Dark Heaven's gaze lingered on Kiara, his eyes narrowing as he wondered who this audacious girl was. What kind of person would dare to enter his domain uninvited, with such confidence and poise? It was almost... intriguing.
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he studied Kiara. "You're quite bold, aren't you?" he said, his voice low and measured. "Most people wouldn't dare to enter my home without permission."
Kiara's expression didn't waver, but Dark Heaven detected a flicker of something in her eyes... a spark of defiance perhaps, or a hint of curiosity.
Kiara's voice was tinged with annoyance and a hint of coldness. "You've taken something that belongs to me," she stated, her tone even but firm. "I'd like to know why. What interest could you possibly have in my... belongings, considering we've never met?"
She paused, her eyes never leaving Dark Heaven's face. "I'd appreciate it if you returned my property. Now."
Dark Heaven's expression remained calm, but a hint of annoyance crept into his voice. "I'm afraid I don't have time for riddles," he said, his tone even but slightly cold. "If you have something to say, I suggest you say it otherwise, you know the way out." He points at the door infuriating Kiara even more.
"I'm looking for a shipment," Kiara said, her voice firm and authoritative. "It's been... misplaced. And I have enough reason to believe it's now in your possession.
Dark Heaven's eyes narrowed, a cold smile spreading across his face. "So, you're the owner of the shipment," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I've been waiting for you. You're just in time to... discuss the terms of its return."
Kiara's eyes narrowed, her expression darkening. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, her voice cold and haughty. "You took my shipment without permission. I want it back. Now."
She leaned forward, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I'm not interested. Return my property, and we can forget this ever happened otherwise you're looking for war."
Dark Heaven's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "War?" he repeated, his voice low and smooth. "I'm shaking in my boots."
Elijah's relaxation and arrogance really infuriated Kiara more and she felt like she could explode at any minute. She knows that she's made many enemies through out her life but him, she's never come across him before making her even more confused.
Kiara sits down on the couch across from Elijah and looks at him straight in the eyes, "I don't know who you are, what you do or even what you want from me, but one thing for sure is that I'll most definitely not take this lightly, so you'd better return my things." Her voice lased with a hint of annoyance.
Elijah leaned back on the couch and crossed his legs, "Ethan Styles".
Kiara's eyes narrowed, confusion etched on her face. "Ethan?" she repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. She turned to Elijah, her profile a picture of questioning confusion.
Elijah's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Give me Ethan Styles," he said, his voice dripping with confidence.
Kiara's eyes snapped back to Elijah, her brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
Elijah's smile never wavered. "I want Ethan Styles. And if you want your things back, you'll give him to me."
Kiara's face twisted in defiance. "I don't work for you. Why should I do your bidding? If you want him, you should get him yourself. You managed to take my things, after all. So you should be able to find him wherever he is."
Elijah's eyes narrowed. "I know you're helping him hide. You're going to bring him to me."
Kiara's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't have him. And even if I did, why would I hand him over to you? Give me my things back now."
Elijah's eyes glinted with amusement. "Don't play dumb with me, women. You know exactly where he is. And you will hand him over to me. Otherwise, I'll destroy all your things. You have one hour to bring him to me."
Kiara's eyes blazed with determination. "I don't have him. So give me back my things. And let's end this here, right now. Otherwise, I, Kiara Blackwood, am not someone to be easily bullied. If you don't return my things within an hour, I will destroy you, Elijah Blackhaven."
Elijah's smile never wavered, but a flicker of interest danced in his eyes. "Kiara Blackwood," he murmured, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Kiara kept her eyes fixed on Elijah, her gaze unwavering.
Elijah's smile grew wider. "The clock is ticking, Kiara. Every second counts. You're wasting time. I suggest you hurry up and give me what I want. Take your belongings back and leave. Otherwise..." Elijah glanced at his watch, his eyes glinting with amusement. "In the next fifty-six minutes and twenty seconds. I will destroy all your things."
Kiara's eyes locked onto Elijah's, a fierce determination burning within them. "Well, then be ready to die," she said, her voice icy calm.
With that, she stood up, her movements fluid and deliberate. Christopher fell into step behind her as she walked away. They reached their car, and Kiara slid into the backseat. As the car pulled away, Kiara's gaze remained fixed on the mansion, her eyes never leaving the building.
As they drove away, Kiara's voice was low and urgent. "Get me everything you can on Elijah Blackhaven. I want to know every detail, every secret, every weakness. Leave no stone unturned."
Christopher nodded, his eyes already scanning the horizon. "Yes, ma'am."
Kiara's smile was a thin, deadly line. "If war is what Elijah Blackhaven is looking for... then war is what he'll get."
Elijah sat back on his couch, a satisfied smile still plastered on his face. He couldn't help but feel amused by the encounter with Kiara Blackwood. He had heard so much about her, about her ruthless business tactics and her unyielding determination.
He leaned back, steepling his fingers together as he wondered what Kiara's next move would be. Would she try to negotiate, or would she come at him with guns blazing? Elijah's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he waited to find out.
Kiara arrived at her office building, striding confidently into the lobby. She made her way to the elevator, stepping inside and pressing the button for her office floor.
As the doors opened, Kiara walked out, her heels clicking on the marble floor. She entered her office, Christopher standing beside her.
