The sun blazed in the sky. A girl was being dragged across the rough ground, her hands scraping against the dirt as she kicked and struggled. Her white sneakers scraped against the dirt, leaving faint trails behind her.
Her voice shook with fear as she cried out, "P-please… let me go!"
She tried again, this time more desperately. "You… you're hurting me. P-please… please stop! I didn't do anything!"
But the man holding her didn't say a word. He didn't slow down or even look at her. His silence was colder than ice, and somehow more frightening than if he had yelled. His hand gripped her wrist like a steel chain, tightening with every step, dragging her toward something unknown.
Three days earlier…
Liana's fingers loosely gripped the handlebars as she pedaled her bicycle down the quiet road. Her hazel eyes sparkled brightly, like melted gold in the sunlight. She smiled and whispered, "It feels so nice to be free."
Liana was out to get the groceries her brother had asked but she decided to wander a bit. She slowed down near the green fields as if her eyes were searching for something….or maybe someone.
After a moment, she started pedaling again and stopped near a fenced area that looked like a riding arena. She looked around cautiously, then let out a breath of relief.
"The poker-face monster isn't here today. Thank God!" she laughed, showing off her perfect white teeth. "It's finally going to be a good day!"
Her smile disappeared the moment those words left her mouth.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
Her body froze. She knew that sound. It was the sound of a horse's hooves hitting the ground. Slowly, she turned her head toward the arena, her heart sinking.
"No… it can't be," she whispered.
But it was. Sitting tall and proud on the back of a dark horse was the one person she hoped not to see—Mr. Poker Face.
Eric sat tall and proud on the horse, his strong back straight and shoulders wide. His black hair moved slightly with the wind, neatly. His deep green eyes were sharp and serious. His eyebrows were thick and dark, giving his face a strong, intense look.
The sun hit his face, showing his tan skin and sharp jawline. His lips were set in a firm line, not smiling, but calm and focused.
He wore a black shirt that fit tightly on his chest and arms, showing his muscles. His long coat flew behind him as the horse ran, making him look like a king.
Her breath caught in her throat, and her hands tightened on the handlebars. His cold expression sent a chill down her spine, even from a distance.
"It was a close call." She turned around and hurried out of the riding arena like a scared cat.
Liana walked into her brother Daniel's restaurant, carrying the groceries he had asked for.
"Daniel," she began, " I want to tell you something...I've been accepted for a scholarship to study abroad. But... I'm worried about leaving Father alone here. How can I go, knowing he'll be by himself?"
Daniel looked up from the counter, a warm smile spreading across his face. He stepped over and gently took the bags from her hands.
"Don't worry about Father, Liana," he assured her. "You know how much he always wanted to see you become a doctor. This is your chance, and he would be so proud of you. I'll take care of him, my sweet sister. You've earned this, and it's time for you to follow your dreams."
Daniel's smile and the strength in his words made her feel a little lighter, She hugged her brother tightly. "I know you'll take care of him."
The next morning…
Eric's grandmother Margaret, and his younger brother Caleb were at the dining table. The housekeeper served them their food.
"Where are your manners, Caleb? You have been on your phone this whole time." Eric called his brother out. Being on the phone is against the dining rules set by him. Caleb immediately lifted his head from the phone and smiled apologetically. "I am sorry brother." He quickly put down his phone after the moment of silence. He began again, "Brother, my school trip is going to Silver Lake... can I go with them?"
"I've already decided — you're not going. And I don't repeat myself," Eric replied angrily, leaving no room for argument.
Nobody in the family has ever dared to question him. So, Caleb bowed his head down and didn't say a word.
Seeing Caleb's disappointed face, Eric added, "Alright... instead, invite all your friends to the farmhouse for a picnic this weekend."
Caleb's eyes lit up with happiness. He jumped from his chair, grabbed his schoolbag, and rushed out the door with a big smile on his face.
"You are very responsible, son, but it's time to think about your life." His grandmother said as soon as Caleb left.
"Do your breakfast." With that, he got up and left.
The reason why Liana went to the riding arena yesterday was because she cared deeply for a mule "Bella". Whenever she had time, she went there to see her. Bella was none other than Eric's horse, and after learning about Eric's cold nature, she feared him. Yesterday, when she went there, Eric was also there. She left without meeting her. This morning, Liana visited the stable to see Bella, but was shocked to see Bella's condition. She hurriedly ran to her
"My Bella, what happened to your leg?"
