Zara's pulse roared in her ears.
"Ten million?" she whispered. "He sold me for money?"
Leonardo's gaze locked on hers — sharp, unreadable.
"For debt," he said coolly. "Your stepfather owed me. You were… convenient collateral."
Her throat tightened.
"I'm not some object to be bought or sold!"
Leonardo's lips curled into a slow, dangerous smirk.
"You are… now."
> System Warning: Emotional Distress Detected.
Recommendation: Comply for Survival.
Zara clenched her fists beneath the table.
"I won't sign anything."
Leonardo walked toward her — every step slow, deliberate, predatory.
He stopped inches from her, leaning down, his voice a silken threat.
"You already have," he murmured. "When your blood touched the contract… the deal was sealed."
Her eyes widened.
"My… blood?"
He straightened, his expression blank.
"You pricked your finger on that rose I sent yesterday. Didn't you wonder why it never healed?"
Zara's heart slammed in her chest.
It… had been bleeding for hours.
> System Notification: Blood-Bound Contract Activated.
She staggered back, her mind spinning.
This wasn't just business.
This was dark magic… mafia-style.
Leonardo's eyes softened — just a little.
"You have two choices, Zara."
"One…" He held up a finger. "Be my wife. Play your role. Follow my rules."
"Or two…" His gaze darkened. "Run. And watch every person you love disappear… one by one."
> System Alert: Mission Choice Detected.
Zara's breath caught.
This wasn't a choice. This was a trap.
Her first mission…
Survive the marriage.
And maybe… break the devil who bound her.