"I've always loved challenges," Kiara said, a fierce glint in her eye. "But I hate people who underestimate me the most."
Christopher's expression was neutral, but a hint of a smile played on his lips, thinking about how interesting it always is each time Kiara challenges someone. Especially since that person is now Elijah Blackhaven a person who is not to be taken lightly.
Kiara's smile was a thin, deadly line. "And that's exactly what Elijah Blackhaven is doing now. I will show him who the real boss is. He seems to be quite arrogant. But he has no idea what he's up against."
She turns to Christopher. "Assemble the team," she said, her voice firm and commanding. "I want everything on Elijah Blackhaven. Every detail, every secret, every weakness. Leave no stone unturned.
An hour later, Christopher returned to Kiara's office, a folder full of documents in his hand. "Ma'am, I've got everything you asked for," he said, handing her the folder.
Kiara took the folder, scanning the contents quickly. Her eyes narrowed as she came across a particular piece of information. "Christopher, it seems that Elijah Blackhaven is trying to acquire a piece of land that's adjacent to mine."
Christopher nodded. "Yes, ma'am. It looks like that land is crucial to his plans."
Kiara's smile was cold and calculating. "Well, in that case, I think it's time we took that land off the table. Make the necessary arrangements, Christopher. I want that land destroyed."
Christopher's expression was neutral, but a hint of concern flickered in his eyes. "Yes, ma'am," he said, turning to leav
Kiara's orders were carried out swiftly, and the piece of land was destroyed in a remarkably short period of time.
Meanwhile, at Elijah's house, his phone rang, shrill in the silence. He picked it up, his expression changing from calm to furious in an instant.
"What do you mean it's been destroyed?" he thundered, his voice echoing through the room.
The voice on the other end of the line trembled. "I-I'm sorry, sir. It seems to have been done by the Blackwood people."
Elijah's anger boiled over, his eyes blazing with fury. "Kiara Blackwood," he spat, his jaw clenched in anger. "I was too soft on her. But that ends now."
Kiara sat calmly in her office, a sense of pride and satisfaction washing over her. She felt she had done the right thing, sending a clear message to Elijah that she wouldn't be underestimated.
But what she didn't know was that her actions had just sparked a firestorm of retaliation from Elijah.
Just an hour later, Christopher burst into her office, looking frantic. "Kiara, we have a problem," he said, his voice urgent.
Kiara's expression changed from calm to concerned. "What is it?" she asked.
Christopher hesitated before speaking. "Your grandma's house... it's been attacked."
Kiara's eyes widened in shock, and her face paled. She looked at Christopher, her expression changing instantly.
She stood up from her chair abruptly causing it to fall back, her hands clenched into fists. "What do you mean it's been attacked?" she demanded, her voice rising in anger. "Who did it? And where were the guards I assigned to protect it?"
She glared at Christopher, her eyes blazing with fury. "How could this happen? I specifically instructed you to ensure the house was secure. Who was responsible for the security breach?"
"And what do you mean by its been attacked, how, by who, and how bad is it " She questions her voice urgent.
Christopher hesitated, his face pale. "It's... it's been burned to the ground, Kiara. The fire department is still trying to put out the flames. I'm so sorry."
Kiara's eyes widened in horror, her voice barely above a whisper. "Burned to the ground? How is that possible?"
"Get out" She says leaning against her desk.
"B.. but ma'am I don't think " She looks at him and speaks in a voice full of fatigue cutting him off, "Leave me alone ". Facing her stubbornness Christopher had no other option but to leave.
Kiara slid down the edge of the table, her body crumpling onto the floor. She sat there, surrounded by the eerie silence of her office, as memories came flooding back.
She remembered laughter-filled afternoons with her grandma, baking cookies and singing old songs. She recalled quiet nights spent reading together by the fireplace, the warmth and love radiating from her grandma's presence.
Kiara's eyes welled up with tears as she thought about her grandma, the only family she had ever known. Her mom had died giving birth to her, and her dad had fallen at Icewall, a battle-scarred monument to the city's tumultuous past.
Her grandma had been her rock, her guiding light, and her safe haven. She had raised Kiara with love, care, and devotion, filling the void left by her parents' absence.
Tears streamed down Kiara's face as she relived the pain of losing her grandma. The grief still felt raw, even after all these years. And now, the destruction of her grandma's house felt like a fresh wound, tearing open old scars.
Kiara's eyes remained fixed on the floor, her mind consumed by the memories of her grandma and the life they had shared in that house. The pain and sadness threatened to overwhelm her.
Suddenly, the room around her began to spin, and her vision blurred. Everything went dark, as if a veil had been pulled over her eyes. Kiara's breath caught in her throat, and her heart racing. She felt like she was suffocating, unable to catch her breath.
Kiara's body began to shake, and she felt herself being pulled into a dark abyss. She was having a panic attack, and she couldn't escape the overwhelming grief and pain that threatened to consume her.
Kiara's body shook violently, her breath coming in short gasps. She was struggling to keep her sanity, but it was slipping away from her. The darkness closed in around her, suffocating her.
As her mind went blank, one thought echoed through her consciousness: "It's back." The torture, the pain, the overwhelming fear that had haunted her for so long. It had returned, and Kiara felt herself being pulled under its crushing weight.
Everything went black.