table where a few people were already seated, taking their drinks. "What can I get you?" As he also took a seat at the bar, a sharp-eyed bartender with vibrant hair and a bright smile leaned over, skillfully pouring drinks with one hand, her eyes sparkling as she wiped her hands with a towel. Damien planted himself at the bar, taking a moment to soak in the electric atmosphere. "I''ll have a whiskey neat," he replied, trying to be heard above the thumping music while his eyes remained fixed on Ye Fan, who was having a conversation with the driver. Unaware that he was being lured into a trap that would soon make him despair. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Coming right up!" she called back, smoothly filling a glass with golden liquid and sliding it toward him with practiced flair. He wrapped his fingers around the glass, feeling its warmth seep into his hand. For a brief moment, he glanced around to find that the people seemed to come from highly influential backgrounds, dancing while some casually chatted with others as he searched for a target among the crowd. Damien adjusted his cufflinks, casting a measured glance around the pulsating crowd, before confidently approaching the table where the young woman sat. Her flawless posture and the subtle elegance of her designer dress set her apart from the revelry surrounding them. "Excuse me," he began, his voice smooth but firm. "I couldn''t help but notice that you seem to be the only one here not lost in the music. Care to share your secret to maintaining such composure in a place like this?" The woman lifted her gaze from her drink, her lips curving into a slight smile. "Perhaps it''s simply more entertaining to observe the chaos than to partake in it." Damien chuckled softly, observing the woman who seemed to have a decent layer of makeup, while the atmosphere around her seemed to exude richness, indicating she belonged to a wealthy family. But he wasn''t interested in knowing her family''s name or anything else, as his work was a priority. So he continued with what he did best: "You indeed have a bad habit." "Bad habit? Shouldn''t disturbing a woman who just wants to drink and enjoy herself in peace be a bad habit?" Her eyes glinted with intrigue, the corners of her mouth teasing upward. "If trying to have a conversation with the most beautiful woman I can find around is considered a bad habit, then I guess I have one," Damien said, lifting his glass in gesture for a toast, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow at the woman, who was slightly smiling, feeling amused. "It was cringe," she said with a shake of her head, but still toasted the glass, clinking her wine with his. Though she usually told men to leave her alone instead of flirting, somehow this handsome guy was definitely making her feel invested right now. "Maybe it was," he said, unfazed, his smile never wavering. "But it got you to smile, didn''t it? I''ll take that as a win." Experience tales at m v|l e''-NovelFire.net "Win? But¡ª" Before the woman could complete her sentence, she heard a voice from behind her. "Oh, Natasha, here you are," Ye Fan finally approached, having gathered all the information he could about Jaime. He noticed that Damien was talking to a woman who was part of a circle of friends Ye Fan was aware of. So it was particularly impossible for him to ignore this fact and not take advantage of the situation after realizing that this man was a wealthy person, even though he still had to ask about his name. ".....what are you doing here?" the woman furrowed her brow, looking towards the most useless person she had ever known, showing her dissatisfaction and disgust as she looked towards Ye Fan. "Come on?!" Ye Fan exclaimed, his eyes darting between Natasha and Damien. "I''ve been meaning to talk with you, Natasha, my dear sister." "Oh look, it''s Mr. Not-Invited. How lovely. Piss off, Ye Fan. We''re busy." Natasha rolled her eyes, clearly wanting to deal with this man who was revealing his connection with her, as she was indeed his cousin, but that was all, given that she didn''t want any connection with a useless person like him. Damien looked between the two, his brow raised in surprise at Natasha''s bluntness, but he fought back a grin. Clearly, seeing how Ye Fan was acting the way he wanted him to, given the information from the driver, he was able to recognize the facial features of Ye Fan''s cousin, who was also present in this bar, and took the opportunity to personally meet her. It would be much easier to have someone closer to Ye Fan. "Busy? Come on, at least introduce me to him?" Ye Fan said. Clearly hearing the rude tone from Natasha, he was pissed off, but he knew the value of his anger right now would be inferior to the gain he could make out of this man who could easily throw 5 million an hour for a driver just by imagining how much he could give him. It was a marvelous deal, even more so to make Ye Fan tolerate all the words Natasha would say. ".....", The woman, hearing Ye Fan, this time interested in conversation, couldn''t help but notice something suspicious. Naturally, even though they were usually in the same club or parties, due to internal conflicts in the family, they were definitely not on good terms. Additionally, she didn''t like Ye Fan''s behavior from the start, so noticing him acting such a simp to be introduced to a man instead of a woman piqued her interest in this man even more. "He is my boyfriend," Natasha, taking this opportunity and not wanting to play it cool, seeing how restless Ye Fan appeared from the outside, just casually introduced the unknown man as her boyfriend. After all, who cares about the consequences given that she belonged to her family? It was impossible even if that man misinterpreted himself as her real boyfriend and tried to take advantage of her. "Nice joke," Ye Fan said, while he gave a smile, with a narrowed gaze glancing at Damien. While already aware of everything from the driver''s mouth, he was not going to believe his cousin''s word, which was clearly evident that she just wanted to make him restless and try to gain the upper hand. He really felt that he shouldn''t have acted this way, but what could he do, given that he couldn''t lose the chance to have that man become his personal bank account. After all, money is what makes one stronger; no matter how much one has, they will always be ready for more. "No, she is telling the truth," then in clearly observing the behavior and the conversation zone between both of these cousins, one could clearly see that they had a very complicated type of relationship with each other, having little interest in knowing each other''s business. Of course, he didn''t care, since it was a golden opportunity for him to use this woman to deal with Ye Fan. ''!'' For a moment, Natasha was also taken aback, given how the man, whom she did not know, had accepted her statement in such a clear way without needing her to act further, prompting her to slightly feel awkward but not enough, given how she noticed Ye Fan''s expression turning sour, which was enough for her to let this man claim she was his girlfriend for now. Naturally, she was just going to speak for herself, dealing with things. But now that she had gotten the support of this man whom she was interested in, things were becoming even more intriguing for her. In the family battle of the Ye family, Natasha''s father and Ye Fan''s father were vying for the position of patriarch, creating animosity between them. However, Ye Fan''s father had an advantage: Ye Fan himself. Not known to ordinary people, there were cultivators in this world, and it turned out that Ye Fan was blessed with a physique of destiny, guaranteeing his success and allowing him to learn everything much faster than anyone else. Even though Natasha herself was a cultivator and talented, all her hard work was nothing compared to someone blessed with heavenly luck. Though of course, Natasha didn''t feel an inferiority complex toward Ye Fan, the issue was that he wasn''t the type to train even a little. It was like he left everything to his talent, not wanting to do any exercise or training like she did, working out every day to rise in ranking. But his body was automatically gathering Qi from the surroundings, making him stronger day by day without even moving an inch. So she hated Ye Fan for his recklessness and also herself for being weak and unable to break through to help her father gain more advantage in the family battle. Chapter 100: Chapter 100- Events "Just see for yourself, I''m innocent!" Edward finally erupted, sitting there naked as the ultrasound reports of his body lay scattered across the table. Initially, the officers had tried to extract a confession from him; when that failed, they resorted to scanning him for any hidden drug capsules. Discover exclusive content at m,v l''-NovelFire.net The whole situation was overwhelming, especially considering how he had anticipated being in the main city by now. Instead, he was stuck in Camphrian City, all because of a child. "Fine, you can leave," one of the officers said nonchalantly, barely sparing a glance at him as he waved his hand dismissively. This gesture caused Edward to erupt with frustration, clenching his jaw as he fought the urge to retaliate against this man right then and there. Yet, he restrained himself, knowing he needed to prioritize his escape. But six long hours had dragged on, and night had fallen. Everything now hinged on his luck¡ªhe had to trust that the police wouldn''t be able to find him or continue searching for him without a solid lead. Without wasting another moment, he quickly slipped into his clothes and dashed toward the door, grabbing his passport as he went. Just as he opened it to leave, he was met with a chilling sight. "Thanks, Officer, for your cooperation," one officer said, flanked by several others, all pointing guns at Edward. The police officer turned his gaze back to Edward with a grim look. "You are under arrest. Comply now, or we will shoot on sight." His voice dripped with cold determination, a warning evident in his eyes as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs, snapping them around Edward''s wrists. Frustration boiled inside Edward as he watched them, rage simmering just beneath the surface. The thought of teaching these officers a lesson was ever-present in his mind; however, all he could do was glare at them, fueled by the anger of being played with like a pawn in their twisted game. "Fine," at what officer had said, the most he could do was just surrender, given that the people behind the officer were holding guns and most likely there were assault rifles also present. It would be harsher or even dangerous to fight them in such a narrow place, so that would require large experience to maneuver and kill each of them. "Arrest him!" the officer loudly commanded, as two behind him swiftly sprinted, directly grabbing Edward by both arms before making him kneel as he fell. His knees hit the floor, instantly breaking, and the moment it did, he felt the force suppressing him couldn''t belong to humans. ''C-cultivators?!'' At that fleeting moment, his eyes widened, trembling as he lifted them to look at the officer who was looking down at him coldly. Edward''s mouth automatically started to curve into a smile as he saw these people; he finally understood that these were not the ones who would take him back to some police station but somewhere where his luck would. In the end, his luck never betrayed him, nor was it going to do so now. . . . . . In Camphrian City, life bustled as usual, with guests meandering through the opulent corridors of the five-star hotel. In room 283, however, the atmosphere was decidedly more somber. A woman sat on the edge of the bed, her head buried in her hands, while three police officers stood before her. "Did Dad call me back?" Lin Wanruo bit her lip, a wave of despair washing over her as she revisited the tumultuous events of the previous night. Her situation felt utterly hopeless: she had lost her job and witnessed her hard-earned reputation crumble into dust within a single day. The media was casting her as reckless, relentlessly targeting her character, which she had fought tirelessly to uphold against the disapproval of her family. Despite having consistently endeavored to be a principled and dedicated officer in Camphrian City, she now found herself the center of scorn, her former allies silent in her time of need. Those she had once helped turned their backs, unwilling to raise a voice on her behalf. She recalled hearing that those who dedicate their lives to justice often endure a harsh fate, and today, for the first time, she was experiencing that inescapable truth. "Yes, miss, we have apprehended Young Master Edward as well," one of the officers in the middle informed her with a mixture of formality and concern. It was these very officers¡ªacting somewhat covertly within their own police department¡ªwho had assisted Edward in evading capture at the airport before the authorities could step in. Appointed by her family to act as her support, they were now preparing to leave Camphrian City behind and return to their main branch. Lin Wanruo realized that managing to avoid catastrophic consequences after crossing so many influential figures in Camphrian City was no small feat. It was precisely why protective officers had been assigned to her: to ensure her safety during a time fraught with dangers stemming from her principled stand. Their presence had been a thin but essential shield against the backlash that now came crashing down around her, and yet here she was, feeling more isolated than ever. "Fine, I will return," Lin Wanruo couldn''t understand why everything was happening to her. She had tried her best to remain committed to her duties. But why was everyone blaming her? She hadn''t done anything wrong; she always tried to be the best and just wanted to arrest Damien last night. But all the series of events afterward were too much for her to handle. Things were getting worse with time and finally hit the mark where she was suspended from her job and was even beaten by the police chief. She couldn''t fathom how the police chief could even hit her when she was the only one doing her job properly. Lin Wanruo stood at the edge of her apartment, gazing out the window at the flickering city lights below. Each pulse of illumination mirrored the disarray inside her heart. She always believed in the justice she fought for, yet now she felt like a ghost swirling in a storm. The police chief''s blows had shattered more than her physical state; they had struck deep into her trust and her reason for doing this job. . . . . . . . Inside the main nightclub of the city, the moonlight, at its zenith, tried valiantly to illuminate the room. Yet, the vibrant glow of the neon lights and the pulsing beat of the music created an atmosphere that allowed everyone to forget the natural light outside and focus entirely on the dance floor. "Really?" Ye Fan felt a wave of disbelief wash over him when he realized that the wealthy man he had been striving to win over was going along with Natasha''s claim that he was, in fact, her boyfriend. Though he knew it was a fabricated story, the revelation caught him off guard; it was evident that this man was taking an interest in Natasha, and Ye Fan found this exceptionally displeasing. From the very beginning, Ye Fan had been regarded as a genius within the Ye family, a label he had earned without engaging in the rigorous training or hard labor that Natasha had embraced since childhood. He had lived a life of ease, blissfully unaware of the existence of cultivators around him, leading many to view him as nothing more than a playboy. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In truth, he surpassed those arrogant individuals who had looked down on him. He had been playing along with the charade, but today, as he thought he was on the verge of securing an intriguing business deal, his so-called untalented cousin had stepped in to create a distraction. This prompted a cold glare from Ye Fan directed at Natasha, clearly revealing his irritation. "Just kidding," Damien chimed in, sensing the rising tension in the atmosphere. Ye Fan''s eyes flashed with barely veiled hostility, while Natasha exhibited a similarly frosty demeanor. Damien chuckled to ease the mood, swiftly shifting the conversation as he added, "We were actually discussing a business proposition here." At the sound of those words, Ye Fan''s eyes widened slightly. It became clear to him that the opportunity to strike a favorable deal with this influential man had finally presented itself, and with it came the potential to earn some much-needed money. "Business? Can you tell me about it?" Ye Fan stepped forward, showing his interest in knowing about the business deal, clearly recognizing that this was his chance to leverage his connections and extract as much money as he could from this man. Even if the percentage was only 10%, he knew that with large enough deals, he would be able to earn a substantial amount. "Why not? Can we talk in private?" Damien said, looking around. Due to Ye Fan''s popularity among the crowd, several people were glancing in his direction, prompting him to propose a private conversation. There were rooms in the nightclub meant for such discussions among VIPs. He also wanted to minimize the risk of someone astute finding a loophole and exposing this potential deal as fraudulent. Chapter 101: Chapter 101- Deal (1) Damien strode through the dimly lit nightclub, the thudding bass of the music resonating in the air as Ye Fan walked closely at his side. They made their way toward the exclusive VIP area, where velvet ropes and imposing bouncers stood guard at the entrance. Behind them, Natasha walked with a careful, measured pace, her sharp eyes silently scrutinizing everything in their vicinity, particularly focused on Damien. Feeling Natasha''s presence almost breathing down his neck, Ye Fan couldn''t suppress the urge to glance back. Irritation flashed across his face as he spotted her following them, an unwelcome shadow in their midst. "What the hell are you following us for?" Ye Fan spat, not bothering to hide the disdain in his voice. His annoyance was palpable. Natasha raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Following you? Please." She gave a slight shrug, her tone drenched in indifference. "I''m just heading in the same direction. You''re the one acting like I''m chasing you." The tension between them crackled in the air, thick and hostile. Damien, walking just ahead of them, didn''t react. If anything, the subtle tug at the corner of his mouth indicated mild amusement, as if this little spat was part of his expectations. His eyes flickered towards Natasha, who was watching him more than Ye Fan, curious about what kind of "deal" Damien had just mentioned. Ye Fan, though annoyed with her, was equally curious. Neither could resist being a part of whatever was about to unfold. They reached the VIP section, where plush leather sofas lined the area, a stark contrast to the chaos of the main floor. All three took their seats, the space between them wide enough to mirror the distance between their minds. A staff member approached them almost immediately, ready to serve. Ye Fan, always quick to make his presence known, waved a hand dismissively and ordered two glasses of the highest-quality drink they had, completely ignoring Natasha as if she didn''t even exist. Natasha, unfazed, leaned back into her sofa and, when the staff member turned to her, calmly requested a coffee. Her tone was light but purposeful, as though she was making it clear that she didn''t need their acknowledgment. Once the drinks arrived, the real conversation began. Ye Fan leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Damien. "Alright, what''s this deal you were talking about?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though his impatience was clear. Damien leaned back into his seat, his expression neutral but with a faint hint of something else lurking beneath¡ªcontrol, maybe. Calculation. His gaze shifted between Ye Fan and Natasha, quickly analyzing the strained relationship between them. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They clearly hated each other, and Damien was silently taking mental notes of how to use that to his advantage. "The deal," Damien began, his voice smooth and deliberate, "is simple. I''m in need of investors. That''s why I''m here¡ªplaces like this nightclub attract people from influential backgrounds, and I want to make the right connections." Ye Fan''s eyes lit up like he had just been handed a jackpot. His excitement was so obvious that it was almost painful to watch. Natasha, on the other hand, looked entirely disinterested, but that was just an act. Damien knew she was paying attention, even if she refused to show it. She sat there, legs crossed, eyes closed as she sipped her coffee like this conversation had nothing to do with her. But the subtle tension between her and Ye Fan was growing, the air around them becoming thick with unspoken animosity. Ye Fan''s interest in the deal seemed to set Natasha on edge, though she didn''t let it show openly. Your next chapter awaits on m v|l--NovelFire.net "You''re really here looking for investors? In a nightclub?" Natasha''s voice cut through the moment, her tone dripping with skepticism. She didn''t even bother looking at Damien as she said it, instead locking eyes with Ye Fan, who clenched his jaw. "Yes, I am," Damien replied smoothly, not missing a beat. His eyes flickered toward her, watching for any sign of interest behind her calm facade. "Places like this are where influential people let their guard down. Where else would I meet the right kind of people?" Natasha gave a short, humorless laugh, finally opening her eyes to look directly at Damien. "Right, because meeting drunk rich idiots is the smartest way to build a business," she remarked, her voice as sharp as glass. Ye Fan''s eyes narrowed. "Not everyone here is an idiot, Natasha. But I''m sure that''s hard for you to grasp, considering you spend all your time playing games with people''s money," he said, his words laced with venom. She shot him a cold look. "At least I know how to handle money. Can''t say the same for someone who''s been begging for handouts his whole life." Ye Fan''s face flushed with anger, and he leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper, though every word was steeped in hatred. "I don''t need a lecture from someone who''s barely hanging onto her position." Damien watched the back-and-forth with mild interest, keeping his expression neutral but noting the obvious bitterness between the two cousins. It was clear as day¡ªthese two didn''t just dislike each other; they could even go far as to kill each other. And that was exactly what he needed. While Ye Fan was practically salivating at the thought of making money from whatever deal Damien was dangling in front of him, Natasha remained silent, though her eyes told another story. She was calculating, thinking. And Damien knew she wasn''t nearly as detached as she pretended to be. "How about I introduce you to some people?" Ye Fan said, turning back to Damien, his anger momentarily pushed aside as greed took over. His voice was filled with a forced calm, as if trying to regain control. "Real investors. People with real money." Damien smiled, a slow, knowing grin that barely reached his eyes. Everything was falling into place exactly as he had anticipated. Chapter 102: Chapter 102- Deal (2) Damien sat back on the luxurious sofa, casually swirling his drink as his eyes darted between Ye Fan and Natasha. The smirk on his lips was barely concealed, enjoying every moment of this little game. Ye Fan, sitting across from him, was practically vibrating with excitement, oblivious to how deep into the trap he was already falling. Natasha, on the other hand, was more cautious. Her sharp gaze remained fixed on Damien, though even she couldn''t hide her curiosity. The staff returned with their drinks, and Ye Fan eagerly grabbed his glass. "To the future," he said with an easy grin, raising his glass to Damien, who returned the gesture with a slight smirk. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the glasses clinked together, Natasha interrupted, her voice cutting through the room like a cold wind. "Before we start celebrating, shouldn''t we at least know what this deal is? We don''t even know your name." Her words were direct, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the stranger who seemed far too comfortable in this private setting. Ye Fan glanced at her, irritation flashing across his face. "Natasha, chill. We don''t need to get into details like names right now. He''s got an opportunity. That''s what matters." ''Damn, you idiot.'' Natasha shot him a glare, but held her tongue, folding her arms. Despite her reservations, she was keen to hear what this supposed deal was. If it was legitimate, it could be a game-changer for her family, and she wasn''t about to let Ye Fan get involved without understanding what was at stake. Damien chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the tension. "Names aren''t important. What''s important is the opportunity I''m bringing to the table." Natasha''s suspicion only grew, but Ye Fan nodded eagerly, signaling for Damien to continue. He was already too invested, too excited by the prospect of easy money. "There''s a piece of land in Southcrest," Damien began, leaning forward slightly as if sharing a well-guarded secret. "Right now, it''s nothing. A dead zone. But in a few months, the government''s going to launch a massive development project there. New businesses, luxury apartments, shopping centers... the works. The value of that land is going to skyrocket." Ye Fan''s eyes lit up. "You''ve got insider info?" Damien gave a slow, deliberate nod. "My company has been tapped to help with the initial stages of the project. Officially, no one knows yet. But unofficially, I''ve gotten a heads-up. We''ve got a window of opportunity to buy up a significant portion of the land before the news breaks. When it does, we sell it to developers, or even back to the government at triple, maybe even quadruple the current price." Ye Fan was hooked. "This is huge! How much are you looking for?" "Investors need to put in ten million each," Damien said casually, leaning back into his seat. "We''re talking about securing a third of the district''s land. When the prices rise, you''ll get a substantial cut of the profit. Enough to change lives." Natasha, though still skeptical, couldn''t deny that if this was true, the profit potential was massive. But something about it didn''t sit right. A stranger, no name, just sitting here offering insider information on a government project? It all felt too convenient. "Ten million?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you get out of this?" Damien''s smile widened as if he had been waiting for her to ask that. "I''ve got a stake in the project itself, through my company. But the more land we control, the more leverage we have when it comes time to sell. My gains are tied to the success of the entire venture." Ye Fan was already leaning forward, the wheels turning in his head. "This could help with..." He didn''t need to say more. Natasha knew exactly what he meant. Their fathers were at war over the family''s control, and Natasha was always desperate to find something to tip the balance in his father''s favor. Damien''s eyes flickered briefly to Natasha, and he could see the hesitation in her. "I get it. It sounds too good to be true," he said, his voice low and measured. "But I wouldn''t be here if I didn''t have confidence in what I''m offering. I''ve already made the initial moves. I''m not asking you to blindly trust me. I''m asking you to be smart enough to see the opportunity." Natasha stayed quiet for a moment, her eyes scanning Damien''s face for any sign of deceit. Something still felt off, but Ye Fan was already too far gone. If she didn''t move now, she knew he would jump in headfirst and risk dragging her into whatever mess this was. After all, her choice was very simple. She would not leave the deal if he was not involved in this. Given how this would give his father an advantage if this deal were true, she would at least try to prevent him from getting it. If he did, then she would also get involved. To put it simply, it was like I will not let you have it, and if you have it, then I will take it. "And if the deal falls through?" she asked, still probing. Damien shrugged casually. "The land''s value will still increase, even without the government project. You''ll make money either way¡ªjust not as much. But I guarantee you, this is the kind of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime." Ye Fan, grinning from ear to ear, raised his glass again. "I''m in. This is exactly what we need. Natasha, you can leave if you find it suspicious." The Ye fan didn''t see this as a loss, given that it involved purchasing some land. He believes that it is inevitable for the land''s value to increase in the future. There are no losses he needs to bear; even if this were all a scam, he would still have that land, and if he does, then most likely, he can recover his money afterward. Damien, seeing the gleam of greed in Ye Fan''s eyes, raised his own glass. "To future success," he said again, his smirk growing as he saw them taking the bait. Natasha''s stomach churned. She still didn''t trust him. Discover more content at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net Not one bit. But as much as she wanted to walk away, she couldn''t afford to. Not if this deal was real. Not if it could tip the scales in her father''s favor. "I''ll think about it," she said slowly, her voice firm but leaving the door slightly open. Damien clinked his glass against Ye Fan''s once more, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Everything was falling into place perfectly. They didn''t need to know his name¡ªby the time they realized what had happened, it wouldn''t matter. Chapter 103: Chapter 103 - Outside Nightclub As they stepped out of the nightclub, the cool night air hit them, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere inside. Ye Fan, buzzing with excitement, couldn''t stop grinning as he practically skipped towards his car. "Man, this is going to be huge," he said, his voice filled with glee. "I''ll definitely find some new investors. Once I secure the amount, I''ll contact him. No way I''m missing out on this kind of opportunity." Natasha walked beside him, her arms folded, her expression more restrained, though a touch of uncertainty lingered in her eyes. She wasn''t as blindly optimistic as Ye Fan, but even she couldn''t deny the allure of the potential profits. Her thoughts wandered back to her father, the constant battle for the family''s top position weighing on her. This deal could help, but she couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. "I can''t arrange investors," she muttered quietly, almost as if speaking to herself, "but I''ll try to arrange the money." Her voice lacked the same enthusiasm as Ye Fan''s, her mind clearly split between suspicion and ambition. Ye Fan, completely in his own world, snickered inwardly as he heard her half-hearted statement. In his mind, Natasha was as naive as ever, still not capable of playing in the big leagues. ''She doesn''t even have the guts to find investors,'' he thought smugly, dismissing her as he always did. The fact that she wouldn''t be able to contribute much was only more fuel to his growing sense of superiority. ''More for me, then.'' Discover hidden content at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net For Ye Fan, this was a gold mine. With Damien''s supposed driver promising a 5% cut for anyone who brought in additional investors, he could already see himself bathing in money. It was the perfect setup. Worst-case scenario, even if this was some elaborate scam, he figured he''d still come out with the land¡ªsomething to sell and recoup his losses. The upside far outweighed the risk in his mind, and he had already decided he was all in. Damien stood a few steps behind them, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement. Ye Fan was practically salivating at the thought of cashing in, and Natasha, though more guarded, had still been hooked. Damien couldn''t help but chuckle softly, causing both of them to turn and look at him. "No issues," he said smoothly, his eyes glinting in the faint streetlight. "I''ll be waiting. For contacting me, you can reach out to him." He pointed towards the taxi driver, who had been leaning against the car, looking like he''d rather be anywhere else. The poor driver''s face twitched, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration. Clearly, he hadn''t been expecting to be roped into this little charade. His blank stare followed Damien''s finger, as if he couldn''t believe he was being implicated in this high-stakes game. ''This bastard''s going to get me killed one day,'' the driver thought, mentally cursing Damien for dragging him into this mess. But he kept his mouth shut, knowing better than to voice his objections. Ye Fan gave a half-smirk, not even registering the driver''s discomfort. "Fine by me," he said dismissively, already planning his next move. He still felt like he had the upper hand. Even if Natasha couldn''t pull her weight, he''d make sure to round up enough investors to secure his spot in the deal. As for Natasha, she remained quiet, eyes focused ahead. Even though she had agreed to try and get the money, she couldn''t shake the feeling that this was a trap. But she knew Ye Fan well¡ªif this deal was real and she didn''t at least try, he''d lord it over her for years. Worse, her father would lose out, and in their world, missing an opportunity like this could mean the difference between success and failure. Still, the nagging doubt refused to leave her mind. As Ye Fan waved a casual goodbye and slid into his sleek Lamborghini, Damien watched the car roar to life and speed off into the night. The smirk on his face deepened as he stood there, feeling the curious gazes of a few passersby outside the nightclub, no doubt intrigued by the flashy departure. Damien turned his attention to Natasha, who remained rooted in place, staring blankly in the direction of Ye Fan''s car as it disappeared down the road. Her expression was unreadable, but her body language was tense, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Damien stepped closer, moving silently until he was right next to her, his breath just inches away from her ear. He could feel the sudden stiffness in her posture, her unease radiating off her in waves. His voice dropped to a whisper, soft and low, as he leaned in, letting his words slip out like silk. "Wouldn''t it be fun," he murmured, his lips barely moving, "to see that idiot''s face when he realizes this was all a scam?" Natasha''s body flinched the moment Damien whispered those words. Her eyes, wide with confusion, remained locked on the direction where Ye Fan''s car had disappeared moments before. She turned her gaze back to Damien, trying to process what he''d just said, her expression blank but her heart racing in disbelief. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice low, almost hesitant. Damien didn''t miss a beat. A sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he took a step back, giving her a bit of space while maintaining his composure. "I said," he repeated, his tone smooth, "do you really believe anyone rich would be looking for wealthy investors in a nightclub?" He let the question hang for a second, watching her absorb the meaning. "It was obviously a scam, Natasha. You''re smarter than this. You can''t beat that idiot." Her breath caught in her throat. Natasha''s eyes widened further, her feet instinctively retreating a step. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Something about this man screamed danger¡ªnot just because he''d confessed to orchestrating a scam, but because she had believed him too. That unsettling realization made her blood run cold. Chapter 104: Chapter 104- Kiss He wasn''t trying to cover his tracks or convince her otherwise; instead, he was revealing everything as if it were a game, a test of sorts. There was more to him than what met the eye. Before she could pull away entirely, Damien''s hand reached out, firmly but gently catching her by the waist, stopping her from stumbling backward. Natasha''s eyes flicked to his hand, then back to his face. What was he doing? And why was he helping her? "What''s the meaning of this?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, still trying to gauge what game Damien was playing. Damien''s grin widened as he released his hold on her waist, taking his time. "Nothing, really," he said casually, leaning in slightly closer. His hand moved up, brushing a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering just a moment too long. His dark eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made her feel trapped yet oddly mesmerized. "But how about I make a new deal with you?" Natasha blinked, confusion evident on her face. "What deal?" she asked, her voice shakier than she intended. With his gaze fixed firmly on hers, Damien''s smirk deepened. "Aren''t you stuck in your cultivation?" His tone was teasing, as if he knew a secret no one else did. "I can help you with that. Maybe then, you wouldn''t feel so¡­ inferior to your cousin." Natasha''s heart skipped a beat. Her entire body tensed, and she recoiled slightly at his words. "Who said I feel inferior to Ye Fan?" she shot back defensively. "I don''t¡ªthere''s no way I''d ever feel that way about him. He''s an idiot!" Her protest was sharp, but even she could hear the resignation creeping into her voice. It stung to realize that, somewhere deep down, she had been comparing herself to Ye Fan, constantly measuring her own worth against his. And now, this stranger had just laid her insecurities bare, as if he''d been reading her thoughts all along. Damien chuckled, the sound low and amused, clearly unfazed by her outburst. "You don''t need to hide anything," he said, his voice taking on a gentler tone. "I can help you¡­ if you want. Trust me." Natasha''s gaze locked onto his again, trying to read his intentions through those dark, unreadable eyes. She couldn''t deny the pull she felt toward him; something about the way he spoke, the way he carried himself, made her feel like he knew things¡ªdangerous, forbidden things. Her instincts told her to back away, but the lure of power, of surpassing Ye Fan and proving herself, was stronger than her caution. Still, she wasn''t foolish. She knew the stakes. "No," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "What if you scam me too?" Damien''s lips curved into another grin, clearly amused by her wariness. "Stuck at the early foundation of the Golden Core realm, are we?" he asked, his voice dripping with playful mockery. "Unable to fully manifest your core yet?" Her world came crashing down at that moment. Natasha''s eyes widened in shock, her hand shooting up to grab Damien by the collar, pulling him closer in an impulsive reaction. "How do you know that?" she hissed, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Who told you?" Her mind raced. She had never shared that particular weakness with anyone¡ªnot her family, not her closest confidants. It was a deeply personal struggle, one she had worked tirelessly to keep hidden. Yet, here this man was, standing in front of her, casually revealing her most guarded secret as if it were common knowledge. Damien didn''t resist, his gaze never leaving hers. The smug expression on his face didn''t waver. "I just know," he said, his voice smooth, unbothered by the tension in the air. His calmness only made her grip on his collar tighten, frustration and confusion roiling inside her. "You¡­ you damn well knew?" Natasha could barely contain her disbelief. Her pulse quickened as a thousand questions filled her mind. Who was he, really? And what did he want with her? She released his collar, her hand trembling slightly as she stepped back, her gaze still locked onto his. Damien stood there, not moving, still as calm as ever, his eyes glinting with something she couldn''t quite place. Amusement? Interest? Or was it something darker? "You''re in over your head, Natasha," Damien said softly, his voice dropping into a low whisper. "But I can help you out of this. Just think about it." Natasha clenched her fists, her mind swirling in a storm of emotions. This man was dangerous, no doubt about it. But damn him, he was also tempting enough for her to inquire how he would be able to help her. "How?" Damien grinned, looking down on her as he leaned near her ear and whispered, "by having sex with me." Natasha''s body tensed, her mind barely able to process what Damien had just said. For a moment, she stood frozen, her jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Then, in a flash, anger surged through her veins. She pushed him away with all the strength she could muster, her hand swinging for a punch, pure rage behind her strike. "How dare you, you bastard!" she snarled, her voice a blend of disbelief and fury. But Damien was quicker, sidestepping her punch with ease. Before she could react, he reached out and pulled her into an unexpected, forceful kiss. Enjoy new adventures from m-v l''e|-NovelFire.net "Mmmph?!" Her first instinct was to retaliate, to shove him off with every ounce of strength she had, but his lips pressed against hers with an intensity that both confused and enraged her. The kiss was brief, too brief for her to truly fight back. And then, just as suddenly, she managed to push him off, her hand flying up for another punch. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This time, Damien dodged with a smirk, his body moving in a blur as he suddenly vanished, reappearing near the entrance of a nearby taxi. He raised a hand in a mock salute, his grin infuriatingly smug. "Bye, Nat. We''ll meet again." His tone was teasing, playful even, as if the entire encounter had been nothing more than a game. Natasha, her chest heaving with anger, watched as the taxi drove off. Her heart still pounded in her chest, but the rage slowly started to simmer, giving way to the cold reality of what had just happened. He knew too much. And worse, he wasn''t just dangerous. He was playing with her, toying with her in ways she couldn''t yet comprehend. Her lips still tingled from the kiss, a stark reminder of how close he had gotten. She wiped them harshly, anger rekindling as she swore under her breath. She wasn''t done with him, not by a long shot. Chapter 105: Chapter 105- Harrisons The morning air was thick with humidity as a taxi car slowly rolled into a quiet, rural area on the outskirts of the main city. The surroundings spoke of modest living¡ªsmall apartments, faded paint, and weather-beaten structures. It was a far cry from the glamorous life that Damien was used to. But here he was, standing in front of a humble apartment that seemed to belong to someone not too well off. The sound of a window creaking open shattered the morning calm. Inside, Damien stirred awake, his body slowly pulling itself out of a somewhat uncomfortable sleep. He glanced around, taking in his surroundings as he rubbed his eyes. Just as his feet hit the floor, they landed directly on something soft and fleshy. A loud groan followed. "Damn, I''m down here, you idiot!" Damien, still half-asleep, looked down and saw the driver¡ªKarl¡ªlying on the floor, his face twisted in pain. Without missing a beat, Damien smirked, "I know. That''s why I stepped on you. Come on, wake up. We need to go." Karl, clearly not in the mood for jokes, rolled over and groaned louder. "You dumbass! At least let me wake up properly. I gotta take a dump, man! I just woke up." Damien glanced over his shoulder with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me, Driver. I need to use the bathroom too." Karl''s eyes widened in disbelief. He sat up, glaring at Damien, his face contorted with frustration. "You total bastard! No! It''s not ''Driver,'' my name''s Karl. And seriously, man, can''t you wait? I gotta go now." But Damien was already headed toward the bathroom, ignoring the protests behind him. "Well, I''m already up, so I''m first. You''ll have to wait." Karl groaned, holding his head in his hands as he sat there on the floor. "Unbelievable... You''re a total bastard, you know that?" Without even turning back, Damien responded, "You''ve mentioned that already. Good to see you''re consistent." Karl''s frustration reached its peak as he stood up, feeling the growing pressure in his gut. "You... you... dumbass! I swear, if I don''t find a toilet in the next five minutes¡ª" His words were cut off by the unmistakable sound of the bathroom door closing behind Damien. "Dammit!" Karl muttered, rushing toward the door, banging his fists against it. "Let me in! I swear to God, if you''re in there more than five minutes, I''m kicking this door down!" But Damien''s response was muffled, something about "patience" and "good things coming to those who wait." Karl growled under his breath, his discomfort intensifying. Not wasting any more time, he bolted out of the apartment, running down the street. There was only one option left¡ªa public toilet down the block. Holding his hands over his backside, Karl ran as fast as he could. . . . . . . The car hummed along the quiet streets as Karl drove, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. His face, though calm, was still flushed with traces of frustration. Damien sat beside him, his demeanor the complete opposite¡ªcalm, collected, with one hand resting casually on the window ledge. His gaze wandered out into the distance, looking at nothing in particular, as if the world outside was of no consequence. Karl''s blank expression mirrored his focus on the task at hand. His grip tightened on the wheel slightly as he reached over to adjust the volume of the radio, letting the soft music fill the silence in the car. Just as he was about to increase it, he heard Damien''s voice, cutting through the quiet like a sharp blade. "You''re an adult, and you still pooped your pants." Karl froze. The music faded into the background as his mind was thrust into an unwanted flashback¡ªa bad memory. He could feel the frustration rising again. Turning his head slowly, his eyes narrowed on Damien. "Bastard. It was because of you," Karl grumbled, his voice filled with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "Who knew there''d be such a long line for the public toilet?! If only you''d come out ten minutes earlier, I wouldn''t have had to¡­ you know¡­" He trailed off, unwilling to relive the full humiliation. Damien barely turned his head, an infuriatingly amused smirk playing on his lips. "Tch, pathetic." Karl clenched his jaw, his hands gripping the wheel tighter as he forced his attention back on the road. He wasn''t about to let this idiot get under his skin again¡ªnot right now, at least. He took a deep breath, visibly calming himself, and after a moment of silence, he asked, his voice more controlled, "So¡­ where are we going, anyway?" Damien leaned back, folding his arms behind his head in a relaxed manner, his eyes glinting with the smugness of someone who held all the cards. "Let''s go to the Harrison family''s mansion." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a brief moment, Karl''s calm demeanor faltered. His brows furrowed, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "The Harrison family? What the hell do you want there?" Damien didn''t answer immediately. Instead, his smirk grew as he gazed out the window again, leaving Karl to wonder just what kind of trouble he was getting dragged into this time. The name alone was enough to cause a stir¡ªa prestigious family, with deep connections in places that most people wouldn''t even dare approach. Still shaken, Karl pressed further. "Seriously, man. What''s going on? Why the Harrison family?" But Damien remained silent, his calm gaze never wavering, leaving Karl''s growing curiosity unanswered as they drove. They have finally arrived, located just a mile from the territory of the Harrison family. The car rolled up to the imposing gates of the Harrison family estate, looming ahead like the entrance to a fortress. Karl gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white as his eyes flicked between the guards stationed near the entrance. Tension hung thick in the air as he glanced at Damien, who sat beside him with an unsettlingly calm smile. "So, should I keep going?" Karl asked, his voice low with a trace of hesitation. "I mean, once we''re in, if it''s unauthorized, we''re both going to be arrested. You know security''s tight, especially after what happened with the patriarch getting severely injured." Damien''s smile didn''t waver. In fact, it seemed to grow more confident as he leaned back in his seat, glancing casually at the guards ahead. "Trust me, Karl. No one''s going to stop us." Karl sighed, shaking his head but unable to suppress a faint grin. "Hope you''re not lying this time," he muttered, though deep down, a part of him expected something to go wrong, as it always did with Damien. With a final breath, Karl greeted his charge and accelerated the car toward the gate, the guards immediately becoming alert as they approached. One of them stepped forward, signaling for them to stop. The other guards had their hands hovering near their holsters, ready to draw their weapons at the slightest sign of trouble. "Why are you here?" the guard asked, his voice firm, professional. Karl swallowed hard and put on his best nonchalant expression. "I''m just a driver. I brought this guy here." Without even looking in Damien''s direction, Karl pointed his thumb toward the passenger seat. The guard''s brows furrowed, his gaze narrowing as he looked back at Karl. "What guy?" he asked, clearly confused. Karl, still focused on his nervous explanation, continued, "You know, the guy sitting right here." His thumb jabbed in the direction of Damien again. "The man who¡ª" He froze mid-sentence. Something was wrong. Slowly, Karl turned his head to glance toward the passenger seat. It was empty. Damien had disappeared. There was no trace of him, as if he had vanished into thin air, leaving Karl to face the increasingly suspicious guards alone. His heart dropped into his stomach as he processed the situation. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath, his expression going blank as the gravity of his predicament sunk in. Surrounded by armed guards with no explanation, no way out, and his only companion having ditched him, Karl''s mind raced. The guards, meanwhile, were less patient, stepping closer, their hands now firmly on their guns. "Who are you really? What''s going on here?" one of them demanded, his tone taking on a more hostile edge. Karl didn''t respond immediately. He just stared straight ahead, his internal monologue repeating the same word over and over again. "Fuck... Fuck... Fuck." . . . . ''Is this the way?'' Landing from the boundary while secretly passing by the guard, who was unable to stop him due to his speed and their distraction with the arriving taxi, Damien smoothly entered the mansion. Jumping into a corridor and moving with a relaxed, casual, and nonchalant posture, with both hands resting in his pockets, he kept looking around. "Hey, is the patriarch arriving soon?" Civil servants were engaged in conversations about the arrival of their patriarch, who had somehow sustained an injury at a wedding held by the previous heir of the Raphael family. Continue reading on m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net Although he had been receiving treatment at the Camphrian City Hospital, after reaching a stable condition where he was able to move, the patriarch was to be relocated to a hospital in the main city. ''He is still not here.'' Upon hearing the words of the servants, he realized that he still had time to make preparations since the patriarch had not yet arrived. This prompted him to move down the corridor until he finally reached a room. Just as he was about to open it, a woman''s voice called out to him. "Who are you?" Chapter 106: Chapter 106- Harrison house (1) Damien slipped through the mansion''s entrance like a shadow, his steps calculated as he moved down the dim hallway. The eerie quiet only heightened his focus. When he reached a large wooden door, his hand hesitated on the handle. "Who are you?" A voice echoed, causing his pulse to spike. He turned sharply but quickly realized it came from elsewhere¡ªfar off in the mansion, not directed at him. Wasting no more time, Damien turned the knob and entered the room, softly closing the door behind him, his movements smooth and deliberate. He took in the room with a glance¡ªspacious, grand, luxurious, yet cold. It was almost the size of a suite you''d find in the best hotels, with a chandelier dangling overhead, casting a muted glow over the sleek leather furniture and polished wooden floors. Shelves lined the walls, filled with untouched books, more for decoration than use. The air was thick with the scent of wax and old wood, the kind of room that looked lived in but never truly was. But his eyes didn''t linger on the furniture for long. No, they were drawn to a large portrait, hidden behind a curtain, at the center of the room. Its presence, commanding and secretive, made his curiosity flare. Straightening his suit jacket, Damien moved forward, his footsteps silent on the hardwood. He was here for a reason, though this room seemed almost too pristine, too intentionally untouched. His fingers grazed the edge of the curtain, feeling the thin layer of dust that had gathered there. "Let''s see what we''ve got here," he muttered quietly. The dust confirmed his suspicion: whatever this portrait held, it had been sealed away for a long time, unseen and unacknowledged. His mind raced, piecing together what he already knew about the Harrison family. This room had significance. It wasn''t just the luxury that tipped him off¡ªthis was personal. The portrait likely belonged to Luna Harrison''s late mother, a figure who clearly hadn''t been forgotten but had perhaps been erased in other ways. As he pulled back slightly from the curtain, his attention shifted inward. ''Open the reward box for your first kill,'' Damien thought, feeling a twinge of suspicion as he regarded the painting. The room, undoubtedly belonging to one of the mansion''s family members, felt preserved yet forgotten. The curtains remained closed, hinting that either the past had left its mark, or someone was unable to confront the memory it held. Already familiar with his next target''s history, Damien recognized that this was the portrait of Luna Harrison''s late mother. [ Opening the Reward Box received for first kill....] [ Congratulations! ] [ Reward: Inventory with a 20 square meter area ] The system notification flashed across his vision, but Damien barely reacted. His eyes continued to scan the room, taking in every detail before seeing the reward, which was what he needed right now, given the help of Lyra; he was able to manipulate the reward to his needs. Damien pulled back the curtain, revealing the portrait of Luna Harrison''s mother. Without hesitation, he stored it in his inventory, the painting vanishing instantly. He turned back to the room, scanning for anything useful. Opening a drawer, he found an old oil lamp, some candles, and a box of matches. Odd for such a modern mansion, but clearly, someone had preserved these items intentionally. Explore more at m,v l''e-NovelFire.net Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He grabbed the matchsticks, scraped their phosphorus tips together, and gathered the material. Whatever he was planning, it was now in motion, his actions swift and deliberate. Karl stood outside the Harrison family mansion, blood dripping down the side of his face, his wrists bound tightly in handcuffs. The bright daylight only made the situation feel more surreal. He looked desperately at the guards, his heart racing. "Please, listen to me!" Karl begged. "I was brought here by a man!" One of the guards stepped closer, eyes cold and skeptical. "Where is he?" "I don''t know," Karl replied, his voice cracking with frustration. He watched in panic as the guard unlocked the car door, dragging him out roughly. "Maybe he went inside. The mansion, I swear. He could''ve gone in there!" The guards exchanged quick glances, one raising an eyebrow. "That''s impossible. No one gets into the mansion without us knowing." Karl felt a rush of desperation. "No, no! You have to believe me!" He tried to step forward, but a guard yanked him back, keeping him firmly under control. "Take him to the corner room," another guard ordered, gesturing toward a small side building. Karl looked back at his taxi¡ªhis only source of income¡ªsitting abandoned by the entrance. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he was pulled along. More guards arrived, one of them leveling a gun at him. "On your knees," the guard said firmly. Karl dropped to his knees, his cuffed hands raised above his head. "Lie down," came the next command. With no other choice, Karl lay face down on the hard ground, feeling the cold concrete beneath him. His mind raced, trying to make sense of how things had spiraled so quickly. He had only wanted to explain, but now it was clear¡ªhe was in deep trouble, and no one was listening. "What is happening here?" Damien, jumping from the mansion''s walls, immediately locked his gaze onto the scene unfolding before him. His gaze briefly landed on Karl, handcuffed and lying on the ground, surrounded by guards. Damien''s eyes flicked to the blood stains near Karl''s face, and a faint smirk appeared on his lips. It was clear he felt some satisfaction in seeing Karl in such a position. But as the guards noticed him, Damien''s expression quickly shifted to a cold, stern look. One of the guards straightened, eyeing Damien''s well-fitted suit and sharp features. "Please identify yourself, sir," the guard requested, sensing Damien''s status but cautious nonetheless. Damien didn''t answer immediately, instead taking a slow, deliberate step forward. "I asked," he said coolly, "what''s happening here?" One of the guards pointed towards Karl. "This man," the guard started, "claims he entered the property unopposed. He was saying something about an intrusion, but we found no evidence¡ª" Before the guard could finish, Karl, still on the ground, suddenly yelled, "He''s the one! Arrest him! He''s the man I brought here!" Even with his hands cuffed, Karl desperately pointed towards Damien. Chapter 107: Chapter 107- Harrison House (2) The guards exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing in suspicion as they focused on Damien. One of them stepped forward, his voice uncertain. "Is what he''s saying true?" Damien didn''t flinch. "Of course, he does," he replied calmly. "But what I want to know is why my driver is in this state." His voice turned icy. "What have you done to him?" Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-NovelFire.net The guard hesitated, his posture stiffening. "Sir," he said, his tone respectful but firm. His eyes observed the taxi and Damien''s suit, which he found not well suited for a young master. "It would be best if you cooperated. Why were you entering the mansion?" Another guard, clearly larger and more muscular, stepped closer, trying to use his size to intimidate Damien. But before he could get too close, there was a sudden sound. Bam! Damien''s fist had connected with the guard''s gut, sending the man to his knees. Thud! Saliva dripped from the guard''s mouth as he struggled to regain his breath, gripping his stomach in pain. Shocked, the downed guard raised his head, staring up at Damien in disbelief. The other guards began to react, moving to defend their comrade, but Damien''s voice cut through the air, cold and commanding. "How dare you act like this in front of me," he said, his voice dripping with authority. "I am Damien Raphael!" The guards froze, a chill running down their spines as the weight of the name Raphael hit them. In unison, they bowed their heads in apology, the tension thick in the air. "We apologize for not recognizing you, sir," one of them managed, his voice shaky as they realized just how badly they''d misstepped. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the guards, still bowing, couldn''t help but think, ''Wasn''t Damien Raphael the one who got banished from his family?'' But he didn''t dare lift his head. Banished or not, the Raphael family carried immense power, and banishment wasn''t something to trust blindly. ''What if this is some kind of test or ploy?'' he thought, knowing better than to question someone tied to such a family. The Harrison family wouldn''t likely risk offending anyone with such connections. Damien scanned the group, a smirk tugging at his lips as he watched them squirm. "Free my driver," he commanded, his tone sharp. Karl, lying on the ground, gritted his teeth in silent rage. ''It''s Karl, not "driver," you asshole,'' he thought, but he kept his mouth shut as a guard rushed to remove the cuffs. The second Karl was freed, he bolted for his taxi, hands shaking as he fumbled to start the engine. The car roared to life, but just as he was about to take off, Damien slipped into the passenger seat, closing the door behind him with ease. Before they could leave, Damien turned back to the guards, his voice cold and measured. "You''ve all upset me. I''m leaving now, but rest assured, I will never return to the Harrison family again. And don''t worry," he added with a smug glance, "I''ll be sure to mention how badly I was treated here to your patriarch." The guards'' faces drained of color. They exchanged panicked looks, sweat trickling down their foreheads. "Sir, sir, please¡ª" one of them stammered, but the taxi was already pulling away, Damien comfortably seated inside. As the car sped off, one of the younger guards turned to the chief, his voice filled with dread. "What do we do now, sir?" The chief sighed heavily, his face grim. "Forget it," he muttered, straightening up. "I''ll take the blame for this." The other guards glanced at each other before turning back to the chief, admiration in their eyes. He stood tall, staring off into the distance, accepting the weight of his decision. A short while later, the hum of engines filled the air as a fleet of luxury cars approached the metal gates of the Harrison family estate. The polished vehicles glinted under the sunlight, exuding wealth and power. The lead car, a sleek Bugatti with a commanding presence, was followed closely by a Rolls-Royce and a line of Range Rovers packed with bodyguards. As the convoy neared, the large gates swung open slowly, and the guards stood at attention, saluting in unison. Servants lined up on either side, bowing deeply to make way for the family members exiting the cars. All eyes were drawn to the imposing Bugatti at the front. The door opened, and out stepped a woman with striking beauty. Her poise and grace immediately caught everyone''s attention. As she moved toward the Rolls-Royce, her movements were fluid and effortless, drawing curious glances from the servants. Luna Harrison, the jewel of the family, approached the rear door of the Rolls-Royce with an air of urgency. "Grandpa," she called softly, her voice laced with concern, as she helped the elderly man out of the car. The patriarch of the Harrison family, though clearly aged, carried himself with dignity. His expression remained calm, but his slow steps indicated his frailty. Luna gently supported him as they walked toward the mansion, her hand on his arm, ensuring his balance. His condition was stable, but there was no mistaking the care with which Luna handled him. The servants trailed behind, murmuring quietly as they followed the two inside, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension and reverence. As the grand procession approached the mansion, a sudden commotion broke out. Shouts echoed from within, startling everyone just as they were about to step inside. "Fire! There''s a fire in the lady''s room!" A few servants rushed out, yelling and causing alarm among the gathered family members and staff. Luna froze, her heart skipping a beat as she heard one of the servants shout, "Room 34! There''s fire in room number 34!" Her eyes widened in shock. Without a second thought, Luna let go of her grandfather, leaving him to be caught by his assistant as she sprinted down the corridor. ''No, no, no... it can''t be happening!'' The thought raced through her mind like a storm. The dread twisted inside her, knowing full well that Room 34 was where she had preserved her mother''s portrait. She had never mustered the courage to look at it, blaming herself for everything that had happened, but keeping it there, untouched, as a way of holding on. Her legs carried her faster than ever as she darted through the mansion''s grand hallways, passing servants who were rushing to contain the chaos. She turned the corner, her heart pounding in her chest. The sight that greeted her was a small crowd of servants throwing fire extinguishers into the open doorway of Room 34, smoke still curling from inside. By the time she reached the room, the fire had been subdued. Luna stumbled inside, her breath caught in her throat. She stood frozen as her eyes scanned the room¡ªeverything seemed intact, but the center of the room, where the portrait once hung, was empty. The portrait of her mother... it was gone. Chapter 108: Chapter 108- Exiting Harrison family Luna''s face turned ashen, her breath growing shallow as panic gripped her. "No, no, no¡­ what is happening here? Where is the portrait?" she gasped, her voice trembling. Her eyes frantically searched the room, darting from corner to corner, hoping to find any trace of it. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, sinking lower with each second. The servants stood frozen, their faces pale, sharing in the weight of her despair. One of them, barely able to meet her eyes, whispered, "W-we apologize, Lady Luna. We failed to protect it... we''re so sorry." Luna''s legs buckled, and she collapsed to her knees, the world spinning around her. Her palms pressed against the cold floor as a torrent of memories overwhelmed her. That portrait¡ªit was the last connection to her mother, the final piece of her past she had fought so hard to preserve. Tears blurred her vision as she struggled to breathe, her mind trapped in the pain of that fateful day. The day she lost her mother. The day she threw a tantrum, insisting they go to an auction, and her mother, always loving and patient, gave in. And then... the accident. It had cost her everything. Guilt weighed her down like a heavy shroud. ''It''s my fault,'' she thought bitterly, the words echoing in her mind. The accident, her mother''s death¡ªit was all because of her. She had wanted one more painting, and in the end, it had cost her far more than she had ever imagined. And now, the portrait¡ªthe last link to her mother¡ªwas gone. Burned to ashes. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as her hands balled into fists. ''I should''ve let it go,'' she thought, the regret tearing at her soul. But she hadn''t. She had clung to the past, to that last memory of her mother, and now, it was lost forever. The servants stood in silence, unable to comfort her, as Luna tried to gather herself. Knowing the portrait was not just lost by chance, this fire was no accident, and the realization sent a cold shiver down her spine. "What happened here? L-Luna?!" The patriarch of the Harrison family, while stumbling by the support of his fellow assistants, arrived inside the room, looking towards Luna, who was seated while tears welled in her eyes. It was catastrophic. It was the first time in his life he had seen his strong daughter have tears in her eyes. His mind was racing, even though after that event where suddenly he was attacked by someone and spent his days in the hospital, it was the first time he felt shocked and pain. Not just him, but assistants and other people, including servants, were seeing their lady who was the strongest and most determined one among everyone in such a state for the first time. "....I am fine, Grandpa," Luna said, using a cloth to clean her face, as the edges of her eyes turned towards the ashes scattered around the room. As she slowly stood, she realized that she had gotten herself overwhelmed by the emotion. Getting rid of the painting that was burned felt like a good thing for her. She had always wanted to let it go but never could, remaining bonded with it. But now, due to the fire, it was gone. Of course, she wasn''t just going to sit idly by. Suddenly, the sharp crackle of flames echoed in her ears, and her chest tightened. ''How did this even happen?'' she wondered. Each room in the mansion had its own isolated electrical system. A short circuit was impossible. Luna clenched her fists, anger surging through her. "Who was responsible for this?!" she yelled, her voice like a whip cracking through the silence. Without waiting for a response, she ordered, "Call the security guards. Now!" Within moments, the guards were assembled, standing before her in rigid formation. Their backs were straight, hands clasped behind them, but their faces were pale, sweat beading on their brows. Luna''s presence was too overwhelming, and the intensity of her glare made them flinch. "Who came here?" she demanded, her voice low but deadly. "Tell me who arrived while we were gone." The guards exchanged nervous glances. One stepped forward, his voice barely a whisper. "N-no one, Lady Luna. No one came inside." Luna''s eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?" Her voice held an edge that made the man tremble. He swallowed hard. "Yes, I swear. No one entered." She clenched her jaw, frustration boiling inside her. Continue reading on m|v-l''e -NovelFire.net These men were either telling the truth, or they were too terrified to admit they had failed her. Luna rubbed her temples, trying to think clearly. "Go away," she finally ordered, her tone flat, dismissing them with a wave. The guards quickly turned to leave, but as they were about to exit, one paused, hesitating before turning back. "Actually... someone did come by earlier," he said nervously. "In a taxi, but he didn''t enter the mansion. He stayed outside." Luna''s eyes snapped to the guard, her fury rekindling. "Who was it?" she demanded, her voice like ice. The guard swallowed again, the fear evident on his face. "It was Damien Raphael." Luna''s eyes widened as the guard''s words hit her like a jolt. "What? What did you just say?" Her voice was sharp, laced with disbelief. She could hardly process the name he''d mentioned. That name... Damien Raphael. The guard, sensing her agitation, repeated himself cautiously, "It was Damien Raphael, Lady Luna. He arrived here... in a taxi." The moment hung heavy in the air. Luna sat in stunned silence for a heartbeat before covering her face with her hands. She sank into the sofa, a strange laugh bubbling out of her, barely above a whisper. "So... he dares?" Her voice cracked with amusement, tinged with disbelief. Someone was truly testing her patience, pushing the limits of her tolerance. Damien Raphael¡ªthe man who had rejected their arranged marriage, the man her family had meticulously selected to elevate their standing¡ªwas now standing at her doorstep, pulling a stunt like this. The irony wasn''t lost on her. She thought back to the days when her grandfather had pressured her into accepting the match, a strategic move to bind their powerful Harrison family to the even more influential Raphael family. And like a naive fool, she had agreed. She''d even convinced herself that she could use Damien to climb higher within their ranks. After all, it was her duty, wasn''t it? To secure the future of the Harrison empire. But Damien had rejected her. He hadn''t even given her a second thought. And now, here he was. Luna''s mind raced. Could it have been him? Could Damien really have been the one to set the fire? S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The timing of his arrival was far too convenient to ignore, but she couldn''t jump to conclusions without proof. None of the servants had seen him enter the mansion. It was highly unlikely that Damien, always calculated and deliberate, would recklessly burn the room without thinking through the consequences. She ran her fingers through her hair, frustration mounting. Damien wasn''t the kind of man to act impulsively. He was cunning, careful, always one step ahead. Yet, there was no denying that something about this situation felt wrong. Almost too convenient. Was he sending her a message? Trying to provoke her? Luna sat back, her gaze darkening. "Damien Raphael... what game are you playing?" she muttered under her breath. She couldn''t ignore the possibility that he was behind this, but until she had more information, she''d have to be cautious. For now, the pieces of this puzzle remained scattered. But one thing was certain: Damien''s sudden appearance wasn''t just a coincidence. . . . . . . Far away from the imposing Harrison Palace, inside a modest taxi, Damien Raphael sat in the back seat, his expression calm as he tapped away on his phone. The driver, Karl, kept his eyes on the road, but his mouth twitched involuntarily as he caught glimpses of Damien''s actions in the rearview mirror. "Don''t even think about touching my 600 nr," Karl muttered under his breath, half-joking but with a trace of seriousness in his tone. He knew Damien well enough to know that he had a way of getting what he wanted, even when it wasn''t his to take. Damien paused, his fingers freezing mid-scroll on his banking app, and directed a glance at Karl. A teasing smirk danced on his lips. "You really shouldn''t have mentioned it, Karl," he remarked, a subtle edge creeping into his tone. "Damn it. Now you''ve planted that idea in my head." Karl''s eyes widened theatrically, feigning horror. "Don''t even think about it," he warned, this time with a firmer tone. "That''s my hard-earned money you''re talking about." Damien laughed, shaking his head lightly. "Relax. I wouldn''t dare touch your precious 600 nr," he said, returning his focus to his phone. In a flash, he typed out a message, his fingers dancing rapidly across the screen. After sending it, he handed the phone to Karl without a second thought. "Here. Now let''s make our way to the Raphael family''s mansion." Karl accepted the phone with caution, stealing a glance at Damien that was tinged with mild suspicion. "You''re plotting something, aren''t you?" he asked as he steered the car onto the main road, heading toward the Raphael estate. Damien leaned back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest, while his gaze drifted out the window. "Always, Karl. Always," he replied, a hint of mischief in his voice. The taxi sped down the deserted road, the day unfolding before them, an open canvas for the next act in Damien''s meticulously crafted plans. Chapter 109: Chapter 109- Ophelia (1) As the taxi approached the towering gates of the Raphael family estate, it became clear just how vast and impressive the place was. Spanning over a mile, the estate was more like a small city, filled with luxurious buildings, each belonging to different branches of the family. The sheer size and opulence spoke volumes about the immense wealth possessed by the Raphael family. Karl, the driver, whistled low as they neared the entrance. "You sure we''re in the right place, Damien? This looks more like a royal fortress than an estate," he said, eyes wide as he glanced at the towering gates and the sprawling grounds beyond. Damien remained unfazed, his eyes cold and focused. "We''re at the right place. Just keep driving." But as soon as the taxi got within proximity of the entrance, the air shifted. Several guards stationed near the gate suddenly sprang into action. Dressed in black tactical gear, they dashed toward the taxi, their faces hard and determined. Before Karl could even blink, guns were pointed at the car from all directions. "Move from this place right now!" one of the guards yelled, his voice booming with authority. His weapon was trained directly on Karl''s head, and his eyes left no room for negotiation. Your journey continues at m v|l-e''-NovelFire.net Karl''s hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he muttered under his breath, "Oh, you gotta be kidding me... I knew this was gonna be a bad idea." Damien, cool as ever, calmly opened the door and stepped out of the taxi, not even flinching at the sight of the guns. "Let me handle this." The moment Damien closed the door behind him, Karl didn''t even wait for him to finish his sentence. His heart racing, Karl immediately shifted the gear, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and sped off in reverse, tires screeching against the pavement. "Nope! Nope! Not my problem!" he yelled out, not bothering to look back. As the taxi zoomed away, Damien shook his head in mild amusement, watching his so-called driver escape with impressive speed. One of the guards, still pointing his gun at the retreating vehicle, looked confused. "Your friend doesn''t seem very loyal." Damien scoffed, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Friend? More like an unpaid therapist. But he knows better than to stick around when things get messy." He glanced toward the guards, his expression darkening. "Now, why don''t you lower those guns? I''m here on business." The tension in the air was thick as one of the guards stepped forward, a smug grin plastered on his face as he locked eyes with Damien. His voice oozed mockery. "Oh, look who we have here. Isn''t it the young master? Wait, no... not young master. Isn''t it just Damien?" The other guards exchanged knowing glances, their expressions darkening as they watched. Though they served the Raphael family, everyone here knew Damien''s story all too well. He was the worthless heir, the one cast out like yesterday''s trash. They had received direct orders from the new head of the family¡ªto treat Damien like a dog. And it seemed they were eager to follow through. The guard''s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with cruel intent. "So, what''s a dog like you doing here? Begging for scraps?" He was about to continue his taunts when¡ª BANG! The sharp crack of a gunshot rang out, freezing everyone in their tracks. The guard''s face went blank, his smirk vanishing in an instant as his eyes slowly shifted downwards. Blood began to pool at his abdomen, soaking his uniform. His body trembled, and his legs buckled as he stumbled backward, clutching his gut. "Aghhh!?" He gaped at Damien in disbelief. The gun¡ªthe one that had just fired¡ªwas his own. Somehow, Damien had taken it in the blink of an eye and pulled the trigger, all without breaking a sweat. Damien stood there, calm and composed, tilting his head slightly as his eyes gleamed with cold, unrestrained killing intent. The guard, now on his knees, coughed and managed to scream, "Kill him!" The moment the order was given, chaos erupted. The remaining guards reached for their weapons, ready to follow through with the command. Across the entire one-mile stretch of the estate''s entrance, a total of 87 guards mobilized. Guns were drawn, aimed directly at Damien. The air buzzed with rising danger as the scent of gunpowder and blood filled the space. But just as the tension was about to explode into violence, a voice cut through the chaos like a blade. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "STOP. No need to waste bullets." The voice was smooth yet powerful, its tone unmistakably feminine but amplified by an immense internal energy that echoed through the entire courtyard. It sent a ripple of shock through the guards, freezing them in place, their fingers hesitating on their triggers. Damien didn''t flinch, but he recognized the voice immediately. The guards all turned in the direction of the sound, their postures shifting from aggression to respect. As if an invisible force guided them, they parted, bowing slightly as they made way for the figure approaching. Through the gap, a woman emerged. Her steps were slow and deliberate, her presence commanding. Her deep silver eyes glowed faintly in the dim light as her long, dark hair cascaded elegantly down her back. She moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, each step silent, yet it felt as if the very ground responded to her. Her white robe shimmered under the moonlight, adding to her ethereal appearance. For a moment, it felt as though time itself had paused. The wind stilled, the night air heavy with her presence. Even the faint rustling of the trees ceased as the guards watched her in awe. In what seemed like an instant, she closed the distance, her feet landing ten steps away from Damien. Her gaze, sharp and piercing, met his without hesitation. Every guard stood still, holding their breath, as if afraid to make even the slightest movement in her presence. Damien raised an eyebrow, a flicker of recognition in his eyes as a slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I should''ve known it was you," he muttered under his breath, his voice low but audible in the now silent courtyard. Chapter 110: Chapter 110- Ophelia(2) Mostly, instead of her face, her eyes were focused on the status window in front of him. ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Name: Ophelia Age: 23 (Immortal, reincarnated from a higher realm) Cultivation Realm: Nascent Soul Realm Strength: 150 (10 for an average human adult) Agility: 120 (30 for a professional athlete) Vitality: 200 (10 for a healthy human, enhanced by immortal physique) Charm: 85/100 (Immortal beauty, naturally captivating and alluring) Luck: 90/100 (Fate-touched, presence of a higher destiny) Measurements: Height: 170 cm (5''6") Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs) Bust: 94 cm (37 in) Waist: 60 cm (24 in) Hips: 95 cm (37 in) Skin Tone: Radiant porcelain, with an otherworldly glow, flawless and ethereal Bust-Waist-Hip Ratio: 94-60-95 cm (37-24-37 in) Cup Size: D, with a perfectly proportioned, firm shape Hair: Silky, silver hair cascading in soft waves down to her waist, shimmering under any light. Eyes: Crystal blue, resembling the depth of oceans, glowing faintly with her celestial heritage. Lips: Soft, rose-petal pink lips with a natural gloss, elegantly curved and inviting. About: A calm, composed, and wise immortal who carries memories from her previous life. She is strategic, patient, and maintains an enigmatic allure. Favorability level: 0/100 (No opinion) ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Continue reading stories on m|v-l''-NovelFire.net The woman didn''t respond immediately. Instead, her gaze swept over the scene, taking in the bloodied guard on the ground and the other guards who still gripped their guns uncertainly. Her lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile, though there was no warmth in it. "Put your weapons down," she commanded softly, her voice carrying authority that left no room for argument. The guards, still hesitant, slowly obeyed, holstering their guns and stepping back, knowing that they would rather face the devil himself than defy her. The woman''s eyes returned to Damien, and though her face remained unreadable, her voice carried a sharp edge as she said, "Damien Raphael... you never fail to make a rather amusing entrance, do you?" ''Here she comes....'' Damien looked towards his story''s final plot, so of course, it was not activated yet, given the final plot was definitely two people, her and a higher villain who is yet to arrive according to the list of those who put an end to the original Damien''s life. And in the final thought, the most suffering given to the original owner mentally was done by this, and physically was by the main villain of the story. So, he was here to at least get intel on the woman''s real strength, and naturally, he was surprised. The only thing he knew about her was that at the age of 4, she had killed her adoptive mother, who turned out to be Damien''s real mother. Indeed, right now in front of Damien stood the woman who had killed his mother, though not technically. "Tch, I just came here to talk with Grandpa," Damien, knowing that this wasn''t the time to take action, realized that if he enraged her and she killed him, he would fail the plot, and if that happened, it would be a problem. Thus, putting aside his rising anger, he just inquired about the second thing he was here for. "....Grandfather is busy and he doesn''t want to meet you," Ophelia said, with her eyes closed, knowing that by coming in front of her he had already ruined her mood. Though, of course, not enough to kill him this instant, she folded her hands with her eyes closed. "I see, so you have even started to take over the Raphael family, you filthy blood," Though, of course, Damien was not just going away without pissing her off¡ªat least to satisfy his rising ego. "....Does it matter who holds the filth? Aren''t I here in place of you?" Having already seen a vast world, this mere mortal territory was more than under control; she was not feeling angered, just amused at this worthless person, who was nothing now, holding nothing at all. "Yes, in place of..." Damien put pressure on those words, clearly trying to give her a good answer. "You are still pathetic, aren''t you?" Ophelia couldn''t help but feel amused at this child''s play, knowing well about his habit of always acting childish and thinking he was someone superior, given how easily she could crush him at any moment. "Pathetic? At least not as someone who kills.... hm, no, I will take my leave," Damien wanted to piss her off but halted, thinking this was not the right time to tell her how she was more pathetic for killing the woman who adopted her simply because she was jealous of her real son. Though of course, knowing her story at least gave Damien a clear idea of how to deal with this woman as he turned to leave while not forgetting to keep the gun. ''Did he.... no, it''s impossible,'' Ophelia looking at the back of Damien narrowed her gaze, glancing down towards the guard who was dead. She wanted to use this chance to insult him but let the moment slide, given how there was no reason for her to spend a single second with that trash. ''Are you seeing Mother? Your son is pathetic, unlike the genius you used to praise,'' Ophelia couldn''t help but grin, looking at the disappearing back of the man who had once become a subject of jealousy for her¡ªmuch worse than in anger; she had killed that woman who was closest to him. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His mother. ''I will leave you alive only because of your mother,'' Ophelia turned, entering the mansion, which was now hers¡ªeverything that once belonged to that woman who adopted her, giving her all the love one could deserve. She decided to keep it intact until she ascends back to the higher realm while keeping that idiot away from her. Previously, due to becoming jealous of him, she had killed that kind woman. She had regretted it for so long that she decided she would never become jealous of him. So, in the future, she would not kill someone kind for that idiot, who is now a worthless piece of shit. Chapter 111: Chapter 111- Wanruo (1) The taxi zipped through the main city''s streets, weaving in and out of traffic with the kind of reckless abandon only someone like Karl could muster. His foot pressed harder on the accelerator, and the car''s engine roared in response. "I finally escaped that idiot," Karl muttered under his breath, a smirk creeping across his face as the thought lingered. Damien''s nonchalance towards danger had rattled him a bit, but now, far away from the Raphael estate, he felt a surge of relief. For a moment, his mind drifted back to the morning''s embarrassment¡ªwhen he''d accidentally pooped his pants during a particularly stressful job. The memory made his face flush, though no one was around to witness it. "Man, this day just keeps getting better, huh?" he chuckled to himself, feeling the release of tension as the car sped along the streets. But his brief moment of humor was short-lived. His thoughts still a bit distracted, he suddenly miscalculated a turn. The screeching of tires was the only warning he got before¡ªBAM! The taxi scraped hard against the side of a sleek black sports car, leaving a long, jagged scratch along the luxury vehicle''s polished surface. "Oh, shit," Karl blurted, his heart leaping into his throat. He quickly pulled over to the side, cursing under his breath. The door of the sports car slammed open, and out stepped a young man dressed in expensive designer clothes. He looked no older than twenty-five, but his expression was that of someone who had been handed everything on a silver platter his whole life. His face twisted with fury as he stormed towards Karl''s taxi. "You blind or something!?" the young master shouted, his voice dripping with indignation. Without hesitation, he swung his leg, landing a hard kick against the side of Karl''s taxi. The metal frame groaned in protest. "Look what you did to my car!" "Whoa, hey, easy, man!" Karl said, his hands raised in a gesture of peace as he quickly got out of the driver''s seat. "It''s just a scratch, right? We can figure this out." He smiled nervously, trying to calm the situation. But the young man wasn''t having any of it. He grabbed Karl by the collar, yanking him forward aggressively. "A scratch? Do you even know how much this car costs? I could have you working for the rest of your miserable life to pay for this, you idiot!" "Ugh..." Karl winced, struggling to break free from the young master''s grip. "Look, I don''t want any trouble, alright? Just calm down and¡ª" Before Karl could finish, a sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Stop it!" Both men turned to see a police officer walking towards them. Enjoy more content from m-v l''-NovelFire.net She was tall and confident, her uniform crisp and her gaze steady. Her long hair was tied back in a tight bun, and her badge gleamed under the afternoon sun. The young master''s grip on Karl''s collar loosened slightly as she approached. The officer looked between them, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. "What''s going on here?" The young master immediately puffed out his chest, pointing at the scratch on his car. "This idiot crashed into my car, and he''s acting like it''s no big deal!" Lin wanruo glanced at the damage, her expression neutral. "I see. And does kicking his car solve anything?" The young master scowled but stayed silent, clearly irritated at being called out. Karl, still straightening out his shirt, muttered, "Thanks, officer. I was just trying to explain¡ª" The officer held up a hand, silencing him. "Let''s handle this the right way. Papers, both of you. We''ll file a report and sort this out properly." She glanced at the young master, her tone firm. "And no more kicking." Lin Wanruo stood beside the taxi, writing up the accident report with swift, precise movements. Her face was expressionless. She couldn''t help but reflect on how her life had taken such a drastic turn. After the fiasco in Camphrian City, she was thrown out for trying to wield her family''s influence due to her recklessness. But she managed to land an officer''s job here in the main city. She had hoped the change would provide a fresh start. However, the weight of her carrier''s taint and the memories of Camphrian City lingered. As she finished writing up the ticket, she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Hey, aren''t you from the Lin family?" Her hand froze mid-motion. She turned slowly, already dreading what was coming. Standing there, the young master who had been yelling at Karl earlier was now looking at her with a sly grin. "Yes, I am," she replied, her voice carefully controlled. She had just been recognized on her first day on duty. The young man let out a low chuckle, leaning casually against his car. "You still have that habit of playing police and thief, huh?" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His smirk widened, clearly enjoying himself. "Don''t you remember me? I''m the son of your father''s secretary." Wanruo''s eyes darkened, and her jaw clenched tightly. She remembered all too well. His father had been one of the few people to help her after the debacle in Camphrian City. Now his son was standing in front of her, trying to toy with her. Her father, the patriarch of the Lin family, had been furious on her, but with the help of his secretary, she had managed to escape most of the repercussions. Still, the last thing she needed now was trouble with this brat. "Of course," she muttered through gritted teeth. "How could I forget?" The young man smiled, satisfied with her reaction. "Good. Just try not to go too hard on me. My old man wouldn''t like it." He gave her a wink, completely unaware of how her fists were trembling, barely holding back her frustration. Wanruo took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain composure. She turned sharply towards Karl, her expression suddenly hardening. "Can''t you drive safely?" she snapped, her tone far more aggressive than it had been earlier. Chapter 112: Chapter112- Wanruo (2) "...huh?" Karl, who had been nervously standing nearby, blinked in confusion. The sudden change in her attitude caught him off guard. He had noticed the exchange between her and the young master, and now it all made sense. She was part of a wealthy family, and the young man had recognized her. He figured it was best not to get involved, and so, without much thought, he quickly bowed his head in apology. "I''m sorry, officer," Karl stammered, bending his head further in a show of submission. Just as he did, he felt a firm hand grip his shoulder. He looked up, startled, only to find Damien standing beside him, his face an unreadable mask of cold fury. His eyes locked onto Lin Wanruo''s, and the intensity in his gaze made the air feel thick. "Pathetic," Damien said, his voice low and sharp like the edge of a blade. "Using your influence to wear that uniform and torment poor people instead of rich ones. You''re as always a hypocritical bitch." Lin Wanruo''s heart raced as her mind spiraled, memories of the previous night flooding her thoughts. Damien. The name reverberated in her mind, each syllable a stinging reminder of how everything had gone wrong because of him. Her vision blurred with the rage boiling inside her, recalling how she was blamed for his kidnapping, how he twisted events to make her seem like the villain. And worst of all, she had lost her position in Camphrian City¡ªbitten by the very system she had trusted, thrown away like a useless tool. Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, a sudden sting of pain not enough to bring her back to reality. Her blood boiled, and without another thought, she screamed, "DAMIEN!!" The name escaped her lips like a furious roar, her anger fully consuming her now. In a blind surge of emotion, she reached for her gun, ripping it from her holster, flipping off the safety without a second thought. Procedures be damned¡ªshe wasn''t thinking. She couldn''t think. All she wanted was for him to suffer. Her hands shook as she aimed the gun directly at Damien, every fiber of her being wanting to pull the trigger. It was his fault she had lost everything. He was the reason she was disgraced, stripped of her title. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And now, here he was, standing right in front of her, like a walking reminder of her failure. Just as her finger inched towards the trigger, ready to send a bullet through him, Damien moved. With a quick and calculated motion, he grabbed the young man who had been antagonizing her earlier, pulling him directly in front of his own body like a human shield. "Don''t," Damien warned, his cold eyes locking with hers, a smirk playing on his lips. Wanruo''s breath caught in her throat. Her finger froze, mere millimeters from squeezing the trigger. Her rage battled with the sudden realization of what would happen if she fired. The young man, a spoiled brat from a well-connected family, stood between them now, his wide, terrified eyes staring back at her. She couldn''t shoot. Not without consequences. But the madness, the fury in her mind didn''t subside. Bang! The sound echoed through the street like a clap of thunder. Wanruo''s heart stopped as her eyes darted to Damien, then to the young man. Her grip on the gun slackened as she stared in disbelief at what had just unfolded. She didn''t even pull the damn trigger! The young man stood still for a split second, his eyes widening in shock and confusion. "Khwackk!" Then, as if his body realized what had happened before his mind could catch up, his legs buckled. He stumbled, his knees giving way, and he collapsed to the ground. THUD Blood pooled beneath him, soaking the pavement, as his hand instinctively reached for his chest, where the bullet had struck near his heart. Damien stood there, unfazed, watching the scene unfold with an unsettling calm. His eyes flickered with amusement as the young man gasped for air, his life slipping away with each ragged breath. "H...elp..." The smirk on Damien''s face grew wider as he glanced at Lin, his expression unreadable. "How could you kill someone like this, Wanruo?" Damien said, his voice cold and taunting. Wanruo''s world spun. The gun felt heavy in her hand, her mind unable to process what had just happened. She had been seconds away from pulling the trigger herself, but now... Now, it was all chaos. The young man lay dying at her feet, and Damien¡ªhe hadn''t even flinched. Damien, with a cool demeanor, turned towards Karl. "Phone," he said, his voice steady but commanding. Karl, still shaken by the chaos around him, fumbled in his pockets before quickly handing it over without a word. He didn''t need to ask why or for what purpose¡ªthere was something about Damien that demanded compliance in these moments. But Karl, despite his own unease, couldn''t stand idle. His gaze shifted to the young man lying on the ground, bleeding and gasping for breath. His humanity took over as panic gripped him¡ªsomeone was dying, and no one else was moving to help. Without a second thought, Karl sprinted towards the fallen man, his instincts kicking in. He knelt down, struggling to lift the man''s weight, but finally managed to haul him into the backseat of his blood-stained taxi. The crimson stain quickly spread across the upholstery, but Karl didn''t care. His focus was singular¡ªsaving a life. It wasn''t about wealth, status, or who this young man was. He was simply a human being in need, and Karl couldn''t stand the thought of watching him die on the pavement. With a glance over his shoulder towards Damien, Karl jumped back into the driver''s seat. The engine roared to life, and with tires screeching against the asphalt, the taxi sped off, the sound of the engine growing fainter as it vanished into the distance. The faint echoes of the engine eventually disappeared, leaving the street eerily quiet. Damien, still holding the phone, turned to look at Wanruo. She stood frozen, her body rigid and her wide eyes locked onto the gun in her trembling hands. Her mind was blank, unable to process the chaotic events that had just unfolded. She had lost control, her judgment clouded by rage, and now¡ªnow she was lost in the aftermath. "Pfft." Damien chuckled, the sound soft but mocking, cutting through the silence like a blade. His amusement was evident as he observed her, the same Lin Wanruo who once tried to wield her family''s power against him, now reduced to this¡ªa broken mess, stunned by her own recklessness. Without missing a beat, he calmly dialed a number on Karl''s phone. Holding it to his ear, his voice came out smooth and casual, as if he were calling an old friend. "Hello," he began, pausing for a moment. "I''m calling from, uh, Street 14, just near the old market." Find adventures at m_v l|e-NovelFire.net "You might want to send some officers over." He smiled, watching as Wanruo''s eyes flickered in his direction, still struggling to grasp what he was doing. "It seems," he continued, his tone dripping with amusement, "Officer Lin Wanruo has just shot an innocent citizen." "Better hurry." "You don''t want a scandal, right?" He ended the call with a satisfied smirk, casually slipping the phone back into his pocket as if nothing had happened. Then he left the place, given that there were cameras and people around to provide eyewitness accounts, and he couldn''t be bothered for now. He left behind Lin Wanruo, who stood with her gun slipping from her hand. It fell as she kept looking, not realizing that mid-air her gun had suddenly been switched by Damien. And then it was the gun that he had gotten from that guard whom he had killed in Raphael Mansion. Chapter 113: Chapter 113 - Akira vs. Damien (1) Damien walked down the street, the cool evening air brushing against his face as he gripped Karl''s phone in one hand, spinning it idly between his fingers.He strolled along, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he dialed a familiar number. After a few rings, the line picked up, and a sharp, irritated voice filled the silence. "Hello? Who the hell is this?" Damien chuckled under his breath. The voice belonged to none other than Natasha. She hadn''t forgotten him, it seemed¡ªno surprise, considering their rather¡­ unconventional first meeting. "Well, well," he said smoothly, letting his voice carry the same easy confidence that had gotten under her skin last time. "If it isn''t the woman with the sharp tongue. Miss me?" There was a pause on the other end, and Damien could almost hear her grinding her teeth. "Miss you? Are you serious right now? Who are you, and why the hell are you calling me?" He smiled, amused by her anger. "You wound me, truly. But let''s not pretend you''ve forgotten. I''m the guy you threatened to slap the last time we met. Ring any bells?" Her response was immediate, laced with frustration. "Oh, you. The creep who thought it was cute to suggest we¡ª" she paused, probably biting back the memory of his inappropriate comment, "sleep together¡ªat our first meeting. You''ve got some nerve calling me again." Damien chuckled, unfazed by her fury. He could almost picture her pacing on the other side of the call, her fists clenched, anger radiating off her. "I''ve been told I have a certain charm," he said, his tone playful yet deliberate. "But I''ll admit, my approach might''ve been a bit¡­ bold last time. I''ll make it up to you. How about we start over?" "Start over?" she practically spat the words out. "You think I want to hear anything from you after that? What kind of man opens with that?" Damien''s grin widened as he walked, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator sizing up its prey. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "A confident one. But I''ll tell you what¡ªI''m more than just words, Natasha. How about we meet tonight? I''ll show you I''m not as bad as you think. No games. No¡­ propositions," he added, his tone suddenly dropping, sincere enough to catch her off guard. Her breath hitched slightly on the other end, and though her anger was still palpable, there was a beat of hesitation. "You''re really full of yourself, you know that?" she said, her voice softer but still tense. "You think I''m just going to let that slide?" "Of course not," Damien replied, his voice dripping with assurance. "But I figure a second chance wouldn''t hurt. You can yell at me in person if you like. I''m free tonight¡ªwhat do you say?" There was a long silence, the only sound being Damien''s footsteps as he neared the flower shop from the previous day. He could almost hear her weighing her options. Finally, Natasha spoke again, her voice resigned but curious. "And what makes you think I''ll show up?" Damien stopped in his tracks, a confident grin tugging at his lips. "Because you''re curious. Because even though I pissed you off, you know there''s something about me that you can''t quite shake. And because, deep down, you want to see if I''m all talk or if there''s more to me than what you saw last time." Her silence was telling, but it didn''t last long. "You''re insufferable, you know that? Fine. One drink. And if you even think about trying something¡ª" "Scout''s honor," Damien interrupted with a chuckle, raising his hand as if she could see it. "Just a drink. I''ll behave." "Doubt it," she muttered under her breath. "Alright, mystery man. But don''t make me regret it." "Wouldn''t dream of it," he replied smoothly, ending the call before she could change her mind. Pocketing Karl''s phone, Damien arrived outside the flower shop, the same quaint little place he''d visited yesterday. The warm light from inside illuminated the street, casting soft shadows around him. The bell above the flower shop door chimed as Damien stepped inside, the soft clink barely disturbing the otherwise quiet, late afternoon air. The elderly woman behind the counter didn''t look up immediately, but there was a slight shift in her posture. She knew who had entered. He could feel her sharp, observant gaze on him before she even turned her head. "Back again, are you?" Her voice was soft yet edged with curiosity, a subtle undertone laced with caution. "You certainly have a taste for flowers." Damien flashed a smile, the same calm and composed expression he''d worn yesterday, strolling over to the display with an almost casual elegance. "I can''t say no to beauty when it''s right in front of me," he replied smoothly, his fingers grazing lightly over the petals of a nearby rose. The old woman tilted her head, watching him with eyes that seemed to pierce through him, gauging every movement, every word. Her demeanor was as calm as his, but there was a keenness to her observation, a sharpness beneath the wrinkles and soft tone that suggested she was no ordinary shopkeeper. She stood still, her fingers tapping the counter rhythmically, as if she were waiting for something. "You''ve quite the eye for beauty," she remarked, her voice neutral, careful. "Strange for a man your age to spend so much time in a place like this." Damien didn''t miss a beat, his smirk deepening ever so slightly. "What can I say? Flowers have a way of drawing me in." The woman raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing just a fraction, as if weighing the truth behind his words. "Is it the flowers? Or something else?" Damien met her gaze without flinching, the atmosphere thickening slightly as they regarded each other, like two predators silently circling their prey, neither willing to show their cards too early. Your next chapter awaits on m v|l--NovelFire.net "I''ve never been one for ulterior motives," he said, his voice calm and composed. "If I wanted something, I''d ask for it." The old woman''s lips twitched into a faint smile, though her eyes remained watchful. "Is that so?" She knew better. Chapter 114: Chapter 114 - Akira vs. Damien (2) She had seen him the day before. His timing within the flower shop was completely accurate, coinciding with the library''s closing time, leaving no doubt he was waiting for her young miss.She hadn''t mentioned it then, but today, the air between them was charged, as if they both understood something was being left unsaid. She wasn''t one to pry, though. At least, not openly. "Strange," she continued, her voice as calm as his. "I would''ve thought a man so keen on beauty would''ve stayed a little longer yesterday. Perhaps you were waiting for something¡ªor someone?" Damien chuckled softly, running his thumb across the stem of a lily, his gaze never leaving her. "I''ve learned that patience is a virtue. But I wasn''t waiting for anyone in particular." A lie, perhaps. But a lie well-delivered. His words hung in the air, deliberately ambiguous, and the old woman could feel the faint shift in his energy. She couldn''t place it entirely¡ªhis internal power was weak, barely noticeable beyond the level of body refinement. For someone with as little cultivation as him, he carried himself with an unusual confidence. She glanced at the flowers he was admiring, her thoughts whirling behind those sharp eyes of hers. "Most men who come in here are looking for something. A gift, perhaps. A reason to linger." Damien tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "And here I thought you''d take me for a man who enjoys the simple pleasures." The woman''s smile didn''t quite reach her eyes. "Men like you don''t often appreciate simplicity. You strike me as someone who enjoys¡­ complexity." They were fencing now, each word carefully chosen, each tone measured. Damien continued to appear unbothered, as though this exchange was merely part of the routine, but the tension between them lingered, a silent dance of observation and suspicion. He was no fool, and neither was she. He turned his gaze back to the flowers, plucking the lily he had been eyeing. "This one," he said, holding it up for her to see. "How much?" The old woman didn''t answer right away, her eyes narrowing slightly as if still trying to probe deeper into his intent. She could sense nothing unusual from him, no hidden strength or suppressed energy that would hint at him being more than what he appeared to be¡ªa man with weak cultivation. If anything, his presence was underwhelming. But there was something else. His composure. His confidence. A man who was low on internal energy really shouldn''t consider being with a young lady who''s so strong that she would totally overshadow him. But whatever, both women finally felt relieved, thinking that maybe her doubts were just hollow. And this young man didn''t possess any considerable strength, prompting her to just calmly add, "12 NR." And as she did, he paid and took the flower before turning to leave. "Huh? Are you not going to wait?" all the women looking at his departing back inquired, feeling that if he was not going to stay here and was leaving the place, unlike what she had anticipated, he was here to meet her young miss. "What? Why? I have a date with a woman tonight," Damien raised an eyebrow, feeling confused, though of course he just showed it on the surface while inwardly he knew very well what he needed to do in hope of dealing with someone holding so much strength. "I see...." As Damien departed, the old woman''s keen eyes followed him to the door. She caught sight of the faintest, almost imperceptible grin playing on his lips just as he exited the shop¡ªa subtle expression that, despite her sharp senses, went unnoticed by her outward focus. For someone who barely registered beyond body refinement, he had a presence that lingered. He hadn''t stayed, hadn''t waited for the young miss as she had assumed. Five minutes ticked by, and she mulled over the brief interaction. He had come and gone. The old woman couldn''t shake the feeling that something about him was not as it seemed. While his cultivation level was low, his control of the situation was unsettlingly high, as though he was playing a game on a board she couldn''t yet see. Just then, the bell above the door chimed again. The old woman straightened reflexively, pushing aside her suspicions for now as her young miss, Akira, entered the shop. Wheeled in by her attendant, the girl appeared regal and composed as ever, her sharp eyes immediately scanning the room, taking in the details. Akira''s gaze paused, narrowing as she surveyed the flower shop. Her expression cooled noticeably when she realized the young man from the previous day¡ªDamien¡ªwasn''t present. She expected him here, it seemed. "He didn''t come today," Akira remarked, her voice low but laden with expectation. Her eyes flicked toward the old woman as if searching for confirmation. Explore hidden tales at m,v l''-NovelFire.net The old woman, sensing the young miss''s unspoken question, quickly replied, "No, young miss. He indeed came earlier¡ªjust left five minutes ago." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Akira''s lips twisted slightly in response, not quite a frown but more of an acknowledgment. She was piecing something together in her mind, and the old woman could sense it. "Hmm, I see," Akira mused, her voice calm but with a glint of amusement in her eyes. "So, he''s trying to make me curious." Akira was not easily ruffled. She saw through Damien''s tactic immediately. The old push-and-pull, leaving just enough absence to create intrigue. It was a common strategy, one that many had tried on her before. But in the end, they found themselves in some butcher house or cemetery getting slaughtered or burned alive. This was more amusing than threatening. She knew the game, and she had no intention of falling for such a shallow ploy. "He thinks by not being here, I''ll wonder where he is," Akira said softly, more to herself than to anyone else. "He thinks he can draw me in, make me conscious of his presence without actually being here. A classic push-and-pull." The old woman raised an eyebrow but said nothing, merely listening. Chapter 115: Chapter 115 - Akira vs. Damien (3) "But¡­" Akira''s voice shifted, a playful lilt to it."It won''t work. Not on me. He''s trying to make me curious, to wonder what he''s up to. But I already know what he''s doing." She leaned back slightly in her wheelchair, her hands resting gracefully on the armrests as she considered Damien''s actions. The old woman could see the wheels turning in Akira''s mind¡ªthis wasn''t a situation that had taken her by surprise. If anything, she seemed pleased by the turn of events, intrigued by Damien''s boldness. "So, what did he say?" Akira asked, her tone now casual but probing. She wasn''t worried; she was merely curious about the details of Damien''s latest move. The old woman, still keenly observant, offered a small smile as she replied, "He mentioned he''s going on a date tonight." Akira''s eyes narrowed at those words, though the flicker of emotion that passed through her gaze was well-hidden. A date? Good job, Damien Raphael, she thought. That''s unexpected. But we''re heading in the right direction. It was an unexpected move, one designed to provoke a reaction, likely an attempt to use jealousy to his advantage. But Akira saw it for what it was¡ªa carefully calculated play meant to test her response. She wasn''t fooled by it. If anything, she found it amusing. Damien was sharper than most, it seemed. Known for his lack of intellect in public circles, here he was adjusting his strategy, learning her personality in just a single day. Akira''s lips curled into a smile, one full of quiet satisfaction. Interesting. ''He''s making me work a little.'' Good. ''I''ll play along.'' Without missing a beat, she looked at her attendant and said, "Lily, keep an eye on him." The young woman holding the wheelchair blinked, slightly taken aback. "You wish to watch him, young miss?" "Of course," Akira replied smoothly. "But make sure he knows you''re watching. Drop a hint here and there. Let him think he''s the one trapping me in his game. It''ll be fun to see how far he thinks he''s in control." The young woman gave a small nod, understanding Akira''s intention perfectly. The young miss was letting Damien think he was hunting, while in reality, she was allowing herself to be pursued, only to spring her own trap when the time came. Akira was no ordinary prey¡ªshe was toying with the hunter, letting him believe he was the one in control. Akira smiled again, inwardly amused. She had no intention of falling for Damien''s trick, but she appreciated his effort. "It''s going to be an interesting game, Damien Raphael. Let''s see how far you''re willing to go." The old woman quietly marveled at the young miss''s foresight. Damien may have thought he was manipulating the situation, but Akira was always ten steps ahead. And so, the game continued. . . . . . . . The attendant, Lily, sat in the corner of the cafe, her petite figure almost hidden behind the oversized menu. With her short hair falling across her forehead, she occasionally glanced toward Damien and Natasha, though her disinterest was obvious. She knew what Damien was up to. This was nothing more than a predictable strategy to rattle her young miss, Akira. He thought playing games with another woman would somehow push Akira to react. But Akira was too sharp for such trivial tactics, and Lily knew it. She picked at her food, more focused on the taste than on Damien''s antics. Her eyes lazily flickered in his direction from time to time, not to truly keep watch but to give the illusion that she was keeping an eye on him. In truth, she couldn''t care less about whatever show he was putting on with Natasha. "Who would even bother keeping an eye on this idiot?" she thought, stuffing another piece of chicken into her mouth. Lily''s indifference was almost palpable, and as time passed, she noticed Damien and Natasha stand up. Natasha looked furious, her clenched fists and fiery glare directed at Damien. Whatever had just happened between them, it clearly hadn''t gone well. Lily sighed, rolling her eyes. "Drama again," she muttered under her breath. But as Natasha stormed off, closely followed by Damien, something stirred inside Lily. She was meant to be keeping an eye on them, after all, if only for appearances. And with Akira''s instructions clear, she couldn''t just sit back now that they were heading somewhere private. Reluctantly, she stood up, a chicken leg still in her hand. She took a last, longing look at her plate¡ªthree full meals, seven chicken buckets¡ªbarely halfway through her feast. Irritated at being disturbed mid-meal, she tossed her napkin on the table, muttering to herself. "Of course, they couldn''t wait until I was done eating." Throwing some cash on the table, Lily hurriedly followed behind them, her movements swift but purposeful. Damien and Natasha disappeared down the hallway toward the hotel rooms, and Lily tracked them silently until she saw them enter room number 107. She knew better than to directly follow them into the room. Instead, she casually entered the adjacent room, number 106, glad to finally have a moment to herself. She threw herself onto the bed, sinking into the mattress with a sigh, but it was short-lived. The curiosity was killing her, and Akira would expect a full report, even if she had no personal interest in whatever nonsense Damien was pulling. Without thinking much, she slammed her fist against the wall between the rooms. Placing her ear against it, she realized the walls were soundproof, much to her annoyance. "Well, that''s just perfect," she muttered sarcastically. Not one to be outdone, Lily noticed the open balcony connected to both rooms. Lily crouched on the balcony, peeking through the crack in the door as her eyes adjusted to the dim light inside the room. What she saw made her pause mid-bite on the chicken leg she''d taken with her. Pah pah pah Damien was on top of Natasha, pinning her down on the bed with a forceful grip, his body moving in a steady, relentless rhythm. Natasha''s legs were wrapped tightly around his waist, her back arched as she moaned out loud, her voice breaking the room''s silence. "Ahn...Ungh....Hngh!!" Her nails dug into his back as she gasped for air, each of Damien''s thrusts making her entire body jerk up in response. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her closer each time with an intensity that made it clear he was in full control. The woman''s moans echoed louder, filling the room as her head tilted back, lost in the moment. Lily blinked, tilting her head to one side, still chewing the piece of chicken in her mouth. "Is he a rabbit or something?" she muttered under her breath, her tone flat, unimpressed despite the scene unfolding in front of her. Damien''s movements were strong and relentless, his muscles flexing as he pounded into Natasha¡ªthough Lily didn''t know her name yet, who writhed beneath him, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Every time she moaned, it sounded more desperate, more uncontrolled. "AHNN...IEEEK!" Natasha cried, her voice trembling. Lily rolled her eyes, taking another bite of chicken and leaning lazily against the wall. Discover hidden tales at mvl The way Damien''s body moved¡ªit wasn''t just the speed, but the way he maintained such precision, such focus with each movement. Natasha''s hands clawed at the sheets, her voice filled with pleading as Damien grunted softly in response, tightening his hold on her. "S-stop!? Too fast...Ahn, Anhggh!" Lily sighed, shaking her head. "Definitely a rabbit," she muttered again, tossing the chicken bone aside. Chapter 116: Chapter 116- Natasha (1) Damien entered the caf¨¦, scanning the room as the faint smell of fresh coffee and pastries filled the air.Spotting Natasha seated by the window, he noticed the cold, piercing glare she shot his way as she sat stiffly in her chair, her arms crossed in front of her. She looked ready to lash out the moment he got close enough. He approached her table, the bouquet in his hand seeming out of place in the tense atmosphere. Without hesitation, he sat down, meeting her gaze without flinching. Natasha didn''t waste time with pleasantries. "Why did you call me here, Damien?" she asked, her voice sharp, barely contained fury simmering beneath her calm exterior. Damien leaned back in his chair, his expression almost nonchalant. "I thought you''d want to hear more about the deal we discussed last night." Natasha''s eyes narrowed. "The deal? You said it was a fake one, didn''t you?" Her tone was accusatory, but there was a flicker of curiosity behind her guarded anger. "That''s right," Damien said calmly. "I fed Ye Fan the wrong information about the government project, making him think the land was a prime investment. He''s already moving to secure it, unaware that he''s walking into a trap." She stared at him, suspicion clouding her thoughts. "And what do you gain from telling me this? What''s your angle, Damien?" Damien''s lips curled into a small smile. "I want your trust." Natasha scoffed, folding her arms even tighter. "Trust? From you? I have a hard time believing that''s all you want." He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "I need the help of the Ye Fan family," he said, his gaze locking with hers. Her expression shifted slightly, confusion flickering across her face. "Why? What could possibly make you¡ª" "Because," Damien interrupted, his eyes darkening as he spoke, "my name is Damien Raphael." The moment the words left his lips, Natasha froze, her eyes widening. The Raphael family? She had heard the name before¡ªspecifically, the infamous black sheep of the family. Damien Raphael was considered worthless, a man cast aside for his lack of accomplishments in a family renowned for their power and influence. But looking at him now, the air of casual confidence, the calculating mind he had just displayed... He didn''t seem like the weak heir she had heard about. She quickly composed herself, masking her surprise. "Raphael?" she repeated cautiously, her mind racing to process this new revelation. "You''re that Damien? The one everyone in your family wrote off as useless?" Damien''s expression didn''t change, though his eyes gleamed slightly. "Appearances can be deceiving, Natasha. I''ve spent a long time playing the role I needed to play." Enjoy more content from mvl Natasha leaned back in her chair, studying him carefully. Her anger hadn''t faded, but now it was mixed with caution, curiosity, and a healthy dose of doubt. "What exactly do you want from me, Damien?" she asked slowly. "If you''re so connected, why would you need someone like me?" Damien''s smile widened slightly. "You''re stuck, aren''t you? At your current level. No matter how hard you''ve tried, you haven''t been able to surpass Ye Fan. His talent, his strength... it overshadows you." Her breath hitched, and she tensed visibly. He was right, but she hated admitting it. Her cousin Ye Fan had always outclassed her, not just in family matters but in cultivation as well. No matter how much effort she put in, she was stuck at the Core Formation stage. She could never make the leap to Golden Core like him. "How do you know that?" she demanded, her tone biting but laced with uncertainty. Damien leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Because I can help you," he said. "I know exactly why you haven''t been able to advance." Natasha''s heartbeat quickened, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Help me how? What do you know?" "I know what''s blocking you from forming your Golden Core," Damien said, his voice smooth, calculated. "And I have a way to remove that block." