That night, sleep eluded Liza. Her thoughts were consumed by Viktor—his intensity, his contradictions, and the strange connection between them. She had never expected to feel anything for him, yet here she was, drawn to him in ways that made no sense.The next morning, as they sat down for breakfast, Viktor's phone rang. His face darkened as he answered, his jaw tightening with each passing second."I see," he said coldly before hanging up. Without a word, he stood and stormed out of the room, leaving Liza sitting there in confusion.Curiosity got the better of her, and she followed him down the hall. She found him in his office, staring out the window with a clenched fist."What's wrong?" she asked, her voice soft but insistent.Viktor turned to her, his eyes blazing with anger. "There's been a betrayal," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Someone I trusted... has crossed me."Liza felt a chill run down her spine. She could see the rage boiling just beneath the surface, the ruthless side of Viktor that terrified and intrigued her. She stepped closer, her heart racing. "What are you going to do?"Viktor's gaze met hers, and for a moment, the coldness in his eyes melted away, replaced by something far more vulnerable. "I'm going to take care of it," he said, his voice softer now. "But this time... I want you by my side."Liza blinked, surprised by his words. Viktor had always kept her at a distance, insisting that their relationship was purely business. But now, he was asking her to stand with him in the midst of his mafia dealings. It was a significant step, one that hinted at something deeper.She nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I'll be there."