Viktor felt a shiver crawl up his spine, the anger blazing in Azrael's eyes making him flinch. He looked at Rivana beside him—his Riv, who had always taken his side. She would defend him now too, right?
"Don't test my patience, Viktor." Azrael's voice cut through his thoughts, his tone cold.
For the briefest second, Viktor waited for Rivana to speak, to scold Azrael, to loathe him like she always did during their childhood. But Rivana stared back with the same unusual coldness in her eyes as if she was waiting for him to apologize.
"What's going on here?" a voice echoed behind them, breaking through the tension.
Melisande stepped forward, eyes narrowed as she moved to stand beside her son. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
When Viktor didn't respond, his eyes still on Rivana, Melisande added, "Come on, your father is looking for you." With that, she pulled Viktor away, saving him from the shame.
Rivana watched Mama's boy disappear, a small pout forming on her lips. Her heart burned with resentment and rage, yearning to see him sink to her feet and apologize.
Azrael released his hold on her waist. Sensing her anger, he assured her, "Don't worry, it will happen soon."
Rivana looked at him, the mischief dancing in his eyes bringing a small smile to her face. She nodded, her disgust for Viktor only deepening. How could she have ever loved a man like him?
"Let's go." Azrael urged, extending out his arm that snapped Rivana to reality. She slipped her hand into his, feeling a light blush warm her cheeks as they made their way to the hall.
The room was abuzz with chatter, filled mostly with Santino's mistresses and their children.
Santino was infamous for his harem of lovers, a legacy even his powerful mother could hardly keep in check. There were currently three women fighting to be his wife.
Rivana's gaze drifted to Dahlia, Santino's newest mistress, who tenderly caressed her pregnant belly. Across the room sat his first mistress, Melisande, alongside Viktor and Lilith, her two children. Emery, the second mistress, sat opposite with her son, Remiel, absorbed in his phone.
From upstairs, Aldona Hugon observed the room with a sigh, disheartened by the mess her family had become. Her sharp gaze settled on her favorite grandson, Viktor, disgusted that he had been going around fucking like his father.
Aldona descended the stairs slowly, her presence commanding. Instantly, everyone rose. She ignored her family and smiled at Rivana. "Anna, my darling."
Rivana's shoulders relaxed as she saw no anger in Aldona's eyes; it seemed Azrael had already covered up for her. With a warm smile, she walked over and hugged her.
"I know he married you only to claim my seat, so you have every right to divorce him if he doesn't treat you well. Okay?" Aldona whispered, her tone serious. "And tell me if he bullies you like when you were a kid. I'll be more than happy to kick his balls!"
Rivana chuckled, breaking the hug. "I will, grandma." She replied, bringing a warm smile to Aldona's face.
Aldona then addressed her grandson, a warning clear in her voice. "I approve this marriage trusting that you will fulfill my terms, Azrael."
Azrael nodded with a triumphant smirk. Rivana looked between them, wondering what terms they'd privately agreed, but decided to ask him later.
"Attention!" Aldona announced, addressing the others at last. "Whether you like it or not, Azrael is still family. Hugon blood flows in his veins, and now that he's fulfilled my conditions, he will take over Hugon Industries."
"But Mother—" Santino's protest died under Aldona's steely glare as she barked.
"Get out of my house if you have objections."
Melisande fumed, first glaring at Azrael, then at her son, ashamed of his failures. Aldona's condition had been clear: the first of her grandchildren to marry would have a higher chance of being her successor. And by marrying her favorite Anna, Azrael had won without a war.
Azrael and Rivana exchanged glances, relishing the sour faces around them. The way Viktor's face fell, gave a twisted sense of joy to Rivana.
Turning to Rivana, Aldona smiled again, "Let's chat after dinner. There's so many things to catch up." Her words hinted that she'd be thoroughly interrogated later, and Rivana nodded with a weary smile.
Just as they turned to leave, Lilith's phone chimed. Her expression shifted to a sly smile and she stopped them. "But are you sure Rivana hasn't deceived you too, Grandma?"
Aldona frowned. "Don't beat around the bush, Lily." She snapped.
"Well," Lilith took out her phone. "Ruby's holding a press conference right now, claiming that Rivana spiked her drinks and forced her to sleep with my brother."
"What?!" Rivana snapped, clenching her fist. Before her rebirth, when Rubina and Viktor were caught, which was after a year of her marriage, they insisted someone else had spiked their drinks and begged her to forgive them. But things were spiraling into a different surprise now.
Aldona's expression darkened. Everyone followed her lead to the drawing room, including Azrael and Rivana. The head butler quickly turned on the wall-mounted TV.
"Yes, it was all planned by my sister." Rubina's tearful face appeared on the screen, her voice filling the room.
"That night before her wedding, Sis Riva took me out for her bachelor party, made me drink something, and led me to a room. She said she'd be back, but Brother Viktor came, and then…"
Rubina trailed off, leaving her words to hang heavily. Aldona's frown deepened, her gaze shifting between Rivana and the TV.
"So, are you telling Rivana had planned all this? Did she trick you and Mr. Hugon into sleeping together to get out of this marriage alliance between the families?" a reporter asked.
"Ask her yourself!" Rubina snapped, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Just because I am blind doesn't mean your malicious comments won't hurt me. I am a human too!" she added, dabbing her cheeks.
"And Sis Riva…" Taking a trembling breath, Rubina continued, "Why do you hate me? You already took my sight. What more do you want? I will kill myself happily if that's what takes for you to stop bullying me."
Rubina continued to cry, her words earning sympathy online. Rivana felt a deeper betrayal as the camera shifted to reveal her mother, Amerie, sitting beside Rubina and comforting her.
"Tell them, brother," Lilith spoke again, placing an arm around Viktor. "Didn't she force you too to drink something that night? I saw it myself!"
"I thought you both were in that room, but who knew this wench had other plans." Lilith accused, glaring at Rivana.
Aldona's expression hardened, falling over her grandson. So, he didn't cheat but Rivana deceived them all?
Viktor felt his mother urging him to agree too. He looked at Rivana for a second, before nodding.
"Yes… She gave me and Ruby the same drink. The effects were strong. "I thought I was with her, only to find Ruby beside me in the morning." He smoothly lied, trying to win back his grandmother.
Rivana's fists clenched with fury, her knuckles turning white. This pathetic loser was using her as a scapegoat to clear his name.
And then, she glanced at Azrael. His expression was unreadable. Was he believing them too?
But before she could defend herself, in a heartbeat, Azrael crossed the room. He punched Viktor squarely, sending him sprawling.
"Say that again, Little Brother," he growled, grabbing Viktor by the collar and pulling him up for another blow.