CHAPTER EIGHT
1949 Words
After the Police Station – Hospital – Silverstone Mansion (Evening)
After leaving the police station, Elena didn’t go home immediately.
Her hand was still bleeding—the cut from the knife deeper than she had thought.
Mr. Silverstone noticed instantly.
“We’re going to the hospital.”
“I’m fine—”
“You’re not.”
This time, she didn’t argue.
Hospital
The treatment was quick.
The wound was cleaned, stitched, and bandaged.
“You’re lucky,” the doctor said.
“It could have been worse.”
Elena said nothing.
Her thoughts were elsewhere.
Ravenna Blaze.
Silverstone Mansion – Later
They arrived home.
Elena had just been discharged.
She walked in quietly, exhaustion finally settling in.
Her bandaged hand rested at her side.
“Sit,” Mr. Silverstone said.
She dropped onto the couch.
He stood in front of her, trying to stay calm.
“Why would you do something like that?” he asked.
“You went from the police station straight to the hospital, and now you’re acting like it’s nothing.”
“I just wanted to—”
He sighed.
Cutting her off.
Then—
His expression softened.
He stepped closer.
Gently patted her head.
Elena froze.
Then, he pulled her into a tight hug.
“I don’t want to lose you too.”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re all I have left… after your mother.”
Silence.
Elena slowly pulled back.
“Dad,” she said softly,
“I’m not going to die.”
She held his gaze.
“You have to trust me.”
He didn’t respond immediately.
Just looked at her—
Fear and pride mixing.
The moment faded.
City Studio – Chris’s Dressing Room
Bright lights filled the room.
Mirrors lined the walls.
Outfits arranged perfectly.
Chris stood in front of the mirror while his manager spoke.
“The contract signing is coming up,” the manager said.
“Everything must be perfect.”
Chris nodded slightly.
“It will be.”
The door opened.
Valerie walked in.
Chris turned—
Surprised.
“You?”
The manager smiled.
“Perfect timing.”
Chris frowned.
“What’s going on?”
The manager gestured toward Valerie.
“She’ll be handling your styling.”
Chris blinked.
“…Why Valerie?”
“She’s talented,” the manager replied.
“Her designs stand out.”
A pause.
“Let her shine.”
Before Chris could argue—
The manager left.
The door closed.
Silence.
Valerie stood calmly.
Unbothered.
Chris walked toward her slowly.
Then—
Without warning—
He pinned her lightly against the wall.
“Why are you really here?” he asked.
Valerie didn’t flinch.
She looked straight into his eyes.
“Like your manager said,” she replied calmly,
“I’m here to help with your styling.”
Chris studied her closely.
Not convinced.
“For real?” he asked.
Valerie tilted her head slightly.
“What else were you expecting?”
A pause.
Chris said nothing.
The tension between them lingered—
Heavy.
Unresolved.
Then slowly—
He stepped back.
But his eyes never left hers.
An Underground Location - Ravenna Blaze
The room was dim.
Almost completely dark.
Only faint lights traced the edges of the space, casting long shadows across the floor.
Men stood around—
Armed.
Silent.
Dangerous.
At the centre of it all—
Ravenna Blaze sat on her chair.
Calm.
Unbothered.
In front of her—
A man knelt on the ground.
Shaking.
Sweating.
Terrified.
“Please… please, spare me,” he begged.
“I’ll do anything—anything you want—”
Ravenna didn’t react.
Not even a flicker.
Her eyes were cold.
Empty.
As if his life meant nothing.
Then—
She raised her hand slightly.
One of her men stepped forward.
Gun raised.
The man screamed—
A gunshot echoed.
Silence.
The body dropped.
Lifeless.
Ravenna stood up slowly.
Unmoved.
Her phone vibrated.
She glanced at the screen—
And paused.
Rosette Monroe.
A faint look of surprise crossed her face.
Then she picked up.
Rosette spoke first.
“What are you doing here?”
Ravenna let out a soft laugh.
Low.
Amused.
“I didn’t know I needed your permission to be in the city.”
Rosette’s voice turned icy.
“I’m not playing with you.”
Ravenna’s smile faded slightly.
Her tone shifted.
Colder.
“Then talk.”
A pause.
“I heard what you did,” Rosette said.
Ravenna tilted her head slightly.
“What did I do?”
“Elena Silverstone,” Rosette replied.
“You nearly killed her.”
A brief silence.
Ravenna frowned slightly.
“Elena… Silverstone?”
A pause.
“Who is that?”
Rosette laughed.
But there was nothing warm about it.
It was cold.
Sharp.
“Of course you wouldn’t know,” she said.
“You only care about your targets.”
A beat.
“You don’t care who you hurt in the process.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then—
Rosette’s voice dropped.
Deadly calm.
“This is a warning, Ravenna.”
Ravenna’s eyes darkened slightly.
“I don’t care how feared you are.”
“I don’t care if people think you’re above the law.”
A pause.
“But if you touch anyone connected to me…”
Her tone hardened.
“I will make you regret ever being alive.”
Silence.
Ravenna didn’t respond immediately.
For the first time—
Something flickered in her eyes.
Interest.
She was about to speak—
But the line went dead.
Rosette had hung up.
The room fell silent.
Ravenna slowly lowered the phone.
Then—
Without warning—
She threw it hard against the wall.
It shattered instantly.
Her bodyguards tensed.
No one moved.
Her anger filled the room.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
One of the men stepped forward carefully.
“Boss—”
“Get out.”