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She stared at him, torn between disbelief and a flicker of hope that she tried desperately to suppress. She had heard countless promises of help before, all of them worthless. But there was something about the way Damien spoke¡ªcalm, confident, as if he knew exactly what he was talking about. "And what''s in it for you?" she asked, her tone still guarded. Damien''s smirk didn''t fade. "I told you, Natasha. I need your trust. Help me take down Ye Fan, and I''ll help you surpass him in ways you never thought possible." Natasha clenched her fists under the table, her mind spinning. Could she really trust him? "I am listening," Natasha inquired, prepared to hear him. Damien leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper as he uttered the words that sent Natasha''s heart racing with anger. "Dual cultivation." Her eyes widened, and her fists clenched beneath the table. She felt the surge of her internal energy building, instinctively preparing to lash out at him, but the crowded caf¨¦ restrained her. She couldn''t cause a scene here, not with so many eyes watching. Her breath was shallow, controlled, as she narrowed her gaze at Damien, who sat so calmly as if he hadn''t just suggested the most ridiculous thing. "You''re out of your mind," Natasha hissed, her voice low but seething with barely restrained fury. "You think I''d lower myself to something like that with you?" Damien, unfazed by her response, kept his eyes locked on hers. "You want to surpass Ye Fan, don''t you? You want to break free of the limitations holding you back. This is the way." Natasha''s mind spun. It wasn''t as though she hadn''t heard of dual cultivation before¡ªit was a well-known technique practiced in most of the cultivation families, a method for combining energy between two partners to accelerate their cultivation. But the issue was that there wasn''t anyone who knew exactly how to practice this technique. It was a lost art, given that the present world had already cut off the path to ascension. There weren''t many techniques or even legacies left behind for them to get their hands on, other than what was passed down from ancestors. She wasn''t going to do this at all. But yet¡­ his words lingered. She thought of Ye Fan, her arrogant cousin, and how no matter how hard she tried, she could never match his talent. The way her father''s gaze would always flicker to him, comparing them. Natasha had spent years trying to prove herself, but she was stuck. If Damien was telling the truth¡­ "What makes you think I''d trust you?" Natasha said coldly, though she wasn''t quite able to hide the faint flicker of doubt creeping in. "You could be lying, trying to manipulate me for your own gain." Damien shrugged, still calm, still composed. "If I wanted to manipulate you, I wouldn''t need to suggest this. I''d simply let Ye Fan keep rising, and you would be stuck where you are. This is an opportunity, Natasha, one you can''t afford to ignore." She stared at him, her anger bubbling beneath the surface, but there was something else¡ªsomething she hated to admit. His offer, as insane as it sounded, was the first real option she''d had in years to break free of her limitations. She could feel her internal energy swirling, her body torn between the deep resentment she felt toward him and the gnawing frustration of her own inadequacies. "What if you''re lying?" she muttered, her voice low as she stood abruptly, pushing her chair back. "What if this is just another one of your tricks?" Damien rose from his seat as well, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "If I''m lying, you can kill me yourself. Wouldn''t you enjoy that?" Natasha''s heart pounded as she considered his words. Kill him? She wasn''t sure if that would solve anything, but she needed a solution, and this was her only chance. She gritted her teeth, her decision already made as much as she hated to admit it. "Fine," she snapped. "Let''s see if you''re telling the truth." Chapter 117: Chapter 117- Dual Cultivation They left the caf¨¦, Damien leading the way as they moved through the corridors of the adjoining hotel.Natasha''s mind raced as they approached the room he had booked. She followed behind, her eyes locked on his back, her fists clenched at her sides. The walls felt like they were closing in on her as her anger simmered. Damien opened the door, stepping inside first. Natasha hesitated for a moment, her chest rising and falling with sharp breaths, before following him into the dimly lit room. The door clicked shut behind them, the silence hanging heavy in the air. She turned to face him, her eyes burning with suspicion. "What if this doesn''t work?" she demanded. "What if you''re just another liar?" Damien stepped closer, his presence looming but not threatening. "If I''m lying, you can kill me right here," he said softly, his voice firm, "but if I''m not, you''ll finally have what you''ve been chasing for so long." Natasha''s mind screamed at her to turn back, to walk out the door and never see him again, but her body didn''t move. She couldn''t afford to ignore this, not if there was even the slightest chance it was real. Her fingers moved to the buttons of her shirt, each one feeling heavier than the last. She was doing this for herself, for her future. That was all. As her clothes slid to the floor, Damien''s eyes remained steady, his gaze unwavering but not lecherous. Natasha felt a surge of internal energy swirling within her as she stood before him, her bare skin prickling in the cool air. "You better not be lying," she whispered harshly. Natasha stood before Damien, her hands trembling slightly as she unbuttoned her shirt, the fabric falling away with each motion, revealing her bare skin beneath. She felt her breath quicken, her heart thudding in her chest as the reality of what she was about to do set in. She wasn''t doing this because she wanted to¡ªthis wasn''t love or even lust. This was about power. This was her only chance to catch up to Ye fan, her talented cousin, who had overshadowed her for years. Damien watched her, his eyes calm and unreadable, as if he had all the time in the world. "You don''t have to do this if you don''t want to," he said, but there was a challenge in his tone, as if he knew exactly what choice she would make. Natasha glared at him, hating that smug look. She finished stripping down, letting her clothes fall to the floor until she stood completely naked before him. "I don''t have a choice," she muttered, her voice cold. Damien stepped forward, his hands reaching out to touch her waist, his fingers brushing lightly over her skin. "You always have a choice," he whispered, his breath hot against her neck as he moved closer, his body pressing against hers. She could feel his hardness through his pants, the heat radiating from him making her body react despite herself. "Then why don''t you get on with it?" she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended, but her body was betraying her. She hated the way his touch sent shivers down her spine, the way her pulse quickened just being near him. [ Use of Love Maker profession (Level 1) detected ] [ Dual Cultivation (Level 1) activated ] Without another word, Damien unzipped his pants, letting them fall to the floor. He stood before her, fully erect, and for a moment, Natasha hesitated, her eyes widening at his size. She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the unease. This was her first time, and she hadn''t expected this. Damien moved toward her, his hands on her hips, guiding her backward until her legs hit the edge of the bed. "Lie down," he ordered, his voice low, filled with an authority she couldn''t ignore. Natasha swallowed hard and did as he said, lying back on the bed, her legs parting slightly as he climbed on top of her. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His hands roamed her body, his fingers grazing her breasts before moving lower, between her thighs. She gasped at the contact, her body tensing instinctively. "Relax," Damien muttered, his fingers teasing her entrance, feeling how wet she had become. "You''ll enjoy this more if you don''t fight it." She hated him for saying that, but she couldn''t deny the warmth spreading through her. His fingers slid inside her, making her arch her back slightly, her breath catching in her throat. She wasn''t ready for this, not mentally, but her body had other ideas. Damien positioned himself between her legs, his cock pressing against her opening. Pah Natasha tensed again, her heart racing as he slowly pushed inside her. "Nngh¡­ ahh¡­ mmm..." She let out a sharp gasp as he filled her, her body stretching to accommodate him. The pain was sharp, almost unbearable, but she bit her lip, refusing to make a sound. "Ghh¡­" Damien groaned, his hands gripping her hips tightly as he thrust deeper, his cock fully inside her now. "You''re tight." "Ahh¡­ mmm¡­" Natasha winced, her nails digging into the sheets as she tried to adjust to the sensation. "Just¡­ do it," she whispered, her voice strained. Damien smirked, his hips pulling back before slamming into her again, harder this time. "Ahh¡­ ooh¡­ mmm¡­" Natasha cried out, her body jolting with the force of his thrusts. The pain began to fade, replaced by something else, something hotter and more intense. He moved faster, his cock driving into her over and over, each thrust making her moan despite herself. "Ahh¡­ mmm¡­ fff¡­" She hated how her body was responding, the way her hips were lifting to meet his movements, the pleasure building deep inside her. Damien leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. "You feel that, don''t you?" he whispered, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "This is what you wanted. Power." "Nnh¡­ mmm¡­ oohh¡­ahh" Natasha gasped, her body arching as he hit a spot inside her that sent a shockwave of pleasure through her. "Hngh...Ungh....Ahnn" She couldn''t stop the moan that escaped her lips, her legs wrapping around his waist instinctively. "Shut up," she muttered, her voice shaking. But Damien didn''t stop. He thrust into her harder, deeper, his cock filling her completely. His hands gripped her thighs, pulling her closer, making sure she felt every inch of him. "You''re going to beg me to keep going," he growled, his hips slamming into her. "Ieeekk!?" Natasha''s breath hitched, her hands moving to his back, her nails digging into his skin as he pounded into her. The pleasure was overwhelming now, her body trembling as she got closer to the edge. "Ahh¡­ ooh¡­ mmm¡­" She hated that he was right, that she was enjoying this more than she thought possible. "Damien¡­" she gasped, her body tensing as she felt herself nearing release. "Let go," Damien whispered, his voice rough as he thrust into her faster, harder, his cock hitting that perfect spot again and again. Natasha''s body tightened around him, her moans growing louder as she finally came, her orgasm crashing through her like a tidal wave. She cried out, her body shaking as Damien continued to fuck her, drawing out every last bit of her release. He wasn''t done, though. His pace didn''t slow, his cock still driving into her relentlessly. Natasha whimpered, her body sensitive, but she couldn''t stop the pleasure that kept building. She could feel him getting closer, his thrusts becoming more erratic. "Fuck¡­" Damien groaned, his hands gripping her hips as he pushed into her one last time, spilling inside her with a deep growl. He held her there, his cock pulsing as he emptied himself, his body trembling slightly. Natasha lay beneath him, her body limp, her mind spinning from the intensity of it all. She hated herself for enjoying it, hated him for being right. But the power¡­ she could feel it. This was the only way. Chapter 118: Chapter 118- Broke through Golden Core Realm The week blurred into an endless cycle of heat, sweat, and raw pleasure.Day after day, night after night, Natasa and Damien stayed locked inside the hotel room, the outside world forgotten. Their bodies became entwined in a dance of relentless passion, cultivating their essence through sheer physical endurance. Each session felt like an intense wave, pushing them further into realms of cultivation neither had anticipated reaching so quickly. On the first day, after hours of their bodies crashing together, Natasa lay back, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath. "I... I''m exhausted, Damien," she panted, her limbs trembling from the sheer exertion. Sweat glistened on her bare skin, pooling under the dim light of the room. But Damien was far from done. His golden eyes gleamed with determination. "We can''t stop now," he growled, sitting up and pulling her into his lap. "We''re close to breaking into the Qi Gathering Realm. We can do this." Despite her fatigue, something about his unwavering resolve pushed her to keep going. Her body responded instinctively to his touch, even as her mind screamed for rest. "Ahh... Damien¡­ I don''t know if I can¡ª" "You can. We can." His voice was commanding, but there was a raw desire under it, a hunger to push through every barrier. He kissed her neck, his hands gripping her hips, guiding her back onto him. Every session became a trial, a test of endurance and willpower. Their bodies were drenched in sweat, and muscles ached, but the promise of reaching the next cultivation realm spurred them on. After hours of pounding on that first day, they both felt the breakthrough¡ªDamien''s body began to refine itself, his energy flowing more freely, pushing him into the Qi Gathering Realm. Natasa''s moans echoed through the room as her body trembled in sync with his, their cultivation energies blending, fueling each other. By the third day, their routine had solidified. Eat, cultivate, rest, and repeat. Every time she thought they''d stop, Damien would shake his head, his voice steady but commanding. "We''re not done yet." "But... Damien¡­ ahh¡­ I can''t feel my legs¡­" Natasa whimpered, her body quivering with exhaustion as she clung to him, the strain of the last few days wearing on her. "You''ll feel them soon enough," Damien murmured, flipping her onto her stomach. He leaned over her, whispering into her ear, "We''ve only scratched the surface of the Foundation Establishment Realm. We push through this, and we''ll be stronger than anyone else." Natasa''s heart pounded as he moved behind her, and before she could protest further, the familiar rhythm started again. "Aahhh¡­ Damien¡­ ohhh¡­" The days melted together in a haze of moans, sweat, and raw, unrelenting force. Natasa''s body felt like it was on the verge of breaking, her cultivation energy swirling wildly as they pushed past limits she never thought possible. Every break they took was short-lived, filled with hurried bites of food and sips of water before Damien pulled her back into the frenzy. Even when she thought she couldn''t take another moment, he would look at her with that fierce, determined gaze. "We''re almost there. We''ll break through to the Golden Qi Realm tonight," he said, his voice gravelly and breathless after yet another round. Natasa could barely respond, her body trembling from the sheer exhaustion, but she nodded. She trusted him, even if her body was screaming for rest. By the seventh day, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a burst of energy surged through the room. Damien groaned, his entire body glowing with the light of the Golden Qi Realm. Natasa collapsed against him, her body trembling as she gasped for breath, knowing that they had finally done it. "We made it¡­" she whispered, her voice hoarse and tired. Damien, equally exhausted but triumphant, kissed her forehead. "We did. And we''re not stopping here." "I seem to have broken into the initial Golden Qi Realm," Natasha said as she seated herself, feeling the formation of a core inside her abdomen. Touching it cleared her mind, and she realized that she had finally achieved her goal. Of course, the greater benefit was for Damien, as he practically advanced from body refinement to the Golden Qi Realm in a single leap. ''Was dual cultivation always like this?'' Although Natasha had never heard of or seen exactly how dual cultivation worked, she at least knew the basic foundation: when someone breaks through a level, they need a certain amount of Ki to be absorbed to reach the threshold. Even if the Ki was flowing through his body and creating a false sensation that Qi was pulling and breaking his levels, it was still impossible for him to possess this much Ki at present, as if his body was meant for cultivation. "Let''s leave," Damien said, standing up and moving towards the door as he put on his clothes. He was clearly prepared to finally leave the hotel room, which had been booked for a whole week. Given that he had experienced a failure, he hoped to see how strong he had become. Additionally, he took the phone from Karl, thinking about what he would do if he used all the money. "Hm, what about your deals?" Natasha asked, recalling the deal he had mentioned with Yefan, which was fake¡ªa scam meant to deceive him. As she inquired, Damien looked at her with a smile. "Aren''t you a bit too curious?" He couldn''t help but notice how restless she was in her desire to learn about the deal, clearly intent on gathering information regarding the scam that Yefan was meant to fall victim to, thereby giving her a chance to support her father. Naturally, if Yefan was defrauded and lost his money for a certain period, and she demonstrated how she reached the Golden Qi Realm, then there was a chance that her grandfather would choose her father as the new head. . . . . . S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. . . . Lily''s legs shook as she trudged down the familiar path toward the Malhotra mansion, her thoughts still clouded by the relentless scenes she had witnessed over the week. The images of Damien and Natasha, their endless activity, were etched into her mind, making her body feel heavier with each step. Her thighs rubbed together involuntarily, her body betraying the emotions she was trying to suppress. She finally arrived at the grand estate, the towering gates swinging open with their usual silent grace. In the distance, she spotted Akira in the garden. At first, it seemed as though she was tending to the flowers, but a closer look revealed something far more unsettling. Akira was calmly burying a body, her movements precise and measured, as if this task were as simple as pruning a rosebush. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her face. Lily stumbled forward, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. She needed to report back. She cleared her throat, her voice raspy from lack of sleep. "My lady..." Akira didn''t look up immediately, taking her time as she finished smoothing the dirt over the grave. When she finally did turn to face Lily, her gaze was as cold and unreadable as always. "A whole week," she said, her voice soft but laced with sharpness. "You mean to tell me that Damien was in that hotel room for an entire week?" Lily''s breath hitched. She could still feel the heat of those moments, the raw intensity. "Y-Yes, my lady. A week... just him and Natasha. I¡ªI watched the entire time. They... never stopped." She shuddered, still feeling Damien''s relentless energy echo in her mind. "He''s like a machine... or a rabbit, a never-tiring beast." Akira''s expression didn''t shift, but there was a pause, a slight narrowing of her eyes. "So, he wasn''t buying that flower for me." Lily nodded weakly. "It was for her, my lady. He''s not even hiding it anymore. I''m sorry." Akira tilted her head slightly, her calculating gaze piercing through Lily. "So, after all of this, he was simply entertaining himself with her? That''s all it took for him to turn away?" Lily hesitated before collapsing onto the grass, her energy completely drained. "I... I don''t know what he''s thinking, my lady. But he never left that room. It was... endless." She rubbed her eyes, trying to push the images from her mind. "I''ve never seen anything like it. It was as if he was on a mission." Akira didn''t respond immediately, her thoughts hidden behind her calm exterior. She stepped away from the grave, dusting off her hands, her movements slow and deliberate. "You''ve done well, Lily. Rest now." Lily blinked up at her in surprise, her body too tired to even stand. "I... I hope you remember my sacrifice," she muttered, her voice trailing off as her eyes fluttered shut. Within moments, she had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep, her breathing slow and steady. Akira glanced down at her for a moment, then turned her attention back to the grave, her mind already returning to thinking about how interestingly Damien was calling her attention towards him, understanding that this was definitely unexpected. It was hard to doubt whether he really wanted to woo her or if it was just him acting like that with everything being just a coincidence. Chapter 119: Chapter 119- Princess Dreams (1) {:-It''s the memories that others will awaken; you can read it to know exactly what would have happened with the original Damien.}It has been 3 years since the destruction of Raphael Groups and the emergence of the Harrison family, which has since surpassed them in strength by a total margin of 10.3 billion NR. Today marks 5 years since the sole heir of Raphael Groups, Damien Raphael, lost his status as an heir. Subsequently, his stepsister received the family''s power, and he was then married to a woman from the Harrison family after being rejected by Amelia Crimwell, whom he had pursued for five years. And today marked the date of final closure of last remaining small Raphael group''s textile business. "Young Master, please escape this place," a woman with half-burned face, yet showing her once-beautiful milky white skin and plump bust in a black assassin dress, knelt in front of a malnourished man whose eyes reflected exhaustion. "N-no, Grandfather chose my sister, but she betrayed us. The most I could do is at least protect my mother''s last remaining house," seated on the chair with an exhausted expression, once called the incompetent heir of Raphaels¡ªDamien Raphael¡ªwas jotting down an application letter with trembling hands to none other than Amelia Crimwell. It was his last hope for her to purchase the last remaining wooden house which was being auctioned to provide compensation to investors. That house was where he had spent 7 years with his mother before she died. Trinnng Suddenly, a vibration from the nearby phone caused Damien''s eyes to turn towards a phone displaying an unknown number. He lifted the phone and answered, "Hello? Who is this?" "You idiot! Leave that place! Can''t you use your brain?!" boomed a womanly voice from the other end of the line, causing Damien''s exhausted eyes to widen before returning to their tired state. With a broken smile, he said, "It''s been five years since we last talked, Amelia." "Shut up, idiot. How could you be so stupid? Those people are coming for you. Leave right now!" The voice sounded urgent and warning, but Damien couldn''t help but grit his teeth, his eyes showing resignation to his fate. He added, "Why do you care? Wasn''t it you who told me to stay away from you? You never understood me, Amelia." "....Haah, really, Damien, can''t you see where you are today? I have everything now: money, status, and what I wanted. But you?" The voice seemed to sigh as it pointed out that the passage of time had brought her the choices and life she desired, causing Damien to look at his hands, now calloused unlike his old self when he belonged to the uncaring heir of the Raphael groups. "Yeah, you are right. Congratulations on marrying Edward, Amelia," Damien said, clenching his fist as he lifted his gaze towards the dimly lit room''s door. His face appeared lost, as if he had lost everything. "What? What marriage? Have you lost your¡ªBAM! " Before the words from the call could be completed, the door of the room burst open, shattering into several pieces. "Young mater!" The woman quickly moved her sword forward, blocking the pieces before they could hit the man directly. "Hahaha, so Vandiana panthera''s dog is still alive," boomed a voice from the silhouette standing with hands in pockets and kicking the door open with one leg. "Shut up!" The woman glared with her eyes filled with intense energy, her eyes turning red before launching herself while crying out, "You bastards would have never won if it weren''t for your backstabbing!" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hold her, Edward," the voice came from the shadow before a man launched from behind and kicked the woman directly with a flip, sending her hurling towards the wall. "Ugh?!" As she felt a powerful blow to her left side, the woman instinctively turned in that direction. Despite the impact, she managed to steady herself and counterattack with her sword, only for it to be ensnared in the gauntlet worn by Edward. "Don''t move, sweetheart. We just need to take care of that scumbag. You can leave after, or maybe we can have some fun first...your body could be just my type. Haha." A different man stepped up, his purple hair and eyes matching as he licked his tongue flirtatiously while eyeing the woman whose sword Edward had halted. "Young master! Run away!" Witnessing the arrival of three men¡ª Edward, the purple-haired man, and the mysterious shadow¡ªthe woman felt a strong sense of urgency to flee. She knew that their power levels far surpassed her own and even caused death of her Master, Vandiana Panthera. Despite the poisoning being carried out by none other than Sister of Damien Raphael. "No, Please you can kill me, leave her" A tired voice came from the direction that Woman was looking, only to see a man slowly rising from his seat, stumbling as he made his way towards her. He was holding a cane to support his prosthetic leg. Something that resulted from his actions was saving Vandiana from an accident, causing her to give this man her protection and ultimately making enemies of three men who ultimately killed her. Indeed, Vandiana Panthera, being protected in a car accident (even though she didn''t need it because of her cultivaion being on a nascent soul level), became interested in the brave man who protected her but lost his leg in that car accident. She decided to grant him her protection in return. Unfortunately, she met her demise due to the betrayal of the man''s sister, who had been plotting to destroy Raphael groups from the beginning. Even up to the very end, she refused to retract her words and remained poised as she allowed him and the other woman to escape, all while staying true to her promise and fighting these three in the poisoned state. ''I should have just died before'', Damien looked at all three of them with his broken body, unsure of what he had done to become their enemy. Either it was because he courted the woman for five years, whom that man loved, or if he got engaged to a woman from the Harrison family who manipulated him until the end, or if it was his own step-sister who destroyed her own family. Damien didn''t understand anything, but it was clear that if he died, everything would be better. Chapter 120: Chapter 120- Princess Dreams (2) "Pfftt, Hahaha, Why act like a hero when you''re going to die anyway?" The man with purple hair exclaimed as he clenched his stomach and laughed before wiping away his non-existent tears and looking at Damien."Damien, there''s no need to act like a hero. Start begging for your life now," Edward''s eyes blazed with anger as he spoke, his grip on the woman''s sword causing it to shatter. In one swift motion, he delivered a powerful punch to her stomach. "Ugh!" After depleting her internal energy to protect her abdomen, her dantian had already been burned as she pushed her fire Qi to its limit during her desperate escape from the previous battle, causing a weakened foundation. With a single punch, blood sprayed from her mouth. Edward retreating his fist caused the woman''s body to fall forward. As she succumbed to unconsciousness, she gestured for Damien to run away, saying, "Young mast..." "Do not hurt her!" Damien tried to move quickly towards her, causing his body to stumble and fall forward due to losing balance. Before he could fall, a hand grabbed his neck and lifted his body into the air. "Argh... Le-av--e h-er." Damien''s legs were flailing in the air, his eyes red from pain. He had a loosened grip, not even attempting to retaliate as if he had given up on his fate. He pleaded with the hidden figure before him. "Sigh, it''s not fun seeing him give up, should I undress her slowly or directly rip her clothes off in a fit of passion? I wonder what kind of reaction I''ll get..." The man with purple hair stepped forward, ruffling his hair, feeling bored as he noticed Damien was not pleading for his life or showing any resistance. This caused him to tilt his head and threaten him while pointing towards the unconscious woman. "....Y-you all w-ill di--e" Damien''s words were barely able to escape his throat as the grip around his neck tightened with each passing moment. Despite this, the only emotion he felt was a desire to give up on life while also wanting to see these three individuals suffer. "Yes, now it''s more like those weaklings who get crushed like ants and beg for someone else to provide justice. Keep doing it, I like it." The guy with purple hair approached Damien, sticking out his tongue and taunting him as he moved around. Damien was starting to lose his senses due to the suffocation. "Do not dare kill him." Suddenly, a woman''s voice boomed from the broken door, causing all of their eyes to glance in that direction. The man in the air, losing consciousness, felt his whole body burn the moment he caught sight of a woman with black hair and pink eyes. "Oh, isn''t it Ophelia Raphael?" The purple-haired guy watched as a woman walked elegantly towards Damien, causing him to feel a twitch in his groin area as he noticed her curves. A smile formed on his face as he moved towards the woman. "Approach within a meter and you will be killed.", Ophelia warned, halting and glaring towards Ye Fan, who stopped and sighed before shrugging his shoulders and retreating back with a smile. "....What did you want, Ophelia, my dear?" The shadow tilted his head and glanced at the woman who approached before stopping near him and looking at the dying man in silhouette''s hand. "There is no need to kill him." Ophelia looked at the shadow, her eyes appeared pinkish with a red hue in them, looking blankly at the shadow who kept looking at her before loosening his hand, causing Damien''s body to drop on the floor. "Haah....Haah...I don''t need your¡ªKugh!" Damien wanted to retaliate with his red eyes flashing at the woman, but she kicked him in the face, sending his body hurling towards the nearby wall as if he had no weight. But in truth, this was the strength of someone at the Golden Core realm level. "Khwaackk!?" Blood gushed out the moment his body collided with the wall before falling on the floor. His mind seemed to be shutting down after a surge of anger passed through him. "Do not act almighty when you are nothing more than an insect." Ophelia looked at Damien in disgust, feeling repulsed by the memories of his childish behavior while being manipulated by women like Luna Harrison or Amelia Crimwell. "Oh my, haha, You can''t be tough on your own brother Ophelia, pfft" Ye Fan came forward, feeling amused at the unexpected situation. Instead of showing sympathy after gaining cultivation strength, Ophelia just kicked her own brother. ''?!'' ''S-sister?'' The moment Ye Fan exposed that the woman Damien believed to be his step-sister was, in fact, his blood relative, Damien''s eyes widened, triggering a flood of thoughts that urged his failing body onwards as he questioned,"W-why?" "Tch, who told you to reveal this, Ye fan?" Ophelia rubbed her forehead in annoyance before kneeling down to Damien''s level, adding, "Indeed, I am your mother''s first child." "WHY?!" Damien lifted his head, not understanding why his supposed sister would destroy their own family and even go as far as to kill his grandfather, who had chosen her as the next heir. "Dumbfuck, do you think Mom died just because of some illness or accident?" Ophelia watched her brother as he lay dying, lifting her body and using her feet to push against his head. She then applied pressure with her legs, running them over his head while yelling. "It was you, Damien, who killed her!" "Urrgrhh...n-no" The man, being forced down, could not comprehend how he could possibly harm his mother. All his recollections consisted of precious moments spent together and being exceptionally cared for. "Sigh, Let me tell you something before killing you here", Her hands reached out to grab his hair, pulling his head up while he let out a pained groan from the twist. Ignoring his discomfort, she firmly held his chin in her hand, narrowing the distance between them before whispering, "You are the reason for her death. You see, I wouldn''t have pushed her that day if you didn''t exist." "Agghhh!" Damien''s eyes filled with tears, as if blood were streaming out, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain he had endured his entire life, now enhanced by this information. The woman standing before him, with a grin on her face, made it clear: his mother''s death in a pond was not an accident, but a cold-blooded murder. A murder at the hands of her own daughter, who was no more than 8 years old at that time. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 121 Chapter 121 - Princess Dreams (3) "How could you? HOW COULD YOU!" Damien cried out as his eyes turned red with anger, directed towards the woman who had just revealed the truth about his mother''s death."Huh? It''s because of you," Ophelia''s expression twisted as she observed the man, who had been behaving like an insect just a moment ago, now meeting her gaze. In a split second, her hand gripped his hair and swung his head towards the ground, causing his face to collide with the floor. "Kugh!" Damien''s face hitting the floor caused blood to splatter from his nostrils and broken nose bone. The force, inflicted by Ophelia, was only as strong as that of a normal adult male. She knew that any more force could potentially kill him. In the end, she was not here to kill the man today, but to confirm that after today''s events, the shadow did not back down from his promise to show her the path to immortality. "Tch, Just make him a Cauldron you wanted and give me what I want." Ophelia shook Damien''s chin to the side before backing away, feeling irritated by being reminded of her past. Looking down on the man one last time, she kicked him in the head, saying, "It all happened because of you, fool." "Kugh!..", With injuries already on his face, a heavy kick landed on his head, causing Damion''s body to hit the floor once again. He could hardly lift his fingers. "Heh, you are certainly a woman of words," the shadow said with a smirk as it moved towards Damien, reaching out to grab him by the hair once again. "Help me" "Huh?" Due to the sudden words coming from Damian''s mouth, Shadow halted and tilted his head in confusion, as did others in the room. Ye Fan stepped forward and remarked, "Has this fool completely lost it? Pfft." "I said, help me escape this place one last time," Damien called out, feeling his mind barely under control but still wanting to live just so he could take his revenge on the woman who killed his mother. He does not want to stay alive just to seek revenge on a few women or men who used him as a stepping stone, as their influence in his life was not important enough for him to even think about seeking revenge. In the end, one may have emotions like anger, revenge, and love towards those who hold value in one''s life, but for Damien, they were not deserving of his attention, leading him to accept death. However, he now wants to live and seek revenge on the woman who claimed to have killed his mother. "Haaah....The promise of my boss ends here, young master¡ªSWOOSH" Suddenly, all of the individuals in the room could see intense internal energy filling the space, causing their gazes to turn towards a woman who had been unconscious on the ground just moments before. Now, she was slowly standing up, her entire body turning red with burning flames covering her skin, as if she was slowly turning into ashes. "This?!" Edward quickly backed away as he observed the intense amount of internal energy emanating from the woman. "She is burning her life force." Ophelia''s eyes turned cold the moment she saw the woman going so far as to sacrifice her own life force just to save an incompetent, weak, and unworthy man like Damien. "I don''t care at all," Ye Fan took a step back before enveloping his entire body in internal energy. He closed a 10-meter distance in a blink and arrived with his claws directly aimed at the burning woman. "Only if you hadn''t burned that beautiful skin of yours..." Ye Fan''s fingers was just an inch away from the woman before it vanished. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His fingers, to be exact, turned into ashes the moment they made contact with the woman''s skin. "Arrrghh?!" Crying out, he swiftly tried to retreat, but the passage of time had already brought the woman closer to him. In that brief meeting moment, her eyes met his, and she landed a slap on his face. Bam! Previously, his fingers had turned into ashes due to the low density of internal energy. However, his face was more durable, causing only the skin above it to burn as his body fell towards the nearby wall. "Khwaaackk!?¡ªdrip drip " Falling to the ground with purple eyes of Ye Fan turning white, he lost consciousness. As he lay there in a half-dead state with blood dripping from his wounds. However, his artifact had begun to heal his body quickly. "Kill her, Ophelia," Shadow said, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked towards the burning woman, a gesture of frustration at her inaction. "Pity" With those words, Ophelia disappeared. . . . . After half an hour, Far away from the building, a man appeared to be walking through the dimly lit street with a stumbling body, unable to control himself due to a broken prosthetic leg and a bloodied face. With a trembling hand, he took out a phone from his pocket. ''T-they killed her'', Damien''s fingers were barely able to control the wetness dripping through them, as evidenced by his phone screen not responding well to his touch. His hollow eyes flashed with memories of the woman who had died while trying to block the path of those four people. No, to be exact, it was only three. That shadow appeared to treat everything as child''s play, letting Damien escape like some prey. "Bastards!¡ªbam!" Damien cried out as he punched the nearby wall in frustration. The phone in his hand slid down, but he caught it again before his body fell to the ground. He propped his back against the nearby wall. His body was pushed to the limit, but his determination to survive and retaliate against the woman who falsely claimed to be his sister fueled his desire to endure this immense suffering. "Cowards!" Sitting there, he reminisced about the final moments of struggle, where he left the room with his stumbling body, using the burning woman as a meat shield. The memory came down to the last image before the door closed, where he saw her body being pierced by several swords before turning into ashes. An image, just like last time, when he escaped while sacrificing Vandiana Panthera as well. Chapter 1 - 1- First Plot Camphrian City, Country A The vast cityscape stretched as far as the eye could see, a testament to Camphrian City''s status as the world''s second wealthiest metropolis. Skyscrapers and architectural marvels dotted the horizon, reflecting the city''s pride and strength. At the heart of this magnificent city stood an opulent hotel near the seafront. Its towering architecture pierced the clouds, with glass windows shimmering in the night light. The entire city was bathed in a glow, alive and vibrant. This architectural marvel belonged to the Ramphian Group of Hotels, the most luxurious accommodation in Camphrian City. On this particular evening, the hotel seemed even more vibrant, adorned with a parade of luxury vehicles outside its grand entrance. Limousines, Ferraris, Mercedes, Range Rovers, and Lamborghinis gleamed in the night light, arriving through the grand metal gates of the Ramphian Hotel. "Ho ho ho, Sir Raven, is this really happening?" An old man emerged from his black Mercedes-Benz, a mocking smile playing on his wrinkled face as he approached another elder seated inside a limousine, his loose hanfu fluttering in the soft breeze. Bodyguards stood around the vehicle, and several men nearby watched with narrow eyes, their expressions a mix of curiosity and animosity. Previously, the old man''s granddaughter had her marriage proposal rejected by the renowned Damian Raphael, whose own wedding was taking place in this grandiose 7-star hotel. While no official hotel classification reaches seven stars, in the highest echelons of society, the wealthiest individuals often determine the rankings. To those who have never visited such grand establishments, this luxurious venue might simply be known as a 5-star hotel. "Indeed Mr. Lund, it''s Damien''s bad luck to not have a granddaughter like mine as his bride." The old man slowly emerged from the limousine''s door as the chauffeur came forward to open it. He held a golden cane and looked at the others with a smile, though irritation hid behind it. "Ho ho ho, indeed, indeed." Both old men laughed while glancing at each other with disdain, their animosity clear without saying a word. Naturally, high society isn''t as heavenly as portrayed in books. Each member, whether business tycoons or sharks, is always prepared to devour the other given the chance, forming either temporary alliances or permanent bonds through marriage. And this was Raven Harrison''s plan¡ªto marry off her granddaughter, a rising CEO, to the existing powerhouse bloodline of the Raphaels, whose Raphael Group of Industries boasted a total net worth of 9.8 billion NR. Several individuals moved toward the venue through the main gates, where rows of servants stood, sprinkling some kind of liquid on them. Unaware of its reality, they all took it as holy water or a traditional Raphael''s ritual. ... In a long hallway leading towards the main hallroom where the marriage was about to occur, two individuals moved with measured steps, their footsteps echoing through the space. "Young Master Damien, I hope you will reconsider," a soft yet trembling voice, filled with visible hesitation, directed towards a man walking in a black suit with hands resting in his pockets beside the woman who pleaded once again. Her pupils trembled as she glanced at him. Wearing a white bridal dress, the woman''s eyes remained fixated on the young man, her lips quivering as she saw those cold gazes that reminded her of what her future might be like. "What reconsideration, Emilia?" Damien inquired, his eyebrows subtly raised, his deep black eyes reflecting the woman''s milky white skin and blinking eyes, which seemed isolated in that moment. "We both know where this will lead, Sir Damien. You are exploiting my family''s helplessness to marry me. This is ethically incorrect," Emilia protested, biting her lip, her eyes wet with tears as she remembered how her family, falling into debt, had been cornered into forming an alliance with the man renowned for his business acumen, yet wrong enough not to even consider her opinion in this forced marriage. "Emilia, you are forgetting something," Damian interrupted, halting before turning towards her, withdrawing his hands from his pockets to lightly trace her jawline with his knuckles, tilting his head slightly. In a firm tone, he added, "It is I who will decide if it is ethical or not." sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Y-you..." Her pupils trembled feeling the coldness of his finger on her skin, those predatory eyes disregarding her feelings as if she was nothing. This added more to her misery. With her gaze turned down, her eyes roamed the floor before snapping up, jaw clenched, as she firmly declared, "Remember this, Damian Raphael. You may claim my body, but you could never capture my heart or have a piece of my love!" ".....pffft," Damian heard her straightforward declaration and was taken aback for a moment. Soon, he burst into a chuckle, wiping away nonexistent tears as he leaned in. Their warm breaths entangled, her chest rising and falling rapidly with visible rage swelling within them, yet Damian seemed uncaring. He firmly informed her, "Who needs your love when your body is more than enough for me, huh?" ????????????????! [ ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ] [???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!] [???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????] [???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????] [ ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ] [????????????????????????????????????????????????????....!!!] ????????????????! [???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? (???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????????) ] ''... Is it 10 times better reward?'' Damian gaze''s remained fixed on the woman whose eyes stared blankly back at him. A tear trickled down her cheek, noticed by Damian, as he inwardly questioned the reward he had received, paying no attention to the woman whose world had just shattered. They were of the same age group, and it had been a dream for her and many of her college classmates to emulate Damian Raphael, who had carried on his family''s legacy despite losing everyone in an accident. He had been an inspiration to everyone, but now, to Emilia, he appeared as a demon. A monster, nothing more than a hungry wolf. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????, ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????. ] "It''s better than nothing, atleast..." Damian redirected his attention to the woman, who had just shed a tear. He lifted his finger and with his thumb, wiped away the trace of her misery with a devilish smile. His eyes teasingly locked onto Emilia as he continued, "But if you believe in love, let me tell you something." "W-what? Don''t come near me!" Emilia stumbled back as Damian took a step closer, causing her to collide with the wall behind her. She realized that even earlier in the long hallway, she had been intentionally maneuvered into the farthest corner without noticing, caught up in their conversation. But it was too late now. Closing in on her, Damian placed one hand on the wall beside her, trapping her against it. She pressed herself against the wall, desperately seeking an escape route, her neck exposed as she turned her face away from him. Leaning in closer to her ear, he softly murmured, "Once I claim your body, you will eventually fall in love with me." ????????????????! [???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!] Chapter 2 - 2- Son of Heaven As the night embraced the hotel''s parking lot, a Ferrari, gleaming under the moon''s caress, skidded to a halt. Its tires screeched, leaving a smoky trail on the tarmac as the doors burst open with a flourish. A man emerged from the driver''s seat, his black hair dancing in the night breeze. He was dressed simply in a white shirt and black pants, a coat nonchalantly draped over one shoulder. He strode to the passenger side with purpose and grace, pulling open the door as he announced, "We''ve arrived, Young Miss." His words confirmed his subordinate status to the woman seated in the front seat. As the luxurious car''s door swung open, it revealed an interior crafted with exquisite wooden accents. Hidden behind those fine details was a beauty seated inside. Her legs gracefully extended out before her pink heels touched the ground. Stepping out of the car, she remarked nonchalantly, "I already told Dad that it''s good he''s getting married." Her tone was indifferent, her gaze hard and scrutinizing. Her face was a canvas of subtle emotions¡ªher eyebrows slightly raised in curiosity and her lips pursed in contemplation. She looked towards the hotel where tonight''s wedding¡ªa union she had no personal stake in¡ªwas taking place. Her eyes scanned the building, betraying a flicker of hesitation before she steeled herself to enter and face the man she had known for over five years and who now was just another stranger. Not that she cared about him before nor today. Through the same corridor, a line of servants stood at attention, each holding a tray. The air was thick with the scent of some pungent liquid that they were sprinkling, causing the man''s brow to furrow as he thought, ''Why do I have this uneasy feeling?'' As a war veteran whose instincts had saved him time and again since he was a mere child thrown into battle, he had learned to trust these gut feelings. Now, serving as a bodyguard for a lady of high standing, his senses were tingling once more, signaling that something was amiss. His sharp eyes scanned the servants'' faces, noting their oblivious expressions to whatever substance they were handling. Turning to the woman, he suggested cautiously, "Young Miss, perhaps you should go ahead. I need to check on something; I''ll be right behind you." Amelia''s gaze was locked on the grand banner that displayed the bride and groom''s names¡ªDemien Raphael and Emilia. Her expression turned icy at the sight of the bride''s name, identical to her own. "Do whatever you want" Ignoring the man''s advice, she strode into the venue determined to uncover the day''s unfolding drama. For five years, she had postponed her arranged marriage to the sole heir of Raphael Industries, wanting to make her mark on her own terms rather than be overshadowed by a business magnate husband. Yet now, news of Demien''s sudden wedding to another had reached her ears, stirring a storm of emotions and suspicions. Was it possible that he had been leading a double life all this while? Or had Damien already prepared a bride with her name as an alternative just to get her attention? As the silhouette of the woman faded into the distance, Edward shifted his intense gaze from her to the line of servants arrayed before him. His eyes finally settled on the figure at the forefront - a middle-aged man clad in a butler''s attire. The air around Edward grew tense as he loosened his tie and strode towards the butler, his expression turning icy. --- "Kughh!? Who are you?!" gasped the man in the butler outfit, his back pressed against the wall of a compact room designed for servants, a space far removed from the scrutiny of the outside individuals. Edward''s iron grip encircled the butler''s neck, his fingers pressing into flesh. "Agh!" The butler''s legs dangled and twitched in panic as he stared into Edward''s eyes, which were as sharp as shards of glass. "Tell me what was in that liquid," Edward demanded, his voice low and menacing. The grip tightened, and a subtle cracking sound filled the room as Edward''s arm muscles bulged with exerted strength. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ugh, it w--as ho--ly w--ater?!" The butler''s words were choked and disjointed; his eyes rolled back, revealing whites tinged with fear. He was teetering on the edge of consciousness, the suffocating pain clouding his mind and threatening to snap his neck. Edward''s gaze was unyielding as he watched the butler''s eyes, which remained fixed until his struggling legs finally gave out. Releasing his grip, Edward let the butler''s body slump to the ground lifelessly. His gaze then drifted towards the window, ensuring they were still shielded from prying eyes, before returning to the bottle in his hand. ''Could it be poison?'' Edward pondered silently. His intuition was a honed blade; if it hinted at danger, there was likely something amiss. He studied the bottle for a moment longer before uncapping it and tilting it to his lips, swallowing the liquid in one determined gulp leaving behind a salty and bitter taste in his mouth. Poison was the least of his concerns; since childhood, he had been conditioned to be immune to all toxins. If there was indeed something wrong with this liquid, its effect on his body would guide his next move. If malice lurked in the shadows of this whole event then Edward suspected it might be the work of Damien Raphael''s enemies. And truth be told, Edward harbored no fondness for Damien. That man''s reputation was tarnished in Edward''s eyes, marred by years of unsavory deeds. Edward was well aware of how Damien had pursued Amelia with relentless efforts for two years and after facing rejection, Damien resorted to underhanded tactics, such as indirectly targeting her business and orchestrating several other schemes. If not for the explicit orders from Amelia''s father, Edward would not have found himself entangled in today''s events and even brought Amelia here. ''I hope it wasn''t you, Damien Raphael, or else...'' Edward''s thoughts trailed off as he turned towards the imposing building. Adjusting his tie with a swift motion and donning his coat with an air of resolve, he opened the door. With every step he took towards the building, his resolve hardened¡ªa resolve that might just seal the fate of the Raphaels'' future heir. Chapter 3 - 3- Kill me ''?!'' The words struck Emilia like a bolt of lightning, her pupils dilating in shock. Her fingers trembled, and her body slackened as her legs buckled beneath her. She slid down the wall, her back scraping against the cold surface, tears welling up in her eyes. ''I want to leave this place,'' she thought desperately, a silent cry echoing in her mind as she sought to escape the nightmare where she was bound to marry a man who was nothing short of a monster. To him, she was nothing more than a pawn, a tool to be wielded by someone of his power and influence. He now held 78% of her family''s business shares, his dominance in decision-making painfully clear. No matter how profitable her choices will be, Damian could always override them with a flick of his pen. Her dreams of graduating from college and elevating her family business to new heights, to reclaim the status her father once held in high society, seemed to crumble before her eyes. And now, it all ended here. Ting! The sound of an incoming message on the man''s phone caused him to casually retrieve the device, his gaze shifting from the broken woman before him to the screen. The message read: :: Young Master, As you have predicted, a man has consumed the chemical. We will proceed to the next phase upon your signal. :: A small smile crept across his face as he pocketed his phone and turned his attention towards the emerald-tinted window screen appeared between him and Emilia. ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? - ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? (????????????-????????????????????????????) ???????????????????????? (????????????????????????????????????????????) ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? (????????????????????????????????????????) ???????????????? - ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? - ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? - ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ???????????????????????????? - ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ( ???????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? )* ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? ''...remove the senses amplification from the penalty,'' Damien commanded inwardly, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on the object of his focus. He wasn''t one to doubt his own capabilities; confidence was as much a part of him as his shadow. Yet, Damien understood that even the most well-laid plans could be upended by unforeseen variables. There was no merit in taking unnecessary risks, especially when his taste buds'' life depended on the outcome of his schemes [ ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ????????????????????] ''Take it,'' Damien commanded, his voice cutting through the silence as he leaned down, extending his hand to Emilia. She was lost in a trance, her world teetering on the brink of darkness. Blinking away her tears and biting her lip, she heard him say, "Emilia, we are getting late for our marriage. Stand up." ''How could he?'' Emilia''s gaze lifted to meet his, her eyes tracing the path from his outstretched hand to the softness in his expression¡ªa facade of care. His eyes seemed genuine, yet they harbored a depth of darkness that made her question the existence of such evil. To any other woman, marrying a man like Damien¡ªhandsome, wealthy, and astute¡ªmight seem like a blessing. But for Emilia, forced into this marriage and used as nothing more than a tool, his very presence made her skin crawl. She was acutely aware that she was merely a stand-in for Amelia Crimwell¡ªthe renowned high society belle whom Damien Raphael had pursued for over four years. Emilia''s future loomed bleak; she was to marry a man who saw her as nothing but an instrument, devoid of love, who had cornered her family into this union. ''...I need to kill him.'' The image of her mother flashed before her eyes as she glared at the man who needed to be eliminated. If he could go to such lengths just to marry her, what horrors might he commit in the future against those she cherished? She understood that taking his life would mean the end of hers too. But perhaps it would be a mercy for the world if he were gone. Her family, her friends, and her very existence¡ªall lay in the palm of his hand. And with one clench of his fist, everything could shatter. ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????! ] [ ????????????????????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????. ] [ ???????????????????????? : ???? ???????????????????? ( ????????????% ???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????) ] [ ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ????????????????????.... ] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ???????????? ????????????????????: ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????????. ????????????????????????: ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????????. ????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???? ???????????? ????????????????????????! ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ''...Lyra, you are hellbent on killing my taste buds, aren''t you?'' Damien mused about a certain individual as he turned his attention to Emilia, who reached out and clasped his hand, standing up with hollow eyes that stared straight ahead. Observing her state, he felt a twinge of sympathy, but he couldn''t afford to indulge in it too much. After all, causing hurt was a part of his job and a daily occurence. However, thanks to the sub Quest, he was confident he could soon turn her mood around. "By the way, Emilia, did you know that your uncle is also invited?" Damien informed her casually, maintaining his gaze forward as he led the trembling woman whose body quivered with suppressed rage the moment his words reached her. ''...no, no, NO!'' Emilia''s mind was flooded with memories of betrayal¡ªhow her uncle had conspired against her father, dismantling the company and orchestrating his assassination through a meticulously executed plan. Evidence had been wiped clean, witnesses bought off, and even the judge seemed swayed in his favor. The case surrounding her father''s death had evaporated into thin air, ruled an accident. And now, this man had invited that very uncle¡ªthe one who had stolen everything from her: a kind father and a flourishing future. "I...will kill you, Damien," Emilia vowed silently. She wasn''t a coward; she wouldn''t resort to backstabbing. Instead, she declared her intent aloud. Unaware to her, it was a part of her that either sought death to prevent further harm or yearned for support after issuing such a warning. "And how will you do that?" Damien asked nonchalantly as he pulled her along. Their fingers were interlocked; his grip firm as he led her forward. She followed mechanically, her gaze fixed on his back yet sensing his perpetual smile. "I-I will stab you," Emilia proclaimed defiantly as she attempted to free herself with her other hand. "My clothes are stab-proof. Next?" He teased her with amusement, prompting her to come up with something better. "Then, I-I will burn you," Emilia declared again, her delicate fingers struggling in vain to escape his grasp. "I''ll just keep a pocket fire extinguisher handy. Next?" He could see the light from the hallroom growing brighter as they approached. His tone was laced with amusement as he felt her struggle and heard her soft-spoken threats, pushing him to continue teasing her. "And? Maybe I''ll drown you," Emelia declared, her voice laced with desperation. She inwardly cursed herself for not indulging in crime novels or fiction that might have taught her how to execute a perfect murder. "But I know how to swim, you know? Can''t you think of something better?" Damien retorted, halting just ten steps shy of the balcony that led down to the hall. He turned to face Emelia, whose eyes widened in realization that she was being mocked. "You will regret this, Damien Raphael!" Emelia''s outcry was lost amidst the cacophony of the hall below, causing Damien to tilt his head curiously and step closer, prompting her to instinctively retreat in fear. "How about I suggest ways for you to kill me?" Damien offered, his voice a blend of mischief and challenge as he lifted her hand¡ªher fingers struggling against his. His deep black eyes mirrored her image back at her: the slight quiver of her dewy lips, eyes wide with apprehension, chest heaving with each breath, sweat beads tracing a path down her forehead before dissapearing in depths of her plump cleavage. To anyone, this sight was intoxicating, compelling him to finally suggest a method for her to end him. After all, if the would-be killer was this hot, even death would be divine. Leaning in close enough for his breath to graze her ear, he whispered suggestively, "How about you kill me by getting stabbed instead? Burn my calories until I''m malnourished and drown my consciousness in your bodily fluid¡ª" "How dare you!" Emilia felt humiliated as she cried out, her hand swinging to land a slap on his face. "Come on, I was just helping you," Damien protested with feigned innocence as he caught her hand mid-slap. His smirk was triumphant as he turned back towards the hall room, leading the tear-streaked woman out of the hallway, having already achieved what he wanted by seeing the movement of someone within the curtains trying to spy on them. ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ] Chapter 4 - 4- Villainess on move "Mr. Abhishek, is it true that your sister got into an accident a few days ago?" asked a man in a resplendent, expensive suit, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and concern. Both of the men stood in a corner of the vast, opulent hall, which was poised to transform into a wedding venue. Mr. Abhishek, elegant yet tense, held a wine glass in his hand, his brow furrowed as he contemplated his response. The hall around them shimmered with crystal chandeliers and intricate floral arrangements, creating a backdrop of luxury and anticipation for the upcoming ceremony. "Indeed, she had lost her ability to walk, and it''s disheartening for me, but from now on I will handle the company," Abhishek lifted his gaze, his eyes narrowed and a lost smile forming on his face. "Hmm, I see..." The man hearing those words, which could only be understood by a high society member, now realized that the real owner of this company would be the man in front of him, the one who had caused the accident involving his sister. Such manipulations were not uncommon among those who held the ability to climb the ranks. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen." Suddenly, a captivating sound from the balcony drew the attention of everyone busy forming alliances with each other, causing them to turn their gazes towards two figures. A handsome man in a black suit looked magnificent with his muscular physique, while a beautiful woman in a bridal gown stood beside him, smiling, her face entranced and tears evident. Yet, no one seemed to care. Why would they care about the tears of someone considered insignificant, marrying the sole heir of Raphael Group of Industries, Damien Raphael? "Good evening, Mr. Raphael." "Indeed, a very good evening. I must say, your bride is more beautiful than my wife! Hahaha!" "Oh my, I can''t deny that fact." Each spoke from their viewpoint, their words filled with polite facade towards the star of the night, paying little heed to the woman who was here for Damien Raphael. ''I hate this,'' thought Emilia, standing beside him, keenly observing the sports they wore like a lie, her eyes scrutinizing their faces while they mockingly laughed at her with their clear desire to climb up, even at the cost of someone''s life. That''s all she could see in them. Not a single person here showed any sympathy towards her. "Shut up! Can''t you all see that she is unhappy with this marriage!" Suddenly, a voice resonated inside the hall, catching Emilia''s attention. Her eyes slowly lifted to a man in a white shirt and pants, glaring at Damien. ''?!'' In that moment, Damien interlocked his fingers with hers, causing her gaze to shift towards him, thinking, ''What does he want now?'' Emilia appreciated the young man''s sympathy towards her, but she also knew her family was under this man''s control, so she remained silent. "How dare he?" "Who is this beggar?" "How presumptuous of him to speak like that." One after another, the background characters played their roles, not letting this opportunity slip away, revealing their offense while sugarcoating themselves in front of Damien Raphael. "It''s alright, gentlemen and ladies. I appreciate your concern, but it seems someone else should address this insolent behavior," Damien intervened, not allowing this event to pass unnoticed. He followed the actions of the background characters before turning towards Amelia, smiling and narrowing his eyes, noticing the frown on her face and understanding where this was heading. Since Amelia had entered the room, she paid no attention to the people around her, focusing only on understanding Damien''s intentions. Seeing the bride''s tears now made it clear he was plotting something to gain Amelia''s attention. Previously, he had even staged fake relationships to provoke her jealousy, something Amelia appreciated, but in the end, her responsibilities came first, and she refused to hide behind the Raphael name. "Damien, I think Edward is correct," Amelia stated, analyzing the situation. Her mind raced as she evaluated the implications of siding with her bodyguard. She knew it was better to align herself with Edward than with Damien to avoid risking Damien misunderstanding her motives as her love for him. Watching Damien use that innocent girl as a pawn while she cried struck a chord with Amelia, prompting her to take Edward''s side. "Miss Amelia, I didn''t ask if he was correct. His tone is the problem," Damien snapped, his eyes flicking toward Edward before narrowing at Amelia, who stood with folded arms, defiant. "And also, you should call me Damien Raphael, since I don''t think we''re that close." ''...What the...'' Amelia''s fingers twitched at his words, but she quickly composed herself. She recognized this as Damien''s attempt to appear strong in front of so many onlookers. She nodded slightly, maintaining her poise. "I understand, Mr. Damien Raphael, but I would like to reiterate what my bodyguard said: Why is the lady beside you crying?" Damien glanced at the woman beside him, a smile curling his lips. Amelia''s eyes met his, and she saw a flicker of triumph there, her pupils dilating with a mix of dread and defiance. Emilia, standing next to Damien, was indeed heartbroken and terrified. Despite the faint support she received from those two individuals, she knew it wouldn''t translate to real help. Her father was dead, her mother was drowning in debt, and her sole source of support was Damien Raphael. Her lips quivered as she tried to speak up. "N-no, these tears¡ª" But Damien interrupted smoothly, "Exactly, these tears are of happiness, not pain." ''...What?'' Amelia was baffled by Damien''s claim, especially when Emilia''s sadness was palpable, and it was obvious she was being forced into this marriage. "Y-yes... I," Emilia stammered, attempting to back up Damien''s words, her hands clutching her dress tightly. Her body trembled, and she bit her lip, barely holding back her tears. "Bullshit! Don''t think that just because you have money you can buy anyone, Damien Raphael. I know what kind of person you are," Edward retorted. He noticed Emilia''s subtle lip-biting and trembling body, her fingers clenched around her dress. It was clear to him that she was being forced into this marriage. Edward''s concern for the woman, despite just meeting her, stemmed from his disdain for those who used their power to control others'' lives. He wasn''t about to let this slide. ''Keep walking, you''re on the right track,'' Damien thought, his lips forming a sinister smile. He moved his hands before wrapping an arm around Emilia''s waist, pulling her into his embrace. Her already fragile body collapsed against him. His smile turned into a cold gaze as he fixed his eyes on Amelia. "Miss Amelia, I know that I previously rejected your advances, but now I want to marry and be happy. Seeing you bring this barbarian here to ruin my wedding suggests you''re still in love with me and can''t stand to see me marry someone else." ''?!'' ''Will you look at that,'' thought a woman standing in one of the dimly lit corners of the hall. She wore a sleek black dress that clung to her curves, the deep neckline revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage. Her dark red lips curled into a knowing smile, partly hidden by the elegant fan she held. She bit the corner of her lip, feeling a thrill of excitement at the unfolding drama. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, focused intently on the young man causing the commotion. A small mole near the curve of her cleavage accentuated her allure as she pondered her next move. ''Damien Raphael, wasn''t it? Should I kidnap you, huh?'' The thought of such a bold move stirred her adrenaline, her mind racing with possibilities. The fan snapped shut in her hand with a decisive flick, her gaze never leaving Damien, as if marking him as her target. Chapter 5 - 5- Irritating Son of Heaven "Don''t cross the line, Damien!" Edward cried out, his eyes shot red and his feet lifting to approach that man and tear him to pieces upon hearing such words against Amelia. "It was you, Mr. Edward, who crossed it first," Damien retorted, his gaze shifting from Amelia to Edward. His tone remained composed, a small smile playing on his lips as he addressed Edward directly, amused to see him becoming agitated over a woman who hadn''t spoken a word in her defense. Indeed, it was Damien who reacted first, catching Amelia off guard but her trembling pupils betrayed her shock at his accusation. She couldn''t fathom how he could condemn her in front of so many people, especially since everyone knew he had been the one pursuing her. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Are you serious, Damien?'' Amelia thought, looking towards him with a mix of emotions upon hearing the false accusations. She noticed the scrutinizing gazes of others, realizing Damien''s deliberate use of Edward''s behavior to underscore his own status was now tarnishing her reputation to elevate his. "Damien, please stop. We will leave," Amelia said, sensing the evening was spiraling out of control. She wasn''t sure what was going through Damien''s mind, but she knew this was over. He was using her to polish his image while manipulating others to achieve his selfish goals, prompting her desire to leave. ''Not so fast,'' Damien thought, noticing Amelia preparing to leave and willing to let the night end like this. After all, he still had a job to do and scores to settle for the previous owner of the body he inhabited who was made to run after a woman for four years who seemed unhinged by his presence. "Miss Amelia, forgive my earlier aggression. It seems I may have been too hasty. I would greatly appreciate it if you reconsider staying, as this is a memorable day for me," Damien said, changing tactics once again, directing his words towards Amelia''s retreating figure, causing her to hesitate before turning back to him. His approach was simply to push Edward until he burst and attacked. ''...What do you want?'' Amelia''s inner thoughts trembled slightly as she looked at Damien''s smile and heard his apology, unsure of his true intentions. Unnoticed by her, Damien glanced at Edward with a sly grin, observing the frustration boiling beneath his surface. Edward''s clenched fists and visibly pulsing veins betrayed his internal conflict, torn between displaying his power or maintaining composure¡ªclearly intending to kill Damien or not. ''Very good, keep it up,'' Damien thought to himself, noting Edward''s tightening smile and clenched fists, understanding the turmoil within him. Indeed, the man named Edward before him was not just an ordinary human but a veteran returned from battlegrounds while possessing a weapon. A weapon called Cultivation. Indeed, Edward was at the Core Foundation Realm (Middle stage of Foundation Establishment), which in itself was rare to achieve at his age. This made the whole situation one-sided if he decided to attack right now. Of course, Damien had intentionally not invited his parents today; otherwise, not only he but even Edward''s Master would have a hard time escaping unscathed. Indeed, Raphaels weren''t just a hollow name in this high society and still existed in a world were cultivators roam around freely. Damien had even switched his bodyguards from veterans to normal ones; after all, he couldn''t let his dear ''Son of Heaven'' dodge bullets, could he? Because technically, this isn''t a movie where some random guy enters, beats dozens of armed bodyguards, insults a business tycoon, and still leaves unscathed. So this whole venue was prepared for Edward, someone who was, in reality, the star of the night. "Mr. Damien, I can''t exactly understand what you are trying to achieve," Amelia said, looking directly at Damien, unable to comprehend why he would go to such lengths to pressure or seek attention. If he really wanted to make her feel jealous, then he had to be aware that he was going about it the wrong way. She would definitely start hating him. "Sigh, it seems the surprise I have prepared for my bride will have to be revealed before our marriage," Damien sighed, shaking his head in apparent dismay, revealing a defeated smile as he looked toward Emilia before placing his palm on her cheek making her gaze at him with confused, saddened eyes. Seeing his genuine acting, Emilia began to understand the tale about how a devil could appear beautiful and alluring yet harbor deeper darkness than anyone. "More bullshit," Edward muttered, now seeing how much he despised this guy, the visible anger boiling within him wanting to teach Damien a lesson after witnessing how disrespectful he was. First, he was clearly using that woman, referring to her as his bride. Second, he was targeting Amelia in front of so many people. Everything was really getting under Edward''s skin and pissing him off. "Miss Amelia, please control your guard dog; he seems to bark too much," Damien taunted Edward, though he didn''t look towards Amelia, knowing she was a minor target tonight. The main target was this guy who seemed ready to snap at his words. "DAMIEN!" Edward cried out, feeling deeply humiliated but managing to restrain himself somewhat, realizing Damien was trying to provoke him. Yet, his cultivation strength meant he cared little for Damien''s status. Simply put, if Edward wanted, he could easily kill Damien here and flee the country with his team, leaving Damien''s fate to cool down and return back. But the issue was Amelia. Knowing that even if he left, the Raphaels would take out their grudge on her family made Edward pause. After all, he was slowly starting to develop feelings for her. "Edward, we need to endure this," Amelia gestured for Edward to stop and not fall for Damien''s provocation, though she herself was struggling to keep her composure. The issue was the presence of many high-ranking people, including major investors in her new company. One mistake and everything could fall apart. "....I understand," Edward said, glaring at Damien, who maintained a mocking smile before turning his attention to the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, let me first introduce you to my soon-to-be bride, Emilia Blake," Damien smiled, clapping with a narrowed gaze as he nudged Emilia''s shoulder, prompting her to look towards the people who, instead of mocking, began to applaud her loudly. Indeed, the Blakes were known for their criminal activities in underground casinos and several weapon businesses¡ªactivities spearheaded by her uncle. "Congratulations, Lady Emilia." "Indeed, you are very beautiful and noble." Pleasantries were showered one after another by those individuals who would have mocked her at any other party. ''Are they...'' Emilia started, confused by Damien introducing her using her family name, which could clearly alter his image. She also noticed that her uncle was notably absent from this party. Turning towards Damien, she politely inquired, "Where is he?" Damien, with a nod and a strained smile, glanced towards the floor before meeting her eyes. "You see, your uncle is in my basement in one piece, for now" ''?!'' Chapter 6 - 6- Huh ''?!'' In an instant, a chill ran down her entire body at Damien''s words. His fingers interlaced with hers played a crucial role in amplifying the intensity of that fleeting moment, making her whole body tremble. She couldn''t understand why her body reacted this way until Damien leaned down, his lips just an inch away from her ear. He whispered with a sly grin, a devil''s whisper, "How about after our wedding night, I give you his head?" "Y-you are a monst-er," Emilia murmured, her voice barely a whisper. Her body trembled uncontrollably, her pupils dilating rapidly as beads of sweat formed on her forehead. ''Will you look at that,'' Damien thought, a smile creeping across his face as he noticed the sudden change in Emilia''s behavior. Her fingers, which had been resisting his touch moments ago, now tightened around his, clearly indicating that the first wall of her resistance had crumbled. After all, every human, no matter how saintly, has a hidden monstrous side. The difference is in how they reveal it: some do so with a loud boom, while others, like Emilia, keep it hidden until the last moment. Right now, Emilia wanted nothing more than to see the man who killed her father suffer and he knew that with a slight push, he could even make her kill that man with her own hands. "Easy, woman," he muttered under his breath before turning towards those high ranking individuals below the balcony with his face holding a smirk knowing how easy was to read through a woman or manipulate them. Emilia didn''t even show anger when he added the condition for her uncle''s head being their wedding night. Instead, she just focused on the gift awaiting her afterward. "Fucking bastard!" Edward''s senses, heightened by the flow of internal energy, picked up Damien''s muttered words about the wedding night, murder, and calling that trembling woman weak and easy. Each word from Damien felt like a thread snapping in Edward''s mind, pushing him closer to the edge of wanting to kill Damien. "Don''t make your face even uglier," Damien taunted, a smug smile on his lips with intent to make Edward hear it but not loud enough for others below the platform to hear. "Y-you!" Edward growled. Damien could see the fury etched into Edward''s face and felt a wave of satisfaction, knowing his words had struck a nerve. He had intentionally murmured those words aloud about the wedding night and Emilia being an easy woman instead of keeping them to himself, fully aware of Edward''s cultivation prowess and acute hearing. After all, this whole party was for Sir Edward. ''Why a Blake?'' Amelia''s eyes remained fixed on the woman beside Damien, her mind racing to fathom why he would go to such lengths to marry someone from that family. The Raphaels held power and prestige, but a small dark spot could tarnish even the most pristine reputation. Though the highest society members often committed crimes, they maintained a facade. Announcing an alliance with a gangster''s family was beyond the pale. Indeed, everyone was wary of Gabriel Blake. As the head of several kidnappings, murders, and with his subtle control over the underworld, his reputation cast a long shadow. ''What were you thinking, Damien?'' Amelia couldn''t understand why he would go to such lengths just to capture her attention and marry that girl. He could have just hired some actors like before to try to get her attention instead of doing something this stupid. "Can I meet him?" Emilia softly whispered, her eyes remaining downward. She tried to imagine how much she wanted to see the man who had destroyed her life suffer. Her father was a kind man who had done everything with honesty. He trusted his brother and had even tried several times to make him leave his path of evil, which was tainting the name of Blake. But in the end, he was murdered in an accident. Emilia could vividly recall that day''s events. Her father was on the phone with her when she first heard the sound of a car crash, followed by her uncle''s voice through the microphone: sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. :: Brother, you are very weak and undeserving of this society where they could kill you at any moment, just like our father. So I will become much more evil than them so none of those bastards can touch a single hair of the Blakes. :: And after those words, the only thing she heard in her phone was the sound of gunshots. ''I will...'' Emilia''s heart harbored hatred against the man who killed her father, but she couldn''t decide afterward what she would do. The thought of that man being locked up in a basement filled her with a burning desire to end this wedding quickly and rush to confront him. "What? Who?" Damien asked, his curiosity piqued as he glanced at Emilia with a raised eyebrow. "The one whom you placed in the basement of this place," Emilia said, avoiding calling the man her uncle as she reminded Damien of the proposal he had just given her. "Are you kidding me? We''re in a hotel. You expect me to kidnap a mafia boss and keep him here?" Damien felt like laughing, amused at how easily she believed his words. "Did you place him in any other basement?" Emilia asked, hoping Damien had kept her uncle somewhere else to avoid police entanglements and to kill him quietly. ''Yes, it must be the case,'' she thought. "Hey, are you stupid? Do you think I would go against the underworld for you?" Damien saw an opportunity to shatter her hopes and harvest some hatred points. "Huh?" Emilia looked at him, blinking in confusion before her mind slowly started to understand. ????????????????! [???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????!] [???????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????] "B-bast...." Emilia began to utter, her anger boiling over as she turned to the man who had been toying with her emotions. Her lips parted, ready to curse him, but before she could finish her words, Damien leaned in close, his voice low and intimate near her ear. "Though I can make it true if your intense desires and determination overcome me without loosing consiousness on our wedding night. Deal?" Chapter 7 - 7- Showing the mirror of truth Ting! Suddenly, Damien''s phone notification rang out, likely signaling the confirmation of the task he had delegated while he bided his time provoking Edward and teasing Emilia¡ªfarming hate points. Damien''s hand moved into his suit pocket, fingers brushing against the cool fabric before he retrieved his phone to check the incoming message: :: Young master, we have sent the letter with the bottle''s fingerprint to the police chief, and also the other letter to Gabriel Blake, who has left with two dozen armed men to attack the Ramphian Hotel. Awaiting your further orders. :: ''...Well...'' Damien lifted his gaze, glancing toward Emilia. Her eyes, wide with fear, trembled as they locked onto his. Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand, feeling her slight resistance, and led her down the platform stairs. "Let''s begin the celebration, gentlemen," he announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. His eyes narrowed as he met Edward''s glare. Edward stood beside Amelia, who appeared dazed. His jaw clenched, but he was met only with a smirk from Damien. Damien relished the irony: Mr. Son of Heaven had carelessly discarded the glass bottle after drinking from it and killing the innocent butler, neglecting to wipe his fingerprints from either the bottle or the body. Damien, being a man of justice, had ensured that the fingerprints would serve their purpose. The first letter, written by Damien, was sent to Gabriel Blake, detailing some of his crimes. The second letter, along with an HD+ 8K high-definition video pendrive of the murder titled ''A mad dog biting the neck of an innocent butler,'' and a sample of the fingerprint, was sent to the police chief of the main city. The police chief would come here to arrest a single man, unaware of Gabriel Blake and his armed men, who would be the first to arrive at the scene. Afterwards, the scene here would be like¡ªBoom. ''...Now just need a simple attack,'' Damien mused, maneuvering everything to ensure that Edward would bear the blame and the hatred. All that remained was to push Edward to the point where his hatred for Damien became visibly evident. After all, the night would eventually end, and once it did, Damien would need to be the victim here. "Wow, you both appear to be a match made in heaven!" "Indeed, what a gorgeous bride, and Sir Damien is already so handsome, hahaha." "Yes, and please ignore the third leg; they are just jealous of you." ''Fucking bastards,'' Edward gritted his teeth, noting the mocking glances of those around him, their minds oblivious to his true strength while they called him a dick. In this moment, he etched their faces into his memory, planning to show them true fear when he eventually dealt with them by either killing them or destroying their businesses. "Bring the rings," Damien commanded. The servants moved with subdued elegance, presenting a tray made of silk cloth on which two ring boxes rested, both appearing to be made of glass, showcasing the marvelous pieces crafted from the most expensive stones. But one of the boxes was empty, evident from the hollow space visible through the transparent cover. "Th-this? Sir, we are unaware of this," one of the servants stammered, fearing they would be blamed for the missing ring. "You don''t have to feel nervous. This is exactly how it''s supposed to be," Damien clarified, turning to Emilia, who looked back at him with confusion, unable to comprehend his next move while noticing his softening gaze. ''What does he want?'' Emilia glanced at the ring box and then locked eyes with Damien, who appeared to be plotting something again. Her anger visibly flared at his behavior. First, he had seized the majority of their company shares and then lied to her about her uncle''s being in his grasp. Not only that, he even told her to sleep with him as payment for his agreement to act against that man. She didn''t know what was going on inside his mind or if he would keep tormenting her like this. It was intolerable for her. She only wanted to help her mother, who was in debt, but now she was being forced into marriage with this man who seemed nothing short of a monster. "Here, this is the ring that Emilia will wear." Damien took out another black box from his suit pocket, opening it to reveal an old-fashioned black ring inscribed with words in an unknown language. ''?!'' ''No, don''t tell me...'' Amelia, watching with narrowed eyes, felt them widen the moment she saw the ring Damien offered to Emilia, the same one he had offered her a year ago. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that time, her memories were still vivid, allowing her to recall the events clearly. ~~~ "Amelia, will you marry me?" Damien knelt in front of her with a helpless gaze, proposing despite knowing her reluctance. "Damien, you know I don''t want to marry until I secure my future," Amelia averted her gaze, feeling burdened by the elaborate seaside proposal with drones and fireworks lighting up the sky. The spectacle could melt the hardest of hearts, but she found it overwhelming, not wanting to be tied down as someone''s wife. "I... I see," a faint smile crossed Damien''s face as he looked down, his hand loosening its grip on the ring. Despite kneeling, his eyes betrayed the emotional turmoil in his heart. "Although, this ring is beautiful," Amelia tried to change the topic, acknowledging the unique and attractive black ring that had been offered to her. "Yeah, this was my mother''s last possession. She wanted me to give it to the woman I want to spend my life with," Damien beamed, his eyes lifting with a smile as he shared its origin. "Oh, I..." Amelia felt a pang of guilt, sensing she had hurt him deeply with her rejection. She started to speak but stopped herself. "No, no need to feel guilty. Let me tell you more about my mother," Damien shook his head, understanding her position but eager to share more of his life. He stood and took her hands, leading her to a nearby bench. The night was long as Damien recounted stories of his mother who had passed when he was seven, his father remarrying ten years later. Amelia sat beside him on the bench, hands clasped in her lap, listening intently as Damien shared his life''s story. Despite knowing she would never love him back, Damien knew he would continue to love her. ~~~~ ''Are you kidding me?'' Amelia''s widened eyes trembled, her fingers slowly clenching her tight red dress, whose silky fabric started to feel suffocating against her skin. Finally, a dreadful feeling shrouded her mind: the entire marriage plot Damien had seemed to arrange to get her attention was not fake. It was a feeling that everything was genuine, and he was really going to marry someone else. ''?!'' "S-stop it!" Suddenly, Amelia cried out as Damien''s hand pulled Emilia into a tight grasp and his tongue entered her mouth in a deep kiss. badump Instantly, it crushed Amelia''s heart, her voice reverting to that same place. Chapter 8 - 8- New Sub quest ''Is it poisoned?'' Emilia, who had lost trust in that man, couldn''t bring herself to have a shred of faith in the black ring he had just taken out of his pocket. Her brain¡ªhaving been influenced by the only crime show she had ever watched¡ªeven imagined that the ring had a small needle inside it, coated with a paralysis poison he could use to slowly feed her sweet poison over time, deteriorating her health to the point of inevitably killing her after he lost interest in her body. ''It''s definitely not what you think,'' Damien, noticing her horrified gaze on the ring and her hands clutching her dress, understood that she was definitely imagining the worst. Naturally, there were several instances he could remember where he had used a ring to kill some of the heroines while doing his daily job. However, none of them were that obvious. The last time he remembered was in an apocalyptic world where the heroines had decided to run away to a camp prepared by the son of heaven, who had a 10000¡Á storage system and was a Regressor. Irritated by not getting his salary, Damien had chosen a crippled villain who would have died soon due to terminal illness¡ªhe chose this villain because he needed to finish the job sooner. So, seeing his childhood friend, who was a heroine, wanting to leave him and join the camp, he gave her a ring as last goodbye gift. A ring carrying plutonium and Cesium-137. Long story short, his childhood friend died of cancer, and then the son of heaven kept her keepsake in his storage, which soon get multiplied into 10000 of them, and then started a massacre. Though it depends on the type of son of heaven to decide what to do, applying the same thing to this Edward guy would be futile due to his senses always ringing with threats. Indeed, there are several types of sons of heaven: ones who want only virgin women, ones who prefer MILFs, ones who see everyone except themselves as evil, some who treat their women as part of themselves, some who think from their dick, and some who have a gut feeling about everything, etc. So, Damien this time used Edward''s ability to detect threats, against him. Background story: Edward entered the hotel, felt something amiss in the liquid being sprayed over everyone, and due to his trust in his immunity, he drank the bottle that contained nothing but a simple chemical component which needs another one to react. So, why would Damien add a poisonous needle to poison a supporting character when he could do something fitting of his status as a transmigrating villain?¡ª Of course, he could guess what was going on inside Emilia''s mind. "Give me your hand," he called out to her with a small smile and narrowed eyes, making her feel even more suspicious of his behavior and prompting her to hide both hands behind her back. ''...Come on, Gabriel must be arriving soon,'' Damien thought, noticing the time slowly moving forward and the imminent arrival of a gangster with arms. He felt the need to help this woman open her mind. ????????????????! [???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????...] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ???????????? ????????????????????: ???????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????-???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????: ???????????? ???? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????????????. ????????????????????????????: ???????????????????????????? (???????????????? ????????????''???? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????) ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ''...Hey Lyra, don''t you think you''re asking for too much?'' Damien felt baffled, seeing that someone was becoming too greedy now. [???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????, ???????? ???? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ????????.] ''Fine, fine,'' Damien finally accepted defeat¡ªif only in name. He turned his gaze towards Amelia, whose widened eyes caused a smile to form on his face. After all, this ring had very deep memories attached to her. "D-don''t even dare to make me wear that ring!" Emilia protested, clenching her hands behind her back. She saw Damien''s eyes fixed in another direction, a devilish smile on his face. His hand first rested on her shoulder and then slid towards her wrist before clenching it. "Shut up, woman," Damien said, knowing how this would give Amelia a boost to become a true heroine. He pulled Emilia with a bold tone, showing he didn''t care about her at this moment¡ªonly one thing mattered to him right now: His Bonus. "Come here" Damien''s firm grasp on Emilia''s hand caused her to stumble, her breath catching as her breast collided with his solid chest. Heat surged through her as their eyes met, his devilish gaze lingering on her lips. High society''s elite remained around them, their murmurs becoming a distant hum. Emilia''s cheeks flushed with a mix of fleeting feelings and surging anger, but before she could retaliate, her body flinched as his hands wrapped around her back, tracing the white fabric of her bridal dress as he grasped her possessively. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "N-no!" Emilia''s lips parted to retaliate, but her tongue was visible under the hungry gaze of the man who seized the moment, instantly claiming her dewy lips in a fervent kiss. Mppffhh?!" Her muffled voice was all that remained beneath the sudden weight of his kiss. thump thump Emilia''s heartbeat raced as she initially tried to pull back, but his tongue pushed into her mouth with insistence, seeking to conquer her reluctance. "Umm...nhh", His hand began to explore her curves, fingers stretching downwards toward her ass before both hands gripped the peaks in their way. "IEEKK~!?" Her body tensed with embarrassment and arousal as Damien''s hand moved boldly, molding her ass possessively and pressing her perky breasts against his chest. The contrast of her pristine white wedding dress against the intensity of his touch sent a shiver down her spine. "Mmmmmmh~!!", Despite her initial resistance, Emilia found herself glaring at the man as he assaulted her lips, acutely aware of the many onlookers with his eyes just centimeters away remained locked with hers as his lips continued to devour hers. Slurp~ Her lips hurt, and her eyes became teary as she slowly loosened her defenses, succumbing to her fate. It was true that she once had a crush on Damien Raphael, just like many of her classmates, but being kissed like this by him was slowly melting her mind and resurfacing memories of her days dreaming of marrying this person. Simply put, every normal woman''s dream is to have a rich husband who loves her possessively, cares for her, and makes her feel blessed to have him in her life, but... She was hating this man even more. He was an evil, lecherous monster! "Mphhh....Hngh?!" ''....Now, this is something else,'' Damien felt the plump softness in his palm while ignoring Amelia''s cries in background for them to stop, his hands tightening even more on Emilia''s soft ass, molding it mercilessly. "Mmgghh~?!" He alternated between pressing and stretching those plump ass outward with controlled force, responding to the twitch of his crotch area. Her lips were soft, almost silken, and pillowy against his own. He could feel the soft tickle of her haggard breath against his nose, her breasts expanding and relaxing as they pressed against his chest. He could clearly feel the shape of her boobs, her tightened nipples beneath her bridal dress pressed on his firm chest, as his fingers caressed her voluptuous ass, the middle finger slowly making its way toward the center between both booty, trying to touch her Rosebud¡ª But before he could feel anything, "STOP IT!" Amelia arrived and cried out again, realizing Damien was not heeding her cries. She finally used the force of her hands to separate them, her eyes shot red with anger. Instantly, her hand lifted before forming an arc against his cheek. Slap! A loud sound filled the hall as Amelia''s hand whipped across Damien''s cheek, yet his head remained eerily still, showing no sign of the blow. ''!?!'' In that fleeting moment, a sharp freezing chill gripped Amelia''s entire being. Damien''s eyes underwent a startling transformation, turning a deep, complete black with no trace of white. His gaze, cold and piercing, fixed on the woman who had just slapped him with killing intent surging from within. ????????????????????! [ ????????????''???? ????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!! ] [ ???????????????????????? ????????????''????! ???? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????! ????????????''???? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????! ] Chapter 9 - 9- Constellations ????????????????????! [ ????????????''???? ????????????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????!! ] Suddenly, the robotic voice of the system began to transform into a more womanly tone, infused with urgency, as it warned the man not to undertake an action that would jeopardize the mission. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????''????! ???? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????! ????????????''???? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????????! ] SWOOSH But upon noticing his eyes turning black, the voice instantly seemed to materialize into a small fairy, no more than an inch in height. With her appearance, the entire world seemed to lose its color, transitioning into black and white, as time around them came to a halt. The only ones in color were Damien and the fairy, who had secretly worked behind the system to manipulate the plot. Indeed, the fairy served as Damien''s side assistant, helping him wield the perks that come with playing a villain role¡ªsuch as the System, soul beasts, or special abilities¡ªher task being to adjust things as necessary like penalty, rewards etc. ''....I am in complete control, Lyra, don''t panic,'' Damien kept his eyes fixed on the figure of the woman, now frozen in a colorless static image after slapping him. She glared back at him with anger and teary eyes, halted by the time stop, his claws poised near her neck yet restrained from harming her or strangling her delicate neck. It was clear he was under control, evident from him opening the portal for constellation votings, causing the entire world to freeze momentarily until he chose his next move. As part of his daily routine as a transmigrating villain, he relied on input from his clients, who ultimately suggested his forthcoming actions. Though not compelled in the slightest, he could easily dispose of the woman who had slapped him. A woman who ignored the efforts of this body''s previous owner to gain her attention. And yet, if he were to kiss another woman, her reaction would be exaggerated¡ªhypocrisy itself seemed embarrassed in this scenario. Of course, Damien, playing the role of a villain and a star employee in this field, would never become angry just because she slapped him. His anger stemmed from the pain inflicted by such hypocrites on all the villains he chose to portray. ''Open the Suggestions of Constellations,'' Damien ordered, his black eyes tilting slightly upward. Lyra exhaled in relief, knowing her bonus was secure, and flew upwards. She circled and sprinkled a stardust substance that quickly formed into a screen. ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ????????????????????????_???????????????????????????? = ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????_???????????????????????????????????????? = ???????????????? ????????????, ???????????????? ????????????????, ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????, ???????????? ???????? ???????????????? ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ''Only two?'' Damien remarked, noting the limited number of constellations suggesting the next course of action. He attributed it to their ignorance of how the system operated, their roles merely observational and not taking part in doing comments. ''Lyra, didn''t you add an announcement?'' Damien queried, turning to the fairy. She flinched, then averted her tiny body, scratching her chin with a broken smile as she realized she had indeed forgotten to announce the special privileges granted exclusively to constellations by Damien¡ªprivelege to suggest his upcoming actions. ''Should I request another assistant?'' Damien contemplated replacing the incapable fairy who couldn''t even handle a simple task, leaving him with just two suggestions for the next plot. Whenever his eyes turned completely black, he would open the portals for constellations and listen to their suggestions, deciding for himself whether to accept them or not. With limited options, he reviewed both comments from the constellations. ''Kill her, hmm'' Damien mused, focusing on one of the cruelest constellations who relished in suffering. However, he quickly realized he couldn''t simply erase this world, as it required his investment to secure a seat in different worlds and he lacked enough investments. Technically, all these worlds were real, born from the supreme consciousness of the constellations. But now each seeking a new path for the destinies of these worlds. This establishment gave rise to the company where Damien excelled as a star employee in the villainous roles. And to establish a particular world as his playground, Damien collects investments from constellations in the form of Power Stones, a special currency used exclusively for selecting specific worlds. Each world has its own price, paid solely in Power Stones. Observing how one constellation suggested destroying a world that had cost him half of his life savings, Damien closed that window and pocketed the suggestion for future consideration. As a star employee, he securely kept all suggestions to use at his discretion, disregarding those from constellations that didn''t suit his plans in future and using back up he stored for now in future. ''Let''s begin then,'' Damien said, lifting his finger to select the constellation he had decided upon. In that moment, the sound of his snap echoed, shattering the colorless world like glass. Snap "S-stop it!" Amelia cried out, her hand poised after delivering a resounding slap to the man who once claimed to love her more than anyone, now caught in a vulgar situation with another woman. ''Amelia?'' Edward''s senses tingled with an unfamiliar unease as he witnessed her pulling Damien and Emilia apart and delivering a decisive slap. Edward recognized the significance of that slap and Amelia''s enraged, tear-filled eyes¡ªit hinted at feelings for Damien were still inside her heart which Edward could never accept. GASP Every member of the high society present held their breath, shocked at Damien Raphael receiving a slap, regardless of it being from someone like Amelia Crimwell¡ªthis was truly unprecedented. "Heh?" Damien, his eyes back to normal, stared at Amelia unfazed by the slap he received, without blinking, confronting the woman who felt betrayed and cheated upon. "How could you!¡ªSLAP " Before Amelia could finish, a sharp slap landed on her cheek, causing her body to stagger and tumble to the ground, veins in her neck tensed from her words which was disrupted by a hit on her face. thud Her body lay on the floor, hands trembling as tears welled in her eyes, reaching slowly towards her now warm cheeks. She couldn''t comprehend what had just occurred. ''N-no, did he just slap me?'' ''now, it''s your turn'' Damien, observing Amelia''s fallen form with disheveled hair, formed a smirk and lifted his gaze toward Edward. "N-NO AMELIA!!" Edward''s widened eyes and clenched jaws betrayed his shock and fury as he lunged toward Damien, his body pulsating with internal energy that shattered the floor tiles beneath his feet. "I could at least hit her back, can''t I?" Damien added casually. "DAMIEN! YOU BASTARD!!!" Edward roared in rage as he swung his fist towards the man who had dared to lift his hand on a mere woman. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 10 - 10- Tonights Hero "DAMIEN! YOU BASTARD!!!" Edward roared in rage as he swung his fist towards the man who had dared to lift his hand on a woman, closing the distance to just a meter from Damien. ''Here it comes,'' a visible smirk formed on Damien''s face as he watched everything in slow motion. His pupils ignored the slowed punch and fixed on a small metal projectile entering his sight, passing between him and Edward. BANG! A sharp gunshot sound reverberated as the bullet that had just passed between them collided with something nearby, causing a ruckus without harming anyone. "Kyaaaah~!!" "No!...It''s an attack!" Panic surged inside the place, with individuals not understanding how someone had infiltrated and started shooting despite the presence of bodyguards outside the hotel. "Move!" Unbeknownst to these high-profile individuals, Damien had intentionally provided a secret path to Gabriel and his goons to enter with guns, ensuring that none of the sounds from this place escaped. This was evident in his choice of this particular 7-star hotel. Indeed, there were several other hotels under the name of Ramphian Groups, but this was the only one that provided complete soundproofing in its hall to enhance the experience for their customers. With the sounds of bullets, men carrying weapons entered the hallway, causing a ripple of chaos throughout the place. "Where are you, Damien Raphael!" yelled a masked man, crying out the name of the one who had forgotten his limits and crossed the line by sending that letter. Holding AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, Gabriel and his men instantly searched for the man who had called them but they don''t forget to wear masks, knowing that the one they were dealing with today was none other than Damien Raphael, heir of Raphael Industries. Even with 25% control over the underground, Gabriel wouldn''t had acted today if he hadn''t heard that Damien Raphael was not declared the official heir; instead, it was his stepsister. Not known to many, but only a few in the country''s high circles were aware that the company and everything else would soon be led by an orphan adopted by Damien Raphael''s grandfather. After all, it was a known fact that Damien, instead of focusing on his business, was always after a woman from the Crimwell family, pursuing her for more than five years. Thus, he was declared unfit to handle the Raphael empire, worth 9.8 billion NR. An enormous amount for anyone. "Hey fucker, are you hiding behind a woman¡ª?!" Gabriel lifted his gun, pointing it towards the man he aimed to kill today. Suddenly, the man held a woman in front of him, causing Gabriel''s finger to hesitate when he recognized the woman as his niece. Not that he cared, but the issue was that the woman had recognized his voice. ''Damn it!'' Gabriel thought. He had planned to kill everyone present after getting support from a few of Damien''s enemies who had helped him enter the hotel room secretly. By killing everyone, he would have erased all the evidence. But now, his own niece had recognized his face, complicating his plan to kill everyone present. "You? No... Why?" Emilia, who had recognized the voice of Gabriel Blake, felt her eyes widen with anger slowly filling them. Her hands, which were already holding two hands on her waist, tightened as her nails dug into Damien''s hands flesh. Damien, who was clenching her from behind, looked towards Gabriel with squinted eyes, analyzing the situation. A smile formed on Damien''s face as in a split second, his body seemed to vanish and reappear with a knife in his pocket. "You bastards! How dare you?" Edward yelled, seeing dozens of men entering the place. The guy in front, who appeared to be the leader, was immersed in thought, his hands not on the trigger. Edward, charging his internal energy, closed the 10-meter distance in the blink of an eye. "Ugh?!" Gabriel''s men tried to react, but their response was too slow. Edward''s hands clenched Gabriel''s face before throwing his whole body to the floor. CRACK! Edward''s strength, enhanced by his internal energy, shattered the floor beneath Gabriel into pieces. "KHUGHH?!" Gabriel coughed out saliva mixed with blood, his widened pupils reflecting the immense pain he was experiencing. His bones were broken, a rib bone had punctured his lungs, his intestines were completely messed up, and his skull was cracked. ''Now it''s your turn, bastards!'' Edward thought, instantly backflipping to dodge the bullets fired by the dozen other men. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Edward''s body moved swiftly, avoiding each bullet. Blood was seeping from his wounds due to some of the bullet''s grazing his physically enhanced body, but he continued to evade the attacks. "It''s end for you all!" He reached for his pocket to take out his knife and realized it was missing. ''Where''s my knife gone?!'' He thought. If it were just a few people, hand-to-hand combat wouldn''t be hard for him, but he couldn''t recklessly fight while dodging bullets, making everything much harder. ''Where the hell is my knife?!!!'' BANG! "Kughh!" . . . . . "Can you hold this knife for a second?" Damien asked, arriving at the end of the hallway after secretly moving from the hall to a safe place, bringing two women with him. One was Emilia, who was being pulled by his hand. The other was Amelia, whom he carried in a princess hold. Amelia appeared lost in another world, her closed eyes and the red mark on her cheek from a slap indicating she was in a trance. Of course, he could have simply left her there, but he couldn''t let her die given her recent heroine status. It was likely she would have survived, but he chose to utilize this moment to the best of his ability. "You, why did you run away? You could have killed that man!" Emilia''s whole body burned with rage, remembering those eyes and the voice she wanted to erase from existence. She didn''t care about the situation; at least the man was out in the open instead of hiding inside underground auction houses. "Hey," Damian halted in his path and turned towards Emilia, who flinched before glaring back at him, wanting to know about the promise he made to kill her uncle today. Damian, looking at her with a smirk, added, "Do you really want him to just get this peaceful death?" "Wh-what?" Emilia, slightly bewildered, looked at Damien, whose face carried a devilish smile and whose voice sounded like a whisper. Her eyes blinked as she tried to understand the meaning behind his words. Slowly, they widened as she realized¡ªno, she didn''t want to give that man a simple death. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''How naive,'' Damian thought, looking at Emilia. Her face no longer showed pure anger but rather a hint of desire, falling for his trap, which would eventually lead her to fall in love with him. He would give her what she wanted¡ªGabriel''s death¡ªand she would give him what he wanted¡ªher everything. "Mmm....wha....doing...Dami," came a mumbling sound from his embrace. Damian turned towards the woman sleeping in his arms. Her hand rested on her cheek, her eyes closed, as if she were dreaming. Seeing her like this, Damian understood it was a Vasovagal Response¡ªa combination of emotional and physical shock triggering a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to fainting or a strong urge to sleep. Seeing her like this just made it easier for him to take her from there and proceed to his next step. A simple move of slapping her had caused things to become much easier prompting him to turn his eyes towards a pillar standing adding," Is this really right way to keep an eye on people secretly, Miss...." Chapter 11 - 11- From where it all Started (Skippable backstory) "What are you doing here, Damien?" Amelia asked, looking toward the usual arrival of the man who held a bouquet in his hand while entering her office. "Um, I just wanted to celebrate my birthday with you," Damien said, placing his hand behind his neck. He felt slightly down today due to hearing some stern words from his grandfather for leaving the birthday party he hosted to announce new heir. "...You could have just celebrated it. You already know Mr. Carlos is targeting my new company, and it''s making me busy." Amelia rubbed her forehead, looking at Damien, who had come here after leaving his birthday celebration. She didn''t understand why he would leave such an important event to visit her when she had told him she was busy today. "Huh, if you want, I could make him stop doing that," Damien said, seeing her tired face and dark circles. He understood that she had been working late, prompting him to move forward and place the bouquet on the desk. He had received it from a flower shop he visits regularly to help the paralyzed woman who makes most of her sales due to his timely visits. "No, I want to do everything alone. Don''t think of something stupid again, Damien," Amelia sighed, looking at him as he took a seat on the other side of the desk. She remembered how last time he had tried to help her by convincing an investor, which boosted her company''s growth but didn''t sit well with her desire to be self-dependent. "I see... By the way, what happened to your hand?" Damien noticed that her left hand had a graze mark, prompting him to look at her with a furrowed brow. "Ah, this, it''s just some issue with my stepmother. You already know how they are," Amelia sighed, knowing that Damien also had a stepmother who didn''t treat him well. This was the major reason for their friendship, as they understood each other''s pain. Slowly, Damien had developed feelings for her, which she was aware of, but her future came first. "I will take my leave then" Damien slammed the desk before standing up and turning to leave, prompting Amelia to glance at him. She then turned her attention back to her files, letting him leave. Three hour later, {Time: 12:57 am } ''Wait, I forgot to wish him,'' Amelia thought. After finally finishing her work, she looked at the clock and realized the day had passed. She had forgotten to wish Damien a happy birthday, prompting her to take out her phone and type the message: "Happy Birthday." As her fingers hovered over the button to send it, another message notification came. Ting! ''?!'' Amelia hastily stood up after reading the message, which read: :: Young Miss, Master Damien and Madam are arguing :: The weather was cloudy, and soon rain poured down. Inside the mansion of the Crimwell family, a black car arrived, getting drenched in the heavy rain. The door swung open, revealing a woman in office attire, who quickly entered the mansion. "Mrs. Crimwell, I had already told you not to harm her, then why?" "You are an idiot who just moves around that bitch who doesn''t even give you a glance¡ª" "Mrs. Crimwell! Mind your language! How dare you call Amelia¡ª" Bam! "What are you doing here, Damien?" Amelia hastily entered the main gate of the mansion, the first image in her sight being him clenching her stepmother''s hand, who tried to loosen his grip. "Oh, Amelia, you arrived? Come and see how your stepmother just tried to slap¡ª" "Damien!" Amelia, seeing how Damien had tried to attack her stepmother, sprinted toward him. Slap! A sharp force landed on Damien''s face, his head tilting from the impact. The hand that had once tried to stop the slap from Amelia''s stepmother now rested on his face, his eyes blinking and looking at Amelia. "Are you stupid!" Amelia couldn''t believe the stupidity of this man who tried to attack her stepmother inside the Crimwell house, not understanding that he could be sent to jail and charged with several crimes. Considering that the media would make headlines of this whole event because he was the sole heir of the Raphaels, Amelia was incredulous. "A-Amelia?" Damien, feeling warmth in his cheek, yet the pain seemed to source from his heart instead of his face, prompting him to keep looking at her in confusion for a moment. "Leave this place, this instant!" Amelia declared, gesturing toward the main door for this foolish guy who had barged in without knowing the consequences. "I-I..." Damien, holding his cheek, kept looking at her while Amelia''s stepmother turned and left. Damien, with eyes betraying his pain, turned and left the hall abruptly. ''Sigh, this idiot,'' Amelia thought, exhaling. She observed how her stepmother had left too, and now that guy had also left without this becoming much of a scene. "Y-young miss, it was Madam who tried to slap Master Damien," a maid came forward, trembling, trying to explain the reality of the misunderstanding. "What? Really?, I...let me talk to him," Amelia said, already feeling a headache from all the work. She first looked at the maid and then toward the door before moving toward it, rubbing her forehead. Arriving outside, Amelia looked around and found Damien standing in the rain, staring at the gates. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''What''s with this new drama?'' Amelia exhaled before taking a step forward to come out from under her mansion''s roof into the open area but was halted by his voice. "You did not wish me yet, Amelia." ''Huh?'' Hearing his voice, she slightly furrowed her brow but responded, "I was about to send a message but you caused a ruckus here." "Do you remember the day I proposed to you?" Damien, getting drenched in the rain, smiled as it hid his tears. He turned toward the woman standing with folded hands. "Yes, you told me about your mother''s ring," Amelia replied, already trying her best to control the headache caused by overwork. "I see, So, you forgot the sky...Leave it, Today, I am hurt, Amelia," Damien said, feeling shattered after today''s announcement at his birthday party about his stepsister being declared the official heir. He had come to meet Amelia to soothe his pain, but it only intensified. "...Didn''t you always say the one we love the most sometimes hurts us the most?" Amelia recalled his words whenever she mistakenly hurt him. She then turned toward the maid who had arrived and told her to bring pain relief pills for her headache. "But you don''t love me, right?" Damien tilted his head, looking at the woman who had brought him this far¡ª he felt he had lost everything except his life. He was declared unfit, his love was not reciprocated, and now he had nothing left except his own broken life. For him whose value was decided only because he was sole heir of Raphaels, now he was fallen from the sky and knew how soon things will take ugly turn. "Damien, can we talk tomorrow? My head hurts," Amelia said, turning to go back inside her mansion. She had been awake for a whole week without sleep and was overwhelmed by the stress of her work. "N...ot even an umbrella....hahahHAHAHA," Damien laughed bitterly, seeing the mansion''s door shut. He lifted his gaze towards the sky, biting his lips, his eyes filled with pain as he accepted the proposal of that devil whispering in his ears since the day began. "Take my body and do whatever you want." He declared ?¨T???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????¨T? ????????????????, ????????????????... ????????????''???? ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ????????????! ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???? ????????????, ???????????? ???????? ????????????????????????, ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????. ????????????????, ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????????-???????????????? ????????????????????????????????: ???????????????? ????????????????: ???????? ????????????????: ???? ?¨T???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????¨T? With that screen being shown, a thick book materialized in front of Damien, who had already reached the threshold of brokenness. It wasn''t like he had anything left in him now except dying. And who even reads such a long contract? "Here you go..." Damien signed. ?Thanks for selling your Soul? DING! Chapter 12 - 12- Women ? "Is this really the right way to keep an eye on people secretly, miss?" ''....'' The figure hidden behind the curtain flinched upon hearing the sudden words directed at her. Prompted to remove the curtains, she revealed herself and, with a closed demeanor, bowed. "Apologies, Young Master. I was about to reveal myself." ''Heh, reveal yourself?'' Damien smirked at the black-robed woman, who appeared to be an assassin. Her entire body, except for her eyes, was covered in black cloth, with two daggers resting on her waist. Ignoring her approach, Damien focused on his task. "How amusing that Lady Vandiana herself did not come to meet me." His smile was not for this woman who was caught but for the dear Villainess who had escaped this place safely. Vandiana Panthera, also called the queen of the underground mafia, possessed 75% control over all the illegal activities inside Cramphian City and 40% inside Country A¡ªthere was a reason for her to be the final boss or major Villainess. And if Damien had invited the son of heaven, shouldn''t he also have invited that woman? So, he definitely invited her as a plan B. Naturally, the story should be like this: Edward, detecting the threat due to his powers, escaped this place, leaving behind Gabriel, who, with his men, attacked high society people. Unaware of Vandiana''s presence, he barged into the hall room, opened fire, and got his head crushed at the hands of the queen. Of course, this was a backup in case things didn''t go Damien''s way due to the son of heaven''s luck favoring him. And even if everything went perfectly, his actions¡ªprovoking her by siding with the Blakes, where 25% of the underground mafia was still under Gabriel''s control¡ªand the letter sent to her would definitely ignite her interest in him¡ªa letter containing very personal secret details. So, either way, Damien was securing two women. One was Emilia, who would soon inevitably receive the gift of her uncle''s head. The other was Vandiana, who would show interest in him due to his removing an obstacle like Gabriel without her even lifting a finger. Though there were several variables¡ªlike Vandiana herself not seriously wanting Gabriel removed, or she would have crushed him long ago, and Emilia not necessarily falling in love with him just because he killed someone. But he had ignited a flame that would soon grow into a fire. "Here, the Queen has left this letter for you," the woman narrowed her gaze as she observed the man in front of her from top to bottom, analyzing and trying to see through his power levels to understand how he had noticed her presence even with her stealth technique hiding her well. Yet, she appeared unable to detect any power level, clearly meaning the man in front of her had not even initiated Body Refinement. "Is it a love letter she talked about previously?" Damien smiled and stated confidently, causing the woman''s eyes to tremble as she glanced towards the letter. For a split second, she even doubted if it was indeed a love letter. ''A love letter?'' Emilia, suddenly hearing those words, was pulled out of her thoughts from what Damien had told her earlier about how he would not give Gabriel an easy death. Looking towards the letter in the robed woman''s hand, Emilia''s fingers instinctively clenched her dress. Not that she understood why, but it didn''t feel right seeing someone giving him a love letter. ''How cute,'' Damien thought, holding unconscious Amelia in princess carry. He glanced at both Emilia and the woman, whose gazes were fixed on the letter. It wasn''t a love letter, but it was enough to ignite internal conflicts¡ªone doubting her own master and the other doubting herself. "Young Master, I don''t think... Please, just take it," the woman mumbled while looking at the letter, but then, composing herself, offered it to Damien, who took it with a smile. "I will take my leave then," the woman said, turning to leave. But she halted before glancing back at him for a few moments, unable to hold her curiosity, and inquired, "How did you notice me?" There was no loss for her in asking, prompting her to inquire while looking at the man whose eyes first settled on the letter, now looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Sorry, but I bet even Emilia noticed you?" Damien stated in an obvious tone, glancing towards Emilia, who was taken aback, unable to understand what he was going on about. After all, even now, if she turned her eyes away from the woman, she couldn''t feel her presence. Indeed, Emilia had initially felt it, taking it as her mind playing tricks, but now, after focusing on the woman, she was bewildered by how her senses couldn''t register the woman''s presence in front of her. Prompting her to turn towards Damien, she said, "No, I didn''t notice¡ª" But before Emilia could finish saying how she didn''t feel the woman''s presence, Damien smiled and nudged his elbow on Emilia, adding, "Obviously you definitely noticed, Emilia. After all, how could that thin curtain hide those G-cups without forming a bump?" ''!?!'' "Wh-what?" Emilia stammered, caught off guard by Damien''s sudden remark. "Shameless!" The woman appeared suddenly flushed, her steps sliding back before halting. She glared at him with a blushed face due to embarrassment, instinctively covering her chest while blinking at the man who appeared nonchalant and obvious. "Mind your words, lady," Damien''s demeanor changed, replaced by a firm tone with coldness shrouding his facial expression. He looked intensely at the woman, who again appeared taken aback. He further added, "You were the one who asked for the reason and now act like this. I will not appreciate this kind of behavior." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''?!'' "I-I apologize, Young Master." Suddenly, the woman''s words made her realize it was indeed she who had inquired first. Now, after hearing the answer, she acted as if Damien''s intentions were to objectify her. ''Sigh, women,'' Damien thought, grinning as he looked at the woman staring downward, amused at how easy it was to play with someone''s mind. Even though he was at fault for saying those words, it appeared as if she was at fault. And of course, this wasn''t the end. If Damien''s thinking was correct, he would hear exactly what he expected from her. ''He is a d-devil,'' Emilia thought, standing beside him. She had noticed the grin on Damien''s face, her pupils trembling as she realized how that handsome face was playing with the woman''s mind. "I will take my leave," the woman said, feeling her behavior might be unacceptable to Lady Vandiana. She slowly turned into mist¡ªa stealth technique¡ªwith her lips parting under her clothes to clarify something to these people. Her eyes coldly looked at the man before adding, "It''s 34DD to be exact, Sir Damien." With those words, she disappeared. "Oh, my bad, it seems I need physical experience," Damien smiled, seeing the woman vanish. His eyes narrowed, glancing beside him at Emilia, who appeared shocked. He teased, "How about after our marriage, you help me out, Emilia¡ª" Suddenly, hearing such vulgar words from him, Emilia swung her hand to slap him, but like before, he tilted his head and dodged, causing her to stumble forward from the recoil. She cried, "How dare you¡ªkyaaah~!!" "Let''s move faster, shall we?" Damien swiftly twisted Amelia in his arms and placed her on his right shoulder, grabbing Emilia''s waist with his other hand before lifting her up in the same manner and placing her on his shoulder. "Kyaaah~! Leave me, you evil lecherous monster!" That innocent woman could only cry as the man, carrying two beauties on his shoulders, disappeared down the long hallway, her cries fading away. Ahem. Chapter 13 - 13- Third leg(1) "Kyaah~! Leave me!" Emilia cried out, feeling her body freely hanging on Damien''s shoulder with her legs flailing to escape. Her eyes darted to the back of the man, where she kept punching in a struggle. "Can you do the left too?" Damien chuckled, enjoying the light back massage while he lifted two women on his shoulders, moving through the hallway. Didn''t it hurt, using his weak body to carry at least approximately 100 kg of weight? Of course, it did, but wasn''t he getting a back massage too? "We''ve arrived," Damien finally reached the end of the hallway before taking a turn and facing a wall, which revealed a small room for staff members of the hotel. He kicked the door open, quickly glancing to see if this room had a window at the height he needed. He had already received information that this was the only room in the entire hotel with a large enough window at a 10-foot height. After all, before starting the drama, one must prepare the stage first. "Wh-what? We did? Fine, now leave me," Emilia, realizing her attacks were futile against this man, felt this was a chance to finally escape his shoulders and come down from such a height. Now, even her abdomen was hurting. "Let''s throw this weight first," Damien said before looking at the floor where some blankets were placed as cushions. In an instant, he removed his hand from his right shoulder, where it was wrapped around a delicate woman, and she slid from his grip as he hastily threw her away, causing Amelia''s body to freely stumble before her head lightly hit the nearby wall. thud "Wait! No, not like that!" Emilia cried out, drenched in sweat as she heard Amelia''s head hit the wall. Even with the blanket softening the landing, she knew if he threw her the same way, she would definitely get hurt. "Huh? Why would I even throw you like trash?" Damien, whose eyes glanced at Amelia fallen on the blankets with her disheveled hair, turned towards the butt beside him¡ªhe held Emilia on his left shoulder, seeing only her lower body with its struggling legs. He snorted at her words. Naturally, why would he throw her? He wasn''t some cruel person at all. "Oh, thank you, but did you call her trash¡ªIEEEK?!!" Emilia felt grateful she wouldn''t suffer the same fate as Amelia, but to her surprise, a sharp slap landed on her butt. Her eyes widened, accompanied by a surprised cry escaping her mouth. "Wait, wait, wait! No, what are you doing?!" She felt his hand, which had just slapped her butt, clench it now. Her pupils trembled in shock, and her hands gripped the back of his clothes, not wanting to think about what her mind was playing right now. She was alone with this man inside this room (excluding unconscious Amelia), with the way his hand groped her rear tightly clearly meaning he was in heat. She couldn''t imagine what fate awaited her. Her eyes started to turn teary, and her lips quivered as she loosened her body, knowing she couldn''t expect any mercy from this cruel man even if she struggled to escape. ''I hate you, Damien Raphael,'' her mind repeated, remembering how much she hated this man. He was evil, who first took advantage of her family''s helplessness and now was going to take hers, prompting her to mutter in a defeated tone, "Do whatever you want, but remember this, I will definitely kill you." ''What is she mumbling?'' Damien raised his eyebrows, not understanding what Emilia was on about. He just wanted to land her safely, so he firmly gripped her base. Of course, due to instinct, he had landed a hit without considering it might be painful for her. But her mumbling those words was definitely making him think that her brain was dirty. [???????????? ???????????????????????? ???? ???????????????? ????????????????????????.] ''Huh?'' The moment Damien heard the system''s notification, he became even more sure that Emilia was concocting something evil in her mind. Given that just by helping her out, he was declared hateful. Not that he hated her untold suggestion, prompting his hand to grip even tighter before slowly sliding her body forward to land. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His shoulder felt her flat, curvy waist from that bridal dress before a plumpness reminded him that he was soon going to meet that angry face too. "Hah? Are you crying?" Damien, who had slowly landed her feet on the floor with his hand gripping her butt, met her eyes, which were teary, as she tried to clear away the remnants of her pain with her palm and wrist. Looking at her, Damien snickered, prompting her eyes to tremble before widening as she felt his forehead press against hers. "I will not touch you before our wedding, Emilia," he added calmly, a genuine smile on his handsome face. His sharp jawlines and spotless skin seemed to give no hint of a lie. ''Bullshit!'' Emilia thought, unable to believe this man''s shamelessness in giving her fake promises. He had just bitten her lips the moment she wore rings, leaving her lower lip swollen and sore. Not to mention his hands, which had molested her. Not in a million years was she going to trust this man being so genuine! "Sigh, you don''t believe me?" Damien showed a defeated smile, looking at her. His head retreated before his demeanor shifted. His fingers traced down from behind her ears, tucking a strand of hair back. His knuckles slid along her jawline before his thumb and forefinger lifted her chin. He sneered at her sudden surprise and declared, "How about I leave no trace of doubt in your mind and fill it with only one thought?" "Wh-what thought?" Emilia''s swollen lips trembled under his intense gaze, trying to understand if what she was thinking matched his intentions. Damien tilted his head, his narrowed eyes focusing on her red, swollen lips, still touched with dew. He recalled their peach taste and began to close the distance between them, her panicked eyes remaining fixed on his, her small hand resting on his chest. A perfect alignment for a deep, immersive kiss to make her brain freeze. But bad luck. "Unh... Damien? What are you doing?" Amelia, looking at the man holding another woman''s face, felt confused. She rubbed her head, which hurt, her eyes barely open to only see blur image. Chapter 14 - 14-Two fighting for one Amelia barely opened her eyes as she rubbed her forehead, feeling dizzy. Her mind seemed to be spinning before she saw Damien''s head tilted towards Emilia, approaching her to kiss her. "Um... Damien? What are you doing?" "Tch." His body halted in mid-motion, a raised eyebrow clearly displaying his annoyance towards the woman who had rudely disrupted him at such a crucial moment. Despite the warm, tired breath still lingering on his skin from Emilia, her wide eyes remained glued to his face. However, Amelia had just spoiled the moment. "You!" Amelia''s mind gained clarity as her gaze snapped to the man who had slapped her moments ago, triggering a flood of memories that caused her to grimace and clutch her head. Damien chose to ignore her and proceeded with his previous task of kissing Emilia. Suddenly, Amelia fixed her enraged, reddened eyes at him, crying out in anger. "Who are you? Where is my Damien!?" ''...huh?'' However, he paused upon hearing Amelia''s remark about his lack of originality. A slight curve formed on his lips, eventually transforming into a devilish smile. With narrowed eyes, he looked at her and said in a firm tone, "How hypocritical of you to expect me to stay quiet when you slap me, yet label me as fake if I retaliate. Quite amusing, isn''t it?" "What?" Amelia''s pupil trembled as they looked at him talking to her in such a disrespectful manner after slapping her in front of everyone. After all, her reputation was completely destroyed due to that slap in front of high society. "Are you seriously more concerned about your reputation than the fact that you were the one who slapped me first?" Damien let out a quiet sigh before walking over to her and gently crouching down on his toes to meet Amelia at eye level. She was shocked, her pupils trembling, not understanding how he could see through her thoughts. But looking through her face, he added, "So, I was correct, huh?" Of course, he didn''t have some ability to read her thoughts, but just guessed from all the traits he had noticed from this woman. Firstly, she openly slapped him in front of everyone, showing a blatant disregard for consequences, which made him realize it wasn''t her first time. Secondly, the instant he retaliated and slapped her back, her initial reaction of embarrassment quickly shifted to self-awareness as she noticed how others perceived her vulnerability. For a woman who wanted to be self-dependent, it wasn''t hard for Damien to understand that it was more of a bloated ego of hers, which didn''t even care for others while perceiving that. "N-no, I never..." Amelia stammered while looking in his eyes, which appeared to mock her, though she realized it was her fault to hit him in front of many individuals but in the end, her eyes drifted towards Emilia as she pointed at her, "You!" ''...pretty much expected'', Damien, seeing how Amelia¡ªfollowing the same psychology as humans who try to completely change the subject when caught¡ªfound a way to escape without raising suspicion as she tried to avoid the whole matter even without apologizing. Sure, he wasn''t irritated because that would only make him want to increase the pain he inflicts on her and possibly lead to the constellations granting more power stones when pleased. Ultimately, it was simply a routine aspect of his job, whether currently or in the future. Breaking her piece by piece would yield different results compared to a single shot. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You! What you did to him!" Amelia glared at Emilia, who was taken aback by suddenly becoming a target of her, given the fact that she was herself a victim here under the clutches of that devil who was smiling while leaning near Amelia. Amelia''s anger arose from the fact that it all started the moment this woman entered their lives, not that her anger was solely Emilia''s fault. Despite the situation, Amelia made a conscious choice to keep her composure. Rather than directly addressing Damien''s apparent use of this woman, she opted to wait for the right moment. Once Damien''s emotions settled and he returned to his normal self, Amelia planned to have a conversation with him about his actions today, including slapping her and speaking so rudely. But for now, she needed to calm down Damien even if to make him forget this matter by condemning Emilia for now. To put it simply: if things weren''t in her favor then she will just wait for the whole thing to end. "S-sorry?" Emilia stammered with her eyes planting towards Damien for some support not able to compose herself due to his previous actions and now the sudden outburst from Amelia had taken her off guard. "Don''t act like this, Emilia Blake, he could be like this but you too?" Amelia pointed her finger towards Emilia with a frown on her chin and her hand supporting her body as she lifted herself up. ''How dreamy,'' though Damien had noticed that how Amelia while yelling at Emilia didn''t forget to call him an idiot, but stayed silent as he looked towards the episode forecasting with the name: Two booty fighting for one stick. Who doesn''t want to see two beauties fighting over a man? So, he sat on the blanket lying on the floor before glancing at the nearby vending machine with a smile forming since shouldn''t these women will need some cold drink to quench their thirst after the battle. Now that the battle was mentioned. Shouldn''t the favored son of heaven also be coming here? "Yeah, I choose you Emilia, attack," Damien stood with a grin as noticed how Emilia was looking at him with a confused gaze causing him to tease her as he made his way towards the vending machine to prepare some special cocktail for particular individuals. ''Y-you devil!'', Emilia noticed Damien moving towards the vending machine, leaving her alone to deal with the psychopathic woman who had once supported her but was now condemning her for stealing her man. Chapter 15 - 15- Why not drink something else? ''Hm, let''s see,'' Damien gazed at the vending machine''s glass window, showcasing a variety of cold drinks. His eyes settled on the lemon juice before shifting towards the coin slot. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled out a small coin from his pocket. A thread appeared to be tied to it. He inserted the coin and, after seeing his drink fall, he tried to pull the thread to get his coin back. ''Hmm, that used to work previously?'' But due to the advanced mechanism, the slot had already been sealed shut, forcing him to settle for a cold drink instead. As his hand held the chilled metal of the drink, memories flooded back of a past assignment where he played the role of a villain who tragically lost his family to the hero. It was certainly challenging being an F-Class Villain who cucked the SS-Class Hero. Without any money to his name, he resorted to using devious tricks to survive. However, it appeared that the machines in this particular assignment were far more sophisticated than he had anticipated. ''Utter evil?!'' Emilia''s gaze briefly flickered towards Damien, who, despite being the heir to a wealthy family, attempted to steal something from a vending machine. "Hey, can''t you hear me?" Amelia noticed that Emilia was ignoring her and looking at Damien who stood behind her, causing her eyes to turn cold. She repeated herself, saying, "Listen, Emilia, how about I help you get out of this situation?" ''....'' Emilia noticed Amelia''s eyes glancing towards her fingers, specifically towards the black ring she wore, prompting her to understand that this woman wanted the ring in her hand more than helping her out. She stammered, "I-I don''t understand¡ª" "No, let me first apologize for pulling you into this mess." Amelia also observed that her intentions could be misinterpreted due to her glancing towards the ring, prompting her to clarify, "It''s not the first time for him to pull such a stunt, so you can rest assured he isn''t evil at heart." In the end, Amelia knew that it was nothing but some sort of drama which Damien had pulled to get her attention or at least to make her feel hurt, but he was failing at it. She was really angry at him for going this far. So, it would be better for this whole drama to end soon, prompting her to clarify to Emilia that it was his daily habit to do such things. ''Huh? He isn''t evil?'' Emilia, who had just heard those words, wondered if this woman truly knew Damien. On the other hand, she thought that perhaps he always treated this woman better than others, which could explain why she didn''t think he was evil. ''What is this feeling?'' Emilia realized that Damien truly loved this woman, causing an uncomfortable feeling in her heart. But she tried to see it more as pity for this woman whom Damien Raphael loved. Unaware of the small flame that had ignited in her heart being the source of her feelings. "Miss...um, can you let me pass?" Emilia chose to disregard Amelia''s words as she walked by her without a second glance. This left Amelia staring blankly at Emilia, who then proceeded to approach Damien. Without hesitation, Emilia reached out her hand and spoke to Damien. "I am thirsty." ''....did she just'', Amelia stood there, looking straight ahead as she tried to understand that she had just been ignored by that woman. She bit her lips, a sick feeling clenching her face due to the humiliation she was facing from the series of actions¡ªfirst Damien slapped her, and now Emilia ignored her words. "No, this is for Amelia." ''?!'' Amelia''s eyes widened as she stood there, a slight curve forming on her lips before transforming into a smile upon hearing Damien directly reject Emilia''s offer to give him a cold drink. Those simple words were more than enough for Amelia to realize that in the end, her value was more, prompting her to turn towards both individuals¡ªDamien and Emilia¡ªwith a smile. As Emilia''s eyes trembled, her hand hovered in the air, trying to grasp the cold drink that Damien, with his hand firmly in place, refused to let her have. "Now that I think about it, I was indeed thirsty," Amelia said with a smile as she walked forward, giving a side-eye to Emilia, who had ignored her a moment ago and was now receiving the same treatment from Damien. It was clear that in the end, Damien cared for Amelia more. "....I..see." As Emilia stood there, she noticed her hand tightly gripping her bridal dress, her defeated eyes accepting the harsh truth that her worth hadn''t elevated simply because she was engaged to him, ''what did I expect?'' With a defeated smile, her hands slowly started to loosen as Amelia took the drink from Damien''s hand. "Thank you, Damien," Amelia said, but coincidentally, it was a sour beverage which Amelia didn''t like, prompting her to only hold it and not directly drink. ''I will just give it to Edward,'' knowing that it would be a waste to throw it away after seeing the defeated expression on Emilia''s face, Amelia decided to give it to Edward. ''Predictable,'' Damien thought, his plans hitting the mark¡ªhis choice of drink was not to this woman''s liking, and the situation was exacerbated by it being turned into a competition with the drink going straight into Edward''s mouth as a result. In short: Soon, a chemistry lab practical demonstration would take place where the Son of heaven''s stomach would be used as a test tube. ''Now, it''s your turn miss,'' Damien sported a mischievous grin as he gazed at Emilia, who averted her eyes and awkwardly clutched her own elbow while gently biting her lips. Ignoring Amelia, who was engrossed in her cold drink and lost in her own thoughts, Damien leaned towards Emilia''s ear. Despite her clear signal that she did not welcome his attention, Damien disregarded it and moved even closer, whispering in a mischievous tone. "I will make you even more thirsty until you feel a strong urge to satisfy your thirst by drinking something else, my dear Emilia." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 16 - 16- Small game (1) ''Look at you finally letting your true colors show, Devil,'' Emilia, unlike before, refrained from slapping him upon hearing his words this time. She knew he would likely dodge it again, possibly even opting to kiss her. With great effort, she managed to control herself, gritting her teeth and clenching her fists, all while averting her gaze downward. "Heh, I know you are impatient, but you can pounce on me. No need to control it," Feeling amused, Damien playfully teased Emilia with his eyes, admiring how she kept her teeth in check to control her anger. Her cute demeanor only fueled his desire to playfully push her buttons even more. Of course, not pressing those two pinkish buttons yet, but her patience. "I will kill you," Emilia gritted her teeth, glaring at the man who was now overstepping boundaries, attempting to test her patience. As she noticed his smirk, she knew what was coming next. All she could manage was a disapproving click of her tongue, showing her irritation with a simple "Tch." ''How cute, but...,'' Damien definitely wanted to tease her more but found it not the right time as he noticed Amelia looking towards him. He retreated his head back from Emilia''s face while taking a deep breath of her scent to annoy her even more. "Basta¡ª" Emilia wanted to curse this guy but before she could, Damien''s words interrupted her. "Amelia, Can I have your phone for a bit?" With a smile, Damien stretched out his hand, knowing that right now she doesn''t have any other option but to give him her phone. "Um, but..." As usual, Amelia hesitated to give her phone to him, knowing how he always used to ask for her phone only to get her personal number. But the moment she caught Emilia''s stern gaze directed towards Damien, Amelia knew that this wasn''t the moment to repeat past mistakes and let that woman have upper hand. With a resigned nod, Amelia reluctantly retrieved her phone and passed it to him. "Here." ''Really?'' Damien found it amusing how Amelia showed reluctance in giving her phone, and after a slight struggle, he finally took it before putting it in his pocket, slightly confusing her. "Damien? Why keep it?" Amelia feeling confused tried to inquire the reason for him to not use it and place it in his pocket but before that Damien interrupted. "Now we need to escape this place safely, Emilia. Can you help me with something?" Damien asked urgently, directing his attention towards Emilia while feigning ignorance of Amelia''s presence, trying to provoke her into following the direction he wants her to go. "Huh? What help?" Emilia pointed a finger towards herself, feeling confused by his sudden change of expression, which seemed genuine and filled with urgency to escape the place. "Wait, I will help you," As soon as she caught wind of his words, Amelia wasted no time stepping between them and declaring assertively with a proactive demeanor. ''Very predictable,'' As Damien witnessed the events unfolding exactly as he had foreseen, a smug smile formed on his lips. He then shifted his gaze to Amelia and motioned towards a tall window in the corner of the room."Let''s do some calorie-burning work, shall we?" . . . . . Bang! Bang! "Kugh?! He is a monster!" In a state of terror, the man screamed and tightly held onto a pistol, frantically pulling the trigger. Edward, covered in blood and holding a piece of glass, evaded the incoming bullets, moving in a zigzag pattern before thrusting the glass into the man''s throat. "Agh!...p-lea-se?!" The man''s eyes widened in horror as a shard of glass entered his throat, his desperate plea cut short. Edward''s cold gaze reflected a deadly resolve, blood staining his face like a grim mask of battle. Despite the man''s wordless plea, Edward showed no mercy as he swiftly severed the vines constricting his throat. THUD The man''s lifeless body, now filled with blood in his neck area, fell to the floor with a loud sound. The ground was already littered with several more corpses, their hands busily cleaning the guns that had run out of bullets. "Haah....Haa...damn it!" As Edward cried out, he clenched his teeth and looked upon the lifeless, bloodied bodies of the men now lying on the ground. His skin bore the wounds of multiple bullets - some lodged in his legs, others merely grazing his shoulder. Luck was on his side as a few of the guns jammed just as they were aimed at his head, buying him precious time to eliminate some of the professionals. "Damien, you Bastard!!" As Edward cried out, the memories flooded back to him of the moment when that man had taken Amelia while she was unconscious, clearly revealing his sinister intentions towards her. Disregarding his bloodied wounds, Edward pivoted towards the hallway where Damien had fled. He dashed after him, the agony of his bullet wounds a familiar sensation from his days as a battle-hardened veteran. "Amelia, can you hear me!?" After just a short amount of time, he had already made his way through several meters, frantically calling out the name while his mind raced with various thoughts on what Damien might have done with Amelia. ''I will shred you, bastard, if you touch her!'' ''Calm yourself, Edward,'' suddenly calming himself, realizing that he was indeed overreacting. Instead of panicking, Edward paused before taking out his phone and dialing Amelia. "Pick up the phone, damn it!" Ringing ''Finally,'' Edward felt relieved as the call connected. He instantly yelled, "Amelia! Where are you? Did that guy do something to you?" "Agh! Damien, stop it! My legs hurt, Ahh! I can''t take it anymore! Ahnn!" Came a voice from the other side of the call, which took Edward off guard, causing his eyes to widen before stammering, "A-amelia? "N-no, Damien, don''t stretch my legs. Ahh! It''s too deep! Stop, let''s stop now! It hurts! Ahn, no!" Another series of voices acted as the last line, which snapped Edward''s mind. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As his last ounce of internal energy burned, he demolished the phone to dust, his red eyes blazing with intensity as he sprinted down the hallway, shouting at the top of his lungs. "DAMIEN, YOU BASTARD!! I WILL SHRED YOU!" Chapter 17 - 17 - Wasnt that easy? A strange noise emanated from a window in a room within one of the hotels owned by the Ramphian group. "Ah, Damien, will it be fine?" Two delicate milky white hands suddenly appeared, peeking out from the narrow window panels near the top of the wall. "Of course it will be," replied a voice with an amused look, directed upwards towards a woman who stood with both legs on two different tables while attempting to climb out of a window to escape this place. The window was only 1 meter wide and half a meter in height, but it was nearly 10 feet from the floor. To help the 5 feet 7-inch woman climb out, a makeshift 5-foot-tall stool had been created by stacking several items. However, the entire tower of makeshift items shook as Amelia climbed, causing her to inquire about its safety. ''Curse my luck'', Amelia stretched her hand towards the window, feeling it was a mistake to intervene when Damien was assigned the task by Emilia. With a trembling body, she finally grabbed the window frame before nervously saying, "P-please don''t remove your hands from the table." Damien had explained that he shouldn''t be the one to climb because he needed to use his strength to keep the table steady. However, she did not feel the table was steady at all; in fact, it felt even more unstable. "Of course, trust me," came a sarcastic voice from below as Amelia, finally getting some support from the window, tried to pull herself up in hopes of seeing the situation outside. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Trust? Bullshit!'', Emilia cannot believe what she is witnessing. Her eyes are filled with surprise and fear as she watches Damien stare blankly at Amelia''s phone screen, not even bothering to hold onto the table as he shakes it with his left hand. Emilia''s mouth twitched at the thought of him assigning the task to her. She couldn''t even fathom what mischief this irresponsible guy would have caused if she were in Amelia''s position. Trinnngg~ Suddenly, a ringing phone caught Emilia''s attention, causing her eyes to dart towards Damien. She saw a mischievous grin forming on his face before he answered the call. However, Amelia was too preoccupied with her struggles at the window to notice the incoming call on her own phone. "Ah! Damien, please stop!" Amelia suddenly felt the table moving more aggressively, causing her hand, which was trying to open the window panel, to struggle. Her legs, which were stretched out under the table, started to part as the table continued to move. "My legs hurt, Ahh!" Amelia felt her legs give way due to sudden strain caused by them stretching apart as Damien shook the table. "I can''t take it anymore! Ahhh!" Somehow, Amelia managed to cling to the edge of the window, preventing her body from falling. She then brought her legs together and restored the tables to their original position. ''Some more, shall we'', Damien, whose eyes were fixed on Amelia''s phone where Edwards'' caller ID was showing, felt that he needed to shake more. After all, in her phone''s contact list, there was no number saved under the name Damien Raphael, only others. He had expected this after she showed some hesitation in giving him her phone, but after seeing the reason for her reluctance, he once again kicked the stools. "N-no, Damien, don''t stretch my legs." It was not hard for her to notice that Damien had just kicked the table, causing her legs to stretch even more with her hand already too deep inside the window panel. The sudden support from the trembling stool stumbled her. "Ahh! It''s too deep! " She cried because her hands were stuck inside the window panels and her legs were struggling to support her weight through her toes. This made her realize that she couldn''t continue the task because her body had already reached its limit. " Stop, let''s stop now! It hurts! Ahn" "Damien, stop, she will fall," Coming forward, Emilia saw that Amelia was about to fall from a great height. As she approached Damien, who was smiling after hearing the call being cut from the other side, she nervously suggested, gripping his suit''s clothing with worried eyes. "....Fine" Damien noticed Emilia moving forward with a request that he didn''t want to follow. However, when he heard the sound of a dog''s barking coming closer to the end of the hallway, he quickly kicked the stool that Amelia was standing on and pushed Emilia away, yelling, "Get back!" As if utilizing that moment to hit two birds with a single stone. He twisted his body with a speed unnoticeable by anyone, as if time was slowed down. Amelia was falling from the table with her front towards the floor. Damien adjusted his position using his fingers to form a camera angle before lying on the ground with open hands¡ªall within the blink of a moment. Thud! "Kyaaa~!"As Amelia landed directly on Damien''s body, her own form sprawled over his chest, the room''s door suddenly swung open with a resounding noise. "Amelia!....N-no" Upon entering the room, Edward witnessed Damien and Amelia intertwined on the floor, with Damien''s hand resting on the ground as Amelia hovered over him. ''Are they'', It seemed as though Edward had lost a part of himself in that moment, gazing ahead. Ding! [ ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????! ] [ ???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????''???? ????????????????????! ] [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????????????! (???????????????? ????????????????????????????????) --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????! ] [ ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? (???????????????? ????????????????????????????) --? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????? ] [ ???? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? (???????????????? ????????????????????!) --? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????! ] One after another, sounds came from the system with its rewards changing to be suitable for someone like Damien who doesn''t need any cultivation. The rewards would either focus on his physical body or give him an advantage in initiating cultivation for another person. ''Wasn''t that easy?'' Damien smirked, seeing how smoothly everything went. He stared blankly at Amelia''s hair spread over his face, waiting for her response without attempting to hug her or take advantage of the situation. A beautiful and curvaceous woman had just been named the heroine, lying on his body with her breasts on his chest yet he only felt repulsion towards her. It''s because he wasn''t thinking rashly when it came to someone like Amelia. Instead, he was focused on breaking her mentally, torturing her conscience before finally pushing her to the brink of committing the same act which her actions would have led to in the original body''s host¡ªa suicide. In fact, the end of the plot would have been Damien Raphael committing suicide within five years, after witnessing the destruction of his entire family at the hands of a few sons of heaven and heroines who crossed his path. Chapter 18 - 18- Two fluffy shock observers. "I am fine, Edward," Amelia said, hearing the voice from behind. She understood that it was going to create a misunderstanding, prompting her to stand with the support of her hands. Her eyes seemed to look at Damien, but only received a cold gaze without any reaction. In this scenario, it wouldn''t be a big deal to hear his rapid heartbeat as she lay close to his chest, but he seemed unfazed by her falling on him which didn''t go unnoticed by Amelia. "What?", Edward seemed to not comprehend the scene before him as his eyes moved forward while his gaze shifted towards the table and a slightly open window. Analyzing the situation, it was not difficult for him to determine that Amelia had fallen from that height. ''This fucker...?'', When his eyes landed on the base of the table, he noticed footprints, causing anger to fill Edward''s mind. He then realized that Damien had made Amelia climb to that height and kick the table to make her fall intentionally on him. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You should be cautious, Miss Amelia. I can''t always be by your side to act as your cushion.", Damien raised his head to gaze at Amelia while brushing off his suit, his cold stare fixed on her as he stood from the ground. ''What?'' Suddenly, upon hearing him once again referring to her in a formal tone, Amelia felt bewildered. She squinted her eyes before blankly looking at Damien, who didn''t show any response, causing her to glance at Edward behind her. She interpreted it as a formal tone because of Edward''s presence. So, she didn''t push the issue and asked, "Fine, Damien, whatever you want. But how are we going to leave this place?" Raising her hand and rubbing her forehead, she prepared to ask how they would leave this place, but suddenly felt confused when she saw a unique smile on Damien''s face. ''Is that a grin?'' "You Bastard!" Edward cried out when he realized that even though Damien used formal language, Amelia started talking casually as if she had forgotten what had happened in the hall room. And this was just what Damien wanted, leading him to sneer at Edward as he approached Damien abruptly. ''Now, who will first come to save me?'', Damien looked towards Edward and then suddenly glanced at Amelia and Emilia, both of whom were taken aback. They observed how Edward was going to punch Damien, which prompted Damien to snicker inwardly. Naturally, he had intentionally first used a casual tone to call Amelia''s name, prompting her to forget about the warning he gave her in the hallway to use formal titles. Then suddenly, when Edward arrived, he switched back to his previous self, making it appear as if Amelia had forgotten about his slap and was now casually trying to talk with him. Finally, all that was left was for him to wait for someone to save Damien''s vulnerable, fragile, and mortal body. ''Don''t be obvious, woman'', Damien''s mouth twitched when he noticed Emilia''s lips forming a curve, turning into a smile as he was about to get punched by Edward. He found it cute how she didn''t care for him and made a mental note to remember this slight betrayal and definitely get back at her. "Stop!" Amelia, being near Damien, instantly jumped between him and the incoming punch with a determined look towards the one who had just arrived. Despite her quick action, the punch missed her and instead landed directly on Damien''s face. Technically, the punch would have landed if his head wasn''t tilted to avoid it. The punch was nearly invisible to the naked eye. ''Purchase a blood capsule'', In that fleeting moment, Damien''s hair was blown back by the force of the punch that had just narrowly missed him, thanks to Amelia jumping between them. He sharply turned his eyes towards Emilia as commanded.''it''s revenge time.'' [ Here you go ] In an instant, a small red capsule materialized between his teeth. He crushed it before taking a step back and pouncing on Emilia''s body. Of course, he can''t just fall on hard ground, so he chose something for a soft landing. "Urgh!" Damien groaned and with a wink, signaled to Emilia that he was about to get back at her in retaliation for her earlier laughter at him. "Kyaaa~!" Emilia instinctively reached out to shield her face as Damien suddenly fell. She noticed a small amount of blood near his mouth, but her main priority was ensuring her own safety first. ''Woah!'', Damien, who didn''t care about her face, felt as if his hand was sinking the moment they landed on the two perky peaks of her bridal dress. The sensation of softness, a handful of grip which felt like enough cushion to act as his last lifeline. Thud "Argh!...ouucch...my chest.." Emilia, though she had fallen, cried. Her head hit the pillow and blankets directly, providing a soft landing without any injury to her back. However, she felt pain in her breasts instead of her back, causing her eyelids to open as she tried to understand the source of the pain. drip drip "Cough! Thank you for saving me, my love, pttu," Damien smiled wryly as he spit out the outer shell of the capsule. ''This devil'', Emilia pursed her lips, noticing that Damien had fallen on her in a way that his face was near her belly button. Both of his hands were grabbing her breasts over the bridal dress, and his lifted head revealed genuine pain, with blood trickling from his mouth. Was Emilia so ruthless that she didn''t even feel the pain of her soon-to-be husband? Nope, the issue was that her husband had winked at her, groped her breasts, and even was molding them in this broken state. He also spat out a capsule from his mouth into a nearby corner. So, Emilia was one hundred percent sure that he had just acted to annoy her even more. "Damien!, How could you hit him Edward?" Amelia''s eyes widened when she saw Damien fall to the ground, but he was saved by Emilia. This made her glare at Edward before rushing towards Damien. ''What?'', Edward stood there while retracting his punch, looking at his hand. He thought that he didn''t even feel like hitting something hard; it was as if his hand just passed through air. However, he looked at Damian, feeling conflicted about whether he actually punched him or not. Chapter 19 - 19- A return gift "Damien, Are you all right?" Amelia attempted to approach Damien, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw Emilia''s hands resting on Damien''s hand, as if trying to push his hand onto her chest. ''What is this?'' Amelia''s frown deepened as she considered the possibility that while falling, Damien may have accidentally placed his hand on Emilia''s chest. However, her frown intensified further as she observed Emilia seizing the opportunity to hold his hand on her chest. ''Remove your hands!'', Emilia silently wept as she realized that, despite her efforts to hold onto his hand, it now gripped her breasts tightly, preventing her from removing it. ''Nope, do your role'', Damien, at that moment, kept his gaze low as he pondered something important. He felt the urge to convey to Emilia that, as a supporting character, she should embrace her role and support him in his very important task at hand. After a moment of contemplation, Damien slowly opened his eyes while still burying his face in her belly. He realized that the task he was working on was important. Taking a deep breath, he then confidently responded, ''it''s definitely a D cup.'' [ Wrong ] ''Hmm, it appears the thickness of the fabric is causing me confusion,'' Damien nodded as he snuggled into her abdomen. Less than 20 seconds had passed since he fell on Emilia, yet he had already seized the opportunity to use 4 different combinations. "Leave him", Amelia, indifferent to the situation, swiftly reached out and grasped Damien''s hand, guiding it upwards to create distance from the testing mountain it groped. ''Finally, but..'', Emilia finally found comfort on her left side as Amelia''s hand replaced the one that had been gripping her, but when she caught Amelia''s intense gaze, she sensed that something was amiss. Wasn''t she the one who suffered in this situation? "Cough! L-eave me!", Damien pulled his hand forcefully from Amelia''s grasp, his expression filled with rage. He placed his trembling hand on the ground for support as he struggled to lift himself up with just one arm. Clutching his chest, he finally managed to sit down right next to the wall, gasping for breath. "D-damien?" Amelia was left bewildered by the abrupt resolution of the situation with her hand, as she noticed the anger brewing in Damien''s eyes directed towards her. "Miss Amelia, there is no need for you to take action now when you were the one responsible for all of this.", His glare intensifying, Damien watched as blood dripped from his mouth, casting his cold gaze towards Edward and then Amelia. It was evident that he was fully aware that Amelia had orchestrated the situation, provoking Edward to attack him. "Wh-what?, You seem confused¡ª" Upon hearing such words from him, Amelia was slightly taken aback and struggled to comprehend his sudden change in behavior. However, before she could make sense of it, Edward stepped forward. "It''s good that you know, bastard!", Edward, who had been bewildered seconds ago by the unexpected damage from a punch that didn''t even land, seized the opportunity when Damien was also confused and pointing fingers at Amelia. Edward stepped forward to exacerbate the situation and manipulate it to his advantage. ''What is he saying'', Amelia stood next to Edward, her gaze shifting towards him in confusion as she tried to make sense of why he would lie about punching Damien when it was his own choice to do so. "Cough!...urgh...It''s pathetic seeing how you could fall this much", Damien hacked up a mouthful of blood, clutching his chest in agony. His eyes blazed with anger as he fixed a disbelieving gaze on Amelia, shocked by the extent to which she had gone. "N-no" Amelia was puzzled and wanted to clarify how Edward was also being deceitful. "H-help me, Emilia", Damien''s eyes moved from Amelia to the woman in the bridal gown, who was frantically fixing the top of her dress around her chest. This was a direct result of Damien''s earlier behavior, causing her discomfort and to readjust her bra. ''Huh? Now what you want from me'', Emilia blinked and turned her gaze to the man, who shifted his colors rapidly like a chameleon. She didn''t succumb to his vulnerable state, sensing that he sought support from her. Instead, she subtly distanced herself by moving slightly away from him while remaining seated. "E-emilia...I am thirsty ", Damien barely raised his eyes as he reached out his hand towards Emilia, gasping with a desperate thirst for something to quench it. ''...N-no'', From Emilia''s point of view, Damien seemed like a lustful predator. His hungry gaze roamed over her figure, making her skin crawl as she instinctively crossed her arms protectively across her chest. "Huh, Wait" Amelia, though confused by Edward''s actions and then condemned by Damien for supposedly having Edward punch him intentionally, was brought back to reality by Damien''s words. She heard that he was thirsty and looked towards the table to find the drink Damien had given her a few moments ago to offer it to him. ''What?'', Edward, who was looking down at Damien, suddenly noticed how Amelia was reaching for a drink placed on the table. He realized that, most likely due to Damien''s condition, she was helping him by giving him the drink with her hand, while also showing her support and affection towards him. Previously, Edward had accepted that it was Amelia who had manipulated him into punching Damien to create hatred between them. But now, seeing Amelia offer him a drink, he swiftly moved his body, grabbed the can from the table, and quickly opened it, taking a big gulp in one go. "Edward, stop that!" Amelia said suddenly, trying to prevent him from taking the drink. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "N-no, I am thirsty," Damien extended his hand towards Edward, who looked at him with a raised eyebrow while taking a sip of his drink and smirking. Suddenly, Edward''s eyes widened as he noticed Damien''s expression turning into a snicker. "Idiot", Damien then cockily raised both of his hands and proudly showed Edward his middle finger, sticking out his bloodied tongue in a mocking manner. ''Did he lose his mind¡ª?!'' As Edward finished the last sip of canned lemon juice, he was taken aback by Damien''s strange behavior. Before he could process his confusion, he was overwhelmed by feelings of suffocation, nausea, and dizziness, causing him to stumble backwards. "W-what?", Edwards'' grip loosened, causing the can to slip from his hand and fall to the floor. He clutched his head in confusion, wondering why he, who was immune to poisons, was feeling dizzy after drinking the can. His eyes was barely under control as he lifted his hand towards Damien, but just then, in a fleeting moment, he only managed to catch a glimpse of a punch thrown his way. "This is a 10¡Á Return gift," Seizing the moment as Edward stumbled, struggling to keep his eyes open, Damien dashed towards him with lightning speed. As both Amelia and Emilia watched in shock, Damien''s eyes locked onto Edward''s before he clenched his fist and landed a powerful punch on Edward''s face. BAAMM! Chapter 20 - 20- Did we miss something? ''W-where am I'', Finding fragments of consciousness returning to his previously blank mind, Edward made an effort to comprehend his situation. Although still not fully alert, the movements around his body indicated to him that he might be in some kind of vehicle. ''What happened?...'', There was definitely still some pain on his face, but he seemed to not fully recall the events of a few moments ago. He was shaking at the sound of an engine revving, possibly from a car. "Haah....Haahh....Basta¡ª?!", After his mind flashed back to the moment Damien''s fist connected with his face, the only recollection Edward had was of his body jerking forward as he awoke, his eyes immediately taking in the sight of the vehicle he was in. "Wh-where am I!" Edward cried out the moment he found himself handcuffed inside a car with a partition separating the driver''s seat and back seat, indicating that it was a police department vehicle. "Wait. Amelia!" As soon as he tried to glance out the window to take in his surroundings, he realized he was in a moving car that had just started. In the distance, he could see two familiar figures engrossed in conversation with a woman dressed in police attire. This caused him to call out the name of a familiar figure. Unbeknownst to him, a woman in a bridal gown with a blank expression was sitting in another police car behind him, gazing at her handcuffed hand. Her trembling lips were tightly pursed, barely containing her tears before glancing at the man standing outside as she placed both palms on the window. ''How could you do this to me, you devil?'' Both Emilia and Edward, who were handcuffed, were now inside different police cars, with Edward''s car already heading towards the police station. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ameli...." Edward''s voice faded as the car created distance from those familiar figures. "Thank you Miss....um Tin" Damien smiled as he looked towards the policewoman, who was coldly gazing at him. He ignored the sound of a dog''s cry coming from a nearby police car as it drove away from them. "It''s Lin, not Tin or Aluminum, Mr. Damien", Wanruo clenched her fingers on trigger tightly as she glared at the man, seething with anger as she observed this incompetent and unworthy second-generation heir of the Raphael family. "Yes, same, but I have already told you that I am innocent", Damien again repeated his statement with both hands raised in the air, while a gun was pointed at his face by police woman. "You are guilty until proven innocent, don''t forget this Young Master Damien." Lin Wanruo didn''t move as she held herself back from pulling the trigger. Her anger was increasing, not towards the man in front of her, but towards herself for not having any proof against him. He could be the one responsible for everything. Naturally, the head of the police department was on his way to the location, but he was delayed. As a result, she, who was near the hotel, arrived with her team to find several high society individuals injured and in distress. Though she found dead bodies of the ones who seemed to attack this place, it was confusing for her to not understand how so many men had entered a hotel with arms when there were several bodyguards and security present outside. And then she found out that the host of the party was none other than the worthless piece of trash known as Damien Raphael. Everyone was aware of his habits of doing anything just to impress the woman from a Crimwell family, even going as far as using his influence on the police department or threatening innocent people. For instance, there was a strike organized by the labor union against the safety department of the Crimwell family. In the presence of the police, this man entered with a rod and beat up innocent people who were peacefully protesting to improve safety in the company. Not only that, he even went as far as giving bribes to the police department and forcing eyewitnesses to remain silent after an event where a member of the Crimwell family was involved in a car accident. A man from such a well-respected family was behaving like trash, following a woman around, licking her feet, and even going as far as to bite others without considering their innocence. "I must have been unaware of a new law, or did Miss Tin create it herself?" Damien''s head lifted with a smirk as he looked down at the woman in front of him, completely ignoring the notifications that kept popping up beside him. [ 3 ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ] [ 2 ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ] [ 5 ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ] ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ???????????? ????????????????????: ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ????????????. ????????????????????????: ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????????????????????????. ????????????????????????????: ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????? ¡Á10 ( ????????????????????! ¡Á0, ???? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ) ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ "You Insolen¡ª" After hearing Damien''s words, Wanruo was about to say something, but her words were interrupted when Amelia stepped forward. "Officer, first you arrested Edward even after being given proof that he protected us from assailants. And now, without following the laws, you are pointing a gun towards an esteemed member of society. Isn''t this a violation of rules?" Amelia stepped forward, remembering how Edward had been arrested by this woman, while ignoring Emilia''s arrest. She further added that this woman was using her authority to arrest Damien without any evidence, solely based on her own unreasonable suspicion. Wanruo became angry and stepped forward, keeping her gun pointed at Damien''s face. She exclaimed, "Esteemed member? Huh? Don''t joke with me!" She then turned to Amelia and continued, "You and your boyfriend are constantly breaking the law by playing games all around the city. Can''t I do the same for once?" "What boyfriend¡ª" Amelia was slightly taken aback by her referring to Damien as her boyfriend, but before she could complete her sentence, Wanruo interrupted and added. "And, speaking of evidence, wasn''t the knife used on Mr. Harrison found on Damien''s wife?" Wanruo looked at the man she had pointed the gun at, recalling the evidence linking the weapon to the deadly attack on one of the esteemed wedding guests. Wanruo was convinced that Damien, after rejecting a marriage proposal from the Harrison family, may have tried to harm the man who had suggested the alliance, due to Damien''s connection with the woman from the Crimwell family. This led her to believe that Damien was capable of going to extreme lengths, including murder, to sabotage the marriage. Chapter 21 - 21- Pitiful Damien Some moments Ago, "Edward!" Amelia screamed as she saw Damian forcefully punching Edward, causing his body to be shoved against the wall without putting up a fight. The impact made Edward collide with the ground, rendering him unconscious. ''This body?...'', Damien, on the other hand, after punching Edward, glanced towards his knuckles which were now covered in blood and had a fracture near the fingers. He could feel the pain, making him realize that his body was not strong enough to maintain his mental balance. Technically, the human brain limits the amount of pressure muscles can exert to prevent harm to the muscles or bones. This restriction decreases the full capacity of muscles to exert force. This can be proven by the fact that when adrenaline is released, this restriction is momentarily removed, causing muscles to push to their limits. However, this can result in the body burning out. The same was true for Damien. His brain was already stronger than any cultivator present in this world, but his body seemed unable to withstand his unrestricted mind. This made him realize that he needed to harden and strengthen his body first, as he had broken his own fingers just by landing a punch. "What have you done, Damien?!" Amelia was well aware of Damien''s punch, which seemed to be connected to his desire for revenge after Edward had punched him moments ago. Despite this, she wanted him to realize that there was no need for them to resort to physical violence at this moment. There were multiple men standing outside armed with guns, yet here they appeared to be struggling with inner conflicts. "It was him who punched me without judging the situation." Damien withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and silently wiped his bloodied hand, indifferent to the pain that didn''t bother him much, even with his broken fingers. He glanced down at Edward, who had easily fallen for the simple trick and was now unconscious, beforw turning towards amelia with her Cold gaze adding," Don''t tell me you expect me to just keep getting beaten." "Are you serious? He did it because of a misunderstanding that you caused...never mind, just accept that you were wrong." Amelia rubbed her forehead, already getting fed up with the series of events since the moment she arrived. He was acting strangely, trying everything to get her attention - whether it was slapping her to make her think about him or going as far as making her fall from a height just so he could catch her and be seen as a hero in her eyes. Amelia could clearly see that it was a deliberate attempt to make her only focus on him, but there was a limit to how much she could bear, and now it was irritating her. "And what if I don''t?" "What?" Noticing some unexpected words spoken in a flat tone, Amelia raised her gaze towards the man who was placing his handkerchief in his pocket. She narrowed her eyes and felt confused, wondering if she was about to witness another drama from this man. "I asked, What if I don''t accept that I was wrong, then?", Damien firmly stated as he looked towards Amelia, his expression cold and uncaring. He had already achieved what he wanted for now. "You are testing my patience, Damien," Amelia folded her hands while using one to rub her forehead. She knew he was now taking this whole situation in the wrong direction. Earlier, she wanted to do her best to prevent him from marrying Emilia, as she considered it a real marriage. Not because she feared losing him, but because her reputation would be tarnished if people found out that after pursuing her for 5 years, the heir of the Raphael group chose a woman from a Mafia family. It would be a stain on her, Amelia Crimwell, to be seen as inferior to a woman from such a disreputable background. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But now, it seemed her efforts were in vain, as Damien did not understand the seriousness of his actions. "Sigh" Damien sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets as he approached Amelia. With a chilling smile, he said,"First, you will lose your patience. Then, you will lose your mind. After that, your ambitions, your pride, and everything you have worked for will vanish. It''s just that your patience was the cheapest thing to test right now." "Damien! You have crossed the line!" Amelia attempted to free her hand once more, instinctively wanting to slap him, but the memory of his earlier slap made her clench her hand tightly. She glared at the man with visible anger, feeling powerless to do anything beyond that. Her anger originated from his audacity to critique her diligent efforts. As a woman carving out her place in the business world on her own terms, she now felt challenged by this man who threatened to dismantle all of her hard work. Only she could perceive the extent of her current rage. "DON''T SHOUT AT ME!" In an instant, after already hearing her yell several times, Damien also cried out loudly, much more dominantly than her, to let her know that crying and screaming her words won''t make them true or have any effect on him. If she can yell, then he can also do the same in the end with more energy. "Y-you, did you just yelled on me?" Amelia''s folded hands loosened the moment she heard him shouting at her. It was the first time someone had tried to speak so loudly to her, especially him, as he always remained silent and tried to do everything in her favor. ''What the hell?'', In that instant, the last shred of favor she had for him disappeared. Naturally, she wanted him to stay away from Emilia in an attempt to protect his(*her) reputation, but now that was no longer the case. ????????????????! [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????? (????????????????????????????????????????) ???????? ???????? (????????????????????????????????????????????????). ] ''Heh, pity you, Damien,'' Damien can''t help but feel amused seeing how, even after pursuing her for five years, the most this pitiful man could achieve was being friend zoned. Chapter 22 - 22- Lin Wanruo Bam! The door to the room burst open. "Put your weapons down!" Startling everyone in the room, a woman wearing a police uniform entered, pointing a gun at all three of them. Her eyes focused on a man lying unconscious on the ground, with a broken nose and missing teeth, and a large blood clot on his face. Standing opposite him was a man with black hair and eyes, accompanied by two other women. "Don''t move! Get on your knees now!" Lin Wanruo glared at the man standing in front, removed the safety lock of her gun, and showed her complete intent to pull the trigger and unload all the bullets into the man''s skull. "Yes, Hey Emilia come here and get down on your knees",Not paying attention to any of the words of the woman, Damien lifted his hand and gestured towards a woman wearing a bridal gown to come towards him and kneel down infront of him. "Don''t fuck with me! Damien Raphael, I am talking to you, Get down right now!" Lin Wanruo cried out again as she closed the distance with her eyes fixed on the man, not caring about the others in the room. Damien Raphael, the man who always used his position to engage in misconduct, breaking rules without concern for consequences. Justice was irrelevant to him; he was nothing more than a hooligan, worse than a third-rate criminal. "How noisy." Damien furrowed his brows as he calmly glanced towards the window in front of him because a woman had just burst in with a gun, causing a series of notifications to appear. DING! [Heroine detected] [Sending the necessary details...] ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Name: Lin Wanruo Age: 21 Cultivation Level: Body Refinement (Mid-Stage) Status: Heroine Strength: 10 (equivalent to an average human adult) Agility: 19 (equivalent to an athlete) Vitality: 20 (Enhanced by Vitality pills) Spiritual Power: 1-2 (not completely manifested) Charm: 90/100 (100 is the limit of human comprehension) Luck: 91/100 (Above 90 could easily let one win poker in a row) Measurements: Height: 168 cm (5''6") Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs) Breast: 92 cm (36 in) Waist: 60 cm (24 in) Hips: 94 cm (37 in) Skin Tone: Fair with a radiant glow Bust-Waist-Hip Ratio: 92-60-94 cm (36-24-37 in) Cup Size: D Hair: Long, silky black hair tied in a ponytail reaching her waist Eyes: Almond-shaped, deep brown with a captivating allure Lips: Full and naturally rosy Preference: Executing Justice on evildoers Favorability level: -68/100 { Tada! Lyra here! Here''s Recap: Page number 26768 } ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Damien, without paying attention to her status, immediately remembered the pages of the document he had viewed to understand the situation that had occurred with the original owner of this body. Naturally, when a file about a potential villain is provided to him, the best course of action for him to take is to read through the backstory and the characters that the candidate has interacted with in their lifetime in the form of a text document containing more than 30,000 pages. As a star employee, he is expected to stay ahead of others. This prompts him to remember every detail and focus mostly on the part towards the end of a candidate''s life. As they reach the end of their lives, humans become more vulnerable to their emotions, letting them out while remembering all the things that have happened to them. This is especially true for villainous individuals who have been betrayed and are filled with the determination to seek revenge on those who betrayed them. "Damien Raphael! I will pull the trigger!" Lin Wanruo cried out as her eyes watered, noticing how the incompetent man was ignoring her even when she pointed a gun at his head. "Miss Tin, If you pull the trigger, I''ll strip that uniform off you and leave you without your police status." Damien was about to press play on the video, but lifted his gaze before sharply replying in a cold tone, causing the woman to be taken aback by his firm voice. "Y-you bastar¡ª" Lin Wanruo heard how, even after committing the crime of hitting someone, this man was still acting arrogantly. She was about to retaliate, but was interrupted by Amelia, who came forward. "How unruly of you officer, there is a misunderstanding here and nothing else, it would be good if you put down that gun" Amelia, who wanted to leave the place, was slightly taken aback by the police woman entering the room. Composing herself, she came forward while thinking about how the situation was escalating and how it could potentially become a major issue if news of what happened in this room were to be leaked to the media. The Crimwell family, and even Amelia herself, will face severe backlash due to a news story that the media will widely spread: Damien Raphael fought with Amelia Crimwell''s guard to claim her love and so on. "What misunderstanding? It''s clear that Damien Raphael punched this man", Wanruo was slightly confused upon hearing Amelia''s words. She started to lose her grip on her gun, as the presence of her team mates arriving could be detrimental to her career. However, she kept her gun pointed at the man, already considering Damien as the prime suspect. "That''s¡ª" Amelia was about to speak but was suddenly interrupted by a firm voice from Damien. "Officer, that man has consumed Benzene, which is illegal if you are not aware." Damien closed the window with a smile on his face and turned to the woman after watching the video until the end of Series 4. He then pointed his finger towards Edward. ''?!'' "Are you kidding me¡ª" Lin Wanruo felt her mouth twitching as she interpreted Damion''s behavior as him wanting to escape the situation by blaming the victim. Before she could finish her sentence, he interrupted her. "You, behind her, do a medical test of him and if he found guilty" Damien tilted his head and looked towards another police officer who had just arrived at the scene after hearing the commotion. He was slightly taken aback to see his senior pointing a gun at none other than Damien Raphael, and was even more surprised when the Damien referred to him. This caused him to nod and move out to bring the necessary equipment. Not stopping there, he turned his eyes towards the police woman with a snicker that soon turned into a cold smile, and continued, "You will need a very large series of excuses this time to cover up for pointing a gun at me, Miss Tin." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 23 - 23 - Emilia really needs a spanking. "T-this man had ingested benzene, ma''am." The police officer, startled by the sudden report of the test performed on the lying man, quickly approached Lin Wanruo. She was holding her gun at rest, seemingly filled with hesitation from Damien''s words. Her natural apprehension about potentially losing her job flared up as she contemplated the possibility of this man using her irrational behavior against her, prompting her to lower her gun in that moment. "What?!" Amelia, who had been standing still while the officer analyzed Edward''s blood samples, suddenly felt taken aback after hearing about how he had ingested Benzene, which was banned and could be considered illegal due to its highly toxic and poisonous effects on the human body. ''How is this possible?'', Even more bewildering to her was the fact that Edward had mentioned being immune to poisons when he caught her stepmother in the act of food poisoning. It was also the day when her father introduced him as her bodyguard, just two weeks ago. At that time, even after eating the poisonous food, he was perfectly fine, while the servant who also ate it was hospitalized. This incident led Amelia to have confidence in his immunity, which made the situation even more perplexing since it seemed impossible to poison him. "Ooh, should we strip you down now?" Damien''s hand lay casually over his mouth as he let out a mischievous snicker, aimed directly at the police woman who was completely absorbed in reading the report. Her eyes appeared to quiver with disbelief as they took in the shocking details. "What?" Lin Wanruo asked again, as she couldn''t hear clearly due to her focus on the report, prompting her to lift her gaze towards the man. "I mean, I need a proper explanation for your actions, Miss Tin" Damien released his hand and signaled for a thorough clarification by opening both hands towards the woman who had aimed a gun at a well-regarded and presumed innocent man like himself. "I-i..." Hearing his words, Wanruo flinched before biting her lip and turned her eyes towards the report. She felt struggling due to the situation she was in without any proof or clear evidence that he was at fault. "Ma''am, all the guests have been evacuated safely, but it appears that Mr. Harrison will need to be admitted." After receiving the information on his walkie-talkie, the police officer informed the woman, giving her some time to collect her thoughts before changing the topic. "Oh, how many bullet wounds did he have?" Lin Wanruo asked, trying to find a way to escape her current situation and shifting the conversation away from the unnecessary details. Despite her job being simply to rescue individuals without doing proper investigations due to the involvement of high-society members. "Madam, Mr. Harrison has knife wounds, specifically cuts on tendons that appear to have been caused by a karambit knife," the police officer stated as he relayed the information through the walkie-talkie to inquire further about the wounds. "What? A karambit knife?" After feeling a bit confused, Lin Wanruo considered the possibility that someone might have taken advantage of the situation by harming Mr. Harrison when Blake, armed with a gun, forcibly entered the hotel. ''Was it him...no'', Lin Wanruo lifted her gaze to look at Damien, noticing his icy expression that seemed to convey displeasure at her failed attempt to aim a gun at him. Fearful of the consequences, she quickly abandoned the idea, not wanting to fall into her own dangerous game once again. ''Huh? A knife?'', Emilia stood, still feeling a pain in her chest, and observed everything while analyzing the situation. Her mind could clearly see that the police woman had prejudice against Damien based on her actions of pointing a gun at someone like him. Naturally, no one had the guts, not even the commissioner of police himself, to do something against the heir of the Raphael group. Not that Emilia cared, given the fact that a curve formed on her lips as she remembered all the humiliations she had endured until now. Her eyes filled with anger as she turned towards the man standing with a mocking gaze at the policewoman, who appeared oblivious to this. ''I told you, I will kill you, Damien Raphael.'' Determining herself to escape the present situation or get some rest from that man, Emilia''s feet lifted as she approached the policewoman, her hand clenching her dress with fingers taking out and gripping a knife that Damien had given her on their way there. "Here", Emilia smirked as she glanced at Damien while offering the knife to Lin Wanruo. Lin Wanruo''s widened eyes observed the woman in a bridal dress who kept looking towards the man. ''....'' Damien, upon seeing how Emilia had just snitched on him with that expression on her face, had his face lose all expressions and blankly looked at her. ''Now, you are getting what you deserve'', Seeing Damien''s face turn pale, Emilia''s smile bloomed even more, feeling amused that the facade which had teased her for so long was now crumbling. "Sigh" Damien sighed, causing Emilia to smirk before turning her gaze towards Lin Wanruo to reveal that the source of this knife was none other than the man beside her. But before she could speak, Damien cried out, with a disheartened voice, "How could you do this, Emilia!" S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Heh, now crying aren''t you?'', Emilia simply wanted to laugh at the man who had given her such clear evidence, unwittingly providing her with a weapon for the crime. So now, she will seek her revenge little by little. "Damien, you deserv¡ª" Emilia shook her head in resignation, a smile playing on her lips as she attempted to hold up a mirror for the man. However, she was cut off by Damien''s sorrowful cry. "How could you harm Mr. Harrison! How could you do this, Emilia!" "Huh?" As Emilia flinched, she felt the icy touch of the steel handcuffs on her wrists, her eyes staring ahead blankly as tears welled up slowly. Despite trying to turn her head towards the man, she was only able to take a peek through her turned pupil. "Please don''t arrest my wife, I am sure she would have an explanation." Damien pretended to be sad as he wiped away a non-existent tear, then flashed a big smile behind his hand, only showing it to Emilia who was next to him. His raised eyebrow mockingly questioned her, further adding to clarify her situation,"Dear, I hope you have a proper explanation as there are your fingerprints on the knife." Chapter 24 - 24 - One line to ignite a spark. PRESENT "And, speaking of evidence, wasn''t the knife used on Mr. Harrison found on Damien''s wife?" Wanruo looked at the man she had pointed the gun at, recalling the evidence linking the weapon to the deadly attack on one of the esteemed wedding guests. Wanruo was convinced that Damien, after rejecting a marriage proposal from the Harrison family, may have tried to harm the man who had suggested the alliance, due to Damien''s connection with the woman from the Crimwell family. This led her to believe that Damien was capable of going to extreme lengths, including murder, to sabotage the marriage. "That¡ª," Amelia began to say, but Damien interrupted her before she could continue. "Though you are correct, Miss Tin, but..." Damien grinned as he looked towards one of the police cars. Inside, a woman sat with both hands handcuffed, her wrists resting on the window glass. She gazed at him with puppy eyes, hoping for some compassion. However, Damien decided to ignore her suffering and turned towards Wanruo adding,"There is a possibility that Emilia was simply jealous." ""Huh?"" Both Amelia standing beside him and Lin Wanruo, who had a gun pointed at him, were left speechless upon hearing those words. ''Me? Jealous?'', Emilia, perhaps unable to hear Wanruo whose back was turned towards the car, managed to interpret Damien''s words by reading his mouth movements. "Miss Tin, you already know my grandfather wants me to marry Mr. Harrison''s granddaughter." Damien remembering the event when he entered this body, the real Damien had just been demoted from his rightful position as heir, replaced by his sister, and had even had his engagement fixed with the Harrison family reminded Wanruo. As he raised his gaze, he saw Lin Wanruo''s nonchalant reaction to the news, indicating that she was indeed aware of the events that transpired the day Damien Raphael lost his status at the function. He continued speaking softly, his eyes showing defeat as he looked at the car and said, "It appears that Emilia, not wanting to lose me, stabbed Mr. Harrison." ''?!'' ''Bullshit!'', As Emilia slammed the glass, she felt her eyes tremble with fear as she watched Damien skillfully play his game, unknowingly forcing her further into her own trap, causing her to cry out from inside the car. "Inspector, he is lying. Please, he was the one who gave me that knife!" "Miss, your voice cannot reach them." The police officer, seated in the driver''s seat, informed the woman who had just cried out, while covering his ears in response to the loudness of her voice. "What? Wait, please officer, open my handcuffs. I am innocent!" Emilia was caught off guard by the voice, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned her eyes towards the man in the driver''s seat and realized his height was less than 4 feet, causing her to overlook him initially. However, when he spoke, she quickly focused on him, prompting her to clarify. "I''m sorry, Miss. The boss will decide who is innocent and who is not." The man, who appeared to be a child of around 13 or 14 in height, shook his head slightly as he leaned forward, resting his elbow on the steering wheel and laying his head down for a quick nap. "Boss? Are you sent by my Uncle... no, he is dead, right? Then," Emilia was taken aback when the man referred to someone as boss, but soon understanding dawned on her. Her head swiftly turned towards the window, where her eyes trembled at the sight of Damien waving at her. ''No, is this all?'' It wasn''t long before Emilia noticed that all the other police officers, aside from the woman holding a gun to Damien, appeared suspicious due to their lack of activity. Instead of being proactive, they were lazily wandering around and sneaking peeks at Damien as if they were waiting for instructions. ''How can that police woman be so dense?!'' Emilia was left puzzled by the woman''s unfathomable mind, which allowed her to bravely point a gun at Damien, yet somehow failed to realize that everyone else except her was hesitant to take any action. "Are you kidding me?", Lin Wanruo felt her mouth twitching as she listened to an excuse from Damien as he blamed everything on his future wife, causing her to clench her jaw in frustration and quickly withdraw her gun. Indeed, she doesn''t have any proof against this man, and with so many officers present, she can''t use her privilege to have someone like him in custody. ''Darn it!'' "You are lucky, Damien Raphael", Lin Wanruo calmed herself and placed her gun back in its place, then gestured for one of the officers to come near her. "Keep an eye on the servants and allow the guests to leave. We will wait for Commissioner Sir to arrive." Lin Wanruo observed several bodyguards and media slowly arriving at the place, while several luxurious cars were leaving. It was clear to her that this would soon become breaking news. Wanruo thought to handle the situation as quickly as possible. "I understand and what to do with other suspect" The police officer nodded but, taking a glance at Damien who stood calmly with a smile, he inquired about the next course of action regarding Emilia, who was arrested on charges of harming Mr. Harrison. "Hmm," Lin Wanruo initially felt annoyed that she couldn''t take any action against Damien, but when she saw a woman in a bridal dress looking towards them from a vehicle, she saw an opportunity. Wanruo turned her eyes towards Damien who appeared to be looking at her with that same annoying face, which caused her to smirk and say, "No, take her to the police station. I will personally interrogate her." ''....now, it seems perfect'', Wanruo felt her smile widening the moment she saw Damien''s expression turn blank, prompting her desire to see despair on his face when she mistakenly kills his future bride while interrogating and then just simply apologizes for her mistake. It would be fascinating to watch his face distort when he hears the news of her death... "Hey, Lin Wanruo" Suddenly, the firm voice of Damien interrupted her thoughts, making her widened smile come to a stop. It was the first time she had heard him pronounce her name correctly as he approached her with enraged eyes, causing her to freeze in place as he leaned in close to her ear. Her body appeared to be immobilized, lacking the strength to be moved, while she gazed directly ahead as he approached her ears with a menacing tone, Damien issued a clear warning lashed with death threat,"If something were to happen to my wife, your death would seem like a blessing to you." S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 25 - 25- Arrest (1) "Y-you" After hearing Damien''s words, Lin Wanruo was naturally shocked at the audacity of this man threatening her in front of everyone. Anger flashed in her eyes, and in a moment of rage, she reached for her handcuffs and firmly locked them around Damien''s wrists, boldly staring him down as she declared,"You will see hell for crossing the line, Damien Raphael!" ''Idiot,'' Damien''s grin spread all the way up to his eyes, revealing a devilish smirk when he saw the woman lose her sense of reasoning and handcuff him in front of many individuals, even with the media present, who were just waiting for this particular breaking news moment to boost their TRP. Looking at the police woman who acted however she wanted just because her family background was always there to back her up, Damien felt that this whole thing was much easier due to this particular fact. From the moment he saw Wanruo, treating Damien whom everyone knew too well as if he was just some third-rate guy, it was clear that this woman had never once in her life felt retaliation from criminals or people she offended in her police career. And, of course, after learning about her name, he had recalled the plot involving this woman and its influence on Damien''s life. It made him want to show this woman what it feels like to have the fake castle she built around her being shattered. Though, of course, he can''t just waste this opportunity where he can resolve two scores at once. This prompts him to provoke this woman and let her act on a whim in front of many people. Simply put, a mere police officer, dared to touch the heir of the Raphael Group (an incompetent heir who lost his status and support from the family) and still handcuffed him in front of everyone. This damaged the reputation of the Raphael Group in the eyes of many high society individuals and even the nation. As the final outcome, this mere police woman will soon see what it feels like to be at the lowest level of the food chain. "S-stop it?!" Amelia, who stood beside Damien, instantly noticed the media outlets'' camera flashes and realized that this moment would soon be in the headlines. Considering she was standing next to Damien, her image would also be captured, which could potentially impact her newly established business. Ultimately, Damien''s risky behavior and his romantic feelings towards her were widely known, causing worry. It wouldn''t be unexpected if media sources spread rumors about Amelia Crimwell being behind it all and tarnsihing her reputiatuion, ''No, I can''t involve with this guy now!'' Having witnessed his previous behavior towards her, she had already determined that she would never cross paths with this man again, which is why she was eager to avoid any gossip that could tarnish her reputation. "No, You should stop Amelia!" Damien''s eyes widened and his jaws clenched as he cried out, feigning anger. His voice caused an uproar among the media, who were eagerly taking pictures of his handcuffs. In an instant, their cameras shifted focus to Amelia. "What?, You all stop this!?", Amelia was caught off guard by Damien''s abrupt yelling, but her shock escalated when she noticed all the camera flashes directed at her. Without thinking, she instinctively raised her hand to cover her face in an attempt to shield herself from the intrusive flashes. "I regret this!" Damien shouted loudly enough for everyone to take notice, particularly since all eyes were already on him. His voice carried throughout the crowd and could be heard in the live news footage captured by the press. "What are you¡ª" Amelia was once again flinched due to his loud voice prompting her to remove her hands from her face as she looked at Damien with trembling eyes. But before she could complete her words, he once again declared. "I lost everything because of you Amelia! My self respect, peace and even went far as to harm others! But you!" Damien directed his eyes towards Amelia, who was standing at arm''s length from him. She took a step back in fear due to his enraged gaze, as he cried out with visible green veins appearing on his neck. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After hearing a death threat from Damien, not even Lin Wanruo, who was the most enraged person present, could comprehend why he suddenly started accusing Amelia Crimwell. This caused her to tug on the handcuffs, but they wouldn''t move an inch. ''Where did this strength come from?'' Although Lin Wanruo was in the Middle stage of the Body Refinement Realm, giving her the strength of a healthy adult, she couldn''t even budge the single-handed grip on Damien''s wrist with her two hands. It may have been possible that he was strong, but just a few moments ago she was able to do it. However, now, with his hand noticeably weaker, she still found herself unable to make a move. ''?!'' Lin Wanruo was startled when Damien abruptly tugged on his handcuffs, causing her hand to be yanked towards him. In an instant, the gap between them closed as a result of his height, leading to her body crashing into his chest. In the heat of the moment, she hardly understood what happened but before she could voice out her words, Damien continued with a loud tone," And You Amelia! You blamed everything on me?!" "What? Is Amelia Crimwell the reason why Damien Rachel is in handcuffs?" A series of murmurs instantly erupted throughout the place, causing everyone to fill the whole place with their words in an instant. "Mr. Damien, can you elaborate?" "Especially on the part where you mentioned harming others. Was it to get Miss Amelia''s favor?" The press members fired off one question after the other, focusing their inquiries on Amelia, especially after Damien''s controversial comments about feeling used by her. "Miss Amelia, Is the rumours circulating true?" A female reporter attempted to approach but was stopped by a police officer. After a quick glance at Damien, who gave a subtle nod, the officer signaled for the reporter to pass through. "What?", Amelia already felt overwhelmed being the center of attention, things were starting to become too unbearable for her. Her feet instinctively began to retreat as the female reporter approached her. "Miss Amelia..." The female reporter extended her microphone towards Amelia while subtly glancing in Damien''s direction. She fixed her eyes on Amelia and continued with a clear voice, "Is it true that out of jealousy, you attempted to suppress Emilia Blake''s businesses? "What!?" Chapter 26 - 26- Arrest(2) "What did you say?" Amelia suddenly heard the words of the reporter and felt her body going numb as she blankly kept looking towards her, trying to understand the meaning behind those words and make sense of that rumor. Amelia herself learned about the woman Damien was marrying today and there were already rumors about her being involved in the suppression of Blake''s business. The most annoying fact was that everyone seemed to believe this, as all the reporters had become silent as if they wanted to hear her answer. This was despite knowing that due to the reputation of Blake''s, the business run by Emilia Blake''s mother, was experiencing losses for several years. And now these people are blaming her for all of this? Unforgivable! "To which news channel do you belong?" Amelia clenched her fist and glared at the female reporter, feeling humiliated to see how such a simple question could become a headline for other channels, prompting her to ask. ''....'' The woman reporter, after being asked the question by Amelia, glanced towards Damien, who had hired her to act like a reporter. "Just arrest me, I can''t stand here," Damien declared. Seeing that it was enough for the act, he directly loosened his hand that had caused Lin Wanruo''s body to collide with him. She pushed him away, but found herself being pushed back. ''Did he just tried to...'', Wanruo clearly felt his firm chest when she collided with his body as he pulled his handcuff upward, prompting her to grit her teeth and growl, "You bastard, were you trying to take advantage of me?" "Huh?" Damien, who had just let the woman pull his handcuff again, raised his eyebrow, realizing that she must have misunderstood his actions as him taking advantage of her. He sighed before firmly declaring, "Miss Tin, you think very highly of yourself. Isn''t it clear that you, a mere police inspector, are just trying to create a scandal with the heir of the Raphael Group by fabricating false statements?" "What? A scandal with you¡ª" Lin Wanruo was taken aback seeing how he just blamed her, accusing her of trying to get involved with him. This made her enraged, but she was stopped in her tracks. "Leave it. I can''t expect others to understand me if my own have abandoned and betrayed me," Damien interrupted her, his face showing sadness as he looked towards the sky with a defeated expression. He didn''t forget to strike a good pose for the press to capture a compelling picture. In the end, people believe what they see, and he was just making sure to provide enough information to garner sympathy from those who would see a heartbroken man betrayed by his lover, who had him arrested while one who arrested him was trying to take advantage of his status by creating a scandal. ''Huh?'' ''Huh?'' S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Both Amelia and Lin Wanruo remained static while being bombarded with camera flashes, their minds still trying to understand what exactly had happened. Amelia was trying to understand why Damien acted in such a way, as if blaming her for all of this. Lin Wanruo was confused seeing him just pass by her before entering the police car without paying much attention to the mess he created outside. And, Damien? He had a devilish grin while watching the scene in front of him ¨C a woman with teary eyes, looking like a trembling rabbit, with her hands cuffed, while he held the car door open. "I-i was k-kidding." Emilia pushed herself away as she saw Damien looking at her with that smile, causing her to tremble in fear as she remembered how she had just tried to set him up. "Oh, is that so?" Damien pretended to be surprised as he widened his eyes and took a seat inside the car before closing the door. Turning his head towards Emilia, he said," You should have just told me." ''H-he believed it'', Emilia, seeing that he appeared genuine, felt relieved that he didn''t take her actions to heart and showed leniency, prompting her to sigh in relief before abruptly nodding, "Yes, I wanted to prank you." "Ah, a prank, I see," Damien nodded as the driver in front passed a key for his handcuffs. Damien used the key to unlock his hand, and as he opened the handcuffs, he amusingly stated, "But, you see, I am pretty much offended here." "Sorry?" Emilia flinced as a sudden chill spread across the seat in the car, Damien''s voice resonating inside, causing her to slowly turn her head towards him. Her face was blank, lips parting to speak but quivering. "How dare...," Damien dropped the handcuff out of his hand and met Emilia''s tearful eyes with a small smile forming as he continued, "You tried to set me up. You are done for, Emilia." "N-no" Emilia felt her back hitting the other side door of the car. Due to the compact size of the interior, she wasn''t able to get away, with her handcuffed hands also being a hurdle. She saw Damien rubbing his wrist as the car started to move, causing her to panic and cry out, "Someone, please save me! Someone help!" Unfortunately, the car had already departed from the hotel gate, leaving behind everyone who could have potentially heard her desperate plea. "So, shall we begin then?" Damien began to take off his coat, a playful expression in his eyes as he focused on Emilia, who instinctively shielded her body with her hands out of fear. Frantically looking around, she attempted to flee. "Please, what do you want? Let me go!" Emilia felt herself in trouble after trying to set him up. She cried for mercy, clearly seeing through the man''s lecherous gaze, but to her dismay, she was helpless. "I?" Damien stretched out his hand, then grabbed her wrist as she struggled. He pulled her close in one swift motion and whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine,"I just wanna let others hear your voice, wouldn''t me helping you could provide your whimpering a boost?" Chapter 27 - 27- The power of wealth "Ma''am, the commissioner has arrived" Rushing over to Lin Wanruo, a police officer informed her in a concerned tone about the approaching car of the Commissioner, who held the position of head of the police department in the Camphrian city. ''Damn it'', As Lin Wanruo watched Amelia Crimwell''s car drive away following the arrest of Damien Raphael, she learned about the arrival of the Commissioner. Considering it a high priority, she headed towards the approaching vehicle. ''That bastard, How dare he?!'', While moving towards the higher-ups, Lin Wanruo felt frustrated and annoyed by Damien''s behavior. He dared to humiliate her and act as if he were the victim, portraying her as some evil villain persecuting him and even trying to link herself with him in a scandal. Her annoyance grew from the constant camera flashes that she could still see, giving the impression that reporters and the press had already assumed she was attempting to stir up a scandal and exploit the only heir of Raphael Groups. ''I will definitely wipe that pride off your face, Damien Raphael'' she declared, her gaze sharp with killing intent as she approached the three police cars. She stood there with her hands folded behind her back, in a stance of ease. "WHERE IS THAT IDIOT?!" The voice echoing through the place made her eyes widen, causing her heart to skip a beat when she saw a large man step out of the car and scan the area before landing his furious gaze on her. ''Did he call me an idiot?'' Lin Wanruo felt confused but let it slide as a misunderstanding caused by the lack of facts, prompting her to straighten herself firmly and raise her head high. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Did you know what you did?!" Upon finally catching sight of the woman who had foolishly laid her hands on none other than the Heir of Raphael group, the chief of Police broke out in a sweat. He approached her with the intent to slap her, but upon noticing the camera and remembering her family, he stopped himself with only harsh words. "Huh? I don''t understand." Lin Wanruo was taken aback as the chief, who always praised her when she caught a criminal, approached her and shouted at her in front of all the press and reporters who didn''t miss this opportunity to take pictures of the whole event. "I had told you to only evacuate, and here you are touching innocent citizens to satisfy your old rivalry?!" The man yelled as he pointed his finger at the woman''s face with an enraged look. He had seen everything live on his tablet and cursed his luck for sending this incompetent woman of all people. Naturally, because of the considerable distance between him and the hotel, he had requested assistance from the nearby police station to manage the situation. They were asked to stay on guard to prevent anyone from escaping and to assist in evacuating people. However, everything changed when he observed this woman taking stupid decisions and getting stupid results. As the chief of the police department in this area, he was well aware of the usual rivalry and animosity this woman had with Damien Raphael. There were several instances when he had to apologize to Damien because of this woman''s actions, but Damien always appreciated her sense of justice and would laugh it off. However, today in front of everyone, without any evidence, she accused the respected member and even attempted to flirt with him to establish a connection. As a result, the chief will now have to deal with the backlash from Raphael''s groups. "What? So it wasn''t ordered by the head of the department?" One reporter noticed this and called it out, prompting others to also take note and start writing it down for live reporting. :: We are live from one of the Ramphian hotels, where a mass attack occurred tonight. Reports indicate that a group of assailants infiltrated the hotel''s security and opened fire on high-society individuals attending a party hosted by Damien Raphael. Raphael himself appeared visibly exhausted and was seen bearing wounds on his knuckles, reportedly from his brave efforts in fighting off the attackers. :: :: According to witnesses, Damien Raphael single-handedly took down all of the assailants, risking his life to protect the guests. :: :: However, in a surprising turn of events, the police arrived after the situation had calmed down and arrested Damien Raphael under unclear circumstances. As seen in the footage, three-star officer Lin Wanruo was the one who handcuffed Raphael, and afterward, she hugged him, though Raphael appeared noticeably uncomfortable with the gesture. :: :: Stay with us as we continue to provide updates on this unfolding story, including the reasons behind the arrest of the man being hailed as a hero for saving everyone tonight. :: "What utter nonsense!" Lin Wanruo exclaimed, grinding her teeth and glaring at the press and reporters who were fabricating stories without any knowledge. She then turned to the other police officer and shouted, "Arrest all of them for defaming me!" "Yes?" All the officers looked confused as they turned towards the Chief of Police, who was clenching his teeth with a red face, appearing to be enraged by the stupidity of the woman who seemed clueless in a situation where the odds were not in their favor. "What are you looking at? Arrest those individuals¡ªBE QUIET! YOU IDIOT!!" Before Lin Wanruo could say another word, the police chief''s loud voice interrupted her. "What? Sir?" Wanruo was taken aback, not understanding how, even after seeing everything from his eyes, she only followed protocol and arrested the prime suspect, who was none other than Damien Raphael, yet these people were against her. "You brainless girl, can''t you see that Damien Raphael saved everyone today?" the Chief of the police department shouted as he poked his finger at Lin Wanruo''s forehead two times, causing her to flinch and tremble as she looked at him. She observed the situation and noticed how everyone was looking down on her. At that moment, she appeared to be looked down upon as the only thought running through her mind was, ''Are these people blind?'' Chapter 28 - 28 - Where is Emilia Blake? ''No, did he fool everyone?'' Lin Wanruo kept looking down with her fingers clenched on her uniform, but finally lifted her eyes and glanced towards the fat man in front of her, saying, "Sir, it was not Damien Raphael who saved everyone. I have confirmed it. Lin Wanruo didn''t understand why everyone was giving credit to the unworthy and undeserving heir of the Raphael Group and not listening to her, who was always praised for her sense of justice. "What? Do you think all of these people are blind?" The police chief exclaimed, trying to explain the situation to the woman who did not understand. Instead of apologizing and letting the situation end, she continued with her confusion, prompting the police chief to express his frustration,''do all women have brains in their knees?'' The police chief felt frustrated, knowing well that in such situations, they need to adapt and show their most likable side in front of so many cameras to prevent everything from becoming public. "Yes! All of these were purchased by that worthless person!" Lin Wanruo was going through the most difficult time of her life as no one seemed to appreciate her accomplishments in protecting all the high society members. Instead, these people were defending someone with a terrible track record. :: As you can see, the officer in charge of this area seemed to deflect responsibility for the situation, either blaming Mr. Damien Raphael or even us, the press, for providing live updates during the crisis. :: "Shut up!" Lin Wanruo couldn''t understand the hypocrisy of the media reporters who were giving biased opinions and showing double standards. They praised her when she caught a criminal, but now that she revealed the true face of a person who hosted a party to harm reputable individuals, they were blaming her. "LIN WANRUO! SHOUT ONE MORE TIME AND YOU LOOSE YOUR JOB!" The police chief saw how poorly this woman was handling the situation and knew that he would have to deal with the consequences. He felt the urge to slap the woman at that moment. Naturally, if he had been alone, he would have praised her to gain favor from her family, and behind her, he would have supported Raphael''s groups in order to gain favor from both families. But now this woman has disrupted everything by behaving like this in front of the whole world. Now, he needs to give a proper judgement to maintain his image and not offend Raphael, who could be considered to have higher priority in his list of concerns. "?!" Lin Wanruo felt her heart stop for a moment as she was being scouted like this for the first time. She kept looking towards the police chief with trembling pupils, biting her parted lips and gripping her hand tightly enough to cause her fingernails to dig into her flesh. "Alright, if it wasn''t Damien Raphael, then who saved those people?" The police chief composed himself, realizing that if it had been a regular officer, he might have reprimanded or even suspended them immediately. Understanding her background and family connections, he asked with genuine compassion. "Yes, it was Edward who was Amelia Crimwell''s bodyguard," Lin Wanruo replied instantly, seizing the opportunity to dispel the heroic image that everyone was creating for Damien Raphael, who had hidden in a room with two women instead of protecting anyone. "You mean the man whom you arrested, right?" The police chief rubbed his forehead and gestured with his finger towards a police officer who was moving towards his car. The officer took out a piece of paper and a tablet. "Yes, I just arrested him because Damien falsely accused him of consuming Benzene," Lin Wanruo nodded, glancing towards the reporters who appeared calmer now. Instead of blaming her, they seemed to look towards each other and murmur. "You definitely have prejudice against Damien Raphael, don''t you?" The police chief felt annoyed as he opened a video on his tablet and played it, then turned the screen towards Lin Wanruo and continued, "You seem to view a murderer as a savior, but not Damien himself." "Of course not¡ª?!" Lin Wanruo''s voice turned icy as she witnessed Edward lifting a butler by the neck, choking him to death, and then letting him fall. "And here is the fingerprint report for the bottle that may have contained the Benzene Edward was falsely accused of consuming," The police chief handed over the report with squinted eyes as he looked at the trembling woman''s body. "No?" Lin Wanruon began to reject everything that had just unfolded before her eyes while shaking her head. "It''s fake¡ª" However, she noticed everyone looking at her with disdainful eyes, as if they were judging her for trying to paint Damien as the villain here. ''Why? Why are they looking at me like this? I am telling the truth. He was behind everything!'' Wanruo was not understanding why everyone was blaming her instead of the real culprit. Her heartbeat was racing and her mind felt isolated as she looked at all the people accusing her. "Now Wanruo, tell me, why did you arrest Damien Raphael?" The police chief demanded, glaring at the woman with no other excuse left. He poked his finger at her forehead, tapping repeatedly in an attempt to control his frustration. "Sir, we found the knife that was used to attack Mr. Harrison in Emilia Blake''s possession," Lin Wanruo explained, her eyes wide with concern as she felt like she was running out of options. She knew she still had one last card to play, a witness against Damien Raphael. "So?! You idiot! Why arrest Damien Raphael if the knife was found on Emilia Blake?" The police chief felt a headache coming on due to the stupidity of the woman in front of him, who he kept tapping on the forehead with his finger. " I-i, S-she accepted that he was the one who gave her that knife." Lin Wanruo felt humiliated as her head was hit, as if she were a dumb child, while all the media and reporters captured the moment live as she was reprimanded by the police chief. At this moment, she realized she had only one hope ¨C to cover her tarnished image. Her last hope was Emilia Blake, who would be her vocal witness. "Fine, bring her here. Where is she?" Seeing Lin Wanruo''s eyes turning watery, the police chief stopped as he did not want to upset her family further. He gestured towards the other police officers to bring Emilia Blake to meet him. "....." "....." All the police officers standing there looked at each other before glancing at the policewoman, whose head was bowed down in humiliation from what had just happened. "What? I asked, where is she? Bring her here!" The police chief, seeing that none of the police officers were giving a proper answer, shouted towards all of them in frustration. He noticed that all of the police officers were looking towards Lin Wanruo. He turned to her and asked, "Wanruo, tell me, where is Emilia Blake?" "I... I sent her to the police station," Lin Wanruo said, wiping away her tears with her wrist as she slowly lifted her eyes to look at the chief. ''Fucking idiot!'' The police chief was already feeling his anger bubbling up, but he managed to swallow it down and maintain his composure for the cameras. He warned Lin Wanruo, "IF WE DON''T FIND EMILIA BLAKE BY MORNING, BE PREPARED TO FACE SUSPENSION!" ''??!! '' Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 29 - 29- Revelation(1) "T-this is molestation!" Emilia cried out as she sat on Damien''s lap inside the speeding police car on the highway. Her voice trembled from the struggle as she found herself perched on his lap, his arm wrapped around her waist. Despite her efforts, she couldn''t help but shriek when she felt his fingers tracing circles around her belly button through the thin fabric of her bridal dress. "Nah...this is heaven." Damien rested his chin on her shoulder, his fingers tracing the lines of her abdomen, feeling the softness of her silky skin. His eyes were closed, head tilted resting on hers, even as she yelled and squirmed in discomfort. Right now, his priority was to forget about his broken knuckles. Yes, because of the punch he landed on Edward, he ended up fracturing a finger and a few bones in his hand. Even though he could handle the pain, the feeling of her perky rear pressing against his thighs, the trembling of her body muffling his throbbing shaft, was getting him all hot and bothered. Her body seemed tailor-made for cuddling, wrapping him in a cocoon of softness, fluffiness, and heat. He had inhabited various bodies for different villains, and among all of them, he had to use resources to help him navigate their issues. Currently residing in Damien''s body, he found himself simply a human with sexual desires. He believed this was the most effective method to cope with the suffering. (He was just using resources, definitely not enjoying this) "You will be in jail if you keep poking that thing!" Emilia''s face turned crimson the moment she felt something hard and trembling poking beneath her, while he seemed to move his body while hugging her from behind. It was as if he was adjusting her body to his desired angle, which she clearly understood what he was trying to achieve. "I''ll even handle hell if you stay seated," Damien grinned lasciviously as he nuzzled his head, tapping lightly while his fingers inched up the two perky curve of the bridal dress with eager anticipation. Deliberately, he had positioned the delicate fabric to trace the softness of her skin with thin yet strong fabric tingling as clouds hiding the two peaks firmly within. Once again, Emilia retorted, "You''re disgusting, using me like this!" Damien remained indifferent as he casually used his hand to move in a circular motion around her lower bust, causing a sudden flinch to ripple through her body as he whispered, "Disgusting? Or dangerously good? Your body can''t seem to decide." "Ah?!, How dare you!" Suddenly, Emilia''s eyes widened as she felt his fingers tracing her lower breasts. She leaned forward, then swiftly backed away to land a hit on Damien''s face. "Ouch!" But to her dismay, by tilting his head he dodged the upcoming attack, causing her head to hit the back of the seat as she abruptly clenched her head and fell on the nearby seat while wincing, "It hurts!" "Sigh, who told you to hit me then?" Damien released a heavy sigh and turned his head to glimpse at her backside. Her head was tucked beneath her hands on the opposite side, her perky rear end lifted towards him. The tight bridal gown accentuated her curves, causing Damien to feel torn. Was he the villain, being tempted to toy with this innocent woman? Or was she the cunning one, flaunting herself so openly to entice him into becoming the villain? In any case, he was aware that in this scenario, the constellations would either blame him for being a wicked lecher if he pounced on her, or label him as na?ve if he chose to let this opportunity slip away. So, he smacked her cakes. "Kyahhhh~!?" Emilia''s tear-streaked face contorted in pain as she gripped her buttocks, the sensation of a tight slap sending shivers down her spine. With no support, her head fell back onto the seat as her buttocks remained tightly stretched by her hands under the white fabric. "Boss, we arrive¡ªum, should I park the car in the alley?" Braking the car, the cop¡ªbarely 4 feet tall¡ªglanced towards the rear seat. His eyes widened as he spotted a woman in a revealing bridal gown, squeezing her buttocks seductively, enticing the gentleman next to her to make a move. (*his distorted perspective) "Huh? How indecent of you, Emilia," Damien snickered at the humorous misunderstanding that had occurred, which could be considered perfect timing. ''Ow, what is he uttering,'' Emilia, unaware of all the miscommunication caused by her very seductive posture, slowly rubbed her buttocks as she stood and sat. With her hand still pressed between her skin and the seat, she felt the pain of his slap. She turned her teary eyes towards him, giving him a pained gaze as she reminded him in a mumbled tone, "I''ll never forgive you for this." Damien, who opened the car door as it swung open before taking a step out from the car, glanced at the woman who didn''t notice how she was now not handcuffed, with a teasing gaze and devilish smile on his face, he declared, "Forgive me or not, you''ll never forget how I make you feel." badump ''How humiliating,'' Emilia thought, feeling embarrassed by the situation she found herself in. The remnants of heat near her ears betrayed her feelings. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Woman, why are you so obvious?'' Damien turned his eyes away from her with a smile forming as he saw how easy to read Emilia was, and confirming her doubt was another notification. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? -???????? (????????????????????) ???????? -???????? (????????????????????????????). ] ''Good development,'' Damien thought, feeling somewhat satisfied by the noticeable change in her favorability towards him. He then reached out his hand towards her and said, "Let''s go, you need to see your mother too, don''t you? "What?" Emilia blankly looked at this man, knowing well that a man like him would never pass up this opportunity. Instead of taking her home, he would likely take her to a hotel to fulfill his lust. So, she was not going to trust his word in a thousand years. Chapter 30 - 30- Revelation(2) "Huh? Why are we at my house?!" Emilia couldn''t help but cry out in shock as she recognized the familiar walls of her own dining room. Taking a seat at the table, she noticed the assortment of food items placed in front of her, while Damien indulged in his pudding on the opposite side. Her mother continued to appear, presenting a new batch of freshly cooked dishes. "Aunty, can I sit beside Emilia? It''s cold here." Damien took a spoonful of pudding before turning towards a middle-aged woman who appeared much older than her actual age, evident of her hard life and struggles through businesses yet wore a formal attire like an office lady. "If Sir Damien wants to, please take a seat." The woman with her closed eyes and wrinkled face nodded before moving towards the kitchen to bring more food for both Damien and her daughter. "Cold? Seat? Why are you sitting beside me¡ªNo! That is not the question, why are you at my house?" Emilia shook her head as she held the bowl of rice and gestured towards Damien, aware of his flirty words. Despite feeling embarrassed, she knew he would just say she was hot and he wanted to sit beside her to prevent himself from getting cold. So, she was definitely not going to fall for this clich¨¦ dialogue. "Isn''t it obvious, you are sitting while covering the heater, idiot." Damien pushed her chair and sat near the single room heater placed in the dining room. Due to business losses and debt, several apartments and houses under the Blake family were sold out, leaving one remaining which belonged to Emilia''s grandmother, where they lived while still struggling with the last remaining company''s decision-making since Emilia''s mother had less than a 2% share in her own debt-driven company. ''She seems old,'' Damien glanced at the exhausted woman who kept a fake smile as she came out of the kitchen and finally took a seat on the other side of the table. He kept looking and understood this was the result of all the struggles and hard work this woman had to go through, yet ignoring her physical appearance, what Damien noticed was the condition of this house. Even though it appeared humble, his eyes observed the floors, paintings, and decorative items which in truth crossed the valuation of 30 million NR (1 NR= 1 USD), something which no one would expect from a widow and debted woman. And this was why Damien had chosen this particular woman; particularly, he just wanted to have someone support him financially and handle his businesses until he was done with his villain game and coincidentally he found Emilia going around here and there with her mother. So he grabbed two birds in his hands, knowing how Emilia''s pronunciation matches Amelia. "Disgusting, she is an old woman, you rascal." Emilia frowned as if insects were crawling all over her when she saw Damien''s eyes fixed on her mother, clearly looking at her with malicious intent. "....oh my, What''s with your words, Elly?" The woman, who was already aware of Damien''s gaze had noticed the things she decorated in her home, remained ignorant until she heard her daughter for the first time abusing someone whom she had just met five days ago. A week ago, Damien Raphael purchased a large number of shares from her company which was already facing problems because the board members were not giving value to her suggestions and supporting the board member who was the right-hand man of Gabriel Blake, leading to the company facing losses. Helpless as she was, the most she could do was keep her tax-free assets safe and away from the eyes of Gabriel and their men while waiting calmly for the company to be destroyed, leading all investors to sell their shares, leading board members to also leave the company, and then she would use her assets to once again support it. But, this young man purchased most of the shares and created a disbalance between both her and that board member, leading the overall losses the company faced to become lower due to decision-making being in better hands. However, she doesn''t need small profits for a company which was dying much faster but needed to face faster losses to get complete authority over the decision-making of the company which her husband had messed by transferring the things into the hands of board members. Whatever the case, things were going to be fine now because she had already made a deal with this young man. "Mom, do you know where he took me tonight?" Emilia gritted her teeth, turning her gaze downward in frustration. Two days ago, this man had warned her that he would destroy her mother''s business and leave them without a home. She had seen how much her mother had to suffer after her father''s death when due to his kind heart and foolishness, he had scattered the control throughout board members who turned against her mother. When her mother assured her everything would be fine, Damien Raphael purchased shares in her company. Emilia had seen her mother frustrated that night while mumbling about how if he hadn''t purchased shares, everything would have been fine. So, she being helpless, chose to follow this man who humiliated her so much within two days that she removed all the ideal image her na?ve mind had for this person. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unbeknownst to her, her mother wanted the company to end much sooner, but with the arrival of Damien, losses significantly decreased. Since knowing about Raphael Group''s heir investing in a company, several investors entered the line. And this misunderstanding was what Damien took profit of: a woman who was smart and cunning but needed a leash and on the other side, her daughter who, seeing her helpless mother, wanted to help her in some way. "What? Did he do something to you?" Suddenly the woman''s hand halted in her path, glancing towards Damien as she remembered the last time, according to their deal, he was going to use her daughter to play a fake marriage role and in exchange transfer all shares to her. Yes, She and Damien had already discussed it beforehand, or else she wouldn''t have let her daughter come into the limelight by being engaged with Raphael. But she weighed profit and losses, knowing how after this small drama, she would get shares and due to rumors of her daughter being engaged to Raphael Group''s heir, even though he was now technically not the heir but not many knew about this, leading several investors to boost the company. Though she had heard several rumors about this useless heir, which was why she trusted him knowing how he was interested in another woman from the Crimwell family and would not harm her daughter but solely was using her to make his girlfriend jealous. However, if this man were to harm her daughter, considering that he had already lost the support of the Raphael Group long ago, it wouldn''t be difficult for her to bury his dead body in her backyard, especially since she still has a few rifles from her younger days buried there. "H-he," Emilia clenched her fists and looked down before her mouth twitched because Damien placed his hand on hers and gave a nod as if giving her emotional support, prompting a vein to form on her forehead. In a mumble, disheartened tone, she revealed the fact that she was married to Damien by pointing her finger at him, she declared, "I am now married to this thing over here." ''.....Thing?'' Damien raised an eyebrow upon hearing Emilia still not accepting him as her man and calling him a thing. He leaned on his palm with his elbow supported on the table and glanced at Emilia''s mother to see her reaction. "Ahem, I see," the woman cleared her throat and averted her eyes, not wanting to reveal to her daughter that she had bargained her daughter to gain shares of her company. Technically, it was guaranteed, but still, she felt guilty about taking advantage of her daughter''s naivety. Chapter 31 - 31 - A Brief Retreat Before the Attack (1) "Mom? Are you paying attention here?" Emilia realized her mother was avoiding eye contact, her brow furrowed in confusion about why she wasn''t confronting the man sitting beside her. "Yes, Elly, it''s just I..." The woman wished to share the truth but avoided making eye contact with Emilia, feeling too burdened to say anything to her daughter. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Aunty, I would like to take my leave." With a grin, Damien interrupted, drawing the attention of Emilia and the woman, who glanced his way just as he finished the small pudding on the table. He tilted his head slightly and offered the woman a gentle smile, her eyes widening in surprise before she relaxed, feeling grateful for his support. Indeed, she could understand that he interrupted to prevent her image from dropping in her daughter''s eyes. "Please go," Emilia responded with a dull gaze, blinking while focusing on Damien, who had unexpectedly said something that was advantageous to her. "....Can I get the documents first?" Damien felt his mouth twitch but, prioritizing his play, he directly turned towards the woman, ignoring Emilia, who was definitely itching for a good teaching moment. "Wait, what? Right now? B-but?" The woman was caught off guard when Damien requested the documents they had agreed to sign after his return tonight. What surprised her most was that he asked in front of her daughter. ''What is he trying to accomplish?'' While she felt a sense of relief that he interrupted her before she could admit her role in today''s mess, witnessing him preparing to unveil the truth in front of her daughter raised her suspicions. "What document is he talking about?" Emilia''s ears perked up as she glanced towards the woman and took a peek at Damien while cursing inside since earlier he had placed his hand on her thighs and was going overboard by molding her thigh. Above all else, she struggled to comprehend how her mother could be so oblivious, failing to ask why she was in a bridal gown. Instead, she had to inform her mother about marrying Damien, yet her mother''s reaction remained surprisingly casual. Unknowingly, Emilia was blind to the fact that her mother stayed quiet and refrained from discussing the bridal dress, as she wished to avoid the issue, knowing deep down that her actions¡ªtrading her daughter for shares¡ªwere truly reprehensible. "That''s¡ª" The woman tried to handle the situation by dodging the inquiry, trying to transfer it as the documents regarding some small work or something, but Damien interrupted. "I intend to give back all the shares I acquired to your mother, Emilia." Damien nudged closer, supporting his head on the knuckles of one hand on the table, while his other hand attempted to gently explore her thighs, his pinky finger reaching toward her sensitive area but falling short due to the space between them. ''?!'' "Wh-what! For real!" Emilia, already clenching her fist for a punch due to feeling his hand, suddenly pulled back from his words. She stood from her chair, looking between him and her mother with lightened eyes, believing in Damien''s words because he accepted it in front of her mother. It was highly possible that he wouldn''t lie. Or even if he did, wouldn''t it be favorable for her that even her mother would see his true face? "I don''t quite grasp what you''re trying to convey, Sir Damien," the woman remarked, momentarily disregarding her daughter. She felt somewhat relieved that he hadn''t revealed all the details, yet she was cautious since he mentioned the transfer of shares to her. "I just want to transfer all my shares to you, Aunt." Damien, seeing how this woman was trying to cover up her image in front of her daughter, felt amused but not caring much since she didn''t hold much value to him compared to Emilia. So, he prioritized her over this woman who needed to prove her worth. "Mom, what are you waiting for?!" Emilia, seeing how her mother remained seated while looking at Damien, felt this moment slipping as it was possible that this man could change his offer, prompting her to leave the dining room, adding, "Leave it, I know where those documents could be. I will just bring the documents myself." "E-elly? How do you..." The woman wanted to inquire about how Emilia was able to find the document she hid somewhere inside the room secretly, but Emilia had already left. "You are treating her as a child," Damien, pulling his hand which was once on Emilia''s thighs but now due to her sudden leaving felt ache from the previous fracture resurfacing, massaged it while trying to pick on this woman who from the start was treating Emilia as a child. Did he care if she treated her daughter as naive? Nope. It was just that his hand was in pain and he wanted to not heal it before utilizing it for gain, so for now, he just wanted to relieve his irritation. "She is my child, so? What are you even trying to say?" The woman felt confused, with a twitch on her face visible, seeing how her daughter had just left and this man who had messed up her plan acting up. "Tch, you call her a child when she could have her own child at this age?" Damien scoffed, shaking his head as he folded his arms, meeting the woman''s cold gaze, who felt her mind snap at his words. "Here, sign it." Emilia arrived inside the dining room before placing a document and the pen on the desk, looking at Damien with her folded hands, who seemed to rub his other hand, prompting her to notice red blood clots near it. ''Is he okay?'' "Hm, here you go." Damien, calming himself, lifted the pen and signed the document, causing Emilia to feel a burden lifting from her shoulders with each sign while thinking about such a change in the heart of this man, who acted evil all the time but now suddenly decided to help her out. ''It can''t be.'' For a second, she thought something unbelievable but rejected the notion, knowing how he could not have fallen in love with her when she was just a mere tool for his use. "Done." Damien finally signed the last page before placing the pen down and standing up as he gave a sidelong glance to the woman, who kept glaring at him but controlled herself due to her daughter''s presence. Chapter 32 - 32- A Brief Retreat Before the Attack (2) ''Finally,'' Emilia lifted the papers that contained the signs and evidence that all the suffering she felt had finally been resolved and that her mother wouldn''t have to suffer any longer. But while looking at the documents, she felt confused. Why would he just give away the leash that kept her tied to him? After all, after getting the shares, why would she follow whatever he wanted instead of reporting him to the police for molestation? Her eyes noticed a black ring on her finger while she held the document. ''....'' Emilia kept looking at the ring while remembering the event where he had kissed her, causing a blush to form. Ignoring her flooding memories, she noticed him rubbing his hand, which was slowly becoming swollen. "Mom, take it and you, follow me!" S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emilia placed the document near her mother''s side and with her other hand pulled Damien''s hand as she led him out of the dining room while he held a smile, seeing how everything was going in the right direction. Indeed, he knew how Emilia was overwhelmed in the police car, harboring ill will towards him to the point where she didn''t even notice his injury. But now that he had made her free, it was normal for her to return like a bird that gets addicted to the presence of someone. In the end, Emilia followed his ways just because she had been helpless regarding the shares he possessed, and now that she had obtained them, it was as if she felt free and also grateful for his favor unconsciously. ''Should I call the police?'' The woman glanced at her daughter, who had just taken Damien out, and then at the table where the documents were placed, knowing well about the latest news through the press that Damien and her daughter were charged with some crime and had run away. But she stopped for today, knowing it would be a hassle since ultimately he would need to leave her house. ---- "Oh my Emilia, are you that thirsty to claim my body?" Damien snickered, seeing how Emilia kept pulling him until they reached her bedroom, before she placed her hand on the doorknob and flinched due to his words. ".... How did you get that injury?" Emilia had already become accustomed to his words and didn''t pay any attention as she glanced at his other hand, which was visibly swelling with a blood clot nearby. "This? I got it when I punched Edward." As Damien watched her open the door, he couldn''t help but reply. Entering the room, he was struck by the sight of a single bed, a well-ordered table, and a bookshelf in a tidy, minimalist space. It was nothing like the pink, feminine room he had anticipated from Emilia, yet it had its unique charm. "Come sit. If you were weak, shouldn''t you have just used a rod or some hard object?" Emilia, making him sit on her bed, moved towards a drawer to take out the first aid box, kneeling on her knees and starting to check his wounds. "Are you going to suck me off?" Damien grinned, seeing how she knelt while he sat on the bed, feeling like teasing her more but only meeting her glare. "....Thanks for helping my mother," Emilia ignored his words, which was enough to make her punch him, but she knew he would just dodge it, and she would fall onto the bed, and who knows what this lecherous man would do with her. She had already brought him inside her bedroom, which she did not regret since her mother was downstairs and this man was in serious pain. The wound appeared swollen and could lead to infection if left like this, prompting her to start the first aid. "I will leave this town tomorrow, Emilia." Damien informed her, his eyes softening, starting his plot to see if this woman would fall for his masterful acting as he glanced towards the nearby small glass window with a defeated gaze. "Thanks for giving me second good news," Emilia looked at his face, which genuinely appeared hurt knowing he would leave this town and seemed bad for separating from her, causing her to give a blank look, knowing well about his ways as she shrugged her shoulders and focused on his wound. ".... Shouldn''t you be happy that I helped your mother?" Damien, seeing how she didn''t give any reaction, at least understood that she was trying very hard not to show anything, enough to prevent him from guessing it if it wasn''t for notifications. [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? -???????? (????????????????????????????) ???????? ???? (????????????????????????????????????). ] "It''s done. You can go now." Emilia stood before approaching the drawer and placing the first aid inside it before taking a seat beside him and folding her hands with closed eyes. "Sigh, I see, so you aren''t going to fulfill your promise." Damien leaned near her and whispered, causing her to open one eye and look at him. "What promise?" Emilia raised her brow, feeling satisfied that she was now free. Naturally, if Damien laid a hand on her now, she was going to scream and call the police; now, she wasn''t under his control. "Haven''t we decided on a passionate night if I killed Gabriel Blake?" Damien smiled, with his eyes fixed on her lips, which parted to say something but halted and trembled before she covered her face with her wrist, forming a crimson blush as she remembered his words, causing her to avert her gaze. "N-no, it doesn''t count now. Yes, it doesn''t count." Emilia, looking away from him, felt flushed, with a clear warmth spreading across her face, remembering all those memories filling her mind, not the least wanting to do anything with this man who was so much of a pervert. "I knew this would happen." As Damien got to his feet, he shot a fleeting look back at the room before heading toward the door. With a gentle push, he opened it and let his parting words echo behind him: "Emilia, I don''t think we will ever meet again." Chapter 33 - 33- To Emilias heart (1) ''Is he just going to leave?'' Emilia, seeing him, felt confused but slowly stood and looked outside the window of her room. A few minutes later, Damien left with a defeated look as he glanced in her direction before waving, "...just go away." Even though she was hesitant, Emilia averted her gaze and returned to her bed. She lay down and curled up, lacking the mood to take a bath or even change her bridal dress, wanting nothing more than to control herself from running to that man. . . . . . ''Sigh, she didn''t even come running to hug me. How pitiful,'' Damien thought, seeing Emilia turn away. His heart ached as he shook his head and shrugged his shoulder, knowing well that in the end, she would have no choice but to come running and hug him. "Boss, is the work done?" The police officer, stationed in his car, questioned Damien as he climbed into the backseat. "Yes, and this thing works, right?" Damien entered, closed the door, and glanced in the officer''s direction. "Of course, Boss, they are not called Joke Ball pens or disappearing inks for nothing, trust me," the officer informed about the pen he had provided the man seated in the back, which was known for having their ink disappear over time, applying a simple scientific method of ink composition breaking due to humidity. "Give me your phone," Damien tapped on the board separating both of the seats, causing the officer to provide his phone through the space between them. Damien further inquired, "Have you brought shovels too?" "Yes, Boss, they are in the back," the man seated in the driver''s seat informed, though feeling confused about why he was asked to arrange a shovel. But he wasn''t going to ask for reasons since it was against his work ethics. "Hm, let''s see," Damien opened the caller dial of the phone before starting to dial a number belonging to a particular board director who was considered the left hand of Gabriel Blake. He had remembered these numbers from the time he had purchased the shares of this company. Before the call could connect, he ordered, "Take us to highway number NH-972." The motivation behind memorizing phone numbers was straightforward: It''s essential to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. :: H-hello :: [ ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? -- ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ] "Hello Jonathan, your rival has just gotten Damien Raphael to give most of his shares to her," Damien informed on the phone with a grin as the car started to move, his eyes glancing in the direction of the house, which was currently empty except for Emilia since her mother had rushed out somewhere. :: Wait, is that why she called a meeting this late at night? :: ''Ah, mother-in-law, you seem too enthusiastic,'' Damien couldn''t help but notice how, as he came down the stairs, he didn''t notice her presence, but now it came out that she had gone directly to the company and called all of the board members this late at night. Not that it was unexpected from a woman who was cunning and hardworking, but she was old, and Damien, as a son-in-law, wanted nothing but to have her take some rest. :: But who are you? :: "Me? It''s Amelia, but does it matter? Shouldn''t you be thinking about how dangerous it could be after you lost Gabriel tonight?" Damien, placing one hand on the nearby window, glanced at the passing area, his head resting on his knuckles while with his other swollen hand he held the phone, which went silent for a moment before receiving another response. :: Hey, bitch, why should I believe you? :: "Hm, nice title, but whatever. Maybe you don''t know, but Emilia Blake has engaged with Damien Raphael and in exchange, Damien returned all the shares," Damien, whose voice had become womanly, replied while foreseeing things that were needed to be placed in a format where at the end of the path, everything would align to his interest. :: Is she correct? :: ''At least see the news, dumbass,'' Damien felt his mouth twitch due to the stupidity of this Jonathan who had not even watched the news. Damien had given money to so many reporters just so that they could report about him getting engaged to Emilia Blake since mostly everyone was unaware of this engagement due to it being announced just a few days ago. He paid all those reporters, showing how Amelia Crimwell was on the bad side with Damien Raphael and his fianc¨¦, and even after that much publicity, this goon didn''t even watch the news. :: Damn it! How dare that old hag try to act smart! :: S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Hmm, at least his sidekick watches the news,'' Damien kept tapping his feet, feeling how hard it was to deal with stupid people who didn''t act the way they should. "She has left for the company; right now, she should be on highway number NH-972," Damien informed as his car slowly turned towards the same highway. :: She is dead! Fuck, call our men..... :: With those words, the call got disconnected, causing Damien to roll his eyes before sighing, seeing how Emilia would be saddened, but he wanted to help his mother-in-law get together with her husband. Was he evil for doing that? "Boss, when will I receive my payment?" The officer, seated in the front, who was of short height, inquired after hearing how the man in the back just talked like a woman. He had heard everything and could at least understand that a few moments ago, the black sedan he saw was most likely going to be in some accident. Though he didn''t have complete knowledge about the situation, his phone''s microphone was loud enough for him to hear everything and calculate the things. "How about right now?" Damien placed the phone on the nearby seat, with his eyes turning towards the front seat, which was separated from the back one by a thin steel net wall acting as a protective layer. "Can you please turn the car to the side of the road?" "Huh? Yes," Prior to merging onto the highway, they were only ten meters from the primary lane, which was bordered by trees along the regular road. "You know why I chose you for these tasks?" Damien inquired with a soft smile while his one hand moved towards the nearby seat belt, lifting it and wrapping it around his palm, inquiring the officer who had a height of less than 4 feet, a thin physique, and was not popular among his gang due to being hardly suitable for any killings. Yes, he was a criminal working on particular money according to their client''s needs, and especially, his boss chose him among all the bulky men and even promised ten times more pay. He thought it would be a risky task, but in the end, it wasn''t much. "Isn''t it because I am swifter and sharper than those bulky bastards? Haha, right Boss¡ªKughgg?!!" Before the man could say something, a sharp force bound his neck before pulling his neck back with a force that seemed to break it at any moment, causing his eyes to turn red with saliva dripping as he felt the thing wrapped around his neck being a seat belt. "Aghh....B-boss...arghhh?!" "Nah, you see, I chose you because you will not be that heavy to bury somewhere," Damien calmly replied, with the moonlight making its way through the car''s window and falling over his body as both his hands clenched the seat belt''s ends, one leg placed on the front seat as he increased the force in his leg, tightening it to strangle the officer sooner. "Arrhhggg¡ªy-yo¡ªCRACK" Before the man could utter a word, his neck broke with a sharp crack, his eyes bulging and crimson as though they might pop from their sockets. Saliva pooled in his mouth while his nose ran, veins protruding from his face, all vividly illustrating the excruciating agony he experienced before succumbing to death. Chapter 34 - 34- To Emilias heart (2) [ ???????