Chapter 10

James wore sunglasses, an unlit cigar pinched between his fingers, staring at me expressionlessly through the passing traffic.

He'd been watching me all along, and I had nowhere to run!

Light filtered through the church's stained glass, falling on Mary's pale face. She wore a fishtail wedding dress covered in rhinestones, beautiful in an unreal way.

The organ music echoed through the church, the air filled with the scent of lilies.

Michael's hands were shaking, but he held Mary's fingers tightly, refusing to let go.

"I do."

Mary's voice carried a sickly weakness, but she flashed a smile.

I stood beside them as the bridesmaid, tears blurring my vision.

As long as she could have this moment of happiness, any price I paid was worth it.

I sniffled, just about to hand over the rings.

The church doors were violently pushed open.

The huge noise exploded through the church, freezing everyone in place.

The organ music stopped, and guests turned around in alarm.

Against the light, a group of men in black suits walked in, led by Matthew.

My whole body went stiff, the ring box in my hand nearly dropping to the floor.

"Looks like I'm right on time."

Matthew walked up the red carpet step by step, his face wearing a malicious smile.

"Matthew, what do you think you're doing?"

I rushed out, blocking Mary and Michael, my voice a low growl.

"This is Mary's wedding. Get out."

Matthew stopped, looking down at me.

"Ella, don't be so nervous."

His face wore a fake, pained expression, but in his hand was a forged psychiatric evaluation report.

"Everyone, I'm very sorry to interrupt this wedding." Matthew's voice choked up. "But Ella has been under too much pressure and developed a serious delusional disorder. She's been stealing company funds lately, even imagining she's being hunted by Mafia gangs."

He moved closer step by step, his eyes venomous as they fixed on me, lowering his voice so only I could hear: "Come with me quietly, or I'll turn Mary into a corpse right now."

"You're lying!" I screamed, but the guests were already looking at me with pity and suspicion.

Just as Matthew's hand was about to touch me—

The church doors burst open again.

James came in against the light, smoke still rising from the gun in his hand. He didn't look at anyone else, his silver-gray eyes locked dead on Matthew's hand reaching for my shoulder.

"Move it."

His words made the air freeze instantly.

Matthew's hand clearly shook, trembling as he pressed the gun to my temple: "Don't come closer! James! This woman knows too much, I have to take her! Don't you care if she lives or dies? She's just one of your many playthings!"

James stopped, he flashed a smirk, but his eyes were cold as ice.

"Plaything?"

He slowly raised his gun, the barrel not aimed at Matthew, but seeming to include me in its range too.

"Matthew, you got one thing wrong."

"She's my prey. In this world, besides me, no one has the right to decide if she lives or dies."

"Even if she dies, she can only die in my bed."

Matthew froze, and so did I.

James casually glanced at me, as if I really was just something he'd picked up off the street and could toss away anytime.

"Ella is really good in bed."

He said it in front of everyone, in front of my sister, his tone like he was reviewing merchandise.

"But this type of beauty, I just have to wave my hand, and there are plenty at The Smith Manor."

My face instantly burned, stinging worse than if I'd been slapped.

So that's how it was. I should have known.

I remembered those rumors about James online.

Vislan's underground king, who threw his own uncle into a meat grinder to get to the top.

He was a heartless monster. In his world, there was only profit and winning or losing, no feelings.

Last night was nothing but a hunting game he played on a whim.

And I'd been naive enough to think the hunter might feel pity for his prey.

"You're not gonna kill her anymore?"

Matthew clearly hadn't expected this reaction from James either, his previously confident tone starting to panic.

"Do what you want." James shrugged, completely indifferent. "Kill her if you want."

He raised his wrist, glancing at his expensive Patek Philippe.

"She's just a tool for sex. If she's gone, I'll find another one."

At this, he paused, his eyes suddenly turning sharp.

"But you, Matthew, have to die here today."

Without any warning.

James didn't even finish speaking before his gun fired.

The bullet flew past my cheek, bringing a wave of burning heat.

Matthew, behind me, let out a scream.

But he didn't let go. Instead, like a cornered mad dog, he tightened his grip on me even more.

"Crazy! You're crazy!"

Matthew shouted, dragging me backward frantically.

"You really don't care if she lives or dies, huh? Fine! Then we'll die together!"

He suddenly raised his gun. This time, it wasn't a threat—he was really going to pull the trigger.

In that instant, I saw the madness in Matthew's eyes.

And I saw a flash of violence in James's eyes.