Chapter 9

The luxury Bentley pulled up smoothly in front of my apartment building.

The driver got out expressionlessly and opened the car door for me.

I pulled tight the oversized men's black shirt I was wearing, with a trench coat James had his servants prepare for me over it, covering the kiss marks on my neck and collarbone.

As I got out of the car, I saw that familiar figure.

Matthew.

He was standing on the steps at the apartment entrance. The moment he saw me, his eyes immediately locked onto the expensive luxury car and the white-gloved driver.

My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't let him know about my deal with James.

I took a deep breath and forced a smile.

"Matthew, what are you doing here?"

A flash of coldness passed through Matthew's eyes, but he quickly covered it up, wearing the familiar gentle smile as he hurried down the steps.

"I called you last night and couldn't get through. I was worried."

He reached out to help me, but I instinctively pulled back. After James's brutal behavior, I now rejected any male touch.

Matthew's hand froze in mid-air, his smile fading a bit. "You said on the phone last night that you wanted to break up."

"Tell me why."

Why? If I don't leave you, that lunatic James will tear you apart.

But I couldn't say anything. I lowered my head, staring at the ground. "No reason. I just don't love you anymore."

Matthew let out a cold laugh.

"Ella, if you're going to lie, you'd better come up with a better excuse. We were fine yesterday afternoon, and by evening you'd changed your mind?"

My heart ached, but since it had come to this, I might as well make a clean break.

"Matthew, we're done. You can't give me the life I want."

Matthew froze. He seemed not to have expected me to say something like that. His handsome face gradually cracked.

But he didn't fly into a rage or try to win me back. His first reaction was actually—

"Breaking up is fine."

"But you have to finish the books for The Wilton Group for the past few quarters."

I couldn't believe my ears. Turns out James was right.

In his eyes, I was just a money-laundering tool—useful, obedient, and cheap.

"Not happening." I took a step back, creating distance between us, my eyes turning cold.

"I already told you, I won't handle any more books."

"All cooperation ends here."

"Ella!" Matthew finally dropped his disguise, suddenly grabbing my wrist.

"Don't be ungrateful!"

"You think The Wilton Group's books are something you can take on or drop whenever you want?"

"Do you know how many people's interests those books involve?"

"You want to throw a tantrum, break up, even climb into another man's bed—fine! But the books must be balanced!"

"Otherwise—"

"That poor sister of yours might not make it to surgery day."

I felt like my brain had been hit hard, my ears instantly plunging into dead silence.

He was actually threatening me with Mary.

James was a devil, but Matthew was a monster.

"You wouldn't dare!"

I don't know where I got the strength, but I violently shook off his hand.

"Matthew, if you touch one hair on Mary's head, I'm letting the Internal Revenue Service deal with all your mess!"

"Worst case, we all go down together!"

Matthew clearly didn't expect me to be so tough. His face instantly darkened.

"Well."

Matthew laughed in anger.

"Ella, you'll regret this."

"You'll come crawling back to me on your knees."

Matthew turned and strode away, his back radiating fury.

I stood there, watching his car speed off.

It wasn't until the red taillights disappeared around the corner that I felt my legs go weak, slowly sliding down against the wall.

When the wind blew, I realized my back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Late night, 2 AM.

I was curled up on the couch, the laptop on my knees, casting an eerie blue glow on my pale face.

I had no time to mourn the end of my relationship with Matthew. The screen was filled with dense search results.

I thought I'd mentally prepared myself, but as I clicked on each search keyword, a chill still rose from the bottom of my heart.

James was called the monarch of Vislan's underworld.

Without the Smith Family's approval, not a single cargo ship could leave the port.

This was just his surface power. What really sent chills down my spine were the stories circulating on those dark web forums.

Three years ago during The Smith Family's internal conflict, he personally executed his uncle who tried to seize power.

They said he fired six shots, none of which hit vital spots, letting him bleed out for three full hours before dying, then threw him into a meat grinder.

My hands were trembling, barely able to hold the mouse.

There was another comment explaining that if you betrayed The Smith Family, you'd better pray for a quick death.

Because James hated liars—he'd have someone cut out the traitor's tongue, chop it up, and feed it to his dogs.

What kind of monster had I gotten involved with?

He wasn't some ordinary rich guy throwing money around, but someone who'd truly clawed his way out of bloody struggles.

And I was now his property.

How could I possibly escape from his grasp?

The sudden phone ringtone startled me so badly I almost fell onto the tiles.

I scrambled up in panic, and when the name "Mary" flashed on the screen, my racing heart finally calmed a bit.

"Hello, Mary? Why aren't you asleep yet? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

"Ella."

"I want to discuss something with you."

My heart tightened. "What's wrong? Is it something with the hospital..."

"No."

Mary interrupted me, silent for a few seconds before gathering the courage to say:

"Ella, I want to marry Michael."

"This week."

I was stunned.

"This week? But your surgery is next Tuesday, and the doctor said you need to rest..."

"It's because of the surgery."

Mary's voice took on a tearful tone.

"Ella, I'm scared."

"I'm scared that once I go into that operating room, I'll never come out."

"You know, marrying Michael is my dream. If I really die, I don't want to die without ever wearing a wedding dress."

"Don't talk like that!"

I scolded through my tears.

"What's all this talk about dying? The surgery will definitely succeed."

"I know, but I still want to get married."

Mary was stubborn.

"Ella, please. Michael agreed too. We'll just say our vows in a church and take a few photos. Okay?"

I gave in. As long as it made Mary happy, I'd do anything.

"Okay."

"I promise. Tomorrow... tomorrow I'll take you to try on wedding dresses."

The next afternoon.

At a haute couture bridal shop in the city center, the air was filled with the sweet scent of aromatherapy and fresh flowers.

"Ella, what do you think of this one?"

Mary stood in front of the fitting mirror wearing a strapless mermaid wedding dress.

The white gown had layers upon layers, embedded with tiny crystals that sparkled under the lights.

Though her face was still pale and her thin body could barely hold up the dress, the light in her eyes was the brightest I'd seen in a long time.

Michael stood beside her. The usually carefree guy was now wearing a sharp suit, looking at Mary with eyes so tender they could melt.

"Beautiful. Mary, you're the most beautiful bride in the world."

Michael said with red-rimmed eyes, carefully arranging her train.

Watching this scene, my constantly tense nerves miraculously relaxed.

"Ella, you should try one on too!"

Mary suddenly turned around, looking at me excitedly.

"You're the maid of honor, after all."

"I... I don't need to."

"Come on, try it!"

Mary grabbed my hand playfully.

"Just keep me company. I want to see you all dressed up."

I couldn't refuse her, so I randomly picked up a light purple bridesmaid dress and walked into the fitting room.

My phone vibrated in my bag. I took it out and saw a text message.

Just one short line, but it made my whole body go cold.

James: [Your dress is too revealing. I don't like others looking at what's mine. Look up. I'm across the street.]

I uncontrollably yanked open the fitting room curtain.

Through the bridal shop's huge floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw across the street.

That familiar black Bentley was parked quietly in the shadows.

The rear window was halfway down.