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????, ???????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????. ] ????????????????! [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????????. ] [ ???????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????? ] "Not now, let''s first deal with this," Damien said, giving a sharp tug to confirm whether the man was really dead. After all, taking risks in such scenarios could be dangerous, and since most people leave some evidence in such cases, he was cautious enough. "Sigh, how hectic," Damien loosened his grip as he leaned his head back on the back seat with a yawn, unable to help but feel bored due to all this hard work he had to do alone, without someone present to dirty their hands for him. But then again, to eliminate any eyewitness, he would have killed that person too, so it wasn''t worth having a sidekick. Damien didn''t even trust himself, let alone others. "Phew~, it''s a cold night." Damien opened the door before adjusting his suit and glancing in the direction from where they had arrived and then towards the highway. Due to this area being underdeveloped, there weren''t many vehicles passing on the road; mostly, a few were passing from the highway, providing a blind spot for Damien as he opened the front door of the car, looking at the sleeping officer who had finally gotten rest after so much work. Damien stretched his hand before taking out the body, which was lighter due to its small height, easily allowing him to carry the now-dead body before opening the back of the car where lay the shovel he had ordered this man to bring for his own burial. "I bet everyone would want an employer like me; after all, who would give his employees such eternal peace and rest, right, constellations?" . . . . . Vrooomm! On the asphalt, a black sedan sped along the highway, maintaining the speed limit. The woman behind the wheel, her expression cold and focused, kept her sharp eyes fixed on the road. ''I shouldn''t have left my daughter alone, but...'' she thought, a wave of guilt washing over her. But she knew she had to reach the company quickly; she had already notified all the board members to assemble as soon as possible. Time was of the essence, and she needed to take control of the situation to secure the company''s future. The sooner she could make a decision, the sooner she could turn things around. ''?!'' "STOP IT!, NOOOO!" She cried out as her eyes widened in shock as a truck suddenly veered into the wrong lane, barreling down the highway towards her. Panic surged through her as she slammed her foot on the brakes. The woman''s heart pounded in her chest as the car screeched, the tires screaming against the asphalt in a desperate attempt to stop. But it was too late. CRASH! The impact hit like a thunderclap. The truck collided with the sedan''s front, crumpling the metal like paper. The car spun wildly, the force of the collision lifting it off the ground. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Khuck!?" Her body lurched forward, restrained only by the seatbelt digging into her chest and shoulders. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel, eyes wide with terror as the world outside became a blur of metal and sky. Thud! "Argh!?" The car hit the ground, bouncing twice before sliding on its side across the asphalt. Sparks flew, the metal grinding against the road with a horrific screech. The airbag exploded, slamming into her face and chest with a dull thump, forcing the air from her lungs. "N-no..." Her head snapped to the side, a sharp pain shooting down her neck. Her vision blurred, the adrenaline numbing the agony spreading through her body. Blood trickled down her forehead, warm and sticky, as her breathing became ragged. Finally, the car came to a halt, resting on its side in a mangled mess. The sound of shattering glass, hissing steam, and the faint hum of the engine sputtering its last breath filled the silence that followed. The woman''s chest heaved as she struggled to stay conscious, her fingers trembling as they slipped from the steering wheel; only the last few words could make their way out, "S-om..hel.. "Should I kill her?" Two men jumped out of the truck, which had damage in front, before they swiftly moved towards the car, arriving there as they noticed the woman still breathing with a blood-drenched body. "Go take those papers, I will deal with her." With those words, the other man pulled a gun from his back, removing the safety lock as he pointed the gun at the woman who was still able to see things blurry. ''Is this it?'', The woman''s eyes were drenched in blood, and drops mixed with her tears as she saw herself facing the same fate as her husband. All her hard work to reclaim the legacy of her husband was brought to nothing as the man pulled his trigger. BANG! "KUGH! Run, it''s police!" Before the bullet could aim at its target, a police car collided directly with the man, throwing his body six feet away as he clenched his chest and stumbled toward the other side of the lane, following his comrade who, retrieving the papers, instantly leaped inside a black van. "Damn you bastards! How dare you harm Aunt!" Damien swiftly left the car while holding a phone whose display was lit and instantly sprinted toward the black sedan, which was soon engulfed in flames. As he arrived near it, he pulled the door open, crying, "Aunt! How did this happen?" ''D-Damien?'', the woman thought, not able to clearly see everything, but she could understand how the arrived car had just saved her life, causing her to burst into tears due to the pain shrouding her body, crying as she repeated, "H-he..lp." "Y-yes, instantly," Damien lunged forward inside as he opened the seatbelt, pulling the woman from the car, which soon blasted, but he covered the woman while slightly getting burned on his back, "Kughhh... A-are you alright?" "P-plea-se s-ave me," the woman pleaded as her life flashed in front of her eyes, clenching Damien''s collar to support her body while seeing how he had just saved her from the blast that could have killed her instantly. Overwhelmed by pain, she apologized, "I..-am sorr-y." Her mind replayed how she had disregarded his help, and now had reached the deathbed; right now, the most she wanted to do was apologize to him and request, "Pl-ease, ta-ke c-are of Emilia." "A-aunt!¡ª" Damien shouted as he struggled to lift the semi-conscious woman, a cold glint passing through his eyes before it vanished as he directed his gaze to the phone''s display, where a woman was depicted running, her eyes brimming with tears. The image of her wedding gown and red-rimmed eyes disappeared behind her anguished cries. "Mom! Damien! Save my mom....sob...Damien! Help her please!" Emilia cried out through the call, her voice breaking as she had been on video call with Damien a few moments ago, where he had just video called her, but now she was seeing everything falling apart like this. She once again repeated as through the camera of the phone she saw her mother''s state, "DAMIEN, PLEASE!" "Calm down, Emilia, I will not let anything happen to her." Damien slowly stood as he cut the call, where he could see the young woman on the other side broken into tears as she sprinted out of her house. Putting the phone into his pocket, he looked at the bloodied body of the unconscious woman, sighing as with a snicker, he tilted his head and wished, ''Hope you don''t miss your husband too much, Aunt; after all, Emilia would have no one except me to lean on if something happened to you.'' Chapter 35 - 35: Chapted 35- Hospital (1) ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ???????????????????????????????? - ???????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? ????????????????. ???????????????????????? - ???? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????????????? ???????? ????????????. ????????????_???? - ???????????????? ????????????. ????????????????????????_???????????????? - ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????? ????????????; ????''???????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????. ?¨T©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤Constellations©¤©¤©¤©¤¨T? ''How evil of them.'' Looking towards the few screens popped up around him, Damien felt pity for the innocent old woman who didn''t receive any from the constellations. "Excuse me, sir," suddenly interrupted the voice of a female receptionist standing on the other side of the desk where Damien stood while holding a paper mentioning the guarantee or affidavit he needed to sign holding documents like consent for treatment and responsibilities. "Yes, I will sign it," Damien nodded before taking out his pen. He calmly started to sign it slowly, appearing completely patient, except for the surrounding doctors who stood in panic, looking towards the bloodied body of a woman lying on a stretcher just near him, completely drenched in blood and wounds as if she needed urgent emergency treatment, yet this man was holding them from doing anything until he was done with the documentation. "W-we can start the treatment until you sign the document, Mr. Damien. She needs urgent treatment," one of the doctors, checking the woman''s heartbeat with a stethoscope, suggested as he observed the situation. He indicated that the man was following the procedures of the hospital, which was implemented in case of accidents where they obtained a warranty from the patients. If the person in question died, then it would not be the hospital''s responsibility. Until now, they had always heard patient relatives yelling at the hospital for not giving the patient urgent treatment but rather going through procedures. But this was the first time in such an emergency situation someone was strictly adhering to the procedure instead of allowing treatment to begin. "No, I respect the rules set by the hospital. I will go through the process, and of course, if something happens to the patient, this hospital will see hell," Damien signed the document and filled in the details about the accident and his relation to the patient while smiling. His mind was calm and unhindered by the haggard breathing of the woman. Following the words of the constellations, he decided to give this woman a simple chance based on her own luck. If she was stubborn enough, then she would survive; otherwise, it would end here. In both cases, it was to his advantage: either he would use this woman or simply become a shoulder for Emilia to cry on. "M-MOM!....Haah...Haah.." Suddenly, a cry tore through the place, causing everyone to turn their eyes towards a woman who was gasping for breath, wearing a bright gown completely filled with dirt and dust as if she had run for miles. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "N-no! Why is she outside? Mom!" Emilia cried out the moment her eyes settled on her bloodied mother lying on a stretcher surrounded by a few doctors, who seemed to be performing only vague treatment while Damien stood near the counter filling out documents. "Emilia? I am sorry; these doctors are not admitting her and are telling me to fill out the documents first," Damien looked at Emilia before turning his eyes away in defeat as he spoke in a defeated voice. This caused all the doctors who heard him to flinch as they broke into sweat, not understanding why they were being blamed when it was Damien himself who pressured them to first complete the process, which was applicable only to individuals of low status unlike Damien Raphael, who was known to everyone in Crampian City. Indeed, it was a standard process in these hospitals (a few corrupt rural area hospitals) to fill out the procedures and documents before admitting patients, regardless of their lives. But it wasn''t applicable to everyone, such as someone from the Raphael family. "Y-you monsters!...sob...My m-mom! Take her inside now!" Emilia''s eyes, already red and exhausted from tears all the way here, became heavy, and she struggled to control herself from losing consciousness due to all the accumulated fatigue of running a distance and then taking a taxi to arrive here. Before she could finish her words, her body lurched forward, and with her eyes becoming heavy, focusing only on her mother''s bloodied body, she collapsed toward the floor, "M-mom..." ''?!'' "I signed the papers. Can you all take that woman inside now?" Suddenly, Damien''s voice caused the few people present, including doctors and receptionists, to widen their eyes as they felt as if they were witnessing an illusion. Because the door and the desk were at least 10 meters apart. Yet, somehow, they saw Damien holding the woman who had just fallen to the floor, losing consciousness in that dirty state¡ªtattered white dress, messed-up hair, tear-stained face, reddened eyes, and barely standing body. "Y-yes, right away! Let''s move!" Coming out of their dilemma was the cold gaze from Damien, who held Emilia right now, making the doctors forget that he had just approximately teleported from one place to another as they moved swiftly, taking the woman who was somehow still alive, as if battling to live for another moment, into the ICU. ''....this idiot,'' As the doctors disappeared inside the emergency room, Damien glanced at Emilia''s feet, where blood was oozing with a few pebbles still embedded in her flesh, showing the state she was in without realizing the pain inflicted on her, as her only goal was to reach her mother. But seeing her state at least made him aware of how much she cared for and loved her mother, which was definitely a good thing for him. Since now he could save her mother while using both of them against each other to keep them in check and control as he desired. [ ???????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????? ] inquired the system, which suggested using one of the three rewards he had gotten from his encounter with Edward. ''....'' Damien kept looking at Emilia, who was exhausted beyond her limits. He observed her face, completely messed up due to tears and dirt, as if she had fallen on the road while making her way here. He waited to analyze if using a reward like that on her could be profitable since having sympathy for her would not yield results, after all; he had a separate personal life and business life, and right now, he was focused on the job, finally replying, ''No'' Chapter 36 - 36 - Hospital (2) :: Your Mom Died Emilia :: "NO!!" Suddenly, Emilia''s body lurched forward as she was pulled out of the nightmare, causing her to gasp for breath. She quickly turned her eyes around to meet the white marble walls, blue curtains, and various pieces of equipment, revealing that she was in a hospital room. "Where am I¡ª?! No, my mother!" Due to her sudden awakening, she couldn''t recall things immediately, but the memories of seeing her mother''s bloodied body assaulted her mind, prompting her to swiftly try to stand from the bed. "Stop there, you idiot. You will harm yourself," a voice came, and she felt a hand holding her shoulder, stopping her from standing. She looked up to see a man whose deep black eyes met hers. She blinked blankly at him before a small tear rolled down her cheek. "Are you a child?" Seizing the moment, Damien reached out with one hand to gently wipe away a tear from her cheek before placing his palm behind her head to pull her into a warm embrace. He held her close, her face nestled against his abdomen. Her eyes widened in surprise before she eventually broke into tears. "Sniff... sob... D-Damien." "Sigh, what luck I have. How did I marry a crybaby?" Damien teased, feeling her hiccups and sobs as he gently ruffled his hand over her hair, trying to calm her as he glanced down. "My mothe-r, Damien... sob," Emilia''s voice broke in between, overwhelmed by all the heart-wrenching thoughts filling her mind about what might happen to her mother, who was her sole support. "She is out of danger; the doctors are looking after her," Damien informed her, knowing that her cries might seem immature for an adult, but the pain and agony in her voice could only be understood by someone who had lost someone beloved. For Damien, human emotions were something he had seen and experienced often. He learned that when a person reaches the limit of their pain, they forget to care about their appearance and express their emotions without regard for what others might think. "Pl-please, she is the only one I have! Save her, p-please... sob," Emilia cried, her hand clutching the back of Damien''s suit as she felt heartbroken by all the thoughts overwhelming her mind. "Cry one more time, and I will leave," Damien stated clearly, realizing she needed to calm down instead of being consumed by her emotions. He understood it was crucial to plant some seeds now while she was most vulnerable. However, if she didn''t listen to him, how could he achieve that? "Sorry¡ª" Emilia said, pursing her lips while tightening her grip on him, feeling a desperate need for emotional support. Before she felt a gentle tug on her hair, her eyes were firmly closed; upon opening them, she found herself gazing at Damien''s face. "Have you seen your state? You look like a drunk bumpkin bathed in mud," Damien chuckled, using his other hand to nudge her nose, which had some dust marks. Since she had lost consciousness, he had brought her into one of the hospital rooms, where nurses had provided some first aid. "And here you are, hugging this muddy bumpkin, you mentalman," Emilia protested, feeling the warmth and firmness of his abdomen, clear enough for her to guess he had a well-built physique. But she knew his brain was rotten. Even right now, she knew something evil and lecherous must be going through his mind, but somehow, she didn''t want to part from him. "Hm, then how about we get rid of your mud first, and I will show you how much of a gentleman I am?" With a teasing smile, Damien let his hand travel down from her hair, lightly tracing from her forehead to her nose, brushing over her lips as he lifted her chin to connect their faces. "H-how?" Emilia inquired, her concerns about her mother''s health still weighing heavily on her mind. But in that moment, as she looked at the face that had captivated her during her college days, she found herself entranced. She remained still, barely blinking, trying to commit that visage to memory¡ªdefined jawline, perfectly proportioned nose, deep-set eyes, and impeccable complexion. She noticed the gentle strength of his fingers supporting her chin. "Let''s bathe together." Without giving her a chance to react, Damien moved closer, watching as her face turned a deep shade of red and her lips trembled, struggling to articulate her thoughts. In one fluid motion, he slid one hand around her shoulder and the other between her legs, lifting her into a Princess Carry. ''!??'' "Whaaat! D-Damien?! Wait, wait, give me time!" Emilia fought back, her hands pressing against his chest as she attempted to push him away. But it was too late; he had already lifted her off the bed. With no support beneath her, her hand instinctively clutched his collar. She tried to voice her plea, but he turned away, heading toward the nearby bathroom, ignoring her desperate words as she was mercilessly taken with him. "Mom! Help me!" In the end, the most the innocent woman could do was yell for help from her mother, her only protector. Yet, deep down, Emilia knew she was not giving her best to resist, as if her body wanted to go along with this man. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I promise I will leave you if you call my name instead of your mother," Damien snickered as he opened the bathroom door, clear in his intent to seize this opportunity without a second thought to retreat today. "Fine! Damien! Help me!" Emilia, wanting to play along since she knew no one was coming to rescue her, yelled as she lifted her face and cried loudly near his ears to annoy him. Unfortunately for her, he glanced at her and, in a hushed voice, softly said, "Of course, I''m going to thoroughly inspect your body and then help you, Emilia," before playfully nibbling on her flushed red ear with a light bite. "IEEKKK~!?" Chapter 37 - 37- Sleeping dragon "Haah.... Haah, W-we are at hospital.", Emilia gasped as the water from the nearby shower poured down, soaking her completely and making it difficult for her to catch her breath. Her back pressed against the cold marble wall, she stared at the man only inches away from her, cornering her near the shower and leaving her with no escape. "Isn''t it good then? We will not have to care about birth pill."Damien wore a sly grin as he leaned in closer, feeling her warm breath against his skin. The water continued to drench him, and with one hand pressing against the wall, he trapped Emilia in the corner. He lay there, utterly exposed, showcasing his well-defined physique. thump thump ''Ohh god'', Emilia''s heart raced as she glanced ahead, her line of sight dropping due to their height difference, and she was greeted by the sight of him completely unclothed, showcasing his chiseled physique and the sizable lump of flesh between his legs. Her heart raced wildly, pounding against her chest as she crossed her arms protectively over her body. She was desperate to keep her clothes safe from the man who after entering the bathroom had immediately stripped off his black suit, declaring that his attire could get wet, and was now intent on unbuttoning her garments too. In a frantic attempt to flee, she found herself cornered, with no way out. ''I-it''s unlike those videos'', The only relieving thing in all this was that, unlike her expectations, where she always wondered how a long thing like those possessed by porn actors could even fit inside the small space of a woman but she didn''t need to fear this in the case of Damien, whose size was slightly longer than her middle finger. Of course, she isn''t some naive maiden who doesn''t even know what sex is, but she has already seen intimacy in porn videos and read everything about reproduction. She at least knew how the first time hurts due to hymen tearing and about how that thing penetrates inside. However, theoretical knowledge is different than practical and right now she was just relieved that in case something happened the pain will not be intense. When it comes to size, let''s just say this guy''s got the confidence of a lion but the equipment of a little mouse! "Fu fu fu~," Emilia smirked, avoiding his gaze as amusement bubbled within her at this man who had persistently harassed her¡ªpressuring her to sit on his lap and trying to grope her chest. It now became clear that his aggressive demeanor was just a disguise to mask his average-sized penis while attempting to assert his masculinity. ''What with that smirk?'' With raised eyebrows, Damien questioned her intentions, noticing Emilia''s playful smirk that suggested she looked down upon him. As he followed her line of sight, he discovered she was gazing at his sleeping dragon, which seemed to be approximately 5 inches long (*without erection). This prompted him to snicker and say, "Aren''t you a pervert, Emilia?" "Huh? Wh-what pervert!?" With a yell, Emilia lifted her eyes to glare at him, but her expression changed to one of surprise the moment he claimed her lips, giving her no time to react as he pulled her body into his."Mphhh~!?" "L...eave... m..e" Emilia attempted to push him away by placing her hands on his chest, but instead ended up in his embrace. His arms secured her against him, holding her firmly as he kissed her deeply. This felt different from before; where he had been exploring her body, now his sole focus was on her lips. Emilia quickly realized that if she remained passive, she would again gwt herself molested by this man. Her instinct kicked in, and her tongue resisted, yet in the midst of this struggle, her lips unintentionally parted, allowing his tongue¡ªcoarse, stiff, and slightly slippery¡ªto clash with hers in a fierce confrontation. The struggle was fierce, with each side steadfastly defending their territory. Yet, Emilia''s choice to open the gates for a face-off against the adversary turned out to be her greatest blunder. Little did she know that the enemy possessed substantial experience, skillfully maneuvering his tongue past hers before striking from behind and twisting it in a flash. In that moment, an unexpected reinforcer swooped in, creating a powerful suction that pulled her tongue into the enemy''s grasp. ''?!'' ''Help me!'', All she could do was internally scream for assistance the instant she felt her tongue being pulled away, the last remnant of comfort she had. Just then, the grip on her back loosened as Damien withdrew, tugging at her lips along the way. ''Wh-what''s touching my leg?'' To her growing distress, she could feel him wedging her numbing leg between his own, attempting to grind his hips against her thighs. She could feel something firm pushing upward, steadily expanding. He continued to shift and rub his groin against her bridal gown, which clung to her skin because of its sheer fabric and was soaked in water, sliding higher with each movement. "Muwaaah...Haah Haah, it tasted like vanilla? Did you ate that pudding Emilia?", With a playful grin, Damien retreated while tugging her tongue along with him before settling his gaze on Emilia as her legs buckled, causing her to sink slowly to the ground, propped against the wall. She looked up at him, a teasing glimmer in her eyes. With a bold lick of his tongue, he cast her a roguish and lecherous glance. "Y-you are gross.", Emilia struggled to find her words, her mouth saturated with his saliva, as the image of him drawing her tongue into his mouth triggered a series of unsettling sensations throughout her body, reminding her of how repulsive he could be. After all, she had seen French kisses in several movies, but sucking someone''s tongue was extraordinarily gross. "So what? Do you expect me to get a blowjob with that dry lips? Don''t kid me", Damien raised an eyebrow, looking at the woman who had finally hit the ground, her back propped against the wall and her head tilted towards him. Her eyes widened the moment she heard his voice. "B-Blowjob? Bastard, How....!?!" Emilia gazed at his face, attempting to decipher his words as she silently cursed this vile man who was taking advantage of her. Her eyes eventually drifted downward, but they widened in shock when something thick, warm, and hard made contact with her cheeks. She quickly focused on the brownish skin adorned with vines, which now appeared as a distinctly different mass of flesh than what she had just observed moments before. "WHAT IS THIS!" With a frantic yell, she instinctively swung her hand to swat away what had unexpectedly touched her face. SLAP However, before she could land her slap, that hard object quickly struck her cheek instead, as Damien made a slight hip swing to execute a counterattack before Emilia could react. "Kyaaa~!?" ''....it must have hurt'', Damien had a fleeting thought of teasing her by swaying his hips to let his shaft brush her cheeks. However, considering its erected size¡ªaround 8 inches¡ªand its considerable thickness and weight, he realized it must have struck her with some force. Seeing her eyes glistening with tears, even amid the shower downpour that soaked them both, made him feel guilty. he sighed "Are you okay, Emilia?" However, even before he finished speaking, she caught her own murmurs as tears streamed down her face and her gaze shifted away from him. "...Whaayy...bi..g?" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What?" As Damien knelt down to Emilia''s level, he gently lifted her chin to bring her face closer to his. With wide, pleading eyes, she gazed at him, making her feel a bit deceived. She responded by raising her hand and gesturing around five inches with her fingers, emphasizing her point. "Where did that tiny one go? Let me go; I am not taking that cucumber inside me!" Frustrated, Emilia cried out, sensing the injustice of it all as she faced the harsh reality of losing her innocence to something so massive, as thick as her wrist. "...." Chapter 38 - 38- Bathroom scene ''....'' Seated, Damien looked at Emilia, who was kneeling and had turned her face away, hiding it behind her hand. As he observed her, he couldn''t help but wonder to himself, ''Has it still not activated?'' [ No, I am trying to get a subquest, but it seems hard to trigger without a crucial event. ] A robotic voice emerged from the system, detailing the essential steps required to establish a subquest. This was the primary reason Damien urged Emilia to reach this stage, despite being aware that it might jeopardize the considerable effort he had invested in rescuing her mother to boost her favorability. ''A difficult task?'', Damien couldn''t help but glance at Emilia, feeling a twinge of disappointment that he hadn''t managed to trigger any new subquest related to her. Despite having already received two quests from her¡ªone where he needed to have her behave like a supporting character and the other aimed at making her regret her choice to kill him¡ªit seemed increasingly difficult to activate another subquest from his end. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why has it become so big!" Emilia thought about how thick and bulging his dick was, and the way her eyes still lingered on those nerves and veins made her want to scream, all while trying to curl up to protect herself from this beast. "What? Have you not heard about erect¡ªHey Emilia, have you ever dated someone?" Damien raised his brow, feeling confused due to her antics, but suddenly realizing something, he inquired as he stretched his hand to pull hers and look into her eyes. "Eh? A b-boyfriend?" Emilia looked at him as her eyes blinked before she pursed her lips and furrowed her chin as she remembered her past, where she always tried to focus on her studies to help her mother, while due to her crush on this second-generation rich guy, who was once her senior, she never dated anyone. "What? Really?" With a smirk, Damien stood up, and Emilia just kept staring at him, her eyes quivering as he combed his wet hair back with his fingers. The shadow of his dick''s outline hovered over her, and her tear-filled eyes along with those moist lips made for an enticing sight. ''Uwah?!'' For a fleeting moment, Emilia found herself entranced by his irresistibly handsome features. But as the shadow loomed over her, her gaze dropped, revealing the impressive length and thickness of his shaft poised above her. A shiver ran through her lips, quaking with a mix of fear. "Pfft, hey, I will not force you, now get up." With a chuckle, Damien reached out his hand to Emilia, his gaze warm and inviting. Emilia felt a flicker of self-doubt for an instant. Yet, her hand gradually lifted to grasp his as she got to her feet. She stammered, "Th-thank you." "Just kidding!" Damien flashed a grin and yanked his hand away fast, causing Emilia''s outstretched hand to comically land on his erected dick. "IEEEKK~?!" As soon as her fingers brushed against his dick, she pulled back in shock, realizing she''d fallen into this devil''s trap. But luck wasn''t on her side, as Damien quickly grabbed her hand, holding it right above his shaft. "Whaaaaatt! Leave, you bastard!" Emilia''s entire body tingled as if struck by lightning. When the sensation from her palm reached her brain, it revealed an unmistakable recognition of holding something¡ªrigid, yielding, laced with veins, and substantial. In that instant, her mind screamed that it was his dick she grasped or, more accurately, was compelled to grasp as Damien''s hand firmly enveloped hers over it. "Do you hate it?" With a slight tilt of his head, Damien inquired, his expression filled with sorrow and defeat as he gazed at Emilia, truly affected by her words that made him feel like a villain among them. "I-I?" For a brief instant, Emilia experienced a pang of realization, acknowledging that she had acted without pressure towards him on multiple occasions, despite the fact that he had saved her mother today. However, feeling a twinge of remorse, she lowered her eyes, only to quickly lift them again and unleash a fierce cry, "Pervert, Stop moving my hand!" Emilia can''t fathom whether this man was really the incarnation of some devil, as he was acting hurt and sorrowful with his face while his hand kept making her stroke his dick all the while he talked with her. "Hmm...Your hand is really soft Emilia, Ahh...just more pressure", Damien didn''t pay any attention to what she was saying; he just tightened his grip and kept using Emilia''s cold hand, the one that got chilly from the shower water, to stroke himself, loving the way it teased her and enjoying both carnal pleasure and her flustered face. "Ewww?! That''s enough of you, rascal! Let go!" Emilia cried once again as she could clearly feel the sensation of his erection throbbing under the strokes of her hand. It was her first time experiencing something like this, even though she had seen it in porn videos. "Fine, let''s go or we will catch the flu," Damien loosened his grip, allowing Emilia to easily retract her hand as she held her wrist, looking towards her palm while dancing back from the man who, somehow unexpectedly, retreated and showed a human side for the first time. "Y-yes, now you are talki¡ªkyaa~!?¡ªstop now!" Emilia, believing she had made a grown-up choice, nodded in agreement but was caught off guard when he swept her up in a princess carry. As he exited the bathroom in his bare skin, without bothering to dress, it was evident he had other intentions. This prompted her to scream, "This is a hospital, you idiot! What if someone came?!" "It''s midnight, Emilia, and I specifically arranged for them to allow us a soundproof room," Damien stepped out of the bathroom and strolled over to the bed in the room. The mirror nearby showed off his well-defined muscles and strong physique, and he was sporting a proud erection. With both hands occupied carrying a woman in a bridal gown, he gently set her down on the bed, adding, "It''s our wedding''s first night, Emilia. Shouldn''t you show your love for me?" Chapter 39 - 39- Huh?! "No! That marriage will not be counted," Emilia reclined on the bed, clutching the pillow behind her as she confronted the man who had just thrown her there, yelling and striving to escape this moment. "Fine, but at least change your clothes; you are wet," Damien said, ruffling his hair. He reminded the woman that she was wet and the night was cold, and there was a chance she could catch the flu. "Shut up! I know you will pounce on me the moment I remove my clothes!" Emilia, not the least bit willing to believe this man''s nonchalant attitude, knew he was just waiting for her to fall into his trap. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And true to her suspicion, a curve formed on Damien''s face, which soon turned into a deadly grin as he muttered, "It''s the first night of our marriage, and you already understand this much about me?" "Hmph, now go away, shoo~~ shoo~~," she plopped down on the bed, folded her arms, and pouted, then gestured with her hand as if she were telling a dog to get lost. "Hah? Why do you hate me this much, Emilia?" Damien shook his head before sitting on the bed, folding his hands, and glancing towards the woman who was mistreating him and cursing him all the time. "What? You ask why? If any woman, after being forced to marry someone she met for the first time and then getting sexually molested several times, would still hug you and love you, do you think this is some brain-dead adult web novel?!" Emilia yelled at the man who had mistreated her from the very beginning while not caring about her feelings at all. Most likely, she would have accepted him as her life partner if not for his behavior, which was just trying to use her or treat her like a tool all this time, only because she didn''t have any option and also had a crush on this man. But curse her luck! Just as normally teenagers fall in love with or get obsessed over idols or models, who in truth, unlike on the screen, go around sleeping with producers and directors, she had only seen one side of this second-generation heir, who in truth was a clear playboy. "I see, but didn''t you have a crush on me?" Damien scratched his chin and nodded thoughtfully before asking, deliberately seeking an opening to confront her, yet consciously avoiding any impression of aggression. "Wh-what crush? I was a child at that time!" With a deep blush spreading across her face, Emilia looked down, recalling the time when she had been in love with him. "What? You label me a pervert, yet you too made a mistake by falling for a stranger when you were a child?" Damien narrowed one eye at Emilia, giving her a critical glance as he shrugged his shoulders. "I-I meant, I was immature and naive." Emilia''s lips twitched upon hearing Damien provoking her to give him a punch, but she held it in, knowing he would dodge it and just once again start molesting her. "Do you hate me, Emilia?" Damien looked forward before glancing at Emilia, inquiring to know her opinion, even though he was already aware of her favorability stats through the system. "Yes," Emilia responded candidly, directing her gaze at Damien, who, in her perspective, was merely pretending to be defeated. With a feigned look of submission, he rose and climbed onto the bed, prompting her to stammer, "W-wait, what do you think you''re doing?!" "Rest assured, I just want to sleep here," Damien already seeing how Emilia was not being true to herself while trying to act, felt like providing her a little push. "N-no, I don''t believe you?!" Emilia instantly stood from the bed, running away towards the corner of the room, far away from the bed as Damien lied on it with his back toward the bed while his erect shaft pointed toward the ceiling. "Cough! Sigh, I will just take a nap," Damien coughed as he placed one hand above his head, which was bandaged due to his injuries, something Emilia clearly noticed. ''What is he doing? Does he want to get cold?!'' Emilia, in contrast, was damp but quickly grabbed a blanket from the vicinity and wrapped it around herself. However, upon noticing Damien sprawled on the bed entirely unclothed, clutching the first aid bandages she had prepared, her self-esteem took a hit, especially since it was because of him that her mother remained safe. She remarked,"Damien, wear something at least or you will get sick." "We''re not a couple, Emilia, and after being rejected by the Raphael family, it feels like my health is the least of anyone''s concerns." In desperation, Damien leaned into his sob story, showcasing just how pitiful and fragile he truly was. "Keep up your lies for another time, at least wear some clothes," Emilia, hearing Damien''s latest fabrication about being expelled from the Raphael family, attempted to persuade him to put on some clothes instead of continuing with his lies. "Not gonna do it. Why does it matter to you if I get cold?" Damien personally believed this approach was futile, yet with no alternatives, he continued the melodrama, yearning for even the slightest opportunity. "You are stubborn, at least take this," Emilia rubbed her forehead before taking a blanket from the table and approached the bed. Opening the blanket, she tried to cover Damien, "Kyaaa~!" "Hug me, it''s cold," but Damien, finding this chance, directly pulled her into his embrace, not caring if she was wet, as he twisted her body and came above her. "Wh-what hug is this?!" Emilia instantly saw the world turning upside down before finding herself in front of Damien while her face was towards the ceiling. Before she could lift herself, she caught his erect dick just near her abdomen; a slight movement down and it would reach her puffy vulva. "I am entering now, Emilia," Damien declared as, without giving her the chance, he directly pushed his body closer, causing his dick to slide between her legs. "HNGHH~?!" Chapter 40 - 40 - A Smart Tool "HNGHH~?!" "It''s inside! It''s inside!" Screams erupted from Emilia as her fingers clawed at Damien''s back, creating raised marks while tears glistened in her eyes. Her legs shook uncontrollably, trying to break free from the bed, but they were trapped by Damien''s feet. "Shut up, idiot, I just parked it", When Damien observed Emilia''s exaggerated behavior, he head-butted her. He had positioned his throbbing shaft between her legs, steering clear of any penetration, wishing to hold her tight without barriers¡ªhis member getting in the way of their hug¡ªhis mouth quivering from her dramatic performance. "P-parked! It''s pressing against me!" Currently, Emilia is unconcerned about the technicalities of whether it was truly inside her. The intense sensation of something solid and cucumber-sized pressing and throbbing against her lower body was more than sufficient to leave her feeling uncomfortable. "Say one more time and I will enter you", Damien shut his eyes, using his body weight to shift sideways while embracing Emilia. His legs intertwined with hers as he wrapped his arms around her, then buried his face in her hair, which was conveniently close due to their height difference. "W-wait, I will not say anything", Emilia shuddered as her lips instinctively accepted this man''s words, allowing him to take control while she clung to him tightly. Her embrace wasn''t driven by affection, but by the fear of him escaping and the potential for him to pounce on her. She was determined not to let him slip away. "Hey, Emilia", Damien murmured as he inhaled deeply, appreciating the subtle scent of her hair, which carried a delicate fragrance. To him, it seemed more like a natural essence rather than anything artificial like perfume or cologne. "Wh-what?", As soon as she heard him mention her, she instinctively tightened her hold, wondering if he had reconsidered and might actually do something with her. "...You will be delicious to eat." Damien softly murmured as he pressed his nose against her scalp, gently caressing her dark hair. "Huh?" Emilia was struck by lightning, her face becoming pale with her eyes only blinking as her body was wrapped around by Damien. Her mind was still processing the fact that this man had just called her delicious, making her doubts and suspicions about him being some devil even more true. Damien, not letting her say other words, he continued as his hand slowly moved upward before gripping the chain of her bridal dress from behind as he started to slowly slid it down. While to hide it from her, he kept whispering some words to make her mind busy, he whispered,"You are warm to hug, soft to touch, and have an alluring aroma coming out of you...." "So, tell me Emilia" Damien continued to murmur as he stealthily unhooked the chain of her dress, unnoticed by her. His hand moved inside, gliding over her tender skin, which felt comfortably warm against the wetness of her clothing,"...Aren''t you just a delicacy?" thump thump When he called her delicious, her heartbeat seemed to stop, especially with her face so close to his chest. Even while hearing his heartbeat, her own thudded fiercely, as though his words had landed a surprising blow, flushing her cheeks bright red and causing her previously tight grip to relax. She tilted her head up to meet the mischievous glint in his eyes and inquired, "Wh-why are you doing this to me?" As she sensed her sanity slipping away under the weight of his relentless flirting, which made it all too clear he was interested solely in her body, she bravely questioned him, gazing at that strikingly handsome face that resembled nothing more than a devil luring her into darkness."You don''t truly love me; it seems like you''re merely pretending to care so you can exploit me before tossing me aside. Please, Damien, don''t do this." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "....you are at least smart enough," Damien''s eyes widened for a moment before relaxing as he noticed the tear-filled eyes of Emilia, who looked at him with an unfair gaze, feeling completely shattered due to his continuous trials. He was also surprised knowing that she at least knew he was trying to use her for his own benefit. "You can just find another heart to break; why me?" Emilia watched him smile and tightened her jaw, recognizing he resembled nothing of the heartless devil she expected. When she bit her lips again, she was engulfed by feelings of helplessness, both mentally and physically. After her father''s death, she witnessed her mother''s struggles, which made Emilia try to remain strong, work hard, study, and be a help to her mother. While ignoring everything a young woman like her might do, from socializing with the opposite gender to falling in love, and even giving time to develop any romantic feelings, she entered her first year of university and encountered a senior renowned as the heir of the Raphael Group. It wasn''t love at first sight; she didn''t fall for how handsome he was or for his status, but rather for the way he acted differently from most of the second-generation heirs who developed egos or pride. This is what made her develop a crush on him. And after three years when he came back into her life, it appeared as if he was savoring every moment while showing how cruelly he was playing with her heart. She hated him for treating her as a tool, but she felt helpless due to his continuous attempts to make her fall for him. "Haah? Isn''t it because you are better than the others, Emilia? Or why would I want you this badly, huh?" With a mischievous grin, Damien''s pitch-black eyes met Emilia''s, causing her to gasp in surprise as she nervously bit her lips. Her face twisted in frustration as she reached out, pressing her hands against his chest in an attempt to shove him away. However, Damien merely halted her push after she barely managed to move him half a hand''s breadth. She glared back at him, her eyes igniting with anger, desperate to grasp his true intentions rather than enduring heartbreak and falling for someone who could never reciprocate her feelings, as she yelled, "Just tell me, Damien, what you want and stop making me truly fall in love with you!" With those words, she lunged forward with her hand clasping his face and, on her own initiative, pressed her lips against him in a kiss. "Mmphhh....t..ell... me.. ...amn it!" Chapter 41 - 41: *41 - You are inexperienced, Damien! ''What?'', Damien was stunned when he saw Emilia grasping his face, pulling him into a kiss. At that moment, their lips merely touched, but gradually, Damien eased into the embrace. His hand slipped beneath her dress, gliding down her smooth skin and feeling each curve along her spine. She was unaware of his movements until his hand reached the delicate curve between her buttocks, his middle finger pressing gently against her rosebud. "Angh!", Emilia''s eyes grew wide as she sensed his finger pressing against her tiny spot, having already slipped in a small millimeter. She attempted to pull away from the kiss, but Damien shifted his weight, twisting his body to hover over her, his hand still positioned at the back of her dress, above her forbidden area. "Remember you were the one who asked me to tell what I want;" Ignoring her stunned expression and widened eyes, he took hold of both her hands with one hand and positioned them above her head on the bed. Meanwhile, his other hand began caressing her rosebud. To stifle her whimper, he kissed her deeply, entering her mouth with his tongue as she attempted to cry out. Positioned above her, he enveloped her entirely, applying his weight as he pressed down. One hand was tucked inside her dress, while his palm rested on the gentle curve of her spine, situated between her rounded rear buns that continually pressed against his hand, with the blanket thrown aside. "Ahn... Nnhn....", Her soft whimpers and subdued moans were silenced by his kiss, all while he held her retaliating hand tightly in his grasp. He felt the warmth of her supple body pressed against him, trapped between his weight and his hands. His touch was unyielding as he explored her Rosebud, which quivered under his caress. She was clearly sandwiched between his body and his hand. ''No, no, no, what is he doing, not that place!'', Emilia''s eyes were widened as her legs were the only thing which could flail or try to retaliate. But it all felt futile due to weight of this man and his strength which seemed as if playing with her. ''He is inexperienced!'', She can''t understand why he wasn''t doing it the way it was shown in the porn videos, where they used foreplay and then started getting intimate. But it was completely different from anything she had seen before. It was just gross and, at the same time, something new to her. First, in a kiss, he sucked her tongue, and now, while kissing her and holding her down, his other hand was trying to play with her little hole, while her body was trembling and lower muscles were twitching. She had never encountered or heard about anything like this in those adult films! "Mphh... slurp... surrender.... ", Damien could clearly feel that his body was completely submerged in softness. It was a sensation that could be considered otherworldly; despite his physique, which was firm enough, it felt as if he were pressed against a soft cushion that was warm and alluring. While his hand, trapped beneath her body weight, was continuously struggling to survive due to the hydraulic-like force of her buns twitching to protect her, Conversely, her teasing Rosebud was stimulating him. His dick remained nestled between her legs, but the increasingly constricted space made it difficult for him to stay there. As he watched her legs move slowly, he raised his hips to create some room, which caused his erection to press against her lower region, still shielded by her bridal gown. "Hah...! Ahn....! no...!", As he pulled away from her lips, glistening and resembling dew-kissed rose petals, he could hear her loud moans while continuing to caress her delicate rosebud. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Now that I noticed, Emilia, you really have a beautiful voice?", Damien smiled, his gaze mirroring her astonished face¡ªlips parted in a gasp, her breath forming a delicate mist as her tongue pressed aside to allow for it. Her eyes widened, rolled back as if struck by a surge of passion¡ªhe intensified the pressure of his hand, wanting to see her face and hear that melodious, rhythmic voice even more clearly. "HIEKK~!?" In a heartbeat, Emilia''s eyes grew wide as she felt his finger penetrate her forbidden region. The lack of lubrication made the intrusion harsh, scraping against the delicate lining of her anus and sending waves of sharp pain coursing through her thoughts," S-stop! It hurts! This isn''t the right way!" She cried out, feeling that this man was really an idiot, not understanding that this isn''t the way how it should be done. Realizing that he don''t even know how to kiss, nor do know which hole is for sex. "Emilia, trust me, this is the right way. Let me tell you a secret.", Damien could unmistakably sense the intense heat emanating from her body as his finger penetrated deeper inside her anus, which gripped him tightly, almost as if it were crushing his bones. Yet, the supple inner walls provided a contrasting sensation, making him feel as if he were nestled within soft cushions rather than experiencing a hydraulic press. He leaned closer to her ear before whispering her universal truth," In the desert, a thirsty man values a single drop of water, while a hungry person delights in basic food. This highlights how suffering makes rewards sweeter. Endure the pain, Emilia, and you will appreciate the ecstasy that accompanies this pain." "MNGH~!!! Haanh...! N-no....!" Emilia moaned softly, flinching from the pain, unable to grasp the nonsense this man was spewing, completely oblivious to the reality of intimacy, which made her realize that, no matter what, she would never accept this gross experience and even think of doing this again with this bad guy, causing her to yell,"Just do whatever you want, but I''m sure you don''t know how to have sex!" Chapter 42 - 42: *42: Rabbits? "Oh, you are one to talk, Emilia", Damien laughed softly as he maneuvered his body once more to bring her closer, gently withdrawing his fingers from her little hole which felt like suction, while tracing a slow path up her spine, which trembled with each movement, until he grasped the hem of her dress. "Hahh... Hahn... enjoy your mockery as much as you want.", Emilia, breathless and still feeling the echoes of discomfort in her forbidden area, exhaled deeply as he removed his finger. Though the pressure had lessened with his weight being lifted, he continued to grip her hand tightly, not allowing her any freedom of movement. "Are you not going to stop me?" Damien asked, locking his gaze with hers, as his hand gently pulled the hem of her dress towards him. "Not like you will stop if I say so." Emilia turned her gaze away, not wanting to look at his face as her heart inwardly scolded her for anticipating what was to follow. She had learned from past experiences that no matter how hard she tried to push him away, he would always return just as quickly. "You know me well, Emilia." With a swift motion, he yanked her dress closer, the fragile straps breaking away. As the dress descended, it unveiled her cleavage but kept her breasts mostly hidden. "Kyaaah~! Wh-what are you doing!", Emilia quickly attempted to withdraw her hand and shield her body, but his grip was too tight for her to succeed. In a desperate effort to protect herself, she drew her legs in, but it was useless as Damien entwined his leg with hers, thwarting her attempts to cover up. "Of course, it''s an unboxing." Damien grinned as he playfully teased her, his fingers brushing against her milky white skin. It felt velvety smooth, even though he was only touching her cleavage. ''It''s smooth'', The soft texture reminded him of cotton, gradually sliding down his finger towards the curve that formed a small gap between both of her buttocks. He let his finger glide lower before entering that small crack between the two peaks keeping the dress in place before swiftly pulling it down in one motion, indifferent to the possibility of it tearing. ''!?!'' "HEUKK~! Ahh! D-damien!" ''fuck'', Disregarding her sweet call, Damien''s gaze seemed to capture every detail in slow motion, his eyes slowly widening as his pupils shrank from the tiny droplets of water that splashed onto his face, originating from her damp, gently curved, and perfectly shaped bosom that spilled open from the confines of her now ripped dress. The sight of her curvy bosom, with pink cherries atop it, rising and falling with each breath she took, accentuated by her milky skin, was an undeniable magnet for his gaze. The gentle contours of her pink cherries, which seemed one of a kind¡ªslightly curved inward with tiny indentations on both peaks¡ªoffered a subtle indication of softness and warmth, accentuated by glistening water droplets that sparked a distracting desire and an undeniable allure. This caused Damien''s mind to snap in that moment as he once again twisted and came over Emilia. "Uwah! D-damien! It''s embarrassing, don''t look!", Once again, Emilia cried out, her eyes tightly shut as she felt him clasping both of her hands with his. She reclined on her back while he positioned himself over her, knees folded. There was a faint distance separating them, yet his warm breath intertwined with hers, and she could sense his eyes lingering on her bosom. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You are truly beautiful Emilia."For the first time, Damien truly felt the weight of his emotions. His eyes landed on the woman whose skin radiated perfection. Her dark hair framed her features, cascading onto the bed around her as her breath caused her chest to rise and fall. A rich crimson shade painted her cheeks with her eyes closed, while her body shimmered with droplets of water, making her an enchanting vision that could send even the most devout saint into losing their sanity. Badump [ ???????????????????????? ????????????????????''???? ???????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????? - ???? (????????????????????????????????????) ???????? ???????? (????????????????????) ] "....D-don''t talk and done with it", Emilia avoided looking at him, not wanting to meet his gaze or hear his voice, which was like a devil''s provocation. She was trying not to let her naive heart be manipulated into falling for him," J-just take my body already!" She yelled while clearly telling him to just done with it. She don''t want to fall for him knowing how much he will hurt her since her feelings will not be reciprocated by him. So it''s good that he just fulfill his sexual desires and leave her alone. "Huh? Did you forget that already? Emilia?", Damien said, while his eyes were glued on her cherries, wanting nothing but to pounce on her just now. But seeing how he needed to remind something and warn her beforehand, he reminded her. "Wh-what?", Emilia, avoiding eye contact, continued to gaze sideways, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked her question, her heart pounding and her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, acutely aware of his intense gaze on her exposed bosoms. "I had told you, didn''t I?", Damien said has started to lean down slowly while opening his mouth with his both hand gripping her both wrists tightly as he added," Once I claim your body, you will naturally fall in love with me." Once he finished speaking, he wasted no time and opened his mouth widely, positioning it toward her delicate right breast. She barely had a moment to respond; as she breathed in, her chest rose invitingly, prompting him to hungrily accept her cherries, and he instantly enveloped half of her breast in his mouth before mercilessly sucked as hard as he can. "AaaNnnGggHHH~??!" The abrupt pull on her chest triggered a shocking wave that surged through her spine, as if her brain was flooded with overwhelming pleasure. Her thoughts blurred in a haze of sensation, emanating from her right breast. The tingling in her fingers accompanied the quivering of her body, while her feet rubbed together, caught in the grip of this unfamiliar feeling that coursed through her very core, signaling that she had just attained a peak of ecstasy. Chapter 43 - 43: *43 - Evil Man ''It''s tasteless'', Damien, even though hearing her cry, ignored it as focused on the softness inside his mouth, which in itself appeared far softer than cotton candy, jelly, or everything combined¡ªYet, of all things, he felt that even though with this much softness and smoothness, it wasn''t giving him any taste. Realizing that his own taste buds might be the problem, he found it hard to believe that something so lovely, aromatic, and tender could lack flavor. As he sucked more fiercely on her breast and released a warm breath, he let his tongue glide over her cherry, feeling the gentle curve of her bosoms as he attempted to press the tip of his tongue against them. "HNGH! It hurts! You are rough Damien! Ahng...??!" In contrast, Emilia attempts to fight back by yanking her hand or thrashing her leg, but as always, it proves to be in vain, while her mind is bombarded with a confusing mix of pleasure and pain signals as he latched on to her breast. Even though the suction was too much for her delicate skin, but she was somehow able to feel the wetness of his mouth and how hot it was, while his tongue teasing her nipples only made her lips to pressed tightly, feeling losing her mind any moment. "Muuuhwaaa...! Haah....! Haah, Emilia, do you remember when I suggested that I would take your breast size measurement?" As he drew back from her, his mouth lingered on her nipples, reluctant to let go. He swiftly pulled his face away, causing her slightly inward-curving pink nipple to pop out and reveal the small pink dot above her milky white bosom, twitching as if fully aroused, while he gazed at her and left her hands. "Heuk! My breasts!", Emilia, indifferent to the man, immediately covered her breast as soon as her hands were free. She attempted to massage her right breast, but the sensitivity was overwhelming, sending a jolt through her. Nevertheless, she still managed to slightly raise her hand while covering her both breasts. "The thing is, I lost. They are too elastic and soft for me to measure clearly.", Damien pushed his damp hair away from his face while retreating back and standing on his knees while she lay between his legs, his dick''s shadow falling over contour of her breasts. Looking down at her, he felt a sense of helplessness, unable to fathom the size of her bosoms which made him feel defeated. He couldn''t possibly accept this defeat, making him cast his eyes downward at her hands that shielded his arch-enemy. Determined to find out her bosoms size, Damien resolved to go to great lengths. He concluded that the only method he could imagine was to ensure they became rigid enough for him to measure easily. "Ahn... st-stop, let''s do this some other time, please...", Emilia was panting, her body glistening with droplets that made it seem as if she was sweating. Her chest heaved up and down as she attempted to persuade the ruthless man before her to spare her for the day. In that moment, she signaled for another time instead of insisting on it right then. With her eyes finally gaining some clarity as she lifted her gaze to look at him, they widened as her pupils reflected the sight of his throbbing erect dick, which was adorned with several vines, showcasing its thickness and length, enough to cause her tremble, just by imagining the pain this thing will cause her when it enters her. "Emilia, it''s impossible", Damien firmly replied, clearly feeling that his own mind was getting overwhelmed due to the sensation throughout his body, wriggling enough at the sight of her, wanting nothing to fall in this sexual desire while trying to forget about everything for a moment. Ultimately, before tackling the challenges of hard work and dealing with heroines, he deserved some peace and rest. And who hates to get rewarded even before the game starts? "P-please, Damien I will loose my mind.", Emilia pleaded as her eyes which were already teary started to well up again looking towards this merciless man who don''t even care about her. She knew very well that if this continues she''s definitely gonna fall for him. If he decides to leave her at this moment, she will certainly start taking steps to manage her sensitivity and seek advice from medical professionals to help her body become less responsive to sexual stimuli, as currently her body reacts very sensitively to his touch. Though he had touched her only a few times, somehow she could feel that her lower nether area was wet. This made her realize that if this continued, she would definitely get hurt¡ªnot just because of that monstrous dick of his, but also due to the emotional burden that would come after he discarded her once his work ended. In the end, he will never love her back. "What about my mind, huh?" Damien glared at her as he placed one finger on her forehead, looking intentionally at her while imprinting her image in his mind. He continued, "Do you know what horrible thoughts are going through my mind? Will you take responsibility if I lose my sanity?" "Wh-what?", Emilia instinctively queried, her eyes fixed on his face as she felt his finger, which had been resting on her forehead, gradually slide down to her nose and finally onto her lips. Using his thumb, he carefully pushed his finger into her mouth. Her lips, already a swollen red and damp, were too tired to fight back as his finger, wet with her saliva, entered her mouth effortlessly. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You are foolish, Emilia, for not knowing....", Damien spoke as he rubbed his forhead before leaned in closer, his warm breath mingling with hers at such a short distance. Her eyes widened with hope, anticipating another kiss. However, this time, using his fingers gently in her mouth, he turned her head slightly and reached for her neck, placing a light peck there as he whispered with fervent desire," How much I want to ram you and keep railing you until, due to getting pounded all night, your body molds in shape of my dick." Chapter 44 - 44: *44 - Craving for You thump thump "Hngh~! Ahn~!", The room was filled with a succession of soft moans as his hands persistently shaped her side boob, while his forefinger massaged against her pink nipple, which, despite its resistance, twitched in response to growing desire. Meanwhile, his other hand began to gently glide down, aiming to peel away the last remnants of her dress that concealed her lower half. Damien''s hands moved gracefully, like a pianist caressing the keys, each note evoking a sweet melody, as he gently explored her boob. Meanwhile, his firm chest took every opportunity to brush against her delicate, soft skin. With every moment her moans mingled in the air, his ears, eager to hear more, tempted his mind to continue Playing with your fingers, willfully disregarding the discomfort it caused her. His left hand, which had some old knuckle fractures still showing, felt like it was floating in bliss right now, surrounded by fluffy clouds healing his wound through some crazy nerve sensations. At the same time, he couldn''t help but notice how her soft, plump breast''s outer softness was molding to his grip. His hand wasn''t entirely submissive either in that pleasure¡ªit was like a little dance, urging him to use his fingers more as he felt the firmness, that heart-stopping nipple, flinch at each touch, revealing the arousal occurring inside her body. "Haah~ Huek~?!" Emilia''s eyes widened while moaning due to painful sensation near her breast. But suddenly she felt him directly biting near her neck. More like sucking it too hard that she flinched due to pain, Causing her to wince,"Hngh...! Ahh... it hurts Damien... Haah" Emilia couldn''t wrap her head around why she was getting dissolved in this feeling. She''d only ever seen it in those porn movies where the guy keeps grinding his hips while the girl moans louder and louder. It always made her think that you could only really feel the high once the actual penetration happens. But here she was, and even though he was just playing with her breasts and nibbling on her neck, she could feel her saliva slipping out, showing just how wild her mind was getting, causing her to reply with her teary eyes making her vision hazy,"Ahn... w-why...? Hngh~? it''s d-differnt... Heukk~ from... p-orn... Nngh~?" On a regular day, she would never have dared to ask such a question out of sheer embarrassment. But at this moment, her mind felt fuzzy and lost in a weird sensation, her legs rubbing together like they were waiting for something to ease that annoying itch. She didn''t quite get what was happening, but with his weight on her, she couldn''t really arch her body or use her fingers to scratch that itch down there¡ªat her pussy, which felt damp, itchy, and as if craving something to rub against it. "Hmm.... Porn? Emilia, the women shown there are not real.... slurp", Damien, noticing the way her voice intertwined with soft moans, understood the unspoken question she had in mind. He responded while continuing to place a hickey near her neck, the natural fragrance assaulting his senses, forcing him to claim her as his own. "Mmmmmhhh~! N-not rea¡ª Ahngh~!?!" Emilia, hearing his words, claiming how the woman shown in porn video are not real, wanted to argue but her eyes rolled back the moment she felt his other hand slid through her dress and directly land on her puffy vulva which was soaked wet due to water and her own fluid Caused due to unbearable sensation Assaulting her mind. "Yeah, those are not real women", Damien whispered as he released her hands, allowing them to drift downwards. His fingers moved gently over her face, which bore a look of madness, suggesting she was lost¡ªher eyes rolled back while her lips glistened with saliva. It was evident that her body reacted with much greater intensity to his touch. With skills honed over many lifetimes, Damien''s fingers moved smoothly over her porcelain skin before lightly trailing across her lips. After a gentle tap with his index finger, he revealed with a slight groan,"Arg... they are whores or bitches" "AaaNnnGghhhh~?" SQUIRT His fingers, initially just seeking to graze her vulva, found themselves slipping in due to their wetness, pushing against a delicate membrane before encountering a strong force that gripped his fingers from every direction¡ªplush, pliable, drenched, cozy yet unyieldingly powerful. Comparing it to a hydraulic press wouldn''t be an exaggeration, as the pressure from her vaginal walls caused him to groan, bringing back memories of his knuckle injuries. Yet, it seemed he wasn''t alone in his suffering at that moment. As if attempting to submerge his finger in water and suffocate it with a lack of air, a wave of fluid erupted from her vagina, preventing any chance for his finger to breathe. The dampness enveloped his finger while accompanied by a loud howl from her lips, which were parted while trying to catch her breath. "You know the difference between a whore and a woman?" Damian, feeling that his finger would just hurt itself by staying in that flooded small cave, retreated back. For the last time, he wanted to tell Emilia as he came near her ear, her haggard, warm breath brushing through his face. He replied, "A whore''s voice is like the tune of a costly, broken instrument, which can only be appreciated by those who have purchased it without having tasted the real melody. On the other hand, a woman''s voice is like a perfect, flawless instrument, like you, my dear Emilia, an instrument which wants me to keep playing it again and again." "Haah...! Haaah....! P-please d-do it... D-Damien," Emilia stretched her hand while trembling, not understanding any of his words as her fingers slowly reached for his black raven hair before clutching it tightly, using it as her support. She pushed him lower, trying to relieve the sensation inside her lower body that was craving to be filled right now. It was not that she had never masturbated before, but the sensation right now was completely different from self-pleasure. It felt as if she could die at any moment¡ªa death filled with pleasure. Her chest felt heavy with a distinct weight. It was very tight. She could feel her nipples twitching and flinching as his firm chest rubbed against her body. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Right now, she wanted nothing but him inside her. Chapter 45 - 45: *45 - Completely Exposed "No", Damien observed her as she clutched his hair tightly, attempting to push him down slightly. Standing up to see her entire body, he supported his prone form with one hand. He noticed her body twitching, with her downward-curving nipples standing stiffly, revealing a pink blush accented by hickeys near her ears. Her face was turned towards him, her pleading eyes shimmering with tears that reflected her current state. "Sob... W-whaaaayyyy~!!" Tears started to brimming through her eyes as she looked towards the man who was unfair to her, pushing her this hard till now and now again he was playing his devil''s game, right now she just wanted to be relieved from this sensation coursing through her body. She was unsure if she had been drugged or given an aphrodisiac, but one thing was certain: the pleasure she felt was intoxicating. She desperately yearned for some kind of release, but as he locked his legs between hers, preventing her from rubbing her thighs for relief, overwhelming sensations flooded her body, leaving her mind in a haze of confusion. "Give me a blowjob, Emilia", Damien grinned as with his other hand, slightly, snapped, gave a light tap on her one of the nipples, causing her to clench her jaws as felt her body melt down, looking at him, asking her for something which she can''t do right now in her present state. "P-please? O-only this time", Emilia implored, her jaws clenched tight as she struggled to fully articulate her thoughts. Instead of succumbing to despair, she steadied herself by gripping the nearby bedsheets, her gaze fixed on him with a sense of injustice. All she desired was for him to provide her some comfort, rather than indulge in his own pleasures. She silently wished that this time, he wouldn''t behave like a devil. "Hm, let''s see. But you don''t even love me. Shouldn''t we stop here and let you give your first time to the man you love?" With a playful grin, Damien tilted his head as he lay in a prone position. His other hand roamed over her body while gently traced along her breasts, sliding downward. He glanced at her dress, which had slipped lower, revealing just a hint of dark hair beneath, few enough to be considered negligible. "I-i don''t care!, Just, please, Damien", Emilia protested upon seeing him again trying to tease her and play with words. She tightened her grip as she pulled his hair, even going as far as to fight today to make him do what she wanted. "Urgh... Hey, leave my hair..." Damien groaned in pain as he felt her pulling his hair tightly. Using his other hand, he clasped her hand over his head, trying to stop her from hurting him. "No! Do it now, or I will not leave!", Emilia had long crossed the boundary where she was willing to listen to this man now. Knowing well that she needed to use force to make him suppress the sensation she was feeling right now. "Fine but you need to promise to give me blowjob", As Damien presented the offer, she nodded and relaxed her grip, yet inside, a dark smirk crept onto her face. She was fully aware that, like in hell, she was about to open her mouth to take in that thing. It was a fleeting exchange where she would feign acceptance in the moment but ultimately had no intention of following through. ''Huh?'', Out of the blue, Emilia remembered that the dick she had seen was too large to fit in her hand. She blinked, thinking about how she disliked the idea of putting something so thick in her mouth, yet here she was, pleading for him to bring it between her legs and enter her, "Hhhhheeeehhhh.....?!!" "Urgh, you shouldn''t have hurt me, Emilia" As soon as Emilia let go of his hair, a wicked smile appeared on his face. He cast a smug glance at her, flicking his hair back before leaning down, evidently eager to repay the torment Emilia had caused him a hundredfold. In the moment Damien noticed how Emilia''s face had turned into one indicating she was getting healed from the foreplay they had engaged in, she tried to part her lips to tell him to stop. He instantly lowered both of his hands and tore her dress apart, shredding her undergarment along with it, revealing her lower nether lips, which she instantly covered with both of her hands," Wait, wait! I take that back!" Emilia attempted to defend herself, bringing her hands together to shield her most nether area. She noticed he was kneeling between her legs, his hands resting softly on her thighs before he began to slide them down towards her hips. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''!?!'' With a firm push, he pressed her legs toward her upper body, leaving only her hands to cover her wetness. "Kyaaah~!!?" Her legs were lifted off the bed, with her hips slightly above, as he started to push her up even more. This caused her lower body to slowly lift until she was barely on her upper back, as if she were doing some exercise while he was testing her stretchability. He completely folded her before using his legs to support her body while kneeling. He brought his face just two inches away from her hands, which were covering her drenched pussy. "Wait! I can''t breath!" Emilia retaliated as she most likely had only her neck area and head on the bed while her lower back was resting against his abdomen and chest, with both her hands forward to cover her soaked vulva from him. "Remove your hands and show me", Damien firmly declared, using both hands to hold her legs while supporting more than half of her body with his strength. With his other hand, he reached towards her hands and pulled them away from the region they were trying to protect. Her pussy was fully exposed to him now, soft and swollen with arousal. Her nether lips, slightly parted, were slick and glistening with wetness. A thin, clear sheen of moisture coated her folds, catching the light as she trembled slightly under his gaze. Her clit peeked out from beneath its hood, engorged and begging for attention. Her skin was flushed, the contrast between her thighs and the darker, more intimate area drawing his attention even more. The soft mound above her pussy rose gently, her pubic hair were negligible, framing the entrance to her most sensitive spot. "Aaa..... w-wait!" Feeling helpless with her lower body elevated near his face, Emilia instantly covered her eyes in embarrassment. She couldn''t bear to meet his gaze, which was fixated on her sensitive intimate area. Shutting her eyes tightly, she felt the heat of embarrassment wash over her until a genuine, gentle voice interrupted from Damien, causing her heart to stop beating. "Is it alright if I plant a kiss on these irresistible lips of yours, Emilia?" Chapter 46 - 46: *46 - Hymen Break "Is it alright if I plant a kiss on these irresistible lips of yours, Emilia?" Damien''s voice was casual, yet his tone carried a hint of playful menace. With a brush in hand¡ªan object Emilia hadn''t even noticed due to her face being buried under her hand¡ªhe began to lightly brush it over her wet, exposed pussy. [The 100% clean Brush works wonders! (All harmful substances are eliminated.)] The system chimed in and pointed out that the brush he just used was actually the reward he got right when this whole adventure kicked off. (chapter 1*) ''KILL ME!'' Emilia cried out inwardly as she tightened her hands to cover her ears, trying to block out the words from this man who was just going to tease her and make her hate him even more. "Will it hurt if I¡­" Damien trailed off, his fingers moving to her abdomen, pulling her closer until her back arched, pressing her body against his chest. With a mischievous grin, he lowered his face and aimed his mouth at her sensitive clitoris, his eyes locking onto hers as he gently bit down. ''!?!'' "HIEKKK~!?" Emilia''s eyes shot open, her hands instinctively moving to cover her nether region as she felt a sharp, surprising bite mixed with intense pleasure. The sting was mixed with the pleasure of his touch, her face flushing red as she tried to fend him off. Damien''s teasing smile only widened, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin as he continued his playful assault. "SLURP¡­ You didn''t give me a blowjob, but I, unlike you, will give you one," Damien taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. Despite Emilia''s desperate attempts to push him away, he simply allowed his tongue to explore the small crack between her damp, puffy vulva. "Hngh~! It''s gross!" Emilia cried out, her voice tinged with a mix of disgust and pleasure as she struggled to comprehend how Damien could be so audacious, his tongue exploring her with no regard for cleanliness. Her body squirmed, but Damien was relentless. "Is it really?", Damien had already used the brush over her nether area just now and had also done the same previously with her lips and whole body without her realizing it when he brought her into the hospital room while she was unconscious. Indeed, he wasn''t just going to kiss her and engage in this intense intimacy without ensuring hygiene. So, even before starting all of this, he made sure to brush over all her skin, leaving behind only her private parts, which were under the dress, and he had left them to be cleaned after he undressed her. At this point, Emilia was pretty much 95% germ-free, but he still needed to give her butthole a quick clean-up before kicking off his lessons. "We have all night, Emilia. Wouldn''t it be a waste to let it pass so soon?" Damien noted, observing her attempts to angle her body away from him. His resolve to complete his quest and claim more rewards was firm, especially since the one he truly desired was still out of reach. "Haaah¡­ You''re playing with me! Please, Damien, stop it," Emilia begged, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. The intense stimulation had rendered her extremely sensitive, and her pleas came as tears welled up in her eyes, her body clearly struggling. Damien''s gaze softened slightly as he saw her tearful, pleading expression, her hair splayed around her face. The sight of her vulnerability tugged at his heart, making him reconsider his approach. With a sigh, he slowly retreated and positioned her back onto the bed, his hands firmly grasping her naked ass as he lowered her onto the bedsheet. Emilia''s teary gaze fell to Damien''s throbbing cock, pre-cum already dripping from the tip. She reached out, her hand trembling as she tried to grasp his cock, its size almost overwhelming her grip. Her other hand provided support as she maneuvered it closer to her wet pussy. "Haaah¡­! I-it''s wet," she murmured, her breath hitching as she tried to align his cock with her entrance. The wetness made it difficult to aim, causing her to struggle with each attempt, as his shaft kept slipping here and there, not going directly inside her. "What are you doing?" Damien inquired, his voice tinged with amusement as he watched her struggle. The way she was trying so hard only made him want her more. Despite feeling a bit sleepy and turned on himself, he couldn''t help but admire the focus in her narrowed eyes. It was like she was really putting in some serious effort. Feeling a bit playful, Damien arched his hips back a little before pushing them forward. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Pah "Ahh¡­ Please, Damien, do it¡ªARRGHHH! It hurts!" Emilia cried out, her plea cut off by the sudden, intense sensation as Damien pushed his cock into her. The pain was sharp and overwhelming, her body arching as tears streamed down her face, her cries filling the room. "I already told you, you should have just listened," Damien said, his voice cold and indifferent as he continued despite her discomfort. He grabbed her wrists before lifting her legs and positioning her in a more accommodating way. "It''s fleeting pain", He intertwined his fingers with hers and leaned in, his strong chest pressing against her. He shifted his weight, bracing himself because, you know, he had to tackle some farming today. Pah Pah "Aannnnghhh! I-it, Heuk! D-Damien!" Emilia''s cries were desperate, the pain too intense as Damien''s cock stretched her beyond her limits. Her body shook with each thrust, the initial pleasure overshadowed by the raw, tearing pain. "I''m entering you completely now, Emilia," Damien said, his voice resolute as he pushed forward, his cock penetrating her further. The tearing of her hymen added to her agony, the sharp, intense pain mingling with the sensation of him finally filling her. He arched his hips, thrusting forward with a forceful push. PAHHHH! "AaaNnnGgghhh! It hurts!" Emilia''s scream echoed through the room, her body tensing as Damien continued to thrust, her pain clear and intense. Chapter 47 - 47: *47- The farming "Ugh... Calm down, just hug me," Damien groaned, feeling the unbearable tightness of her inner walls squeezing around his shaft. She was gripping him as if her body was desperate to keep him inside, her heat engulfing him, clenching from every direction. He could feel her trembling against him, her muscles fluttering as she tried to adjust to the intrusion, her inexperience evident in the way her body fought to cope with the pressure. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Aghh! It hurts!" Emilia cried out, her voice strained as Damien retreated slightly, only to push forward again. PAHH! He entered her halfway, his thick shaft stretching her, causing her body to tense. Her eyes widened in shock, her fingers digging into his back as she clung to him, nails sinking into his skin. The mix of pain and the foreign sensation of him filling her made her squirm, her breath coming out in ragged gasps. ''Damn it,'' Damien thought, struggling to hold back. Her tightness was overwhelming, the feeling of her slick, wet heat making it almost impossible to keep control. The temptation to thrust deeper, to claim her fully, surged within him, but he fought against it. He could feel her damp, slippery walls accommodating him, the pressure of her body increasing with each slow stroke. He had already pierced her hymen, and now he had to make sure she could take the rest of him. "Ungh~! Aahn~!" Emilia''s body shuddered beneath him, trembling uncontrollably. She tried to shift, as if instinctively wanting to escape the unfamiliar sensation, but there was no turning back now. Damien knew this was inevitable¡ªShe had to endure this if he were to create a bond between them. Her reactions only heightened his desire, the primal need to claim her completely gnawing at him. PAH PAH "Hngh~! Angh~!" Her voice was laced with a mix of pain and something deeper as he gave two more slow, deliberate strokes, pulling back before sliding in again, each movement making her body convulse. Emilia hugged him tightly, pressing her face into the crook of his neck, seeking comfort in the midst of the overwhelming pain. Her body trembled, every muscle taut, her warmth radiating against his skin. "p-please sl-ow Hngh~!" she stammered, her breath hot against his neck, her voice barely a whisper as she clung to him. The sensation of him buried halfway inside her was overwhelming, her virgin body fighting to adjust to the intensity of the moment. Damien reatreated one last time before thrusting forward with a bit more force, his cock sinking fully inside her. PAAAAHHH! He felt the last bit of resistance break, her tight walls finally giving way to the full length of his shaft. "A-Aahhh!" Emilia cried out, her eyes wide with shock as she felt every inch of him stretching her impossibly, the pressure almost unbearable. "Ahng.....~?!" Her face twisted in a mix of pain and disbelief, her lips parting as a soft moan escaped despite the discomfort. She clung to him, her nails digging deeper into his back, marking him as her body fought to adjust to the sensation of being filled so completely. "F-Fuck¡­ you''re so tight," Damien grunted, his jaw clenched as the slick, hot grip of her inner walls made it hard to control himself. Her wetness coated him, easing his movements as he slowly pulled back, feeling her clench around him, only to slam back in again. PAHH! The sound of their bodies colliding¡ªskin on skin¡ªechoed through the room. Pah Pah Every thrust was deliberate, measured, making sure she felt every inch of him filling her. "Ahh¡­ ngh~! Too deep¡­ it''s too much!" Emilia whimpered, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her body trembling violently beneath him. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, trying to hold him in place as her hips arched upwards, meeting his strokes. She felt him pushing against something deep inside her, a mix of pressure and pleasure building with each thrust. Pah Paah Paahh Each stroke became faster, more forceful, and the wet, sloppy sound of his cock sliding in and out of her echoed with the slap of their hips. "Hngh~! Mmh~! Heuk~?!" Emilia''s body jolted with each pounding, her soft cries turning into louder, breathless moans. Her face flushed, a sheen of sweat forming on her brow as she tried to cope with the overwhelming sensations tearing through her. "Ahn~! Nghh~?!" Emilia''s moans grew louder as her body betrayed her, pleasure slowly mixing with the pain. She buried her face in his neck again, her breath hot against his skin. "It feels¡­ I¡­ can''t¡­" Damien formed a smile as he watched her struggle beneath him. The sight of her flushed face, her parted lips, the way her eyes glazed over¡ªit was driving him insane. He could feel her inner walls tightening, squeezing him as he thrust deeper, hitting that sensitive spot inside her again and again. The pressure built with each movement, and he could barely hold back. pah pah! pah!! "You''re doing good... Just a bit more," he growled, his hips pounding into her mercilessly now. The pleasure of her warm body wrapped so tightly around him was unbearable, her warmth drawing him deeper with every thrust. Her soft, breathy moans were like music to his ears, encouraging him to push further. Emilia gasped, her back arching as she felt his cock rub against a spot inside her that made her toes curl. "Nnngh¡­ D-Damien! I¡­ I can''t¡­" she moaned, her mind slipping into a haze of pain and pleasure, her body trembling uncontrollably as she teetered on the edge of something she didn''t understand. DING! [ A sub quest has been fulfilled ] ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ Sub Quest: Make Emilia Blake regret her decision to kill the Host. Reward: Will be according to the result. Penalty: You have to eat a raw potato! ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ [ Calculating the rewards based on the path taken to make her regret her decision. ] [ Congratulations....] [ Host received a dual cultivation technique ] [ Analyzing the body condition...] [ Your body is found unsuitable for the dual cultivation technique. Postponing the process of technique infusion until the criteria are fulfilled. ] Chapter 48 - 48: *48 - Now, you move. "You seem comfortable, Emilia", Damien pulled out of her abruptly, causing Emilia to gasp as her body shuddered, the sudden emptiness making her thighs quiver. ''?!!'' Before she could even process what was happening, he flipped her onto her stomach with a firm grip, her breasts pressed against the sheets. He yanked her hips up, positioning her on her knees, her ass raised high as he knelt behind her, lining himself up again. "W-wait¡­! Ahhh!" Emilia yelped, her body jerking as she felt his cock push back into her, sliding in easily through her slick folds. Pah The new angle made her feel even fuller, stretching her as his thick shaft entered her completely in one rough stroke. "Hah¡­ nghh~! S-so deep!" she moaned loudly, her voice cracking as her body jolted from the force of his thrusts. Pah pah pah The position had her spread wide, her ass bouncing back against his hips with each hard slam. The wet, obscene sound of their bodies colliding filled the room, drowning out her breathless gasps. Damien grunted as he pounded into her from behind, his hands gripping her hips tightly, fingers digging into her soft skin. Her body was trembling beneath him, her inner walls pulsing as she struggled to keep up with the intensity. He leaned over her, pressing his chest against her back, one hand sliding around to grab her breast, squeezing it roughly as his other hand snaked down to her clit. "Ahn~! Ahh! D-Damien¡­ nghhh~!" Emilia cried out, her moans turning into sharp gasps as his fingers circled her sensitive nub, sending jolts of pleasure through her body. Her breasts were crushed against the bed, her nipples painfully hard as they rubbed against the sheets with each thrust. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, her mind barely able to comprehend the overwhelming sensations. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Pah. Pah. Pah. The force of his thrusts was relentless, his cock plunging deep inside her with a brutal rhythm. Emilia''s body jerked with every movement, her ass bouncing back against him as he slammed into her. The wet, sloppy sounds of their coupling were mixed with her loud, desperate moans, her voice rising with every deep stroke. "Hnnngh~! Ahhh! A-Ahh! It''s too much¡­ I-I can''t¡­!" she whimpered, her legs shaking as she tried to hold herself up on her knees. The pressure inside her was building, her body tightening as she teetered on the edge of something she couldn''t control. "Ugh" Damien growled low in his throat, his hips slamming into her with reckless abandon. He leaned down, biting down on her shoulder, his teeth sinking into her soft flesh as his cock drove into her harder. Emilia cried out sharply, the pain mixing with the pleasure in a dizzying rush that made her head spin. "A-Ah! Ahh! N-not there!" she moaned loudly, her voice cracking as his teeth sank into her skin, sending a wave of pain through her body that only intensified the heat pooling in her core. His rough grip on her breast tightened as he tugged on her nipple, rolling the sensitive bud between his fingers. "Hahh~! Nngh¡­ nghh! So good!" Emilia cried, her voice rising with each sharp thrust, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she clung to the sheets. The mix of pain and pleasure was driving her wild, her mind fogging over as she felt herself approaching the brink. Pah. Pah. Pah. Damien groaned as he slammed into her from behind, his cock sliding in and out with ease now, her wetness coating him. His hand came up to squeeze her other breast, his fingers pinching her nipple roughly. Emilia yelped at the roughness, her body trembling uncontrollably beneath him, her inner walls squeezing him tightly as her hips instinctively pushed back to meet his thrusts. "Ahn~! Ahh! Ahh! I-It''s too deep! Hnnngh~!" she moaned, her voice high and breathless as her body tightened around him. She could feel herself losing control, the pleasure building to an unbearable peak as Damien''s cock slammed into her relentlessly, hitting that sweet spot deep inside her over and over again. Her cries grew louder with each pounding thrust, her body jerking forward with every hard slam of his hips. Her mind was lost to the overwhelming sensations, her thoughts consumed by the feeling of him stretching her, filling her completely. "It''s not that deep, Emilia" With a satisfied growl, Damien tightened his hold on Emilia''s hips, driving into her from behind. His thumb danced around her butthole, stretching it just a bit while keeping it in reserve for later, all while he couldn''t take his eyes off her body. But as he watched her quivering body beneath him, her back arching and trembling from his relentless thrusts, he couldn''t resist the urge to change things up. He wanted to see her face, see the way her eyes widened with each wave of pleasure. "Let''s change things." Without warning, he pulled out, causing Emilia to gasp sharply, her body jolting from the sudden emptiness. "W-wha¡­?" Emilia barely had time to catch her breath before Damien lifted her up, swiftly repositioning her. He guided her to straddle his lap, her legs spread wide over his thighs as he sat back on his heels. Her chest was pressed against his as his strong hands gripped her waist, helping her lower herself onto him. "Nghh¡­ ahh~!" Emilia moaned loudly as she sank down onto his cock, her body trembling at the feeling of him filling her again, this time from a different angle. Her arms wrapped around his neck instinctively, her breath hot against his skin as she pressed her forehead to his. Her hips rocked slightly, trying to adjust to the new sensation, her inner walls gripping him tightly. Damien groaned, his hands sliding down to her ass, squeezing her cheeks roughly, molding them as he stretched them outward while helping to guide her movements. "Ride me, Emilia," he growled softly in her ear, his voice thick with lust. Her face flushed, her mind clouded with a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment as she slowly started to move her hips. The sensation of him filling her from this angle made her head spin, every inch of his cock rubbing against her sensitive walls. She could feel every movement, every twitch, and it sent shivers down her spine. Chapter 49 - 49: *49 - Cumming Inside Her "A-ahh¡­ nghh~! L-like this¡­?" she gasped breathlessly, her hips rocking back and forth as she clung to him, her moans growing louder with each passing second. "Yes, urgh" Damien groaned deeply, his hands gripping her ass firmly, guiding her to ride him faster and harder. He molded her flesh with a rough intensity, stretching her butthole while the wetness from her pussy trickled down, coating his cock in a slippery embrace. The pressure of his thrusts and the tight friction drove him wild, each thrust making her gasp and moan as her arousal mixed with the rhythm of their bodies. Pah. Pah. Pah. The sound of their bodies colliding echoed through the room, her ass slapping against his thighs as she bounced on his lap. Her breasts pressed against his chest, her nipples hard and sensitive as they rubbed against his skin. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Every movement sent jolts of pleasure through her body, her moans turning into sharp gasps as her pace quickened. "Hahh¡­ nghh~! Ahh! S-so good¡­!" Emilia moaned, her voice rising with each thrust, her legs trembling as she struggled to keep up with the intensity. Damien''s hands roamed up her body, one hand moving to cup her breast, squeezing it roughly as his lips found her neck, biting down gently on her sensitive skin. "Ahn~! Ahh! Y-you''re¡­ nghh~!" she whimpered, her body trembling beneath his touch. Her hips rocked faster, her body grinding against him as the pleasure built to an unbearable peak. "Let''s try something different." Suddenly, Damien shifted again, his hands gripping her thighs as he lifted her off his cock and turned her onto her back. ''?!'' Her legs were spread wide as he positioned himself between them, his cock poised at her entrance once more. Without hesitation, he slammed back into her, her body jerking from the force. "A-Ahhn~!" Emilia cried out, her hands flying to his shoulders as her back arched. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper as he thrust into her with a wild, almost primal rhythm. Pah. Pah. Pah. Damien grunted with each thrust, his hips slamming into hers with reckless abandon. Her body bounced beneath him, her breasts jiggling with each hard slam, her nipples painfully hard as they moved with the rhythm. His mouth found her breasts again, his lips wrapping around her nipple as he sucked it hard, his teeth grazing the sensitive bud. "Nghh~! Ahh! Too much¡­!" Emilia whimpered, her body trembling uncontrollably as the pleasure and pain mixed together in a dizzying rush. Her head spun, her mind clouded as she clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as she gasped for air. But Damien wasn''t done yet. He pulled out again, his cock slick with her wetness as he guided her to sit on the edge of the bed, her legs hanging off the side. He knelt between her legs, lifting one of her thighs onto his shoulder as he positioned himself at her entrance again. "Damien¡­ ahh!" Emilia gasped, her body jerking as he thrust into her from this new angle. The position allowed him to go deeper, hitting that sweet spot inside her with every stroke. "Hahh~! Nghh~! So deep¡­ nghh!" she moaned, her voice growing louder with each thrust, her body shaking as he pounded into her. Her fingers gripped the sheets, her back arching as his cock stretched her, filling her completely. Pah. Pah. Pah. Damien grunted, his pace unrelenting as he watched her body tremble beneath him. The sight of her writhing, her moans growing louder and more desperate, only drove him to go harder, faster. Her thigh trembled against his shoulder as he leaned down, biting down on her inner thigh, his teeth grazing her sensitive skin. "Nnghh~! Ahh! Damien¡­!" Emilia cried, her voice cracking as the overwhelming sensations pushed her closer to the edge. SQUIRT Damien, his breath ragged, suddenly stopped, pulling out of Emilia with a sharp, wet sound. Squelch Her body twitched from the sudden emptiness, but before she could even process the loss, he wrapped his arms around her waist and effortlessly lifted her off the bed. Her legs dangled for a moment before instinctively wrapping around his waist, her eyes wide as she clung to his neck in surprise. "W-What are you¡ªahh!" Emilia''s voice was cut off by a sharp moan as Damien aligned himself with her entrance and, with one rough thrust, buried his cock deep inside her once again. Her body jerked violently in his arms, her nails digging into his back as she gasped for breath, her breasts pressing tightly against his chest. Her head fell back, eyes rolling as her mouth opened in a breathless moan. "Nghh~! So¡­ ahh¡­ D-damien!" she whimpered, her legs trembling as they clung to him. Damien grunted, tightening his grip on her ass as he lifted her body up slightly before slamming her back down on his cock, his hips thrusting upward to meet her. The force of his movements had her bouncing in the air, suspended only by his strength and the frantic grip of her legs around him. Pah. Pah. Pah. The sound of his cock slamming into her echoed through the room, Emilia''s body bouncing with every powerful thrust. Her breasts jiggled wildly, her nipples grazing his chest as she moaned uncontrollably, her mouth hanging open as pleasure rippled through her. Each time he lifted her slightly, then slammed her back down, her eyes fluttered, her face contorting with a mix of pain and overwhelming pleasure. "Ahh! Ahhn~! Damien, I¡­ nghh~! I can''t¡­!" Emilia gasped, her voice high-pitched and breathless as the intensity grew. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her nails dragging across his skin, leaving red marks in their wake. Her face was flushed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as her breath came in ragged, broken gasps. "Take it," Damien growled, his voice low and rough as he pounded into her, his grip on her ass tightening as he pushed deeper with every thrust. He could feel her inner walls gripping him tightly, the slick heat of her body driving him wild. Her head lolled back again, eyes half-lidded, mouth hanging open as she moaned loudly with every jolt of pleasure that surged through her body. "Ahn~! Ahh! Hnnngh! P-pleas-e¡­! Ahn~!" Emilia''s moans were growing louder, more desperate, her body trembling uncontrollably in his arms. Every inch of her was on fire, every thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure through her, her mind unable to keep up with the overwhelming sensations. Damien growled as he watched her fall apart in his arms, the sight of her face twisted in pleasure only spurring him on. He thrust harder, faster, slamming into her with reckless abandon as her cries grew more frantic. Her legs clung to him tighter, her hips grinding against him as she sought out more of the unbearable pleasure he was giving her. Pah. Pah. Pah. Her body bounced in the air with each brutal thrust, her breasts jiggling wildly as her head lolled back and forth. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, her pupils dilated, her gaze unfocused as she tried to keep up with the intensity of the moment. Her lips parted, her moans spilling out uncontrollably as her entire body trembled. "Nghh~! Ahhh! S-stop¡­ nghh~!" Emilia whimpered, her voice cracking as her body quaked with pleasure. Her face was flushed, her eyes glazed over as her body surrendered to the wild rhythm, lost in the relentless sensations coursing through her. Damien grunted, feeling her body tighten around him, her inner walls squeezing him as her pleasure reached its peak. He could feel his dick throbbing hard as he also reached the edge of finally letting his stored stress go," Emilia, ugh, I will make sure to give you the birth control pill, so just take it." "A-Ahhh~! Ahh! N-not in-side¡­ nghh~!" Emilia cried out, her voice breaking as her body convulsed in his arms. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her nails digging deep into his skin as her eyes squeezed shut, her face contorting with the overwhelming pleasure that consumed her. "Kugh...!" He lifted her slightly, her legs still wrapped tightly around his waist, and then slammed her down hard, driving himself deeper inside her. PAHHH A torrent of cum erupted from his cock, flooding her insides and filling her completely, the warmth of his release painting her walls with each intense spurt "Angh~! D-damien...!?" Her back arched, her head falling back as she let out a long, breathless moan, her body trembling uncontrollably as the intensity of the moment overtook her. Chapter 50 - 50 - Chain Reactions As he stood with Emilia in his arms, Damien was acutely aware of his fatigue, a result of the countless hours he had dedicated¡ªwhether it was doing intense workout with Emilia or preparing for Edward and Amelia''s face-slapping event, he had truly exerted himself to the brink. Now, after the intense workout, he was drained and fatigued. As he calmed his racing mind, his cock, still coated in Emilia''s bodily fluids, slowly slid out from her pussy. A mix of white cum and traces of slight blood began to trickle down from now empty gap, evidence of their intense union. "Ah¡­ D-Damien, n-not more." Her voice was steady now. Her skin was slick with sweat, and her breathing was erratic as she struggled to keep her senses in check. Previously, in the heat of the moment, she had become more erratic, moaning louder from intense pleasure, but now exhaustion was becoming too much to bear. "¡­Okay." Damien approached the bed before she collapsed onto the mattress, her body spent from the strain of the moment. Exhausted and limp, she turned to her side, exposing the aftermath of her ordeal¡ªwhite fluid mixed with blood was still trickling from her lower region. ''What was his number again?'' Damien took the seat on the bed and glanced towards a table where Emilia''s phone was placed. He took it before dialing a number, recalling the phone number he had gotten from one of the board members from the last remaining company under the blake, whose shares he had purchased. "Hello, is this Mike speaking?" Damien asked as the phone was answered on the other end. Standing there, his bare body drifted towards the window, where he gazed at the night illuminated by the moon. "Yes, who is this?" the voice on the other end inquired, recognizing the identity of the caller number, which belonged to the daughter of the company''s owner. "Listen well, Mike. Aisana Blake has gotten into an accident," Damien informed, referring to the name of Emilia''s mother, who, unfortunately, due to some bad luck, had gotten into an accident and was now in the hospital. "What! Is Madam fine?" The voice on the other side showed urgency as it inquired, sensing something with a raging feeling shrouding it. It added, "Don''t tell me. Was this the reason that bastard was laughing right now?" S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Indeed, Gabriel is dead, and the company will eventually fall into the hands of his sidekick, given how Aisana, though safe, is in the hospital right now," Damien informed as his fingers tapped on the window, trying to confirm that everything would go smoothly. He knew he had to secure his company, which he would need to live in the hands of Emilia and her mother. Indeed, his main aim was to have some financial support in the form of Emilia or her mother. So there was no other way to confirm the loyalty of Emilia''s mother except by making Emilia a weakness to her mother. "Damn it, please tell me what I should do." Hearing the voice from the other side of the call, which held urgency, and not even trying to inquire who was on the call, a smile formed on Damien''s face as he glanced towards Emilia, approaching the bed. His knuckles danced over her smooth skin, moving from the subtle slope of her waist to the pronounced curve of her ass, a playful smirk on his lips as he responded, "Record whatever they talk about in the board meeting. Make sure the video comes out clear." "That''s¡ª" Beep Even before the caller on either side could complete his words, Damien cut the phone and lay beside Emilia. He lifted his legs to rest them on her, his hand firmly clutching her sensitive breasts as he pressed his body against her soft, silky form. Overwhelmed with tiredness, he soon fell asleep, waiting for the chain reaction of his choices to unfold, especially since he had already drained all his savings on what lay ahead with the approaching storm. Damien fell asleep while leaving everything in the hands of¡ªpress/reporters whom he had purchased, police officers whom he had bribed, and several other small players who would show him results tomorrow. . . . . . . . Far away from the hospital building, which was located at the edge of Camphrian City and surrounded by the rural area, everything was calm. Unlike in the main center of the city, the situation was completely different. "Why is this checking happening here?" a man seated in the driver''s seat inquired, glancing towards the police, who were checking each of the passing cars as if searching for someone. "Don''t you watch the news? It seems the heir of the Raphael group got kidnapped," a truck driver informed as he increased the volume of the radio inside his vehicle. The sound of a reporter broke through the car horns and the engine sounds of several vehicles stuck in traffic due to police checks. :: Breaking news: the heir of the Raphael group, who was just engaged today to Emilia Blake, has been kidnapped. The prime suspect in this event is police officer Lin Wanruo. :: :: Statements from the police chief have been published, indicating that they are searching the whole city to find Damien Raphael. He assured the public that he would take appropriate actions against the recklessness of the police officers involved in this whole event. :: "What? Then why the heck are those dumbasses disturbing us when it is their department''s fault?" The series of drivers showed their anger towards the police personnel who were searching, while a few of them had search dogs with them, snuffling around the large vehicles trying to find the man who was kidnapped due to their own faults. Soon, the news of Damien Raphael''s kidnapping became the headline in the news inside Camphrian City, given that it spread like wildfire, catching on and spreading instantly as if someone were promoting this news from behind. The news of an heir being kidnapped would soon reach the ears of the Raphael family, and given the weight of their authority, Camphrian City¡ªand especially the police department¡ªwould soon witness the strength of those who sit at the top of the food chain. . . . . Inside the police department main headquarters, "Where the heck is that idiot Lin Wanruo!?" the police chief shouted as he threw his phone toward one of the police officers, having just received a call from someone from the Raphael group. Chapter 51 - 51 - Edwards Escape from Jail Inside the police headquarters of Camphrian City, the atmosphere was intense due to the presence of several police forces in the area, activated to find the heir of the Raphael family. It had already been more than five hours since the disappearance of the heir of the Raphael group and Emilia Black, who had been kidnapped under the nose of the police by one of the police cars that used a fake number plate to avoid being traced. The situation did not seem under control, considering how the higher authorities were putting pressure on the police to deal with this case as soon as possible, given the involvement of someone from the Raphael family. "Is the Chief okay?" one of the police officers, holding a few computer drives carrying the CCTV footage of different roads from where the suspected car had passed, turned towards the direction of the main cabin belonging to the police chief, from which loud noises had been coming a moment ago but had now subsided. "Y-yes sir, we are... no, no, please rest assured... Sir, the problem is she is from the Lin family..." After receiving a call, the police chief had been discussing the details of the case in a very humble manner. His demeanor had changed as he engaged in conversation with someone from the Raphael group. "N-no... sir, not my job... huh?" After finally hearing a threat that clearly indicated he could lose his position, the police chief was taken aback as the call got cut, leaving his body frozen in place, eyes blinking as he still couldn''t believe where he had fallen today due to the recklessness of someone stupid enough to clearly show her hostility in front of reporters towards Damien Raphael. Indeed, the prime suspect, according to the reporters and media, was police officer Lin Wanruo, who had intentionally kidnapped Damien Raphael to vent her anger and take personal revenge on him, given the video recordings and the footage taken by reporters when she clearly displayed her dissatisfaction with Damien. "Where the heck is that idiot Lin Wanruo!?" the police chief shouted as he threw his phone toward one of the police officers. The phone collided directly with the nearby wall as the police officer dodged it by kneeling while covering his head. The chief stood and slammed the table. His eyes flared with anger. The visible nerves bulged near his neck, showing his frustration beyond recovery. He had gotten into his position today after climbing over so many people, and now he was about to be thrown out and stripped of his power just because of that woman''s own ego. "S-sir, she is in the interrogation room," a police officer stammered as he lifted his hand to reply to the police chief, feeling dreadfully surprised at how the chief''s bulky body had shown so much agility as it moved past him from the table. "Good, I will interrogate her myself!" The chief saw that at least some of them were smart enough to put Lin Wanruo in the interrogation room without him ordering it. He made his way, folding his sleeves, preparing to teach that idiot woman a lesson for messing up with his life. "Um, sir, she is interrogating someone else." As the police chief came to a stop, the officer couldn''t help but notice the police chief''s jiggling belly. His eyes were drawn upward, meeting the chief''s face, which was flushed scarlet and seemed to bubble with rage, veins protruding, and eyes wide with fury. "What did you say?" The police chief, as if he had heard something nonsensical, did not understand how the woman who was guilty of kidnapping had decided to interrogate someone else. "Sir, Lin Wanruo is interrogating Edward," the police officer informed, looking through the document that contained the name of the criminal who was inside the interrogation room with Wanruo. "Th-this woman!" The police chief''s hand clenched as his eyes shot towards the direction of the main gate of his office, glaring at it, and the veins bulged all over his face, showing his enraged state as he moved towards the other building inside the headquarters, where he had personally brought Edward to interrogate himself. Knowing well about how that woman was once again doing something stupid to mess everything up. "Lin Wanruo!!!" . . . . . Inside the interrogation room, present in one of the buildings inside the main headquarters of police in Camphrian City. "Lin Wanruo?" Seated on the other side, with his hands cuffed, Edward glanced coldly toward the woman who sat looking downward. "Damn it, I knew that bastard couldn''t have killed that many gunmen!" Upon hearing that it was Edward who had killed those men, including Gabriel, Lin Wanruo couldn''t control her frustration. Remembering how Damien had looked down on her today and even faked it for the media to believe that he was the one who protected everyone. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What do you want to do now?" Edward inquired. After hearing several questions from this woman, he could understand that she also hated Damien Raphael, giving him a glimmer of hope in this interrogation room, considering how he had been brought to the police department and was unable to contact the main head of the Crimwell family to arrange some lawyers for himself. He didn''t clearly remember what had happened after he lost consciousness. But he found himself inside a police car that had brought him here. And given the number of police officers carrying guns, he decided not to escape using force. However, hearing from other policemen''s conversations, he understood that Damien Raphael had been kidnapped. "Nothing, just stay here. I will bring the police chief to clear up the misunderstanding!" As Lin Wanruo got to her feet and stepped out of the room, her distraction caused her to forget to lock the interrogation room''s door. Her thoughts were consumed with a single goal: to expose the truth behind Damien Raphael''s carefully crafted hero image, which had convinced others he was the killer of Gabriel Blake. ''.....'' Edward watched the retreating figure of the woman as she disappeared before his gaze moved to the door''s lock, which was evidently not secured. His features hardened as he raised his bound hand. With a slight exertion, the handcuffs shattered into pieces, resembling fragile twigs rather than steel, clattering to the ground. Standing from his position as he made his way out of the room while determining, "I will make you beg for death, Damien." Chapter 52 - 52 - (Tasks for Each Individual) "What happened to the lift?!" The police chief, arriving in front of the lift, saw a few police officers and a mechanic walking next to it. His frustration was increasing. "Forgive us, sir, the lift is under maintenance," the mechanic, wearing a cap pulled down slightly as if trying to cover his face, informed him, while the surrounding police officers nodded. "Damn it!" The police chief felt frustrated as he moved toward the stairway to walk down from the 5th floor of the building. ---- ''Our work is over here (stopping the police chief from taking the lift).'' The mechanic and the police officers glanced at each other as they entered the lift, which unexpectedly was completely fine. They pressed the button for the ground floor and looked ahead as the lift''s doors closed. The lift slowly descended and reached the ground floor in no time. Before anyone else, Lin Wanruo had just arrived and entered the lift. Noticing one of the officers of a higher rank than her, she greeted him with a nod. "Are you Lin Wanruo?" the mechanic inquired as he came forward, glancing toward Lin Wanruo. She nodded, feeling curious as to how this mechanic knew her name. "Oh, you may not remember, but previously you caught some criminals who were bullying my father. I am grateful to you." The mechanic nodded, taking her hand firmly in his own and shaking it energetically to express his eagerness to meet her. "Ah, I see, but you don''t have to feel this way. I just did my job," Lin Wanruo wasn''t able to remember who exactly he was, but knowing how she always brought justice to innocents, she nodded, accepting the greetings of this man, without noticing that one of those officers had just taken out the car keys that were hanging near her pant pocket, along with the ID card tied to her belt. "Miss, can you write another report of mine against that hooligan since he returned?" The mechanic spoke in a sad tone, revealing his problem as he looked downward while other police officers exited the lift at the ground floor before the door could shut. "Th-that''s..." Lin Wanruo considered the need to urgently meet with the police chief about the false rumors claiming Damien was a hero. However, upon realizing that this man had suffered at the hands of the same troublemaker she had previously brought to justice, she ultimately chose to write a report based on his account before taking any further action. "Please follow me, I will write it." ''And here I accomplish my second task (distract Lin Wanruo).'' . . . . . "Haah, haah, why is this not ending?!" The police chief, walking down the stairs, felt his lungs burst due to lack of air, gasping hardly after just walking down two floors. He turned his eyes towards a board which read ¡ª3rd floor¡ª causing him to burst in frustration. "Lin Wanruo!" All his anger was directed towards Lin Wanruo, given that even reporters were asking where and why the police department hadn''t taken any actions against her, while even profile groups had been doing the same, as if everyone was aware that the prime suspect for this kidnapping was none other than Lin Wanruo. "Sir, please drink this," While heading down the staircase, the officer remarked to his chief, who was struggling to catch his breath, offering him a can of beer (*with a very high alcohol concentration), knowing how alcohol affects an angry person. "What?! Why do you not have water, dumbass?!" The police chief shouted at this foolish officer who brought beer but not water, wanting nothing more than to slap this man. But knowing he still needed to walk down three floors and that if he fell unconscious, this man would be the only one to help him, the chief decided to save his slap for after they reached the ground floor. "Give it¡ªGULP." Taking the beer can, he directly gulped it down, feeling frustrated as the effect of alcohol took over, causing his hand to clench so tightly that the beer can smashed. ''My work is over now (feeding alcohol to the police chief),'' the police officer thought, as he saw the chief gulping down the beer and finally felt that the money he had received from an unknown source to feed a high alcohol content beer to the police chief had been accomplished. . . . . "Haah... Haah... h-how much time!" the chief inquired while holding the railings of the last and final step at the ground floor, gasping as he tried to take in as much oxygen as possible while asking how long it took him to come down from the fifth floor. "Sir, it''s been half an hour," a police officer informed him as he looked toward his watch, seeing how just walking from the 5th floor had taken this heavy police chief half an hour. "Damn it, I will kill that bitch!" The police chief shouted, his anger already enhanced by the effects of alcohol, reaching another level where he didn''t care about her belonging to the Lin family. His anger was only fueled further by the sound of the lift. Ting~ "Huh?" Halting in his tracks, he turned his face toward the lift, which had just stopped as its doors slowly slid open. The frustration he felt about having to walk down from the fifth floor suddenly flared up upon seeing the lift working perfectly fine. His anger rose to such a degree that he felt he might have a heart attack from blood pressure without needing all the cholesterol stored in his body to do anything. "Oh, Chief, I was searching for you. Where were you?" With the lift door finally opening, Lin Wanruo stood there as the first sight she saw was the middle-aged man with a belly, stranded in front of her while supporting his body with his hand on his knees as he gasped for breath. "....." The moment the police chief saw the woman who had caused him so much suffering, he directly moved toward her without saying a word. "Chief¡ª" Just as Lin Wanruo was about to speak, the police chief approached her. SMACK! In an instant, a powerful slap struck her face, sending her crashing to the ground. She fell with a stunned expression, gazing at the chief while shielding her reddened cheek. The chief pointed his finger toward her and shouted, "You fucking bitch! How dare you!