CHAPTER 1: THE MAN EVERYONE FEARED
The city of Noctis, the glittering capital of Valestia, never truly slept.
By day, it dazzled with towering skyscrapers, luxury boutiques, and streets lined with exotic cars.
By night...
It belonged to one man.
Kelvin Alexander Lawson.
People whispered his name rather than saying it aloud.
Businessmen bowed to him.
Politicians feared him.
Criminals prayed never to cross his path.
At just thirty years old, Kelvin had built an empire that stretched far beyond legal businesses. Lawson Holdings dominated the financial world, while beneath the polished surface lay a criminal organization so powerful that even the authorities avoided provoking it.
He wasn't merely wealthy.
He was untouchable.
Inside the penthouse of Lawson Tower, silence filled the room.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the sparkling city, but Kelvin's attention remained fixed on the man kneeling before him.
The man's entire body trembled.
"I... I swear, Boss," he stammered. "It wasn't me. Please... give me another chance."
Kelvin slowly swirled the amber liquid in his crystal glass.
His expression remained unreadable.
"You stole from me."
"N-No..."
"You lied."
The man's breathing became ragged.
"And then," Kelvin continued calmly, "you thought I wouldn't find out."
The room fell silent.
Damien Russo, Kelvin's right-hand man, stood nearby with his arms folded, waiting.
Kelvin set his glass down with quiet precision.
"How much?"
"Two million."
Kelvin gave a faint nod.
"So little."
The kneeling man blinked in confusion.
"For two million..." Kelvin said, his voice almost gentle, "...you decided your life was worth gambling."
Without raising his voice, he looked at Damien.
"Take him away."
"Boss! Please!" the man cried as two guards dragged him toward the door.
"I have children!"
Kelvin didn't look back.
The heavy doors closed.
Silence returned.
A moment later, a distant gunshot echoed through the building.
Kelvin reached for his drink again.
"Next meeting."
For him, it was simply another day.
Across the city...
Life couldn't have been more different for Mackenzie Giovanni.
She hurried through a crowded market, balancing a stack of event decorations while answering a phone call.
"Yes, Mrs. Hartley," she said with a warm smile. "Everything is ready for tomorrow's engagement party. You don't have to worry."
She laughed softly at something the client said.
"No, the flowers will arrive before noon."
After ending the call, she let out a relieved sigh.
Owning a small event planning business wasn't glamorous, but she loved bringing joy to people's special moments. Every successful celebration reminded her why she had chosen this path.
She paused at a flower stall, admiring a bouquet of white lilies.
"They're beautiful," she murmured.
The elderly florist smiled.
"You have a good eye."
"I wish I could buy them."
"One day."
She smiled back.
"One day."
Just then, the peaceful atmosphere shattered.
Several black SUVs sped down the street, causing pedestrians to scatter.
Luxury vehicles.
Dark windows.
An unmistakable symbol of power.
People instinctively stepped aside.
"They're here," someone whispered.
"The Lawson convoy."
Mackenzie frowned.
"Who's that?"
The florist's face went pale.
"You don't know?"
She shook her head.
The old man lowered his voice.
"Kelvin Alexander Lawson."
"He owns Lawson Holdings?"
"He owns much more than that."
Mackenzie looked toward the convoy with curiosity rather than fear.
"What kind of man makes an entire street go silent?"
The florist didn't answer.
He simply bowed his head as the convoy passed.
Inside the lead SUV, Kelvin glanced out the tinted window.
For the briefest moment...
His eyes met those of a young woman standing beside a flower stall.
Unlike everyone else, she hadn't lowered her gaze.
She simply looked back at him.
Calmly.
Curiously.
Almost... challengingly.
Before either of them could react, the convoy continued down the street.
Kelvin said nothing.
But for reasons he couldn't explain...
He found himself thinking about the woman with fearless eyes.
