Kimberly POV
I woke to a persistent knock on my door. Did I mention I've moved out of this room already? Well, now I'm back here again, the only place that feels familiar in this twisted mansion.
"Come in," I said groggily, rubbing my eyes.
Enzo entered, casting me a look laced with impatience.
"You've been sleeping since yesterday, until now?" he asked, his tone dripping with judgement.
I sighed, irritation stirring. This guy was really starting to get under my skin.
"What..." I began, but he cut me off.
"The boss wants to see you. Now," he said.
"The boss? Leonardo's back? Since when?"
"Please come with me," Enzo replied, pretending he hadn't heard me. He clearly had no intention of filling me in.
I was still in shorts and an oversized T-shirt. Since he hadn't suggested I change, I took that as permission to stay as I was. If Leonardo didn't like it, he could blame Enzo, not me.
Following his brisk pace, I realised we were heading to a part of the house I'd never seen before. The further we went, the darker the hallways became, shadows swallowing each corner. Helen had never guided me here, and now I knew why.
Finally, Enzo opened a heavy, creaking door, and I was hit by a sense of foreboding as I stepped inside. The room was dim, with just enough light to cast unsettling shadows across the walls. Strange faces surrounded a figure on the ground. I recognized a few people as house staff, but the rest were unknown to me.
"Where's Leonardo?" I asked, my voice shaky, but Enzo didn't respond. Instead, he led me through the crowd until I spotted Leonardo at the far end, an imposing figure shrouded in darkness.
Then I saw it—the figure on the floor. A man, beaten beyond recognition, lay crumpled, his body barely moving. My heart dropped. *This could be Lan.*
"What… What's going on here?" I stammered, my voice trembling. The silence from everyone else was deafening, as if my words dissolved into the air.
Leonardo's gaze found mine, sharp and cold, silencing me instantly. Mario, whom I'd last seen at the wedding, entered with a bowl of ice water. In a swift, merciless motion, he dumped it over the man's body. I flinched as the man gasped awake, his eyes wild with fear as he locked onto Leonardo.
"Please, take me away from this. I don't want to see it," I pleaded, my voice barely a whisper as I tugged on Leonardo's sleeve. But he brushed my hand off with an icy finality.
"Let's make this quick," he said to the others, his voice carrying a lethal calm. "This is what happens when someone betrays me. When they try to outsmart me."
"Please, sir," the man begged, his voice breaking. "My wife was pregnant—I had no choice, sir. Please."
Leonardo's face showed no mercy. "Quiet," he warned, his voice deadly. "We all know why you're here, Marcus. Selling contraband under my name—"my name"—to line your pockets."
Marcus's pleas fell on deaf ears. A flash of movement, and Lula hurled a blade into his throat, lodging perfectly in Adam's apple. My stomach lurched as blood gushed, his hands grasping at the knife, eyes wide with agony.
I couldn't bear it. The room spun, and I staggered, gripping Enzo's arm for balance. But his grip held me in place, forcing me to watch as Leonardo approached Marcus's shuddering form.
"Don't worry, Marcus," he sneered, a hint of cruel amusement in his tone. "You won't be lonely for long. Your family will be joining you."
A sick realisation hit me—he was going to kill Marcus's entire family. I stared at Leonardo, horrified, as he raised a pistol and shot. The deafening blast was nothing compared to my scream as the gun fired. I no longer cared who heard me or what they thought.
I tore myself from Enzo's grip, desperate to escape, and stumbled to the door, but it was locked. I heard Leonardo's footsteps behind me, slow and deliberate.
"I used to think you were brave, Kimberly. What changed?" he said, his voice chillingly close.
I fought the fear gripping me and managed to say, "Why… Why did you make me watch that?"
"Don't be dense," he replied. His expression was blank, emotionless. "You need to understand the fate your dear brother will face if you step out of line."
The world blurred, my mind racing. Lan…
" I glared, my heart racing with a fury I couldn't contain. "Why? Marcus begged you. His wife's pregnant! How could you do it?" I hadn't even noticed the tears streaming down my face.
Leonardo's expression didn't change. "He should have thought of his family before he tried to cross me." He leaned in, his gaze locked on mine.
"Same goes for you." he added
A mix of revulsion and anger overtook me.
"This is what you call a life?" I spat. "Killing people, making them beg for mercy? And you call this power?" I struck his chest in frustration, but he caught my wrists, pinning me against the wall.
"Do not ever speak to me that way again," he growled, his grip tightening painfully.
I winced but held my gaze steady, defiance flickering despite my fear.
"You'd better answer when I speak to you. Do you understand?" His voice dropped, lethal, as he released me abruptly. I staggered, barely keeping my footing.
As I struggled to catch my breath, he murmured, "Let's see how the "upcoming musician" performs with his th
roat cut."
The words hit me like ice. Upcoming Musician.. That was lan!