¡ª" Even before the police chief could say more, a police officer sprinted directly, arriving inside the building. He was about to report, but finding the police chief on the ground floor, he informed him, "Chief! Edward has escaped from his cell!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 53 - 53- Dealing with Lin Wanruo A few moments ago... Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It was hassle-free." As Edward moved outside the building, he glanced toward the main headquarters, where the number of police officers was slightly lower than usual, given that they had mostly gone out on patrol searching for Damien Raphael. This gave him enough time to escape this place without harming any officers. "Stop there, Edward!" Suddenly, a voice startled Edward, causing him to halt. He turned and clenched his fist while charging his internal energy into his feet. With a cold look, he instantly directed his gaze towards the voice before charging his internal energy to close the distance between them, forming a fist to hit him, but halted the movement when he heard, "The head of the Crimwell family gave these keys. Escape now." A police officer presented Edward with a key, which caught him off guard for a moment. After confirming that nothing seemed amiss¡ªhis instincts weren''t alerting him¡ªhe quickly took the key and dashed toward the parking lot. Using the smart key, he located a sedan. Vroom! With the engine''s roar, he drove the car out of the headquarters as the gates opened. Yet, no one seemed to stop him since the car belonged to one of the police officers¡ªLin Wanruo. Gazing at the car that was fading away, the police officer shifted his focus to the building with interrogation rooms and cells from which Edward had broken free before moving in that direction. ----- Present... "What?!" The police chief, hearing that the prisoner had escaped from the main headquarters of the police department, felt his blood run cold. Stopping mid-step, he swiftly turned and sprinted towards the cell, knowing very well that if any reporter got wind of this incident, his reputation would be ruined. At this moment, the image of the police department was already severely tarnished due to Lin Wanruo. And now, with someone escaping from the main headquarters, it could be catastrophic for him to even consider keeping his position as police chief secure. ''H-he slapped me?!'' Lin Wanruo held her cheeks while feeling the heat and pain assaulting her face. Due to the slap, her cheeks had swollen from the force while her ears rang violently as she slowly tried to lift herself to follow behind and ask for an explanation as to why the police chief hit her. She hadn''t done anything wrong and had always followed justice. Then why was she treated this way and blamed just because some media outlets were publishing articles against her? Shouldn''t her previous merits be considered enough to overwrite all these false allegations against her? ''It hurts.'' While making her way to the interrogation building, Lin Wanruo felt the overwhelming swelling on her left cheek. The agony was so great that it hindered her ability to see clearly, a direct consequence of the sudden and powerful slap that had caught her off guard. Struggling to maintain a normal pace and cradling her cheek with both hands, she could feel the warmth radiating from her inflamed skin, which bore the mark of five fingers imprinted on her face. "Come here, you dumb bitch!" Suddenly, a voice from the direction of the main building caused her to lift her gaze towards the police chief, who was glaring in her direction, his expression filled with anger. ''What happened?'' Lin Wanruo, still holding her face due to the intense pain, knew that something was amiss. Given all the circumstances today, where she was unjustly blamed, it was clear that even now she was likely to be blamed for Edward''s escape. But this time she wasn''t going to remain quiet and accept a slap, knowing very well that since most of the technical team had gone to collect data from CCTV in other road surveillance departments, there was no one available to check the CCTV at that moment. This would make it impossible for the police chief to blame her due to the lack of any evidence against her presence there. "Chief, you can''t slap me; I wasn''t even here!" Arriving near the police chief, she lifted her gaze and observed saliva dripping from his mouth, as if showcasing the intensity of the anger burning within him. But she had already prepared an excuse in advance. Because of the ringing in her head, she couldn''t concentrate on the left side of her face, which was throbbing with pain that urged her to cry. The tears forming in her eyes were a clear indicator of her agony, but she managed to suppress her breakdown, motivated only by her standing in the police force. "What is this, bitch?" Frustrated at seeing that this woman, who had made so many mistakes, was trying to lie to him, he used his trembling hands to control his anger and offered her the evidence he had found inside the interrogation room. "Chief, you shouldn''t have slapped¡ªth-this?!" Lin Wanruo wanted to tell him that he shouldn''t have slapped her, as she could report him to higher authorities for assaulting an innocent woman like her. However, her eyes widened the moment she saw him holding her ID card. "N-no, Chief! I am being framed!" Lin Wanruo distinctly recalled taking off her identity card from around her neck as she left the building, where she had fastened it near her waist. It puzzled her why it was positioned like that, clearly indicating that Damien was involved. She added, "Y-yes, it must be Damien¡ª" SMACK!!! A sharp slap struck her right cheek, delivering enough power to knock her onto the harsh ground. As she hit the ground, she grimaced, a wave of intense pain coursing through her, "ARGHH!" "You dumb idiot slut! Are you blind?!" The police chief had finally snapped, lifting his leg to kick her, not caring a bit about the repercussions since the rules were for the weak. Given that he himself sat in the highest seat of justice in the country and city, no one had the power to file a complaint against him. Individuals who believe that their innocence will ensure the law and justice work in their favor are oblivious to the stark truth he aimed to reveal to this woman today. "Ch-chief! She is a woman!" Seeing how their bulky chief had lifted his foot to kick a woman even though she was at fault, both police officers tried to stop him without using force, knowing that their jobs were at stake. "I support gender equality!" Under the influence of alcohol, the police chief''s mind was not processing clearly, making his judgments solely based on his emotions as he kicked Lin Wanruo''s abdomen. Smack! "Kheeukk?!" Her eyes grew wide as saliva spilled from her mouth. Her cheeks puffed up, and her eyes brimmed with tears, splattering around from the force that hit her stomach, bringing her deep, searing pain that made her feel as if her world was crumbling. Chapter 54 - 54- Crimwell Mansion ''Where did he go?'' Finally able to pass through the traffic, Amelia reached her family estate as she entered the main gate of Crimwell Mansion, driving through the metal gate as she passed by the two or three guards while thinking about the location of Damien, given that they had received news about his kidnapping. In the bigger picture, she could clearly understand he would most likely be found by morning, considering that right now the police forces were concentrated in the main city instead of focusing on the edges of Camprian City. Amelia didn''t know what he wanted, but at least she hoped it wasn''t just another stunt of his to get her attention. After all those things he had done to her, from intentionally making her fall to shouting at her after she tried so hard to save him from marrying that girl from the Blake family. Finally exiting her car and parking it in front, a servant came to take the key as she ruffled her hair. Her black hair scattered in the cold night breeze, and the bright moonlight reflected her beauty as she passed through the door. "Oh my~ Who is she? Ah, now I know. Isn''t she the abandoned gold digger?" Suddenly, a mocking womanly tone reached Amelia''s ears as she entered the hallway leading to the staircase. She halted as she glanced toward a woman seated on the sofa, with two maids¡ªone applying nail polish and the other giving her a foot massage¡ªstanding around her. "What do you want?" Amelia, seeing her stepmother trying to pick on her once again, folded her arms, giving her a cold look as she glared at the woman. "I don''t want anything, unlike you, my poor bird." The woman seemed much more lively today as, with a smile and narrowed gaze, she looked down on Amelia, feeling finally satisfied knowing that, contrary to her expectations, even she thought that Damien just wanted Amelia''s attention; he had finally married someone else. "Prepare me some food; I am not in the mood to talk." Amelia rubbed her forehead, already feeling frustrated after dealing with too many things, and turned to leave for the staircase while ordering the maids to bring some food into her room. "By the way, where is your new boyfriend? Huh?" The woman tilted her head, noticing no one was coming through the door, and remembering that her daughter had been seen with another man these days, she inquired with curiosity. "He is not my boyfriend, and right now he should be in jail." Amelia, realizing that this woman was referring to Edward as her boyfriend just to annoy her even more, moved toward the staircase, recalling how Edward had been arrested by the police after being unconscious. Not that she wanted to get involved with him now, considering she would most likely face backlash and that involving with him would tarnish her image. After all, it had been proven that Edward had taken benzene, even though she could understand it was most likely Damien who had fed it to him. But there wasn''t any proof, nor did she want anything to do with either of them. "Huh? First Damien and now him? Pity. I never expected much from someone who ate her mother the moment she was born." The woman taunted, chuckling, folding her legs as she kept looking at Amelia, who walked to her room with her gaze lowered and fists tightened, not protesting. ----- S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haaah, it was a bad day," Amelia said as she fell directly onto her bed, pulling the pillow over her face and burying it in exhaustion. Before she could collect her thoughts, her phone rang, prompting her to lazily reach for it. She answered, "Yes, Dad." :: I saw the news that Edward got arrested. Talk to Uncle Max; he will arrange a lawyer. :: A voice belonging to a middle-aged man came from the other side of the call, suggesting that Amelia contact the lawyer to help Edward. "What? It would be a problem for my image, Dad. Leave him there for some time," Amelia replied, raising an eyebrow in confusion as to why her dad would call to save a mere bodyguard. Given that Damien had just gotten married today, it seemed likely that associating with Edward could harm her business. According to public opinion, the most interesting headlines for them right now would be about how, after being abandoned by the rich second-generation heir, Amelia Crimwell started to pursue another man¡ªa scenario she would never allow to happen. :: Amelia, don''t be a fool. Do you even know Edward''s master was called the God of Medicine? Even the current ruling party''s president has received a favor from him, so don''t do anything reckless. :: "Dad? Weren''t you the one who always said when Damien got arrested to not do anything since it would harm our image? Now what?" Amelia was already frustrated from being forced to attend his marriage and witnessing how Damien looked down on her. In her exasperation, she let slip whatever words came to her mind. She remembered the one time she thought of helping Damien because he had killed someone who was harassing her. Her dad had told her that the Crimwell family wasn''t able to do anything because they needed to protect their image. :: DON''T COMPARE THAT ABANDONED IDIOT WITH EDWARD! :: Suddenly, Amelia''s eyes widened the moment she heard her dad yelling. She distanced the phone from her ear before bringing it back as she asked, "Abandoned?" :: Sigh, you don''t know, do you? Damien Raphael was thrown out of his family on his birthday last week. This news is still not known, but it will be published soon, given that his kidnapping has triggered the Raphael family''s reputation. :: ".....I see." Amelia, hearing his words, recalled the day when it was raining and she had forgotten his birthday. She remembered that it was the day when he might have had his title revoked, causing her to turn on her back and look at the ceiling for a moment before closing her eyes. ''Is this why he was desperate?'' Chapter 55 - 55- Luna Harrison Amelia now understood that perhaps losing his title as the heir of the Raphael group made Damien desperate in his attempts to secure someone for his future, given that today he whimsically announced his marriage to Emilia Blake¡ªa family known for their broken state, just before the news of his abandonment could be published. Given the opinions of high society, it was most probable that due to his already depleted image, no one would have accepted to marry him. Additionally, because of his being abandoned by the Raphael family, it was even more unlikely, as influential groups would have already gotten this news. This left only those from fallen families who were still unaware of the news and could easily engage their daughter in hopes of rising in their ranking. It appeared that Damien tried both ways; first, he decided to announce his marriage to Emilia Blake, and second, he thought that Amelia would feel jealous and accept him after his marriage announcement. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the end, everyone knew about Damien pursuing her for more than five years, making it impossible for him to have forgotten about her so easily. Given this information, it was most likely that he would be desperate in the present situation, considering how Amelia''s value increased in his eyes since she was a successful businesswoman. Marrying her could make his life easier. ''How pathetic of you, Damien,'' Amelia thought, looking towards the ceiling while on the call. She now understood that Damien was trying to make her feel jealous and come after him so that he would be able to have a wife smart enough to manage businesses while also securing Emilia Blake in case Amelia didn''t marry him. :: Amelia, contact your Uncle and save Edward; this is to elevate our family''s position :: "I am not going anywhere; just do it yourself," Amelia cut the call abruptly, frustrated with how she had followed his decision to attend Damien''s wedding today. She silenced her phone and threw it on the bed before closing her eyes in an attempt to sleep. ''You should have just told me, idiot.'' She believed that Damien should have shared the truth about being abandoned by his family. Perhaps then she could have offered him support. It had been a week since he last said a word to her. On his birthday, she hadn''t felt able to talk to him because she was worn out due to working on a project, and after watching him quarrel with her stepmother, she might have acted out and slapped him. She thought he was just angry with her for the past few days, but then he suddenly announced his marriage. She had planned to call him either today or tomorrow after completing her work projects. However, his decision to marry someone from that family was so childish that it made her want to reprimand him. But after meeting him today and experiencing his outburst, she felt unfit to comfort him or even talk to him for at least a few weeks. ''Even if you are depressed, at least try to understand others'' state too,'' Amelia rested in sleep while thinking that even though he was depressed or worn out due to being abandoned by the Raphael family, he shouldn''t have reacted that way and yelled at her today. This made her decide not to take the initiative to have a conversation with him and to wait until he himself called her to ask for some money. After all, knowing Damien''s personality, it would be impossible for him not to call her for more than ten days. Now that he was abandoned, only she was his support. ''Idio...'' . . . . . . . Far away from the Crimwell mansion, while the night was at its peak inside the Camphrian city''s top hospital, existing near the Ramphian group of hotels, several cars were lined up. Each of them belonged to the Harrison Group, which boasted a net worth of 7.6 billion NR, making them the fourth largest group in the whole country. The convoy, filled with Land Rovers and Rolls Royce Phantoms, was parked just outside the hospital gate as the doors of a freshly arrived Lamborghini swung open. A woman with white hair, accentuated by the moonlight, stepped out of the car as dozens of bodyguards greeted her with boredom while she made her way inside. A white coat draped over her shoulders, and her eyes, with a slight grey hue accentuating her white eyebrows, guided her through the hospital. "Where is grandfather?" Luna calmly inquired upon entering the hospital. Her grandfather, Raven Harrison, had sustained some injuries and knife wounds, and upon hearing the news, Luna had instantly rushed there to check on his condition. "This way, young miss," the assistant guided her as they moved to the left, accompanied by two bodyguards for safety purposes. "How did it happen?" Luna asked in a composed tone without having any expression on her face, taken aback that her grandfather had been attacked while she was out of town for business meetings. "Young miss, we were attending the marriage of Damien and Raphael, and then..." the assistant began explaining the situation that unfolded in the marriage hall where some gunmen rushed in and started open fire. The assistant had managed to save Raven Harrison, but when he left to monitor the situation outside, he returned to find him injured. ''Damien...'' Luna recalled the name of the man who had turned down her grandfather''s marriage proposal, which was intended to offer him support. At the very least, her grandfather had hoped to postpone Damien''s separation from his family, especially because Damien''s real mother was the daughter of a close friend of Raven Harrison. Luna still remembered the time when her grandfather had asked her to marry Damien Raphael, whose reputation had already deteriorated in high society. Nevertheless, her grandfather suggested this marriage in the hope of mutual benefits. On one side, Luna would have supported Damien in business, thereby making him an eligible heir for the Raphael group, which would have prevented his abandonment. On the other side, she would have leveraged him to gain control of the entire Raphael group. It was a mutual proposal between heads of families, so of course, Damien was unaware of this. If Damien had accepted the marriage proposal on his birthday last week, everything would have been fine, and he would not have been abandoned. Upon exiting the lift, she ordered, "Send me the details about the names of those who attended the marriage event." Chapter 56 - 56- Damiens talents The night was too long for Campiran City, as most of the police personnel were on the move to find the trail of the kidnapped Damien Raphael. But in the end, it eventually came to a close with the morning rays gracing the city with their warm glow. Sunlight moved towards the edge of Campiran City, where the area was mostly underdeveloped, with a density of rural backgrounds being more prevalent than in the center of Campiran City, which was not less than a metropolis filled with skyscrapers and high-class standard facilities. Inside one of the hospitals at the corner, far away from the main center of Campiran City, one of the rooms was exclusively allotted to Damien Raphael. "Doctor, should I inform the police about Damien Raphael being safe here?" one of the nurses inquired to the doctor, as they finally received news about the kidnapping of Damien Raphael after the police division contacted them and tried to search for him in this area. "No need. Sir Damien already told me everything about how he somehow escaped from the kidnappers, and in doing so, that lady got into a car accident as they were fleeing. So he requested that we not call the police due to his suspicion that the kidnappers were from higher-ups in that department," the doctor informed about how Damien Raphael had requested a room to spend the night in the hospital after revealing that someone from the police department was behind the kidnapping event. Given such circumstances, he had requested to stay here until morning to contact his family and reveal the names of those behind the kidnapping. "Indeed, I also saw the news. It was said that a police officer named Lin Wanruo was involved in the kidnapping," the nurse nodded as she recalled the news about the involvement of one of the police officers in the kidnapping event. "Yes, so keep quiet," the doctor informed, using his finger to adjust his glasses on his nose, a smile forming as he thought, ''Yes, just don''t disturb them until he comes out and tells everyone how our hospital provided shelter to the heir of the Raphael group, even in this risky matter.'' "Kekeke." He couldn''t help but break into a chuckle just by imagining how their hospital''s reputation would elevate after the news about them protecting Damien Raphael became public, possibly even gaining favor from the Raphael group. ''Did he finally snap?'' the nurse thought as she looked towards the doctor, feeling that he might have finally lost his mind, before turning towards the room allotted to Damien Raphael. Looking at its gate, she thought it was time to go and prepare good food today, knowing that serving the regular food for patients would be harmful for their image. ----- "Umh..." As the morning rays fell on Emilia''s eyes, her eyelids slowly fluttered, and her mouth mumbled due to pain assaulting her body. It felt as if her lower body was hurting, along with several muscles all over her frame. "Good morning, Wife." "Huh?" Suddenly, her eyes shot open at the sound of Damien''s voice referring to her as his wife. The first thing she saw was his face looking at her with a teasing smile, while his knuckle brushed over her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Whaa--?!" Emilia instantly pulled her blanket over her face, as all the memories of the previous night assaulted her mind, playing a vividly series of memories from all the actions they had gone through. Her eyes moved rapidly while her face flushed crimson due to embarrassment, leaving only one thought in her mind. "Are you really embarrassed right now? After acting so intensely last night?" Damien turned towards the ceiling after seeing her acting shy after all the energy she had shown the night before. His eyes settled on several screens in front of him. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ Sub Quest: Have Lin Wanruo suspended from her job. Status: Completed. Reward: All heroines will have delayed memory awakening. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ He shifted his eyes to the side, focusing on a different screen. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ Plot: Face-slapping event of Damien Raphael at the hands of Edward (protagonist). Quest: Decide yourself ¡ª? Calculating the major events... Escaped the face-slapping event + Slapped the heroine Amelia Crimwell + Punched the Son of Heaven Edward + Humiliated heroine Lin Wanruo + Dealt a fatal blow to the reputations of all three of them + Awakened the sub-heroine into a heroine + Triggered the next event of heroine Luna Harrison + Took the virginity of a supporting character... The events are too numerous, calculating the reward ¡ª? Overwriting reward from System.... Reward Granted from Lyra''s side: Lifting Level 1 Restriction. ©¥©¤©¥©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤??©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¥©¤©¥ ''Now this is a considerable reward,'' Looking at the reward, which was the best he could ask for, Damien felt satisfied; it had been a week since he came into this body, and he had done so much to prepare, while his main aim in every life was to lift his restrictions. Technically, these restrictions were placed on his talents, specifically the talents of all his previous life-bodies which he had inherited, regarding their professions, knowledge, power, and so on. ''Show me things under Level 1 Restriction,'' Damien commanded, wanting to see how many of the professions he could unlock with the first level of restriction lifting. The professions and talents were mostly divided into several levels to balance the present world and the character he had inherited. But as he completed the main events, he was able to lift his restrictions. [God Level Hacking, Master Blacksmith Talent, Bomb-Making Talent, Firearms Mastery, Weapon Master, Master Tactician, Poison Crafting Talent, Mechanic and Engineering Talent, Martial Arts Prodigy, Lockpicking and Security Breach Talent, Alchemy and Pharmaceutical Talent, Golden Massage Hands, Piano God, Acupuncture Mastery, Master Chef, Calligraphy, Chess.....see more] sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, a screen popped up, showing a series of professions and talents that had been unlocked and were allowed for Damien to use. As the restrictions lifted, a surge of memories was transferred into Damien''s mind. The new memories, which had been transferred to his brain, were naturally a part of his brain but were just sealed away, allowing him to connect with all of it easily without feeling any pain. Chapter 57 - 57- Emilias dilemma (1) "Now, this is something good." Damien, feeling the burst of professions filling his mind, believed he finally had some cards to play in order to move forward and unlock all of his restrictions, including his true powers. However, given the level of this world, he hardly thought that even before unlocking that level, he would most likely complete all his missions. "Now, shall we look at my wife?" With a playful tone, Damien glanced at Emilia, who had wrapped herself snugly in the blanket beside him. The thin material allowed her figure to subtly show through, resembling a snow-capped mountain with curves flowing gracefully from her waist to her hips and down her legs. The delicate white blanket draped over her was reminiscent of fresh snow adorning a towering peak. With that imagery in mind, Damien grasped the fabric of the blanket, resolved to uncover all the hidden ''snow'' himself. "Kyaaah~!" Just when Emilia thought she was beginning to overcome the whirlwind of memories, the morning sun poured into her line of sight as Damien pulled back the blanket, forcing her to instinctively cover her breasts with one hand and her intimate area with the other. "Now this is something gorgeous," Damien whispered, his gaze wandering across her bare form, unable to control the way his eyes flicked up and down. Her body was laid bare in the soft morning light, every curve accentuated by the natural glow. Her breasts, firm and full, pressed against her arm as she tried to cover them, but her efforts only emphasized their perfect shape. Her nipples, a soft pink and still slightly hardened from the lingering arousal, peeked from between her fingers. The curve of her waist drew his attention down to her hips, wide and inviting, leading to the softness of her thighs. Her skin, flushed from their night together, glowed with a faint sheen of sweat, the smoothness of her stomach leading his gaze lower. Between her legs, her pussy, though modestly covered by her hand, still held traces of the night''s passion. Her nether petals, or vulva, were slightly swollen, and the faintest glisten of moisture remained. Traces of dried white fluid mixed with remnants of blood remained near them, while her inner thighs bore the softest hints of redness¡ªa reminder of how intensely they had shared the night. Even in her attempt to shield herself, the beauty of her form was undeniable. The way her body reacted to him, how her legs remained slightly parted, revealed her vulnerability and the satisfaction she had clearly felt. Every inch of her was a masterpiece, from the curve of her neck to the way her raven hair cascaded across her shoulders, her chest rising and falling with each breath as she watched him with a mix of embarrassment. "St-stop! Don''t look," As Emilia caught sight of his gaze lingering on her, she quickly shut her eyes, determined to avoid his piercing stare. She curled her body, folding her legs tightly against her as she lay on the bed in an attempt to shield herself. Ding [Emilia Blake''s favorability increased from 30 (Crush) to 58 (Lover).] Even though Emilia had yelled and acted as if she hated him, the notification that had just popped up in front of him assured Damien that he had indeed achieved what he wanted. This caused him to slightly lean forward near her ear and whisper, "Do you remember when I said you would eventually fall in love once I claimed your body?" ''?!'' The moment Damien whispered those words near her ear, Emilia''s body flinched. While tightly shutting her eyes and covering her private parts with her hand, she felt even more mentally exposed to this man who realized that she had indeed fallen for him. She hated herself for falling for someone like this man, who could just throw her away. Though she wasn''t aware of why he was doing this, she at least knew that he was evil¡ªvery evil; he was clearly a devil. And it appeared she had fallen for this devil. Even in her college years, when her friends would mention how they categorized boys into two kinds: those who were loyal and those who were clearly f-boys. She always heard from a few of her friends how they preferred a loyal boy over an f-boy. But they eventually found themselves attracted more to f-boys, finding them hot instead of loyal ones who acted immaturely and had not much social experience with women. Though, of course, in all the cases where a woman fell for such an f-boy, their relationship didn''t last long since there wasn''t any loyalty, only infatuation that ended soon. Emilia was thinking about those things just now because she had just categorized Damien in the f-boy category since she knew he wasn''t loyal at all. ''Stupid, Emilia, why him!'' Emilia cursed herself inwardly as she tightly clenched her jaws, shutting her eyes as she felt that she had made the biggest mistake of her life by falling for this man and coming to terms with the fact that she sensed him once again whispering near her ears. "You really have fallen for me, haven''t you?" Damien grinned as he whispered while his hand brushed her cascading hair, inhaling its scent as he felt like teasing her, seeing that expression on her face. "Damn you!" Emilia couldn''t help but express her frustration as she opened her eyes, teary-eyed, looking toward the man who was smiling at her with a face that made her feel helpless. Though her vision was blurred by tears, she could still see him. She was aware that she was just going to be used for his selfish gains, but it appeared she was caught by the well-known shackle called love, prompting her to look at him with a teary gaze. "Shouldn''t we take a bath now?" Damien, seeing her teary eyes, directly lifted her off the bed before moving towards the bathroom while carrying her in a princess carry. One hand groped her breast while the other firmly held her ass as he carried her. "Stop now, you pervert! Why do you smell like you pooped?" Emilia, being carried by him, noticed a very bad smell coming from his body. It was so repulsive that it seemed as if he had bathed in human waste. Due to her embarrassment and the fact that her mind was engaged in other things, she hadn''t noticed it before. But now that she was aware of it, "Bluerrghhhh!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Shut up, I am going to rub this poop on you," Damien grinned as a tease. However, upon closer inspection, it became apparent that black liquid was seeping from his body. Because Emilia was averting her face and not looking at him, she didn''t notice the change in his facial features. Chapter 58 - 58- Body refinement ¨X©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨[ INVENTORY ?? 1. Resurrection pill -- (only for animals) 2. Brush (100% clean) 3. Salary bonus coupon (auto-redeem once mission is finished) 4. Healing potion (can even regenerate a severed limb) 5. Cultivation initiation for others 6. Body refinement pill 7. Reward box for first kill S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 8. Dual Cultivation Technique (current body is unsuitable) 9. Swift Soul Steps (granted as the newbie pack when signed into this world) ¨^©¤©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥?¡ï?©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¥©¤¨a Damien looked towards the window in front of him, seated on the bed, as it was early in the morning. Slowly, the sunrise was occurring, and Emilia was sleeping exhaustingly beside him in deep sleep. Zzz-zz-z It felt funny how, even being an adult and acting so seamlessly last night, she was sleeping boldly beside him, completely naked with only a thin blanket over her. Ignoring her, he focused on dealing with the problem in front of him, which was about learning the dual cultivation technique, that would help him in the short term until he was able to lift all restrictions over his body. Until that moment, he needed strength. His eyes turned towards the inventory screen in front of him, observing each of the rewards he had gotten in this place after completing missions. While going through his options, his eyes fell on the last option, which was an ability he got when accepted to join this mission as a bonus factor provided to him due to his star employee badge. He would get any random overpowered ability, and among those was the ability to move a very short distance around an area of ten steps with a speed of 120 meters/second, equivalent to the speed of a normal bullet. This was the ability he had used to dodge Edward''s attack and even inflict knife attacks on Raven Harrison. He had previously used it in several places in these past few days, but there was a significant limit to it, which was his own body experiencing intense pressure when he used it, so he kept it to a minimum. ''Give me the body refinement pill,'' he said, and to tackle the same problem which was stopping him from growing further¡ªhis own body''s weakness¡ªhe directly tapped on the pill, which appeared reddish-black in color. Gulp He swallowed the pill whole and waited for a few moments. Slowly, a black liquid began to emerge from his pores, oozing visibly as it became apparent that these were the impurities being expelled from his body. His skin started to soften, while his facial features¡ªeyes, nose, and others¡ªwere undergoing a process of refinement. The color of his skin improved, becoming spotless, and his eyes became more defined. Already handsome, he shed all traces of acne, spores, or blemishes. "Uhm...." Suddenly, he noticed that Emilia had woken up, her eyes fluttering, and he grinned before lowering his head towards her. Thinking that it was time for him to take a bath, he greeted her. "Good morning, Wife." . . . . . . . . Finally exiting the bathroom alone, Damien used a towel to dry off his body and started to put on his clothes. "Good morning, S-sir Dami..." The nurse walked into the room, balancing a tray filled with various foods, including pasta and an assortment of items you wouldn''t typically find in a hospital setting, ready to serve. But it appeared her words stuck in her throat the moment her eyes fell on the man in front of her. "Good morning," Damien said, after wearing his shirt and other clothes. He tightened his suit and put on his black shoes. He greeted the nurse before sitting down to eat, adding, "You may leave." "Uh, y-yes," the nurse was drawn in by his words, her body responding without hesitation as if she were bound to that instant. It felt as though she were obeying the order to leave, yet she remained fixed in that moment where the sight before her was captivating¡ªhis sharp jawline, flawless skin illuminated by the morning sun, the delicate contours of his features, and the gentle breeze that tousled his hair, all accentuating the outline of his chest beneath his shirt¡ªcaused her mind to malfunction at that moment. "Bring some clothes for Emilia; you already saw how muddy it was?" Damien smiled as he relayed the news to the nurse, realizing that his physique was now impressive enough to cause someone to pause in awe. He requested her to bring some clothing for Emilia, who was currently in the bathroom after their three vigorous sessions. In the first session, he pushed her against the wall while molding her ass, before thrusting his dick inside her pussy again and again until her body limped. In the second session, he continued to rail into her while holding one of her one leg over his shoulder and supporting her upper body with his hand. In the third session, he kept pounding while lifting her body with her legs wrapped around his waist. During each of the three sessions, Emilia couldn''t help but stare at his face, a rosy blush tinting her cheeks and extending to her ears, revealing just how much she found him captivating. After finishing the sessions and stepping out of the bathroom, he was surprised when she said she wanted to stay inside for a while longer, leaving him to exit by himself while she lacked anything to wear. And given there weren''t any clothes for her, Damien reminded the nurse, knowing well how they would have seen Emilia last night¡ªhow she had been wearing a muddy dress that had gotten dirty due to her running all the way here. "Sorry, Sir, but we only have patient dresses," the nurse sensed that it would be difficult for her to find a dress for his wife due to the absence of nearby shops, so she suggested the idea of a patient uniform to him. "No problem, just give any of the present on you," Damien said, tilting his head and smiling towards the nurse, causing her face to turn crimson as she hastily bowed before running away from the room, feeling her heart crashing. Having just cast her gaze at the man who had it all¡ªgood looks, wealth, and a kind heart¡ªshe seemed to be falling for him. Chapter 59 - 59- Helpless woman ''Oh my god!'' Emilia, naked in the bathroom, sat with her legs folded and her face buried in her hands, replaying the events of just moments ago. Her ears were flushed crimson, her face equally heated. The cool water surrounding her body did little to ease the warmth that had spread through her as she recalled that teasing look in his eyes. Right now, her mind was spinning in another world. Damien seemed like a completely different person overnight. She couldn''t figure out why¡ªperhaps it was because of what they''d done¡ªbut somehow, he looked even more handsome. For a fleeting moment, she even felt as though his thing inside her had grown firmer. ''How did he become this handsome?!'' Emilia cried internally, struggling with how quickly she''d fallen for him. And now, even his face and body seemed to have been carved out of Greek mythology¡ªa living Greek god. It left her feeling utterly helpless, as though she were nothing more than a ripe fruit, ready to be sliced at any moment. thump thump "Uhmh... this is bad," Emilia muttered, curled up, her heart pounding as she glanced down. Her eyes caught the sight of the white fluid gushing from her lower body, mixing with the water she was soaking in. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The pungent smell lingered, and though she was in the bath, the amount was far too much for her to clean easily by just sitting there. Frustration washed over her; there was nothing she could do about it now. She had fallen into a trap, sinking deeper and deeper, as tears began to form in her eyes, slowly falling. A soft whisper escaped her lips in the bathroom, "sob... I-I shouldn''t have fallen for him..." "Wifey, have you bathed? I am putting cloth on the door; wear it." Suddenly, pulling her out of her thoughts, there was another teasing voice coming through the door, which was locked from the inside. She lifted her head towards it and shook her head as she slowly stood. Her legs trembled due to exhaustion as she made her way towards the door, opening it before taking the clothes and starting to wear them. As she made her way out of the bathroom, the first thing she saw was Damien seated while eating his food, without even waiting for her. This made her lift her fist in anger, clearly thinking about how he had made her wake up all night, exhausted her, and even just now made her do all those things, and yet he was eating like a pig. "Give me some too," Emilia, knowing that just by sitting beside him, he wasn''t a gentleman enough to provide her food, offered her hand to ask directly of him. As he took a plate of pasta and handed it to her, she started eating it while her face twitched as she saw him eating meat while giving her all the other things. "I also want meat," Emilia grabbed the plate from which Damien was eating, trying to pull it as she protested, showing her dissatisfaction with a cold look. "What? Didn''t I give you my meat all night and even a few moments ago? How hungry can you be?" Damien tilted his head and nudged her shoulder, causing Emilia''s face to twitch even more. Wanting to hit this man just with a punch but prioritizing her empty stomach, she decided to first eat and then beat him. Her body was sore and had muscle pains in several places. At least one thing was good: she used to stretch and exercise regularly. Otherwise, with the way things went, in the absence of flexibility, she would have been torn apart. "What are you going to do next?" Emilia inquired as she glanced towards him, feeling slightly annoyed that he didn''t even look at her. However, seeing his face, which appeared really attractive even from the side angle, caused her to want to pull his cheeks, but she controlled herself as she continued eating. "Returning to the main city, I guess," Damien had thought of leaving Camphrian City in the next few days after dealing with the situation here and handing over the company to Emilia and her mother to take care of. After all, most of the shares were with him, and after he dealt with the other board of directors in the company, he would have a stable source of income. He could guess that today the Raphael family, in order to clear their image¡ªwhich had been tainted due to the fake kidnapping event¡ªwould most likely declare that Damien had been abandoned by the Raphael group. Given that his bank accounts and everything else had already been frozen last week, with the remaining money stored in a secondary account, Damien was able to purchase lower-valued shares of the company under Blakes with the last remaining money he had. He even used Raphael Group''s name to book the Ramphian Group of Hotels, given he was penniless, but due to his name, he was able to pull a few strings, including purchasing reporters and police officers on the guarantee that he would give them money and promotions. In conclusion, he had scammed all of them. Due to having enough money, combined with the bankruptcy, Blakes had a very low share value, and he was able to purchase most of them and become the major shareholder. Now, of course, once he dealt with the board members under Gabriel, the share value would balance in favor of Emilia and her mother, making them equivalent to him with a 50-50 percent share margin. "Okay, I see," Emilia listened to his words, looking down as a slight emptiness filled her heart. It was confusing, but she knew that even though she loved him, his feelings were not genuine. Still, it felt bad to hear that he was going to leave her. "So, deal with the company, and once it stabilizes, come to the main city, dear wife," Damien, hearing that saddened tone of hers, understood what was going through her mind. That was why he took this chance to push her and give her motivation¡ªto come to the main city and meet him if she balanced and stabilized the bankrupt company. "Huh? What? I-I don''t want to meet you again; just go away," Emilia suddenly flinched, hearing his words as warmth surrounded her heart, but shaking her head, she directly denied the fact that she was definitely going to do her best and come to the main city, as her words showed an uncaring tone while she feigned ignorance. "Will you be able to live without me, dear wife?" "...." Emilia suddenly noticed his head resting on her shoulder as he spoke in a calm voice, while his hands brushed against hers. Lowering her gaze, feeling helpless and defeated, she mumbled, "....I hate you, Damien." Chapter 60 - 60- Morning In the bustling streets of Camphrian City, a sense of disbelief filled the air as the latest news dominated every screen and broadcast. :: Breaking News: Raphael Group Disowns Heir Amid Kidnapping Scandal! Family Claims Abandonment Occurred Last Week :: The headlines flashed across every news channel as anchors delivered the shocking announcement. :: In a stunning move, the Raphael family has officially disowned Damien Raphael, distancing themselves from his recent kidnapping ordeal. Sources confirm that the family had severed ties with Damien last week, though this was kept private until now. :: Crowds gathered, voices overlapping in disbelief. "Did you hear? They disowned him before the kidnapping. Now they''re just trying to protect their reputation," someone murmured, shaking their head. "Cold move," another chimed in. "He gets kidnapped, and instead of helping him, they just wipe their hands clean." The city buzzed with speculation and gossip as the Raphael Group''s strategic distancing from Damien dominated the morning''s conversations. While some had sympathy for him, others who had interacted with him held a different opinion. "Honestly, it''s not surprising," one man said, shaking his head. "Damien always had a terrible reputation. People say he was trash¡ªnever treated anyone with respect." "Yeah, I''ve heard he was just a spoiled brat," another added. "Always getting into trouble and pushing people around. The family probably had enough of his behavior." A woman nearby nodded in agreement. "I heard he was always using his position to intimidate others. Guess they finally decided he wasn''t worth the trouble." In a caf¨¦, looking through the glass window and then turning towards a television, a man seated looked in front of him towards the screen, where he had just seen the news of Damien''s banishment. ''No, no, NO! That bastard!'' A man wearing a uniform belonging to one of the news agencies felt his whole world crumble as he gritted his teeth, anger clouding his mind as he remembered how he had just been tasked by Damien to spread fake news about a police officer named Lin Wanruo and to portray him as a hero. "What should we do now?" Seated beside him, another man gripped the table with clenched fists. He, too, had been tasked with the same assignment as a reporter and felt deceived by Damien, who had guaranteed him a hefty sum of cash. "He is nowhere to be seen too," another member of the group of five chimed in as he rubbed his forehead, feeling completely trapped given that they most likely had offended the Lin family due to Damien and spread the fake news, leaving them with no option but to flee. It may have appeared that everything went well, but now things had turned the other way. Now that Damien had been abandoned, there was no family background to support him. Making the first ones to be cursed those who had offended Lin Wanruo or Amelia Crimwell. All five of these reporters had been promised a large sum of money, and given that the one offering it belonged to the Raphael family, they had trusted him, knowing well that even if something happened, the Raphael family would handle the Lin family and the Crimwell family both. Tring~ ''?!'' "Damn it, have they already caught up to us?!" One of the five reporters felt sweat break out as he saw their female colleague''s phone ring, causing all of them to look towards her in fear as she also nodded before taking out her phone, where an unknown number was flashing, and picked it up. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "H-hello, wh-who?" Her voice stammered as she inquired about the identity of the caller. :: You can''t even recognize your employer? :: "D-Damien!" Out of nowhere, the woman froze at the sound of the voice, instantly identifying it. She stood clutching her phone, while her colleagues, upon hearing her exclaim, tightened their fists in recognition; the caller was none other than Damien Raphael. "Ask him where he is..." One of them, covering his face to not let his voice be heard on the phone, whispered, trying to inquire about Damien''s location. "Yes, a-and what about our money?" Another one whispered, knowing that even if Damien was thrown out of his family, he likely still had a well amount of money on him, which they could at least use to leave this city. :: No need to exclaim; do you think I would lie to all of you? :: "N-no, Sir Damien, we were just..." The woman, slowly taking her seat, started to talk, her words slowly becoming normal. Knowing that right now they needed to at least get their money, and even though Damien was banished from his family, in the end, he was still from the Raphael family. :: Listen well, I will pay all of you twice the amount I initially said, but under one condition. :: "C-condition? Th-that''s..." The woman glanced towards her colleagues, who heard the twice amount as their eyes widened, knowing they would be able to receive so much money, making them fall into a daze for a moment. One of them nodded and gestured for the woman, who then replied, "What is it, Sir?" :: I will message you the address and pay in cash; you will not reveal the police about my location, do you understand? :: "Huh? Yes, yes, no problem, please send me the address." Hearing about the condition, the tense mood of all of them instantly broke as they would have never contacted the police since they would be the first ones to die under the sword of the Lin family, making them feel relaxed that they would at least get the money, and in cash, so there would not be any hassle of having a bank account transfer or taxes. All these conditions were in favor of them, making all five of them smile as they looked towards each other, feeling proud, as the call got cut. "Finally! I told you, Damien is a man of his word!" One of the journalists picked up the cold drink and took a sip. Reaching out his hand, he encouraged the others to join him, and they all shouted in unison, "CHEERS!" Chapter 61 - 61- A firecracker "Now, it''s police," Damien sat alone inside the hospital room as he had sent Emilia to purchase some items for him. He dialed the number of the police officers whom he had hired to deal with Lin Wanruo inside the police station. Though their work was simply to distract her and create the scenario he had already predicted, in the end, Damien was not the type to leave loose ends. "Hello, Damien here." Dialing the number, Damien introduced himself as a hurried voice came from the other side of the line. :: Sir Damien? Where are you at this moment? :: The voice on the call belonged to the technician of the lift, who was the vocal head of the police officers whom Damien had purchased using his status as the heir of the Raphael Group, and now that the news was on the headlines, most likely these people were in search of him to get back at him for lying to them. "I am sending you the address, and about your promotion, it would be hard as you have already gotten the news, so I will just give you each 30,000 NR. Will that be fine?" Damien informed as he moved towards the window, observing the morning rays, which were warm like the smile forming on his face as he thought about providing a hundred times this warmth to all of these people who had provided him so much help. :: 30-30,000? R-really, Sir Damien?! :: On the call, the officer faltered a bit, realizing that the money he had referred to was in fact their five years'' salary. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, but it will be in cash since my bank accounts are frozen. I am sending you the address, but remember, don''t inform anyone about my location. Do you understand?" Damien glanced down and noticed Emilia holding a bag had entered the hospital while running, gasping, but seeing how she was about to arrive, Damien cut the call. "D-DAMIEN?!" Suddenly arriving at the door, Emilia kicked it open, holding two bags in her hand. Gasps for breath, she looked towards Damien, who stood near the window with a smile. "What happened? Why are you screaming?" Damien shrugged his shoulders and approached Emilia, resting both hands in his pockets. "You!" Emilia dropped the bags in her hand as she sprinted towards him, clasping his cheek and glaring at him as she inquired, "Why didn''t you tell me that you were thrown out of the Raphael family?" "Thrown out is harsh, Emilia." Though Damien felt her clasp on his cheek resembled a slap, he chose to overlook it as he leaned in, gently tapping her forehead with his. With their proximity, he could feel her warm breath stirring against his skin. "Idiot, don''t tell me you were searching for a sugar mommy all this time?" Emilia''s first thought was that if this incident of vanishment had occurred a week ago, it was obvious that Damien would search for someone for economic support, given his habit and living standards set on the level of the heir of the Raphael Group. Her doubts became firmer the moment she realized how he had purchased shares of her company and even, just a few minutes ago, told her to stabilize the company, making her understand he was wanting to have economic support. "S-sugar, what?" Damien hearing Emilia''s words felt his mouth twitching as he retreated while observing her facial expressions turning into a smirk, as if showing her superiority towards him. Instead of the sympathy he thought she would have, it was more like an inflated ego. "Hehe, I see, I see. No problem, I will take on that position," Emilia nodded as she folded her arms, clearly feeling proud as she had finally found a weakness in this man, which was his poverty. Now she was feeling that she had the upper hand, where she could easily throw money at him and make him do whatever she wanted. ".....I guess, thank you?" Damien noticed that Emilia was responding in a way he didn''t anticipate. Still, he took some comfort in the fact that she would do him the favor of helping him make some money. He chose to overlook this realization while allowing her to indulge in her own fantasies. As he walked past her, he headed toward the bags sprawled across the floor. "Have you brought the items I asked for?" Damien inquired. Lifting both the bags, he placed them on the table and started to pull out the items. "Yes, but aren''t they just random things you asked me to purchase so you could get alone time to talk with your girlfriends?" Emilia came forward while folding her arms behind and leaned as she glanced towards the items, making Damien halt and look towards her with a blank gaze. Sighing, he turned back to the items. "....Be quiet." Damien took out a small bottle of gasoline, holding hardly 1L of it. "What quiet? It''s obvious or else why would you tell me to purchase gasoline, bleach, batteries, long wires, several metal nails, a small pipe, and a stopwatch?" Emilia, seeing the items he was taking out of the bag, felt it was obvious that these items were just random things without any link with each other. "Emilia, do you know I am good at chemistry?" Damien took a seat on the bed before taking a black bag available near the drawer, where he started to put these items into it while continuing to chat with Emilia to at least tell her something about him. "...How?" Emilia, hearing some random words from him, folded her arms and sat on the bed, inquiring and feeling confused as he said how he was good at chemistry. "You remember Edward?" Damien inquired while immersed in placing the items in the bag. "Ah, the one whom you punched and falsely arrested." Emilia nodded her head, remembering the guy who was clearly provoked by Damien and in the end even got his teeth broken by him. "You are smart, aren''t you, Emilia?" Damien definitely appreciated her observation skills, given that not even the son of Heaven was able to do that before, adding, "So, tell me, how do you think police officers found benzene in his stomach?" "Hm, how?" Emilia thought for a moment about how police officers could be purchased but rejected the fact given Edward was vomiting. Then she even thought about the can Damien gave Amelia that could carry the benzene, but also rejected it since it was tightly sealed. "I made him drink Sodium Benzoate," Damien revealed while recalling the thing they were sprinkling on the name of holy water, which was sodium benzoate, normally not harmful for human skin, but for Edward who had drunk it, things were slightly different. "Why am I not surprised?" Emilia looked at the man who was immersed in putting those things in his bag. As he finally closed the bag, it made her feel that this man was a demon, a devil, who could do anything for his interest. Given her basic knowledge of chemistry, she could guess the can filled with juice Amelia gave Edward clearly contained ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and when both sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid mixed in the favorable atmosphere of the acidic nature inside Edward''s stomach, benzene formed. "You want to be surprised?" Damien lifted his eyes and glanced at Emilia as he inquired, looking at her becoming even more casual with him, which he appreciated given her favorability had already reached a fine value. "...." As Emilia continued to gaze at his face, her attention drifted to his lips that began to part slowly, as if he was on the verge of speaking. The words that escaped were softer than a whisper, but when she comprehended them, her eyes grew large with one thought resonating in her head: ''a b-bomb!'' Chapter 62 - 62- Doctor "Sir, what should we do now?" a nurse inquired of the doctor, her voice barely concealing the tension after seeing the news that confirmed Damien Raphael had been officially cast out from his family. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s talk to him first." The doctor''s voice was steady, but his mind was a storm of shattered hopes. Walking down the sterile hospital hallway, he couldn''t shake the disappointment gnawing at him. He had envisioned that, with Damien''s support, he might finally gain the approval and acceptance of the powerful Raphael family. But now, that dream seemed as distant as ever. Still, amidst the disillusionment, there was a small solace¡ªDamien shared the same blood, and that connection, that lineage, still tied them together in some way. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" ''?!'' The doctor and nurse froze at the loud, angry voice coming from Damien''s room just as they opened the door. Their eyes immediately darted to the scene inside¡ªa woman dressed in a nurse''s uniform had one hand gripping the collar of a man while her other fist was raised, ready to strike him in the face. "S-Sir Damien?" the doctor stammered, recognizing the man. Damien stood there, looking oddly calm, a smile playing on his lips as the woman¡ªthe one they had brought in last night, now in a nurse''s uniform¡ªwas on the verge of punching him. "Relax, Doctor, she just wanted a change of clothes. And you know, with my account frozen, there wasn''t much I could do." Damien casually brushed Emilia''s hand off his collar, straightened his shirt, and grabbed a black bag that lay on a nearby chair. He moved forward without causing a scene, though Emilia''s silent glare trailed behind him, her anger simmering but contained. "Th-that''s... I was hoping to ask exactly what happened?" the doctor managed, finding his voice. This was the question that had been on his mind since hearing the news. Just last week, the Raphael family had announced that they were severing ties with Damien, rendering the doctor''s long pursuit of their approval meaningless. But he tried to maintain composure, hoping to get some clarity on the situation. "You know how these family games work, right? They spread false news to reduce my value so the kidnappers would leave me. It''s all part of the plan," Damien explained, shaking his head as he passed the doctor. The doctor and the nurse followed closely behind, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over them at Damien''s words. If it was all a game, perhaps his connection to the Raphael family wasn''t truly severed after all. The doctor, though, couldn''t ignore the subtle change in Damien''s demeanor. His mind, however, was more focused on the hospital''s future. If they played their cards right, they could still secure the funding promised by the wealthy groups for saving Damien. For the nurse, her focus was entirely on Damien¡ªthe way he carried himself, his calm confidence¡ªit all left a strong impression. She couldn''t help but feel drawn to him, pushing away any sadness that lingered. "Oh, I see." The doctor nodded, understanding that he might never fully grasp the inner workings of these powerful families. They could twist the truth as they pleased, publishing one thing today and denying it tomorrow. "Doctor, what''s the condition of the woman I brought in?" Damien''s question cut through the air, his voice sharp and precise. He was referring to Emilia''s mother, though in his mind, she was nothing more than a tool, a means to an end. He had a plan, and if Emilia couldn''t prove herself useful, he would have to turn to her mother to achieve his goals. "She''s stable for now, but it will take a few weeks for her to wake up. The internal injuries were severe, and she suffered from heavy bleeding," the doctor reported, scanning the paperwork the nurse had handed him. Then, he hesitated for a moment before adding, "Sir Damien, the young lady in the room with you earlier, is she... Emilia Blake?" He asked because the recent news of Damien''s engagement to Emilia Blake had caused quite a stir, and seeing her in that altercation made it clear she was no ordinary woman. "Yes, and her mother is the woman in the accident. Make sure both of them are well cared for until I return," Damien ordered as he exited the hospital. His words were final, punctuated by a slight gesture, and both the doctor and nurse instinctively bowed in response. They knew they had little choice in the matter. To displease him was to lose what little hope they had of elevating their careers. After all, they had been stuck in this rural hospital for over four years, far removed from the VIP clientele they so desperately sought. While Camphrian City was well-organized and modern, the hospital, though equipped with advanced technology, rarely attracted the kind of patients who could open doors to a better future. The doctors here were competent, even exceptional, but the lack of connections with the upper echelons of society kept them trapped. They saw Damien as their golden ticket, a second-generation rich young master who might offer them a way out and a transfer to a more prestigious hospital in the city. "Sir, what about the hospital bills?" The receptionist, timidly approaching, presented the doctor with a bill for Damien''s treatment, which was still unpaid. "Are you an idiot? You want me to ask him for some trivial amount of money?" the doctor snapped, his irritation evident. He pulled out his own card and handed it to the receptionist, grumbling, "Put it on my account. When Sir Damien decides to pay, let him know I covered it with my own salary, got it?" He wasn''t about to let something as petty as a bill tarnish the image he was trying to cultivate. If he played his cards right, Damien would see him as a loyal supporter, and that could only improve his future prospects. "Y-yes, me too," the nurse chimed in quickly, pulling out her phone. "I''ll pay for his meals and clothes." Their salaries, provided by the government, allowed them some flexibility, and they knew that investing a little now might yield significant rewards later. "Where is my mother?" A sudden voice interrupted their conversation. It was Emilia, standing a few feet away, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the nurse, her instincts immediately picking up on the other woman''s interest in Damien. "Oh, Good morning, Miss Emilia. Please follow me," the nurse responded, recovering from her initial surprise and guiding Emilia toward the emergency room where her mother was being treated. Chapter 63 - 63- Factory "Fuck, how could I make this mistake!?" Seated in the back of a police car that was heading toward headquarters, the police chief felt his blood turn cold upon seeing the news that the Raphael family had abandoned Damien. Memories of last night, when he had beaten Lin Wanruo, resurfaced, making him realize the catastrophe he had brought upon himself. "Sir, we are being followed," informed the police officer seated in the driver''s seat, observing in the car''s mirror that three or four black cars were following closely behind. "What? Have these idiots lost their minds?" The police chief felt frustrated as his anger boiled up, causing him to glance back and pull down the window of his car, yelling, "Bastards, do you even know who I am?" The moment he opened the window and yelled, a small ball-like object leapt into the back of the car, prompting his eyes to turn toward it. He realized it was a grenade, instantly causing him to open the door and leap out of the car. BOOM! Within seconds of his jump outside the car, as his body rolled on the ground, he sustained injuries all over, acquiring fractures in his hand and abrasions due to the speed of the car. Suddenly, the whole car blasted apart, tearing into pieces due to the explosion. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kugh!?¡ªDamn it!" Due to his chubby body and excess fat, the skin tore, and bleeding began at several places as he tried to lift himself. But the cars that were following him suddenly struck him. "Khuek!" His body was hit by a car, throwing him onto the asphalt and hitting his head as he tried to roll out of the way in hopes of survival. Three bikers came in behind the cars, starting to move in a circle around the police chief. "St-stop," he stammered, lying bloodied on the asphalt, hardly visible in the pool of blood where he lay. His body had several injuries, fractures, and internal bleeding. His face was completely drenched in blood as he tried to stretch his hands toward the bikers who were moving around him. Due to the highway being near an area that would have normally been busy, it appeared suspicious how there were no other vehicles in this part of the highway, most appearing as if the road was blocked from both sides. He moved his hands toward his pocket where his gun was placed. Bang! "Aaargh!" But even before he could pull out his gun, a baseball bat landed directly on his face, throwing him a distance away due to the sheer force as he was thrown out of the circle the bikes were moving in, as the bikes halted before once again moving toward him. "N-no!" He didn''t understand why this was happening to him. Considering he was the police chief, it was confusing that, when being the head of the department, he was being attacked in broad daylight on a busy highway. Vrooooom Bang! "Khuck! Aghh! ¡ªcough!" With another engine roar, the biker moved beside him, holding a rod that landed directly on his face, throwing him off the ground as he once again splattered a mouthful of blood directly on the ground, feeling his consciousness finally slipping away as his eyes succumbed to darkness. "What to do with him now?" Finally, the bikes stopped as one of them inquired, glancing in the direction of the black cars from which a few men wearing black coats came out and moved toward the unconscious man. "Hm, check his phone and see if someone was behind him," a bald man with scars on his face said as he halted. Another one provided him a cigarette, and after taking it and lighting it, he inhaled before blowing out some smoke. He glanced in the direction of the road and added, "Wash the blood marks and bring him to our place. Let''s see which bastard tried to mess with our young miss." Currently distanced from the highway where the recent events took place, an empty paint factory lies in a remote region, situated seven miles away from the rural parts of Camphrian city. The abandoned factory was in complete disarray given its abandonment caused a decade ago, making it filled with rust and weak walls, evident from the door which had been broken by someone present inside the warehouse. "And this goes here," Damien connected the last wire as he started to roll out while exiting the door. He attached the battery to cover the stopwatch before opening it and doing something with it before he started the timer for 4 minutes. "Let''s see, they must be arriving," Damien said, resting his hands in his pockets while using his shoes to dust over the wires to hide them on the ground. He glanced toward the empty barren land where four cars came into view as they approached the abandoned factory. Soon enough, both cars hurling in his direction finally came to a halt as several individuals came out of them, revealing their identity: the four police officers and the five reporters, who were the ones Damien had promised or assured to complete some tasks for him. "Sir Damien, how are you?" Leaving them behind, the first one to move forward was one of the police officers, wearing his uniform as his service revolver hung from his fist as he moved forward with a smile, clearly betraying his inner hatred and evil. "Well, for now, it''s good, I guess," Damien kept a small smile, looking toward all of them clearly, observing their facial expressions as some of them averted their gaze while some of them tried to hide their inward anger, as if, if given a chance, they would instantly kill him for lying to them. "I see, well then, where is the money?" the officer inquired as his face turned expressionless, looking coldly toward Damien, who, seeing this, felt amused before nodding as he stepped aside and gestured for them to enter. "Ladies first," Damien offered a place for the woman reporter to move, who slightly looked toward her colleague who initially found it suspicious, but then ignored it, knowing well about Damien''s trashy personality, as they accepted it. "No, you will move first," the officer who stood just nearby directly took out his revolver and pointed it toward Damien, not caring a bit after realizing that this man had no background support now. "What is the meaning of this?" Damien''s gaze turned cold as he feigned surprise, his eyes widening at the sight of the revolver. Chapter 64 - 64- Boom "Meaning? Isn''t it obvious?" Pointing the gun''s muzzle at Damien''s head, the officer clearly showed a murderous intent, with a face that displayed his determination to pull the trigger. ''Isn''t this d¨¦j¨¤ vu?'' Feeling the gun pointed at his head, Damien was forced to remember last night''s events when Lin Wanruo had also pointed a gun at him, unaware of the consequences that would not end with just her being suspended. "I-I understand," Damien said, with hesitation in his voice, as he slowly lifted his hands in surrender, showing a hint of fear. He was going to such lengths only because he had a different plan to deal with these people now that they had shown him their fangs. Naturally a lenient person, Damien had thought to give them a peaceful and kind death, where their bodies would turn into small pieces due to the explosion without giving them the time to even blink, but now it seemed these people didn''t deserve his mercy. "Move!" Seeing one of his colleagues pointing a gun at Damien, the technician who had been tasked with distracting Lin Wanruo inside the lift came forward with a smirk, trying to push Damien back. It was futile, as it felt like his hand was pressing against a wall, even though it was on Damien''s chest. "Okay, I am moving," Damien nodded and gave a small blink to the woman reporter, who had been dazed since the moment she first saw him. She kept looking at him with a blush, finding him somehow more appealing. Unbeknownst to them, this was also the reason why the officers or others were reacting so aggressively towards Damien; they were feeling inferior to him either in charm or in personality. Though their minds blamed it all on him lying to them and wanting to put Damien in his place, in reality, they were unconsciously feeling inferior to him in every respect, which was making them act hostile towards him, although they were not accepting or aware of it themselves. Thump thump. "W-wait, I-I will go first," the woman reporter on her own initiative came forward, trying to act and present herself in a more appealing and attractive way to Damien by speaking in a soft voice, unlike her usual self, while acting all shy and innocent. ''T-This bastard!'' It didn''t take long for her colleagues to understand why she had just accepted what Damien said, making them glare at him. Their frustration increased even more the moment they saw Damien looking toward them with a grin as if mocking them. "E-excuse me." With a catwalk, trying hard even with her average face and body features, she moved in front inside the factory, while her eyes slightly wanted to feel the way Damien was looking at her from behind. "You are excused." Damien, with a calm smile, followed behind her while focusing on her movements, particularly the balanced hips that were like a pendulum, giving away proper curves at which his eyes were fixed on her phone. Indeed, his eyes were fixed on the phone he had placed in her back pocket, while others who followed him were glaring from behind, seeing how this man was truly known for his useless and worthless personality, which was evident as he was looking at the hips of that innocent woman. "Where is the money?" Arriving inside the factory, which was completely empty, while filled with several old barrels and cans containing the raw material of this abandoned factory, they all looked towards Damien. "Hm, it will be soon 2 minutes in few seconds and given the distance, it would take all of you 1 minute to reach the door, I see," Damien nodded and gazed outward, his grin resembling that of a devil, sneaky and mischievous, which made those standing behind him recoil slightly as an unsettling feeling washed over them. "What does that mean?" The officer pointing his gun at Damien clearly tightened his grip on the trigger, prepared to click it at any moment as he inquired, feeling suspicious at those words which didn''t make any sense right now. "Nothing, it''s just I would not waste all of your time here now and give all of you enough time to run away after telling you that there is a bomb in that container," Damien with a calm smile pointed towards two drums where he had implemented a stopwatch which had reached 1 minute 10 seconds, before his body suddenly vanished in front of their eyes. ''?!?!'' "B-bomb?!" "D-don''t bluff¡ª?!" Hearing the information about the bomb, all of them were shocked as their heads were fixed on the particular barrels that Damien had pointed to before turning towards him, but they noticed he had vanished from there, causing them to instantly turn their heads here and there to find where he went. "Woohoo, here, come fast or all of you will die!" Suddenly the voice very familiar to them came from the entrance of the factory, causing all of them to glance in that direction as they saw Damien covering more than a hundred meters of distance in a blink, now standing there while waving towards them. In that moment of shock, their minds seemed to fall into a trance. Was there really a bomb here? And even if there was, then why had Damien warned them? What if this was some other trick of his? Several thoughts crossed their minds, but all vanished the moment their eyes caught sight of that particular woman beside them screaming, "B-BOOMBB!" Officers and reporters instantly turned their gazes towards the woman who had just opened one of the barrels while looking into it, as her legs became numbed and she fell on her back, her face horrified, drenched in sweat, eyes trembling as she stretched her hand towards her colleagues, with a barely audible voice, "H-help..." "Run!" All of them, without even thinking of helping the woman, instantly turned towards the entrance, running as fast as they could, not knowing when the bomb would blast, as their only hope was to run towards the entrance where Damien stood, clearly signifying the range of the bomb was not that long if Damien was standing there. "Pffft." Amid the chaos, it felt as though their last shred of hope was taunting them. As they ran, their eyes widened in panic at the sight of Damien''s grin. One hand clutched a phone, while the other gestured mockingly. His form disappeared as if by magic, appearing only as a sinister silhouette that laughed at their misery, leaving behind a chuckle like a devil. Zwwoooo¡ªBOOOOOM! Before long, a searing light engulfed their eyesight, muffling their screams and pleas while a deafening roar reverberated around them. The intense heat rapidly incinerated their garments and outer layers of skin, silencing their cries that were trapped within the collapsing walls, which soon gave way to the force of the explosion. "AaaaRrrGgggHhHhhhhh.....!!!!" "Hel¡ªKkHhrGghh!!!" The intensity was such that it immediately caused the barrels containing raw magnesium to disintegrate. Since this was an abandoned paint factory, the oxidizers present in the barrels magnified the minor explosion, triggering a chain reaction that led to all of them detonating. Soon, the whole factory turned to rubble. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 65 - 65- Kill "Hmm, let''s see," Damien seated himself on the bonnet of one of the cars while looking at his phone as he was doing something just 200 meters away from him. Flames from the explosion were engulfing the area, but due to the falling rubble of the factory, they were slowly being extinguished. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It had already been more than 3 minutes since the explosion occurred, which had broken the walls of the factory that had already been weakened due to lack of maintenance. The explosion was strong enough to fill the area with intense heat for several meters. The walls were collapsing while suppressing the fire. [Activating voice transformation.] "H-hello, BBQ n-news." Damien was dialing the number displayed on the caller ID, which showed the name of the news agency where the woman, now trapped beneath the debris, had worked. He lifted the phone to his ear. :: Who are you, and why is Saliya''s phone with you? :: "Cough! Argh, I am her colleague; Saliya is dead." Damien coughed while adjusting his voice to sound like an innocent man who was injured beyond exhaustion, hardly able to call and communicate with the news agency, feigning the most over-the-top painful tone he could muster. :: D-dead?! Don''t joke with me! It''s impossible! N-no, w-was that those rich bastards?! :: Hearing the voice, Damien could clearly understand which bastards were referred to¡ªthe Crimwell or Raphael family. Given that, after the news of Damien''s banishment and last night''s kidnapping events, which were covered by these reporters who were now getting a sunbath, it was possible for those families to suppress and search for this particular reporter. "Urgh! I-I don''t know, but it was someone from last night. P-please record the call, since I will not survive longer." Damien slowly stood from the car as he saw the flames were now under control and likely extinguished as he made his way slowly toward the factory. :: N-no! Wait, wait, tell me your location! I am recording. :: "C-Crimwell family! Cough!? I-it was a bodyguard whom Sir D-Damien had arrested last n-night." Damien kept speaking while resting one hand in his pocket, as the other held the phone and moved toward the direction from where he could hear groans and someone''s cries. "W-water... water..." Thanks to the purification of his body and his advancement to the body refinement stage, he could distinctly perceive the cry even from a great distance due to his sharpened senses. :: Wh-what Crimwell?! Tell me more, who exactly?! :: "H-his name was Edw-ard¡ªUrgh?!¡ªHe was subdued by Sir Damien and got arrested yesterday night b-but due to jealousy, L-lin Wanruo helped him escape from the main headquarters." Damien kept feeding the information, knowing well that most likely this call recording would soon be displayed on all the news channels, given that the family in question was the Crimwell family, not the Raphaels. Naturally, Damien was well aware that this particular news would soon spread more due to the influence of the Raphael Group. They would hope to distract the public view, which was currently focused on their heir''s kidnapping and the banishment of their heir, and redirect it towards the Crimwell family. After all, the public only needs more exciting news to forget older stories. Considering the news spreading about the Raphael Group, who would never want to bear any taints on their name, they would most likely choose to sacrifice the Crimwell family and the Police Department of Camphrian City. In the end, this is how hierarchy worked, and right now Damien was going to use the Raphael Group to crush the Crimwell family without even having the title of heir himself. :: What? So-so, the Lin family is also involved? :: "N-no, it was Lin Wanruo''s personal jealousy since Sir Damien had rejected her proposal to spend a night with her¡ªArgh!¡ªSh-she is a b-itc.... Beeeeeppp." Upon uttering those words, Damien released his hold, letting the phone drop from his ear, and then proceeded to crush it beneath his feet. :: H-hello¡ª crack "Hm, now, should we see our roasted shrimps?" Due to his body undergoing physical enhancement, he had enough force to turn the phone into crushed pieces, which were impossible to restore. He continued to rub his foot to destroy the SIM card before making his way toward the factory. ".....urgh...w-water." One of the officers, who had somehow distanced himself from the others due to his athleticism, was nearer to the door. His whole body was burned in the flames, but he was somehow still alive, looking upward with his burned body, asking for water. "Weren''t you the one who pointed a gun at me?" Damien arched his brows as he arrived near the rubble, observing three or four dead bodies lying scattered on the ground in broken states, with blood likely dried due to the flames. The bodies were completely burned, with no hair and eyebrows or skin left to identify which officer had pointed a gun at him. "....y-ye...h-help." Hardly able to form words due to his vocal cords being damaged, and with intense pain bombarding his mind, the officer accepted with hope for at least a drink of water at the door of death. "Water? Here you go." Damien moved his hands down before unzipping his pants and started to pee. Drip drip While looking with a grin at the now completely ridden body of the man who was receiving the water in his final moments of life directly from Damien''s penis as he urinated on him, the officer, with heavy eyes, slowly succumbed to death, feeling that he was no longer looking at a human. "....Kugh...n-no." From a distance, the technician who had tried to push Damien crawled out from beneath the rubble. Though a few bones in his body remained intact due to jumping inside one of the metal barrels, the explosion had thrown the entire barrel a considerable distance away. He had been shielded from the heat, but in the process, his lungs were punctured by his own ribs. His jaw hung loosely due to fractures, while the bones in his limbs had disintegrated into a powder-like substance from the heavy impact. "Oh, isn''t there one more here?" Suddenly, a chilling voice reached the ears of the man who had barely crawled out of the container. His trembling eyes looked towards the man in front of him, standing with a green shadow covering his face, revealing laughter stretching to his ears as he peed on a dead body. This sight instantly sent a chill down the man''s spine. His whole body, already exhausted and injured, felt like it was shattering as he tried to shake his head, with snot and saliva dripping as he begged, "N-no!... Agh.... Someone.... help!" "Don''t cry, I will not kill you," Damien zipped his pants before moving towards that man who tried to crawl away from there while hearing his words as his heart raced due to pain and internal bleeding. He could feel that if he didn''t escape now, he would die the most miserable death. So right now the man was aware that death was inevitable due to all the injuries to his body and the pain which numbed all his senses. So the most he could do was not die a dog''s death like that officer. Chapter 66 - 66- Keeping the three families in check "R-really?" Hearing Damien''s words, the man momentarily understood that he couldn''t trust this individual. Yet, knowing death was so close, he still inquired, hoping for a chance to survive. "Yes, I will not kill you myself." Damien moved forward, slowly leaning before sitting on one of the rubble piles while the man''s body lay in a bloody state near his feet. He looked up, resting his chin on his palm and supporting his elbow on his thighs, gazing at him with a smirk. "...urgh... th-then¡­" The man, clearly understanding Damien''s implication that he would not kill him, felt reassured that at least he would not die a dog''s death. He was already certain that there was no chance for him to survive this. "Your son is still six years old, right? And your wife, hm?" Damien, already conscious of his surroundings, had gathered family details of these individuals, making him well-aware that in a situation like this, he could easily threaten them. But seeing that this man was dying, he thought of using it to his advantage. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''?!'' "St-stop?! N-not my family..." A chill ran down the man''s body the moment he heard Damien mention his family. He struggled against the pain and tried to lift himself, but it was all in vain, and he fell back again. "Fine, fine, I will not harm them, but it depends on how you act," Damien said, seeing how he had positioned himself well, gesturing with his hand. "Wh-what¡­ Argh¡­ t-tell me¡­" Due to heavy bleeding, the man realized he might hardly survive more than a few minutes, prompting him to inquire as he clenched his teeth, trying not to succumb to sleep and holding himself from falling into oblivion. "Nothing, just simply say the Crimwell family and Lin Wanruo were the ones who did all this." Before moving away, Damien made his demand and waved his hand as the sounds of numerous police vehicles and reporters began to converge on the area. In the end, as Damien had expected, the call he made to the news agency had already spread, given that the Raphael family would have boosted it within a few minutes of realizing it could be a chance to divert public attention towards others. It may appear that big companies that contribute the most to a country''s economy don''t care about people''s opinions and thoughts. But in truth, if public sentiment crosses a certain threshold, it becomes problematic, and major companies have to face backlash. Customers may begin to boycott their products or services. So, amidst all the controversy surrounding the Raphael family, they were most likely trying to avoid losses or damage to shareholder trust, prompting them to address public perception first, even at the cost of sacrificing a few individuals. This was evident from the fact that reporters and police officers had already arrived at the scene. Damien had already used a phone whose location tracking enabled the media and officers to pinpoint this place, all while destroying any evidence of his involvement in this case. The only person he called was that woman, whose phone was now turned to dust, including one of the officers who had been among those burned, which also destroyed his phone in the process. "Fast! What happened here?!" "Call the firefighters!" "W-wait?! There''s a survivor!" One after another, the officers and reporters exited their vehicles, sprinting towards the rubble where remnants of flames still flickered. Given human greed, in a society where everyone is selfish enough to care about their own gain, each of them had a different perspective on the situation. Reporters, for instance, rushed to collect news that could be used against the Crimwell family and others. ''I-is this it?'' Hearing the sounds of several individuals sprinting in his direction, the man in a broken state felt that this was the end for him¡ªa moment where the most he could do was secure his family''s safety. "Cough! H-here, P-please h-help!" Even in that bloodied state, the man pulled himself as he crawled, holding onto the rubble. He lifted his body, waving his hands towards the reporters, ignoring the fact that his movements increased his bleeding. It was clear that survival was impossible, so right now, the most he could do was follow the orders given to him. --- ''They will be busy for a while.'' Damien, already a mile away from the scene, moved toward a public garden before taking a seat there, breathing heavily as he felt slightly exhausted and fatigued from using swift soul steps. Under normal circumstances, the exertion would leave his body aching, but with the impurities eliminated and his physique upgraded, he only felt fatigue from running such great distances. He had already dealt with the distractions involving the Lin family, the Crimwell family, and the Raphael family, who would likely become entangled in a complex game, ignoring him for a few moments. Damien felt the need to move, so he stood and walked out of the garden in the direction of the hospital, which was still two miles away. Without a single penny to his name, he was unable to book a taxi. He had no choice but to walk. --- "M-mom?" Emilia entered the ICU, where a woman with bandages and a patient gown lay sleeping with an oxygen mask over her face. The sounds of machines were buzzing around her. "When will she wake up?" Emilia inquired, looking toward the heartbeat monitor and other displays that showed her mother''s current state¡ªstable, but not well. "We don''t know, but it appears she has fallen into a coma," the nurse who had guided Emilia to the room said, bowing as she informed her about her mother''s status. The woman had been through an intense accident that could have cost her life. However, it appeared she survived solely by her will to live. It was as if she were fighting to avoid death, forcing herself with each breath to remain conscious and alive until the end. But eventually, there is a limit to how far a human can push themselves with sheer will. This was evident from her present condition¡ªshe was now in a coma. Chapter 67 - 67 - Emilias Mothers Secret (1) "Oh, Sir Damien, where were you?" the doctor, who had just attended to a patient while moving toward the reception, noticed Damien entering through the doorway. Clasping his hand, he moved toward him, greeting him with a hint of pleasantry in his voice. "Just for a walk," Damien calmly replied before looking toward the doctor and adding, "You need to do a paternity test for me, doctor." "S-sorry?" Suddenly hearing Damien refer to a paternity test, the doctor was slightly surprised, considering that it might be related to Damien''s illegitimate child or something. After all, it was no secret that Damien Raphael had a somewhat bad and unreliable reputation. "I would hope you keep it a secret, doctor," Damien moved forward toward the particular individual who was next in line to deal with. Having finally finished dealing with the Raphael family and making them busy for a few days, he sought to sort out matters with the Blakes. Specifically, now that Emilia Blake was most likely under his favor, another anomaly that needed to be addressed in her business had to be handled. "I understand, but we will need blood samples, sir," the doctor nodded before informing him about the need to collect blood samples from both the parent and the child to conduct the paternity test. Damien, without answering, moved toward the ICU at the end of the corridor on the ground floor before entering. "D-Damien? Are you okay?" Emilia sat at a table close to the bed where her mother lay, holding one of her mother''s hands with both of her own. As she wiped away the tears that threatened to fall at the sight of her mother''s condition, she noticed Damien walking into the room. "Yes, how is she?" Damien inquired, glancing at Emilia while taking a peek at the woman who lay on the bed, a grin forming on his face, given how this woman was much more stubborn than he had anticipated to even survive all this and was now trapped in the consequences she would need to face in the future. Naturally, Damien had initially decided to just kill this woman but then changed his mind to give her another chance, where she needed to survive by her will. But now that she had survived, he needed to tame her, to make her do things the way he wanted. At this moment, he had exactly the particular tool he could use against this woman. "They said she is in a coma," Emilia clenched her hand and turned her gaze downward, not caring about the smile she had noticed on his face, considering she had already identified him as a devil. "I see..." Damien nodded before glancing at the woman, who appeared wrinkled and old even for her age. He then turned his attention back to Emilia, stretched out his hand, and placed it on her shoulder, adding, "The doctor said he needs to take your and aunt''s blood samples for some tests. Will that be fine?" ''!?'' ''Huh? Is she the one to have a test?'' Standing behind Damien, the doctor understood that the paternity test he needed to perform was on these two women, who were mother and daughter, according to the previous information provided by Damien. "....fine," Emilia only nodded before lifting her gaze to look at Damien. She stretched her hand and pulled him into a hug, emotionally cornered and feeling the pain of seeing her mother in that state. "Emilia, will you believe me if I say I can heal your mother?" Damien inquired as he slowly rested his hand on her head, lightly caressing her hair while her head was against his abdomen, her hands wrapped around his waist. "Nhhm..." Emilia, hearing his words, wanted to shake her head in denial, but somehow she wanted to trust this man, prompting her to nod while not saying anything, her mouth shut as she struggled to control her tears since she knew Damien was just trying to console her. "Fine, doctor, prepare to take blood samples of Emilia and her mother while also bringing several silver needles for me," Damien turned his head toward the doctor and ordered, making the doctor slightly taken aback as he glanced at the woman who was in a coma. He thought about how he should convince Damien not to try some unproven medical technique on her, given it could be fatal, but instead, he remained silent. The doctor only nodded before turning, as his priority was not these two women but Damien himself, so whatever he ordered would be followed, even if, due to some medical errors, something happened to these women. After all, this is how the world worked, where one needed to sacrifice something in the hope of climbing the hierarchy. As the doctor slowly left the room, Damien looked down at Emilia, who was hugging him, before turning his eyes toward the woman in the coma with an oxygen mask on her face, a smile forming on his face as he inwardly commanded, ''Show me her status window.'' ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Name: Visana Age: 32 Strength: 8 (10 for an average human adult) Agility: 7 (30 for a professional athlete) Vitality: 3 (10 for a healthy human) Charm: 32/100 (Degraded due to ingestion of poisonous herbs and drugs) Luck: 43/100 (average human luck) Measurements: Height: 173 cm (5''7") Weight: 60 kg (132 lbs) Breast: 100 cm (40 in) Waist: 64 cm (25 in) Hips: 102 cm (40 in) Skin Tone: Creamy, fair skin with a seductive sheen, soft to the touch Bust-Waist-Hip Ratio: 100-64-102 cm (40-25-40 in) Cup Size: Full DD, bordering on E, with a generous, rounded shape Hair: Thick, silky black hair with a glossy shine, cascading style that reaches her hips. Eyes: Smoky, almond-shaped eyes with a deep, tantalizing brown hue, exuding an irresistible, sultry gaze. Lips: Plush, voluptuous lips with a seductive curve, naturally full and inviting, with a soft, moist sheen. About: Very ambitious woman, stubborn, and shrewd. Favorability level: 10/100 (stranger) ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? ''What a mess,'' Damien thought, looking at the unconscious woman. As he glanced at her name and age, which revealed all her secrets, he realized it was time to yet again clean up another issue that he would have originally ignored, considering it was about a side character¡ªEmilia Blake. But now, he needed to address this issue regarding this woman who claimed to be Emilia''s mother, whose official name was Aisana Blake, not Visana Blake. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 68 - 68- Damien is a doctor? "I hope it didn''t hurt, Miss Emilia," a nurse said as she slowly pulled the blood out through a syringe from Emilia''s hand before collecting the blood in a small tube while smiling and inquiring. "No, it''s fine," Emilia shook her head, applying pressure with a cotton ball to her hand where the needle had just been inserted. She then turned to face her mother as the nurse approached to take her blood sample as well. "Sir Damien, do you need anything else?" As the nurse collected the blood samples, the doctor, glancing at Damien, was by a table where he was disinfecting and cleaning the silver needles he had requested. He used alcohol and other cleaning solutions typically found in hospitals. "No, you both may leave," Damien replied in a calm tone, clearly showing his intention of not having anyone inside the room except Emilia when he applied the treatment. "W-we understand," the doctor said, interested in observing the medical treatment traditionally called acupuncture, though it wasn''t widely popular among practitioners due to a lack of scientific proof, as modernization had advanced enough to fade away such typical old methods. "Emilia, turn your mother over before removing her clothes," Damien said with a calm voice and a composed demeanor while focusing on arranging the dinner on the tray. He ordered Emilia, who was slightly taken aback. "Wh-why clothes?" Emilia stood from her place and inquired, somewhat aware of his perverted personality but not to the level where she thought he would take advantage of the situation; she still wanted to know. "You see, I need to perform acupuncture. Do you want me to puncture her organs by applying it above her clothes?" Damien replied, giving Emilia a look with a raised brow as he revealed his obvious intentions. "W-wait? Puncture her organs?!" Emilia, hearing the dangerous aspect of the acupuncture technique Damien was proposing, felt taken aback as she approached him while looking into his eyes intentionally, as if doubting that he may harm her mother. "Come on, just have faith in me," Damien let out a sigh and shook his head, wondering if humanity even existed when he saw Emilia doubting his kindness and whether he really cared. He genuinely wanted to treat her mother, and here she was doubting him? "...yes, why not," Emilia just averted her gaze, hiding her expression, which revealed that not even 1% of her trusted this man, who was yesterday known as a worthless person. Today he showed her his perverted side and now claimed to be a doctor. She couldn''t even wrap her head around the idea that he knew what paracetamol was, let alone that he had any medical talent. "Just do what I say, or...." Damien, seeing that Emilia was not being active, looked at her before slowly moving forward, knowing that this woman needed doses from time to time. "Or...?" Emilia inquired, her eyes fixed on his face, which slowly reached her ears as his breath was clearly audible to her, and warmth was sensible on her skin. "Or what? I would just do it myself," Damien, seeing how her breathing slightly increased, instantly retreated and shrugged his shoulder, replying in a nonchalant way. "Tch, what I expected," Emilia shook her head before gesturing for Damien to turn his eyes to the other side before she started to undress the patient uniform''s shirt her mother wore and then laid her on her front with her bare back clearly visible. "You can start," Emilia fixed her stare and balled her fists, getting ready to throw a punch if this guy dared to pull anything sketchy with her mom. She was laser-focused on his hands, not wanting to give him a single chance. "Umm, you look cute," Damien noticed how Emilia appeared while looking intently at his hand with her fist clenched, appearing more like a baby bear trying to protect her mother, which he found cute. "Wh-what?!" Emilia, suddenly hearing his words, covered her face with one hand as she felt her cheeks turn crimson with warmth spreading across them, feeling embarrassed and her heart racing as she really felt this man was again teasing her. "How easy," Damien grinned as he noticed how embarrassed Emilia became just from a simple compliment. He then turned towards her mother, who lay on the bed, while he had no physical attraction or emotion regarding this woman claiming to be Emilia''s mother. Naturally, the reason why Damien became physical with Emilia was to reassure loyalty and tie down a loyal person to him. And given that nothing can be much stronger than love, he subdued her in the best possible way he could think of. But this definitely wasn''t the case with her mother, considering that even thinking of getting physical with her would ruin all the hard work he had done to make Emilia loyal to him, and additionally, there was no reason to use physical relations when he could just subdue her in other ways. [ Using the Basic Divine Doctor (Level 1) detected. ] "I am starting," with those words Damien took out the needles from the tray and, with a precise motion, holding a silver needle, pierced it near the woman''s neck where her spinal cord was attached. Following the same trail down the path of the woman''s spinal cord, he started to slowly add a needle every two vertebrae and the third one he inserted. Naturally, the brain controls all bodily functions by using electrical signals transmitted through neurons, which are present in various receptors throughout the body. The nerves that carry these signals are enclosed within the spinal cord, which provides them with protection. "She is not moving," Emilia observed as Damien casually poked small silver needles in a straight line along her spinal cord, feeling the visionary pain within herself while also noting how his medical technique did not seem to make her mother move. "I am not some Divine Doctor who can show some miracle, so keep calm," Damien used one hand to gesture for Emilia to be quiet while he focused on his work, taking the needles as he started to poke them into other areas around the shoulders and the lower region where the kidneys existed. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien adjusted the final needle with care, his hands steady as he aligned it precisely over the kidney region. "Acupuncture," Damien began, his voice calm but deliberate as he kept his eyes fixed on the nerves, "works by stimulating specific points in the body. These points align with nerve clusters and blood vessels. When needles are inserted, they can trigger the body''s natural healing processes by affecting neurotransmitters and promoting the release of endorphins." As he spoke, he inserted a final needle along the adrenal gland near her mother''s kidneys. "In this case," he continued, "I''m targeting the adrenal system to stimulate the release of catecholamines¡ªhormones like adrenaline¡ªwhich can elevate her heart rate, blood pressure, and help kickstart the brain''s response systems." "And where did you learn all this?" Emilia''s eyes narrowed as she heard him explaining some medical details, feeling suspicious of this man who was trying to convince her by uttering information that went over her head, prompting her to inquire. "Huh? Isn''t it obvious?" Damien, halting, glanced towards Emilia as a smile started to form on his face, wanting to tease her even more. "I learned all this from UTube." "!?...D-Damien..." Emilia''s eyes trembled the moment she heard him confessing before she lifted one fist with irritation, understanding that this man had fooled her and was pulling a prank on her mother, causing her to strike her fist at his face. "Damiiieeeen! You scamming rascaaaal!!!" Chapter 69 - 69- Visana "So, I''m guessing you''re the one who saved me, right?" A woman with heavy eyes appeared exhausted, having gone through the toll of blood loss. She sat on a hospital bed while glancing towards a man standing at some distance from her, before looking down at another young woman who was hugging her. "Y-yes, mother... sob... D-Damien saved you," Emilia said, unable to control her tears. Seeing her mother awake, she tightened her hand around her, unwilling to let her go, as she had lost hope just like previously with what had happened to her father, but still her mother was able to survive. "...I see," the woman was gazing at her daughter, sporting a tired smile as she lifted her hand to gently pat her daughter''s head, then turned to face Damien, both of them sharing a moment of weariness. "Thank you for saving me, Sir Damien." "It''s my pleasure, Aunt Visana," Damien replied with a gentle smile. "You are kind¡ª!?!?" The woman was about to greet him again but suddenly felt as if something struck her body. A realization dawning over her as if the whole world turned upside down, with her hand clenching the bedsheet as her eyes widened looking at Damien with her jaw clenched. All her weariness and the gratefulness towards them instantly vanished, replaced by anger and a slight bit of hesitation, hearing how her life''s biggest secret was known to this man. "Emilia, leave the room," the woman coldly looked towards Damien with malicious intent, clenching her hands enough for her nails to dig into her flesh, ordering Emilia to leave the room. "Huh? Why?" Emilia suddenly halted as she heard her mother''s tone, which appeared firm and as if she was not ill or had gone through an accident right now. "I said, leave the room, Emilia!" the woman yelled, not being able to control herself, causing Emilia, who was retreating back from the hug, to flinch as she felt her heart escape a bit from hearing her mother yell at her for the first time. "M-mom?" Emilia looked at her with her widened eyes, not understanding the reason for her to react so aggressively and yell at her, prompting her eyes to turn towards Damien, who was smiling at her mother. "It''s fine, Emilia, you can leave for now; this is just a small side effect of acupuncture," Damien preserved his tone as if taunting the woman to yell at Emilia while holding a smirk, seeing how he had just caught this woman off guard without having the hassle to reveal things slowly in a dramatic way. "W-what? A side effect? She''s gonna be okay, right?" Emilia, looking towards Damien, slowly started to stand from her seat. While clearing her remnant tears, she looked at Damien with an anxious gaze, who met her eyes and nodded, assuring her as she moved towards the door, not forgetting to take a peek at her mother, adding before leaving, "I will bring something to eat, mother." "....." The woman heard Emilia''s words but did not turn her gaze towards her, keeping herself focused on Damien with clenched fists, clearly overcoming all her physical fatigue just by sheer will, as if she were completely healthy. Though of course inwardly she was not able to move due to physical exhaustion, her mind seemed far stronger than that of a middle-aged woman. "Hm, so if my guess is correct, then you must have killed your sister?" Damien, with closed eyes and an open arm, tried to make a wild guess, instantly tilting his head as something sharp tearing through the air passed right beside his ears before landing on the wall behind him. "Haah? So, my guess was wrong?" Damien slowly opened his eyes as he looked towards the sight in front of him¡ªVisana leaned forward in an instance of a knife throw, her jaw clenched enough to show her visible rage in the form of teeth, her fist clenched with her body tightened in a predatory stance¡ªmaking him smirk. "Pfft, don''t tell me you thought to attack me with that body of yours?" "Haah....Haaah.....bastard!" Visana hissed with clear rage, her eyes saturating with the green veins bulging near her neck as her messed-up hair scattered over her face due to the recoil of her leaning, clearly unable to hide the rage expression on her face. "Bastard? Come on, this is not the way one treats their son-in-law," Damien moved towards a table, not approaching the woman, as he felt that she was dangerous. Not knowing well about her, considering she was the mother of a supporting character, there was not much mentioned about her in any plot he had read in the provided documentation about her having any role in Damien''s fall. But from the fact that Emilia was a supporting character, even though she could hardly support herself, he couldn''t think of any way how she could be of any support to any of the characters who played a devastating role in Damien''s life, except that someone behind Emilia was helping her out. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Given the fact that her father was already dead and the company was already in ruins, with her mother smart enough to try to get it back, it all came down to the fact that most likely it was her mother who, in truth, was behind the support that was bestowed upon Emilia as a supporting character. "What nonsense are you spouting?" Visana was hardly controlling her anger, not because she wanted to, but her physical body was as if breaking from within, not giving her enough strength to do something to this man, as all the poisons she had consumed in hope to make her body appear more aged, just like her twin sister. "Nonsense? Oh, you just woke up, so you don''t know, but mother-in-law, you can expect a grandchild in 9 months," Damien, looking at the woman, lifted his head slightly, giving her a smirk and a clear, mocking smile. "How dare you lay hands on my daughter!¡ªTHUD!" Chapter 70 - 70- A backstory Visana was unable to control her anger, and in a fit of rage to attack the man who dared to lay his hands on her daughter, she fell from the bed, hitting the floor. Her body was already reaching its limit, where even her strong mind, honed from her previous profession as an assassin, seemed to be of little help. Seeing a pitiful woman yelling at him and displaying her position as a mother, Damien couldn''t help but want to provoke her even more. He slowly knelt from the table, setting it aside as he seated himself on his toes, not even daring to close the distance to her, having seen how her aim was directly toward his eyes just moments ago. He added, "Pfft, not just my hand; I even laid my whole body and rubbed it hard all over your daughter." "Damien!" The woman was unable to control her anger as she cried out, her hands stretching toward the man. Flat on the ground, she couldn''t even lift her head due to being completely exhausted, as if her whole body were paralyzed. The only thing she could do was show her visible anger and feel helpless. Otherwise, she would have buried this man right then and there. "Ahem, let''s tease you some other time," Damien said, noting that just as he was drawn to tease Emilia all the time, he was now feeling the same urge toward her mother. He coughed as he focused on his work, standing and walking toward a drawer to take out the papers in an envelope that the doctor had provided him moments ago regarding the paternity test. "So, Emilia is not your biological daughter, am I correct?" Damien threw the report directly toward Visana, who could only clench her fists as she saw all the papers scattered in front of her, her anger making her want to kill this man, even at the cost of suffering internal injuries or bleeding. "You have cut your life short by doing this, Damien!" the woman yelled again while lying flat on the floor, dressed in a patient uniform and unable to move at all. She felt frustrated by her helplessness as she thought about how the paternity test could provide proof that would convince Emilia she was not her biological mother, destroying all the efforts she had put in over the years to be a good and kind mother. "Cry all you want; this room is soundproof," Damien said, scratching one ear. He reminded her of the hospital room''s soundproof nature, meant to avoid outside noise disturbing the patients, as he folded his arms and looked down at her. "Let me heal first¡ª" Visana turned her face toward the marble floor, her breath scattering the dust nearby, her eyes red with the clear rage building up inside her. She finally recognized Damien as her enemy, the man who had pushed her to the corner where she felt compelled to touch her weapons, which she had promised never to do again, but was interrupted in the middle. "I will not tell Emilia anything," Damien replied nonchalantly in a casual tone, his eyes fixed on her body, which was lying on the floor with her cascading hair covering her face. "Do you think I would believe you?" Visana felt cornered by this man, who had information about something more precious to her than her own life. Now he was claiming he would not reveal these things to Emilia, as if trying to blackmail her. "Don''t believe me now; once I give you a football team of grandchildren, then¡ª" Damien, observing how the woman was still acting stubbornly, averted his gaze toward the ceiling. As he expected, knowing well about this woman''s weaknesses, she instantly interrupted. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No, no, I believe you! I believe you," Visana said, unable to move her hands to cover her ears, which forced her to accept whatever he said, not wanting to hear any more nonsense about her daughter. "Hm, now tell me why you care so much about Emilia when she isn''t even your daughter?" Before getting to his priorities, Damien wanted to understand this woman''s background and why she was reacting so strongly to the mention of Emilia, considering the two were not related by blood. "You... how much do you know?" Visana, hearing his question about the reason, felt that she had fallen for this man''s trick, revealing that she cared about Emilia through her overreaction to his taunts. This made her feel deceived, falling into such an obvious trap. Naturally, given how he had just performed the paternity test, it was clear he wanted to confirm if Emilia was her daughter or not. When he saw she wasn''t, he likely wanted to know if he could use Emilia against her. The situation was unlike her usual demeanor, and due to her exhaustion, she didn''t catch it in time, losing her composure and revealing her particular weakness to him. "Nothing, so start talking," Damien said, not nearing even a hand''s distance from this woman, feeling somewhat threatened by her presence as if that single shot from her had triggered his instincts into survival mode. Of course, once he tamed this woman, it would be much easier, but he needed to understand what this whole drama was about first. "I was originally from the main city..... Visana began recounting her story to Damien, explaining how Emilia''s life changed when she was just nine years old. Emilia''s real mother, Aisana, was killed by Visana''s enemies during a visit to the main city. At that time, Visana was a prominent member of an infamous assassination group called the Nightcrawler, recognized as the world''s strongest with a remarkable success rate of 96% to 98%. Visana was not only a founding member of the organization but had also taken on a mission to assassinate a member of the royal family. However, after successfully completing the mission, her client betrayed her, sending an army of assassins to kill her. Chapter 71 - 71 - Pushing the Cornered Cat That same day, Aisana, Emilia''s mother, had come to visit Visana, bringing along her nine-year-old daughter. In a matter of moments, the mansion was surrounded by professional assassins¡ªover 100 of them, some even hired from other countries. They stormed in, attacking anyone they came across, turning the place into a gruesome battleground. Amid the chaos, Aisana, realizing the danger, hid her daughter Emilia under a chimney. Since Aisana resembled Visana, she used herself as bait to lure the assassins away, running to draw them toward her. This gave Visana the time she needed to fight back. She managed to defeat the assassins one by one, but by the time she had killed the last one, it was too late. Visana found Aisana in a pool of blood, dying in her arms. In her final moments, Aisana made Visana promise to leave behind her life of assassination and raise Emilia as her own, giving her the love and care that Aisana could no longer provide. At just 23 years old, Visana was devastated by the loss of her sister, a loss she blamed on her own actions. To keep her promise, she took Emilia and fled to Camphrian City. Using her knowledge of poisons, Visana aged her appearance with wrinkles, making herself look like Aisana to protect Emilia and hide from their enemies. "....I am sorry," Damien feigned guilt, appearing genuinely disheartened after hearing the story of Visana, understanding that he shouldn''t have asked her about her backstory. After all, now he couldn''t help but feel greedy to have this woman by his side, given that she was the most helpful woman for him. "I don''t need your pity," Visana, unable to lift her head, could not see what expression Damien was making, but at least hearing his tone, she felt as if he were trying to show her sympathy, which she desperately didn''t want, considering that she had done everything in her power to remain as silent as she could, and she had even studied business; this was not to gain pity from someone. "I meant, I am sorry for Emilia, who is not even aware of her real mother''s death," Damien said, shaking his head. Now that he had grabbed the rope which was attached to this woman''s neck, he was not going to leave this place; instead, he was even thinking of making it tighter. "Y-you, don''t tell me..." Visana suddenly felt her eyes tremble, understanding that he was going to reveal everything to Emilia, making her feel anxious as she tried to lift her head, struggling to finally settle her eyes on him. But due to her weakness, her neck trembled as if any moment her head would hit the floor. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Indeed, I am going to tell her everything if you do not follow what I say," Damien, looking into her eyes in a bold tone, declared, clearly showing a smirk. "What do you want?" Visana gritted her teeth, knowing very well that after hearing about her tumultuous background, he would most likely use her to do more murders, which weren''t unexpected since if she had been in his place, while having a weak position as the leader of the Raphael group, she would have done the same. "I want you to help Emilia in handling the business," Damien, already aware of what this woman must be thinking, prioritized using her for now as a consultant to make Emilia somewhat helpful for him, considering how he could trust her, but not this woman. Since more than strength, loyalty matters. And if you can make that loyal person more useful, then it would be beneficial. "Huh? What?" Visana was taken aback, looking toward Damien, who showed a smile at her, causing her eyes to tremble,, not understanding what this man was saying out of nowhere, acting all kind and merciful when just now he had tried to blackmail her. "To tell the truth, I did all this just because I feared you would separate Emilia from me," Damien, with a straight face, lied. "....." Visana, hearing Damien''s confession, was slightly taken aback as he showed his genuine care for Emilia rather than wanting to use her. This made her inquire, "Emilia is naive, so she might not see through your hidden motives, but don''t take me for a fool, Damien!" "Tch, it''s really not easy to fool smart people," Damien, hearing Visana''s words, shook his head, showing how he found it a hassle to convince these types of people who use their brains more than they could afford. He moved toward her; due to all the vigorous motion, her body was now immobilized, and he placed one foot on one of her hands. "Aughh.....! Y-you?!" Visana suddenly felt her right hand being crushed under his shoe, the hardness of his boot causing her to groan in pain, considering how using poisons on her had already corroded her body beyond repair. She had lost all her physique that she possessed nine years ago as a top assassin. "So, instead of dealing with them, I find it much easier to kill them," Damien, looking down with a cold tone, threatened this woman while rubbing his boot on her fingers. "Argh...! Damien! Do you think Emilia will forgive you after this?!" Visana was at her weakest, as she had already destroyed her own achievements and body in these nine years. After the accident, she was even weaker than a normal adult, prompting her to use the Emilia''s name, knowing well how Damien seemed to hold some value for her. "Forgive? She will even forget about you once I reveal the secret that you killed her parents," Damien grinned, hearing this woman using his own methods against him, prompting him to feel amused as he was soon going to score a perfect win against this woman and corner her into helplessness. "Bullshit! I didn''t kill them! How dare you?!" Visana, groaning in pain, yelled as she felt, for the first time, regret over her decision to destroy her body. She considered how she would have been able to kill this man today if only she had been in perfect health. She tried to move her body, but it was all useless. "Pfft," Damien sneered as, with a devilish tone, he whispered, "But who will tell Emilia this?" Chapter 72 - 72- Escape "Argh... Y-you?!" Visana''s hands throbbed with pain, and fueled by anger, she directed all her rage at Damien. Feeling utterly helpless and depleted from the recent accident and her overwhelming exhaustion, she could only endure the agony at the hands of the man who dared to lay a finger on her daughter. "Tch, let me clarify this again: I want you to become my slave¡ªa good slave who makes money." Damien''s ears pricked at her winces and groans, and he realized he should ease up on her fingers. The risk of breaking them was too great, especially with her already being in such a fragile state of near death. "Urgh...f...uck off!" "Haah, Screw mercy." The moment he heard her curse, any flicker of mercy he might have had vanished. He increased the pressure until he felt the sickening crack of her bones under his boot. "Arrrghh!? I-it, y-you bastard¡ªcrack!" Not stopping there, he began to grind his shoe against her fingers, worsening the damage to the point that her nerves were beginning to deteriorate and the state of her hand became progressively dire; the kind of condition no doctor could return to its original form. "Stop! Stop!" Visana''s mind raced as she realized she was utterly cornered, mercilessly attacked while poisoned and vulnerable. The humiliation ignited a furious blaze within her, a desire to kill this man rising within her chest. But to fulfill that ambition, she first needed to recover. Thus she resolved to tackle the immediate situation and find a way to kill him later. "Why? I just need your brain, and seeing how you plan to off me afterward, wouldn''t it make more sense to break your hands instead?" Damien raised an eyebrow, fully aware of the thoughts that crossed the minds of cornered individuals, knowing full well he would think similarly if the roles were reversed. He showed no mercy as he pressed down with all his might. "Urgh... Y-you will not touch my daughter!