Lucien awoke to the persistent buzzing of his phone on the nightstand. The soft morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a warm glow over the lavish hotel room. Two bodies, a man and a woman, lay pressed against him, remnants of the previous night's indulgence. He reached over them and grabbed the phone, seeing the caller ID: Mr. Robert.
"Good morning, Mr. Belmont," came the crisp voice of his assistant.
Lucien rubbed his eyes, sitting up carefully to avoid disturbing his companions. "What is it, Robert? This better be important."
"It is, sir. We have a situation with the underground operation. It appears there's a traitor in our midst."
Lucien's eyes narrowed, his expression shifting from groggy to alert. "A traitor, you say?"
"Yes, sir. We've confirmed it. The individual has been leaking information to our rivals."
For a moment, anger flashed across Lucien's face. But then, a cold, calculating smile replaced it. "Interesting. They don't know what's coming to them, do they?"
"No, sir. What are your orders?"
"Prepare the hideout. I'll handle this personally. I'll be there in an hour," Lucien replied, his voice taking on a menacing edge.
"Understood, sir. Everything will be ready," Robert assured before hanging up.
Lucien swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet finding the plush carpet. He glanced at the two people beside him, their forms still tangled in the sheets. With a sigh, he rose from the bed, completely naked, and walked toward the en-suite bathroom.
As he entered the bathroom, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His once short, neat hair had grown into a longer, curly mane. He ran a hand through the dark curls, pondering whether it was time for a visit to the barber. "Maybe after I deal with this mess," he muttered to himself.
The warm water of the shower cascaded over his body, washing away the remnants of the previous night. As he lathered soap over his skin, his mind raced with thoughts of the traitor. The Mafia business was something he had carefully kept hidden from most of his associates, a dark secret that gave him immense power and control. Anyone who dared to betray him faced dire consequences.
Stepping out of the shower, Lucien wrapped a towel around his waist and walked back into the bedroom. The two bodies on the bed were beginning to stir, but he paid them no mind. His focus was entirely on the task ahead.
He dressed quickly, choosing a sharp, tailored suit that exuded authority and danger. He tied his tie with precision, each movement deliberate and controlled. Once he was satisfied with his appearance, he grabbed his phone and called Robert again.
"I'm on my way. Make sure everything is ready."
"Yes, sir. The hideout is prepared, and the team is in position," Robert replied.
Lucien hung up and strode out of the hotel room, leaving his companions to wake up to an empty bed. The drive to the hideout was longer than to his office, situated in a secluded part of the city. The location was perfect for the kind of dealings that couldn't afford any prying eyes.
The hideout was an unassuming building from the outside, but inside, it was a fortress of secrecy and control. Lucien's darkest dealings took place here, far from the reach of law and society. This was where he managed his underground empire—illegal trades, covert operations, and the enforcement of his will through any means necessary.
As he approached, the guards at the entrance nodded respectfully, letting him in without question. The inside of the hideout was a stark contrast to its exterior. It was equipped with high-tech surveillance, secure communication lines, and various rooms dedicated to different facets of his operations.
Robert met him just inside the entrance, his demeanor as professional as ever. "The traitor is in the interrogation room, sir. We've secured him as you requested."
"Good," Lucien said, his voice low and dangerous. "Take me to him."
They walked through the dimly lit corridors, descending into the lower levels where the air grew cooler and the atmosphere more oppressive. The sound of their footsteps echoed off the concrete walls, adding to the sense of foreboding.
The interrogation room was stark and utilitarian, with a single chair in the center. The man in the chair looked up as Lucien entered, fear evident in his eyes. His hands were bound behind his back, his face bruised from the initial capture. Lucien approached him slowly, his steps echoing in the silent room.
"Do you know why you're here?" Lucien asked, his voice eerily calm.
The man swallowed hard, his eyes darting around the room. "I... I didn't mean to... It was a mistake..."
Lucien's cold laughter filled the room. "A mistake? No, this was no mistake. You deliberately betrayed me. Did you really think you could get away with it?"
"Please, Mr. Belmont, I can explain..." the man pleaded.
Lucien held up a hand to silence him. "No explanations. Only consequences."
He circled the chair, his eyes never leaving the traitor. "You see, in my world, loyalty is everything. Betrayal is not something I tolerate."
