Richest Mogul

Sterling studied Vivian's delicate frame, noting how fragile her slender wrists seemed. It wouldn't take much to snap them. And yet, this fragile-looking woman dared to threaten him.

It was the funniest thing he'd heard in ages.

"Have you ever killed anyone?" Sterling asked with a smirk, his tone laced with amusement. He could tell at a glance her eyes were too clear, untouched by bloodshed. No killer carried such purity in their gaze.

He had seen enough killers to know the difference.

Vivian's face remained impassive. "If you don't believe me, come closer."

Sterling chuckled, clapping his hands together in a slow, mocking rhythm. "Well, well," he drawled. "So this is how you convinced Manfred to keep you alive? Impressive. But let's see if your talents are equally... diverse."

He turned to the two men flanking him. "Take her."

With that order given, he shot Vivian a final glance before striding toward a nearby cabinet. He yanked the door open. It was empty save for a few bottles and jars.

Suddenly, a scream shattered the quiet.

Sterling spun.

One of the men had his throat slit, blood gushing from the wound. The other gripped his wrist, blood dripping between his fingers.

The attack was swift and precise. The tables had turned in seconds.

Sterling's amusement vanished. His gaze hardened. "You dare fight back? Let me show you what defiance costs."

flicked his wrist, a fine powder scattering through the

blood. She

she inhaled, her vision blurred, the world tilting. Darkness crashed

felt herself being lifted into Sterling's

a blur. She was carried out of the hidden chamber.

passed before a faint mechanical sound clicked from beneath the

Manfred

up trapped beneath the bed's hidden mechanism, he

His voice was

No one answered.

chamber. She was nowhere

dark red stain on the floor. His

"Vivian!"

out of consciousness for what felt like an eternity. The moment she stirred, she knew she had been

kept her eyes

delicate, subtle scent hung in the

overheard hushed

must really care if he's having us serve

how

a woman from the black market. We're

no way someone like her