LUNA
Shocked and astonished by the revelation, I can't bear to forgive him. Hatred fills me quickly, fueling my determination to avenge my father. My hands clench tightly at my sides, nails digging into my palms as anger surges through me.
"I still don't know why you're still here with her," the unfamiliar voice says again, annoyance clear in his tone. He stands there, watching us with a cold, calculated expression that makes my skin crawl.
"I also don't know why you chose to cross the border to our private ward," Mr. Martinez retorts sharply, his gaze never leaving the stranger. The man behind me steps closer, revealing himself, and his cold gaze sweeps over me before locking onto Mr. Martinez.
"She isn't yours anymore. She is my possession worth fifty million dollars," he states, his voice dripping with arrogance. His words sting, and I feel a surge of humiliation at being reduced to a mere object of value.
"Maxwell Cooper, I'm still in the middle of a conversation with her," Mr. Martinez states, holding his ground. They stare each other down, with a cold and unflinching gaze, like they're ready to attack if not separated by a thin thread of restraint.
"A possession of mine can't be with you for more than twenty seconds," Maxwell declares, stepping back slightly, his tone is filled with authority. His presence exudes dominance, making the air around us heavy and suffocating.
"Cargo!" Maxwell calls coldly, his voice laced with anger. I flinch at the sound, the name cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. A young man named Cargo steps forward and bows respectfully before Maxwell, awaiting his orders.
"You know what to do," Maxwell says sharply, his command clear and unwavering. Cargo nods, his movements precise and obedient as he steps toward me with purpose, his grip firm as he seizes my arm.
"Yes, boss," Cargo replies, and in the blink of an eye, he grabs hold of me. I struggle against his grip, my attempts to break free proving futile as they drag me away forcefully, ignoring my protests.
"Don't you dare treat her like a slave, you cold-hearted idiot!" Gio yells, his voice filled with boiling anger. His face is flushed, his eyes burning with fury as he glares at Maxwell, ready to pounce.
"She is definitely one now. You sold her out, so don't utter aggressive words unless you want your throat on the floor," Maxwell warns, his voice sharp as a knife. Gio moves forward, but Mr. Martinez steps in front of him, blocking his path.
"Let him go. He isn't the main target," Mr. Martinez says, his tone firm, and Gio reluctantly steps back, seething with frustration. His shoulders slump in defeat, his clenched fists trembling at his sides.
They continue to drag me off forcefully, my feet scraping against the floor. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes, but I bite down hard, refusing to let them see me break.
"You fucking bastard, let me go!" I scream, thrashing against the man who grabs me, but he remains unfazed. My cries fall on deaf ears as they continue to drag me like a lifeless doll.
"Little Miss, stop fighting it. This is already your destiny," Maxwell mutters, and I am roughly shoved into a car. He slides in next to me, his presence imposing, and I shudder, shrinking back as he moves closer.
Fear grips me so tightly that I can't move or utter a word. My breaths come in shallow gasps, the air around me feeling thin and suffocating. The car lurches forward, and a cold smile creeps across Maxwell's face.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, walking into my territory? How dare you place a price tag on me? How dare you think I'm worth fifty million dollars, you fucking bastard?" I yell at him, my voice trembling with fury.
I want to hit him, to fight my way out, but my hands are tied, leaving me powerless. He chuckles continuously, his ruthless demeanor unwavering as if my outburst is nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
"Fucking bastard, do you even know who I am and what clan I belong to? How dare you disregard…!" I start, my voice rising with anger, but he cuts me off, his eyes narrowing as he watches me with a smirk.
"The Thiango Clan," he mutters, chuckling as he stares at me. I'm shocked, caught off guard by the recognition in his eyes. His pure gaze and handsome features momentarily distract me, leaving me speechless.
"Do you know my clan?" I ask, my voice wavering as I try to regain my composure. My heart races, pounding in my chest as I wait for his response, my mind spinning with questions.
"Who wouldn't know the heir to the Thiango Clan? Everyone knows about the one who's bent on finding out what killed her father. Everyone wants to have her to secure their clan," he says, his face hardening into a scoff.
"Let me go!" I scream again, my voice filled with desperation and anger. The frustration bubbles inside me, threatening to overflow as I struggle against the restraints binding my hands.
"And if I don't?" he asks, his voice deep and cold, each word a challenge. His eyes bore into mine, unyielding, daring me to defy him. I swallow hard, the lump in my throat making it hard to breathe.
"I would sue you for abuse of power and kidnapping according to criminal law," I warn, trying to sound confident, but he chuckles dismissively. His laughter grates on my nerves, a constant reminder of his superiority.
"Do as you please, then. If you think you have the power within you," he mutters, chuckling at my threat as if it's nothing more than a joke. His arrogance is infuriating, and I bite back another angry retort.
"Blood-sucking demon!" I yell, unable to hold back my disdain. He flinches, his calm demeanor cracking slightly. For a brief moment, I see a flicker of something in his eyes—anger, perhaps, or maybe even pain.
"What did you just call me?" he asks, his voice darker and more menacing. He vibrates with anger as he steps closer, his presence overwhelming. His hand shoots out, grabbing my neck with force, and I gasp.
"What the fuck did you just call me?" he asks again, tightening his grip around my neck. Panic floods me as I gasp for air, his hold unrelenting. My vision becomes blurry as I struggle, desperate to pry his hands away.
"Blood-sucking demon, that's what the fuck you are!" I yell back, choking as his grip tightens even further. I thrash against him, my movements frantic and uncoordinated as I fight for every breath.
"Listen to me. I'm your boss, and you will not talk back or use aggressive words with me. I despise abuse, and you will not use it on me," he warns, his voice low and dangerous as he chokes me harder.
"And yet, you think enslaving me and abusing me is right? Fucking asshole!" I shout back, my voice strained as blood drips from my neck. He suddenly releases me when he notices the blood, his expression shifting.
"Fuck!" he mutters, throwing something at me—a cloth, maybe, or a handkerchief. I press it to my neck, wincing at the sting as I try to stem the bleeding. The car stops abruptly in front of a grand mansion.
Maxwell exits first, his expression hard and unreadable. Cargo follows, his posture stiff as he bows respectfully to Maxwell. Without a word, Cargo moves to my side, roughly pulling me from the car.
"You fucking bastard, I can walk," I yell, but my protests fall on deaf ears. They ignore me, dragging me like a ragdoll. I stumble, barely managing to keep up as they haul me toward the mansion.
Maxwell makes the first move toward the house, his steps purposeful and confident. Everyone, including the maids, drops to their knees as he walks inside. The atmosphere is thick with fear, the tension palpable.
"Good evening, boss," they all chorus, their voices trembling with fear. Maxwell ignores them, offering only a dismissive scoff as he heads upstairs. His presence is oppressive, casting a dark shadow over the room.
"Untie her and take her to my room immediately," he orders, his voice carrying an air of finality. Cargo bows in compliance, his actions swift as he moves to carry out the command.
"I will not follow you to your room, nor can you force me!" I yell defiantly, standing my ground. Maxwell pauses on the stairs, his gaze cold and calculating as he turns to face me. The maids exchange nervous glances, clearly shocked by my outburst.