Her voice was low.
But absolute.
They didn’t hesitate.
They left.
Ravenna sat back down slowly.
Another phone was handed to her.
She took it.
Calm returning.
She poured herself a glass of wine.
Took a slow sip.
Then—
A smirk formed.
“Rosette Monroe…”
Her voice was almost a whisper.
“This might actually be interesting.”
She leaned back.
Eyes glinting in the dark.
“Maybe staying in this city won’t be so boring after all.”
A soft—
Almost unhinged laugh escaped her lips.
Monroe Group – Rosette’s Office
Rosette sat behind her desk, fingers pressed to her temples.
The call with Ravenna still echoed in her mind.
Cold.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
She exhaled slowly.
Trying to steady herself.
Then—
The door opened.
She looked up.
Ryan Vander.
Her brows lifted slightly in surprise.
He walked in like he owned the place.
Calm. Confident.
Holding a small box in his hand.
He stopped in front of her desk—
And dropped it lightly.
Rosette stared at him.
Then at the box.
Suspicious.
She reached for it, unwrapping the nylon.
Inside—
Desserts.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Is this poisoned?” she asked flatly.
Ryan chuckled.
Then his face turned serious again.
“I thought you needed something sweet.”
He sat casually opposite her.
Rosette was about to snap—
But then she paused.
Her gaze returned to the box.
Pineapple cake.
Her favorite.
She looked up at him again.
This time—
Genuinely surprised.
“How do you know I like pineapple?”
Ryan smirked faintly.
“I pay attention.”
A pause.
“I just thought I’d visit.”
Rosette leaned back slightly.
Studying him.
“Why would you come to your rival’s company?”
Ryan’s eyes held hers.
“If I’m interested in something…”
A slight tilt of his head.
“I don’t let it go.”
A brief silence passed between them.
Rosette spoke again.
“Aren’t you getting married to Elena Silverstone soon?”
Ryan smirked.
“I haven’t decided.”
Rosette watched him carefully.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with her right now?”
Ryan shrugged lightly.
“I heard she was attacked yesterday.”
Rosette’s expression didn’t change.
“Of course you knew,” Ryan added.
“The Silverstones and Monroes are connected.”
He leaned back slightly.
“Elena’s stronger than she looks.”
A faint smile.
“You should’ve seen her last night.”
Before he could continue—
Rosette cut in.
“Ravenna Blaze.”
Ryan froze for a split second.
Then looked at her sharply.
“How do you know that name?”
Rosette held his gaze.
Unshaken.
“Isn’t that why you’re here?”
A pause.
“You think I have a connection with her.”
Ryan studied her for a moment.
Then shrugged lightly.
“If you don’t want to tell me…”
“I won’t dig.”
Rosette blinked slightly.
Surprised.
Ryan Vander… backing off?
Her eyes narrowed.
“What do you want from me?”
Ryan let out a small laugh.
“Nothing.”
A pause.
“I’m just… interested in you.”
Rosette’s gaze sharpened.
“What is it that you really want, Ryan?”
Ryan leaned forward slightly.
“I thought you’d be grateful.”
Rosette frowned.
“For what?”
Ryan’s voice lowered.
“You were drugged.”
A beat.
“I helped you.”
Rosette stilled.
“You… took me to the hospital?”
Ryan nodded once.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Did you do anything to me?”
Ryan scoffed lightly.
“I’m a decent guy.”
Rosette laughed.
“Mr. Vander? A decent guy?”
“I doubt that.”
Ryan smirked.
“They come willingly.”
A pause.
“You didn’t.”
His gaze darkened slightly.
“I don’t touch what isn’t given.”
Silence.
Rosette stood up slowly.
Walked around the desk.
Stopped in front of him.
“So…”
Her voice dropped.
“If I asked you to kiss me right now…”
A step closer.
“Would you?”
Ryan’s eyes darkened.
“You’re playing with fire.”
Rosette smirked.
“Then what are you waiting for?”
A pause.
“I’m giving you permission.”
She leaned in slightly.
“Kiss me.”
Ryan didn’t move.
Rosette scoffed softly.
“I knew it.”
“You don’t have the guts.”
In a flash—
Ryan pulled her by the waist.
Their lips met.
Brief.
Intense.
Then—
Rosette pushed him away.
“What the hell, Ryan?!”
Ryan smirked.
“Didn’t you say it was allowed?”
Rosette stared at him.
Speechless—for a second.
Ryan stood up.
His tone shifting.
Colder now.
“The real reason I came…”
He looked at her directly.
“The Vanders don’t cheat.”
A pause.
“It’s the Monroes who leech off us.”
Rosette’s expression hardened instantly.
Ryan continued—
“I just wanted to make sure you weren’t getting close to me to dig into the Crest Point bidding.”
A beat.
Rosette let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh.
“You walked into my office.”
She stepped closer.
“And you think I’m the one chasing you?”
Ryan held her gaze.
Unmoved.
“I just came to clear things up.”
A pause.
Then he turned—
And walked out.
The door closed.
Silence.
Rosette stood still for a moment—
Then slowly returned to her seat.
Her fingers brushed against her lips.
Her face flushed slightly.
Her heart racing.
Then—
Her eyes darkened.
“Monroes leech on Vanders?”
A cold smile formed.
“Not in this lifetime.”
“Aren’t in the next.”
“And never will be.”
She leaned back.
“Ryan Vander…”
Her voice dropped.
“You’re the one playing with fire.”
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