Sicily was quiet tonight—almost too quiet for Steven, who was pacing back and forth in his penthouse. He hadn't been able to shake the feeling that something was off since Rhys had cornered him earlier. Yeah, they were still giving each other the cold shoulder, but the tension between them wasn't just about Melanie anymore. It was bigger. Much bigger.
Steven ran a hand through his hair and flopped down on the couch, his mind racing through memories, and none of them were pleasant. He didn't know how he'd ended up here, this far into the mess he had created, but one thing was clear: he had to figure out the connection between Scott Enterprises and everything else. And Victor… he wasn't exactly making things easier.
"You good, man?" Victor's voice interrupted Steven's spiral. The guy had this way of appearing out of nowhere, like some kind of ninja, which was creepy, but at least it was better than having to hear his own thoughts echoing in the empty room.
"Am I good?" Steven grumbled, rubbing his temples. "I just found out that everything I've been working toward has ties to a woman I can't have and a company I don't understand. How could I be 'good'?"
Victor took a seat across from him, looking far too chill for someone whose life was clearly on the line. "Look, dude. We're getting there, alright? Just give me some time. Scott Enterprises is huge. And if Melanie is involved, then it's more than just a business connection. But we can't rush this."
Steven didn't answer immediately. He wasn't sure if it was the stress or just the constant feeling that he was in over his head, but he hated feeling so… helpless.
"Well, while you're busy being all 'mysterious' and 'secretive,' I need answers, Victor. I'm getting too close to something I shouldn't be messing with. And I don't even know what the hell it is." Steven stood up, finally losing the battle to frustration.
Victor chuckled, as if the whole thing was some kind of joke. "You're right about that. You've been too close to a lot of things, Steven. But you should know by now that you don't get to the top without stepping on a few toes."
Steven froze. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Victor raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Let's just say, if you want answers about Scott Enterprises—and about Melanie—you'll need to dig a little deeper. Trust me. There's a reason she's always one step ahead."
---
The Backstory: How Steven Got Here
Flashback to the good ol' days—or, well, the chaotic days—when Steven was nothing more than an ambitious kid trying to make a name for himself. He wasn't born with a silver spoon, but damn, he was determined to get one. Unlike Rhys, who was practically born into wealth and power, Steven had to claw his way up from nothing.
But here's the thing that most people didn't know: He had a soft spot for people who needed help. It was part of what motivated him to build his empire. He didn't want to be just another ruthless businessman; he wanted to matter. To have an impact. And if helping people along the way was a side perk, then so be it.
The trouble started when he met Melanie. Of course, that was years ago, and back then, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. He just knew she had this... aura about her. She was different. She didn't have the polish or the fake smiles of the people he usually dealt with. She was raw. And he admired that.
But he didn't know her past. He didn't know that her company, Scott Enterprises, was built on a foundation of pain and loss. Her loss. Melanie didn't share that part of her story with anyone—except for the few who'd been there to witness the downfall of her first chance at success.
---
Victor and the Web of Secrets
Victor, Steven's go-to guy, was a part of this whole operation—except his loyalty was to Steven, not Rhys. He'd been digging into Scott Enterprises for weeks, trying to uncover every detail he could.
"Alright, let's go over this again. The guy you had dinner with—De Luca—he's more than just a businessman," Victor continued. "He's involved in a lot of shady dealings. And believe me when I tell you, he's not someone you want to mess with."
Steven leaned forward, absorbing the information. "Yeah, I gathered that. But what's his connection to Scott Enterprises?"
Victor shrugged, unbothered by the tension. "That's the thing. We don't know yet. But whatever it is, it's big. And it's not just about business. You know how they say 'blood is thicker than water'? Well, in this case, it's true. Family runs deep in these circles. And Melanie's family ties are... complicated."
---
The Phone Call That Changed Everything
Back in his office, Steven finally sat down, his head pounding from the pressure of it all. His phone buzzed.
It was a text from Isabelle, who had been checking in on him ever since the beach party incident. She'd been there for him, but there was something in her eyes that he couldn't shake. She always knew more than she let on.
"You've got to be careful, Steven. I'm not sure what's going on with Melanie, but if you're getting too involved, you might find yourself in deeper trouble than you can handle."
Steven frowned and stared at the screen. Isabelle wasn't one to give advice unless it was absolutely necessary. And she never said something like this.
He didn't know it yet, but the stakes had just gotten higher.
---
The Big Picture
Steven leaned back in his chair and stared out of the window, the city lights twinkling like a thousand little secrets. There was no going back now. He was too deep. Too tangled up in everything Melanie, Rhys, and Scott Enterprises.
And the worst part?
He had no idea how it would all end.
But one thing was for sure: he wouldn't let it break him. He wasn't just going to stand by and watch his empire crumble. Not without a fight.
And if Melanie was the key to this mess... then so be it. He'd fight for her, even if it meant risking everything.