“Yeah, right! Just look at how he acted earlier. That was in public! Imagine what he’s like at home,” Mina said, frowning. “Once, he even broke my ribs when I argued with him.”
“What? How did that happen?” Leo exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief.
“Yeah, he just kept hitting me in the stomach,” Mina replied, wincing at the memory. Her face paled as she recalled the terrifying moment.
Leo swallowed hard, suppressing a wave of nausea. “Where’s your mom?”
Mina stared ahead, tilting her head slightly. “She’s… she’s probably dead. That’s what he said, anyway. Or maybe she just ran away from a husband like him,” she added with a shiver, a horrified look crossing her face.
This time, it was Leo’s turn to stifle a laugh, pressing his hand against his mouth.
Here was this girl next to him, clearly suffering, yet recounting her misery in a way that was oddly amusing.
How could anyone be this funny despite their tragic backstory?
“When they tried to arrange my marriage with some old man, I pretended to go along with it, and then I ran away from home with Ji Eun’s help,” Mina continued, her expression softening as she recalled her friend.
Leo couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Mina’s sad life, but he also saw an opportunity for playful banter. “Honestly, you should’ve just married the old man. If he doesn’t die quickly, I can help him along, and you’d inherit all his fortune in no time!”
“Hey!” Mina shot him a fierce glare, her eyes widening in outrage as she swatted at him playfully. “How could you say that? That’s awful!”
Leo laughed, enjoying the spark of indignation in her voice. “I’m just saying, think of all the shopping you could do with that money!”
Mina shook her head, unable to hide her smile despite her irritation. “You’re terrible!” she retorted, but the laughter in her voice betrayed her amusement.
*
In another part of world, Roy was trying to establish connections with a notorious cartel organization in Southeast Asia, a move that could elevate his status in the underground world.
He sat in a backroom of a café, surrounded by the smell of strong coffee and cigarettes, his phone buzzing with anticipation as he waited for his potential partners to arrive.
His fingers drummed nervously on the table, and he adjusted his tailored jacket, trying to exude confidence.
However, as soon as they realized who he was—Roy Alkasia—everything changed.
The moment his name slipped into conversation, the atmosphere shifted.
The Thai man leading the meeting, a rugged figure with a scar running down his cheek, abruptly shifted in his seat, eyes wide with alarm.
“Wait, what’s the problem?” Roy asked, his voice steady, though he felt a tight knot forming in his stomach.
“I can’t work with you,” the man stammered, his tone laced with fear. “Not with Salvatore in play.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Roy shot back, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “We were so close to sealing this deal. You can’t just walk away without an explanation.”
The man shook his head vigorously, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead. “I’d rather not be on the wrong side of things. You know how powerful he is.” He glanced around as if expecting to see Leo himself lurking in the shadows.
Roy felt his frustration boil over. “You need to tell me why you’re backing out. If you want to leave here alive, you’ll at least have the decency to explain yourself.”
The Thai man gulped, clearly weighing his options. “I can’t cross Salvatore. I’m sorry.” With that, he shot out of his chair and bolted for the exit, leaving Roy standing there, fuming.
“Damn it!” Roy yelled, his voice echoing off the walls of the café.
His fist slammed down on the table, causing cups to rattle and the few patrons to turn their heads in alarm. “This is a disaster! All because of that little punk Leo!”
The realization hit him hard—Leo’s attack had not only derailed his current operation but had also cost him significant ground in the ruthless world of organized crime.
Back at his base, Leo implemented a strict blockade against all of Roy’s business dealings.
He convened a meeting with his closest associates, their faces illuminated by the flickering overhead lights in the conference room. “Listen up,” Leo said, his voice steady and commanding. “Any associate who dares to engage with Roy Alkasia will find themselves blacklisted by the Salvatore Empire. I won’t have his influence creeping into our territory.”
His men nodded in agreement, fear mingling with admiration in their eyes.
They knew Leo was not just defending his territory; he was sending a message—a declaration of war against anyone who dared to cross him.
It was a ruthless strategy, but one that Leo felt was necessary to protect his empire.
Meanwhile, Roy seethed in his office, pacing the floor as he plotted his revenge.
The walls were adorned with photographs of his past successes, reminders of his rise in the criminal world, now overshadowed by his recent failures.
“I swear, Leo, you’ll pay for this,” he muttered under his breath, his fists clenched in anger. He knew he had to regroup and retaliate, but the stakes had never been higher.
The more he thought about Leo’s growing power, the more he realized he needed to outmaneuver him, even if it meant making dangerous alliances.
As Roy leaned against his desk, staring out the window at the city skyline, he plotted his next move, a determined glint in his eye.
“It’s not over yet,” he whispered.
*
As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Mina’s joyful scream echoed through the grand entrance hall, bouncing off the high ceilings and intricate chandeliers. She spotted Ji Eun waiting for her, a bright smile breaking across her face like a sunrise.
“Ji Eun!” Mina cried, her voice filled with excitement as she dashed toward her friend. She wrapped her arms around Ji Eun in a tight embrace, squeezing her with all her pent-up joy.