Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

While others were still racking their brains on how to approach Michael Bardem, Asher had already secured a private meeting with him.

At least their starting point was higher than the rest. What happened next depended on whether Michael Bardem would grant them the opportunity.

Julian approached her and asked, "Does this mean we're succeeding?"

"We've only cleared the first step. Let's head home," Aurora replied with a faint smile. The room was crowded, and staying any longer wouldn't yield results.

"Perfect," Julian said, wrapping an arm around her waist as they left together.

From across the room, Mio Walsh had been observing Aurora's every move closely. Why was she leaving so quickly?

Meanwhile, since the moment Kyle had laid eyes on Aurora, his thoughts had been completely elsewhere. His growing interest in her only deepened Ivy's loathing.

Aurora had already taken so much from her-why did she have to steal Kyle too? Was Aurora sent by the heavens to torment her?

Ivy clenched her teeth, anger boiling inside. She wanted nothing more than to tear Aurora apart, piece by piece.

"Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of a dance?" A man's voice broke her thoughts. It was the perfect moment for dancing, and the dance floor was filling with couples.

Ivy turned around, startled, to see a refined and handsome face she had never encountered before.

"Are you talking to me?" she asked hesitantly. Aurora's presence had left her confidence shattered, making her unaccustomed to such attention.

"Yes," the man replied with a courteous smile. His demeanor was elegant yet seductive, almost like a vampire.

Ivy glanced at Kyle, who stood distracted nearby, and made up her mind. She bit her lip and agreed, "Of course."

She placed her hand in Mio Walsh's pale palm, and he led her to the dance floor with a smile. There was no denying the man's charm.

at her with such intense

the song ended, they should have parted ways,

who sang her

flattered. What Ivy didn't realize was that she had already become prey in someone else's

have the chance to see you again?" Mio asked as they prepared to

before finally giving him her phone number. It wasn't that she had

moment of despair, Mio had appeared like a ray

much of the anger Ivy had

Mio Walsh had appeared to comfort her. As she walked away, Mio's lips curled

fish had

attention to Ivy's whereabouts. Even as

way back to the hotel, Ivy received a friend request from an unknown number. The profile picture was of a handsome man with a vampire's

she thought,

the image of the warm, gentlemanly

gentle and

"Did you make

way back to the hotel,"

was really happy to

the message melted Ivy's heart.

keyboard, as if afraid of

effortlessly. Mio was witty yet respectful, always skirting just close enough to flirtation

said felt inappropriate, and the loneliness Ivy had felt as

putting their phones away. Ivy had never met someone like him before. Because of Mio, the night seemed brighter,

her to explore Rome together. Ivy was thrilled

women around him. To him, they were merely

never bothered to ask questions. So when Ivy decided not to

ready at the hotel. When she went downstairs, she saw Mio waiting with a

you waiting,"

here myself. Have you had breakfast?"