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.

heart racing. Mio gazed at her with such intense tenderness it was as though

ways, but Mio lingered, showing a keen interest in

past, Ivy had been surrounded by shallow flatterers who sang her

encountered before. His attention stirred a sense of vanity and left her feeling flattered. What Ivy didn't realize was that she had already become prey

chance to see you again?"

number. It wasn't that she

had appeared like a

of the anger Ivy

her. As she walked away, Mio's lips

fish had taken the

as the banquet

request from an unknown number. The profile picture was of a

she thought, recognizing the

image of

gentle and understanding.

message arrived: "Did you make it home

back to the hotel," Ivy

really happy to meet

face accompanying the message

lightly over the keyboard, as if afraid

effortlessly. Mio was witty yet respectful, always

loneliness Ivy had felt as

finally putting their phones away. Ivy had never met someone like

Mio invited her to explore Rome together. Ivy was thrilled

never restricted the women around him. To him, they were merely

bothered to ask questions. So when Ivy decided not to

getting ready at the hotel. When she went downstairs,

you

here myself. Have you had