Chapter 14: The Long Road Ahead
1053 Words
At the Midnight Mirage nightclub, within the luxurious Azure Allure VIP room, Isabella Fairfax mustered her last bit of clarity, glaring at the impeccably dressed, handsome man before her with gritted teeth.
"Lucas Foster, you despicable scoundrel! What did you do to my drink?"
"Come now, Miss Fairfax, let's not resort to baseless accusations," Lucas Foster replied, his throat dry as he gazed at the stunning beauty before him, her cheeks flushed from alcohol.
Isabella, looking like a ripe peach, was irresistibly charming, especially with her bewitching eyes that now seemed to hold a captivating allure.
"We were merely friends out for drinks and conversation. It's not my fault you couldn't drink a lot," he defended smoothly.
"It was you who lured me here under the pretense of a board meeting and pressured me into drinking that tainted glass under the guise of shareholding!" Isabella struggled to her feet.
Lucas burst into laughter, his face twisted in a wicked grin.
"Isabella Fairfax, let me be clear. Your company won't escape my grasp, and neither will you."
As Lucas advanced, Isabella grabbed a broken beer bottle, pressing it against her throat.
"Don't come any closer! Or I swear I'll end it right here!"
Unexpectedly, the drug took effect, and she stumbled, the bottle clattering to the floor.
"Damn it!"
Lucas seized the moment to slap her to the ground, his eyes gleaming with a predatory lust.
He began to undress, his smirk growing wider.
"Get ready, boys. After I have my fun, she's all yours."
His cronies cheered, some even pulling out their phones to start recording.
Isabella felt a profound despair envelop her, but just then—
"Bang!"
The door to the VIP room was kicked open, splintering into pieces that flew, knocking Lucas against the wall, blood streaming down his face.
The intruder was Darius Blackwood!
He glanced at Isabella, who was in shock, and quickly wrapped her in his coat.
"Who the hell are you, ruining my fun?" Lucas snarled, getting to his feet amid his downed henchmen's confusion.
"Get him! Beat him to death! I'll take the blame," he ordered.
But before they could get close, Darius swept them off their feet with a swift kick, filling the room with cries of pain.
Setting Isabella down, Darius covered her with his jacket.
Smelling the familiar scent, she felt a surge of safety, her eyes regaining their usual vibrancy.
"Lucas Foster, is it?" Darius approached him coolly.
"That's me!" Lucas boasted defiantly, despite his men lying defeated.
"Since you know my name, you must also know I come from the Foster family of the Capital City. Lay a finger on me, and I guarantee your family won't see tomorrow!"
"Darius, please, don't be rash! The Foster family of the Capital City isn't to be trifled with!" Isabella pleaded, fearing Darius might act in anger and bring calamity upon them.
"Did you hear her?" Lucas sneered.
"Apologize now, and maybe I'll spare your life."
Darius looked at him as if he were already a corpse.
"Is that your last word?"
With that, Darius struck Lucas in the stomach, knocking him to the ground, gasping in pain.
"You and your father's schemes against Ethan Fairfax will be settled in due time. Today, I'm just collecting a little interest."
Darius methodically crushed Lucas's fingers, one by one—
Little finger, ring finger, middle finger—
Then moved on to his palm, forearm, and upper arm...
Until Lucas Foster's arms were ground into a pulp, Darius Blackwood remained utterly indifferent.
Throughout this ordeal, Lucas passed out from pain numerous times, only to be brutally awakened each time, left barely clinging to life.
"Enough, Darius!"
Even Isabella Fairfax, known for her icy composure, was shaken by the scene before her.
"Alright." Darius nodded, his expression still calm.
He slapped Lucas awake, "We'll stop here for today. There will be other days."
Without looking back, he left with Isabella, leaving behind only Lucas's agonizing screams, chilling to the bone.
"Darius Blackwood, Isabella Fairfax, my family will not rest until we've settled this score with you!"
...
After leaving the nightclub, Darius hailed a taxi to take Isabella back to her place.
Once she was safe, she let out a sigh of relief and succumbed to unconsciousness.
Darius, checking her pulse, realized she had been poisoned with a high dose of some substance.
Fortunately, he had his silver needles on hand, making the treatment not too difficult.
When Isabella woke up again half an hour later, she found herself looking into Darius's concerned gaze, feeling an inexplicable emotion stirring within her.
"Feeling any discomfort?" Darius asked, noticing her awakening.
"No, I'm fine," she replied.
"That's good to hear," Darius sighed in relief.
"After tonight, I hope you realize the true nature of the Foster family. They've allowed you to flourish in Silverpine City only to use you as a pawn in their game, never intending to let you go."
Isabella's expression turned cold at the mention of the Foster family's schemes.
"I've always known those two were despicable, but I underestimated just how low they could stoop."
"Consider your second request fulfilled. If you face any more trouble, just let me know, and I'll help," Darius said, his tone neutral.
"I just hope that after fulfilling these three requests, you'll keep your promise."
Isabella's irritation rose at his formal tone. "No need."
"What?" Darius was puzzled, thinking he had misheard.
"Cancel the third request," Isabella stated coldly, then abruptly asked him to leave.
"It's late, and it's not proper for us to be alone together. Maybe you should go before I have to call security."
Darius wanted to say more, but upon hearing her insistence, he resigned himself to leave.
...
Yet, the night was far from peaceful.
The underworld of Silverpine City, long dormant, suddenly buzzed with a high-stakes bounty.
A staggering ten million dollars for a single head—Darius Blackwood's.
Not only Darius but also the entire Hartwell family, from the eldest to the babbling infants, found themselves targets of this bounty.
The news sent shockwaves through the Hartwell family, causing widespread panic.
Who had they offended to warrant such ruthless retribution?
The realization that this was all because of Darius made them curse him, wishing a thousand deaths upon the harbinger of their doom.
- Writer