The man trembled, his fear palpable. "I'm sorry... I was desperate..."
Lucien stopped in front of him, leaning down so their faces were inches apart. "Desperation is not an excuse. You chose to betray me, and now you must face the consequences."
With a swift motion, Lucien grabbed the man's chin, forcing him to look directly into his eyes. "You will serve as an example to others. No one betrays me and gets away with it."
He released the man's chin and stepped back, turning to Robert. "Make sure he understands the full extent of his mistake."
"Yes, sir," Robert replied, motioning to the guards to take over.
As the guards moved in, Lucien straightened his suit and left the room, his mind already shifting to his next task. The traitor's fate was sealed, and the message would be clear: Lucien Belmont was not a man to be crossed.
On his way out, Lucien's phone buzzed again, a reminder of his double life.
---
The room was dimly lit, with only a single lamp casting a soft glow over the polished wooden desk. The air was thick with the scent of old books and aged leather, creating an atmosphere of both sophistication and quiet tension. Seated in one of the deep leather chairs was an older man, his hair a distinguished silver, and his demeanor one of authority and experience. Across from him sat a younger woman, her beauty understated but striking, her eyes holding a mix of apprehension and determination.
"Isabella," the older man began, his voice gravelly yet commanding. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, Mr. Belmont," Isabella replied, her tone respectful yet tinged with the faintest hint of bitterness. "It's been too long."
The man, Lucien's father, Daniels Belmont, leaned back in his chair, studying her with a critical eye. "You look well. The years have been kind to you."
"Thank you," she said, her gaze steady. "I've managed."
Daniels sighed, folding his hands over his stomach. "I trust you understand why I asked you to come here."
"I have a good idea," Isabella responded, a trace of steel in her voice. "It's about Lucien, isn't it?"
Daniels nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yes, it's about Lucien. He's been... difficult since you left. More than difficult, really. He's been causing a lot of trouble, and I believe you might be the only one who can help."
Isabella's brow furrowed slightly. "I never wanted to leave, you know that. You made sure I had no choice."
Daniels sighed deeply, a shadow of regret crossing his features. "I had my reasons, however misguided. I thought it was best for Lucien, that pushing you away would make him stronger, more focused. Clearly, I underestimated the bond you two shared."
"You paid me to leave, Mr. Belmont," she said bluntly. "You thought money could solve everything."
"And I regret that every day," Daniels admitted, his voice softer. "But what's done is done. We can't change the past, but we can influence the future."
Isabella looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing the patterns on the armrest. "So, what exactly do you want me to do?"
Daniels leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Lucien's getting out of control. His business dealings, especially the underground ones, are becoming more erratic and dangerous. He trusts no one, listens to no one. But you... he cared for you deeply. If anyone can get through to him, it's you."
She looked up, meeting his eyes. "And why do you think I can fix this? After everything that happened?"
"Because you know him better than anyone," Daniels said simply. "And because, despite everything, I think you still care about him."
Isabella sighed, the weight of the request pressing down on her. "I do care about him, Daniels. But it's not going to be easy. He's not the same person I knew back then."
"No, he's not," Daniels agreed. "He's harder, colder. But I believe that the Lucien you knew is still in there somewhere. And if anyone can bring him back, it's you."
She took a deep breath, considering his words. "What exactly are you asking me to do?"
"Get close to him again," Daniels said. "Talk to him. Make him see reason. Make him see that he's on a path of self-destruction and that he needs to change before it's too late."
Isabella's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what if he doesn't listen? What if he refuses to change?"
Daniels's expression hardened. "Then we'll have to consider other options. But I don't want it to come to that. I want to believe that he can be saved."
She nodded slowly, the enormity of the task ahead settling over her. "I'll try, Daniels. For his sake, I'll try."
"Thank you," he said, genuine relief in his voice. "That's all I can ask."
As she rose to leave, Daniels spoke again, his tone softer. "Isabella, be careful. Lucien's world is dangerous, and he's become a very different man. I don't want to see you get hurt."
She turned back to him, a determined glint in her eyes. "I can handle myself, Mr. Belmont. And I can handle Lucien."
Daniels watched her go, a mix of hope and anxiety churning within him. He had placed his trust in her, the one person who might be able to reach his son. And now, all he could do was wait and hope that she could succeed.