¡ªBAM!" Visana winced as her forehead pressed against the cold tiles before lifting her head and swiftly, with much force, hit the tiles. Her intense determination was evident as she felt the world closing in around her. In that moment, she understood the depths to which Damien would sink to achieve his goals. She realized that he wouldn''t hesitate to discard her daughter if he deemed her useless in the future. The thought was unbearable. For Visana, surrendering Emilia to a man like him was not an option. Rather than allowing herself to be a pawn in Damien''s cruel game, she would prefer to end her life right now. With only the two of them in the room, and with Damien holding evidence against her that could prove she wasn''t Emilia''s biological mother, the fallout would be catastrophic but even with that Emilia would never forgive him for killing the woman who had raised her with love and care. Moreover, Visana understood that Damien needed her to teach Emilia about business, or rather, to make Emilia a useful asset to him. If she were no longer around, he would have no reason to keep Emilia by his side and would likely abandon her sooner rather than later. drip drip In an instant, blood began to trickle from her forehead, prompting Damien to narrow his gaze as he observed the scene unfolding before him. Without hesitation, he knelt and placed his hand between her head and the floor the moment she tried to lift her head to hit it on the floor. BAM "¡­you really hit hard," Damien muttered, feeling the force of her forehead slamming against his hand before it met the unyielding floor beneath, becoming quickly saturated with her blood. Dealing with this stubborn woman was turning into quite a hassle for him. "Haah¡­ Haaah¡­ don''t even think about getting your hands on my daughter," Visana gasped, struggling to breathe. Her eyes grew hazy from the impact, and as she glared defiantly at Damien, blood trickled from her forehead, coursing down through her nose and over her eyebrow, painting her face a vivid shade of crimson. DING [ Vitality level reached critical level 1 --? Target will die in 3 seconds ] As the harsh reality of her situation dawned on her, Visana sensed her life slipping away. Once focused solely on survival after the accident, her thoughts now turned to escaping from this man. She was determined that either he or she would be destroyed, refusing to let him lay claim to either her or her daughter¡ªeven if it meant sacrificing her own life. As darkness began to envelop her mind, she managed to part her blood-streaked lips in a final effort, whispering, "I w¡­on¡­" Her vision darkened and she found herself immersed in an all-consuming darkness, trapped in an abyss where her entire body was rendered indistinct, dissolved within the shadows. Only her face remained, slowly becoming obscured as the void claimed her. A faint smile graced Visana''s lips despite the encroaching abyss, her head beginning to sag towards the ground. Her heartbeat dwindled to a mere flutter¡ªmost likely, her body from the neck down had already succumbed to death''s grasp. In her final moments, as her consciousness began to dissolve, shock rippled through her at the thought of her utterly unexpected situation. She was dying right now when she wanted to live for her daughter, just because of this man, a demon who destroyed her life, at which she, being cornered, could do nothing but bite her own tongue and kill herself. Only one thought vanishing with her consciousness as she finally succumbed to eternal sleep reverted inside her dying mind and even in the mumbled voice, "y...ou l..ost D..am..ie¡ª" "Did you really think you could escape me, even in death?" Damien interrupted her in the middle as he saw Visana''s life slipping away. Without hesitation, he stretched out his hand and grabbed the front of her cloth, yanking her towards him with enough force that the top button of her patient gown tore open, exposing part of her cleavage. Her body, weakened and lifeless, collided into his. His eyes fixated on her blood-streaked lips, with a grin forming he muttered,"I''ll make sure you regret that." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 73 - 73- Not a chance He pulled her closer, adjusting his grip as he lowered himself to the floor, settling her in his lap. Her legs naturally parted, falling to either side of his hips, while his own legs crossed beneath her, forming a stable base. One of his arms remained wrapped around her waist, holding her upright, while the other gently guided her thigh, closing any remaining distance between them. Her head slumped against his shoulder as he cradled her body, but there was no intimacy in his movements¡ªonly purpose. [ Use of Healing Potion (can even regenerate the severed limb) detected ] The healing potion appeared in his mouth, and without a second thought, he pressed his lips against hers, ensuring the potion would reach her before it was too late. As though something far darker than the abyss itself were stretching its hand into the void where she was dissolving, a sensation suddenly engulfed Visana, causing her eyes to widen. She was yanked back from the precipice of death, consciousness flickering as something warm and soft pressed against her blood-drenched lips, muffling her voice. The sharp sting of pain from her forehead faded, replaced by an unexpected sensation on her lips¡ªDamien''s mouth pressed against hers. "Mmmmph¡­" She whimpered, her heart weakly fluttering in her chest, but she knew it was momentary due to the shock and that she would soon die. Visana felt a deep sense of vulgarity and disgust at this man who, even in her dying moments, dared to kiss her while claiming his love for her daughter. It provided her with a twisted sense of assurance that, even after her death, he would find himself cornered with nothing. It didn''t matter that he had taken her first kiss; in the end, she felt victorious, knowing she would leave this world with his final struggle of helplessness etched in her mind. Yet, buried beneath her anger was a profound sadness as the memories of her child''s growth slowly dissolved¡ªmoments where she had earnestly tried to be a good mother were slipping away, just like her life. A small tear began its descent down her cheek, a tear that had never come even at the sight of her sister''s death. His breath was hot, mingling with the metallic tang of her blood smeared across her mouth. The warmth of his lips surged through her, jolting her from the dark abyss she had been prepared to embrace. Without warning, a sudden wetness invaded her mouth¡ªthe healing potion sliding over her tongue as Damien forced it past her lips. Their kiss deepened with every heartbeat. "Slurp...uhm.." The faint sound echoed in the otherwise silent room, the kiss''s quiet intensity piercing the air. Her instinct was to resist, yet her body, limp and on the verge of death, betrayed her. The burning sensation of the potion spread through her, a strange vitality mingling with the overwhelming revulsion she felt towards him. Her muscles trembled, caught in a battle between conflicting sensations¡ªdisgust and an unfamiliar surge of life vying for dominance over her senses. "Gulp... gulp..." Each pulse of the potion surged into her with the kiss, carried by Damien''s lips in slow, deliberate movements. He cradled the back of her head, holding her close, as if refusing to let her slip away from him¡ªnot even into death. He pressed harder, his lips firm against hers, as if sealing a pledge that he would not allow her to die under his watch. Her thoughts, once filled with anger and bitterness, blurred, disjointed by the steady rhythm of their kiss. She felt his tongue brush against hers briefly, sending an unsettling jolt through her paralyzed body. The wet sounds of their lips meeting¡ªsmacking softly together¡ªonly intensified the surreal horror of the moment. "Slurp... smack..." The sound echoed louder in her ears. Visana''s eyelids fluttered, her breath quickening. Understanding that whatever liquid was going down her throat was healing her, she tried to look at him, although not from passion¡ªher mind churned with pure confusion and indignation. How could this man, this monster who had torn apart her body and soul, now be using a kiss to save her? She wanted to bite his tongue, to spit the potion back in his face, but her strength failed her. The bitter taste of the healing potion, now mingled with the warmth of his saliva, slid down her throat. "Mmhhh... slurp..." With each passing moment, her shattered bones began to realign, her body healing under the effects of the potion he forced upon her. The kiss was relentless, the obscenity of their connection heightening the discomfort within her. Yet, her traitorous body began to respond. Her heartbeat, once erratic and faint, started to stabilize. The life that had been slipping away was being tugged back into her, one breath, one kiss at a time. "Slurp... smack... gulp...." Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Damien pulled back, his lips leaving hers with a wet pop. He gazed down at her, his eyes dark and unreadable, a trace of her blood smeared at the corner of his mouth. He languidly licked it away, as if savoring the taste. "You''re not dying yet," he whispered, his voice low and commanding. "Not after revealing how useful you can be." Damien slowly distanced her to a hand''s distance as a precaution, bringing both his hands and wrapping them around her body, including grasping her arms along her body. Visana lay in his embrace, her chest heaving as the warmth of the potion surged through her body, healing her. She felt her strength returning, the numbness in her limbs fading, yet her soul felt dirtier than ever. The haunting mix of emotions swirled within her¡ªrevulsion, bitterness, confusion, and a flicker of life¡ªleaving her in a tumultuous state. Yet, this turmoil was short-lived. It was soon eclipsed by an overwhelming surge of anger that clouded her thoughts. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As she felt her body gradually returning to its normal state¡ªno, it felt as if she were returning to her former self from nine years ago¡ªher instincts kicked in. She clenched her hands into fierce claws, her long nails resembling the talons of a predator. Driven by a primal urge, she aimed to rend his flesh and rip out his heart. SWISH A chilling tone accompanied her claw as it shot through the air towards his chest. "Damien! Watch as your heart is ripped out, beating one last time... then everything goes black!!" Chapter 74 - 74 - Subduing (1) As an assassin, she had long since honed her skills, and now, with her body seemingly back to its former strength and memories flooding her mind, she forgot the promise she had made to her sister¡ªa vow to never take another life. SWISH In a frenzied moment, she lunged her claw at Damien, her hands aimed directly at his chest, intent on rending his flesh apart and extracting his heart from within. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''?!!'' "Don''t even think about it," Damien warned, tightening his grip as she sat in his embrace. Visana was still recovering, not yet back to her former strength. Perched on his lap with her legs slightly apart, she found herself in a position that made it nearly impossible to break free from his hold. He locked his hands firmly around her, pressing her breasts against his solid chest. Although fabric separated them, it was enough to keep her body restrained. "Let me go!" Visana protested, trying to move her hands. In a burst of defiance, she attempted a head-butt, aiming for his face. But even at this close range, Damien managed to dodge her attack and retaliated with a head-butt of his own. Bam! "Urgh?!" Visana winced. The previous wound on her forehead¡ªinflicted when she had struck it against the tiles¡ªhad barely begun to heal. Now, being met with Damien''s forceful head-butt only aggravated her injury. Though the healing potion she had taken worked to counteract the poisonous herbs she had ingested, it wasn''t prioritizing her external wounds. "Listen carefully, woman," Damien said, realizing that if he continued to indulge her stubbornness, it would only prolong the inevitable. He needed her to understand the seriousness of the situation. "This isn''t a dramatic tale where your sacrifice could save your daughter. Remember this: if you die now, I will kill Emilia without hesitation." "Y-you!" Visana seethed, her urge to kill this man bubbling to the surface as her glare locked onto him. She listened as he threatened her, claiming she wouldn''t dare harm her daughter. "Don''t yell; just listen," Damien said, his voice steady and menacing. "You have two options: first, teach Emilia about business and continue sending me money, or second, face death at my hands, and I''ll send your daughter to join you." His killing intent radiated from him, clearly visible in his eyes, aimed at the woman who had attempted to attack him. He had no intention of killing Emilia; her value was too great for him to simply discard. But her mother''s worth elevated significantly due to what she could offer in terms of assistance. "I will never forgive you," Visana spat, her jaw clenched. She felt helplessly ensnared by him, the words escaping her lips in a near whisper. Deep down, she sensed he spoke the truth and could indeed harm her daughter. "So tell me," Damien continued, his voice firm and low, lingering near her ear to strike fear into her heart, "will you follow my orders, or should I just kill you?" He knew full well that though she was strong enough to overpower him, his speed would allow him to evade her attacks, and he would strike hard if it came to that. He merely needed to demonstrate how weak she was in comparison to him. Breaking her spirit would be challenging, but he didn''t need to do that; her vulnerability was already within his grasp. ".....leave me," Visana murmured through gritted teeth, a hint of resignation in her tone as she lowered her gaze. As he released her, she distanced herself, falling onto the floor, and slowly getting up to sit on the bed. "Send Emilia in." Damien narrowed his eyes at her but turned towards the door, maintaining his guard. He was acutely aware of her presence, knowing that he needed to give her a moment to gather her thoughts and understand that any attempt to threaten her would only lead to loss. ''He is dangerous,'' she thought, seated on the bed, her eyes fixed on Damien''s silhouette. She recognized the threat he posed, considering how he had deftly dodged her attack and his use of a potent healing potion on her. All of this reinforced her suspicions about his abilities and resources¡ªhe could potentially kill her without breaking a sweat. After all, if he had the means to heal her, it wouldn''t be far-fetched to assume he could just as easily inflict harm. The healing potion was not merely mending her wounds; it felt like something profound coursed through her veins, restoring her body to its peak state. As she inspected her hands, she noticed the wrinkled skin, once marked by age, gradually returning to normal, as though the toxins were being expelled from her body. Years of consuming small amounts of poisons had taken their toll, and while many methods could have healed her in this world, Damien''s potion was something extraordinary, prompting her to deliberate more carefully on her next moves. ''I will keep an eye on him for now,'' she resolved, feeling the pain ebb away, replaced by a soothing calm. Each moment that passed seemed to heal not just her body but also her mind, clearing away the stress and anger that had clouded her thoughts. She sat still, observing the remarkable changes unfolding within her. Slowly, she focused on her breath, her eyes fixed on her skin, which was healing and becoming lustrous and soft once again. The wrinkles that had once etched themselves into her flesh were disappearing as if by magic. She could clearly feel her body growing stronger from within, as though some miracle were taking place. As she sat there, lost in this transformation, ten minutes had already slipped by. Her senses sharpened, and she could feel a swell of sadness rising within her, reaching its peak as she heard the sound of footsteps echoing from outside. The movement was disturbingly familiar. It was Emilia. "Mom!" Emilia burst into the room, the door swinging open. Her gaze immediately landed on the woman seated on the bed in a patient uniform, who looked back at her with a weary smile that spoke of defeat. "I''m sorry, my daught¡ª" Visana began, immediately feeling guilty for the harsh words she had spoken earlier. She wanted to apologize but felt as though her entire world had come to a standstill when she heard Emilia''s next words. "Who are you? Where''s my mother? O?_?o " Chapter 75 - 75- A help :: Breaking news: An accident has occurred this morning involving several police officers and reporters. A recording has been circulating on social media and across news channels, alleging that two major families in Camphrian City are behind the incident. :: :: Indeed, it has been reported that the daughter of the Lin family, previously suspected in connection with the kidnapping case of Damien Raphael, was involved in the events that unfolded this morning. :: :: Things are taking a troubling turn as individuals who had reported on the kidnapping have been murdered in a blast. We have obtained the recording of that tragic event, and we invite the public to make their own judgments. :: "What in the world is happening?" The man in the office yelled, hurling his phone against the wall, where it shattered on impact. Anger boiled within him as he watched various media houses seemingly siding with the Crimwell family, refusing to acknowledge the truth. "How could all of this occur? Get Amelia on the phone right now!" The heads of the criminal families could sense their world crumbling around them. The media''s aggressive push of this narrative was alarming, especially after the Crimwell family had clearly denied any involvement in the events. Just as the media had previously propagated the kidnapping of Damien Raphael, the news about the murder of ten individuals spread like wildfire this time. The shocking events were being broadcasted by almost all popular news channels in Camphrian City. While some smaller news agencies hesitated and chose to present the news without commentary¡ªsimply airing the recording to let the public form their opinions¡ªthis restraint was not shared by the more prominent and influential news organizations, which were linked to powerful families within the city. "Y-yes sir," the system standing beside him responded, quickly dialing the number he had specified before passing the phone to him. He yanked the device from her hand, irritation bubbling to the surface. "Hello? Amelia, didn''t you say not to save Edward? How could you even attempt to rescue him yourself?!" He pressed the phone to his ear, his voice escalating as he berated his daughter for the sheer absurdity of acting without informing him in advance about making arrangements for Edward''s escape from the police headquarters. To complicate matters, a recording released by one of the reporters who died in the incident indicated that Edward was the one who had killed everyone involved. Considering Edward''s skills and his formidable mentor, the leaders of the Crimwell family knew well that retaliation from him was not only possible but likely. :: Umm¡­ Hello? What''s going on, Dad? :: A groggy voice, unmistakably Amelia''s, broke through the line, the sound of someone who had just woken up. Her father felt his fist clench as he slammed it onto the table in frustration. "Kyaaa~!" His secretary shrieked as the items on the desk scattered, and she flinched at the sight of her boss''s furious, red eyes glaring ahead as he abruptly stood from his chair. "You idiot! At the very least, shouldn''t you have told me?!" he shouted, his blood pressure rising as he contemplated the disastrous consequences of Amelia''s reckless action to save Edward. :: What? Wait, did you just say I saved Edward? Are you joking, Dad? Didn''t I already refuse your proposal last night? :: "Shut up! You ungrateful brat! You''ve caused nothing but trouble!" He yelled again, bewildered that his daughter couldn''t recognize the mess she had created. :: Why are you yelling at me? At least try to use common sense! Do I have the manpower or the strength to orchestrate an escape from prison?! :: Amelia''s voice had turned sharp, reflecting her discontent over being wrongfully accused of an act she hadn''t committed. "You¡ª!" He opened his mouth to shout once more but halted mid-sentence, grudgingly realizing that it was indeed improbable for someone like Amelia, who was primarily focused on business and had little involvement in the darker realities of life, to have the resources necessary to orchestrate Edward''s escape. With a begrudging sense of clarity, he concluded that either Edward had managed to break free on his own or there was an unseen force at work, pulling the strings in a conspiracy aimed squarely at the Crimwell family. "Courting death!" the man silently yelled as he disconnected the call, barely handing the phone to the secretary''s outstretched hands before it clattered onto the desk. Clenching his fists and resting them on the surface, he felt an urgent need to resolve this situation swiftly and clear the name of the criminal family. However, as he perceived the media outlets'' unwillingness to heed his words, it became increasingly clear that someone far more powerful and influential than him was manipulating the situation from the shadows. "Call that incompetent fool! I want to speak to him!" He rubbed his forehead in frustration, his jaw clenched tightly as he instructed his security personnel to dial the number of the police chief of Camphrian City. "S-Sir, but he''s missing," the secretary stammered, relaying the information she had obtained that morning. Desperate to resolve the crisis, she had attempted to contact the police chief to better understand the status of Edward, whom her boss had ordered to be released on bail. However, it appeared that the man had vanished from prison just the night before. "Damn it!" The man slammed his hand on the desk, frustration surging through him as his blood pressure spiked and his heartbeat quickened. It was painfully evident to him that the police chief''s disappearance was no simple case of fleeing. Instead, he suspected that the man had likely been kidnapped or, worse, eliminated. The only individuals capable of removing someone of the police chief''s caliber¡ªsomeone who wielded significant power and oversight over the justice system and police¡ªcould only belong to a formidable and influential family. "S-Sir? What are your further orders?" The secretary asked, observing her boss clasping his forehead with both hands, appearing utterly exhausted and distressed. Holding her files tight, she felt a pressing need to help resolve the situation urgently, as failure could lead to losses in business and cause several investors to reconsider their commitments. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the worst-case scenario, they could even lose crucial projects if this incident remained unresolved. "Haah... Dial a number," he finally said, collapsing into his chair with a sense of defeat. Chapter 76 - 76- Vandiana Panthera The patriarch of the Crimwell family knew he had to act swiftly. Although it might have appeared trivial at first glance, the truth was that the Crimwell family faced a threat from someone far more powerful. If this situation continued unchecked, they would likely suffer enduring repercussions, particularly with the spread of false information swirling around them. "Yes, sir." The woman took the phone from the desk, dialing attentively while she listened to the digits her boss relayed. Finally, the call connected, and she handed the phone to him. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hello? Who''s on the line? A rat being hunted by a snake?" A soft, melodious voice floated from the speaker, prompting the middle-aged man to grit his teeth. He was hesitant to stoop so low as to ask for a favor from someone like her, but he was well aware of her strength and influence. Gathering his resolve, he took a deep breath and made his request. "...Lady Vandiana, I need your help." As he spoke, his expression transformed into one of determination, tinged with seriousness, a contrast to the frustration simmering beneath the surface. :: And why would I choose to help you? :: Her voice was laced with intrigue as she considered the request from a man in an undeniably precarious position, a request laden with risks. He tightened his grip on the armrest, irritation bubbling just below the surface, yet he managed to control himself. "I hope Lady Vandiana hasn''t forgotten the promise she made to my wife." He couldn''t shake off the memory of the promise of one favor that Vandiana had made to his wife. Given the gravity of the situation, he felt it was the right moment to invoke that favor. :: Heh? I don''t recall mentioning any favor to your wife. :: Vandiana''s tone was curious, her interest piqued by the unexpected mention of a promise regarding a favor that he had never explicitly linked to his current wife. "Y-you!...I¡ª I mean my first wife," he stammered, struggling to maintain his composure. The irritation in his voice was palpable, while his secretary, standing by his side, continued to keep her gaze fixed ahead. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted the thin sheen of sweat forming on her boss''s brow¡ªa reaction to the woman on the other end of the line. Even from her brief exposure, it was clear that she was none other than Vandiana Panthera. As the patriarch spoke with her, the secretary felt the weight of the moment. The fact she had become involved with the patriarch was surprising¡ªVandiana controlled 75% of the underground mafia in the Camphrian city and 40% across the entire country, including connections in the capital. More astonishing was the implication of a favor promised, which represented a vocal guarantee from the underground queen herself. Vandiana had a reputation for never going back on her word and always fulfilling what she had committed to, making the promise all the more potent given the present circumstances. :: Oh yes, you used to have a first wife¡ªmy mistake. But is it not your fault for removing every trace of her existence? :: The amusement in Vandiana''s voice elevated further, considering how this man spoke about the favor he had bestowed upon his first wife, who had died under mysterious circumstances¡ªmost likely from a disease. Shortly after her untimely demise, he remarried and began changing the names of the companies they had built together, erasing nearly all evidence of her presence, save for his daughter from that marriage. For all these years, he had neglected and buried the memory of his first wife, and now he called Vandiana to request a favor, which had been promised to his deceased spouse. It was difficult for her not to feel a sense of disgust at how shameless and despicable someone could be. "Lady Vandiana, this is a family matter, and I hope you will stay out of it." The man could hardly compose himself, his frustration and anger palpable as he grappled with her pointed words. :: Yes, yes, family matters. By the way, I''ve heard your daughter doesn''t want to marry? :: "Lady Vandiana, I have no idea where you got your information, but I have already selected a suitable young man for her," he replied, struggling to maintain his composure. Rather than simply accepting her assistance, this woman was prying into his family matters. Yet, he found himself powerless to retaliate against her cutting remarks. :: A suitable young man? Oh, you mean the son-in-law of the Blakes? :: "No, Damien is unworthy of my daughter. The young man I''ve chosen is someone you are already familiar with." The man''s perseverance was tested as he listened to Vandiana taunt him and expertly extract information, but he remained silent, unable to counter her sharp comments. :: .....You mean Edward? :: The moment Vandiana spoke Edward''s name, it became clear that the man was aware of this young man, who had only recently arrived in Camphrian City. Given his master''s renowned prestige, Edward had already gained favor with several influential families, including the Crimwell family. However, being in Camphrian meant he had yet to cultivate alliances with the more prominent families residing in the main city, who owed numerous favors to his master. "Indeed, he is a once-in-a-lifetime genius, unlike that trash Damien¡ª" The man began to expound on his opinion, convinced that the candidate he had selected for his daughter was superior to the abandoned Raphael heir, but was abruptly cut off. :: Tell me the favor. :: Her tone conveyed disinterest, as if bored with his tangents. Vandiana directly inquired about the favor he sought. "Huh? Oh yes, I need you to deal with those who are targeting my Crimwell family." He was all too aware of the strength this woman possessed; she had the capacity to create chaos. He directly requested her assistance in dealing with the adversaries threatening his family. :: How amusing. You want me to go up against the Raphaels just because of a promise made to a dead person? :: ''!?!?'' "R-Raphael!!" Both the secretary and the man widened their eyes in disbelief the moment the mafia queen uttered the revelation, their expressions trembling as they processed the magnitude of the situation, realizing they had plunged into serious trouble. Chapter 77 - 77- A favour "You can''t be serious!" The man shot up from his chair, covering his face with one hand. If her words were true, it felt as though the Crimwell family was doomed. What bewildered him even more than the knowledge of the Raphael family''s intentions was why they would target the Crimwell family. After all, his daughter still maintained a strong relationship with Damien, who, despite being abandoned by his own family, shared blood ties with them. He had always been aware of how Amelia held a rather unfavorable opinion of Damien, yet he constantly pushed her to foster a closer relationship with him. Although Damien seemed useless, he was a means to an end¡ªa stepping stone to elevate their status within the Raphael family. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The real issue lay with Amelia, who, true to her biological mother''s legacy, was determined to achieve something on her own to prove to society that women could succeed independently. Amelia had repeatedly rejected Damien''s proposals, which concerned him as the patriarch of the Crimwell family. He had tried to persuade her against such foolish decisions, even sending her into a marriage yesterday, hoping that Damien, upon seeing Amelia again, would reconsider and break off his own marriage. He envisioned Damien coming to him, once more, to request a conversation with Amelia. For years, he had acted as a puppeteer, manipulating the situation to exploit Damien''s potential to his advantage, despite the many obstacles he faced. Nevertheless, he had managed to secure several projects involving the Crimwell family due to Damien''s actions. In his eyes, Damien was a golden goose, but nothing more than that. Now, he was left pondering why the Raphael family, having abandoned that useless heir, would choose to target the Crimwell family. Was it because of all the favors and rejections he had garnered by manipulating Damien all these years? Did the Raphael family finally decide to take action against them now that he had been cast aside? All of this was confusing, especially considering how powerful the Raphael family was in the main city¡ªstrong enough to make even the Harrisons think twice before acting. :: You don''t know? Can''t you see how the media is practically promoting your story in light of the abandonment of the Raphael heir? :: Vandiana, speaking through the call, felt a sense of bewilderment. How could someone in his position¡ªa patriarch of one of the top five richest families in Camphrian City¡ªnot recognize that this was merely a public relations strategy by the Raphael family, using the situation to manipulate public opinion? "What!? Do you mean to say they are attempting to shift public opinion?" The man, understanding Vandiana''s words, realized that the Raphael family, looking down on them, did not feel threatened enough to leverage their own name for their clean-up. The thought prompted him to slam his hand down on the desk in frustration. The sheer force cracked the desk, splintering the wood as it struggled to withstand the might of a body-refinement stage cultivator. :: Something similar :: Vandiana felt her interest in the conversation waning as the man on the other end became increasingly erratic. It was troubling to see someone so reckless, especially given that they were being targeted by stronger enemies. Such behavior could undoubtedly lead to disastrous consequences. "Damn it," he muttered through gritted teeth. Frustration surged within him; while he had some relief in not being targeted by the entire Raphael family, he was acutely aware that they likely intended to use him as a pawn to sway public opinion, even at the cost of tarnishing the Crimwell family''s reputation. :: Say something useful or I''ll cut the call. :: Vandiana was thoroughly disenchanted with any further discourse with this man, who seemed utterly bewildered and childlike, despite being the head of a prominent family known in Camphrian City. "Wait, I have another request," he blurted out, suddenly pulled from his thoughts as Vandiana threatened to end the call. It dawned on him that this was not a moment to celebrate the negligible relief of not being targeted; instead, he should be furious that the Raphael family thought so little of the Crimwell family that they''d be willing to use them as cannon fodder. Setting aside his anger for the moment, he swiftly moved to address the immediate priority, adding, "I want to reach the police chief of Camphrian City." Rather than wasting time hunting down Edward, who had escaped from prison and caused this mess, he needed to connect with the police chief to provide a more favorable explanation to the media about Edward''s escape and how it had no ties to the Crimwell family. :: You''ll have him in two hours. :: With a disinterested, almost apathetic tone, Vandiana ended the call. The man, frustrated, relaxed his grip on the phone just moments before the device shattered into pieces as he slammed it down in anger. ''Uwaaaah!? My phone!'' his secretary, who had remained poised and professional throughout, observed the destruction with a blank expression. She felt a deep sense of loss as a single tear slipped from her eye at the sight of her broken phone. "Call a press conference," he commanded as he stood up from his seat, striding toward the door of the office. He adjusted his suit and tie, preparing to face the media storm ahead. "Call?" His secretary looked back at him, confusion evident on her face as she glanced at the remnants of the shattered phone. Sighing, she moved to gather the broken pieces before setting out to arrange a press conference using the landline available in the company. ------ "Tch, should I have brought better headphones?" Damien muttered under his breath as he sat far from the bustling heart of Camphrian City, nestled inside a countryside hospital. He held a laptop in his lap, an earpiece tucked into one ear, and grimaced as the call he was listening to suddenly surged, sharply piercing his eardrums. "Hm, let''s see, where is she right now?" Damien began to dance his fingers across the laptop keyboard, his eyes locked onto the screen. An amused smile spread across his face, contentment washing over him as he realized that everything was progressing exactly as he had hoped. Chapter 78 - 78- A message ''Emilia definitely wasn''t carrying marriage certificates, was she?'' Damien pondered as he walked down the corridor after letting Emilia know that her mother was looking for her. However, while he was speaking to her, he had caught sight of a colorful document that Emilia was trying to discreetly tuck inside her bag. Setting that curiosity aside, he continued on his way to the hospital''s reception desk. Despite being in a rural area, the number of patients was surprisingly low, likely due to the high charges, which most residents couldn''t afford as they weren''t wealthy. Not that it bothered him; he hadn''t paid a single penny himself so far. Upon reaching the reception, he observed a nurse who had previously spoken to him standing by the desk. "Oh, Mr. Damien, do you need anything?" she inquired, her eyes betraying a hint of blush as she took in his handsome features. The receptionist, too, seemed momentarily taken aback before quickly averting her gaze, realizing she should compose herself in front of someone from such a prominent family. "Yes, I would appreciate it if you could arrange a laptop, headphones, and internet access for me," Damien replied. He had noticed that the hospital offered Wi-Fi, but he needed a decent laptop with specifications strong enough to run software like Kali Linux, Aircrack-ng, and Nmap, along with other professional hacking applications. While it wasn''t necessary for the machine to be a supercomputer, it did need to be reliable enough for internet connectivity. "Oh, could you specify your requirements? We have only a limited selection of computers in the hospital," the nurse asked, eager to keep the conversation going. Even though the computers provided for data entry and other tasks were more powerful than necessary, she seemed keen to assist him further. "Hmm, anything decent enough to connect to the internet will do," Damien said, tilting his head slightly and offering a small smile to the nurse. She lit up at the gesture, and he could sense her underlying eagerness to engage in conversation, which he appreciated but didn''t have time for at the moment. Instead, he pointed at a laptop sitting on the reception desk. "That one would work." Understanding that sending the nurse away or asking her to retrieve a different machine would likely lead to a longer chat, he decided it was best to keep things simple. He took the laptop in his hands and walked toward an empty room within the hospital. "Mr. Damien, wait! Do you need help finding a room?" the nurse called after him, but she stopped short as she felt the piercing gaze of a doctor from the nearby office. With a soft sigh, she returned to her duties, recognizing that there were still patients who needed her attention. --- After searching for an empty room, Damien finally found one and entered. It had two beds inside, and no patients or staff members seemed to be present, as they were all busy with other patients. He took a seat on one of the beds before opening the laptop. [Use of (Hacking God) is detected] With the level 1 restrictions lifted, his mind felt clear, and his knowledge of computers sharper than ever before. He was more than capable of handling the task at hand. ''Let''s see,'' he thought, fingers dancing over the keyboard. The laptop wasn''t a top-tier machine, but with his skill, it would suffice. He quickly installed essential tools: Kali Linux for its penetration testing framework, Nmap for network mapping, and Aircrack-ng to intercept and crack wireless connections. These tools allowed him to map out the devices on the hospital''s network, including mobile devices and servers. He navigated to the official website of the companies under the Crimwell family, immediately identifying vulnerabilities in their public-facing site. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Using SQL injections and exploiting unpatched web application vulnerabilities, he bypassed the site''s firewall, gaining access to deeper layers of their network. Most families, including the Crimwells, preferred private servers to shield internal company operations from competitors. Damien knew that accessing these required careful reconnaissance, and he patiently worked through several login gateways. His goal: the private server that housed sensitive corporate information. Using brute-force login and leveraging his knowledge of password-cracking algorithms, he accessed their Wi-Fi network. From there, he analyzed hundreds of connected mobile devices using Wireshark to monitor traffic. Filtering these devices by IMEI numbers, he quickly located the target phone¡ªthe one belonging to the Crimwell family patriarch. By deploying man-in-the-middle (MitM) techniques, Damien gained control of the patriarch''s phone. Due to modern devices having integrated batteries that couldn''t be removed, they still emitted signals even when turned off. Using this, Damien accessed the phone''s microphone, camera, and even location services, allowing him to eavesdrop on the patriarch''s surroundings without alerting anyone. The conversation between the patriarch and Amelia confirmed his suspicions: they had been working to get Edward out on bail the previous night. ''Oh, first evidence,'' a smile crept across Damien''s face¡ªhe could use this knowledge to further trap them in their own schemes. Damien discarded the connection to the patriarch''s phone, knowing that prolonged access could be detected. Switching targets, he hacked into the phone of the patriarch''s secretary. This time, using SSH tunneling to cover his tracks, he intercepted a call between Vandiana Panthera and him. His earphones picked up the discussion clearly until the line suddenly went dead. --- "Tch, should''ve brought better headphones," Damien muttered as he removed the earphones. It was likely the phone had been physically destroyed to cut off any interception, possibly crushed by the man whose voice he had heard. ''Where is she now?'' Damien wondered, already working to track down Vandiana''s location. He quickly ran a geolocation trace on the number that had connected to the patriarch, infiltrating through firewalls as he triangulated her position. Just as he neared success, the attack signatures changed¡ªsomeone was onto him. A reverse hack began. Damien could see the telltale signs: honeypot traps were being laid, subtle breadcrumbs meant to draw him in and expose his location. "Not bad," Damien thought, impressed. Whoever was tracking him was no amateur. They possessed the skill and resources to mount a counteroffensive, even tracing him through the hospital''s weak internet security. The hospital''s basic laptop didn''t have enough power to fend off such an adversary. He knew this wasn''t like a movie, where a hacker could break through high-level security systems with any old computer. While his expertise far exceeded that of most professionals, equipment still mattered. A substandard machine was like a sword master facing gun-wielding soldiers¡ªskill would only get him so far before the limitations of his weapon became evident. Realizing that a professional hacker was targeting him, Damien chose to retreat. He could fight another day, once he had the proper equipment and resources to fully leverage his capabilities. For now, the smart move was to disengage and leave no trace. Before erasing his tracks, he took a moment to leave a specific message for whoever might be on the receiving end, fully aware that it would most likely reach Vandiana Panthera. "Sigh, how bothersome," he murmured. After clearing his digital footprints, he set his laptop down and glanced out the window, realizing that an hour had already passed¡ªor perhaps just a few minutes. With a stretch to relieve the tension in his body, he picked up his laptop and earphones, then made his way out of the room. Chapter 79 - 79 - Underground Headquarters Away from the picturesque countryside surrounding Camphrian City, in an entirely different direction, lay a discreet area bordering the lands owned by small businesses. In reality, these establishments were little more than facades for the underground mafia, which operated their illicit activities in this hidden locale. Tucked within one of the narrow alleyways was an unassuming candy shop. To the casual observer, it appeared to have been untouched by customers for ages, with its faded signage and crumbling exterior, yet the candies inside seemed strangely fresh¡ªalmost strikingly out of place. Behind its seemingly innocuous fa?ade hid a concealed passage. A sliding door led down a staircase into the depths of the basement. As one descended further, the truth became unmistakable¡ªbeneath this unremarkable shop lay an extensive network stretching nearly a square kilometer. What seemed like a small alleyway was actually an entry point to a vast underground complex. The narrow passage opened up to a space that had likely been designed as a bunker or some governmental facility, but now it was firmly under the control of the city''s mafia. This was no ordinary basement; it was a fully operational black market. The air was thick with tension as men and women moved about, clutching firearms, illegal goods, and other contraband. Each step was cautious, every glance over the shoulder a silent acknowledgment of the power that thrived in this shadowy underworld. The place served as the nerve center for criminal activity in Camphrian City, with shady merchants selling weapons, their voices blending into the charged atmosphere. "This is the latest model of the AR-17! Just 200 NR!" one vendor shouted, brandishing a sleek, polished assault rifle. "Grab it while you can!" another voice yelled, the sound of deals reverberating through the underground maze. The entire area was filled with merchants cloaked in garments that obscured their features, peddling items¡ªmostly stolen or unlicensed¡ªat bargain prices, often accompanied by enticing discounts. Of course, the authenticity of these items was not guaranteed. However, amidst this chaos, several customers could be seen exchanging money for wall hangers and other goods, reassured by the presence of the underground queen, Vandiana Panthera. Her reputation served as a guarantee for the legitimacy of these items, instilling a sense of trust, however tenuous, among those willing to engage in this illicit marketplace. Navigating through several lanes that resembled branches, each with alleys leading into one another, visitors encountered signage indicating various goods such as weapons, medicines, drugs, and assorted contraband. At the center stood a small structure that resembled a hotel, albeit one that could be classified as three-star at best, reflecting a level of decency. Inside, a throng of people moved about, primarily filtered by guards who permitted only a select few entry after verifying their invitations. "I hope we''ll get a chance to meet her," remarked a businessman of high standing and familial pedigree as he entered the hotel, accompanied by a colleague. They were greeted by servants and a receptionist who bowed before guiding them to a guest room. As they progressed through the hotel''s interior, the room appeared considerably more elegant and comfortable than the exterior suggested. However, the primary motivation for these visitors lay in their intention to negotiate a deal with the head honcho of this establishment. Specifically, these individuals were associated with a political party whose candidate was gearing up for the mayoral elections in Camphrian City. It was universally understood that the key to any election was to secure manpower capable of managing protests and riots, which would be orchestrated according to their political strategies. This venue was a veritable hub teeming with manpower ready to be mobilized at their discretion. Those in the realm of politics understood that while it might seem that true power rested with politicians or the justice system, the reality was far more nuanced. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The genuine leverage lay in the hands of those who could effortlessly rally an army of individuals unafraid of confronting death. Politicians, of course, manipulated and occasionally discarded youth like pawns, but ultimately, they shared a symbiotic relationship, each relying upon the other for survival. Despite their public facades depicting them as champions of justice, the truth was that this was the mechanics of the real world, vastly different from the curated images portrayed on social media. "Please wait here. The Queen will join you shortly," announced one of the servants, prompting both men to take a seat in the room, nodding in acknowledgment. They paid little heed to the title of "Queen," a term they would normally find fascinating, particularly given the existence of actual queens from noble lineages. While those royals had significantly diminished influence, the men knew well that the woman claiming the title of underground queen reigned supreme in her own world. Meanwhile, far from the room where the servant had left them, that servant proceeded upstairs to the second floor, where the ambiance shifted dramatically. This area resembled an office bustling with employees, some engaged in computer work while others were absorbed in phone conversations akin to a call center. She was aware that those on the computers and phones were primarily handling transactions conducted through the dark web. After all, to facilitate weapons sales online, they needed to maintain a strong presence on the dark web, where they processed online orders from clients, often involving requests for kidnappings and similar illicit activities. The woman ventured further and discovered a group of a dozen individuals seated at another row of high-end computers, their setup featuring a large central monitor that showcased a department dedicated to managing cyber attacks. knock knock "May I enter, my Queen?" The woman knocked gently on the door, which slowly swung open at the nod of another servant, allowing her to step inside. Upon her entrance, her gaze fell upon a woman in a sleek black dress standing by the window, gazing out thoughtfully. "Greetings, my Queen." The servant, bowing slightly before lifting her gaze, met the sight before her¡ªwhere, within the deep black pools of the woman''s eyes, a serene smile revealed a reflection of the entire empire she had constructed underground. The bustling scene pulsated with life, illuminated by a soft, nocturnal glow. People moved harmoniously about, purchasing goods and creating a vibrant tableau that resembled an entire city thriving in the depths below. Chapter 80 - 80 - The Content of the Letter "Keep them waiting; I''m busy right now," Vandiana said, gazing out the window with narrowed eyes, amusement dancing across her features. Moments earlier, she had found herself embroiled in a conversation that had been unexpectedly leaked by a hacker who dared to target her¡ªVandiana Panthera herself. This forced her to abruptly end the call without raising the hacker''s suspicions, a precaution her technical team had advised in their attempts to lure out the middleman. Having invested a hefty 10% of her profits into the cyber cell within the underground black market, she never anticipated someone in the technical field would dare to cross her. Even though the attack was virtual, she had ordered her team to trace the hacker''s whereabouts, determined to unearth the identity of the audacious individual who had launched an attack against her. Minutes later, she received the disappointing news that her team had lost track of the assailant, only able to determine he was located somewhere in Camphrian City, based on the first few numbers of his IP address. ''How amusing,'' she thought, a smile playing on her lips as she reflected on the irony. Despite having spent so much on high-end equipment and hiring top-tier professionals, someone had managed to record her call and slip away, all while operating within Camphrian City¡ªan area where she maintained control over 70% of the local mafia. "I understand, my queen," a servant replied, bowing respectfully before taking her leave. She brushed off the notion of the arriving guests from a political party; after all, it was they who needed her assistance, which allowed her to prioritize her own orders without concern. "Lulu, have you found anything useful?" Vandiana inquired, turning her gaze toward a young woman seated on a rolling chair. The girl had her legs and arms crossed, appearing almost closed off in her oversized hoodie that obscured her face. A lollipop bobbed in her mouth as her fingers danced across the keyboard, painted nails of various colors gliding with precision as her eyes darted rapidly across the screen. "....He somehow found me early on, but it''s virtually impossible to erase every trace once a network is targeted and a firewall is breached... Ah, found it!" Lulu''s focus remained laser-sharp as she continued to navigate the screens before her, successfully uncovering a handful of files nestled within the computer systems of the Crimwell family. Confident in the firewalls she had painstakingly crafted, she noted how her early alert system had detected the intrusion. She surmised that the attack was not directly aimed at them but rather executed through a gateway that exploited existing vulnerabilities within the Crimwell family''s network. Rather than aimlessly searching for answers, she strategically placed herself in the mindset of the intruder¡ªthe hacker who had attempted to infiltrate her system. Through this perspective, she grasped that the only way to record the call had likely been by breaching the Crimwell family''s network. The underground security measures were fortified by skilled hackers, and the firewalls had been personally designed by her, making a direct attack highly improbable. Being well-versed in the intricacies of computer operations, Lulu understood that in hacking, there is often an oversight of leaving behind residual files used for remote access or control. While these files might appear morphed or encrypted to the untrained eye, it was a simple task for her to reverse-engineer the hack using those remnants. With newfound resolve, she initiated a connection to the private servers of the Crimwell family, ready to uncover whatever secrets lay hidden within. Her mind was racing as she considered the perspective of the attacker. He had discovered a few files, encrypted in a way that had no relation to the business operations or the confidential matters of the Crimwell family. They most likely belonged to the trail of the attacker himself. As she opened one of the files, a message popped up on the screen, causing her heart to sink. "What did you find?" Lulu Vandiana approached the screen with her arms folded, her expression shifting from curiosity to cold intensity as she read the words displayed before her. :: I received your letter, Lady Vandiana, and I must decline the role of your pawn. Let''s meet another time when my position is strong enough that you might consider me an equal, not just a pawn. Your lovely, Damien Raphael :: S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "He''s playing with fire," Lulu muttered, clicking her lollipop as she pulled it from her mouth. The clear threat in the message was evident, and she understood the grim fate awaiting Damien for daring to defy her queen. "Hmm, so this is your choice, is it?" Vandiana murmured, closing her eyes to recall the letter she had sent to Damien the previous night after attending his wedding. She had left after Gabriel''s arrival, realizing Damien was likely to meet his end at the hands of Edward, who was widely known to command the young man''s loyalty. Understanding this dynamic, she had used the opportunity to send a letter offering to help Damien reclaim his position as the heir of the Raphael family, should he choose to follow her. Fully aware of Damien''s less-than-stellar reputation, Vandiana had intended to use him as a pawn in her grand scheme to seize control of the Raphael family. Her plan involved giving him just enough scraps to keep him compliant, only to later discard him when he was no longer useful. But now, it seemed he had chosen to rebel rather than submissively accept what she had to offer. "Do you want me to call in some men?" Lulu asked, tossing her lollipop aside. She grabbed another from the pack, not quite fond of the flavor of the previous one. She was eager to deal with Damien. "Don''t. Didn''t he say he would come meet me himself?" Vandiana replied, her characteristic resolve surfacing. She preferred to deal with those who dared to threaten her directly. Last night, she had found amusement in Damien''s behavior; he had acted quite differently, trying to manipulate those around him, even provoking Edward and the rumored woman from the Crimwell family he had pursued for four long years. Seeing this as a positive shift, she decided to allow him some time to impress her. Patience, she thought, could provide valuable insight before she issued further commands. "Send someone to bring the police chief to me and eliminate anyone who stands in our way." Chapter 81 - 81- Marriage Certificate "So, you''re saying Damien''s healing made you younger?" Emilia narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing her mother, who appeared significantly more youthful while claiming that the acupuncture techniques had not only brought her out of the coma but had also rejuvenated her. Doubt filled Emilia''s expression as she sat at the table with her hands folded, her gaze fixed on her mother, skepticism evident in every line of her face. "Yes, something like that," Visana replied, scratching her chin in realization that Emilia most likely didn''t believe her. After all, it seemed impossible for anyone to actually become younger through any method. Sure, it was feasible for someone to improve their skin texture, but Visana had physically reverted to her appearance from nine years ago¡ªa feat far beyond any artificial means. "I believe you," Emilia said slowly, eyeing the woman sitting before her with an intensity that wavered between disbelief and curiosity. She closed her eyes for a moment, almost as if to shut out the absurdity of it all, before reopening them and looking straight at her mother. "Oh, really¡ª" Visana began, preparing to commend Emilia for her sudden willingness to accept her story. But she was quickly interrupted. "Where is my mother?!" Emilia yelled, springing up from the table. She reached out, grabbing the cheeks of the woman before her and pulling at them playfully. Deep down, she knew that this young-looking woman was indeed her mother, yet she couldn''t resist the urge to tease her. The sight of her old mother transformed into someone so youthful sparked a familiar sense of mischief, all while she continued her usual banter and lighthearted taunts. "Ouch, Ouch, Emilia! I am your mother!" Visana winced as her daughter pinched her cheeks playfully. Although she felt that Emilia was doing it on purpose, today was one of those rare days when Visana felt a bit of joy. The brief moment of feeling youthful satisfied her enough that she chose not to reprimand her daughter. "How can I believe you?" Emilia seized the opportunity, narrowing her gaze at her mother and raising an eyebrow. "T-Tell me, how can I prove it?" Visana asked, acutely aware of the swelling in her cheeks after Emilia had released her grip. She noticed her daughter heading toward the handbag she had brought with her. "Sign this," Emilia said, extending her hand to present a pink document along with a pen. She smiled at Visana, which caused a slight twitch at the corners of her mother''s mouth. "What is this?" Visana asked, her eyes darting over the bold text that read "Marriage Certificate." It seemed outrageous to her that her daughter would bring this up so soon after she had just recovered from an accident. "I need my guardian''s permission," Emilia replied. She met her mother''s gaze, clearly indicating the requirements she had learned from the marriage office while trying to secure a certificate to marry Damien. Deep down, she also knew that he had a tendency to switch sides and could easily abandon her. So, she thought it wise to tie him into a marital commitment. Even if he decided to run away, she could still stake a claim to half of his wealth. Emilia understood that Damien was probably using her for her money, but she wasn''t naive enough to let him have free rein over her life. She was determined to have him sign these papers as a form of leverage. If he tried to leave her after taking advantage of her, she could use these agreements to imprison him and secure half of what he owned¡ªall while being prepared for any legal battles that could arise. To be precise, this document represented a form of blackmail, a safety net she was preparing just in case Damien entertained thoughts of abandoning her. "W-What?! But why on Earth do you want to marry Damien?!" Visana gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief as she shot to her feet, staring at her daughter. She felt as if her very soul was being grasped by confusion, struggling to understand how Emilia could make such a reckless decision to marry someone like him. "We love each other," Emilia asserted, keeping her expression blank and stoic. Deep inside, she was aware that her feelings for him were genuine, even if he didn''t reciprocate them. Still, she couldn''t afford to show any sign of vulnerability to her mother. "....Do you even believe your own words?" Visana asked, looking at her daughter with a blank stare. She rubbed her forehead in frustration, feeling overwhelmed by the realization that her daughter seemed determined to ruin her own life by marrying an utterly selfish man¡ªa decision that could destroy her future. What shocked Visana even more was how she could tell from Emilia''s expression that her daughter was also conscious of the fact that Damien did not genuinely love her. "....." *Sigh,* "Do you really love him that much?" Visana asked, looking at her daughter with a mix of confusion and a desire to support her decision. She had never rejected anything Emilia had ever asked for, but this was the first time her daughter was demanding something so significant, prompting her to inquire further. "....yes," Emilia replied in a very low tone, her gaze averted as embarrassment washed over her. It was difficult to admit that she had fallen for that idiot who seemed intent on flirting and having relationships with several women, all without a thought for her feelings. "Fine, just tell me where to sign." Visana finally accepted her defeat, seeing how desperately Emilia wanted to marry that damn fool. She couldn''t help but stretch out her hand for the pen, then sat down and opened the document where Emilia had already signed, leaving space for Damien''s signature. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Below their names was a blank section for their guardian''s signatures. "Here!" Emilia exclaimed, sensing her mother''s acceptance and bubbling with excitement. She pointed to the guardian sections for both her and Damien, clearly aware that there was no guardian for him, given how he had been abandoned by Raphael''s family. Chapter 82 - 82- Last day in Camphrian City. Sighing, Visana gazed at her daughter''s enthusiasm. "You are such an idiot," she muttered, shaking her head. Yet, despite her reservations, she picked up the pen and signed her name under both guardian marks, biting her lip at the thought of having to confront the man who had dared to kiss his mother-in-law. "Here. By the way, why do you love him?" Visana asked after signing, genuinely curious about the qualities Emilia saw in that seemingly worthless idiot who had captured her heart. "Thanks," Emilia replied, her excitement momentarily sweeping aside her mother''s questions. She glanced at the signed sections of the document and impulsively blurted out, "He''s very good in bed." "Wh-what¡ª?" Visana stammered, caught off guard by her daughter''s unexpected confession. Just as she prepared to ask for more clarification, the door to the room swung open. "What''s going on in here?" Damien entered the room, his eyes settling on Emilia, who was perched on the edge of a table, enthusiasm radiating from her. Visana sat on the hospital bed, her soft expression marred by a frown, and both women turned their attention toward him. "Damien? Come here," Emilia called, gesturing for him to approach. He nodded and walked closer, his hands tucked into his pants pockets. When he glanced at Visana, she shot him a cold glare that he chose to ignore as he focused his gaze on Emilia. "What happened? And what is that?" Damien feigned ignorance, noticing the document in Emilia''s hand. He suspected it was the guardian proof she obtained after getting her mother''s signature, not that it presented much of a problem for him¡ªhe could easily sign it and assure Emilia of his commitment. "Sign it," Emilia urged, her eyes locking onto his with a determination that brooked no arguments. She seemed to implore him to sign it immediately. With a sigh, he took the pen and signed the document. "Done," Damien said, handing the signed paper back to her. He then turned his attention to Visana, who showed no surprise at the fact that he had signed the marriage certificate, indicating his readiness to officially marry Emilia. He added, "We need to contact the board of directors. The situation in the company is deteriorating." Ignoring the weight of the moment, he concentrated on the immediate problem at hand. With just two or three days before he had to leave for the Main City¡ªhaving already spent far too much time in this place¡ªhe knew he couldn''t afford to waste another minute. "I''ll take care of it myself," Visana declared as she stood up from the bed and headed toward the bathroom. Emilia followed suit, taking Damien''s hand as she led him out of the room. She felt that Damien''s nonchalant attitude toward the marriage certificate and his inclination to tackle the company''s issues suggested that she would likely be leaving sooner than he intended. "Follow me," Emilia pulled him along, not looking back as they exited the room. Damien kept his gaze fixed on her, feeling some relief that he wouldn''t need to intervene in the company matters¡ªher mother was more than capable of handling that. "Are you planning to leave soon?" Emilia asked, approaching a crowded room. She playfully pushed Damien against the wall, her expression a mix of curiosity and mischief. "Yes, as you can see, most of my work is wrapped up here," Damien replied, his gaze locked onto hers. His voice dropped to a lower tone as he maintained that intense eye contact. The atmosphere felt stifled, almost electric, as the inevitable transition loomed. They were in a square of sorts¡ªthis space marked the boundary between the familiar yet modest Camprian City and the bustling main city, where the true narrative would unfold. In Camprian City, most of the families residing there were tied to local businesses that catered to the citizens. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Their headquarters and assets were concentrated within this smaller community, creating a tightly-knit environment. In contrast, the main city was home to the wealthiest families, where opulence and influence reigned supreme. Here, in Camprian, only a handful of families held prominence, one being the notable Crimwell family, whose dealings and reputations echoed through the streets. In the bustling heart of the city, influential families like the Lin family and the Harrisons coexisted alongside others, such as the Raphaels. Among them, Damien often found himself ensnared in a repetitive cycle, perpetually pursuing Amelia Crimwell, which ultimately left him confined within the Camprian house. "....I see," Emilia said, cradling her elbow in one hand and glancing down at the page in front of her. Surprisingly, she felt no pang of sadness; she had grown accustomed to his behavior, which resembled that of a womanizer¡ªsomeone who sought fleeting pleasures and then vanished without a trace. This was precisely why she had secured his official signature on their marriage certificate. "You can come by any time you want, but I hope that the next time I see you, it''s in front of my cash ATM," Damien shamelessly remarked, his finger caressing her chin as he made it clear that he expected her to earn enough money to indulge his whims. "Tch, you''re such a bastard," Emilia muttered softly, barely above a whisper. She refused to look him in the eye, knowing how meticulously he had arranged his appearance just to convey his intentions, not even making an effort to disguise them. "A bastard? Oh, I could show you just how much of one I really am," Damien countered, using his knuckles to lift her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. His eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race, while she glared back at him, her expression betraying her clear dissatisfaction and resentment toward him for abandoning her after everything they had shared. Damien''s grin widened, his voice low and commanding, "Kneel, Emilia." Emilia''s face flushed, her breath quickening. "Why?" she managed to whisper, her mind racing as she recalled the scenes from certain adult videos, where the command seemed all too familiar. The small, confined room heightened her awareness of the moment, her heart pounding as Damien''s thumb slid from her chin to her lips, brushing against them with deliberate pressure. He leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin. "Because," he murmured, his voice dripping with control, "I want you to remember me... by the taste I leave on your body." Chapter 83 - 83 - Parting Gift (1) "I''m not¡ª" Emilia''s face flushed a deep crimson with embarrassment as she realized that this persistent man was at it again. They had just spent the entire last night together, and now he seemed to be getting excited all over again. "Kneel, Emilia," Damien said, noticing her flustered state. Just the night before, she''d been bold and confident, but now she was shy and hesitant. As he lifted his right hand and rested it on her head, he gently pushed her down. She found herself sinking to her knees slowly, her heart racing with each movement. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wh-what? I don''t understand what you want," Emilia stammered, trying to play coy, even as her heart thudded against her ribcage. Her eyes flickered, refusing to meet his gaze, trembling rapidly with uncertainty. "Unbutton it," Damien commanded, not allowing her a moment to speak further. His straightforwardness sent a surge of instinctive obedience through her. With trembling hands, she raised both arms, hesitating only briefly before she placed them on his belt. He had already lifted his suit jacket, making it easier for her to access the button of his pants. Yet, watching her take her time, he added with a teasing smirk, "Don''t you want my signature on the marriage certificate?" "No, I already have it," Emilia mumbled, aware of his attempt to blackmail her using the marriage certificate. She knew he had already signed it, and his bargaining was weak in her eyes. "Check it again," Damien said with an amused smile, prompting Emilia to glance at the marriage certificate in her hand. To her shock, the signature he had just placed moments ago had completely vanished. Her confusion turned to disbelief as she exclaimed, "H-how?!" As she gazed toward the spot where his signal typically lingered, a wave of panic surged within her. She swiftly shifted her gaze to him, her gentle eyes locking onto his devilish grin. In that fleeting moment, it dawned on her that she was cornered, trapped in a predicament where any hope of escape felt utterly futile. She had already relinquished her most treasured possession to him, and considering his notorious reputation as a playboy, the likelihood of him vanishing from her life weighed heavily on her mind. Without a marriage certificate to validate her claims, the reality of her situation struck her with force: she could not demand child support or hold him accountable if she were to become pregnant. "Y-you''re so cruel," she stammered, tears brimming in her eyes as the weight of her deception crushed her spirit¡ªonce again, she had fallen prey to this man''s beguiling charm. Clenching her fists in frustration, she lifted one hand toward his pants, her fingers trembling as she attempted to unbutton them. The fabric felt constricting beneath her touch, and her efforts were met with stubborn resistance. "Am I really?" Damien replied, rolling his eyes before glancing down at her with a mix of amusement and arrogance. "Uhm..." Emilia''s fingers fumbled as she undid Damien''s belt, her breath catching in her throat when his pants slid down, revealing the full length of him. ''How the hell did that even fit inside me?'' She remembered last night, the way his cock had stretched her to her limit, leaving her gasping, sore, and completely spent. She hadn''t expected him to be so big¡ªnot that big. Even now, staring at him, her body still ached from their first night together, a reminder of just how thoroughly he had taken her. Her eyes widened as she looked at him again. ''How does he expect me to handle this?'' It seemed impossible all over again, despite the fact that she had done it before. Damien, of course, was calm and composed as ever. His cool, confident gaze remained fixed on her, his expression betraying none of the intensity she was feeling. He didn''t seem the least bit concerned about her hesitation, standing there as though this was just another day for him. His control, his lack of urgency¡ªit only made her feel smaller, more vulnerable in front of him. "Are you going to stare at it all day?" he teased, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine. Her cheeks flushed as she snapped back to reality, her hands gripping his cock with a soft squeeze. It twitched under her touch, hot and heavy in her hands, making her feel even more nervous. Swallowing hard, she leaned forward, letting her lips graze the tip of him. The sheer size of him made her pulse quicken¡ªhe was too much, but she didn''t want to show any hesitation. Not now. Damien''s hand found its way to her hair, fingers threading through it gently as he guided her, not forcing, but making it clear what he wanted. She opened her mouth and took him in slowly, her lips stretching around his girth as she sank down on him. "Mmhmm..." The weight of him filled her mouth, and she struggled for a moment to adjust, the head of his cock pressing against her tongue as she took him deeper. The memory of last night lingered in her mind¡ªhow full he had felt inside her, how he had pushed her limits, stretching her in ways she never thought possible. And now, here she was, trying to take him again, but this time with her mouth, feeling every inch of him as her lips slid lower along his shaft. "Hh.." Damien groaned softly, his grip on her hair tightening slightly, though he remained mostly composed. She could tell he was enjoying this, even if he didn''t show it as openly as she expected. That only made her want to please him more. "Nhnnn....!" Her hands wrapped around the base of his cock, stroking him in sync with the slow movements of her mouth. pah pah She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder as she went lower, her tongue swirling around the tip before sliding down again. The salty taste of him filled her mouth, but she didn''t slow down¡ªif anything, she quickened her pace, desperate to prove she could handle him, that she wasn''t intimidated by his size. "You know how to do this," Damien murmured, his voice rough with desire. His hand tightened in her hair, guiding her as she bobbed her head up and down. pah pah pah ''Damn you!" The praise sent a flush of heat through her, and she found herself taking him deeper, her lips stretching wider as she struggled to accommodate his length. "Khwack! Khwack!...MMMPHHH?!" It wasn''t easy¡ªhe was thick, too thick ''My jaws?!'' Her eyes watered slightly as she took him in further, her hands tightening their grip around the base of his cock, stroking him in time with her mouth. Damien groaned again, a soft sound that sent a thrill down her spine. He was still in control, still holding back, but she could feel the tension building in his body, the subtle flexing of his hips as she sucked him harder. Her jaw ached from the effort, but she didn''t stop¡ªshe couldn''t. Not with the way his body responded to her, the way he watched her with that intense, unwavering gaze. "You can take more," he said, his voice low, commanding. "You did last night." Emilia shivered at his words, her cheeks burning hotter as she tried to push herself further. Her lips slid down his shaft, her tongue swirling around him as she took him deeper into her throat. It was overwhelming¡ªhis size, his control¡ªbut she kept going, determined to match his expectations. Chapter 84 - 84- Parting Gift (2) "I''m not¡ª" Emilia''s face flushed a deep crimson with embarrassment as she realized that this persistent man was at it again. They had just spent the entire last night together, and now he seemed to be getting excited all over again. "Kneel, Emilia," Damien said, noticing her flustered state. Just the night before, she''d been bold and confident, but now she was shy and hesitant. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he lifted his right hand and rested it on her head, he gently pushed her down. She found herself sinking to her knees slowly, her heart racing with each movement. "Wh-what? I don''t understand what you want," Emilia stammered, trying to play coy, even as her heart thudded against her ribcage. Her eyes flickered, refusing to meet his gaze, trembling rapidly with uncertainty. "Unbutton it," Damien commanded, not allowing her a moment to speak further. His straightforwardness sent a surge of instinctive obedience through her. With trembling hands, she raised both arms, hesitating only briefly before she placed them on his belt. He had already lifted his suit jacket, making it easier for her to access the button of his pants. Yet, watching her take her time, he added with a teasing smirk, "Don''t you want my signature on the marriage certificate?" "No, I already have it," Emilia mumbled, aware of his attempt to blackmail her using the marriage certificate. She knew he had already signed it, and his bargaining was weak in her eyes. "Check it again," Damien said with an amused smile, prompting Emilia to glance at the marriage certificate in her hand. To her shock, the signature he had just placed moments ago had completely vanished. Her confusion turned to disbelief as she exclaimed, "H-how?!" As she gazed toward the spot where his signal typically lingered, a wave of panic surged within her. She swiftly shifted her gaze to him, her gentle eyes locking onto his devilish grin. In that fleeting moment, it dawned on her that she was cornered, trapped in a predicament where any hope of escape felt utterly futile. She had already relinquished her most treasured possession to him, and considering his notorious reputation as a playboy, the likelihood of him vanishing from her life weighed heavily on her mind. Without a marriage certificate to validate her claims, the reality of her situation struck her with force: she could not demand child support or hold him accountable if she were to become pregnant. "Y-you''re so cruel," she stammered, tears brimming in her eyes as the weight of her deception crushed her spirit¡ªonce again, she had fallen prey to this man''s beguiling charm. Clenching her fists in frustration, she lifted one hand toward his pants, her fingers trembling as she attempted to unbutton them. The fabric felt constricting beneath her touch, and her efforts were met with stubborn resistance. "Am I really?" Damien replied, rolling his eyes before glancing down at her with a mix of amusement and arrogance. "Uhm..." Emilia''s fingers fumbled as she undid Damien''s belt, her breath catching in her throat when his pants slid down, revealing the full length of him. ''How the hell did that even fit inside me?'' She remembered last night, the way his cock had stretched her to her limit, leaving her gasping, sore, and completely spent. She hadn''t expected him to be so big¡ªnot that big. Even now, staring at him, her body still ached from their first night together, a reminder of just how thoroughly he had taken her. Her eyes widened as she looked at him again. ''How does he expect me to handle this?'' It seemed impossible all over again, despite the fact that she had done it before. Damien, of course, was calm and composed as ever. His cool, confident gaze remained fixed on her, his expression betraying none of the intensity she was feeling. He didn''t seem the least bit concerned about her hesitation, standing there as though this was just another day for him. His control, his lack of urgency¡ªit only made her feel smaller, more vulnerable in front of him. "Are you going to stare at it all day?" he teased, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine. Her cheeks flushed as she snapped back to reality, her hands gripping his cock with a soft squeeze. It twitched under her touch, hot and heavy in her hands, making her feel even more nervous. Swallowing hard, she leaned forward, letting her lips graze the tip of him. The sheer size of him made her pulse quicken¡ªhe was too much, but she didn''t want to show any hesitation. Not now. Damien''s hand found its way to her hair, fingers threading through it gently as he guided her, not forcing, but making it clear what he wanted. She opened her mouth and took him in slowly, her lips stretching around his girth as she sank down on him. "Mmhmm..." The weight of him filled her mouth, and she struggled for a moment to adjust, the head of his cock pressing against her tongue as she took him deeper. The memory of last night lingered in her mind¡ªhow full he had felt inside her, how he had pushed her limits, stretching her in ways she never thought possible. And now, here she was, trying to take him again, but this time with her mouth, feeling every inch of him as her lips slid lower along his shaft. "Hh.." Damien groaned softly, his grip on her hair tightening slightly, though he remained mostly composed. She could tell he was enjoying this, even if he didn''t show it as openly as she expected. That only made her want to please him more. "Nhnnn....!" Her hands wrapped around the base of his cock, stroking him in sync with the slow movements of her mouth. pah pah She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder as she went lower, her tongue swirling around the tip before sliding down again. The salty taste of him filled her mouth, but she didn''t slow down¡ªif anything, she quickened her pace, desperate to prove she could handle him, that she wasn''t intimidated by his size. "You know how to do this," Damien murmured, his voice rough with desire. His hand tightened in her hair, guiding her as she bobbed her head up and down. pah pah pah ''Damn you!" Chapter 85 - 85 - Parting Gift (3) The praise sent a flush of heat through her, and she found herself taking him deeper, her lips stretching wider as she struggled to accommodate his length. It wasn''t easy¡ªhe was thick, too thick¡ªbut the challenge excited her. ''My jaws?!'' Her eyes watered slightly as she took him in further, her hands tightening their grip around the base of his cock, stroking him in time with her mouth. Damien groaned again, a soft sound that sent a thrill down her spine. He was still in control, still holding back, but she could feel the tension building in his body, the subtle flexing of his hips as she sucked him harder. Her jaw ached from the effort, but she didn''t stop¡ªshe couldn''t. Not with the way his body responded to her, the way he watched her with that intense, unwavering gaze. "You can take more," he said, his voice low, commanding. "You did last night." Emilia shivered at his words, her cheeks burning hotter as she tried to push herself further. Her lips slid down his shaft, her tongue swirling around him as she took him deeper into her throat. It was overwhelming¡ªhis size, his control¡ªbut she kept going, determined to match his expectations. Damien''s grip tightened in her hair, and without warning, he thrust his hips forward, forcing her to take him deeper. "Mnhnmpphh?!" Emilia''s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as he pushed himself fully inside her mouth. "Khwackk?!¡ªSQUIRT" She gagged slightly, her lips stretched to their limit around his thick cock, and before she could even adjust, she felt the first hot spurt hit the back of her throat. Her hands flew to his thighs, fingers digging into his skin as she struggled to take him. "Ugh....Just like this, Emilia", Damien''s hands moved to the sides of her head, holding her in place as he came hard, his cock pulsing in her throat. The salty taste overwhelmed her, but she had no chance to pull back. He was relentless, his grip firm, keeping her locked in place as more of him flooded her mouth. It was too much¡ªshe tried to swallow, but the sheer volume made it impossible. Her throat worked desperately, but the thick cum began to overflow, spilling from the corners of her lips and down her chin. "Uhnnn....umhh" Emilia''s cheeks burned with the effort, her eyes watering as he held her there, forcing her to take every last drop. Her vision blurred as she fought to breathe, her chest tightening as her body struggled to keep up with the intensity. She could feel his cock twitching, the final throbs sending another gush of cum into her already overflowing mouth. It dripped down her chin, thick and sticky, staining the skin of her neck as she coughed around him, her throat convulsing. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien finally loosened his grip, pulling back just slightly, allowing her a moment to catch her breath. "Haah...! haah..! cough?!" She gasped, coughing as she tried to swallow the last of him, her lips still wrapped around his cock. Her chest heaved, the taste of him lingering on her tongue, and as she pulled back further, the remnants of his release dripped from her lips, splattering onto the floor beneath her. Emilia''s face was flushed, her eyes watery, a mixture of exhaustion and surprise etched across her features. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her breath ragged as she finally met his gaze. Damien looked down at her, still composed, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he took in the sight of her¡ªdisheveled, overwhelmed, and utterly at his mercy. "You took it all," he murmured, his voice low, a hint of satisfaction coloring his tone. GULP Emilia swallowed hard, her throat still burning from the intensity of it all, but despite everything, she found herself nodding, wiping her chin once more as she caught her breath. Damien pulled back, his cock still slick from her mouth, and watched as Emilia tried to regain her composure. Her chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, her lips still glistening from his release. But Damien wasn''t done with her yet. Without saying a word, he grabbed her by the waist, flipping her over and pushing her down against the long table. "IIEEEKKK~?!" Emilia gasped, her body still trembling from the intensity of what had just happened. She barely had time to catch her breath before she felt his hands on her hips, pulling her ass up toward him. "Wait, Damien¡ª" she started, but he didn''t give her a chance to finish. His hands spread her cakes apart, his gaze fixed on her tight, untouched asshole. She shuddered, feeling the cool air on her most vulnerable spot. "Relax," he said, his voice a mix of calm and command. "I''ll take care of you." thump thump Her heart raced, knowing what he was about to do. She''d never done this before¡ªnot even close. The thought of it made her tense up, but at the same time, a thrill ran down her spine, a strange excitement coursing through her veins. Damien wasn''t exactly gentle. He pressed the head of his cock against her tight hole, teasing her, feeling how resistant she was. Her whole body stiffened, her muscles clenched reflexively as he pushed, just barely breaching the entrance. "Damien... please," she whimpered, her voice trembling as the pain and anticipation mixed. "I''m not ready... it''s too much!" But he pushed harder, his cock forcing its way past the tight ring of muscle. The stretch was intense, a burn that made Emilia gasp sharply, her fingers gripping the bedsheets in desperation. "Ahh¡ªDamien!" she cried out, her voice high-pitched, filled with both pain and disbelief as the thick head of his cock entered her. Her body clenched around him, resisting, but he didn''t stop. Slowly, deliberately, he pushed deeper, feeling her virgin hole squeeze and fight against him. Her breathing turned ragged, and tears pricked at her eyes as she felt every inch of him stretching her open. "It hurts... it''s too tight... st-stop!," she moaned, her voice trembling as her body fought to accommodate his size. Damien grunted, his hands gripping her hips as he continued to push inside her, ignoring her cries. "You can take it," he growled, his voice deep and commanding. "You took me last night... you can handle this." Chapter 86 - 86- Parting Gift (4) PAH! With a final thrust, he buried himself completely inside her, his cock filling her ass to the hilt. "N-not there!?" Emilia''s eyes widened, her mouth falling open in a silent scream as the overwhelming sensation of being completely stretched out hit her all at once. Pah Pah The sound of skin slapping against skin echoed in the room as he started to move, pulling back only to slam into her again. "Ah! Ahh¡ªplease, slower¡ª" she moaned, her voice barely audible as he began thrusting harder, each movement sending sharp jolts of both pleasure and pain through her. The pressure inside her was unbearable, her tight walls clamping down on him as if trying to push him out, but Damien didn''t relent. Pah Pah Pah The sounds grew louder, faster, matching the rhythm of his deep thrusts. Her body jolted with every movement, her ass cheeks bouncing back against him as he fucked her hard and fast. "Fuck, Damien... I can''t¡ª" she gasped, tears spilling from the corners of her eyes as her body struggled to keep up with the intensity of his movements. Her moans turned to whimpers, broken and breathless as he pounded into her. "You can," he growled, his voice rough, primal. "Be a strong woman, Emilia. Take it." PAH PAH PAH He tightened his grip on her hips, his cock driving deeper into her tight hole, stretching her beyond anything she thought possible. Her face was pressed against the rough surface of the nearby drawer, muffling her cries as her body surrendered to the brutal rhythm. "Ah¡ªah¡ªoh, God¡ªDamien!" she sobbed, her voice ragged from the effort of taking him. Her moans mixed with the wet sounds of their bodies colliding, the slap of skin on skin filling the room. Pah Pah Pah Pah The relentless pounding continued, his cock pushing deeper with each thrust, her tight asshole gripping him like a vice. The burn of the stretch hadn''t gone away, but there was a strange, undeniable pleasure that began to creep in, mingling with the pain. "Please¡ª" she whimpered, her voice cracking, her knuckles white as she clutched the sheets. "It''s... so much... I can''t¡ª" Her words were cut off by a deep groan as he thrust even harder, his hips slamming into her ass with an almost brutal force. Her moans became more desperate, her body shaking as she was completely overwhelmed by the intensity of it all. The rhythm never faltered, Damien''s control over her complete as he took her in the way only he could. pah Pah PAH Damien''s thrusts grew more erratic, harder, and faster. Every deep stroke sent shockwaves through Emilia''s body, her tightness only driving him further toward the edge. "Ahn...Hngh...Hann" Her face was flushed, her moans coming in ragged gasps as she felt his cock stretching her ass, filling her in a way she never thought possible. "Ah¡ªDamien¡ª" she gasped, her voice barely audible between moans. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her body trembled with every powerful thrust, her ass clenching around him instinctively, but there was no stopping him now. Pah pah pah The relentless slapping of their bodies echoed in the room, his movements growing more forceful as he drove himself deeper into her. Emilia could feel the tension building inside him, the way his cock swelled with every thrust, stretching her even more. "I''m gonna cum," Damien growled, his voice rough and strained as he pounded into her, his hands gripping her hips so tightly she knew there''d be bruises. His thrusts became shorter, sharper, as he buried himself to the hilt with each stroke, her body trembling beneath him. "Damien¡ªwait¡ª" she whimpered, her voice barely more than a breathless plea, but it was too late. She could feel him pulsing inside her, his cock throbbing as he slammed into her one last time, his entire body going rigid. With a deep groan, Damien shoved himself as deep as he could go, his cock buried fully in her ass as he came. Hot, thick spurts of cum filled her, the sensation overwhelming as it flooded her tight hole. She gasped, her body instinctively tightening around him, but it was too much. "Ah¡ªahh¡ª" she moaned, her voice trembling as she felt the warmth of his release spreading inside her. Each pulse of his cock sent more cum gushing into her, her asshole stretched and stuffed full of him. The pressure was intense, her body barely able to contain it all. Damien''s grip on her hips tightened as he held her in place, his cock still buried deep inside her as his cum overflowed, some of it leaking out and dripping down her thighs. The sensation of being filled like that made Emilia shudder, her legs trembling as she struggled to hold herself up. She whimpered, her breaths shallow and ragged as she felt his cum oozing out of her, each small movement making her more aware of how much he had given her. Damien groaned softly, his hips twitching as he finally pulled back slightly, but not enough to pull out entirely. His cock was still nestled deep inside her, keeping most of his release locked inside. "Fuck... that was tight," Damien murmured, his voice hoarse but satisfied. He looked down at Emilia, her body still trembling beneath him, her skin flushed and glistening with sweat. "I... I hate you," Emilia mumbled, her body feeling utterly exhausted, gasping for breath as she struggled to express her feelings. She remembered all the ways he had mistreated her, treating her like some plaything. But soon enough, she felt his grip on her hand tighten as she shouted, "Enough, you perverted bastard!" "Hey..." Damien said softly, pulling her close so their bodies collided. She was still wearing her top, and despite the situation, she glared at him. With a defeated smile, he leaned closer and whispered, "I hope you won''t miss me too much, okay?" It was finally time for him to say goodbye. "What?" Emilia stared at him for a moment, her lips biting into her own as she held tightly onto his face. There was no shame left between them, no embarrassment in this moment. Somehow, with determination, she clasped her hands on his cheek, almost as if slapping him, and pulled his face down to her level to bridge the height difference. Their warm breaths mingled as she placed her forehead against his, her eyes searching his, feeling helpless. Hating herself for loving this man, she whispered, "Please... don''t ever forget about me, Damien." "You bet," Damien said with a smile as he pulled Emilia''s phone from his pocket. He had held onto it for some time before handing it back to her, adding, "I recorded a conversation with your mother while she was waking up." "Huh? What conversation?" Emilia asked slowly, tilting her head and blinking in confusion. She struggled to understand the significance of the recording. "Shh, just promise me you''ll listen to it when you''re alone," Damien replied, gently placing a finger on her lips. He pulled her into a warm hug, a grin spreading across his face as he patted her back. Thoughts of finally putting a plan into action swirled in his mind. Given Emilia''s strong attachment to her mother, Damien knew that breaking that bond was crucial. While it may seem impossible, he believed in tackling even the most daunting challenges¡ªafter all, within ''impossible'' lies ''I''m possible.'' So, he had recorded every part of his conversation with her mother, capturing the moment she revealed that she wasn''t Emilia''s real mother and everything that had transpired in the room. Now the question is, what actions will Emilia take after discovering all of this? Chapter 87 - 87- Departure at the Airport On the main highway of Camphrian City, leading toward the airport, a mini truck that looked like an old relic hurtled along at its top speed of 100 km/h. The engine sounded as if it were crying out under pressure, straining to keep up with the demand. "Is this thing an artifact or a vehicle?" Damien mused as he drove the aging vehicle that his mother-in-law had provided. It was far from what could be called a modern means of transport. His thoughts grew slightly cold when he remembered that he was stuck flying economy class from Camphrian City to the main city. Just hours earlier, after emerging from the dressing room, they had crossed paths with Visana, who looked completely healed and was leaving her room after changing outfits. She and Emilia took a taxi to their company to deal with the board of directors, while Damien was headed to the airport to leave Camphrian City. Now the question remained: where did he get the money for his flight ticket? The answer lay with his mother-in-law. After expressing his desire to leave the city, Visana had enthusiastically provided him with a plane ticket and a vehicle. It was expected, considering she likely wanted him as far away from her daughter as possible. However, he hadn''t anticipated her delight in making his life more difficult, even in her excitement. While he was behind the wheel of this beat-up truck¡ªwhich was even older than him and much slower than how a woman climaxes under him¡ªhe muttered under his breath, "I will not forget this, Mother-in-law." His face contorted in annoyance as he focused on the road, barely managing to keep his vehicle steady while others zoomed past him, proving their speed at each turn, as though his mini truck was nothing more than a sluggish turtle alongside their high-speed jets. tuk tuk tuk The truck''s engine sputtered, producing a chaotic cacophony as it screamed in agony under the weight of a single occupant. "Hey, Uncle! Want a race?" shouted a biker as they whipped past him, their laughter booming in the air. "Goodness gracious! Isn''t that model practically ancient? It should be in a museum!" another chimed in. "Oh, yeah! Open your window, Uncle, and tell us the specs, ha-ha!" A horde of bikers clad in black clothing, their attire festooned with spikes and tattoos gleaming under the afternoon sun, whizzed by Damien''s truck. They were a motley crew, ranging from middle-aged men sporting thick beards to older women with brightly dyed hair, leather jackets decorated with pins, and chains jangling against their heavy boots. It felt like a bizarre biker convention had somehow collided with a time warp. The women exuded fierce energy¡ªsome had tattoos creeping up their necks, while one flaunted a pink Mohawk atop her silver mane. Their laughter rang out, filling the air with a sense of chaotic camaraderie as they swerved dangerously close to his truck, their taunts ringing in his ears. "Is that a fossil you''re driving, Uncle? Let''s see who reaches the nursing home first!" "Are you sure that thing runs on fuel and not coal?" One woman in her fifties pulled up alongside him, sunglasses perched atop her nose and bold red lipstick accentuating her features. She winked at him. "Careful, handsome, that antique may break down before you hit the next turn." Damien''s grip on the steering wheel tightened, annoyance flitting across his face as more bikers sped by, their sleek, powerful machines leaving his ancient truck languishing in their wake. Even an elderly man with a white beard, piloting a bike with a sidecar, zoomed past, giving him a thumbs-up and a cheeky grin before disappearing down the highway. The engine of his mini truck sputtered again, the pitiful noise a clear indication that it was struggling to endure this humiliation. As he glared at the retreating bikers, he muttered under his breath, "Mother-in-law, you really outdid yourself this time." Finally arriving at the airport, he brought his unique vehicle to a halt near the entrance. Curious glances turned in his direction, many expecting to see a farmer or country bumpkin emerge from the dilapidated truck. Their expectations were abruptly challenged as a handsome man in a suit, clearly from a well-off background, stepped out, contrasting sharply with the ancient vehicle. "Park it," Damien said as he tossed the key toward a young man who wore an outfit that resembled that of a guard. Of course, it wasn''t his profession, but the fashion certainly made him look the part. "Th-this?! You bastard!" The young man exclaimed, catching the key. He was ready to explode with anger, feeling humiliated in front of his friends as he attempted to confront Damien. However, his companions quickly restrained him from attacking the man in the suit, aware that this was no ordinary individual; they recognized him as Damien Raphael. "What is he doing here?" one of them whispered in disbelief. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Didn''t he get kidnapped or something?" another replied, his voice tinged with confusion. Thanks to the extensive media coverage, Damien''s face had been plastered all over the news throughout the night. Most people in Camphrian City had at least seen his picture, and they recognized him immediately. Damien was fully aware of this, which is precisely why he had chosen to toss the key and humiliate the most foolish person in the crowd. He knew it would be easy to provoke someone like that and watch them flounder in embarrassment. As the tension built, the commotion drew the eyes of others. All around, people began to take notice, whispering among themselves. "Wait, are they about to fight?" "Huh? Is that Damien Raphael?" one observer remarked, their voice filled with astonishment. With each passing moment, more and more people turned to glance in Damien''s direction, recognizing the infamous figure standing boldly among them. The atmosphere crackled with curiosity and disbelief, the crowd''s collective attention now fully focused on the encounter unfolding before them. Ignoring everyone around him, Damien stepped into the airport, clutching nothing but a flight ticket in one hand while the other was tucked casually into his pocket. As he walked through the bustling terminal, he reflected on leaving Camphrian City behind. "I hope you all hear the news of my arrival soon." Chapter 88 - 88- Edward on airport "You may proceed," the security guard said, gesturing for Damien to move on after scanning him with the metal detector. With a nod, he stepped forward, relieved that he didn''t have any luggage to slow him down¡ªjust his plane ticket, his clothes, and his quirky invisible ink pen. For some reason, he had developed a fondness for that little pen. As he walked through the bustling terminal, the airport stretched out before him, a vibrant expanse filled with travelers from all walks of life. Bright overhead lights illuminated the polished floors, reflecting the excitement and nervous energy in the air. Travelers hurried past, dragging suitcases and chatting with companions, while announcements echoed through the space, detailing boarding times and gate changes. "It''s still delayed?" Damien muttered, glancing at a large digital clock mounted on the wall, its numbers glaring back at him. The time showed he still had quite a wait ahead. He turned his gaze to the departure screen, scanning for updates, but found nothing encouraging. With a resigned sigh, he made his way to a quiet corner of the airport, seeking a moment of respite in a cluster of cushioned chairs mostly occupied by weary travelers¡ªsome dozing off, while others scrolled through their phones. Spotting a small child sitting alone, his gaze wandering around the terminal, Damien approached with a warm smile. "Hey there, kiddo. Want some candy?" he asked playfully. The child looked up, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "No, my mom said not to take candy from strangers." "Smart kid," Damien replied, nodding in approval. As he scanned the area, he noticed that there were no guardians nearby. "What''s your name?" "Ben," the child answered, crossing his arms defiantly. "Nice to meet you, Ben. I''m Damien," he said, casually leaning against the wall. "So, what are you doing here all by yourself?" "I''m not by myself! I''m waiting for my mom," Ben retorted, puffing out his chest, clearly proud of his independence. Damien chuckled. "Of course. But you know, waiting can be pretty boring. How about I show you a magic trick?" Ben''s interest piqued. "A magic trick?" [Use of ''Trickster (lvl 1)'' profession detected.] "Yeah, watch this," Damien said, quickly producing a small object from his pocket. He waved it dramatically before tucking it away again. "Ta-da! Now you see it, now you don''t." Ben''s eyes widened in amazement. "Whoa! Can you show me again?" "Maybe later. First, let me borrow your seat for a moment," Damien said playfully, gently nudging Ben aside. As he settled down, he feigned seriousness. "Alright, you''ve had enough fun for now." Ben huffed, not ready to give up his spot. "Hey! That''s my seat!" "Just for a moment," Damien assured him with a grin. His gaze flickered as he recognized someone familiar entering the airport. Turning his attention back to the kid, he continued, "You can sit here with me if you want, but you''ll have to keep it quiet while I figure out my flight." With a reluctant sigh, Ben plopped down beside him, crossing his arms. "Fine, but you owe me a magic show later." "Deal," Damien replied, observing how the child''s posture relaxed. He felt a surge of affection for the kind boy as he lifted his gaze in the direction where Edward had just entered the airport, being scrutinized by a security guard. "You know, you''re a pretty smart kid. It''s good to be cautious." "I know," the kid nodded enthusiastically. But then he noticed Damien pointing at his watch, prompting him to look down. "Do you want to know the time?" "No, I just want to show you a magic trick," Damien smiled, glancing at the colorful, cartoonish watch adorning the child''s wrist, which inspired a thought in his mind. "Do you want it?" the kid asked, his eyes following Damien''s gaze, soon realized that Damien was looking at the watch and understood that this magic trick likely involved it. Without hesitation, the child removed the watch and handed it over at that moment, not realizing that it was important to him. "Thank you! Now, let''s make it vanish," Damien said. He shook his hand theatrically, making the watch disappear from his palm right before the boy''s astonished eyes. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wh-where''s my watch?!" The child stood up abruptly, stretching his hand out in disbelief, trying to search Damien''s pockets, but found nothing. "Stop it, it''s not on me," Damien informed the bewildered child, noting how frantically he was searching. Of course, how could the child hope to find his watch if Damien had cleverly hidden it on the floor, mostly concealed by his shoes? Indeed, employing his unlocked memories from his trickster days¡ªeven if they weren''t fully polished¡ªDamien, without making a sound, dropped the watch deftly onto the ground while using his shoe to catch it. This created an illusion, leading the child to believe the watch had truly vanished. "Wh-what? Then where is it?!" Instead of panicking, the boy was filled with urgency, recalling that the watch had been a gift from his mother, who had instructed him never to lose it because it contained a GPS to track his location. "I made it vanish and teleported it to that uncle''s pocket," Damien shrugged, casually pointing to another area where Edward was being confronted by the security personnel. "No!" The kid didn''t doubt Damien for a second; he tried to dart away toward the entrance where Edward was being accosted by security. However, Damien quickly grabbed his hand. "Wait! You can''t just ask him about the watch, or my magic will disappear!" Damien insisted, holding the kid''s hand firmly, explaining that there was a secret code needed to retrieve the watch intact; otherwise, it would vanish for good. "Wh-what''s the code?" the child asked anxiously, his gaze shifting between the man Damien had pointed to and Damien himself. He was desperate to reclaim his watch before his mother arrived and scolded him. "It''s not really a code; since that uncle is under the effects of medicine, he only hears loud sounds.," Damien smirked. Looking again at Edward, he understood that Edward, having escaped from the police headquarters, must be planning to flee the city, unaware that it was still not time for him to slip away. With a mischievous grin, Damien instructed, "When you point at him, shout, ''Give me that watch you have! I can hear the tic-toc sound coming from you!''" Chapter 89 - 89 - Edward is once again in prison. "Damn it," Edward muttered as he stepped out of the car he believed was provided by the head of the Crimwell family¡ªat least, that was what he thought. As he emerged, his gaze fell upon the nearby airport, knowing he needed to act quickly. Given that police department was actively searching for him, it was highly probable they would issue a warrant for his arrest, potentially preventing him from leaving the city altogether. Everything seemed much calmer last night, especially considering that most of the police had been focused on tracking down Damien the night before. But just this morning, while sitting in his car, he had heard on the radio that the Crimwell family was being accused of helping him escape from prison. He was thankful for this and had definitely decided to return after dealing with things in the main city to repay this favor by marrying Amelia Crimwell. Things had become even more problematic since he was charged with murder. Accusations had come his way, pointing fingers at him as the one responsible for killing those reporters and police officers. He had no idea who had actually committed the act, but one thing was clear: if he were caught now, he would face severe consequences for escaping from prison and even for killing people. "Hello, where are my tickets?" he asked hastily as he adjusted his cap, which he had snatched from a nearby stall. Dialing a number, he inquired about his escape arrangements. "It''s the only favor I could do for you, given your master''s help. Head to the main city; your ticket is in the third car in the fourth row," a deep voice responded from the other end of the line. It was a man he recognized, someone connected to the main city who had been prompted to help him in thanks for his master''s assistance. Edward silently thanked his ally before quickening his pace, sprinting toward the fourth row of vehicles. He found the designated car and opened it, retrieving the ticket stashed within. "Abhishek, I will definitely return the favor," Edward replied, cutting off the call. He knew he owed this man¡ªsomeone who had extended a hand in a time of desperation. The weight of the situation hung heavily on him, but he was determined to find a way out of this mess and reclaim his freedom. (Reference to Abhishek appears in Chapter 4.) Checking the ticket, he moved towards the airport before arriving at the entrance as several individuals were following the pace while exiting and entering the airport as he arrived there. Passing through the scanner, he felt a brief moment of relief when the metal detectors didn''t go off. He kept his cool, doing his best to blend in with the sea of travelers bustling through the airport. Everything was going according to plan. But just as he was about to step forward, a high-pitched voice pierced the air. "Give me the watch! I can hear tic-tac sound from your pocket!" The shout came from a small child no older than five, tugging at his mother''s hand and pointing directly at Edward. A chill ran down Edward''s spine. He instinctively glanced at his wrist, where he wasn''t even wearing a watch, and then to his pocket. But that didn''t matter. The security guards had already caught wind of the outburst. The nearest officer shot him a suspicious look, signaling to his colleague. Within moments, several security personnel were now watching Edward closely. "Sir, we need you to step aside for a thorough check," one of the officers said, stepping forward. His voice was polite but firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Edward felt a surge of panic rise in his chest. He couldn''t afford this delay. Missing this flight meant losing his only chance to escape the city. The clock was ticking. "I... I think there''s a misunderstanding. I have a flight to catch. I''m going to miss it," Edward tried, forcing calmness into his voice that he didn''t feel. The officer didn''t waver. "This won''t take long. Please come with us." Edward''s heart sank as they led him away from the crowd. Every second that passed felt like another nail in the coffin. Time was slipping away, and with it, his shot at freedom. Edward''s heart pounded in his chest as he tried to keep up with the unfolding situation. "Sorry?" he mumbled, not quite sure how everything was spiraling so quickly out of control. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, as every passing second brought him closer to the possibility of being arrested. He had a sinking feeling that the police would block any chance of escape if this dragged on much longer. In a last-ditch effort, he looked at the security guard and asked, "Is there really no way I can make my flight? I swear, there''s nothing on me." The security guard''s expression remained unchanged, his tone unyielding. "Sir, you need to follow us. No excuses will be entertained. This is for the safety of our passengers." Edward''s face twitched in frustration. He opened his mouth, about to protest again, when the same child interrupted, tugging on the sleeve of an officer and pointing at Edward with wide eyes. "This uncle can''t hear loud sounds! He is under the effect of some medicine!" the child exclaimed with a kind of innocent confidence only children could possess. The security personnel exchanged glances and then turned back to Edward with an almost sympathetic look, which hid their suspicion of drugs on him, considering the crowd was gathering to watch this whole scene. One of the guards moved closer, grabbing Edward''s hand firmly but not aggressively, as if they were handling a man who might not fully understand what was happening. "We''ll take you to a detention room. We''ll bring someone who knows sign language to explain the situation." Edward''s eyes widened in disbelief, his panic reaching new heights. "What?! I can hear you! I''m telling you, I can hear everything just fine! That kid is lying! He''s just accusing me for no reason!" But no one listened. The child''s innocent proclamation seemed to carry more weight than Edward''s desperate pleas. ''Fuck! I will kill you!'' He glanced at the boy, who couldn''t have been more than five or six, yet his words had turned the situation on its head. The guards, trusting the child''s observation without a second thought, tightened their hold and led Edward away. Edward kept protesting, his voice echoing in the crowded terminal. But all around him, people only watched as if it were just another minor disturbance at the airport. To them, he was already guilty, his words falling on deaf ears as they dragged him toward an uncertain fate. ''Goodbye, idiot,'' Damien stood as he saw his flight was about to arrive before making his way towards it while already making sure that Edward missed his flight. Considering how soon the news would reach the airport security, Edward would be detained in Camphrian City for quite a while. . . . . . "Mom, I could only find kitchen knives," Emilia said as she opened the car door. Placing a bundle of plastic knives on the dashboard, she climbed into the passenger seat and closed the door behind her. Dressed in her patient uniform, she glanced over at her mother, who was wearing a white shirt and a skirt, her fingers resting lightly on the steering wheel. Emilia continued, "Do you want us to go home and grab the guns?" She was referring to the firearms her mother had buried in the backyard, which Emilia had stumbled upon at the age of fourteen. At that time, her mother had shared stories of her days as a hunter, before settling down and starting a family. "Come on, we''re not going to kill anyone, Emilia," Visana replied, shifting the car into gear and accelerating onto the highway. She was already bracing herself for the inevitable confrontation that would arise from the board of directors aligned with Gabriel. Now that she had survived the ordeal, her body healing, she felt a renewed determination to reclaim her rightful place. Seconds away from a showdown, she yearned to wield her weapons once more. No longer would she rely on hard work or strategic maneuvers; it would simply come down to a death threat or a massacre. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? But Damien said you used to be an assassin?" Emilia asked, propping her chin on her hands as she leaned towards the window, gazing outside through the transparent glass. She maintained an indifferent expression, but inside, she was reeling from the revelation that Damien had shared with her while her mom was busy arranging tickets and a vehicle for him. ''What?!?'' "Wh-what?" Visana exclaimed suddenly as her daughter''s words registered. She pressed the brakes hard, causing the car to skid slightly, and they both jerked forward uncontrollably. With a twitching mouth, Visana turned to Emilia, her face a mix of shock and denial. "N-no, he must be joking." "It''s alright, you did great, Mom, and I don''t hate you," Emilia replied, her eyes still fixed on the outside world. She muttered softly, her mind replaying the recording Damien had given her¡ªone she had stumbled upon after being left alone. In that recording, she had learned the painful truth: her real mother was already dead. Although the truth stung deeply, Emilia was aware of the sacrifices this woman had made for her. Even if Visana wasn''t her biological mother, she had provided her with everything a child could wish for, perhaps even more than her real mother could have offered. Pride welled up in Emilia for the woman who had raised her, but anger simmered beneath the surface as well¡ªanger for the way Visana had poisoned herself all these years to keep Emilia from suspecting anything. But she pushed those thoughts aside, knowing that voicing her feelings could only wound the woman who had sacrificed so much of her youth to raise her. Instead, she chose to hold her tongue, determination brewing within her as she silently resolved, ''I will kill you, Damien! You pervert!'' Chapter 90 - 90- Entering main City Damien stepped out of the airport, the rhythmic click of his shoes momentarily blending into the city''s steady hum¡ªhonking cars, distant conversations, and the ceaseless buzz of movement¡ªbut it all washed over him like a distant echo. He glanced upward. Skyscrapers reached into the sky, their glass and steel fa?ades glinting under the midday sun. The streets were chaotic¡ªcars were jammed bumper to bumper, and pedestrians darted through the frenzy, all seemingly pursuing something elusive. Yet, to him, it was all inconsequential. ''Main city, huh?'' A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Damien''s lips as his gaze swept over the scene. Amid all this hustle and bustle, he found amusement; to him, it was merely noise. ''Are there any major plot points activated?'' His thoughts shifted. Without pausing, he reached out to his system. His voice, cool and detached, fell from his lips as if it were an afterthought. [No. There''s no plot triggered yet.] Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Perfect.'' The devilish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth only grew wider. He still had time¡ªplenty of it. Edward wouldn''t arrive for at least a month, which left Damien with ample room to maneuver, to plan. ''Location of the side character?'' he asked, feigning a boredom that only partially masked his curiosity, which flared just for an instant. [Akira Malhotra, present location: Rose Street.] A display materialized, marking a spot on his mental map. A library. Of course, it had to be somewhere as mundane as that. Typical for a side character¡ªsomeone easily overlooked, at least for the moment. Damien flagged down a taxi. It arrived almost as if the city itself bowed to his whims. He slid into the backseat, letting out a quiet breath while watching the city rush by outside the window. His thoughts were elsewhere, formulating his next move. But the driver seemed all too eager to engage in conversation. "Busy day, huh?" The man''s voice broke through Damien''s reverie. He noticed the driver''s eyes glancing at him through the rearview mirror. "You don''t strike me as someone who enjoys airports much. Am I right?" ''Is he from another country?'' Damien tilted his head, giving the driver a measured look. Then, without missing a beat, he asked, "What''s your address?" The driver blinked, visibly thrown off by the sudden, unexpected question. "Uh, my address? Oh! It''s in Queens¡ªSunnyside, to be exact. It''s a quiet place, way out of this craziness." Damien let a small smile break through, intrigued by the man''s eagerness to share. "I imagine it''s a nice change of pace," he replied thoughtfully. "All the buzz of the city can be overwhelming." "Yeah," the driver chuckled, adjusting his grip on the wheel. "You get used to it, though. Just need to find your own little escape from time to time, you know?" Damien nodded, contemplating the idea. Escapes were vital. "Do you have a favorite spot?" he asked, genuinely interested now. "There''s this old park by the water," the driver said, sounding nostalgic. "Whenever I feel the weight of the city, I just sit there and watch the boats go by. It''s peaceful, but there are scammers who sell ice cream at double the price." Damien arched an eyebrow, intrigued. A park by the water? He stored that piece of information away, a potential resource for the future. "Sounds lovely," he replied, his voice smooth. "Maybe I''ll check it out someday." The driver nodded enthusiastically, clearly happy to share his slice of paradise. "You should! And hey, if you want, I can drop you off there instead. It''s not too far out of the way." "Some other time," Damien replied as he checked his pockets for money, which were empty, but without making the driver suspicious, he inquired, "What''s your opinion on the city?" The driver chuckled, his demeanor lightening as if relieved that they had shifted to a less fraught topic. "Ah, the city? It''s a love-hate relationship, you know? It has its own rhythm, like a living beast¡ªnever at rest, never stopping. But it has a heart, too. A place like Sunnyside really helps to keep you grounded when you need to escape the madness." A faint smile curled at the corners of Damien''s lips. "And yet here you are, driving through the heart of it every day." "Yeah, funny, isn''t it?" the driver replied, laughter bubbling forth a bit more freely this time. "I spent years trying to get away, and now look at me, navigating the chaos on a daily basis. It can wear you down sometimes, but hey¡ªit''s home." Damien leaned back with hands folded, studying the driver intently for a moment, amusement glimmering in his eyes. "Are you truly content with that? What if someday you offend some rich family''s third-generation heir? Isn''t the main city their hub?" The driver risked another quick glance at him through the rearview mirror, somewhat oblivious to the darker undertones lurking in Damien''s gaze. "About that, who knows when we will kick the bucket, so I don''t care much. Of course, there are only a few young masters or misses I need to care about; otherwise, others don''t even care to ride a taxi." "So, you mean those who you need to worry about travel through a taxi?" Damien murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He reclined back in his seat, his gaze locked on the sprawling city before them. The driver, still riding the wave of their casual conversation, continued to express his thoughts. "Yeah, others stay away from these places; mostly they are found in sector 15 where major clubs and Ramphian groups of hotels are." "But some of them drive rashly, and if they get into an accident, they just throw some money," he added, a hint of nostalgia creeping into his voice, which was definitely part of the harsh reality. "Last week, a teenager hit two IT professionals on a bike with his car, and the courts made him write an essay about driving safety and granted him bail. I heard yesterday that the car involved in the accident was also returned, since it was an exclusive model. Money can purchase everything, even someone''s life." Damien remained silent for a moment, contemplating the driver''s words. Given the presence of an influential family in the main city, it is obvious that those without power will be crushed. "Who is the well-known playboy of the city?" The driver glanced back, a grin spreading across his face. "Now that''s a question! It''s definitely Ye Fan! From the Ye family, he has slept with several women, either willingly or forced them by using his family''s strength." As the car meandered through the winding streets, Damien''s eyes flicked back to the driver. His interest wasn''t really in small talk, but the man didn''t need to know that. Soon, they approached Rose Street. Damien leaned forward slightly. "Stop here," he instructed, his voice laced with authority. "Here?" The driver looked puzzled. "But we''re not quite there¡ª" "Here," Damien repeated, his gaze locking with the man''s in the rearview mirror. His voice left no room for argument. The driver hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Whatever you say, boss." The taxi pulled over, and before the driver could even glance back to ask for the fare, Damien was gone. The door hardly made a sound as he vanished into the sea of people, his presence fading into the city''s rhythm. The driver stared into the empty backseat, utterly bewildered. "What the¡ª?" he muttered, scratching his head. The door had somehow closed on its own, leaving no trace of Damien''s sudden departure. He sighed, chuckling to himself in disbelief. "Man, did I just get scammed by some con artist?" With another shake of his head, the driver shifted back into gear, a wry smile curling his lips. "And... in this city," he murmured, merging back into traffic before his expression turned to anger as he shouted, "Fuck! If I see you again, you''re dead!" . . . . . . ''Ye fan?'' Damien glancing at a screen that had suddenly appeared in front of him. He took a moment to absorb the information displayed. [ New Son of Heaven Detected = Ye fan ] ''Where is he right now?'' Damien asked, fully aware that the system likely wouldn''t be able to pinpoint his location since no significant plot had been established yet. [ Not possible to track --? Lyra here, he''s in a hotel, sleeping soundly. ] ''....Zero?'' Damien''s focus slipping from the system''s screen. He caught sight of the small tab that indicated his accumulated hate points had dropped to zero. [ Ahem, you''ve received crucial information! What does it mean for your hate points to reach zero? ] ''....damn you, Lyra'' Damien''s mouth twitched in irritation as the system''s voice chimed in. It had effortlessly drained his hard-earned hit points, delivering what felt like a half-baked piece of information¡ªespecially since he still didn''t know which hotel that bastard of a man was resting in. ''Now, let''s turn our attention to our second supporting character,'' Damien realized that Ye Fan was not currently on Rose Street, so he set off towards the specific library that the system had pointed out to him. Chapter 91 - 91- Akira Malhotra In Rose Street, The old woman stood behind the counter of her flower shop, her wrinkled hands gently brushing over the petals of a bouquet as three men entered. Their expressions were hard, and their eyes cold as they approached her. "You need to empty this place by the end of the week," the tallest of the three said, his voice sharp and demanding. "Orders from the owner." The old woman straightened her back, shaking her head. "I''m not going anywhere. My husband opened this shop with his own hands. This place means more to me than you understand." One of the other men scoffed, stepping closer. "That''s not our problem, lady. We don''t care about your husband or your memories. You have to leave, or we''ll make you." Her eyes flickered with defiance as she met his gaze. "You won''t. I won''t let you." The men glanced at each other, tension building in the small space. Their patience was running thin, but before they could say more, the door opened again. A young man stepped inside. "Go away, the shop is closed," one of the three men said as he gestured for the newcomer to leave. "Is there a problem here?" Damien asked, his tone calm but firm. The three men stiffened slightly at his tone, glancing at him before the tallest one spoke up, "Just telling the old lady to clear out. None of your business, kid." Damien''s gaze shifted to the old woman, then back to the men. "I think you''ll want to reconsider that." "Reconsider? You bast¡ª" Before one of them could curse, the taller one stopped him, realizing the newcomer looked wealthy. Given his handsome appearance and expensive suit, they knew offending him could create trouble. "Listen, we are not forcing her out. This shop originally belongs to the Malhotras, and this woman is forcibly living here," the man explained to Damien, wanting to clarify that they weren''t doing anything illegal. They were forced to make this woman leave since the place originally belonged to them. "Is it true, Grandma?" Damien turned to the old woman, who, knowing it was true, slightly nodded her head before turning it away. He noticed fresh soil on her hands and the apron she wore to plant the flowers. "See? Now go away," the man told Damien more confidently, seeing that the old woman hadn''t resisted him. "I see. If it''s the Malhotras, then you must know about Abhishek Malhotra, right?" Damien inquired. He remembered the name from when he was inviting several high-society people to his marriage with Emilia. ''!'' "Y-yes," all three men replied, slightly taken aback. The man who had been trying to intimidate Damien slowly reiterated, feeling that if this man was aware of their newly appointed boss''s name, it was likely to trouble them. "Call him and tell him it''s Damien," Damien stretched out his hand and requested a phone from all three of them. As they recognized the name Damien Raphael, their expressions shifted. They now saw that he was a trans who had been cast out by his family. "It didn''t work on them," Damien noted, understanding that, unlike the people in Campaign City, these locals were clearly aware that when a major family announces abandonment, it means an irrevocable severance of ties. Damien had managed to uphold his status as the heir of the Raphael family until now, but it seemed challenging moving forward. "Well, well, well, isn''t this the wast¡ªBAM!" One of the men tried to belittle Damien, but instead, he received a punch to the face so swift that it felt like the man''s face was a cushion being hit by a sponge. "Kugh!" The man staggered back, clutching his nose as blood trickled down his face, his eyes wide with shock. His two companions reacted instinctively, stepping forward to attack Damien, but he was already in motion. Damien glanced at the clock on the wall, a smile forming as he noted the time; the library nearby was scheduled to close in 20 seconds, with 10 seconds remaining before the lunar event would occur. ''30'', he counted silently, noting the seconds ticking by. The first of the two lunged toward him, but Damien sidestepped easily, his movements fluid and precise. The man swung wildly, missing entirely as Damien ducked under the punch and delivered a swift jab to his gut. The man doubled over, gasping for air. ''29¡­28¡­'' Damien''s eyes flicked back to the clock as he twisted around, catching the third man trying to attack him from behind. He grabbed the man''s arm, twisting it behind his back and forcing him to the ground with a sharp, calculated move. The tall man, still reeling from the punch, recovered and charged at Damien in anger. "You''re dead!" he yelled, swinging his fist with all his strength. Damien didn''t even flinch. He moved slightly to the side, letting the man''s fist sail past him, and retaliated with a brutal elbow to the man''s ribs. The crack of bone was audible as the man let out a guttural cry of pain. ''25¡­24¡­'' Damien counted in his mind, his eyes calm and calculating, as if he were merely waiting for something rather than engaged in a fight. He glanced at the clock again, his expression unreadable. The men were down but still conscious, groaning in pain and trying to muster the strength to stand. The first man, clutching his stomach, growled in frustration and rushed at Damien again, only to be met with a swift kick to the chest that sent him flying backward into the flower display. Petals scattered everywhere as he crashed into the shelves, knocking over pots and vases. ''20¡­19¡­'' "Stop!" the second man shouted, panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face. "You''re gonna pay for this, man! Do you know who we work for?" Damien glanced at him briefly, his expression still indifferent. "I don''t care." He stepped forward, delivering a final punch that sent the second man sprawling on the floor, unconscious. The tall man tried to crawl away, but Damien grabbed him by the collar, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. He slammed him into the door, his eyes cold. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You think you''re tough because you can bully an old woman?" he said quietly, his voice calm but carrying an edge of danger. ''10¡­9¡­'' He loosened his grip slightly, letting the man drop to the ground in a heap, groaning in pain. "Get out," Damien ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And tell your boss that if he wants this place, he''ll have to come through me." The three men scrambled to their feet, limping and staggering toward the door. Damien watched them go, his gaze fixed on them as he counted down. ''3¡­2¡­1'' Just then, at the exact time, he noticed two people approaching. One appeared to be in a wheelchair while the other pushed it. His smile vanished, replaced by genuine worry as he turned towards the old woman, who would be his ticket to getting into a favorable position. "Are you alright, Grandma?" She smiled softly, her wrinkled face filled with gratitude. "I am now. Thank you, young man." Damien nodded, before hearing voices coming from the door. As he listened, the sound of wheels reached his ears; due to his enhanced senses, he could clearly distinguish that the sound of the wheels was accompanied by a person''s footsteps, most likely someone pushing it towards the shop. He added, "Grandma, they were from the Malhotra family. I would suggest you close the shop and not get entangled with that evil family; they are rotten to the core." "YOU! HOW DARE¡ª" Suddenly, a woman yelled, and her voice echoed loudly inside the flower shop. The old woman looked frightened, covering her face as she glanced towards the two young women who had entered; one was seated in a wheelchair while the other held it tightly, glaring at Damien, but was interrupted by the one in the wheelchair. "Stop it, it''s fine," Akira said as she turned towards the man in front of her. After leaving the library, she had seen three of the men who were often around her family estate being beaten and left in a pitiful state. To understand what was happening here, she just wanted to inquire with the shop owner, but the moment she entered, she heard this young man cursing her family, prompting her to add, "I apologize for my friend''s rudeness; she just thought you were bullying the old lady." Akira didn''t reveal that her full name was Akira Malhotra, but kept it hidden from the man as he thought there was no reason to reveal additional information. From her words, it was clear that no one, in major cases, would reveal their family name. Once here, the man in front of them had an unfavorable impression of it. "Oh, I see. I was rude too, apologies," Damien said. Hearing Akira''s words, he could clearly understand that everything was going in the right direction. It was evident that the man before them held no favorable image of the Malhotras. "It''s fine," the woman holding Akira''s wheelchair just shook her head, showing her dissatisfaction and seeming ready to forgive Damien for cursing the family of her friend. Indeed, she had only gotten angry at Damien because she thought Akira would feel bad hearing her family being cursed. "Apologies, but I heard you expressing some unfavorable opinions about the Malhotra family?" Akira couldn''t help but inquire about the reason for this young man to hold such an image of the family in his eyes, revealing his clear anger towards them. Chapter 92 - 92- Akira Malhotra "It''s not an unfavorable opinion," Damien declared, his tone firm and unwavering as he boldly rejected Akira''s suggestion that he harbored a negative view of the Malhotra family. "Huh? Sorry¡ª" Akira stammered, caught off guard. She had just overheard his conversation with a woman that had clearly revealed his disdain for the Malhotra family, given that he had been cursing them and expressing how terrible they were. However, before she could clarify, he interrupted her. "I hate those bastards," Damien said, his voice steady as his narrowed gaze locked onto Akira. His words left her momentarily speechless as she stared at him in disbelief, joined by the elderly woman and her friend, who was supporting a wheelchair. "Ahem, I mean, particularly that Abhishek Malhotra who cheated me in business," Damien continued, a hint of embarrassment coloring his tone as he realized how harsh his words were in front of the women. He ruffled his hair, redirecting his attention to the old woman. "So, I was saying, Grandma, be aware of them." Without lingering further, Damien calmly made his exit. Both women stood in shock, watching him leave, their expressions blank as he passed by, excusing himself and exiting the establishment. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ".....What was that?" Akira muttered, still reeling from his outburst. She blinked in bewilderment, turning to her friend for answers. The awkward silence hung in the air, leaving her question unanswered. She had intended to ask about Damien''s animosity toward the Malhotra family, but his sudden departure had left her confused. Under normal circumstances, Akira would have been a spirited young woman. However, following her recent disability caused by an accident¡ªwhich had been orchestrated by her own brother¡ªher sense of strength began to wane. She felt rendered useless and vulnerable before those who sought to curry favor with the Malhotra family. Consequently, she had taken to spending her days in the library, seeking solace in books and quiet activities. Her brother had made it abundantly clear that she should never think of involving herself with those powerful people, or the consequences would be dire. Thus, she had adopted the role of an innocent and fragile woman¡ªat least, that was how others perceived her. "Rina, what does Damien Raphael have to do with my brother?" Akira''s tone sharpened suddenly, a cold edge settling in the room as her friend, Rina, looked on in surprise. The elderly woman, her eyes squinting due to age, slowly perked up, sensing the shift in Akira''s demeanor. Even her friend released her grip on the wheelchair, surprised as Akira seemed to stand without any support, almost as if it were a theatrical performance. "Young miss, that young man seems to have come here to approach you," the old woman said, her voice imbued with a wisdom that suggested she had seen far worse in her time. This tone felt different, as though awakening a previously dormant spirit within her. She carefully shuffled out from behind the counter, hands folded behind her back, casting a knowing glance in the direction of the door. "Hm, I thought so too, but..." Akira''s instincts kicked in. She had never been one to believe in coincidences. It was apparent to her that Damien had ulterior motives, attempting to manipulate her and the situation to his advantage. If not for her instantaneous recognition of him as none other than Damien Raphael¡ªthe son of one of the richest families she had memorized from photographs¡ªshe might have been caught off guard. Akira possessed a remarkable photographic memory; she never forgot a face or detail of anything she had seen, making it impossible for her to overlook Damien, even after all this time. Already up to date with the news of Raphael''s family abandoning him and now seeing him roaming around this particular rose street out of nowhere, she could clearly understand he was trying to approach her. But the issue was if he wanted to do that, he could have simply acted like he hated the Malhotra family, even if it was a lie, and tried to approach her by getting her sympathy. However, he suddenly left while cursing the family. This was definitely unexpected, even for her, since she had thought to use this fool, yet smart guy in her favor to get into some stronger family other than the Malhotras. Indeed, she wasn''t interested in getting back her family asset given how, all these years, even when her dad was alive, she had made sure to get as much money as she could and even let her foolish brother orchestrate an accident, believing he was successful and got the position of honor of the family without being aware that he was just a puppet manipulated by her without him knowing anything. She had complete control over the Malhotra family, having all the money and assets. While by being behind everything, she had made sure that until she was done with her work, Abhishek acted as a manager, managing her assets, which she could take back any time. Until then, he was simply a caretaker. While acting like a weak woman seated in a wheelchair, she was secretly preparing to become even more successful and get her hands on some bigger family. "Should I interrogate him?" Rina asked, stretching her hand and quite clearly feeling slight cramps due to controlling herself for too long. She was prepared to beat or even break one or two limbs to interrogate that fool who thought his plan was some masterpiece to manipulate someone of Akira''s caliber. The moment he abused Malhotra, she was angered just because her friend, mostly called Akira, would feel bad. And if she did that, who knows what would happen to that abandoned hire? So she was pitying him, not her friend. "No, leave him, and you, why didn''t you tell me that idiot was bothering you?" Akira moved towards a flower pot, using scissors to adjust the dense leaves, cutting them while watering with a spray, inquired her pupil, glancing at the old woman as she stood near a plant in a firm posture, wearing a soft fabric frock that reached slightly above her knees. "Apologies, Young Miss. I intended to take this opportunity to erase my identity by faking my own death," the old woman confessed. Having lived for more than 300 years due to her exceptional cultivation prowess, she felt an urgent need to sever her lingering attachments to this flower shop, once owned by her late husband. After joining the Malhotra family, she had relinquished her claim to it, never imagining that Abhishek would come to cherish this particular location and attempt to intimidate her with thugs. Naturally, the old woman yearned to shed her identity as a flower shop owner, especially after so many years spent in this place. Today, she had planned to enact her ruse of dying right here. But then, an unexpected young man appeared and played the role of a hero. Initially, she believed he would be overwhelmed and forced to flee, yet as the confrontation unfolded, it became clear that he was more than capable; he was also a cultivator. As she observed his movements, she quickly realized his expertise¡ªthere was a precision in his actions that spoke of professionalism. Each motion was deliberate, devoid of unnecessary gestures, and the force behind his punches was astonishing. They shattered the bones of those muscular assailants with ease, indicating that he was at least at the Body Refinement Realm. "Hm, understood. You may stay here for a few more days," Akira remarked, tilting her head thoughtfully. She had a strong feeling that Damien would return, especially since today''s encounter didn''t seem like mere coincidence. It was likely that he intended to get her attention, and she was convinced he would be back soon. "As you wish, Young Miss. Should I deal with any goons Abhishek sends in the future?" the old woman inquired, her head lifting slightly. The sharp look she directed at Akira conveyed a clear desire for permission to eliminate anyone who might attempt to forcibly drive her out of the shop. Now that she had chosen to stay, she was resolute: no one would take this place from her by force. "Yes, but I doubt it will come to that," Akira replied, her tone calm and collected. She was acutely aware of what her brother''s reaction might be if she broached the topic of letting the flower shop go. "Today, I plan to have a word with that idiot," she added, fully aware of the potential fallout from confronting Abhishek about the matter. Though it was necessary to make him aware that he shouldn''t touch this shop. "Let''s go." Taking a flower, she cut it as she moved towards the wheelchair before sitting in it; Rina held it for both of them as they slowly left the shop and made their way out of the place. Looking towards the departing figure of the woman who had inherited her grandfather''s legacy, the older woman really felt nostalgia considering how she had been slightly more connected with Akira''s grandfather, who was a reputed and well-known man in his time. But his son and even grandson were both useless, not able to inherit the legacy of their ancestor. But right now, looking towards Akira, the old woman really felt nostalgia, ''She is the spitting image of you, my friend. She is sharp, cruel, and definitely worthy of your legacy.'' As she stated, the woman turned before holding a smile on her face, moving, and taking a seat near the bench, looking towards the falling night as the streets were emptied and the light of the flower shop closed. Chapter 93 - 93- Getting Flower shop Inside the Malhotra estate stood a grand mansion, home to the main residents of the Malhotra family, primarily Abhishek Malhotra and his sister. At that particular moment, they were residing in their father''s house following his recent passing. The mansion was steeped in history, boasting various secret compartments and an oval structure crafted by the Malhotra ancestors, holding numerous hidden secrets. A longstanding family tradition prohibited selling the estate, and both heirs understood its significance. However, after their father''s death, Abhishek found himself in a position of greater control. "Sir, this is the document that requires both your signature and that of the young miss," announced a group of lawyers as they arrived, presenting a will from the head of the family, directing significant assets to Abhishek, who stood before it, intently reading through the pages. Abhishek was struck by the revelation that the will allocated 80% of the property to his sister, despite the estate primarily consisting of a small hotel chain under his management. Deep down, he resented the notion of sharing with his sister, especially since she had recently become disabled. He was, in fact, searching for a suitable match for her¡ªsomeone utterly reprehensible yet from a reputable family, ensuring that society wouldn''t judge him for trying to rid himself of his sister while also attempting to seize control of the property. "...Here," he muttered to himself, recognizing that there were still various aspects of their father''s legacy that the family lawyers had yet to reveal. Abhishek understood he was at a disadvantage, as he remained unaware of many secrets and hidden assets his father might have left behind through intricate conditions in another will. Therefore, he reluctantly signed the document without protesting against the considerable share given to his sister. "Now, we just need your sister''s signature. Where is she?" inquired the senior lawyer, scanning the hall for her. Abhishek''s gaze narrowed, clearly incredulous; he couldn''t believe that these inept lawyers were searching for his sister, whom he had intentionally harmed, resulting in her leg injury. "She is not inside the house¡ª" Abhishek replied, internally anxious at the thought of her refusal to sign the document. If she failed to do so, she would forfeit her claim to the remaining 70% of the inheritance. He suggested that the lawyers leave, asserting they could devise a plan to manage the situation and ultimately gain control of that 70% from her. "I am here," suddenly, a woman''s voice resonated in the hallway, causing everyone''s eyes to turn towards the entrance, where two women, one holding a wheelchair and the second seated in it, appeared to look in their direction. "You..." Abhishek''s face turned grim as he clenched his fists, frowning at the sight of her arriving at the wrong time. Right now, he was able to just send the lawyers away and handle the situation. But somehow, it was his bad luck that this woman had arrived. "Oh, young miss, we were here to get your signature," one of the senior lawyers moved forward with a smile, as his narrowed gaze shared a secret glance with Akira, only understood by both of them. As he nodded, all the lawyers moved towards her. ''Stop, you bastards!'' Abhishek thought, seeing how these people were not even looking at him now that Akira had arrived. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He felt frustrated but couldn''t do anything, given he was at a disadvantage, prompting him to simply take a seat on the sofa. He folded his hands and closed his eyes, trying to control his anger from bursting out. Unbeknownst to him, this was simply a ploy where only he was thinking that everything was under his control, but all the servants, maids, and everyone was looking intentionally towards him, with their eyes glancing in the direction of the real owner of this house, including the lawyers; everyone was on Akira''s side, not giving a single ounce of respect to Abhishek, who was nothing but a pawn, used and could be disposed of anytime if needed. "Dear young miss, you need to sign here." The senior lawyer finally provided the document, which Akira took as she glanced towards it, acting as if she were reading. While in truth, it was she who had prepared it to get rid of the small hotel business which was giving her problems, and given how well he knew Abhishek''s personality, she had intentionally made her share more than his, clearly making him want to get his hands on it. To be exact, it was a simple way for her to get rid of those businesses which would be a hassle for her to deal with in the future, like this small hotel group which wasn''t earning much profit but required too much focus and workload. So, she decided to dump it on Abhishek. "....A-a hotel group?" Akira feigned confusion while reading the document. She lifted her head to look towards Abhishek, who, hearing her trembling voice, formed a slow smile, opening his eyes as he understood that finally, his sister was starting to show her real potential, which was fear and nothing else. After all, when their father was alive, he always favored Akira, praising her for all the achievements she had made, as if she were some genius and prodigy born in a thousand years. But soon enough, after taking over following his father''s death, he realized that his sister had become weak to his orders, completely dependent on him. Understanding that this woman was weak-hearted, she needed praise from someone older than her. So, he became a guardian, making her think the way he wanted her to think, even going so far as to orchestrate an accident where she didn''t even doubt him, given how it was he who told her to drive the car whose brakes were already failing. "Do you need any help, Akira?" Directing his gaze towards the woman seated in the wheelchair, Abhishek, with a quiet smile, narrowed his eyes, showing a glint as he could clearly see through his na?ve sister, who wasn''t even aware of the business done under the Malhotra group. A na?ve and weak woman, completely dependent on him. Chapter 94 - 94- Loan shark "B-Brother, I can''t handle this much responsibility," Akira''s eyes widened with a slight tremble as she held the document with a shaky hand, her eyes genuinely asking for help from her brother. "No, you need to grow up, Akira. Sign it," Abhishek shook his head, clearly neglecting and rejecting the responsibility his sister was not expecting while trying to show his generous side in front of the lawyers. This was all a simple method for him to manipulate things in his favor, given that most of the time they thought about how he kept rejecting responsibility, while his sister wanted to run from hers. "I-I understand," Akira looked downward, seemingly hurt by his words before taking the pen and signing the document, causing Abhishek''s eyes to widen as he stood from his sofa, hastily moving towards her before yanking the document from her hand. "What are you doing!?" Abhishek shouted, pulling the papers towards himself in disbelief at his sister, who dared to sign the document, prompting everyone to look at him in surprise. Of course, they were acting, but whatever the case, they were shocked to see how he yelled at a disabled woman. "B-Brother?" Akira''s eyes trembled as she looked towards Abhishek, who had just snatched the paper from her hand when she was merely signing the document with a pen that still had a cap on, clearly acting to fool him. Naturally, if she wanted, she could have just forced him and made him act like a slave. But by doing so, he would not be able to act the way he usually did in front of others, raising suspicion as they would start to turn towards her and become harder in her path since she needed to distract others'' attention from herself, appearing as low-key as possible. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Th-that''s," Abhishek, suddenly hearing his sister''s voice, saw her shocked expression and realized that he had just broken his facade due to getting overwhelmed by anger, causing him to adjust himself as he looked towards the document, closing the file as he glanced towards the lawyers. "It seems my sister can''t take responsibility, so I will take it." ".....So, you are trying to force your sister and snatch her share, Mr. Abhishek," the senior lawyer said in a firm tone, glaring at Abhishek, causing him to slightly flinch as he felt that maybe his words were wrong and could create problems for him, causing him to glance towards the file and his sister, who appeared surprised upon hearing him, trembling while looking at him. ''Damn this idiot,'' Abhishek couldn''t help but curse inwardly, given how instead of acting properly, this woman had forced him to act out of character by signing the document, as he, controlling himself, added, "No, I can''t see my sister burdened by responsibilities; she should just enjoy her life." "...And how do you want to do it?" the senior lawyer pressured Abhishek, as if trying to push him into a corner, which was the true aim of his arrival here. "Um, Akira, do you want something to spend your time on?" Being pressured by the lawyer, Abhishek couldn''t help but cling towards Akira, inquiring about what she wanted, though of course, he was clearly determined to reject any outrageous demands he made even at the cost of depleting his image. "That," Akira''s voice trembled, her eyes looking towards Abhishek before she added with a smile, "I-I like flowers, and I saw a flower shop beside the library I go to daily; can I have that shop?" Akira was well aware that Abhishek was keeping an eye on her movements through several spies, which is why she didn''t hesitate to reveal where she went daily and her interest in getting that flower shop. After all, a small flower shop or a hotel group¡ª which would her brother choose? "Huh? That shop? Take it," Abhishek suddenly recalled the scheme he was trying to implement, given that he was aware of her habit of always visiting a library. By taking control of the flower shop, he wanted to slowly get his hands on the library and eventually close it by opening a bar or something; it was a type of revenge he wanted to impose on this woman. But it appeared he should drop that idea and give her that shop in exchange for this hotel group. . . . . . . . "Uncle, that''s my lollipop?!" a small child yelled as he saw a man in a suit passing beside him, taking the lollipop which he had just unwrapped. "Purchase another one," Damien, unwrapping the lollipop, put it into his mouth and directly moved towards an empty alley, heading towards the place where he could be alone, mostly searching for a Lonesark. Naturally, when meeting that woman, he had never expected that a supporting character would be that strong. And things would escalate wrong since the moment he entered the flower shop and observed their status window; it was quite a drama. A lady of flowers at Nascent Soul Level, a disabled young woman at Foundation Establishment Realm, and finally, the woman holding the wheelchair supporting it at Golden Core Level. If it wasn''t for noticing their status window, Damien would have applied the same tactics on Akira he had done with Emilia, given they both were supporting characters, but it appeared that this particular woman would be a hard nut to crack. "Where is it?" While moving, with one hand holding a pamphlet written about getting loans at a very low interest rate, he moved inside an alley where several individuals appeared to be smoking and drinking, as if some kind of criminal hub stood glaring at his direction from time to time. Though, of course, he also appeared the same as them, given how, not to create a hassle, he had also opened his collar and was holding a stick-like cigarette in his mouth, though, of course, it was a lollipop, to seem like these criminals, before arriving near a building that appeared to be a broken hut. Chapter 95 - 95- Taking Loan Damien stood outside the dilapidated hut, his eyes surveying its battered exterior. He reached for the door, intending to open it, but to his surprise, it came crashing down, splintering on the ground while he still clutched the doorknob in his hand. The loud noise startled two thugs inside. "Man, you just broke the damn door!" one of them shouted, a cigarette hanging from his lips. The second thug, a scruffy man with a tattooed arm and a noticeable scar snaking down his face, added, "Yeah, pal, that door wasn''t cheap. You''re going to pay for that!" A wave of amusement washed over Damien. The two thugs, clearly trying to intimidate him, seemed utterly clueless. Maintaining a calm smile, he simply replied, "I''m here to see your boss. I''m looking for a loan." They exchanged quick, uncertain glances, sensing the lack of fear radiating from Damien. "Oh, loans! Why didn''t you say so?" the scarred thug said, his tone shifting. "Come on in." They guided Damien through the derelict hut and into a small office that appeared to belong to a completely different realm. The contrast was striking. The room was air-conditioned, impeccably clean, and furnished with plush sofas, a pristine white carpet, and a large, imposing desk. Behind it sat a malnourished-looking man, sporting a surgical mask and exuding an air of distaste for the surrounding mess. The man adjusted his glasses as Damien approached. His thin frame gave off an almost sickly threat. Standing up, he gestured for Damien to take a seat. "Please, make yourself comfortable." Damien complied, adopting a relaxed pose while two muscular men¡ªeach easily five times the boss''s size and three times Damien''s¡ªloomed menacingly behind him. Their cold expressions and unwavering stares didn''t escape Damien''s notice. "So," the thin man began, his voice quiet yet commanding, "how can I assist you?" "I need money," Damien responded, his tone steady and composed, despite the palpable threat hanging in the air. The boss smiled faintly beneath his mask. "Of course, we can assist you. However, our interest rate is set at 30%. Non-negotiable." The room fell into an expectant silence as he awaited Damien''s reaction. The goons behind him shifted, tensing and prepared for any sign of discontent. Yet, Damien remained utterly calm, leaning back in his chair. "That works for me," Damien replied, his tone calm and composed. His air of nonchalance prompted the boss and the two burly men flanking him to exchange amused glances, their faces morphing into smirks as if they had just ensnared an easy mark. They regarded Damien with mocking eyes, convinced he was nothing more than a fool. Unfazed by their derision, Damien maintained his steady demeanor. The boss leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "So, how much are you looking for?" "Five million," Damien stated, not skipping a beat. The room fell into an icy silence. The boss''s eyes widened in disbelief as he shot up from his chair. The two thugs, usually unruffled in any situation, exchanged startled looks. Five million? It was an outrageous figure¡ªfar beyond anything they would ever consider lending to an unknown person. Sure, they could scrape together that amount, but it was practically everything they possessed, and the thought of loaning it out? Utterly impossible. The boss''s expression twisted into a scowl, his features hardening. "You think we''re stupid? Are you playing games with us?" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the hulking thugs stepped forward, his fists already clenched. "Boss, let me handle this. I''ll make sure this guy understands how we operate." The second thug chimed in, his voice dripping with menace. "Yeah, boss. Just give me a shot at this joker." Before either could advance, Damien interjected, his voice slicing through the palpable tension. "My name is Damien Raphael, heir to the Raphael Group, the one who was cast aside." The moment those words left his lips, the room again fell silent. The boss''s eyes narrowed as they zeroed in on Damien, studying him with newfound intensity. His sidekicks exchanged anxious glances, clearly taken aback by the revelation. A dangerous glint flashed in the boss''s eyes, his lips curling into a slow, cunning smile. "So, why should I lend money to someone like you? Especially given that you''ve been rejected by your own family." Damien remained unmoved. He leaned back casually, crossing his legs on the sofa, resting his head on his hands, and allowing a smile laced with arrogance to creep onto his face. "Because you''re all foolish, which is why you''re poor." The two thugs behind the boss bristled, their fists tightening in anger. One of them growled, "How dare you speak to us that way!" Damien hardly spared them a glance, shaking his head in mild amusement. "Honestly. You''re just ignorant. The Raphael family has made it clear that I wasn''t hired because they want me to forge my own empire. I need the loan for that. And even if I delay repayment, I''ll simply ask my family to cover it. We all know how it goes¡ªyou can never truly abandon family, right?" His words struck a chord. The boss leaned back in his chair, a contemplative expression crossing his face. His fingers drummed thoughtfully against his chin as he mulled over the weight of Damien''s statement. The thugs, too, appeared to be processing what he had just conveyed, realizing the reality of his situation was more complex than they initially thought. The boss leaned back in his chair, studying Damien with a cautious grin. "Alright. I can get you the money, but it won''t be all at once. You''ll receive it in three installments¡ªtwo million today, two million tomorrow, and the final one million the day after." His eyes narrowed, assessing Damien''s reaction. Without hesitation, Damien nodded in agreement. "Good," the boss said, gesturing toward his desk. "Now, sign the contract." Damien raised an eyebrow. "Why would I sign a contract for five million when you''re only handing over two million right now? At the very least, you should add a clause that reflects the actual amount being given." The boss chuckled, finding amusement in Damien''s cleverness. "Ha! You''re sharp, I''ll give you that. Fine, we''ll draft that clause." With a wave of his hand, the contract was amended, and once the changes were complete, Damien picked up the pen and signed his name. "Give him the two million," the boss commanded one of his henchmen. Chapter 96 - 96- Ye Fan (1) "But boss," the thug protested, clearly uncomfortable, "what if he decides to run off with the money? He''s no longer part of the Raphael family. There''s no guarantee he''ll pay us back." The others in the room chimed in with their own concerns, their voices creating a murmur of doubt and talk of potential betrayal. Yet the boss, a man seasoned in reading the nuances of human behavior, smirked knowingly. "No worries. I have my ways of ensuring I get my money back if anything goes awry." His tone carried an implicit threat, effectively silencing the room. The boss gestured again, and one of the henchmen reluctantly exited the room. He soon returned with a hefty suitcase, placing it on the table with a thud¡ªobviously the weight of two million dollars in cash. It was clear that the boss was keen on evading taxes, and the clandestine nature of their arrangement was unmistakable. With a flick of his wrist, the suitcase was opened, exposing stacks of cash neatly bundled inside. "If you''d like, you can count it," the boss said, keeping his gaze fixed on Damien. Damien cast a quick glance at the cash, then promptly closed the suitcase. "No need for that. I trust you," he replied, his voice steady and unwavering. The boss and his henchmen couldn''t suppress their snickers, exchanging glances filled with derision. Internally, they mocked Damien, believing him to be an easy target. The thought of skimming a little off the top during the next transaction seemed almost too simple. If he''s this gullible, they could easily pocket a few thousand without him ever noticing. With the suitcase firmly in hand, Damien turned and exited the room. As his silhouette vanished down the alley, the boss''s smirk faded. He turned to his sidekick, his expression serious. "Look into the real situation between Damien and the Raphael family. I want to know if this loan is as secure as he claims." The sidekick nodded and promptly left the room to investigate. Meanwhile, the boss leaned back once more, his eyes locked on the spot where Damien had stood, deep in thought about the gamble he had just taken. --- "This should be sufficient for some time," Damien thought to himself as he glanced at the briefcase that held two million dollars. Right now, that was an immense sum of money, especially for him, considering that the most pocket money he ever received was a mere 300,000. Yet here he was, carrying enough wealth to sustain himself for quite a while in the city. --- Knock knock. "Who could it be?" After spending the entire day navigating the bustling city and dealing with a series of eccentric customers, a weary man finally returned to his apartment, eager to rest. Just as he settled in, he heard a knock at the door. Slowly, he opened it to see who was there. To his astonishment, he found the very person he had cursed throughout his life standing before him. "Huh? Aren''t you the one who bolted this morning without paying the fare?" he exclaimed. "Make some tea, man," Damien replied as he stepped into the modest apartment of the driver he encountered earlier that day. The place was a stark contrast to the polished buildings of the main city; it was in disarray, reflecting the hardships of the local area with little evidence of maintenance or care. As Damien surveyed the surroundings, the driver couldn''t help but feel a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. What was this man doing here, and why did he invite himself into his home? "What do you want? Don''t you have somewhere else to be?" he asked, crossing his arms defensively. Damien smirked, unfazed by the man''s hostility. "Relax; I just wanted to talk. Besides, I didn''t think you''d be so hard to find, given how stuck you are in this dump." The driver''s frown deepened. "This ''dump'' is my home. Most people would be grateful for a place to live, you know, bro." Damien waved a hand dismissively, as if brushing away the complaint. "Whatever, man. Just get the kettle on; we need to have a little chat, and I promise it''ll be worth your while." Reluctantly, the driver stepped into his small kitchen, pouring water into the kettle, while his mind raced with questions. What did this scamming customer want? And why did he think he could waltz in after ruining his morning? As the kettle began to whistle, he took it out for his guest and moved towards Damien before offering him the tea as he took a seat on a small pillow, adopting a completely traditional style. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien only smiled before taking the seat, though his attire¡ªa suit over his shoulder, a white shirt, and pants¡ªdefinitely didn''t fit with the room. Not caring about it, he added, "What do you know about Ye Fan?" "Why would I tell you?" The man scratched his ear, not caring about Damien, who hadn''t even paid the fare and was now inside his house drinking tea without any shame. Even though, by appearance and dress, he seemed to come from a well-off family, the driver couldn''t understand this man. "Here," Damien directly opened his suit before taking out a bundle of notes and placing it on the table, causing the driver''s eyes to widen as he noticed so much money inside the suitcase. "¡­..He is a playboy," the man informed Damien, the same thing he did in the morning, before taking only two notes from that bundle. One was for his fare and the other for the tea and hospitality he provided to this man. There was no need for the man to take more money than he deserved, clearly not interested in the greed of money. Given how he viewed the world, he knew very well that as a human, he would most likely live for another 50 years, and trying to run in the rat race to accumulate as much wealth as possible was not something he could do. He knew death was coming anyway, so he wasn''t about to chase after money his whole life. Chapter 97 - 97- Night Club Inside the Camphrian city, The highway stretched out under the darkening sky, the once steady hum of engines now replaced by an eerie silence. Three black cars stood skewed across the lanes, their doors flung open, shattered glass littering the ground. Nearby, a few bikes lay strewn on the asphalt, their tires still slowly spinning, as if the momentum of the sudden chaos hadn''t quite stopped. "Arrgh...." Bodies¡ªlarge, muscular, bloodied¡ªwere scattered across the road, each one clad in tailored black suits. They looked like hardened men, the kind whose knuckles were well acquainted with the sting of violence. Their tattoos peeked out from ripped sleeves, telling silent stories of past battles and allegiances. Scars lined their faces and necks, remnants of years in a dangerous game where survival wasn''t guaranteed. Now, their blood pooled beneath them, seeping into the cracks of the road, dark and viscous against the cold grey concrete. A truck lay wrecked a little further down, its back doors flung wide open, revealing a scene of havoc inside. Chains and restraints had been ripped apart, the metal warped and broken as if something¡ªor someone¡ªhad been violently torn from its confinement. Another truck, identical in build but untouched, roared away in the distance, a fleeting silhouette against the twilight. Amid the carnage, four figures stood tall, clad in long, black cloaks that billowed slightly in the wind. Their faces were hidden beneath dark hoods, masks covering any trace of their identity. "Haah....Haaah....kugh..." Their presence was almost spectral, like shadows looming over the fallen who could only groan for a last time. They held themselves with a calm that contrasted with the brutality before them, silent witnesses to the destruction they had just wrought. The air around them was thick with the aftermath of battle¡ªsmoke curling from the vehicles, the faint metallic scent of blood lingering in the breeze. Whatever had happened here had been swift and decisive. The men on the ground had clearly fought, but the cloaked figures hadn''t come to lose. This was a battle of predators, and only one group had emerged victorious. "Report to Queen, we have delivered the police chief as ordered," Not a word was spoken. The cloaked men exchanged brief glances, their movements smooth, deliberate. They had come to take something¡ªsomeone¡ªand in their wake, they left behind a trail of broken bodies and wreckage. The dying light of the evening sun cast long shadows that emphasized the devastation, while the wind carried the distant growl of a fleeing truck echoing down the desolate highway. Tring~ Amid the chaos where it seemed nearly everyone had perished, a sound pierced the silence¡ªa phone ringing, insistent and jarring. The ringtone continued, relentless, until a bloodied hand finally managed to pick up the call. The screen was smeared with crimson, obscuring the caller ID, yet the call was answered nonetheless. A groan escaped the lips of a man who teetered on the brink of death. "F-f-for...give...u-us, S-sir," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. :: Hm, it seems they didn''t realize you were from the Lin family. :: A voice on the other end responded, firm and commanding, laden with an unmistakable sense of authority. The words dripped with dominance, leaving little doubt about who was in control of the situation. "N..o th..ey knew," the man replied, his breathing ragged, eyelids growing heavy as blood loss took its toll. He recounted how those who had attacked him were aware of their identity as members of the Lin family. This knowledge made matters even more dire, as very few dared to confront the Lin family in the country or the city. :: How many dozens of them were there? :: The voice on the phone inquired, clearly wanting to know the number of men who dared to confront the Lin family, even if they were mere pawns, albeit holding outer disciple positions. ".... Four," the man replied, recalling how he had been caught off guard. He remembered how, without a second thought, a brute had ordered his truck to bulldoze through them, displaying a blatant disregard for their lives. Who would have anticipated that the truck would collide with one of the women dressed in a black cloak, a resolute assassin? The truck''s metal crumpled as if it were mere paper. :: ..... Cultivators? :: sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the other end of the line, the voice contemplated the possibility of four individuals managing to kill so many members of the Lin family. These men were trained in martial arts and armed with guns, yet they had been so thoroughly outmatched¡ªonly cultivators possessed the agility needed to dodge bullets with such ease. "..yE¡ª" Before he could finish his words, the last man exhaled his final breath, succumbing to death. . . . . . . In the main city, As the night embraced the city, every street and corner sparkled with vibrant lights, casting a glow over the skyline. Nightclubs pulsed with energy, and hotel rooms hummed with quiet conversations and not-so-quiet indulgences. Couples strolled, their laughter mixing with the rumble of passing cars. The roads were busy, luxury vehicles dashing through, each marking the wealth of their passengers. A Lamborghini glided down the main boulevard, sleek and shiny under the neon signs. It rolled to a stop in front of a high-end nightclub, the door swinging open as a young man stepped out, his expression one of casual disinterest. "This is party time," his sharp jawline and tailored clothes made him stand out, yet the way he carried himself¡ªbored and self-assured¡ªmade it clear he was no stranger to the scene. "Indeed, you look handsome, Ye Fan!" Behind him, a woman exited, her smile flirtatious, her body language almost too eager. She leaned into him, giggling softly as he ran his hand down her side, fingers lingering on her clothes, groping at her ass and tracing his hands here and there, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Kyaa~ You are naughty, Ye Fan," Together, they sauntered toward the club''s entrance, the sound of their shared laughter drifting above the music already spilling out from within. The two bouncers at the door, dressed in their usual attire, gave a glance at the pair but remained stoic. The line of people waiting for entry was long, but for the young master, the velvet rope parted without hesitation. With a nod from the guards, the door swung open, revealing the throbbing heart of the night waiting inside. "Hey, look over there." As the occupants blended into the vibrant chaos of the nightclub, something unusual occurred. The headlights of an approaching vehicle drew attention¡ªa modest taxi rolled to a stop right outside the glamorous entrance. Immediately, eyes darted toward it, and a low murmur spread through the crowd like wildfire. "Yo! Who''s this poor guy?" a man sneered, his arm slung around a woman who giggled in response. "A taxi outside a nightclub? Seriously?" another voice piped up, dripping with mockery. A woman beside him, flicking her hair back, added, "I mean... what kind of person shows up here in a cab? Some dumbfuck?" "Pffft, hahaha." Laughter erupted, men and women alike joining in on the mockery. A group of girls, draped in expensive dresses, whispered among themselves, barely able to stifle their giggles. The taxi driver, unaware of the growing spectacle around him, stepped out and looked around the scene. He was out of place¡ªhis worn jacket and tired expression a stark contrast to the sharp suits and designer dresses around him. "Pfft, poor guy, due to a dumb passenger, he got dragged here," his presence alone sent another ripple of laughter through the crowd. "Does this guy even know where he is?" one man chuckled, lighting a cigarette as his eyes followed the taxi driver. But then, the back door of the cab swung open, and in an instant, the tone shifted. ".....this?" The crowd''s laughter faltered. A man emerged, casually stepping out of the vehicle, his movement slow and composed. His face, illuminated by the nearby lights, caught the attention of everyone within view. His features were sharp, striking, with a face which would be considered really attractive even more than all the people present here. In comparison to him, they all looked like squids. A group of women, who had been at the forefront of the teasing, stopped mid-laugh. One of them, her breath catching in her throat, nudged her friend. thump thump "Wait... do you see him?" she whispered, her heart pounding unexpectedly. The mocking remarks faded into whispers, their once scornful eyes now wide with surprise. "Who is Ye Fan here?" Damien asked, unperturbed by the sudden shift in atmosphere as he casually scanned the room and began moving toward the entrance. The same people who had been laughing mere moments ago now found themselves transfixed by his presence. "That guy," the driver said, nodding slightly and gesturing with his eyes toward a man standing near the entrance. Beside him was a woman, both of them seemingly focused on Damien and his companion. When Ye Fan noticed Damien''s gaze directed at him, he instinctively narrowed his eyes in response. For some reason, Ye Fan felt a strong aversion towards this man, clearly not liking his presence. Yet, he managed to keep his displeasure from showing on his face, aware that the fools around him might misinterpret it as jealousy. "Let''s go," Damien said, his voice nonchalant as he noticed Ye Fan''s barely concealed disgust, which mirrored the sentiments of Edward¡ªanother person who clearly harbored animosity toward him. Without missing a beat, he moved toward the main gate, accompanied by the driver, who nodded to indicate he was following behind. Chapter 98 - 98- Trap for son of heaven "Stop! He can''t enter," the guards at the gate called out, halting the driver. His attire didn''t meet the nightclub''s dress code, prompting Damien to pause and glance back at him. "...It''s fine; you can go on without me¡ªdamn it," the driver began, ready to tell Damien to enjoy the nightclub without him. But as he turned, he noticed Damien distractedly grabbing some candies from a nearby table before he headed inside, not even bothering to look back. "Pfft, poor cab driver," one of the women nearby couldn''t help but chuckle, watching how the taxi driver was left behind by the bouncers. The others chimed in with mock expressions of pity, while in reality, most had caught on to the camaraderie between the man in the suit and the driver, prompting some to move closer, eager to pry for more information about him. However, outpacing them all was Ye Fan, who strode forward confidently, declaring, "He''s with me. Let this poor guy enter." "Huh? Young master, but the dress code¡ª" one of the bouncers stammered, trying to explain the rules. But his protest was met with a fierce glare from Ye Fan. "Dress code? Not even this nightclub will stay open if you go against me," Ye Fan warned in a firm tone. The bouncers, fully aware of Ye Fan''s connection to the powerful Ye family, quickly relented, stepping aside to allow the driver through. The driver gave a slow, respectful bow as he moved past them. "Come on, buddy! Tell me about that guy," Ye Fan said, noticing the driver hesitating. He casually wrapped an arm around the driver''s shoulder, unfazed by his social standing¡ªwealthy or poor¡ªthough an unsettling feeling about that suited man lingered in his mind. With that, he guided the driver into the nightclub, eager to glean as much information as he could. The nightclub was filled with pulsating lights and thumping beats, creating an electrifying atmosphere that enveloped them as they stepped inside. The air was thick with a mix of perfume, cologne, and the heady scent of excitement. Laughter and shouts mingled with the music, creating a symphony of nightlife sounds. As they pushed further into the club, the vibrant crowd swayed and danced under the dazzling lights. Ye Fan spotted a few familiar faces among the throng¡ªfriends who often frequented this establishment¡ªbut his focus remained on the driver, whose demeanor had shifted from confusion to curiosity. "How did you end up driving a guy like that?" Ye Fan asked, gesturing subtly toward the still-visible figure of Damien as he began to mingle with others, effortlessly blending into the upscale environment. As he narrowed his gaze toward Damien, his clear disgust and irritation for that man became evident, with the feeling of hatred slowly looming inside his mind. The driver chuckled nervously, adjusting his cap. "Honestly? It was a regular gig for me. Picked him up at a hotel. At first, he seemed like just another businessman. But then... well, you saw me almost left behind, right?" Ye Fan nodded, intrigued. "Yeah, what''s his story? He doesn''t seem like your everyday clubgoer." The driver leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice over the booming bass. "I don''t know much, but he seemed a bit off. There''s something about him. He talked about deals worth billions and meetings with highly influential people to purchase a large amount of land in the main city but never revealed much. Told me he had to lay low for a while." Ye Fan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this tidbit, though of course remembering that particular piece of information regarding the land purchases and billions of deals. "And you just left him here? Alone? In a place like this? Shouldn''t you bring him to some hotels with rich people?" "I had suggested the same, but he told me that he wanted to go inside a nightclub," the driver replied, shrugging. "Though when I asked why, he just said that his investors were not the people with small minds and old age, but young minds with broad goals, since he needed to talk with young masters." "And what will you get in exchange?" Ye Fan inquired once again, thinking about how, if the driver revealed that precious information, it was impossible for that guy in the suit¡ªwho definitely appeared handsome and smart enough¡ªnot to give him some reward for making him meet the highly influential people. "But don''t lie to me." The driver blankly looked towards Ye Fan, seeing his eyes fixed in the direction of Damien. He couldn''t help but think that this Ye Fan was a total idiot, who couldn''t even see that everything he was doing right now was going according to the plans set by him. ''Idiot.'' "He promised me 1% from each deal he makes," the driver revealed as he noticed Ye Fan''s body flinch as his gaze slowly turned towards him. "What? 1% to a driver?" Ye Fan couldn''t help but utter the words that came to his mind, not understanding how someone would be that foolish to give so much money to a mere driver just for him going around the city. After all, how could a driver have connections with high-society people? But suddenly, ''wait a minute.'' He found at that particular moment that what if this driver had much intel than others, which was why Damien would have promised him that much money for fake assurance, not giving him a single penny but fooling him. ''Yes, indeed, how can someone even pay money to a mere driver?'' Ye Fan assured himself, avoiding his gaze from the driver, shaking his head as he thought that perhaps the guy in the suit would scam this driver and, after securing the deal, not pay him any money. Tring~ "Oh, is money being transferred?" The driver, seeing Ye Fan once again smiling like an idiot while thinking something inwardly, acted as if he got a surprise message on his phone, though of course he was only looking blankly at an idiot who couldn''t read the room and was just falling into the trap. "What money transfer?" Ye Fan suddenly heard the driver talk about some message and glanced at his direction. While wrapping his hand around the driver''s shoulder, Ye Fan was able to take a peek at the screen of the driver, and there he felt his eyes widen the moment he saw a message written: ( A/c 1XXXXX099 credited by amount 5 million NR, Total Bal: Rs. 5,000,100 NR Clear, Never share OTP/Password for EMI postponement or any reason¡ªCity Bank.) ''!?!'' "5-5 million?!" In an instant, Ye Fan''s mouth dropped open, seeing the amount credited in the bank¡ªa whopping 5 million, which, to be honest, was even too much for him since his pocket money was only 1 million for a month. Of course, the reason he was shocked was that this amount was credited to the bank account of a mere driver. ''Wait? Is he some hidden tycoon?'' He looked toward the driver''s face, which appeared below average with dirt, revealing that he seemed poor from birth, and not even any of his reincarnations in a previous life had ever seen this much amount of money. "Yes, it was a gift from that boss who gave me this if I brought him to the nightclub today," the driver said, as if mechanically repeating the recording he was told, revealing the information to Ye Fan while thinking inwardly how everything was just making him lose his mind. So, before arriving here, that Damien, whom he thought was a human, told him a plan to lure Ye Fan in. And when doing so, he deposited the 5 million to be added into his bank account. Adding the source of income as agriculture, which was tax-free, the taxi driver submitted it to his bank account. For verification purposes, it took time for the amount to be credited, and just now, as if everything was going according to Damien''s plan, the message came right in front of Ye Fan''s eyes. Though of course, the money belonged to Damien even if it was in the driver''s bank account. Since the driver was not greedy enough for the money, it appeared, he had attracted that demon who, using his kindness, had deposited that large sum into his account, knowing he would not touch a single penny from it. "Huh?" Ye Fan seemed to fall into a trance for a moment, not understanding if he had heard correctly¡ªthat this amount was transferred by that man in the suit, whom he thought was just trying to scam this driver by giving fake hope, but in truth had just given him 5 million NR out of nowhere? If just for making this driver visit the nightclub he could pay five million, what if he found a way to introduce that man to numerous other people in high society? "Hehehe, nice, nice," Ye Fan thought about the possibility of earning more money. Of course, he somehow felt disgusted towards that man, but it was not to the amount where he could forget about money and let it overshadow his anger and emotions. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 99 - 99- Natasha The bass thumped like a heartbeat, perfectly synced with the flashing lights that danced across the crowded nightclub floor. Damien navigated through the sea of bodies, his suit shimmering in the neon glow. In the corner, partially hidden by a cloud of smoke and the sounds of laughter, he spotted a small table where a few people were already seated, taking their drinks. "What can I get you?" As he also took a seat at the bar, a sharp-eyed bartender with vibrant hair and a bright smile leaned over, skillfully pouring drinks with one hand, her eyes sparkling as she wiped her hands with a towel. Damien planted himself at the bar, taking a moment to soak in the electric atmosphere. "I''ll have a whiskey neat," he replied, trying to be heard above the thumping music while his eyes remained fixed on Ye Fan, who was having a conversation with the driver. Unaware that he was being lured into a trap that would soon make him despair. "Coming right up!" she called back, smoothly filling a glass with golden liquid and sliding it toward him with practiced flair. He wrapped his fingers around the glass, feeling its warmth seep into his hand. For a brief moment, he glanced around to find that the people seemed to come from highly influential backgrounds, dancing while some casually chatted with others as he searched for a target among the crowd. Damien adjusted his cufflinks, casting a measured glance around the pulsating crowd, before confidently approaching the table where the young woman sat. Her flawless posture and the subtle elegance of her designer dress set her apart from the revelry surrounding them. "Excuse me," he began, his voice smooth but firm. "I couldn''t help but notice that you seem to be the only one here not lost in the music. Care to share your secret to maintaining such composure in a place like this?" The woman lifted her gaze from her drink, her lips curving into a slight smile. "Perhaps it''s simply more entertaining to observe the chaos than to partake in it." Damien chuckled softly, observing the woman who seemed to have a decent layer of makeup, while the atmosphere around her seemed to exude richness, indicating she belonged to a wealthy family. But he wasn''t interested in knowing her family''s name or anything else, as his work was a priority. So he continued with what he did best: "You indeed have a bad habit." "Bad habit? Shouldn''t disturbing a woman who just wants to drink and enjoy herself in peace be a bad habit?" Her eyes glinted with intrigue, the corners of her mouth teasing upward. "If trying to have a conversation with the most beautiful woman I can find around is considered a bad habit, then I guess I have one," Damien said, lifting his glass in gesture for a toast, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow at the woman, who was slightly smiling, feeling amused. "It was cringe," she said with a shake of her head, but still toasted the glass, clinking her wine with his. Though she usually told men to leave her alone instead of flirting, somehow this handsome guy was definitely making her feel invested right now. "Maybe it was," he said, unfazed, his smile never wavering. "But it got you to smile, didn''t it? I''ll take that as a win." "Win? But¡ª" Before the woman could complete her sentence, she heard a voice from behind her. "Oh, Natasha, here you are," Ye Fan finally approached, having gathered all the information he could about Jaime. He noticed that Damien was talking to a woman who was part of a circle of friends Ye Fan was aware of. So it was particularly impossible for him to ignore this fact and not take advantage of the situation after realizing that this man was a wealthy person, even though he still had to ask about his name. ".....what are you doing here?" the woman furrowed her brow, looking towards the most useless person she had ever known, showing her dissatisfaction and disgust as she looked towards Ye Fan. "Come on?!" Ye Fan exclaimed, his eyes darting between Natasha and Damien. "I''ve been meaning to talk with you, Natasha, my dear sister." "Oh look, it''s Mr. Not-Invited. How lovely. Piss off, Ye Fan. We''re busy." Natasha rolled her eyes, clearly wanting to deal with this man who was revealing his connection with her, as she was indeed his cousin, but that was all, given that she didn''t want any connection with a useless person like him. Damien looked between the two, his brow raised in surprise at Natasha''s bluntness, but he fought back a grin. Clearly, seeing how Ye Fan was acting the way he wanted him to, given the information from the driver, he was able to recognize the facial features of Ye Fan''s cousin, who was also present in this bar, and took the opportunity to personally meet her. It would be much easier to have someone closer to Ye Fan. "Busy? Come on, at least introduce me to him?" Ye Fan said. Clearly hearing the rude tone from Natasha, he was pissed off, but he knew the value of his anger right now would be inferior to the gain he could make out of this man who could easily throw 5 million an hour for a driver just by imagining how much he could give him. It was a marvelous deal, even more so to make Ye Fan tolerate all the words Natasha would say. ".....", The woman, hearing Ye Fan, this time interested in conversation, couldn''t help but notice something suspicious. Naturally, even though they were usually in the same club or parties, due to internal conflicts in the family, they were definitely not on good terms. Additionally, she didn''t like Ye Fan''s behavior from the start, so noticing him acting such a simp to be introduced to a man instead of a woman piqued her interest in this man even more. "He is my boyfriend," Natasha, taking this opportunity and not wanting to play it cool, seeing how restless Ye Fan appeared from the outside, just casually introduced the unknown man as her boyfriend. After all, who cares about the consequences given that she belonged to her family? It was impossible even if that man misinterpreted himself as her real boyfriend and tried to take advantage of her. "Nice joke," Ye Fan said, while he gave a smile, with a narrowed gaze glancing at Damien. While already aware of everything from the driver''s mouth, he was not going to believe his cousin''s word, which was clearly evident that she just wanted to make him restless and try to gain the upper hand. He really felt that he shouldn''t have acted this way, but what could he do, given that he couldn''t lose the chance to have that man become his personal bank account. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, money is what makes one stronger; no matter how much one has, they will always be ready for more. "No, she is telling the truth," then in clearly observing the behavior and the conversation zone between both of these cousins, one could clearly see that they had a very complicated type of relationship with each other, having little interest in knowing each other''s business. Of course, he didn''t care, since it was a golden opportunity for him to use this woman to deal with Ye Fan. ''!'' For a moment, Natasha was also taken aback, given how the man, whom she did not know, had accepted her statement in such a clear way without needing her to act further, prompting her to slightly feel awkward but not enough, given how she noticed Ye Fan''s expression turning sour, which was enough for her to let this man claim she was his girlfriend for now. Naturally, she was just going to speak for herself, dealing with things. But now that she had gotten the support of this man whom she was interested in, things were becoming even more intriguing for her. In the family battle of the Ye family, Natasha''s father and Ye Fan''s father were vying for the position of patriarch, creating animosity between them. However, Ye Fan''s father had an advantage: Ye Fan himself. Not known to ordinary people, there were cultivators in this world, and it turned out that Ye Fan was blessed with a physique of destiny, guaranteeing his success and allowing him to learn everything much faster than anyone else. Even though Natasha herself was a cultivator and talented, all her hard work was nothing compared to someone blessed with heavenly luck. Though of course, Natasha didn''t feel an inferiority complex toward Ye Fan, the issue was that he wasn''t the type to train even a little. It was like he left everything to his talent, not wanting to do any exercise or training like she did, working out every day to rise in ranking. But his body was automatically gathering Qi from the surroundings, making him stronger day by day without even moving an inch. So she hated Ye Fan for his recklessness and also herself for being weak and unable to break through to help her father gain more advantage in the family battle. Chapter 100 - 100- Events "Just see for yourself, I''m innocent!" Edward finally erupted, sitting there naked as the ultrasound reports of his body lay scattered across the table. Initially, the officers had tried to extract a confession from him; when that failed, they resorted to scanning him for any hidden drug capsules. The whole situation was overwhelming, especially considering how he had anticipated being in the main city by now. Instead, he was stuck in Camphrian City, all because of a child. "Fine, you can leave," one of the officers said nonchalantly, barely sparing a glance at him as he waved his hand dismissively. This gesture caused Edward to erupt with frustration, clenching his jaw as he fought the urge to retaliate against this man right then and there. Yet, he restrained himself, knowing he needed to prioritize his escape. But six long hours had dragged on, and night had fallen. Everything now hinged on his luck¡ªhe had to trust that the police wouldn''t be able to find him or continue searching for him without a solid lead. Without wasting another moment, he quickly slipped into his clothes and dashed toward the door, grabbing his passport as he went. Just as he opened it to leave, he was met with a chilling sight. "Thanks, Officer, for your cooperation," one officer said, flanked by several others, all pointing guns at Edward. The police officer turned his gaze back to Edward with a grim look. "You are under arrest. Comply now, or we will shoot on sight." His voice dripped with cold determination, a warning evident in his eyes as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs, snapping them around Edward''s wrists. Frustration boiled inside Edward as he watched them, rage simmering just beneath the surface. The thought of teaching these officers a lesson was ever-present in his mind; however, all he could do was glare at them, fueled by the anger of being played with like a pawn in their twisted game. "Fine," at what officer had said, the most he could do was just surrender, given that the people behind the officer were holding guns and most likely there were assault rifles also present. It would be harsher or even dangerous to fight them in such a narrow place, so that would require large experience to maneuver and kill each of them. "Arrest him!" the officer loudly commanded, as two behind him swiftly sprinted, directly grabbing Edward by both arms before making him kneel as he fell. His knees hit the floor, instantly breaking, and the moment it did, he felt the force suppressing him couldn''t belong to humans. ''C-cultivators?!'' At that fleeting moment, his eyes widened, trembling as he lifted them to look at the officer who was looking down at him coldly. Edward''s mouth automatically started to curve into a smile as he saw these people; he finally understood that these were not the ones who would take him back to some police station but somewhere where his luck would. In the end, his luck never betrayed him, nor was it going to do so now. . . . . . In Camphrian City, life bustled as usual, with guests meandering through the opulent corridors of the five-star hotel. In room 283, however, the atmosphere was decidedly more somber. A woman sat on the edge of the bed, her head buried in her hands, while three police officers stood before her. "Did Dad call me back?" Lin Wanruo bit her lip, a wave of despair washing over her as she revisited the tumultuous events of the previous night. Her situation felt utterly hopeless: she had lost her job and witnessed her hard-earned reputation crumble into dust within a single day. The media was casting her as reckless, relentlessly targeting her character, which she had fought tirelessly to uphold against the disapproval of her family. Despite having consistently endeavored to be a principled and dedicated officer in Camphrian City, she now found herself the center of scorn, her former allies silent in her time of need. Those she had once helped turned their backs, unwilling to raise a voice on her behalf. She recalled hearing that those who dedicate their lives to justice often endure a harsh fate, and today, for the first time, she was experiencing that inescapable truth. "Yes, miss, we have apprehended Young Master Edward as well," one of the officers in the middle informed her with a mixture of formality and concern. It was these very officers¡ªacting somewhat covertly within their own police department¡ªwho had assisted Edward in evading capture at the airport before the authorities could step in. Appointed by her family to act as her support, they were now preparing to leave Camphrian City behind and return to their main branch. Lin Wanruo realized that managing to avoid catastrophic consequences after crossing so many influential figures in Camphrian City was no small feat. It was precisely why protective officers had been assigned to her: to ensure her safety during a time fraught with dangers stemming from her principled stand. Their presence had been a thin but essential shield against the backlash that now came crashing down around her, and yet here she was, feeling more isolated than ever. "Fine, I will return," Lin Wanruo couldn''t understand why everything was happening to her. She had tried her best to remain committed to her duties. But why was everyone blaming her? She hadn''t done anything wrong; she always tried to be the best and just wanted to arrest Damien last night. But all the series of events afterward were too much for her to handle. Things were getting worse with time and finally hit the mark where she was suspended from her job and was even beaten by the police chief. She couldn''t fathom how the police chief could even hit her when she was the only one doing her job properly. Lin Wanruo stood at the edge of her apartment, gazing out the window at the flickering city lights below. Each pulse of illumination mirrored the disarray inside her heart. She always believed in the justice she fought for, yet now she felt like a ghost swirling in a storm. The police chief''s blows had shattered more than her physical state; they had struck deep into her trust and her reason for doing this job. . . . . . . . Inside the main nightclub of the city, the moonlight, at its zenith, tried valiantly to illuminate the room. Yet, the vibrant glow of the neon lights and the pulsing beat of the music created an atmosphere that allowed everyone to forget the natural light outside and focus entirely on the dance floor. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Really?" Ye Fan felt a wave of disbelief wash over him when he realized that the wealthy man he had been striving to win over was going along with Natasha''s claim that he was, in fact, her boyfriend. Though he knew it was a fabricated story, the revelation caught him off guard; it was evident that this man was taking an interest in Natasha, and Ye Fan found this exceptionally displeasing. From the very beginning, Ye Fan had been regarded as a genius within the Ye family, a label he had earned without engaging in the rigorous training or hard labor that Natasha had embraced since childhood. He had lived a life of ease, blissfully unaware of the existence of cultivators around him, leading many to view him as nothing more than a playboy. In truth, he surpassed those arrogant individuals who had looked down on him. He had been playing along with the charade, but today, as he thought he was on the verge of securing an intriguing business deal, his so-called untalented cousin had stepped in to create a distraction. This prompted a cold glare from Ye Fan directed at Natasha, clearly revealing his irritation. "Just kidding," Damien chimed in, sensing the rising tension in the atmosphere. Ye Fan''s eyes flashed with barely veiled hostility, while Natasha exhibited a similarly frosty demeanor. Damien chuckled to ease the mood, swiftly shifting the conversation as he added, "We were actually discussing a business proposition here." At the sound of those words, Ye Fan''s eyes widened slightly. It became clear to him that the opportunity to strike a favorable deal with this influential man had finally presented itself, and with it came the potential to earn some much-needed money. "Business? Can you tell me about it?" Ye Fan stepped forward, showing his interest in knowing about the business deal, clearly recognizing that this was his chance to leverage his connections and extract as much money as he could from this man. Even if the percentage was only 10%, he knew that with large enough deals, he would be able to earn a substantial amount. "Why not? Can we talk in private?" Damien said, looking around. Due to Ye Fan''s popularity among the crowd, several people were glancing in his direction, prompting him to propose a private conversation. There were rooms in the nightclub meant for such discussions among VIPs. He also wanted to minimize the risk of someone astute finding a loophole and exposing this potential deal as fraudulent. Chapter 101 - 101- Deal (1) Damien strode through the dimly lit nightclub, the thudding bass of the music resonating in the air as Ye Fan walked closely at his side. They made their way toward the exclusive VIP area, where velvet ropes and imposing bouncers stood guard at the entrance. Behind them, Natasha walked with a careful, measured pace, her sharp eyes silently scrutinizing everything in their vicinity, particularly focused on Damien. Feeling Natasha''s presence almost breathing down his neck, Ye Fan couldn''t suppress the urge to glance back. Irritation flashed across his face as he spotted her following them, an unwelcome shadow in their midst. "What the hell are you following us for?" Ye Fan spat, not bothering to hide the disdain in his voice. His annoyance was palpable. Natasha raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Following you? Please." She gave a slight shrug, her tone drenched in indifference. "I''m just heading in the same direction. You''re the one acting like I''m chasing you." The tension between them crackled in the air, thick and hostile. Damien, walking just ahead of them, didn''t react. If anything, the subtle tug at the corner of his mouth indicated mild amusement, as if this little spat was part of his expectations. His eyes flickered towards Natasha, who was watching him more than Ye Fan, curious about what kind of "deal" Damien had just mentioned. Ye Fan, though annoyed with her, was equally curious. Neither could resist being a part of whatever was about to unfold. They reached the VIP section, where plush leather sofas lined the area, a stark contrast to the chaos of the main floor. All three took their seats, the space between them wide enough to mirror the distance between their minds. A staff member approached them almost immediately, ready to serve. Ye Fan, always quick to make his presence known, waved a hand dismissively and ordered two glasses of the highest-quality drink they had, completely ignoring Natasha as if she didn''t even exist. Natasha, unfazed, leaned back into her sofa and, when the staff member turned to her, calmly requested a coffee. Her tone was light but purposeful, as though she was making it clear that she didn''t need their acknowledgment. Once the drinks arrived, the real conversation began. Ye Fan leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Damien. "Alright, what''s this deal you were talking about?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady, though his impatience was clear. Damien leaned back into his seat, his expression neutral but with a faint hint of something else lurking beneath¡ªcontrol, maybe. Calculation. His gaze shifted between Ye Fan and Natasha, quickly analyzing the strained relationship between them. They clearly hated each other, and Damien was silently taking mental notes of how to use that to his advantage. "The deal," Damien began, his voice smooth and deliberate, "is simple. I''m in need of investors. That''s why I''m here¡ªplaces like this nightclub attract people from influential backgrounds, and I want to make the right connections." Ye Fan''s eyes lit up like he had just been handed a jackpot. His excitement was so obvious that it was almost painful to watch. Natasha, on the other hand, looked entirely disinterested, but that was just an act. Damien knew she was paying attention, even if she refused to show it. She sat there, legs crossed, eyes closed as she sipped her coffee like this conversation had nothing to do with her. But the subtle tension between her and Ye Fan was growing, the air around them becoming thick with unspoken animosity. Ye Fan''s interest in the deal seemed to set Natasha on edge, though she didn''t let it show openly. "You''re really here looking for investors? In a nightclub?" Natasha''s voice cut through the moment, her tone dripping with skepticism. She didn''t even bother looking at Damien as she said it, instead locking eyes with Ye Fan, who clenched his jaw. "Yes, I am," Damien replied smoothly, not missing a beat. His eyes flickered toward her, watching for any sign of interest behind her calm facade. "Places like this are where influential people let their guard down. Where else would I meet the right kind of people?" Natasha gave a short, humorless laugh, finally opening her eyes to look directly at Damien. "Right, because meeting drunk rich idiots is the smartest way to build a business," she remarked, her voice as sharp as glass. Ye Fan''s eyes narrowed. "Not everyone here is an idiot, Natasha. But I''m sure that''s hard for you to grasp, considering you spend all your time playing games with people''s money," he said, his words laced with venom. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She shot him a cold look. "At least I know how to handle money. Can''t say the same for someone who''s been begging for handouts his whole life." Ye Fan''s face flushed with anger, and he leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper, though every word was steeped in hatred. "I don''t need a lecture from someone who''s barely hanging onto her position." Damien watched the back-and-forth with mild interest, keeping his expression neutral but noting the obvious bitterness between the two cousins. It was clear as day¡ªthese two didn''t just dislike each other; they could even go far as to kill each other. And that was exactly what he needed. While Ye Fan was practically salivating at the thought of making money from whatever deal Damien was dangling in front of him, Natasha remained silent, though her eyes told another story. She was calculating, thinking. And Damien knew she wasn''t nearly as detached as she pretended to be. "How about I introduce you to some people?" Ye Fan said, turning back to Damien, his anger momentarily pushed aside as greed took over. His voice was filled with a forced calm, as if trying to regain control. "Real investors. People with real money." Damien smiled, a slow, knowing grin that barely reached his eyes. Everything was falling into place exactly as he had anticipated. Chapter 102 - 102- Deal (2) Damien sat back on the luxurious sofa, casually swirling his drink as his eyes darted between Ye Fan and Natasha. The smirk on his lips was barely concealed, enjoying every moment of this little game. Ye Fan, sitting across from him, was practically vibrating with excitement, oblivious to how deep into the trap he was already falling. Natasha, on the other hand, was more cautious. Her sharp gaze remained fixed on Damien, though even she couldn''t hide her curiosity. The staff returned with their drinks, and Ye Fan eagerly grabbed his glass. "To the future," he said with an easy grin, raising his glass to Damien, who returned the gesture with a slight smirk. As the glasses clinked together, Natasha interrupted, her voice cutting through the room like a cold wind. "Before we start celebrating, shouldn''t we at least know what this deal is? We don''t even know your name." Her words were direct, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the stranger who seemed far too comfortable in this private setting. Ye Fan glanced at her, irritation flashing across his face. "Natasha, chill. We don''t need to get into details like names right now. He''s got an opportunity. That''s what matters." ''Damn, you idiot.'' Natasha shot him a glare, but held her tongue, folding her arms. Despite her reservations, she was keen to hear what this supposed deal was. If it was legitimate, it could be a game-changer for her family, and she wasn''t about to let Ye Fan get involved without understanding what was at stake. Damien chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the tension. "Names aren''t important. What''s important is the opportunity I''m bringing to the table." Natasha''s suspicion only grew, but Ye Fan nodded eagerly, signaling for Damien to continue. He was already too invested, too excited by the prospect of easy money. "There''s a piece of land in Southcrest," Damien began, leaning forward slightly as if sharing a well-guarded secret. "Right now, it''s nothing. A dead zone. But in a few months, the government''s going to launch a massive development project there. New businesses, luxury apartments, shopping centers... the works. The value of that land is going to skyrocket." Ye Fan''s eyes lit up. "You''ve got insider info?" Damien gave a slow, deliberate nod. "My company has been tapped to help with the initial stages of the project. Officially, no one knows yet. But unofficially, I''ve gotten a heads-up. We''ve got a window of opportunity to buy up a significant portion of the land before the news breaks. When it does, we sell it to developers, or even back to the government at triple, maybe even quadruple the current price." Ye Fan was hooked. "This is huge! How much are you looking for?" "Investors need to put in ten million each," Damien said casually, leaning back into his seat. "We''re talking about securing a third of the district''s land. When the prices rise, you''ll get a substantial cut of the profit. Enough to change lives." Natasha, though still skeptical, couldn''t deny that if this was true, the profit potential was massive. But something about it didn''t sit right. A stranger, no name, just sitting here offering insider information on a government project? It all felt too convenient. "Ten million?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you get out of this?" Damien''s smile widened as if he had been waiting for her to ask that. "I''ve got a stake in the project itself, through my company. But the more land we control, the more leverage we have when it comes time to sell. My gains are tied to the success of the entire venture." Ye Fan was already leaning forward, the wheels turning in his head. "This could help with..." He didn''t need to say more. Natasha knew exactly what he meant. Their fathers were at war over the family''s control, and Natasha was always desperate to find something to tip the balance in his father''s favor. Damien''s eyes flickered briefly to Natasha, and he could see the hesitation in her. "I get it. It sounds too good to be true," he said, his voice low and measured. "But I wouldn''t be here if I didn''t have confidence in what I''m offering. I''ve already made the initial moves. I''m not asking you to blindly trust me. I''m asking you to be smart enough to see the opportunity." Natasha stayed quiet for a moment, her eyes scanning Damien''s face for any sign of deceit. Something still felt off, but Ye Fan was already too far gone. If she didn''t move now, she knew he would jump in headfirst and risk dragging her into whatever mess this was. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, her choice was very simple. She would not leave the deal if he was not involved in this. Given how this would give his father an advantage if this deal were true, she would at least try to prevent him from getting it. If he did, then she would also get involved. To put it simply, it was like I will not let you have it, and if you have it, then I will take it. "And if the deal falls through?" she asked, still probing. Damien shrugged casually. "The land''s value will still increase, even without the government project. You''ll make money either way¡ªjust not as much. But I guarantee you, this is the kind of opportunity that comes once in a lifetime." Ye Fan, grinning from ear to ear, raised his glass again. "I''m in. This is exactly what we need. Natasha, you can leave if you find it suspicious." The Ye fan didn''t see this as a loss, given that it involved purchasing some land. He believes that it is inevitable for the land''s value to increase in the future. There are no losses he needs to bear; even if this were all a scam, he would still have that land, and if he does, then most likely, he can recover his money afterward. Damien, seeing the gleam of greed in Ye Fan''s eyes, raised his own glass. "To future success," he said again, his smirk growing as he saw them taking the bait. Natasha''s stomach churned. She still didn''t trust him. Not one bit. But as much as she wanted to walk away, she couldn''t afford to. Not if this deal was real. Not if it could tip the scales in her father''s favor. "I''ll think about it," she said slowly, her voice firm but leaving the door slightly open. Damien clinked his glass against Ye Fan''s once more, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Everything was falling into place perfectly. They didn''t need to know his name¡ªby the time they realized what had happened, it wouldn''t matter. Chapter 103 - 103 - Outside Nightclub As they stepped out of the nightclub, the cool night air hit them, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere inside. Ye Fan, buzzing with excitement, couldn''t stop grinning as he practically skipped towards his car. "Man, this is going to be huge," he said, his voice filled with glee. "I''ll definitely find some new investors. Once I secure the amount, I''ll contact him. No way I''m missing out on this kind of opportunity." Natasha walked beside him, her arms folded, her expression more restrained, though a touch of uncertainty lingered in her eyes. She wasn''t as blindly optimistic as Ye Fan, but even she couldn''t deny the allure of the potential profits. Her thoughts wandered back to her father, the constant battle for the family''s top position weighing on her. This deal could help, but she couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off. "I can''t arrange investors," she muttered quietly, almost as if speaking to herself, "but I''ll try to arrange the money." Her voice lacked the same enthusiasm as Ye Fan''s, her mind clearly split between suspicion and ambition. Ye Fan, completely in his own world, snickered inwardly as he heard her half-hearted statement. In his mind, Natasha was as naive as ever, still not capable of playing in the big leagues. ''She doesn''t even have the guts to find investors,'' he thought smugly, dismissing her as he always did. The fact that she wouldn''t be able to contribute much was only more fuel to his growing sense of superiority. ''More for me, then.'' For Ye Fan, this was a gold mine. With Damien''s supposed driver promising a 5% cut for anyone who brought in additional investors, he could already see himself bathing in money. It was the perfect setup. Worst-case scenario, even if this was some elaborate scam, he figured he''d still come out with the land¡ªsomething to sell and recoup his losses. The upside far outweighed the risk in his mind, and he had already decided he was all in. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien stood a few steps behind them, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement. Ye Fan was practically salivating at the thought of cashing in, and Natasha, though more guarded, had still been hooked. Damien couldn''t help but chuckle softly, causing both of them to turn and look at him. "No issues," he said smoothly, his eyes glinting in the faint streetlight. "I''ll be waiting. For contacting me, you can reach out to him." He pointed towards the taxi driver, who had been leaning against the car, looking like he''d rather be anywhere else. The poor driver''s face twitched, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration. Clearly, he hadn''t been expecting to be roped into this little charade. His blank stare followed Damien''s finger, as if he couldn''t believe he was being implicated in this high-stakes game. ''This bastard''s going to get me killed one day,'' the driver thought, mentally cursing Damien for dragging him into this mess. But he kept his mouth shut, knowing better than to voice his objections. Ye Fan gave a half-smirk, not even registering the driver''s discomfort. "Fine by me," he said dismissively, already planning his next move. He still felt like he had the upper hand. Even if Natasha couldn''t pull her weight, he''d make sure to round up enough investors to secure his spot in the deal. As for Natasha, she remained quiet, eyes focused ahead. Even though she had agreed to try and get the money, she couldn''t shake the feeling that this was a trap. But she knew Ye Fan well¡ªif this deal was real and she didn''t at least try, he''d lord it over her for years. Worse, her father would lose out, and in their world, missing an opportunity like this could mean the difference between success and failure. Still, the nagging doubt refused to leave her mind. As Ye Fan waved a casual goodbye and slid into his sleek Lamborghini, Damien watched the car roar to life and speed off into the night. The smirk on his face deepened as he stood there, feeling the curious gazes of a few passersby outside the nightclub, no doubt intrigued by the flashy departure. Damien turned his attention to Natasha, who remained rooted in place, staring blankly in the direction of Ye Fan''s car as it disappeared down the road. Her expression was unreadable, but her body language was tense, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Damien stepped closer, moving silently until he was right next to her, his breath just inches away from her ear. He could feel the sudden stiffness in her posture, her unease radiating off her in waves. His voice dropped to a whisper, soft and low, as he leaned in, letting his words slip out like silk. "Wouldn''t it be fun," he murmured, his lips barely moving, "to see that idiot''s face when he realizes this was all a scam?" Natasha''s body flinched the moment Damien whispered those words. Her eyes, wide with confusion, remained locked on the direction where Ye Fan''s car had disappeared moments before. She turned her gaze back to Damien, trying to process what he''d just said, her expression blank but her heart racing in disbelief. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice low, almost hesitant. Damien didn''t miss a beat. A sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he took a step back, giving her a bit of space while maintaining his composure. "I said," he repeated, his tone smooth, "do you really believe anyone rich would be looking for wealthy investors in a nightclub?" He let the question hang for a second, watching her absorb the meaning. "It was obviously a scam, Natasha. You''re smarter than this. You can''t beat that idiot." Her breath caught in her throat. Natasha''s eyes widened further, her feet instinctively retreating a step. Something about this man screamed danger¡ªnot just because he''d confessed to orchestrating a scam, but because she had believed him too. That unsettling realization made her blood run cold. Chapter 104 - 104- Kiss He wasn''t trying to cover his tracks or convince her otherwise; instead, he was revealing everything as if it were a game, a test of sorts. There was more to him than what met the eye. Before she could pull away entirely, Damien''s hand reached out, firmly but gently catching her by the waist, stopping her from stumbling backward. Natasha''s eyes flicked to his hand, then back to his face. What was he doing? And why was he helping her? "What''s the meaning of this?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, still trying to gauge what game Damien was playing. Damien''s grin widened as he released his hold on her waist, taking his time. "Nothing, really," he said casually, leaning in slightly closer. His hand moved up, brushing a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering just a moment too long. His dark eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made her feel trapped yet oddly mesmerized. "But how about I make a new deal with you?" Natasha blinked, confusion evident on her face. "What deal?" she asked, her voice shakier than she intended. With his gaze fixed firmly on hers, Damien''s smirk deepened. "Aren''t you stuck in your cultivation?" His tone was teasing, as if he knew a secret no one else did. "I can help you with that. Maybe then, you wouldn''t feel so¡­ inferior to your cousin." Natasha''s heart skipped a beat. Her entire body tensed, and she recoiled slightly at his words. "Who said I feel inferior to Ye Fan?" she shot back defensively. "I don''t¡ªthere''s no way I''d ever feel that way about him. He''s an idiot!" Her protest was sharp, but even she could hear the resignation creeping into her voice. It stung to realize that, somewhere deep down, she had been comparing herself to Ye Fan, constantly measuring her own worth against his. And now, this stranger had just laid her insecurities bare, as if he''d been reading her thoughts all along. Damien chuckled, the sound low and amused, clearly unfazed by her outburst. "You don''t need to hide anything," he said, his voice taking on a gentler tone. "I can help you¡­ if you want. Trust me." Natasha''s gaze locked onto his again, trying to read his intentions through those dark, unreadable eyes. She couldn''t deny the pull she felt toward him; something about the way he spoke, the way he carried himself, made her feel like he knew things¡ªdangerous, forbidden things. Her instincts told her to back away, but the lure of power, of surpassing Ye Fan and proving herself, was stronger than her caution. Still, she wasn''t foolish. She knew the stakes. "No," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "What if you scam me too?" Damien''s lips curved into another grin, clearly amused by her wariness. "Stuck at the early foundation of the Golden Core realm, are we?" he asked, his voice dripping with playful mockery. "Unable to fully manifest your core yet?" Her world came crashing down at that moment. Natasha''s eyes widened in shock, her hand shooting up to grab Damien by the collar, pulling him closer in an impulsive reaction. "How do you know that?" she hissed, her voice trembling with disbelief. "Who told you?" Her mind raced. She had never shared that particular weakness with anyone¡ªnot her family, not her closest confidants. It was a deeply personal struggle, one she had worked tirelessly to keep hidden. Yet, here this man was, standing in front of her, casually revealing her most guarded secret as if it were common knowledge. Damien didn''t resist, his gaze never leaving hers. The smug expression on his face didn''t waver. "I just know," he said, his voice smooth, unbothered by the tension in the air. His calmness only made her grip on his collar tighten, frustration and confusion roiling inside her. "You¡­ you damn well knew?" Natasha could barely contain her disbelief. Her pulse quickened as a thousand questions filled her mind. Who was he, really? And what did he want with her? She released his collar, her hand trembling slightly as she stepped back, her gaze still locked onto his. Damien stood there, not moving, still as calm as ever, his eyes glinting with something she couldn''t quite place. Amusement? Interest? Or was it something darker? "You''re in over your head, Natasha," Damien said softly, his voice dropping into a low whisper. "But I can help you out of this. Just think about it." Natasha clenched her fists, her mind swirling in a storm of emotions. This man was dangerous, no doubt about it. But damn him, he was also tempting enough for her to inquire how he would be able to help her. "How?" Damien grinned, looking down on her as he leaned near her ear and whispered, "by having sex with me." Natasha''s body tensed, her mind barely able to process what Damien had just said. For a moment, she stood frozen, her jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Then, in a flash, anger surged through her veins. She pushed him away with all the strength she could muster, her hand swinging for a punch, pure rage behind her strike. "How dare you, you bastard!" she snarled, her voice a blend of disbelief and fury. But Damien was quicker, sidestepping her punch with ease. Before she could react, he reached out and pulled her into an unexpected, forceful kiss. "Mmmph?!" Her first instinct was to retaliate, to shove him off with every ounce of strength she had, but his lips pressed against hers with an intensity that both confused and enraged her. The kiss was brief, too brief for her to truly fight back. And then, just as suddenly, she managed to push him off, her hand flying up for another punch. This time, Damien dodged with a smirk, his body moving in a blur as he suddenly vanished, reappearing near the entrance of a nearby taxi. He raised a hand in a mock salute, his grin infuriatingly smug. "Bye, Nat. We''ll meet again." His tone was teasing, playful even, as if the entire encounter had been nothing more than a game. Natasha, her chest heaving with anger, watched as the taxi drove off. Her heart still pounded in her chest, but the rage slowly started to simmer, giving way to the cold reality of what had just happened. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He knew too much. And worse, he wasn''t just dangerous. He was playing with her, toying with her in ways she couldn''t yet comprehend. Her lips still tingled from the kiss, a stark reminder of how close he had gotten. She wiped them harshly, anger rekindling as she swore under her breath. She wasn''t done with him, not by a long shot. Chapter 105 - 105- Harrisons The morning air was thick with humidity as a taxi car slowly rolled into a quiet, rural area on the outskirts of the main city. The surroundings spoke of modest living¡ªsmall apartments, faded paint, and weather-beaten structures. It was a far cry from the glamorous life that Damien was used to. But here he was, standing in front of a humble apartment that seemed to belong to someone not too well off. The sound of a window creaking open shattered the morning calm. Inside, Damien stirred awake, his body slowly pulling itself out of a somewhat uncomfortable sleep. He glanced around, taking in his surroundings as he rubbed his eyes. Just as his feet hit the floor, they landed directly on something soft and fleshy. A loud groan followed. "Damn, I''m down here, you idiot!" Damien, still half-asleep, looked down and saw the driver¡ªKarl¡ªlying on the floor, his face twisted in pain. Without missing a beat, Damien smirked, "I know. That''s why I stepped on you. Come on, wake up. We need to go." Karl, clearly not in the mood for jokes, rolled over and groaned louder. "You dumbass! At least let me wake up properly. I gotta take a dump, man! I just woke up." Damien glanced over his shoulder with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me, Driver. I need to use the bathroom too." Karl''s eyes widened in disbelief. He sat up, glaring at Damien, his face contorted with frustration. "You total bastard! No! It''s not ''Driver,'' my name''s Karl. And seriously, man, can''t you wait? S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I gotta go now." But Damien was already headed toward the bathroom, ignoring the protests behind him. "Well, I''m already up, so I''m first. You''ll have to wait." Karl groaned, holding his head in his hands as he sat there on the floor. "Unbelievable... You''re a total bastard, you know that?" Without even turning back, Damien responded, "You''ve mentioned that already. Good to see you''re consistent." Karl''s frustration reached its peak as he stood up, feeling the growing pressure in his gut. "You... you... dumbass! I swear, if I don''t find a toilet in the next five minutes¡ª" His words were cut off by the unmistakable sound of the bathroom door closing behind Damien. "Dammit!" Karl muttered, rushing toward the door, banging his fists against it. "Let me in! I swear to God, if you''re in there more than five minutes, I''m kicking this door down!" But Damien''s response was muffled, something about "patience" and "good things coming to those who wait." Karl growled under his breath, his discomfort intensifying. Not wasting any more time, he bolted out of the apartment, running down the street. There was only one option left¡ªa public toilet down the block. Holding his hands over his backside, Karl ran as fast as he could. . . . . . . The car hummed along the quiet streets as Karl drove, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. His face, though calm, was still flushed with traces of frustration. Damien sat beside him, his demeanor the complete opposite¡ªcalm, collected, with one hand resting casually on the window ledge. His gaze wandered out into the distance, looking at nothing in particular, as if the world outside was of no consequence. Karl''s blank expression mirrored his focus on the task at hand. His grip tightened on the wheel slightly as he reached over to adjust the volume of the radio, letting the soft music fill the silence in the car. Just as he was about to increase it, he heard Damien''s voice, cutting through the quiet like a sharp blade. "You''re an adult, and you still pooped your pants." Karl froze. The music faded into the background as his mind was thrust into an unwanted flashback¡ªa bad memory. He could feel the frustration rising again. Turning his head slowly, his eyes narrowed on Damien. "Bastard. It was because of you," Karl grumbled, his voice filled with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "Who knew there''d be such a long line for the public toilet?! If only you''d come out ten minutes earlier, I wouldn''t have had to¡­ you know¡­" He trailed off, unwilling to relive the full humiliation. Damien barely turned his head, an infuriatingly amused smirk playing on his lips. "Tch, pathetic." Karl clenched his jaw, his hands gripping the wheel tighter as he forced his attention back on the road. He wasn''t about to let this idiot get under his skin again¡ªnot right now, at least. He took a deep breath, visibly calming himself, and after a moment of silence, he asked, his voice more controlled, "So¡­ where are we going, anyway?" Damien leaned back, folding his arms behind his head in a relaxed manner, his eyes glinting with the smugness of someone who held all the cards. "Let''s go to the Harrison family''s mansion." For a brief moment, Karl''s calm demeanor faltered. His brows furrowed, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "The Harrison family? What the hell do you want there?" Damien didn''t answer immediately. Instead, his smirk grew as he gazed out the window again, leaving Karl to wonder just what kind of trouble he was getting dragged into this time. The name alone was enough to cause a stir¡ªa prestigious family, with deep connections in places that most people wouldn''t even dare approach. Still shaken, Karl pressed further. "Seriously, man. What''s going on? Why the Harrison family?" But Damien remained silent, his calm gaze never wavering, leaving Karl''s growing curiosity unanswered as they drove. They have finally arrived, located just a mile from the territory of the Harrison family. The car rolled up to the imposing gates of the Harrison family estate, looming ahead like the entrance to a fortress. Karl gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white as his eyes flicked between the guards stationed near the entrance. Tension hung thick in the air as he glanced at Damien, who sat beside him with an unsettlingly calm smile. "So, should I keep going?" Karl asked, his voice low with a trace of hesitation. "I mean, once we''re in, if it''s unauthorized, we''re both going to be arrested. You know security''s tight, especially after what happened with the patriarch getting severely injured." Damien''s smile didn''t waver. In fact, it seemed to grow more confident as he leaned back in his seat, glancing casually at the guards ahead. "Trust me, Karl. No one''s going to stop us." Karl sighed, shaking his head but unable to suppress a faint grin. "Hope you''re not lying this time," he muttered, though deep down, a part of him expected something to go wrong, as it always did with Damien. With a final breath, Karl greeted his charge and accelerated the car toward the gate, the guards immediately becoming alert as they approached. One of them stepped forward, signaling for them to stop. The other guards had their hands hovering near their holsters, ready to draw their weapons at the slightest sign of trouble. "Why are you here?" the guard asked, his voice firm, professional. Karl swallowed hard and put on his best nonchalant expression. "I''m just a driver. I brought this guy here." Without even looking in Damien''s direction, Karl pointed his thumb toward the passenger seat. The guard''s brows furrowed, his gaze narrowing as he looked back at Karl. "What guy?" he asked, clearly confused. Karl, still focused on his nervous explanation, continued, "You know, the guy sitting right here." His thumb jabbed in the direction of Damien again. "The man who¡ª" He froze mid-sentence. Something was wrong. Slowly, Karl turned his head to glance toward the passenger seat. It was empty. Damien had disappeared. There was no trace of him, as if he had vanished into thin air, leaving Karl to face the increasingly suspicious guards alone. His heart dropped into his stomach as he processed the situation. "Fuck," he muttered under his breath, his expression going blank as the gravity of his predicament sunk in. Surrounded by armed guards with no explanation, no way out, and his only companion having ditched him, Karl''s mind raced. The guards, meanwhile, were less patient, stepping closer, their hands now firmly on their guns. "Who are you really? What''s going on here?" one of them demanded, his tone taking on a more hostile edge. Karl didn''t respond immediately. He just stared straight ahead, his internal monologue repeating the same word over and over again. "Fuck... Fuck... Fuck." . . . . ''Is this the way?'' Landing from the boundary while secretly passing by the guard, who was unable to stop him due to his speed and their distraction with the arriving taxi, Damien smoothly entered the mansion. Jumping into a corridor and moving with a relaxed, casual, and nonchalant posture, with both hands resting in his pockets, he kept looking around. "Hey, is the patriarch arriving soon?" Civil servants were engaged in conversations about the arrival of their patriarch, who had somehow sustained an injury at a wedding held by the previous heir of the Raphael family. Although he had been receiving treatment at the Camphrian City Hospital, after reaching a stable condition where he was able to move, the patriarch was to be relocated to a hospital in the main city. ''He is still not here.'' Upon hearing the words of the servants, he realized that he still had time to make preparations since the patriarch had not yet arrived. This prompted him to move down the corridor until he finally reached a room. Just as he was about to open it, a woman''s voice called out to him. "Who are you?" Chapter 106 - 106- Harrison house (1) Damien slipped through the mansion''s entrance like a shadow, his steps calculated as he moved down the dim hallway. The eerie quiet only heightened his focus. When he reached a large wooden door, his hand hesitated on the handle. "Who are you?" A voice echoed, causing his pulse to spike. He turned sharply but quickly realized it came from elsewhere¡ªfar off in the mansion, not directed at him. Wasting no more time, Damien turned the knob and entered the room, softly closing the door behind him, his movements smooth and deliberate. He took in the room with a glance¡ªspacious, grand, luxurious, yet cold. It was almost the size of a suite you''d find in the best hotels, with a chandelier dangling overhead, casting a muted glow over the sleek leather furniture and polished wooden floors. Shelves lined the walls, filled with untouched books, more for decoration than use. The air was thick with the scent of wax and old wood, the kind of room that looked lived in but never truly was. But his eyes didn''t linger on the furniture for long. No, they were drawn to a large portrait, hidden behind a curtain, at the center of the room. Its presence, commanding and secretive, made his curiosity flare. Straightening his suit jacket, Damien moved forward, his footsteps silent on the hardwood. He was here for a reason, though this room seemed almost too pristine, too intentionally untouched. His fingers grazed the edge of the curtain, feeling the thin layer of dust that had gathered there. "Let''s see what we''ve got here," he muttered quietly. The dust confirmed his suspicion: whatever this portrait held, it had been sealed away for a long time, unseen and unacknowledged. His mind raced, piecing together what he already knew about the Harrison family. This room had significance. It wasn''t just the luxury that tipped him off¡ªthis was personal. The portrait likely belonged to Luna Harrison''s late mother, a figure who clearly hadn''t been forgotten but had perhaps been erased in other ways. As he pulled back slightly from the curtain, his attention shifted inward. ''Open the reward box for your first kill,'' Damien thought, feeling a twinge of suspicion as he regarded the painting. The room, undoubtedly belonging to one of the mansion''s family members, felt preserved yet forgotten. The curtains remained closed, hinting that either the past had left its mark, or someone was unable to confront the memory it held. Already familiar with his next target''s history, Damien recognized that this was the portrait of Luna Harrison''s late mother. [ Opening the Reward Box received for first kill....] [ Congratulations! ] [ Reward: Inventory with a 20 square meter area ] The system notification flashed across his vision, but Damien barely reacted. His eyes continued to scan the room, taking in every detail before seeing the reward, which was what he needed right now, given the help of Lyra; he was able to manipulate the reward to his needs. Damien pulled back the curtain, revealing the portrait of Luna Harrison''s mother. Without hesitation, he stored it in his inventory, the painting vanishing instantly. He turned back to the room, scanning for anything useful. Opening a drawer, he found an old oil lamp, some candles, and a box of matches. Odd for such a modern mansion, but clearly, someone had preserved these items intentionally. He grabbed the matchsticks, scraped their phosphorus tips together, and gathered the material. Whatever he was planning, it was now in motion, his actions swift and deliberate. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Karl stood outside the Harrison family mansion, blood dripping down the side of his face, his wrists bound tightly in handcuffs. The bright daylight only made the situation feel more surreal. He looked desperately at the guards, his heart racing. "Please, listen to me!" Karl begged. "I was brought here by a man!" One of the guards stepped closer, eyes cold and skeptical. "Where is he?" "I don''t know," Karl replied, his voice cracking with frustration. He watched in panic as the guard unlocked the car door, dragging him out roughly. "Maybe he went inside. The mansion, I swear. He could''ve gone in there!" The guards exchanged quick glances, one raising an eyebrow. "That''s impossible. No one gets into the mansion without us knowing." Stay tuned for updates on m-v l|e''m,p y r Karl felt a rush of desperation. "No, no! You have to believe me!" He tried to step forward, but a guard yanked him back, keeping him firmly under control. "Take him to the corner room," another guard ordered, gesturing toward a small side building. Karl looked back at his taxi¡ªhis only source of income¡ªsitting abandoned by the entrance. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he was pulled along. More guards arrived, one of them leveling a gun at him. "On your knees," the guard said firmly. Karl dropped to his knees, his cuffed hands raised above his head. "Lie down," came the next command. With no other choice, Karl lay face down on the hard ground, feeling the cold concrete beneath him. His mind raced, trying to make sense of how things had spiraled so quickly. He had only wanted to explain, but now it was clear¡ªhe was in deep trouble, and no one was listening. "What is happening here?" Damien, jumping from the mansion''s walls, immediately locked his gaze onto the scene unfolding before him. His gaze briefly landed on Karl, handcuffed and lying on the ground, surrounded by guards. Damien''s eyes flicked to the blood stains near Karl''s face, and a faint smirk appeared on his lips. It was clear he felt some satisfaction in seeing Karl in such a position. But as the guards noticed him, Damien''s expression quickly shifted to a cold, stern look. One of the guards straightened, eyeing Damien''s well-fitted suit and sharp features. "Please identify yourself, sir," the guard requested, sensing Damien''s status but cautious nonetheless. Damien didn''t answer immediately, instead taking a slow, deliberate step forward. "I asked," he said coolly, "what''s happening here?" One of the guards pointed towards Karl. "This man," the guard started, "claims he entered the property unopposed. He was saying something about an intrusion, but we found no evidence¡ª" Before the guard could finish, Karl, still on the ground, suddenly yelled, "He''s the one! Arrest him! He''s the man I brought here!" Even with his hands cuffed, Karl desperately pointed towards Damien. Chapter 107 - 107- Harrison House (2) The guards exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing in suspicion as they focused on Damien. One of them stepped forward, his voice uncertain. "Is what he''s saying true?" Damien didn''t flinch. "Of course, he does," he replied calmly. "But what I want to know is why my driver is in this state." His voice turned icy. "What have you done to him?" Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e''m-p| y r The guard hesitated, his posture stiffening. "Sir," he said, his tone respectful but firm. His eyes observed the taxi and Damien''s suit, which he found not well suited for a young master. "It would be best if you cooperated. Why were you entering the mansion?" Another guard, clearly larger and more muscular, stepped closer, trying to use his size to intimidate Damien. But before he could get too close, there was a sudden sound. Bam! Damien''s fist had connected with the guard''s gut, sending the man to his knees. Thud! Saliva dripped from the guard''s mouth as he struggled to regain his breath, gripping his stomach in pain. Shocked, the downed guard raised his head, staring up at Damien in disbelief. The other guards began to react, moving to defend their comrade, but Damien''s voice cut through the air, cold and commanding. "How dare you act like this in front of me," he said, his voice dripping with authority. "I am Damien Raphael!" The guards froze, a chill running down their spines as the weight of the name Raphael hit them. In unison, they bowed their heads in apology, the tension thick in the air. "We apologize for not recognizing you, sir," one of them managed, his voice shaky as they realized just how badly they''d misstepped. One of the guards, still bowing, couldn''t help but think, ''Wasn''t Damien Raphael the one who got banished from his family?'' Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But he didn''t dare lift his head. Banished or not, the Raphael family carried immense power, and banishment wasn''t something to trust blindly. ''What if this is some kind of test or ploy?'' he thought, knowing better than to question someone tied to such a family. The Harrison family wouldn''t likely risk offending anyone with such connections. Damien scanned the group, a smirk tugging at his lips as he watched them squirm. "Free my driver," he commanded, his tone sharp. Karl, lying on the ground, gritted his teeth in silent rage. ''It''s Karl, not "driver," you asshole,'' he thought, but he kept his mouth shut as a guard rushed to remove the cuffs. The second Karl was freed, he bolted for his taxi, hands shaking as he fumbled to start the engine. The car roared to life, but just as he was about to take off, Damien slipped into the passenger seat, closing the door behind him with ease. Before they could leave, Damien turned back to the guards, his voice cold and measured. "You''ve all upset me. I''m leaving now, but rest assured, I will never return to the Harrison family again. And don''t worry," he added with a smug glance, "I''ll be sure to mention how badly I was treated here to your patriarch." The guards'' faces drained of color. They exchanged panicked looks, sweat trickling down their foreheads. "Sir, sir, please¡ª" one of them stammered, but the taxi was already pulling away, Damien comfortably seated inside. As the car sped off, one of the younger guards turned to the chief, his voice filled with dread. "What do we do now, sir?" The chief sighed heavily, his face grim. "Forget it," he muttered, straightening up. "I''ll take the blame for this." The other guards glanced at each other before turning back to the chief, admiration in their eyes. He stood tall, staring off into the distance, accepting the weight of his decision. A short while later, the hum of engines filled the air as a fleet of luxury cars approached the metal gates of the Harrison family estate. The polished vehicles glinted under the sunlight, exuding wealth and power. The lead car, a sleek Bugatti with a commanding presence, was followed closely by a Rolls-Royce and a line of Range Rovers packed with bodyguards. As the convoy neared, the large gates swung open slowly, and the guards stood at attention, saluting in unison. Servants lined up on either side, bowing deeply to make way for the family members exiting the cars. All eyes were drawn to the imposing Bugatti at the front. The door opened, and out stepped a woman with striking beauty. Her poise and grace immediately caught everyone''s attention. As she moved toward the Rolls-Royce, her movements were fluid and effortless, drawing curious glances from the servants. Luna Harrison, the jewel of the family, approached the rear door of the Rolls-Royce with an air of urgency. "Grandpa," she called softly, her voice laced with concern, as she helped the elderly man out of the car. The patriarch of the Harrison family, though clearly aged, carried himself with dignity. His expression remained calm, but his slow steps indicated his frailty. Luna gently supported him as they walked toward the mansion, her hand on his arm, ensuring his balance. His condition was stable, but there was no mistaking the care with which Luna handled him. The servants trailed behind, murmuring quietly as they followed the two inside, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension and reverence. As the grand procession approached the mansion, a sudden commotion broke out. Shouts echoed from within, startling everyone just as they were about to step inside. "Fire! There''s a fire in the lady''s room!" A few servants rushed out, yelling and causing alarm among the gathered family members and staff. Luna froze, her heart skipping a beat as she heard one of the servants shout, "Room 34! There''s fire in room number 34!" Her eyes widened in shock. Without a second thought, Luna let go of her grandfather, leaving him to be caught by his assistant as she sprinted down the corridor. ''No, no, no... it can''t be happening!'' The thought raced through her mind like a storm. The dread twisted inside her, knowing full well that Room 34 was where she had preserved her mother''s portrait. She had never mustered the courage to look at it, blaming herself for everything that had happened, but keeping it there, untouched, as a way of holding on. Her legs carried her faster than ever as she darted through the mansion''s grand hallways, passing servants who were rushing to contain the chaos. She turned the corner, her heart pounding in her chest. The sight that greeted her was a small crowd of servants throwing fire extinguishers into the open doorway of Room 34, smoke still curling from inside. By the time she reached the room, the fire had been subdued. Luna stumbled inside, her breath caught in her throat. She stood frozen as her eyes scanned the room¡ªeverything seemed intact, but the center of the room, where the portrait once hung, was empty. The portrait of her mother... it was gone. Chapter 108 - 108- Exiting Harrison family Luna''s face turned ashen, her breath growing shallow as panic gripped her. "No, no, no¡­ what is happening here? Where is the portrait?" she gasped, her voice trembling. Her eyes frantically searched the room, darting from corner to corner, hoping to find any trace of it. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest, sinking lower with each second. The servants stood frozen, their faces pale, sharing in the weight of her despair. One of them, barely able to meet her eyes, whispered, "W-we apologize, Lady Luna. We failed to protect it... we''re so sorry." Luna''s legs buckled, and she collapsed to her knees, the world spinning around her. Her palms pressed against the cold floor as a torrent of memories overwhelmed her. That portrait¡ªit was the last connection to her mother, the final piece of her past she had fought so hard to preserve. Tears blurred her vision as she struggled to breathe, her mind trapped in the pain of that fateful day. The day she lost her mother. The day she threw a tantrum, insisting they go to an auction, and her mother, always loving and patient, gave in. And then... the accident. It had cost her everything. Guilt weighed her down like a heavy shroud. ''It''s my fault,'' she thought bitterly, the words echoing in her mind. The accident, her mother''s death¡ªit was all because of her. She had wanted one more painting, and in the end, it had cost her far more than she had ever imagined. And now, the portrait¡ªthe last link to her mother¡ªwas gone. Burned to ashes. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as her hands balled into fists. ''I should''ve let it go,'' she thought, the regret tearing at her soul. But she hadn''t. She had clung to the past, to that last memory of her mother, and now, it was lost forever. The servants stood in silence, unable to comfort her, as Luna tried to gather herself. Knowing the portrait was not just lost by chance, this fire was no accident, and the realization sent a cold shiver down her spine. "What happened here? L-Luna?!" The patriarch of the Harrison family, while stumbling by the support of his fellow assistants, arrived inside the room, looking towards Luna, who was seated while tears welled in her eyes. It was catastrophic. It was the first time in his life he had seen his strong daughter have tears in her eyes. His mind was racing, even though after that event where suddenly he was attacked by someone and spent his days in the hospital, it was the first time he felt shocked and pain. Not just him, but assistants and other people, including servants, were seeing their lady who was the strongest and most determined one among everyone in such a state for the first time. "....I am fine, Grandpa," Luna said, using a cloth to clean her face, as the edges of her eyes turned towards the ashes scattered around the room. As she slowly stood, she realized that she had gotten herself overwhelmed by the emotion. Getting rid of the painting that was burned felt like a good thing for her. She had always wanted to let it go but never could, remaining bonded with it. But now, due to the fire, it was gone. Of course, she wasn''t just going to sit idly by. Suddenly, the sharp crackle of flames echoed in her ears, and her chest tightened. ''How did this even happen?'' she wondered. Each room in the mansion had its own isolated electrical system. A short circuit was impossible. Luna clenched her fists, anger surging through her. "Who was responsible for this?!" she yelled, her voice like a whip cracking through the silence. Without waiting for a response, she ordered, "Call the security guards. Now!" Within moments, the guards were assembled, standing before her in rigid formation. Their backs were straight, hands clasped behind them, but their faces were pale, sweat beading on their brows. Luna''s presence was too overwhelming, and the intensity of her glare made them flinch. "Who came here?" she demanded, her voice low but deadly. "Tell me who arrived while we were gone." The guards exchanged nervous glances. One stepped forward, his voice barely a whisper. "N-no one, Lady Luna. No one came inside." Luna''s eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?" Her voice held an edge that made the man tremble. He swallowed hard. "Yes, I swear. No one entered." She clenched her jaw, frustration boiling inside her. These men were either telling the truth, or they were too terrified to admit they had failed her. Luna rubbed her temples, trying to think clearly. "Go away," she finally ordered, her tone flat, dismissing them with a wave. The guards quickly turned to leave, but as they were about to exit, one paused, hesitating before turning back. "Actually... someone did come by earlier," he said nervously. "In a taxi, but he didn''t enter the mansion. He stayed outside." Luna''s eyes snapped to the guard, her fury rekindling. "Who was it?" she demanded, her voice like ice. The guard swallowed again, the fear evident on his face. "It was Damien Raphael." Luna''s eyes widened as the guard''s words hit her like a jolt. "What? What did you just say?" Her voice was sharp, laced with disbelief. She could hardly process the name he''d mentioned. That name... Damien Raphael. The guard, sensing her agitation, repeated himself cautiously, "It was Damien Raphael, Lady Luna. He arrived here... in a taxi." The moment hung heavy in the air. Luna sat in stunned silence for a heartbeat before covering her face with her hands. She sank into the sofa, a strange laugh bubbling out of her, barely above a whisper. "So... he dares?" Her voice cracked with amusement, tinged with disbelief. Someone was truly testing her patience, pushing the limits of her tolerance. Damien Raphael¡ªthe man who had rejected their arranged marriage, the man her family had meticulously selected to elevate their standing¡ªwas now standing at her doorstep, pulling a stunt like this. The irony wasn''t lost on her. She thought back to the days when her grandfather had pressured her into accepting the match, a strategic move to bind their powerful Harrison family to the even more influential Raphael family. And like a naive fool, she had agreed. She''d even convinced herself that she could use Damien to climb higher within their ranks. After all, it was her duty, wasn''t it? To secure the future of the Harrison empire. But Damien had rejected her. He hadn''t even given her a second thought. And now, here he was. Luna''s mind raced. Could it have been him? Could Damien really have been the one to set the fire? The timing of his arrival was far too convenient to ignore, but she couldn''t jump to conclusions without proof. None of the servants had seen him enter the mansion. It was highly unlikely that Damien, always calculated and deliberate, would recklessly burn the room without thinking through the consequences. She ran her fingers through her hair, frustration mounting. Damien wasn''t the kind of man to act impulsively. He was cunning, careful, always one step ahead. Yet, there was no denying that something about this situation felt wrong. Almost too convenient. Was he sending her a message? Trying to provoke her? Luna sat back, her gaze darkening. "Damien Raphael... what game are you playing?" she muttered under her breath. She couldn''t ignore the possibility that he was behind this, but until she had more information, she''d have to be cautious. For now, the pieces of this puzzle remained scattered. But one thing was certain: Damien''s sudden appearance wasn''t just a coincidence. . . . . . . Far away from the imposing Harrison Palace, inside a modest taxi, Damien Raphael sat in the back seat, his expression calm as he tapped away on his phone. The driver, Karl, kept his eyes on the road, but his mouth twitched involuntarily as he caught glimpses of Damien''s actions in the rearview mirror. "Don''t even think about touching my 600 nr," Karl muttered under his breath, half-joking but with a trace of seriousness in his tone. He knew Damien well enough to know that he had a way of getting what he wanted, even when it wasn''t his to take. Damien paused, his fingers freezing mid-scroll on his banking app, and directed a glance at Karl. A teasing smirk danced on his lips. "You really shouldn''t have mentioned it, Karl," he remarked, a subtle edge creeping into his tone. "Damn it. Now you''ve planted that idea in my head." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Karl''s eyes widened theatrically, feigning horror. "Don''t even think about it," he warned, this time with a firmer tone. "That''s my hard-earned money you''re talking about." Damien laughed, shaking his head lightly. "Relax. I wouldn''t dare touch your precious 600 nr," he said, returning his focus to his phone. In a flash, he typed out a message, his fingers dancing rapidly across the screen. After sending it, he handed the phone to Karl without a second thought. "Here. Now let''s make our way to the Raphael family''s mansion." Karl accepted the phone with caution, stealing a glance at Damien that was tinged with mild suspicion. "You''re plotting something, aren''t you?" he asked as he steered the car onto the main road, heading toward the Raphael estate. Damien leaned back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest, while his gaze drifted out the window. "Always, Karl. Always," he replied, a hint of mischief in his voice. The taxi sped down the deserted road, the day unfolding before them, an open canvas for the next act in Damien''s meticulously crafted plans. Chapter 109 - 109- Ophelia (1) As the taxi approached the towering gates of the Raphael family estate, it became clear just how vast and impressive the place was. Spanning over a mile, the estate was more like a small city, filled with luxurious buildings, each belonging to different branches of the family. The sheer size and opulence spoke volumes about the immense wealth possessed by the Raphael family. Karl, the driver, whistled low as they neared the entrance. "You sure we''re in the right place, Damien? This looks more like a royal fortress than an estate," he said, eyes wide as he glanced at the towering gates and the sprawling grounds beyond. Damien remained unfazed, his eyes cold and focused. "We''re at the right place. Just keep driving." But as soon as the taxi got within proximity of the entrance, the air shifted. Several guards stationed near the gate suddenly sprang into action. Dressed in black tactical gear, they dashed toward the taxi, their faces hard and determined. Before Karl could even blink, guns were pointed at the car from all directions. "Move from this place right now!" one of the guards yelled, his voice booming with authority. His weapon was trained directly on Karl''s head, and his eyes left no room for negotiation. Karl''s hands tightened on the steering wheel, and he muttered under his breath, "Oh, you gotta be kidding me... I knew this was gonna be a bad idea." Damien, cool as ever, calmly opened the door and stepped out of the taxi, not even flinching at the sight of the guns. "Let me handle this." The moment Damien closed the door behind him, Karl didn''t even wait for him to finish his sentence. His heart racing, Karl immediately shifted the gear, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and sped off in reverse, tires screeching against the pavement. "Nope! Nope! Not my problem!" he yelled out, not bothering to look back. As the taxi zoomed away, Damien shook his head in mild amusement, watching his so-called driver escape with impressive speed. One of the guards, still pointing his gun at the retreating vehicle, looked confused. "Your friend doesn''t seem very loyal." Damien scoffed, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Friend? More like an unpaid therapist. But he knows better than to stick around when things get messy." He glanced toward the guards, his expression darkening. "Now, why don''t you lower those guns? I''m here on business." The tension in the air was thick as one of the guards stepped forward, a smug grin plastered on his face as he locked eyes with Damien. His voice oozed mockery. "Oh, look who we have here. Isn''t it the young master? Wait, no... not young master. Isn''t it just Damien?" The other guards exchanged knowing glances, their expressions darkening as they watched. Though they served the Raphael family, everyone here knew Damien''s story all too well. He was the worthless heir, the one cast out like yesterday''s trash. They had received direct orders from the new head of the family¡ªto treat Damien like a dog. And it seemed they were eager to follow through. The guard''s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with cruel intent. "So, what''s a dog like you doing here? Begging for scraps?" He was about to continue his taunts when¡ª BANG! The sharp crack of a gunshot rang out, freezing everyone in their tracks. The guard''s face went blank, his smirk vanishing in an instant as his eyes slowly shifted downwards. Blood began to pool at his abdomen, soaking his uniform. His body trembled, and his legs buckled as he stumbled backward, clutching his gut. "Aghhh!?" He gaped at Damien in disbelief. The gun¡ªthe one that had just fired¡ªwas his own. Somehow, Damien had taken it in the blink of an eye and pulled the trigger, all without breaking a sweat. Damien stood there, calm and composed, tilting his head slightly as his eyes gleamed with cold, unrestrained killing intent. The guard, now on his knees, coughed and managed to scream, "Kill him!" The moment the order was given, chaos erupted. The remaining guards reached for their weapons, ready to follow through with the command. Across the entire one-mile stretch of the estate''s entrance, a total of 87 guards mobilized. Guns were drawn, aimed directly at Damien. The air buzzed with rising danger as the scent of gunpowder and blood filled the space. But just as the tension was about to explode into violence, a voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "STOP. No need to waste bullets." The voice was smooth yet powerful, its tone unmistakably feminine but amplified by an immense internal energy that echoed through the entire courtyard. It sent a ripple of shock through the guards, freezing them in place, their fingers hesitating on their triggers. Damien didn''t flinch, but he recognized the voice immediately. The guards all turned in the direction of the sound, their postures shifting from aggression to respect. As if an invisible force guided them, they parted, bowing slightly as they made way for the figure approaching. Through the gap, a woman emerged. Her steps were slow and deliberate, her presence commanding. Her deep silver eyes glowed faintly in the dim light as her long, dark hair cascaded elegantly down her back. She moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, each step silent, yet it felt as if the very ground responded to her. Her white robe shimmered under the moonlight, adding to her ethereal appearance. For a moment, it felt as though time itself had paused. The wind stilled, the night air heavy with her presence. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even the faint rustling of the trees ceased as the guards watched her in awe. In what seemed like an instant, she closed the distance, her feet landing ten steps away from Damien. Her gaze, sharp and piercing, met his without hesitation. Every guard stood still, holding their breath, as if afraid to make even the slightest movement in her presence. Damien raised an eyebrow, a flicker of recognition in his eyes as a slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I should''ve known it was you," he muttered under his breath, his voice low but audible in the now silent courtyard. Chapter 110 - 110- Ophelia(2) Mostly, instead of her face, her eyes were focused on the status window in front of him. ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? Name: Ophelia Age: 23 (Immortal, reincarnated from a higher realm) Cultivation Realm: Nascent Soul Realm Strength: 150 (10 for an average human adult) Agility: 120 (30 for a professional athlete) Vitality: 200 (10 for a healthy human, enhanced by immortal physique) Charm: 85/100 (Immortal beauty, naturally captivating and alluring) Luck: 90/100 (Fate-touched, presence of a higher destiny) Measurements: Height: 170 cm (5''6") Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs) Bust: 94 cm (37 in) Waist: 60 cm (24 in) Hips: 95 cm (37 in) Skin Tone: Radiant porcelain, with an otherworldly glow, flawless and ethereal Bust-Waist-Hip Ratio: 94-60-95 cm (37-24-37 in) Cup Size: D, with a perfectly proportioned, firm shape Hair: Silky, silver hair cascading in soft waves down to her waist, shimmering under any light. Eyes: Crystal blue, resembling the depth of oceans, glowing faintly with her celestial heritage. Lips: Soft, rose-petal pink lips with a natural gloss, elegantly curved and inviting. About: A calm, composed, and wise immortal who carries memories from her previous life. She is strategic, patient, and maintains an enigmatic allure. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Favorability level: 0/100 (No opinion) ?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤?¡ã???¡ã?©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤©¤? The woman didn''t respond immediately. Instead, her gaze swept over the scene, taking in the bloodied guard on the ground and the other guards who still gripped their guns uncertainly. Her lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile, though there was no warmth in it. "Put your weapons down," she commanded softly, her voice carrying authority that left no room for argument. The guards, still hesitant, slowly obeyed, holstering their guns and stepping back, knowing that they would rather face the devil himself than defy her. The woman''s eyes returned to Damien, and though her face remained unreadable, her voice carried a sharp edge as she said, "Damien Raphael... you never fail to make a rather amusing entrance, do you?" ''Here she comes....'' Damien looked towards his story''s final plot, so of course, it was not activated yet, given the final plot was definitely two people, her and a higher villain who is yet to arrive according to the list of those who put an end to the original Damien''s life. And in the final thought, the most suffering given to the original owner mentally was done by this, and physically was by the main villain of the story. So, he was here to at least get intel on the woman''s real strength, and naturally, he was surprised. The only thing he knew about her was that at the age of 4, she had killed her adoptive mother, who turned out to be Damien''s real mother. Indeed, right now in front of Damien stood the woman who had killed his mother, though not technically. "Tch, I just came here to talk with Grandpa," Damien, knowing that this wasn''t the time to take action, realized that if he enraged her and she killed him, he would fail the plot, and if that happened, it would be a problem. Thus, putting aside his rising anger, he just inquired about the second thing he was here for. "....Grandfather is busy and he doesn''t want to meet you," Ophelia said, with her eyes closed, knowing that by coming in front of her he had already ruined her mood. Though, of course, not enough to kill him this instant, she folded her hands with her eyes closed. "I see, so you have even started to take over the Raphael family, you filthy blood," Though, of course, Damien was not just going away without pissing her off¡ªat least to satisfy his rising ego. "....Does it matter who holds the filth? Aren''t I here in place of you?" Having already seen a vast world, this mere mortal territory was more than under control; she was not feeling angered, just amused at this worthless person, who was nothing now, holding nothing at all. "Yes, in place of..." Damien put pressure on those words, clearly trying to give her a good answer. "You are still pathetic, aren''t you?" Ophelia couldn''t help but feel amused at this child''s play, knowing well about his habit of always acting childish and thinking he was someone superior, given how easily she could crush him at any moment. "Pathetic? At least not as someone who kills.... hm, no, I will take my leave," Damien wanted to piss her off but halted, thinking this was not the right time to tell her how she was more pathetic for killing the woman who adopted her simply because she was jealous of her real son. Though of course, knowing her story at least gave Damien a clear idea of how to deal with this woman as he turned to leave while not forgetting to keep the gun. ''Did he.... no, it''s impossible,'' Ophelia looking at the back of Damien narrowed her gaze, glancing down towards the guard who was dead. She wanted to use this chance to insult him but let the moment slide, given how there was no reason for her to spend a single second with that trash. ''Are you seeing Mother? Your son is pathetic, unlike the genius you used to praise,'' Ophelia couldn''t help but grin, looking at the disappearing back of the man who had once become a subject of jealousy for her¡ªmuch worse than in anger; she had killed that woman who was closest to him. His mother. ''I will leave you alive only because of your mother,'' Ophelia turned, entering the mansion, which was now hers¡ªeverything that once belonged to that woman who adopted her, giving her all the love one could deserve. She decided to keep it intact until she ascends back to the higher realm while keeping that idiot away from her. Previously, due to becoming jealous of him, she had killed that kind woman. She had regretted it for so long that she decided she would never become jealous of him. So, in the future, she would not kill someone kind for that idiot, who is now a worthless piece of shit. Chapter 111 - 111- Wanruo (1) The taxi zipped through the main city''s streets, weaving in and out of traffic with the kind of reckless abandon only someone like Karl could muster. His foot pressed harder on the accelerator, and the car''s engine roared in response. "I finally escaped that idiot," Karl muttered under his breath, a smirk creeping across his face as the thought lingered. Damien''s nonchalance towards danger had rattled him a bit, but now, far away from the Raphael estate, he felt a surge of relief. For a moment, his mind drifted back to the morning''s embarrassment¡ªwhen he''d accidentally pooped his pants during a particularly stressful job. The memory made his face flush, though no one was around to witness it. "Man, this day just keeps getting better, huh?" he chuckled to himself, feeling the release of tension as the car sped along the streets. But his brief moment of humor was short-lived. His thoughts still a bit distracted, he suddenly miscalculated a turn. The screeching of tires was the only warning he got before¡ªBAM! The taxi scraped hard against the side of a sleek black sports car, leaving a long, jagged scratch along the luxury vehicle''s polished surface. "Oh, shit," Karl blurted, his heart leaping into his throat. He quickly pulled over to the side, cursing under his breath. The door of the sports car slammed open, and out stepped a young man dressed in expensive designer clothes. He looked no older than twenty-five, but his expression was that of someone who had been handed everything on a silver platter his whole life. His face twisted with fury as he stormed towards Karl''s taxi. "You blind or something!?" the young master shouted, his voice dripping with indignation. Without hesitation, he swung his leg, landing a hard kick against the side of Karl''s taxi. The metal frame groaned in protest. "Look what you did to my car!" "Whoa, hey, easy, man!" Karl said, his hands raised in a gesture of peace as he quickly got out of the driver''s seat. "It''s just a scratch, right? We can figure this out." He smiled nervously, trying to calm the situation. But the young man wasn''t having any of it. He grabbed Karl by the collar, yanking him forward aggressively. "A scratch? Do you even know how much this car costs? I could have you working for the rest of your miserable life to pay for this, you idiot!" "Ugh..." Karl winced, struggling to break free from the young master''s grip. "Look, I don''t want any trouble, alright? Just calm down and¡ª" Before Karl could finish, a sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Stop it!" Both men turned to see a police officer walking towards them. She was tall and confident, her uniform crisp and her gaze steady. Her long hair was tied back in a tight bun, and her badge gleamed under the afternoon sun. The young master''s grip on Karl''s collar loosened slightly as she approached. The officer looked between them, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. "What''s going on here?" The young master immediately puffed out his chest, pointing at the scratch on his car. "This idiot crashed into my car, and he''s acting like it''s no big deal!" Lin wanruo glanced at the damage, her expression neutral. "I see. And does kicking his car solve anything?" The young master scowled but stayed silent, clearly irritated at being called out. Karl, still straightening out his shirt, muttered, "Thanks, officer. I was just trying to explain¡ª" The officer held up a hand, silencing him. "Let''s handle this the right way. Papers, both of you. We''ll file a report and sort this out properly." She glanced at the young master, her tone firm. "And no more kicking." S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lin Wanruo stood beside the taxi, writing up the accident report with swift, precise movements. Her face was expressionless. She couldn''t help but reflect on how her life had taken such a drastic turn. After the fiasco in Camphrian City, she was thrown out for trying to wield her family''s influence due to her recklessness. But she managed to land an officer''s job here in the main city. She had hoped the change would provide a fresh start. However, the weight of her carrier''s taint and the memories of Camphrian City lingered. As she finished writing up the ticket, she heard a familiar voice behind her. "Hey, aren''t you from the Lin family?" Her hand froze mid-motion. She turned slowly, already dreading what was coming. Standing there, the young master who had been yelling at Karl earlier was now looking at her with a sly grin. "Yes, I am," she replied, her voice carefully controlled. She had just been recognized on her first day on duty. The young man let out a low chuckle, leaning casually against his car. "You still have that habit of playing police and thief, huh?" His smirk widened, clearly enjoying himself. "Don''t you remember me? I''m the son of your father''s secretary." Wanruo''s eyes darkened, and her jaw clenched tightly. She remembered all too well. His father had been one of the few people to help her after the debacle in Camphrian City. Now his son was standing in front of her, trying to toy with her. Her father, the patriarch of the Lin family, had been furious on her, but with the help of his secretary, she had managed to escape most of the repercussions. Still, the last thing she needed now was trouble with this brat. "Of course," she muttered through gritted teeth. "How could I forget?" The young man smiled, satisfied with her reaction. "Good. Just try not to go too hard on me. My old man wouldn''t like it." He gave her a wink, completely unaware of how her fists were trembling, barely holding back her frustration. Wanruo took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain composure. She turned sharply towards Karl, her expression suddenly hardening. "Can''t you drive safely?" she snapped, her tone far more aggressive than it had been earlier. Chapter 112 - 112: Chapter112- Wanruo (2) "...huh?" Karl, who had been nervously standing nearby, blinked in confusion. The sudden change in her attitude caught him off guard. He had noticed the exchange between her and the young master, and now it all made sense. She was part of a wealthy family, and the young man had recognized her. He figured it was best not to get involved, and so, without much thought, he quickly bowed his head in apology. "I''m sorry, officer," Karl stammered, bending his head further in a show of submission. Just as he did, he felt a firm hand grip his shoulder. He looked up, startled, only to find Damien standing beside him, his face an unreadable mask of cold fury. His eyes locked onto Lin Wanruo''s, and the intensity in his gaze made the air feel thick. "Pathetic," Damien said, his voice low and sharp like the edge of a blade. "Using your influence to wear that uniform and torment poor people instead of rich ones. You''re as always a hypocritical bitch." Lin Wanruo''s heart raced as her mind spiraled, memories of the previous night flooding her thoughts. Damien. The name reverberated in her mind, each syllable a stinging reminder of how everything had gone wrong because of him. Her vision blurred with the rage boiling inside her, recalling how she was blamed for his kidnapping, how he twisted events to make her seem like the villain. And worst of all, she had lost her position in Camphrian City¡ªbitten by the very system she had trusted, thrown away like a useless tool. Her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, a sudden sting of pain not enough to bring her back to reality. Her blood boiled, and without another thought, she screamed, "DAMIEN!!" The name escaped her lips like a furious roar, her anger fully consuming her now. In a blind surge of emotion, she reached for her gun, ripping it from her holster, flipping off the safety without a second thought. Procedures be damned¡ªshe wasn''t thinking. She couldn''t think. All she wanted was for him to suffer. Her hands shook as she aimed the gun directly at Damien, every fiber of her being wanting to pull the trigger. It was his fault she had lost everything. He was the reason she was disgraced, stripped of her title. And now, here he was, standing right in front of her, like a walking reminder of her failure. Just as her finger inched towards the trigger, ready to send a bullet through him, Damien moved. With a quick and calculated motion, he grabbed the young man who had been antagonizing her earlier, pulling him directly in front of his own body like a human shield. "Don''t," Damien warned, his cold eyes locking with hers, a smirk playing on his lips. Wanruo''s breath caught in her throat. Her finger froze, mere millimeters from squeezing the trigger. Her rage battled with the sudden realization of what would happen if she fired. The young man, a spoiled brat from a well-connected family, stood between them now, his wide, terrified eyes staring back at her. She couldn''t shoot. Not without consequences. But the madness, the fury in her mind didn''t subside. Bang! The sound echoed through the street like a clap of thunder. Wanruo''s heart stopped as her eyes darted to Damien, then to the young man. Her grip on the gun slackened as she stared in disbelief at what had just unfolded. She didn''t even pull the damn trigger! The young man stood still for a split second, his eyes widening in shock and confusion. "Khwackk!" Then, as if his body realized what had happened before his mind could catch up, his legs buckled. He stumbled, his knees giving way, and he collapsed to the ground. THUD Blood pooled beneath him, soaking the pavement, as his hand instinctively reached for his chest, where the bullet had struck near his heart. Damien stood there, unfazed, watching the scene unfold with an unsettling calm. His eyes flickered with amusement as the young man gasped for air, his life slipping away with each ragged breath. "H...elp..." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The smirk on Damien''s face grew wider as he glanced at Lin, his expression unreadable. "How could you kill someone like this, Wanruo?" Damien said, his voice cold and taunting. Wanruo''s world spun. The gun felt heavy in her hand, her mind unable to process what had just happened. She had been seconds away from pulling the trigger herself, but now... Now, it was all chaos. The young man lay dying at her feet, and Damien¡ªhe hadn''t even flinched. Damien, with a cool demeanor, turned towards Karl. "Phone," he said, his voice steady but commanding. Karl, still shaken by the chaos around him, fumbled in his pockets before quickly handing it over without a word. He didn''t need to ask why or for what purpose¡ªthere was something about Damien that demanded compliance in these moments. But Karl, despite his own unease, couldn''t stand idle. His gaze shifted to the young man lying on the ground, bleeding and gasping for breath. His humanity took over as panic gripped him¡ªsomeone was dying, and no one else was moving to help. Without a second thought, Karl sprinted towards the fallen man, his instincts kicking in. He knelt down, struggling to lift the man''s weight, but finally managed to haul him into the backseat of his blood-stained taxi. The crimson stain quickly spread across the upholstery, but Karl didn''t care. His focus was singular¡ªsaving a life. It wasn''t about wealth, status, or who this young man was. He was simply a human being in need, and Karl couldn''t stand the thought of watching him die on the pavement. With a glance over his shoulder towards Damien, Karl jumped back into the driver''s seat. The engine roared to life, and with tires screeching against the asphalt, the taxi sped off, the sound of the engine growing fainter as it vanished into the distance. The faint echoes of the engine eventually disappeared, leaving the street eerily quiet. Damien, still holding the phone, turned to look at Wanruo. She stood frozen, her body rigid and her wide eyes locked onto the gun in her trembling hands. Her mind was blank, unable to process the chaotic events that had just unfolded. She had lost control, her judgment clouded by rage, and now¡ªnow she was lost in the aftermath. "Pfft." Damien chuckled, the sound soft but mocking, cutting through the silence like a blade. His amusement was evident as he observed her, the same Lin Wanruo who once tried to wield her family''s power against him, now reduced to this¡ªa broken mess, stunned by her own recklessness. Without missing a beat, he calmly dialed a number on Karl''s phone. Holding it to his ear, his voice came out smooth and casual, as if he were calling an old friend. "Hello," he began, pausing for a moment. "I''m calling from, uh, Street 14, just near the old market." "You might want to send some officers over." He smiled, watching as Wanruo''s eyes flickered in his direction, still struggling to grasp what he was doing. "It seems," he continued, his tone dripping with amusement, "Officer Lin Wanruo has just shot an innocent citizen." "Better hurry." "You don''t want a scandal, right?" He ended the call with a satisfied smirk, casually slipping the phone back into his pocket as if nothing had happened. Then he left the place, given that there were cameras and people around to provide eyewitness accounts, and he couldn''t be bothered for now. He left behind Lin Wanruo, who stood with her gun slipping from her hand. It fell as she kept looking, not realizing that mid-air her gun had suddenly been switched by Damien. And then it was the gun that he had gotten from that guard whom he had killed in Raphael Mansion. Chapter 113 - 113 - Akira vs. Damien (1) Damien walked down the street, the cool evening air brushing against his face as he gripped Karl''s phone in one hand, spinning it idly between his fingers. He strolled along, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he dialed a familiar number. After a few rings, the line picked up, and a sharp, irritated voice filled the silence. "Hello? Who the hell is this?" Damien chuckled under his breath. The voice belonged to none other than Natasha. She hadn''t forgotten him, it seemed¡ªno surprise, considering their rather¡­ unconventional first meeting. "Well, well," he said smoothly, letting his voice carry the same easy confidence that had gotten under her skin last time. "If it isn''t the woman with the sharp tongue. Miss me?" There was a pause on the other end, and Damien could almost hear her grinding her teeth. "Miss you? Are you serious right now? Who are you, and why the hell are you calling me?" He smiled, amused by her anger. "You wound me, truly. But let''s not pretend you''ve forgotten. I''m the guy you threatened to slap the last time we met. Ring any bells?" Her response was immediate, laced with frustration. "Oh, you. The creep who thought it was cute to suggest we¡ª" she paused, probably biting back the memory of his inappropriate comment, "sleep together¡ªat our first meeting. You''ve got some nerve calling me again." Damien chuckled, unfazed by her fury. He could almost picture her pacing on the other side of the call, her fists clenched, anger radiating off her. "I''ve been told I have a certain charm," he said, his tone playful yet deliberate. "But I''ll admit, my approach might''ve been a bit¡­ bold last time. I''ll make it up to you. How about we start over?" "Start over?" she practically spat the words out. "You think I want to hear anything from you after that? What kind of man opens with that?" Damien''s grin widened as he walked, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator sizing up its prey. "A confident one. But I''ll tell you what¡ªI''m more than just words, Natasha. How about we meet tonight? I''ll show you I''m not as bad as you think. No games. No¡­ propositions," he added, his tone suddenly dropping, sincere enough to catch her off guard. Her breath hitched slightly on the other end, and though her anger was still palpable, there was a beat of hesitation. "You''re really full of yourself, you know that?" she said, her voice softer but still tense. "You think I''m just going to let that slide?" "Of course not," Damien replied, his voice dripping with assurance. "But I figure a second chance wouldn''t hurt. You can yell at me in person if you like. I''m free tonight¡ªwhat do you say?" There was a long silence, the only sound being Damien''s footsteps as he neared the flower shop from the previous day. He could almost hear her weighing her options. Finally, Natasha spoke again, her voice resigned but curious. "And what makes you think I''ll show up?" Damien stopped in his tracks, a confident grin tugging at his lips. "Because you''re curious. Because even though I pissed you off, you know there''s something about me that you can''t quite shake. And because, deep down, you want to see if I''m all talk or if there''s more to me than what you saw last time." Her silence was telling, but it didn''t last long. "You''re insufferable, you know that? Fine. One drink. And if you even think about trying something¡ª" "Scout''s honor," Damien interrupted with a chuckle, raising his hand as if she could see it. "Just a drink. I''ll behave." "Doubt it," she muttered under her breath. "Alright, mystery man. But don''t make me regret it." "Wouldn''t dream of it," he replied smoothly, ending the call before she could change her mind. Pocketing Karl''s phone, Damien arrived outside the flower shop, the same quaint little place he''d visited yesterday. The warm light from inside illuminated the street, casting soft shadows around him. The bell above the flower shop door chimed as Damien stepped inside, the soft clink barely disturbing the otherwise quiet, late afternoon air. The elderly woman behind the counter didn''t look up immediately, but there was a slight shift in her posture. She knew who had entered. He could feel her sharp, observant gaze on him before she even turned her head. "Back again, are you?" Her voice was soft yet edged with curiosity, a subtle undertone laced with caution. "You certainly have a taste for flowers." Damien flashed a smile, the same calm and composed expression he''d worn yesterday, strolling over to the display with an almost casual elegance. "I can''t say no to beauty when it''s right in front of me," he replied smoothly, his fingers grazing lightly over the petals of a nearby rose. The old woman tilted her head, watching him with eyes that seemed to pierce through him, gauging every movement, every word. Her demeanor was as calm as his, but there was a keenness to her observation, a sharpness beneath the wrinkles and soft tone that suggested she was no ordinary shopkeeper. She stood still, her fingers tapping the counter rhythmically, as if she were waiting for something. "You''ve quite the eye for beauty," she remarked, her voice neutral, careful. "Strange for a man your age to spend so much time in a place like this." Damien didn''t miss a beat, his smirk deepening ever so slightly. "What can I say? Flowers have a way of drawing me in." The woman raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing just a fraction, as if weighing the truth behind his words. "Is it the flowers? Or something else?" Damien met her gaze without flinching, the atmosphere thickening slightly as they regarded each other, like two predators silently circling their prey, neither willing to show their cards too early. "I''ve never been one for ulterior motives," he said, his voice calm and composed. "If I wanted something, I''d ask for it." The old woman''s lips twitched into a faint smile, though her eyes remained watchful. "Is that so?" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She knew better. Chapter 114 - 114 - Akira vs. Damien (2) She had seen him the day before. His timing within the flower shop was completely accurate, coinciding with the library''s closing time, leaving no doubt he was waiting for her young miss. She hadn''t mentioned it then, but today, the air between them was charged, as if they both understood something was being left unsaid. She wasn''t one to pry, though. At least, not openly. "Strange," she continued, her voice as calm as his. "I would''ve thought a man so keen on beauty would''ve stayed a little longer yesterday. Perhaps you were waiting for something¡ªor someone?" Damien chuckled softly, running his thumb across the stem of a lily, his gaze never leaving her. "I''ve learned that patience is a virtue. But I wasn''t waiting for anyone in particular." A lie, perhaps. But a lie well-delivered. His words hung in the air, deliberately ambiguous, and the old woman could feel the faint shift in his energy. She couldn''t place it entirely¡ªhis internal power was weak, barely noticeable beyond the level of body refinement. For someone with as little cultivation as him, he carried himself with an unusual confidence. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She glanced at the flowers he was admiring, her thoughts whirling behind those sharp eyes of hers. "Most men who come in here are looking for something. A gift, perhaps. A reason to linger." Damien tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "And here I thought you''d take me for a man who enjoys the simple pleasures." The woman''s smile didn''t quite reach her eyes. "Men like you don''t often appreciate simplicity. You strike me as someone who enjoys¡­ complexity." They were fencing now, each word carefully chosen, each tone measured. Damien continued to appear unbothered, as though this exchange was merely part of the routine, but the tension between them lingered, a silent dance of observation and suspicion. He was no fool, and neither was she. He turned his gaze back to the flowers, plucking the lily he had been eyeing. "This one," he said, holding it up for her to see. "How much?" The old woman didn''t answer right away, her eyes narrowing slightly as if still trying to probe deeper into his intent. She could sense nothing unusual from him, no hidden strength or suppressed energy that would hint at him being more than what he appeared to be¡ªa man with weak cultivation. If anything, his presence was underwhelming. But there was something else. His composure. His confidence. A man who was low on internal energy really shouldn''t consider being with a young lady who''s so strong that she would totally overshadow him. But whatever, both women finally felt relieved, thinking that maybe her doubts were just hollow. And this young man didn''t possess any considerable strength, prompting her to just calmly add, "12 NR." And as she did, he paid and took the flower before turning to leave. "Huh? Are you not going to wait?" all the women looking at his departing back inquired, feeling that if he was not going to stay here and was leaving the place, unlike what she had anticipated, he was here to meet her young miss. "What? Why? I have a date with a woman tonight," Damien raised an eyebrow, feeling confused, though of course he just showed it on the surface while inwardly he knew very well what he needed to do in hope of dealing with someone holding so much strength. "I see...." As Damien departed, the old woman''s keen eyes followed him to the door. She caught sight of the faintest, almost imperceptible grin playing on his lips just as he exited the shop¡ªa subtle expression that, despite her sharp senses, went unnoticed by her outward focus. For someone who barely registered beyond body refinement, he had a presence that lingered. He hadn''t stayed, hadn''t waited for the young miss as she had assumed. Five minutes ticked by, and she mulled over the brief interaction. He had come and gone. The old woman couldn''t shake the feeling that something about him was not as it seemed. While his cultivation level was low, his control of the situation was unsettlingly high, as though he was playing a game on a board she couldn''t yet see. Just then, the bell above the door chimed again. The old woman straightened reflexively, pushing aside her suspicions for now as her young miss, Akira, entered the shop. Wheeled in by her attendant, the girl appeared regal and composed as ever, her sharp eyes immediately scanning the room, taking in the details. Akira''s gaze paused, narrowing as she surveyed the flower shop. Her expression cooled noticeably when she realized the young man from the previous day¡ªDamien¡ªwasn''t present. She expected him here, it seemed. "He didn''t come today," Akira remarked, her voice low but laden with expectation. Her eyes flicked toward the old woman as if searching for confirmation. The old woman, sensing the young miss''s unspoken question, quickly replied, "No, young miss. He indeed came earlier¡ªjust left five minutes ago." Akira''s lips twisted slightly in response, not quite a frown but more of an acknowledgment. She was piecing something together in her mind, and the old woman could sense it. "Hmm, I see," Akira mused, her voice calm but with a glint of amusement in her eyes. "So, he''s trying to make me curious." Akira was not easily ruffled. She saw through Damien''s tactic immediately. The old push-and-pull, leaving just enough absence to create intrigue. It was a common strategy, one that many had tried on her before. But in the end, they found themselves in some butcher house or cemetery getting slaughtered or burned alive. This was more amusing than threatening. She knew the game, and she had no intention of falling for such a shallow ploy. "He thinks by not being here, I''ll wonder where he is," Akira said softly, more to herself than to anyone else. "He thinks he can draw me in, make me conscious of his presence without actually being here. A classic push-and-pull." The old woman raised an eyebrow but said nothing, merely listening. Chapter 115 - 115 - Akira vs. Damien (3) "But¡­" Akira''s voice shifted, a playful lilt to it. "It won''t work. Not on me. He''s trying to make me curious, to wonder what he''s up to. But I already know what he''s doing." She leaned back slightly in her wheelchair, her hands resting gracefully on the armrests as she considered Damien''s actions. The old woman could see the wheels turning in Akira''s mind¡ªthis wasn''t a situation that had taken her by surprise. If anything, she seemed pleased by the turn of events, intrigued by Damien''s boldness. "So, what did he say?" Akira asked, her tone now casual but probing. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She wasn''t worried; she was merely curious about the details of Damien''s latest move. The old woman, still keenly observant, offered a small smile as she replied, "He mentioned he''s going on a date tonight." Akira''s eyes narrowed at those words, though the flicker of emotion that passed through her gaze was well-hidden. A date? Good job, Damien Raphael, she thought. That''s unexpected. But we''re heading in the right direction. It was an unexpected move, one designed to provoke a reaction, likely an attempt to use jealousy to his advantage. But Akira saw it for what it was¡ªa carefully calculated play meant to test her response. She wasn''t fooled by it. If anything, she found it amusing. Damien was sharper than most, it seemed. Known for his lack of intellect in public circles, here he was adjusting his strategy, learning her personality in just a single day. Akira''s lips curled into a smile, one full of quiet satisfaction. Interesting. ''He''s making me work a little.'' Good. ''I''ll play along.'' Without missing a beat, she looked at her attendant and said, "Lily, keep an eye on him." The young woman holding the wheelchair blinked, slightly taken aback. "You wish to watch him, young miss?" "Of course," Akira replied smoothly. "But make sure he knows you''re watching. Drop a hint here and there. Let him think he''s the one trapping me in his game. It''ll be fun to see how far he thinks he''s in control." The young woman gave a small nod, understanding Akira''s intention perfectly. The young miss was letting Damien think he was hunting, while in reality, she was allowing herself to be pursued, only to spring her own trap when the time came. Akira was no ordinary prey¡ªshe was toying with the hunter, letting him believe he was the one in control. Akira smiled again, inwardly amused. She had no intention of falling for Damien''s trick, but she appreciated his effort. "It''s going to be an interesting game, Damien Raphael. Let''s see how far you''re willing to go." The old woman quietly marveled at the young miss''s foresight. Damien may have thought he was manipulating the situation, but Akira was always ten steps ahead. And so, the game continued. . . . . . . . The attendant, Lily, sat in the corner of the cafe, her petite figure almost hidden behind the oversized menu. With her short hair falling across her forehead, she occasionally glanced toward Damien and Natasha, though her disinterest was obvious. She knew what Damien was up to. This was nothing more than a predictable strategy to rattle her young miss, Akira. He thought playing games with another woman would somehow push Akira to react. But Akira was too sharp for such trivial tactics, and Lily knew it. She picked at her food, more focused on the taste than on Damien''s antics. Her eyes lazily flickered in his direction from time to time, not to truly keep watch but to give the illusion that she was keeping an eye on him. In truth, she couldn''t care less about whatever show he was putting on with Natasha. "Who would even bother keeping an eye on this idiot?" she thought, stuffing another piece of chicken into her mouth. Lily''s indifference was almost palpable, and as time passed, she noticed Damien and Natasha stand up. Natasha looked furious, her clenched fists and fiery glare directed at Damien. Whatever had just happened between them, it clearly hadn''t gone well. Lily sighed, rolling her eyes. "Drama again," she muttered under her breath. But as Natasha stormed off, closely followed by Damien, something stirred inside Lily. She was meant to be keeping an eye on them, after all, if only for appearances. And with Akira''s instructions clear, she couldn''t just sit back now that they were heading somewhere private. Reluctantly, she stood up, a chicken leg still in her hand. She took a last, longing look at her plate¡ªthree full meals, seven chicken buckets¡ªbarely halfway through her feast. Irritated at being disturbed mid-meal, she tossed her napkin on the table, muttering to herself. "Of course, they couldn''t wait until I was done eating." Throwing some cash on the table, Lily hurriedly followed behind them, her movements swift but purposeful. Damien and Natasha disappeared down the hallway toward the hotel rooms, and Lily tracked them silently until she saw them enter room number 107. She knew better than to directly follow them into the room. Instead, she casually entered the adjacent room, number 106, glad to finally have a moment to herself. She threw herself onto the bed, sinking into the mattress with a sigh, but it was short-lived. The curiosity was killing her, and Akira would expect a full report, even if she had no personal interest in whatever nonsense Damien was pulling. Without thinking much, she slammed her fist against the wall between the rooms. Placing her ear against it, she realized the walls were soundproof, much to her annoyance. "Well, that''s just perfect," she muttered sarcastically. Not one to be outdone, Lily noticed the open balcony connected to both rooms. Lily crouched on the balcony, peeking through the crack in the door as her eyes adjusted to the dim light inside the room. What she saw made her pause mid-bite on the chicken leg she''d taken with her. Pah pah pah Damien was on top of Natasha, pinning her down on the bed with a forceful grip, his body moving in a steady, relentless rhythm. Natasha''s legs were wrapped tightly around his waist, her back arched as she moaned out loud, her voice breaking the room''s silence. "Ahn...Ungh....Hngh!!" Her nails dug into his back as she gasped for air, each of Damien''s thrusts making her entire body jerk up in response. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her closer each time with an intensity that made it clear he was in full control. The woman''s moans echoed louder, filling the room as her head tilted back, lost in the moment. Lily blinked, tilting her head to one side, still chewing the piece of chicken in her mouth. "Is he a rabbit or something?" she muttered under her breath, her tone flat, unimpressed despite the scene unfolding in front of her. Damien''s movements were strong and relentless, his muscles flexing as he pounded into Natasha¡ªthough Lily didn''t know her name yet, who writhed beneath him, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Every time she moaned, it sounded more desperate, more uncontrolled. "AHNN...IEEEK!" Natasha cried, her voice trembling. Lily rolled her eyes, taking another bite of chicken and leaning lazily against the wall. The way Damien''s body moved¡ªit wasn''t just the speed, but the way he maintained such precision, such focus with each movement. Natasha''s hands clawed at the sheets, her voice filled with pleading as Damien grunted softly in response, tightening his hold on her. "S-stop!? Too fast...Ahn, Anhggh!" Lily sighed, shaking her head. "Definitely a rabbit," she muttered again, tossing the chicken bone aside. Chapter 116 - 116- Natasha (1) Damien entered the caf¨¦, scanning the room as the faint smell of fresh coffee and pastries filled the air. Spotting Natasha seated by the window, he noticed the cold, piercing glare she shot his way as she sat stiffly in her chair, her arms crossed in front of her. She looked ready to lash out the moment he got close enough. He approached her table, the bouquet in his hand seeming out of place in the tense atmosphere. Without hesitation, he sat down, meeting her gaze without flinching. Natasha didn''t waste time with pleasantries. "Why did you call me here, Damien?" she asked, her voice sharp, barely contained fury simmering beneath her calm exterior. Damien leaned back in his chair, his expression almost nonchalant. "I thought you''d want to hear more about the deal we discussed last night." Natasha''s eyes narrowed. "The deal? You said it was a fake one, didn''t you?" Her tone was accusatory, but there was a flicker of curiosity behind her guarded anger. "That''s right," Damien said calmly. "I fed Ye Fan the wrong information about the government project, making him think the land was a prime investment. He''s already moving to secure it, unaware that he''s walking into a trap." She stared at him, suspicion clouding her thoughts. "And what do you gain from telling me this? What''s your angle, Damien?" Damien''s lips curled into a small smile. "I want your trust." Natasha scoffed, folding her arms even tighter. "Trust? From you? I have a hard time believing that''s all you want." He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "I need the help of the Ye Fan family," he said, his gaze locking with hers. Her expression shifted slightly, confusion flickering across her face. "Why? What could possibly make you¡ª" "Because," Damien interrupted, his eyes darkening as he spoke, "my name is Damien Raphael." The moment the words left his lips, Natasha froze, her eyes widening. The Raphael family? She had heard the name before¡ªspecifically, the infamous black sheep of the family. Damien Raphael was considered worthless, a man cast aside for his lack of accomplishments in a family renowned for their power and influence. But looking at him now, the air of casual confidence, the calculating mind he had just displayed... He didn''t seem like the weak heir she had heard about. She quickly composed herself, masking her surprise. "Raphael?" she repeated cautiously, her mind racing to process this new revelation. "You''re that Damien? The one everyone in your family wrote off as useless?" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien''s expression didn''t change, though his eyes gleamed slightly. "Appearances can be deceiving, Natasha. I''ve spent a long time playing the role I needed to play." Natasha leaned back in her chair, studying him carefully. Her anger hadn''t faded, but now it was mixed with caution, curiosity, and a healthy dose of doubt. "What exactly do you want from me, Damien?" she asked slowly. "If you''re so connected, why would you need someone like me?" Damien''s smile widened slightly. "You''re stuck, aren''t you? At your current level. No matter how hard you''ve tried, you haven''t been able to surpass Ye Fan. His talent, his strength... it overshadows you." Her breath hitched, and she tensed visibly. He was right, but she hated admitting it. Her cousin Ye Fan had always outclassed her, not just in family matters but in cultivation as well. No matter how much effort she put in, she was stuck at the Core Formation stage. She could never make the leap to Golden Core like him. "How do you know that?" she demanded, her tone biting but laced with uncertainty. Damien leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Because I can help you," he said. "I know exactly why you haven''t been able to advance." Natasha''s heartbeat quickened, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Help me how? What do you know?" "I know what''s blocking you from forming your Golden Core," Damien said, his voice smooth, calculated. "And I have a way to remove that block." She stared at him, torn between disbelief and a flicker of hope that she tried desperately to suppress. She had heard countless promises of help before, all of them worthless. But there was something about the way Damien spoke¡ªcalm, confident, as if he knew exactly what he was talking about. "And what''s in it for you?" she asked, her tone still guarded. Damien''s smirk didn''t fade. "I told you, Natasha. I need your trust. Help me take down Ye Fan, and I''ll help you surpass him in ways you never thought possible." Natasha clenched her fists under the table, her mind spinning. Could she really trust him? "I am listening," Natasha inquired, prepared to hear him. Damien leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper as he uttered the words that sent Natasha''s heart racing with anger. "Dual cultivation." Her eyes widened, and her fists clenched beneath the table. She felt the surge of her internal energy building, instinctively preparing to lash out at him, but the crowded caf¨¦ restrained her. She couldn''t cause a scene here, not with so many eyes watching. Her breath was shallow, controlled, as she narrowed her gaze at Damien, who sat so calmly as if he hadn''t just suggested the most ridiculous thing. "You''re out of your mind," Natasha hissed, her voice low but seething with barely restrained fury. "You think I''d lower myself to something like that with you?" Damien, unfazed by her response, kept his eyes locked on hers. "You want to surpass Ye Fan, don''t you? You want to break free of the limitations holding you back. This is the way." Natasha''s mind spun. It wasn''t as though she hadn''t heard of dual cultivation before¡ªit was a well-known technique practiced in most of the cultivation families, a method for combining energy between two partners to accelerate their cultivation. But the issue was that there wasn''t anyone who knew exactly how to practice this technique. It was a lost art, given that the present world had already cut off the path to ascension. There weren''t many techniques or even legacies left behind for them to get their hands on, other than what was passed down from ancestors. She wasn''t going to do this at all. But yet¡­ his words lingered. She thought of Ye Fan, her arrogant cousin, and how no matter how hard she tried, she could never match his talent. The way her father''s gaze would always flicker to him, comparing them. Natasha had spent years trying to prove herself, but she was stuck. If Damien was telling the truth¡­ "What makes you think I''d trust you?" Natasha said coldly, though she wasn''t quite able to hide the faint flicker of doubt creeping in. "You could be lying, trying to manipulate me for your own gain." Damien shrugged, still calm, still composed. "If I wanted to manipulate you, I wouldn''t need to suggest this. I''d simply let Ye Fan keep rising, and you would be stuck where you are. This is an opportunity, Natasha, one you can''t afford to ignore." She stared at him, her anger bubbling beneath the surface, but there was something else¡ªsomething she hated to admit. His offer, as insane as it sounded, was the first real option she''d had in years to break free of her limitations. She could feel her internal energy swirling, her body torn between the deep resentment she felt toward him and the gnawing frustration of her own inadequacies. "What if you''re lying?" she muttered, her voice low as she stood abruptly, pushing her chair back. "What if this is just another one of your tricks?" Damien rose from his seat as well, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "If I''m lying, you can kill me yourself. Wouldn''t you enjoy that?" Natasha''s heart pounded as she considered his words. Kill him? She wasn''t sure if that would solve anything, but she needed a solution, and this was her only chance. She gritted her teeth, her decision already made as much as she hated to admit it. "Fine," she snapped. "Let''s see if you''re telling the truth." Chapter 117 - 117- Dual Cultivation They left the caf¨¦, Damien leading the way as they moved through the corridors of the adjoining hotel. Natasha''s mind raced as they approached the room he had booked. She followed behind, her eyes locked on his back, her fists clenched at her sides. The walls felt like they were closing in on her as her anger simmered. Damien opened the door, stepping inside first. Natasha hesitated for a moment, her chest rising and falling with sharp breaths, before following him into the dimly lit room. The door clicked shut behind them, the silence hanging heavy in the air. She turned to face him, her eyes burning with suspicion. "What if this doesn''t work?" she demanded. "What if you''re just another liar?" Damien stepped closer, his presence looming but not threatening. "If I''m lying, you can kill me right here," he said softly, his voice firm, "but if I''m not, you''ll finally have what you''ve been chasing for so long." Natasha''s mind screamed at her to turn back, to walk out the door and never see him again, but her body didn''t move. She couldn''t afford to ignore this, not if there was even the slightest chance it was real. Her fingers moved to the buttons of her shirt, each one feeling heavier than the last. She was doing this for herself, for her future. That was all. As her clothes slid to the floor, Damien''s eyes remained steady, his gaze unwavering but not lecherous. Natasha felt a surge of internal energy swirling within her as she stood before him, her bare skin prickling in the cool air. "You better not be lying," she whispered harshly. Natasha stood before Damien, her hands trembling slightly as she unbuttoned her shirt, the fabric falling away with each motion, revealing her bare skin beneath. She felt her breath quicken, her heart thudding in her chest as the reality of what she was about to do set in. She wasn''t doing this because she wanted to¡ªthis wasn''t love or even lust. This was about power. This was her only chance to catch up to Ye fan, her talented cousin, who had overshadowed her for years. Damien watched her, his eyes calm and unreadable, as if he had all the time in the world. "You don''t have to do this if you don''t want to," he said, but there was a challenge in his tone, as if he knew exactly what choice she would make. Natasha glared at him, hating that smug look. She finished stripping down, letting her clothes fall to the floor until she stood completely naked before him. "I don''t have a choice," she muttered, her voice cold. Damien stepped forward, his hands reaching out to touch her waist, his fingers brushing lightly over her skin. "You always have a choice," he whispered, his breath hot against her neck as he moved closer, his body pressing against hers. She could feel his hardness through his pants, the heat radiating from him making her body react despite herself. "Then why don''t you get on with it?" she snapped, her voice sharper than she intended, but her body was betraying her. She hated the way his touch sent shivers down her spine, the way her pulse quickened just being near him. [ Use of Love Maker profession (Level 1) detected ] [ Dual Cultivation (Level 1) activated ] Without another word, Damien unzipped his pants, letting them fall to the floor. He stood before her, fully erect, and for a moment, Natasha hesitated, her eyes widening at his size. She clenched her fists, trying to suppress the unease. This was her first time, and she hadn''t expected this. Damien moved toward her, his hands on her hips, guiding her backward until her legs hit the edge of the bed. "Lie down," he ordered, his voice low, filled with an authority she couldn''t ignore. Natasha swallowed hard and did as he said, lying back on the bed, her legs parting slightly as he climbed on top of her. His hands roamed her body, his fingers grazing her breasts before moving lower, between her thighs. She gasped at the contact, her body tensing instinctively. "Relax," Damien muttered, his fingers teasing her entrance, feeling how wet she had become. "You''ll enjoy this more if you don''t fight it." She hated him for saying that, but she couldn''t deny the warmth spreading through her. His fingers slid inside her, making her arch her back slightly, her breath catching in her throat. She wasn''t ready for this, not mentally, but her body had other ideas. Damien positioned himself between her legs, his cock pressing against her opening. Pah Natasha tensed again, her heart racing as he slowly pushed inside her. "Nngh¡­ ahh¡­ mmm..." She let out a sharp gasp as he filled her, her body stretching to accommodate him. The pain was sharp, almost unbearable, but she bit her lip, refusing to make a sound. "Ghh¡­" Damien groaned, his hands gripping her hips tightly as he thrust deeper, his cock fully inside her now. "You''re tight." "Ahh¡­ mmm¡­" Natasha winced, her nails digging into the sheets as she tried to adjust to the sensation. "Just¡­ do it," she whispered, her voice strained. Damien smirked, his hips pulling back before slamming into her again, harder this time. "Ahh¡­ ooh¡­ mmm¡­" Natasha cried out, her body jolting with the force of his thrusts. The pain began to fade, replaced by something else, something hotter and more intense. He moved faster, his cock driving into her over and over, each thrust making her moan despite herself. "Ahh¡­ mmm¡­ fff¡­" She hated how her body was responding, the way her hips were lifting to meet his movements, the pleasure building deep inside her. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damien leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. "You feel that, don''t you?" he whispered, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "This is what you wanted. Power." "Nnh¡­ mmm¡­ oohh¡­ahh" Natasha gasped, her body arching as he hit a spot inside her that sent a shockwave of pleasure through her. "Hngh...Ungh....Ahnn" She couldn''t stop the moan that escaped her lips, her legs wrapping around his waist instinctively. "Shut up," she muttered, her voice shaking. But Damien didn''t stop. He thrust into her harder, deeper, his cock filling her completely. His hands gripped her thighs, pulling her closer, making sure she felt every inch of him. "You''re going to beg me to keep going," he growled, his hips slamming into her. "Ieeekk!?" Natasha''s breath hitched, her hands moving to his back, her nails digging into his skin as he pounded into her. The pleasure was overwhelming now, her body trembling as she got closer to the edge. "Ahh¡­ ooh¡­ mmm¡­" She hated that he was right, that she was enjoying this more than she thought possible. "Damien¡­" she gasped, her body tensing as she felt herself nearing release. "Let go," Damien whispered, his voice rough as he thrust into her faster, harder, his cock hitting that perfect spot again and again. Natasha''s body tightened around him, her moans growing louder as she finally came, her orgasm crashing through her like a tidal wave. She cried out, her body shaking as Damien continued to fuck her, drawing out every last bit of her release. He wasn''t done, though. His pace didn''t slow, his cock still driving into her relentlessly. Natasha whimpered, her body sensitive, but she couldn''t stop the pleasure that kept building. She could feel him getting closer, his thrusts becoming more erratic. "Fuck¡­" Damien groaned, his hands gripping her hips as he pushed into her one last time, spilling inside her with a deep growl. He held her there, his cock pulsing as he emptied himself, his body trembling slightly. Natasha lay beneath him, her body limp, her mind spinning from the intensity of it all. She hated herself for enjoying it, hated him for being right. But the power¡­ she could feel it. This was the only way. Chapter 118 - 118- Broke through Golden Core Realm The week blurred into an endless cycle of heat, sweat, and raw pleasure. Day after day, night after night, Natasa and Damien stayed locked inside the hotel room, the outside world forgotten. Their bodies became entwined in a dance of relentless passion, cultivating their essence through sheer physical endurance. Each session felt like an intense wave, pushing them further into realms of cultivation neither had anticipated reaching so quickly. On the first day, after hours of their bodies crashing together, Natasa lay back, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath. "I... I''m exhausted, Damien," she panted, her limbs trembling from the sheer exertion. Sweat glistened on her bare skin, pooling under the dim light of the room. But Damien was far from done. His golden eyes gleamed with determination. "We can''t stop now," he growled, sitting up and pulling her into his lap. "We''re close to breaking into the Qi Gathering Realm. We can do this." Despite her fatigue, something about his unwavering resolve pushed her to keep going. Her body responded instinctively to his touch, even as her mind screamed for rest. "Ahh... Damien¡­ I don''t know if I can¡ª" "You can. We can." His voice was commanding, but there was a raw desire under it, a hunger to push through every barrier. He kissed her neck, his hands gripping her hips, guiding her back onto him. Every session became a trial, a test of endurance and willpower. Their bodies were drenched in sweat, and muscles ached, but the promise of reaching the next cultivation realm spurred them on. After hours of pounding on that first day, they both felt the breakthrough¡ªDamien''s body began to refine itself, his energy flowing more freely, pushing him into the Qi Gathering Realm. Natasa''s moans echoed through the room as her body trembled in sync with his, their cultivation energies blending, fueling each other. By the third day, their routine had solidified. Eat, cultivate, rest, and repeat. Every time she thought they''d stop, Damien would shake his head, his voice steady but commanding. "We''re not done yet." "But... Damien¡­ ahh¡­ I can''t feel my legs¡­" Natasa whimpered, her body quivering with exhaustion as she clung to him, the strain of the last few days wearing on her. "You''ll feel them soon enough," Damien murmured, flipping her onto her stomach. He leaned over her, whispering into her ear, "We''ve only scratched the surface of the Foundation Establishment Realm. We push through this, and we''ll be stronger than anyone else." Natasa''s heart pounded as he moved behind her, and before she could protest further, the familiar rhythm started again. "Aahhh¡­ Damien¡­ ohhh¡­" The days melted together in a haze of moans, sweat, and raw, unrelenting force. Natasa''s body felt like it was on the verge of breaking, her cultivation energy swirling wildly as they pushed past limits she never thought possible. Every break they took was short-lived, filled with hurried bites of food and sips of water before Damien pulled her back into the frenzy. Even when she thought she couldn''t take another moment, he would look at her with that fierce, determined gaze. "We''re almost there. We''ll break through to the Golden Qi Realm tonight," he said, his voice gravelly and breathless after yet another round. Natasa could barely respond, her body trembling from the sheer exhaustion, but she nodded. She trusted him, even if her body was screaming for rest. By the seventh day, as the sun dipped below the horizon, a burst of energy surged through the room. Damien groaned, his entire body glowing with the light of the Golden Qi Realm. Natasa collapsed against him, her body trembling as she gasped for breath, knowing that they had finally done it. "We made it¡­" she whispered, her voice hoarse and tired. Damien, equally exhausted but triumphant, kissed her forehead. "We did. And we''re not stopping here." "I seem to have broken into the initial Golden Qi Realm," Natasha said as she seated herself, feeling the formation of a core inside her abdomen. Touching it cleared her mind, and she realized that she had finally achieved her goal. Of course, the greater benefit was for Damien, as he practically advanced from body refinement to the Golden Qi Realm in a single leap. ''Was dual cultivation always like this?'' Although Natasha had never heard of or seen exactly how dual cultivation worked, she at least knew the basic foundation: when someone breaks through a level, they need a certain amount of Ki to be absorbed to reach the threshold. Even if the Ki was flowing through his body and creating a false sensation that Qi was pulling and breaking his levels, it was still impossible for him to possess this much Ki at present, as if his body was meant for cultivation. "Let''s leave," Damien said, standing up and moving towards the door as he put on his clothes. He was clearly prepared to finally leave the hotel room, which had been booked for a whole week. Given that he had experienced a failure, he hoped to see how strong he had become. Additionally, he took the phone from Karl, thinking about what he would do if he used all the money. "Hm, what about your deals?" Natasha asked, recalling the deal he had mentioned with Yefan, which was fake¡ªa scam meant to deceive him. As she inquired, Damien looked at her with a smile. "Aren''t you a bit too curious?" He couldn''t help but notice how restless she was in her desire to learn about the deal, clearly intent on gathering information regarding the scam that Yefan was meant to fall victim to, thereby giving her a chance to support her father. Naturally, if Yefan was defrauded and lost his money for a certain period, and she demonstrated how she reached the Golden Qi Realm, then there was a chance that her grandfather would choose her father as the new head. . . . . . . . . Lily''s legs shook as she trudged down the familiar path toward the Malhotra mansion, her thoughts still clouded by the relentless scenes she had witnessed over the week. The images of Damien and Natasha, their endless activity, were etched into her mind, making her body feel heavier with each step. Her thighs rubbed together involuntarily, her body betraying the emotions she was trying to suppress. She finally arrived at the grand estate, the towering gates swinging open with their usual silent grace. In the distance, she spotted Akira in the garden. At first, it seemed as though she was tending to the flowers, but a closer look revealed something far more unsettling. Akira was calmly burying a body, her movements precise and measured, as if this task were as simple as pruning a rosebush. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not a flicker of emotion crossed her face. Lily stumbled forward, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. She needed to report back. She cleared her throat, her voice raspy from lack of sleep. "My lady..." Akira didn''t look up immediately, taking her time as she finished smoothing the dirt over the grave. When she finally did turn to face Lily, her gaze was as cold and unreadable as always. "A whole week," she said, her voice soft but laced with sharpness. "You mean to tell me that Damien was in that hotel room for an entire week?" Lily''s breath hitched. She could still feel the heat of those moments, the raw intensity. "Y-Yes, my lady. A week... just him and Natasha. I¡ªI watched the entire time. They... never stopped." She shuddered, still feeling Damien''s relentless energy echo in her mind. "He''s like a machine... or a rabbit, a never-tiring beast." Akira''s expression didn''t shift, but there was a pause, a slight narrowing of her eyes. "So, he wasn''t buying that flower for me." Lily nodded weakly. "It was for her, my lady. He''s not even hiding it anymore. I''m sorry." Akira tilted her head slightly, her calculating gaze piercing through Lily. "So, after all of this, he was simply entertaining himself with her? That''s all it took for him to turn away?" Lily hesitated before collapsing onto the grass, her energy completely drained. "I... I don''t know what he''s thinking, my lady. But he never left that room. It was... endless." She rubbed her eyes, trying to push the images from her mind. "I''ve never seen anything like it. It was as if he was on a mission." Akira didn''t respond immediately, her thoughts hidden behind her calm exterior. She stepped away from the grave, dusting off her hands, her movements slow and deliberate. "You''ve done well, Lily. Rest now." Lily blinked up at her in surprise, her body too tired to even stand. "I... I hope you remember my sacrifice," she muttered, her voice trailing off as her eyes fluttered shut. Within moments, she had fallen into a deep, exhausted sleep, her breathing slow and steady. Akira glanced down at her for a moment, then turned her attention back to the grave, her mind already returning to thinking about how interestingly Damien was calling her attention towards him, understanding that this was definitely unexpected. It was hard to doubt whether he really wanted to woo her or if it was just him acting like that with everything being just a coincidence. Chapter 119 - 119- Princess Dreams (1) {:-It''s the memories that others will awaken; you can read it to know exactly what would have happened with the original Damien.} It has been 3 years since the destruction of Raphael Groups and the emergence of the Harrison family, which has since surpassed them in strength by a total margin of 10.3 billion NR. Today marks 5 years since the sole heir of Raphael Groups, Damien Raphael, lost his status as an heir. Subsequently, his stepsister received the family''s power, and he was then married to a woman from the Harrison family after being rejected by Amelia Crimwell, whom he had pursued for five years. And today marked the date of final closure of last remaining small Raphael group''s textile business. "Young Master, please escape this place," a woman with half-burned face, yet showing her once-beautiful milky white skin and plump bust in a black assassin dress, knelt in front of a malnourished man whose eyes reflected exhaustion. "N-no, Grandfather chose my sister, but she betrayed us. The most I could do is at least protect my mother''s last remaining house," seated on the chair with an exhausted expression, once called the incompetent heir of Raphaels¡ªDamien Raphael¡ªwas jotting down an application letter with trembling hands to none other than Amelia Crimwell. It was his last hope for her to purchase the last remaining wooden house which was being auctioned to provide compensation to investors. That house was where he had spent 7 years with his mother before she died. Trinnng Suddenly, a vibration from the nearby phone caused Damien''s eyes to turn towards a phone displaying an unknown number. He lifted the phone and answered, "Hello? Who is this?" "You idiot! Leave that place! Can''t you use your brain?!" boomed a womanly voice from the other end of the line, causing Damien''s exhausted eyes to widen before returning to their tired state. With a broken smile, he said, "It''s been five years since we last talked, Amelia." "Shut up, idiot. How could you be so stupid? Those people are coming for you. Leave right now!" The voice sounded urgent and warning, but Damien couldn''t help but grit his teeth, his eyes showing resignation to his fate. He added, "Why do you care? Wasn''t it you who told me to stay away from you? You never understood me, Amelia." "....Haah, really, Damien, can''t you see where you are today? I have everything now: money, status, and what I wanted. But you?" The voice seemed to sigh as it pointed out that the passage of time had brought her the choices and life she desired, causing Damien to look at his hands, now calloused unlike his old self when he belonged to the uncaring heir of the Raphael groups. "Yeah, you are right. Congratulations on marrying Edward, Amelia," Damien said, clenching his fist as he lifted his gaze towards the dimly lit room''s door. His face appeared lost, as if he had lost everything. "What? What marriage? Have you lost your¡ªBAM! " Before the words from the call could be completed, the door of the room burst open, shattering into several pieces. "Young mater!" The woman quickly moved her sword forward, blocking the pieces before they could hit the man directly. "Hahaha, so Vandiana panthera''s dog is still alive," boomed a voice from the silhouette standing with hands in pockets and kicking the door open with one leg. "Shut up!" The woman glared with her eyes filled with intense energy, her eyes turning red before launching herself while crying out, "You bastards would have never won if it weren''t for your backstabbing!" "Hold her, Edward," the voice came from the shadow before a man launched from behind and kicked the woman directly with a flip, sending her hurling towards the wall. "Ugh?!" As she felt a powerful blow to her left side, the woman instinctively turned in that direction. Despite the impact, she managed to steady herself and counterattack with her sword, only for it to be ensnared in the gauntlet worn by Edward. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Don''t move, sweetheart. We just need to take care of that scumbag. You can leave after, or maybe we can have some fun first...your body could be just my type. Haha." A different man stepped up, his purple hair and eyes matching as he licked his tongue flirtatiously while eyeing the woman whose sword Edward had halted. "Young master! Run away!" Witnessing the arrival of three men¡ª Edward, the purple-haired man, and the mysterious shadow¡ªthe woman felt a strong sense of urgency to flee. She knew that their power levels far surpassed her own and even caused death of her Master, Vandiana Panthera. Despite the poisoning being carried out by none other than Sister of Damien Raphael. "No, Please you can kill me, leave her" A tired voice came from the direction that Woman was looking, only to see a man slowly rising from his seat, stumbling as he made his way towards her. He was holding a cane to support his prosthetic leg. Something that resulted from his actions was saving Vandiana from an accident, causing her to give this man her protection and ultimately making enemies of three men who ultimately killed her. Indeed, Vandiana Panthera, being protected in a car accident (even though she didn''t need it because of her cultivaion being on a nascent soul level), became interested in the brave man who protected her but lost his leg in that car accident. She decided to grant him her protection in return. Unfortunately, she met her demise due to the betrayal of the man''s sister, who had been plotting to destroy Raphael groups from the beginning. Even up to the very end, she refused to retract her words and remained poised as she allowed him and the other woman to escape, all while staying true to her promise and fighting these three in the poisoned state. ''I should have just died before'', Damien looked at all three of them with his broken body, unsure of what he had done to become their enemy. Either it was because he courted the woman for five years, whom that man loved, or if he got engaged to a woman from the Harrison family who manipulated him until the end, or if it was his own step-sister who destroyed her own family. Damien didn''t understand anything, but it was clear that if he died, everything would be better. Chapter 120 - 120- Princess Dreams (2) "Pfftt, Hahaha, Why act like a hero when you''re going to die anyway?" The man with purple hair exclaimed as he clenched his stomach and laughed before wiping away his non-existent tears and looking at Damien. "Damien, there''s no need to act like a hero. Start begging for your life now," Edward''s eyes blazed with anger as he spoke, his grip on the woman''s sword causing it to shatter. In one swift motion, he delivered a powerful punch to her stomach. "Ugh!" After depleting her internal energy to protect her abdomen, her dantian had already been burned as she pushed her fire Qi to its limit during her desperate escape from the previous battle, causing a weakened foundation. With a single punch, blood sprayed from her mouth. Edward retreating his fist caused the woman''s body to fall forward. As she succumbed to unconsciousness, she gestured for Damien to run away, saying, "Young mast..." "Do not hurt her!" Damien tried to move quickly towards her, causing his body to stumble and fall forward due to losing balance. Before he could fall, a hand grabbed his neck and lifted his body into the air. "Argh... Le-av--e h-er." Damien''s legs were flailing in the air, his eyes red from pain. He had a loosened grip, not even attempting to retaliate as if he had given up on his fate. He pleaded with the hidden figure before him. "Sigh, it''s not fun seeing him give up, should I undress her slowly or directly rip her clothes off in a fit of passion? I wonder what kind of reaction I''ll get..." The man with purple hair stepped forward, ruffling his hair, feeling bored as he noticed Damien was not pleading for his life or showing any resistance. This caused him to tilt his head and threaten him while pointing towards the unconscious woman. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "....Y-you all w-ill di--e" Damien''s words were barely able to escape his throat as the grip around his neck tightened with each passing moment. Despite this, the only emotion he felt was a desire to give up on life while also wanting to see these three individuals suffer. "Yes, now it''s more like those weaklings who get crushed like ants and beg for someone else to provide justice. Keep doing it, I like it." The guy with purple hair approached Damien, sticking out his tongue and taunting him as he moved around. Damien was starting to lose his senses due to the suffocation. "Do not dare kill him." Suddenly, a woman''s voice boomed from the broken door, causing all of their eyes to glance in that direction. The man in the air, losing consciousness, felt his whole body burn the moment he caught sight of a woman with black hair and pink eyes. "Oh, isn''t it Ophelia Raphael?" The purple-haired guy watched as a woman walked elegantly towards Damien, causing him to feel a twitch in his groin area as he noticed her curves. A smile formed on his face as he moved towards the woman. "Approach within a meter and you will be killed.", Ophelia warned, halting and glaring towards Ye Fan, who stopped and sighed before shrugging his shoulders and retreating back with a smile. "....What did you want, Ophelia, my dear?" The shadow tilted his head and glanced at the woman who approached before stopping near him and looking at the dying man in silhouette''s hand. "There is no need to kill him." Ophelia looked at the shadow, her eyes appeared pinkish with a red hue in them, looking blankly at the shadow who kept looking at her before loosening his hand, causing Damien''s body to drop on the floor. "Haah....Haah...I don''t need your¡ªKugh!" Damien wanted to retaliate with his red eyes flashing at the woman, but she kicked him in the face, sending his body hurling towards the nearby wall as if he had no weight. But in truth, this was the strength of someone at the Golden Core realm level. "Khwaackk!?" Blood gushed out the moment his body collided with the wall before falling on the floor. His mind seemed to be shutting down after a surge of anger passed through him. "Do not act almighty when you are nothing more than an insect." Ophelia looked at Damien in disgust, feeling repulsed by the memories of his childish behavior while being manipulated by women like Luna Harrison or Amelia Crimwell. "Oh my, haha, You can''t be tough on your own brother Ophelia, pfft" Ye Fan came forward, feeling amused at the unexpected situation. Instead of showing sympathy after gaining cultivation strength, Ophelia just kicked her own brother. ''?!'' ''S-sister?'' The moment Ye Fan exposed that the woman Damien believed to be his step-sister was, in fact, his blood relative, Damien''s eyes widened, triggering a flood of thoughts that urged his failing body onwards as he questioned,"W-why?" "Tch, who told you to reveal this, Ye fan?" Ophelia rubbed her forehead in annoyance before kneeling down to Damien''s level, adding, "Indeed, I am your mother''s first child." "WHY?!" Damien lifted his head, not understanding why his supposed sister would destroy their own family and even go as far as to kill his grandfather, who had chosen her as the next heir. "Dumbfuck, do you think Mom died just because of some illness or accident?" Ophelia watched her brother as he lay dying, lifting her body and using her feet to push against his head. She then applied pressure with her legs, running them over his head while yelling. "It was you, Damien, who killed her!" "Urrgrhh...n-no" The man, being forced down, could not comprehend how he could possibly harm his mother. All his recollections consisted of precious moments spent together and being exceptionally cared for. "Sigh, Let me tell you something before killing you here", Her hands reached out to grab his hair, pulling his head up while he let out a pained groan from the twist. Ignoring his discomfort, she firmly held his chin in her hand, narrowing the distance between them before whispering, "You are the reason for her death. You see, I wouldn''t have pushed her that day if you didn''t exist." "Agghhh!" Damien''s eyes filled with tears, as if blood were streaming out, overwhelmed by the excruciating pain he had endured his entire life, now enhanced by this information. The woman standing before him, with a grin on her face, made it clear: his mother''s death in a pond was not an accident, but a cold-blooded murder. A murder at the hands of her own daughter, who was no more than 8 years old at that time. Chapter 121 - 121 - Princess Dreams (3) "How could you? HOW COULD YOU!" Damien cried out as his eyes turned red with anger, directed towards the woman who had just revealed the truth about his mother''s death. "Huh? It''s because of you," Ophelia''s expression twisted as she observed the man, who had been behaving like an insect just a moment ago, now meeting her gaze. In a split second, her hand gripped his hair and swung his head towards the ground, causing his face to collide with the floor. "Kugh!" Damien''s face hitting the floor caused blood to splatter from his nostrils and broken nose bone. The force, inflicted by Ophelia, was only as strong as that of a normal adult male. She knew that any more force could potentially kill him. In the end, she was not here to kill the man today, but to confirm that after today''s events, the shadow did not back down from his promise to show her the path to immortality. "Tch, Just make him a Cauldron you wanted and give me what I want." Ophelia shook Damien''s chin to the side before backing away, feeling irritated by being reminded of her past. Looking down on the man one last time, she kicked him in the head, saying, "It all happened because of you, fool." "Kugh!..", With injuries already on his face, a heavy kick landed on his head, causing Damion''s body to hit the floor once again. He could hardly lift his fingers. "Heh, you are certainly a woman of words," the shadow said with a smirk as it moved towards Damien, reaching out to grab him by the hair once again. "Help me" "Huh?" Due to the sudden words coming from Damian''s mouth, Shadow halted and tilted his head in confusion, as did others in the room. Ye Fan stepped forward and remarked, "Has this fool completely lost it? Pfft." "I said, help me escape this place one last time," Damien called out, feeling his mind barely under control but still wanting to live just so he could take his revenge on the woman who killed his mother. He does not want to stay alive just to seek revenge on a few women or men who used him as a stepping stone, as their influence in his life was not important enough for him to even think about seeking revenge. In the end, one may have emotions like anger, revenge, and love towards those who hold value in one''s life, but for Damien, they were not deserving of his attention, leading him to accept death. However, he now wants to live and seek revenge on the woman who claimed to have killed his mother. "Haaah....The promise of my boss ends here, young master¡ªSWOOSH" Suddenly, all of the individuals in the room could see intense internal energy filling the space, causing their gazes to turn towards a woman who had been unconscious on the ground just moments before. Now, she was slowly standing up, her entire body turning red with burning flames covering her skin, as if she was slowly turning into ashes. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This?!" Edward quickly backed away as he observed the intense amount of internal energy emanating from the woman. "She is burning her life force." Ophelia''s eyes turned cold the moment she saw the woman going so far as to sacrifice her own life force just to save an incompetent, weak, and unworthy man like Damien. "I don''t care at all," Ye Fan took a step back before enveloping his entire body in internal energy. He closed a 10-meter distance in a blink and arrived with his claws directly aimed at the burning woman. "Only if you hadn''t burned that beautiful skin of yours..." Ye Fan''s fingers was just an inch away from the woman before it vanished. His fingers, to be exact, turned into ashes the moment they made contact with the woman''s skin. "Arrrghh?!" Crying out, he swiftly tried to retreat, but the passage of time had already brought the woman closer to him. In that brief meeting moment, her eyes met his, and she landed a slap on his face. Bam! Previously, his fingers had turned into ashes due to the low density of internal energy. However, his face was more durable, causing only the skin above it to burn as his body fell towards the nearby wall. "Khwaaackk!?¡ªdrip drip " Falling to the ground with purple eyes of Ye Fan turning white, he lost consciousness. As he lay there in a half-dead state with blood dripping from his wounds. However, his artifact had begun to heal his body quickly. "Kill her, Ophelia," Shadow said, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked towards the burning woman, a gesture of frustration at her inaction. "Pity" With those words, Ophelia disappeared. . . . . After half an hour, Far away from the building, a man appeared to be walking through the dimly lit street with a stumbling body, unable to control himself due to a broken prosthetic leg and a bloodied face. With a trembling hand, he took out a phone from his pocket. ''T-they killed her'', Damien''s fingers were barely able to control the wetness dripping through them, as evidenced by his phone screen not responding well to his touch. His hollow eyes flashed with memories of the woman who had died while trying to block the path of those four people. No, to be exact, it was only three. That shadow appeared to treat everything as child''s play, letting Damien escape like some prey. "Bastards!¡ªbam!" Damien cried out as he punched the nearby wall in frustration. The phone in his hand slid down, but he caught it again before his body fell to the ground. He propped his back against the nearby wall. His body was pushed to the limit, but his determination to survive and retaliate against the woman who falsely claimed to be his sister fueled his desire to endure this immense suffering. "Cowards!" Sitting there, he reminisced about the final moments of struggle, where he left the room with his stumbling body, using the burning woman as a meat shield. The memory came down to the last image before the door closed, where he saw her body being pierced by several swords before turning into ashes. An image, just like last time, when he escaped while sacrificing Vandiana Panthera as well. Chapter 122 - 122- Princess Dreams (4) ''It''s my fault'', Damien, clasping his head with his hand, remembered the suffering everyone was experiencing because of him. He felt frustrated, but he also knew that he had worked hard to get to this point. Slowly, he tried to calm his mind, loosening his grip on his head. "Who should I call?" His hand began to move towards the phone screen but stopped, realizing that everyone was against him. He knew he was seen as an incompetent heir of a fallen family and felt there was no hope of reaching out to anyone. ''Amelia? No,'' Damien rejected the thought of calling her, knowing that it would only endanger her life too. This prompted him to think of another name that could help him in this situation. ''Lin Wanruo?!'' A name suddenly flashed inside his mind, reminding him of a woman who always stood for justice and never backed down, even when he tried to use his influence as the heir of the Raphael Group. "Yes, her family background is also strong," Damien remembered learning about her family''s lineage of cultivators when he returned to the main city from Cramphian City five years ago. Tringg Due to being entangled in several situations, she would often call him to threaten him in order to find evidence. This resulted in her number being stored in his caller list. As he dialed her number and the call connected, Damien hastily spoke, "Hello, Lin Wanruo. Please listen to me this time." But even before he could complete his words, a feminine voice replied from the other side, "Where are you right now?" "Huh? Wanruo, you need to listen to me first." Slightly taken aback by her words but considering it her regular habit to ask about his location and approach directly with handcuffs, Damien decided to speak first and explain his situation to her. "I know that some people are after your life. I will save you, just tell me your location, trust me." Lin Wanruo replied from the other side of the call, while trying to calmly hear his reply. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What? Listen, Wanruo, I am at Third Street outside my old office building," Damien informed, but before he could finish, the call got cut off. He assumed she had already left to come to this place. ''Now, what Ophelia was talking about,'' Damien''s hand loosened, causing the phone to drop on the ground, before remembering Ophelia''s words, which were about something turning him into Cauldron. Upon hearing that word, he was aware that they were most likely planning to use him as an energy source. However, the issue was that Damian was not a cultivator and did not possess the physique to be considered worth using in such a way. Then only one question remained: What does that shadow want from him? . . . . ''It''s already an hour'', Lying down on the corner of a dimly lit street, propping his back against the wall, Damien struggled to lift his gaze and looked at the time on his phone screen. "Are you here, Damien?" Suddenly, a voice made Damien realize that the familiarity in the voice belonged to none other than Lin Wanruo. This caused him to reply, "I- I am here." With those words, he flexed his hand and tried to lift his body. The prosthetic leg hardly supported him as he stumbled, nearly losing control. He found himself face-to-face with a woman dressed as a police officer, slowly advancing towards him in the alley with a gun clenched in both hands. "Lin Wanruo¡ªBANG!¡ªHuh?" Damian tried to call her, but before he could finish his sentence, a sound reverberated inside the alley. A spark came from the direction of the woman, accompanied by a sudden force and a sharp pain as it landed on his thighs, causing him to collapse and realize that his legs gave way. Thud "Haahh...Haah...", Falling to his knees with both legs injured, one already broken, and the other wounded by a bullet, Damien didn''t feel pain, only shock. Gasping for breath, he tried to lift himself towards the woman. "Now he will not runaway", Saying those words, the woman slowly moved as a man with a purple hair slowly revealed himself from behind her. The woman halted, with folded hands holding the gun, while the man stood behind her, with her back propped on his chest. "This piece of shit made me loose my fingers" Ye Fan coldly looked towards the man who was on his knees, bloodied and gazing at them. "Why? Weren''t you said Justice..." Damien wanted to say the words that woman always told him when she arrested or tried to detain him for his crimes, but he stopped himself when he saw the smirk on Ye Fan''s face. Ye Fan''s hand moved towards the woman''s chest, unbuttoning her shirt and revealing her cleavage. "Right now, I am bringing justice by killing¡ªAngh~!" Just as Lin wanruo was about to speak, her breath hitched when she felt Ye fan''s hands exploring under her shirt, resulting in a soft moan escaping her as he pinched her nipples. "Stop it, I am dealing with him," She tightly grasped his hand from above her uniform, motioning for Ye Fan to halt, but was distracted by the sensation of his bulge pressing against her ass. "Let me reward you by pounding you for catching this pest," he added. "Hnghh~ Ahh~" Ye fan pinched her nipples and nibbled on her ears, while his gaze remained fixed on Damien who had shamefully averted his eyes, realizing that justice also picks sides. Right now, he was nothing but a weakling running from the inevitable, causing him to grit his jaw in frustration. He now regrets his life choices, realizing he had several chances to kill that police officer and make it look like an accident. However, he always thought she was a brave woman prompting him to leave her alive. But now,"Bitch." "Huh? What did you say?" Lin Wanruo, who was moaning while feeling Ye Fan''s touch, suddenly stopped as her eyes turned cold, trying to hear the words that she seemed to have misheard. His gaze snapping upwards, Damien fixed his eyes on the both of them, directing his words specifically at Lin Wanruo with a clear and assertive voice, he declared, "You''re nothing but a dirty whore with a loose fuckhole!" "You incompetent bastard!" In an instant, Wanruo''s eyes widened as she brought her gun forward in rage, clenching her jaws as she yelled, "Die!" BANG! She fired the gun. "Kughh!" The bullet struck directly near Damien''s heart as his eyes looked towards the world turning upside down. He fell backward with all his life memories flashing inside his mind in succession, with all the emotions attached to those memories bombarding his mind. VROOOOOM! But just before he could completely lose consciousness, a sudden roar of a bike engine reverberated through the street. ''?!'' Ye Fan and Wanruo''s eyes widened as a black, sleek bike tore through the street, leaving behind burned rubber tracks and smoke in the air as it headed towards Damien. "Hey baby, I warned you not to run off, right?" The motorcycle came crashing down right next to Damien, as the figure donning a sleek black helmet, looking feminine with those sexy curves and a tantalizing cleavage enhanced by a cute little mole, locked her gaze on the man kneeling before her. Damien was already affected by the bullet and immediately lost consciousness before collapsing to the ground. Thud Chapter 123 - 123- A Dream The silence of the night was oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of city lights filtering through the drawn curtains. The woman jerked awake, gasping for air. "Haaah...! Haaah...!" Her body lurched forward, drenched in sweat as her trembling hands gripped the silk sheets. She pressed her palms against her temples, trying to steady the pounding headache that had become her unwelcome companion these past weeks. Her chest heaved, the room spinning as the remnants of the nightmare lingered like a phantom. Disjointed images flashed in her mind¡ªfaces she didn''t know, names she couldn''t place. "Damien Raphael... Lin Wanruo..." she muttered, her voice cracking. "Who are you?" The name Damien Raphael echoed in her thoughts, vivid and unshakable. Despite never meeting him, his face haunted her dreams, accompanied by emotions too raw to ignore. "Why me?" she whispered hoarsely, dragging herself out of bed. Her bare feet sank into the thick carpet as she shuffled toward the window, drawn by the faint glow of the city. The chilled glass against her palm grounded her momentarily, but her headache only throbbed harder as if punishing her for seeking clarity. Returning to the bed, she grabbed her phone. Enough of this. Maybe there''s something out there¡ªan answer. With trembling fingers, she typed: Damien Raphael. Search results flooded the screen, illuminating the dim room. Her eyes scanned through the articles. A name once synonymous with power, wealth, and prestige, now tarnished. "Ex-heir of the Raphael Group... disowned by his family for... questionable habits?" she read aloud. Her brow furrowed as she scrolled further. The deeper she dug, the more confused she became. Scandals, betrayals, and a fall from grace that seemed straight out of fiction. The phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her out of her thoughts. The caller ID flashed Amelia. She sighed, her headache spiking. Perfect timing. Swiping to answer, she pressed the phone to her ear. "Amelia. It''s late." A cool, composed voice greeted her, tinged with a hint of impatience. "Late for you, maybe. For me, it''s business hours. How''s your headache?" "As bad as ever," she replied, rubbing her temple. "You really need to get that checked," Amelia said, her tone brisk but concerned. "Anyway, when are you coming to Camphorian City? You''re stalling, and you know it." She let out a weary sigh, leaning back against the headboard. "It''ll take some time. I have to meet with Prince Asher first to finalize the engagement." Amelia''s silence stretched for a moment before she spoke, her tone sharp. "You''re still going through with that?" "Yes, Amelia, I am," she replied, her voice heavy with exhaustion. "Look," Amelia began, her words clipped and professional. "I''m saying this as someone who cares about you and your future. This engagement¡ªthis whole ''marrying for peace and quiet'' fantasy¡ªisn''t the solution you think it is." She frowned, her free hand massaging her temple. "Amelia, I know what I want. I don''t need a lecture." "No, what you need is a reality check," Amelia retorted. "You think tying yourself to a prince will magically solve everything? What happens when his world, his ambitions, start clashing with yours? Do you plan to spend the rest of your life as an ornament, smiling for the cameras while someone else dictates your every move?" "I don''t want independence like you, Amelia," she snapped, the headache worsening. "I want a family. A husband who''ll handle the chaos while I can just... breathe for once." Amelia''s tone softened, but her words remained firm. "I understand that, but breathing doesn''t mean suffocating your potential. Independence isn''t about doing everything alone¡ªit''s about having the power to choose. Right now, it feels like you''re running from responsibility, not toward peace." "I''m tired," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I don''t want to argue." "I know," Amelia said gently. "But you''re capable of so much more. You''re royalty, for heaven''s sake. You have resources, influence, and a sharp mind. Why not use them for yourself instead of tying them to someone else''s dreams?" The woman pressed her forehead against her palm, the throbbing in her head growing unbearable. "Amelia, please. I just want some stability. Can''t you respect that?" "I can," Amelia replied, her voice softening. "But I don''t want to see you lose yourself in the process. Promise me you''ll at least think about what I''ve said." She closed her eyes, sighing heavily. "Fine. I''ll think about it. Happy?" "For now," Amelia said, her professional tone returning. "Get some rest¡ªand for the love of everything, see a doctor about that headache." "By the way, Amelia," she said, a faint smirk tugging at her lips despite the dull throb in her head. "What happened to your boyfriend? What was his name again...?, you never told me." There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a low, deliberate cough. "That''s not important right now," Amelia said, her tone suddenly brisk. "Anyway, like I said, you should really see a doctor for that headache." Before she could press further, the line abruptly went dead. She stared at her phone, blinking in surprise, before shaking her head. "Figures," she muttered, tossing the phone onto the bed. The call ended, leaving her in the quiet stillness of her room once more. She leaned back, closing her eyes, but the reprieve was short-lived. A sharp knock at the door startled her. She groaned, forcing herself up. Wrapping her robe around her, she moved toward the door, the headache now a dull roar in her skull. When she opened it, the family butler stood before her, his face grim. "Miss, the master''s health has taken a critical turn. We must leave immediately." Her blood ran cold. "What? How bad is it?" "Very serious, Miss. The doctors are with him, but they''ve requested your presence immediately." Panic surged through her as she grabbed her belongings. "Give me a moment." Within minutes, the hotel lobby was a flurry of activity. Her guards, dressed in sharp suits, fell into formation as she descended the grand staircase. The opulence of her surroundings blurred as urgency overtook her senses. Outside, the convoy was already prepared¡ªa line of sleek, black luxury cars glinting under the streetlights. She slid into the lead car without a word, her butler briefing her on the situation. The fleet moved swiftly through the city, their path cleared by the guards stationed ahead. Her hands gripped the armrest tightly as the cityscape blurred past her window. Her father. The thought of losing him, despite their strained relationship, sent a pang of fear through her chest. For all her wealth and status, she felt powerless. The convoy approached the estate, its towering gates swinging open. The grandeur of the mansion, with its gilded arches and sprawling lawns, seemed cold and unwelcoming now. As the car rolled to a stop, she stepped out, the crisp night air biting against her skin. The butler led her inside, his pace brisk and efficient. The house was eerily quiet, save for the soft hum of medical equipment. Her heart pounded as she entered the master bedroom. There he lay¡ªher father, pale and fragile, surrounded by doctors working tirelessly. The sight was a stark reminder of her own mortality and the fragility of even the strongest among them. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Father," she whispered, her voice trembling as she approached his bedside. The weight of the night, the decisions ahead, and the storm brewing within her was almost too much to bear. But for now, she had to focus. . . . . . Damien sauntered across the room, his shirt hanging loose with a couple of buttons undone, and fixed Natasha with a steady, calculating look. "Yefan''s downfall is already in motion," he started, his voice smooth but with an edge of quiet confidence. "It''s not just about the money; it''s really about credibility. Once that goes, everything else falls apart." Natasha leaned back, her fatigue slipping away as curiosity kicked in. "But how? He''s been super careful¡­ even cocky. What makes you so sure this is gonna work?" Damien grinned, a spark of mischief dancing in his golden eyes. "Yefan''s big on his reputation¡ªhe makes everyone believe he''s untouchable. That''s his strength, but it''s also his Achilles'' heel. The second doubt creeps in for those around him, he''ll unravel faster than he can fix things." He pulled out his phone, flipping through a stream of messages and what looked like fake documents. "I''ve set up a trap, Natasha. A deal that''s way too tempting¡ªone where he''ll throw in a lot of cash, thinking he''s outsmarting me. But each layer of that deal is crafted to expose every flaw. His mistakes, his greed, his desperation¡ªit''ll all come out." Natasha frowned, biting her lip a bit. "But what if he figures out it''s a scam before it all blows up?" "That''s the beauty of it," Damien said, his tone sharp and confident. "I''ve added just enough truth to make it believable. He''ll spot opportunities he can''t resist. By the time he figures out it''s a setup, it''ll already be game over. All the key players around his dad will lose faith, his allies will turn against him, and his influence will just fall apart." Her eyes widened as his words sank in. "So, it''s not just about taking his cash¡­ it''s about tearing down his whole network?" "Exactly," Damien replied, sliding his phone back into his pocket. "Without his credibility, Yefan is merely a shadow of his father. That''s where we can hit him hard. With you showing off your breakthrough, your dad is gonna have the upper hand¡ªbetter support from the family, plus proof that his leadership is thriving." Natasha let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of what he was saying. "You''ve really put a lot of thought into this." "I always do," Damien said, stepping in closer. His fingers brushed against her cheek, a rare tender moment softening his usually hard features. "But you''re gonna need to back me up in the future, with all your heart¡­ and body." Her cheeks flamed as his touch lingered. "Thanks, Damien," she managed to whisper. "You''re such a perv." Chapter 124 - 124- Ye Mansion(1) The tall, imposing gates of the Ye mansion loomed ahead, bathed in the soft light of the evening. Ye Fan walked briskly up the stone steps, his face a mask of determination. The mansion, nestled in the center of the city''s most elite district, was more than just a home; it was the center of the Ye groups, all the architectures, industrialization and everything. And Ye Fan naturally knew about this and visited this mansion very rarely so as not to be reminded of his responsibilities. But today, there was something in the air¡ªNo, it was more like inside him: the confidence as he knew that today he was definitely going to prove himself as the most competent heir. His steps echoed in the grand hallway as he approached the assistant standing at the door. The assistant, an older man with sharp features, looked up with surprise at Ye Fan''s presence. "Master Ye, what can I do for you?" The assistant asked, bowing slightly. "I need to speak with my father. Now," Ye Fan''s voice was firm, the urgency clear in his tone. The assistant hesitated, glancing towards the corridor leading to the study. "Master Ye, your father is in an urgent meeting at the moment. It would be unwise to disturb him now." Ye Fan''s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he stared the assistant down. His patience was wearing thin, and he wasn''t about to be told ''no'' by someone who wasn''t even a part of the family. "I don''t care if he''s in a meeting! I am his son, and I want to see him. Now." The assistant''s posture faltered under the intensity of Ye Fan''s gaze. He was well aware of the young man''s temper and his status within the household. "I¡­ I understand, Master Ye," the assistant said, bowing deeply. "Please, wait here for a moment." Without another word, the assistant hurried off down the hall. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ye Fan stood in the silence, his mind racing. His father, Ye Zhi, was a man who always tried to prioritize his business and carefully controlled things without any mistakes and was disciplined. A deal was on their lap, and Ye Fan had to be the one to bring it to his father''s attention. No one else could know¡ªno one but his father. The assistant returned quickly and motioned for Ye Fan to follow. "Master Ye, please come with me." They made their way to the large meeting room, a grand space with high ceilings and a polished marble floor. The room was dominated by a long, oval table, surrounded by several men in suit, each with their own agenda. As they entered, the murmur of voices stopped. Everyone at the table turned their attention to the young man entering the room. Ye Zhi, seated at the head of the table, looked up with a piercing gaze, his face a mask of indifference. The assistant whispered something in his ear. Ye Zhi''s eyes flicked towards his son standing at the door, his expression unreadable. A brief moment of silence passed before Ye Zhi addressed the room. "Gentlemen," he said, his voice calm but commanding, "I would like to end today''s meeting here. We''ll reconvene another time." Without a word, the other men stood, some giving polite nods, others lingering as if to gather their thoughts. One by one, they left, until the room was empty, save for Ye Zhi and his son. The door clicked shut behind them. Ye Fan walked slowly to the center of the room, his eyes never leaving his father. His father''s gaze remained cool, but there was a flicker of something¡ªsomething like expectation¡ªas he spoke. "You must have a very good reason for disturbing me like this, Ye Fan," he said, his voice low but carrying an edge. Ye Fan didn''t hesitate. "Father, I''ve learned something. It''s about the land near the southcrest district¡ªthe government plans to raise the land prices soon because of a new policy." Ye Zhi raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "And how do you know this? Why are you wasting my time with such trivial matters? Land deals?" His voice dropped to a mocking tone. "I don''t have time for your fantasies, Ye Fan." But Ye Fan stood his ground, his hands clenched at his sides. "It''s not a fantasy, Father. The prices are going to skyrocket because of the new government schemes. And it''s not just any land¡ªit''s a huge plot, one worth billions of NR." At the mention of the staggering figure, Ye Zhi''s expression changed slightly. His fingers twitched, and his eyes narrowed. "Billions?" he repeated slowly, his tone colder now. "And how do you know this? Don''t tell me you''ve fallen for some scam. You''re not this naive, are you?" Ye Fan took a deep breath, unwilling to back down. "One of my friends told me about it. He''s connected, and I trust his sources." The room grew tense. Ye Zhi''s gaze was calculating as he processed the information. He knew that such information couldn''t just leak to the public easily. There was no way a government scheme could be so easily accessed unless someone had an insider, someone close to the decision-makers. "Your friend?" Ye Zhi''s voice was laced with suspicion. "Who is this ''friend''? This sounds like a dangerous game you''re playing." Ye Fan hesitated for a moment, but then spoke. "He''s well-connected. He''s in the right circles. And I think this deal could make us¡ªno, make you¡ªan incredible fortune. We could hold this land, wait for the price to rise, and then sell." Ye Zhi stared at his son for a long moment, his face inscrutable. Finally, he barked, "Bring him in." A moment later, the assistant entered the room. "Yes, Master Ye?" "Explain to me," Ye Zhi said, his voice harsh, "how my son can come to me with such a stupid deal!! Does he not understand the difference between short-term investments and long-term ones? Does he not realize that if we sink all our money into land that takes decades to appreciate, that it''ll be the next generation''s problem to recover it? How does he expect to think that this deal is guaranteed and that his money would be recovered inevitably, given that it''s clear it is just a fraud?" The assistant shifted uncomfortably, clearly unwilling to be the bearer of bad news. "Master, I¡ª" "Speak!" Ye Zhi shouted, his patience finally breaking. "How can you bring me this fool with such an idiotic idea?!" The assistant bowed deeply, stepping back into the shadows. Ye Fan''s chest tightened as his father''s words cut through the air, but he refused to back down," Father, atleast¡ª" But before Yefan could speak further, his father yelled at assistant not on Ye fan but his eords were definitely at him, "You fool! Can''t you hear me? Why did you bring this foolish son here?!" Chapter 125 - 125- Li Mei Ye Fan''s footsteps echoed in the quiet corridor as he moved, his hand rubbing his temple in frustration. The rejection still stung¡ªhis father''s harsh words about the land deal felt like a slap in the face. Yefa had intentionally not revealed that a government project was soon going to establish on those lands, and Sid had only mentioned that it was related to government schemes, hoping that his father would simply allow him the money. Yet, he didn''t even listen and rejected the whole thing as a fraud. He did not even trust his son, whom he always said he was proud of for breaking into the golden core realm in cultivation. How could his father be so short-sighted? He hoped to use this opportunity to do his father a favor¡ªhelping him provide the current head, who was Ye Fan''s grandfather, with clear support that could make him the next head of the Ye Family. But now it seemed like his efforts were for nothing. Ye Fan''s jaw clenched as he muttered under his breath, " We''ll regret this, Father..." Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts. "What will we regret, Ye Fan?" He stopped in his tracks, turning to see a woman standing at the end of the hallway. The woman''s presence was unmistakable¡ªhis stepmother, Li Mei. She was dressed in an elegant red gown, her dark eyes narrowing as she regarded him. Ye Fan''s face twisted into a frown at the sight of her but given how she always favored him, even showing more care than his own mother who died at young age, he saw a glimmer of hope in her. "Mother, you need to listen to me," he said, his tone sharp. There was no affection in his words¡ªonly the weariness of someone trying to hold onto the last straw. Li Mei''s eyes flicked over him, a faint sigh escaping her lips before she raised a hand, signaling him to continue. "Tell me, then," she said coolly, her brow furrowing as she awaited his explanation. Ye Fan hesitated for a moment before speaking, the frustration bubbling up as he recalled the events that had led him here. "I met a man at a nightclub," he began, his voice tense. "He''s been spending insane amounts of money¡ªmillions of NR¡ªon cab driver just to get in touch with rich people in the city. And he''s looking for investors. Investors who can help with government deals. That''s how I found out about this land deal. If we get in on it, we could secure a fortune. And with it, Father''s position in the family would grow. He''d be next in line to become the head of the Ye family." Li Mei remained silent for a moment, processing the information. She looked at her stepson with narrowed eyes. "And what did your father say about it?" Ye Fan clenched his fists, his irritation creeping back to the surface. "He said that the investment would take too long to pay off, that it would be stagnant for years. He doesn''t see the value in it. But I know I''m right. The prices will go up once the government starts their project. And if we secure that deal now, we could make a fortune. It''s a perfect opportunity. Father''s position would increase, and he''d become the next head of the family. It''s all right there, for the taking." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Li Mei folded her arms, her lips pursed in thought. "He said the investment would get stuck for a long time and wouldn''t yield quick returns..." Ye Fan''s face contorted in disbelief. "Wh-what?! You agree with him? You''re really going to side with him on this?" His voice rose, frustration clearly evident. "Of course, what would I even expect from a stepmother?! You always act like you care for me, but when it comes down to it, you can''t even convince Father to listen to me." Li Mei''s eyes widened slightly, taken aback by his outburst. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully, her voice softening. "How much do you need for this investment, Ye Fan?" Ye Fan''s eyes flashed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Four billion NR." The shock on Li Mei''s face was immediate. She took a sharp breath, her hand instinctively clutching the fabric of her gown. "Four billion?!" she echoed, her voice trembling slightly. "That''s far too large an amount! I''m not sure how your father would ever agree to that. No wonder he turned it down." Ye Fan clicked his tongue in frustration, irritation creeping into his voice. "You think I don''t know that? But we both know that once the government starts their project, land prices will soar. If we secure it now, it will be worth ten times that amount in a few years. We can''t let this opportunity slip away, as it is natural for the government to try to purchase all the land in bulk." Li Mei shifted uncomfortably at his frustration, her eyes darting to the ground before meeting his gaze again. "I''m not sure this is the kind of deal your father would approve of, Ye Fan. There''s too much risk involved." Ye Fan gritted his teeth, his voice shaking with anger. "You''re useless, just leave me alone!" He stormed off down the corridor, muttering under his breath. "That bitch Natasha will most likely secure the deal first!" Suddenly, Li Mei''s voice cut through the air, cold and sharp. "What did you say about Natasha?" Ye Fan halted and turned to face her, an annoyed sneer on his face. "Mother, you know about Natasha too? She''s already shown interest in this deal. She''s always been like that¡ªcalculating, always seeking an edge. And now she''ll probably get the deal before I do." Li Mei''s eyes widened as the name Natasha registered. She knew her husband''s niece well. Natasha was cold, calculating, and extremely ambitious. But unlike Ye Fan, she had always been far more patient and strategic with her investments. The thought of her securing such a deal made Li Mei uneasy. "That girl?" Li Mei murmured, the realization settling in. "She''s interested in this deal as well?" Her mind raced as she considered the implications. If Natasha was involved, then there was something deeper to this land deal than Ye Fan had even realized. Li Mei turned away, her face betraying a hint of concern. She took a moment to compose herself, her fingers tapping against her lips in thought. "Ye Fan, when do you need this money?" Ye Fan''s gaze flickered with hope. "Five days," he said. "I need to get it in five days, or the deal will be lost." Li Mei''s eyes narrowed. "Five days..." She paused, then looked back at him, a cold glint in her eyes. "Fine. I''ll arrange something. I''ll contact my father''s associate and I''ll get the money as soon as possible, but I want to personally meet that man to confirm he is not a swindler" Ye Fan clenched his jaw but nodded. "I''ll handle that, Mother. I just need the money and will arrange meeting as soon as possible."