She immediately called over a worker, who informed her that Bella's leg was broken.
"How could it have broken so suddenly?"
Meanwhile, Eric was notified by phone about Bella's injury and hurried to the stable. The moment he stepped into the stable, Liala's breath visibly hitched as he walked passed her. Eric stood there for a second, a smirk forming on his face after seeing Liana's reaction.
Eric checked Bella's condition. "There's no cure for this now." Suddenly pulled out his gun, pointing it at Bella's forehead.
"You can't shoot her! There are many treatments for this. You're going to end her life just because her leg is broken? You're so cruel!" Liana shouted, standing in front of Bella to protect her.
Eric grabbed Liana firmly and told a worker to take her away.
After Liana left, he spotted something in the mud.
"What is this?" he reached out, and it was Liana's bracelet.
*****
Uncle Richard, along with his son David, waited for Eric. As soon as Eric arrived at his mansion, his uncle spoke angrily, "We found Martin. He's running a restaurant right under our noses. He has a son and a daughter — they live their lives happily while making ours more miserable."
"Don't say a word to Caleb!" Eric warned Richard, his face turning red with fury. "I'm warning you for the last time. Whatever needs to be done, I'll handle it myself."
With that, Eric stormed out of the mansion. He still remembered how his father and mother had been fired twenty years ago and the promise they made to him before her last breath — to always protect Caleb.
After Eric left the drawing room, Margaret spoke, "You've found the culprit, so there's no need to get involved anymore." Richard replied,
"You've misunderstood me again, Mum. Both of them are my nephews. I'm here in my father's place to look after them. I worry about both of them."
****
From behind the thick glass window, Richard watched
an old man, wrapped in a blanket and sitting in his wheelchair, looked. so small and fragile
A sly, cruel smile crept onto Richard's face.
"Still hanging on, old man?" he muttered under his breath. "Not for much longer."
With slow, heavy steps, Richard walked out onto the terrace toward the old man, and he was Eric's Father, James.
He stopped in front of him, gripping the wheelchair's handles tightly, and leaned down closer and whispered, "Don't worry, brother. I bring good news. We finally found the man who ruined you... And he'll pay dearly for it."
"You remember what I did to you back then, don't you?" he whispered.
"Now it's your sons' turn. I will wipe both of them out... just like I wiped you."
James's fists trembled on his lap.
His jaw locked tightly, and he clenched his teeth so hard it looked like he might break them, but he couldn't shout, couldn't fight back.
Liana returned to the restaurant, carrying her scholarship papers. Her smile fell instantly as soon as she noticed two strangers standing outside Daniel's restaurant.
"Brother, who are those men outside?"
Daniel, busy serving food to a nearby table, walked toward the door and glanced outside without much thought.
The moment he saw them, the color drained from his face. Panic rising, he rushed back inside.
"Father! Father! There are people outside watching the restaurant... Can they have found us?" His voice was shaking.
Martin was standing, but as soon as he heard it, he quickly sat down in the chair. Sweat was visible on his forehead
"No, no, they can't have found us. Don't say anything to Liana. Maybe they're just strangers. I'll handle this. Don't worry." Helen, Liana's mother, began crying
"Oh God... we won't survive this... we won't survive..."
Martin quickly stood up, "Listen to me — stay calm. I'll call someone right now," he hurried out of the restaurant.
Martin stepped outside, making urgent phone calls. His face showed deep worry. Daniel hurried after him.
"Father, did you find out anything about those people?" he asked.
Martin shook his head. "No, son, not yet. But I will. I've spent years protecting all of you from trouble. God willing, we will hear some good news soon," he said.
Meanwhile, in the mansion, Eric sat quietly in the corner of his room, staring at an old photo of his parents. He murmured, "I will never let your heads bow down. That man will never be able to escape. He also has a son... the account is settled. His son's life will be taken to ensure that the score is even."
Liana was helping her sister-in-law, Lucy, comb her wet hair after a bath.
Lucy was Daniel's wife, and Liana's brother meant the world to her.
Liana murmured, "I've never seen anyone so heartless. How can someone shoot a mule just because its leg was broken? Lucy's eyes widened. "Did he kill it?"
"I don't know," Liana sighed. "But just being near him made me feel uneasy. Even his people looked terrified around him. He's cruel... really cruel."
She caught sight of her hand, and sure enough, her bracelet was missing.
"I need to go back to the stable tomorrow morning. I have to find it before someone else does."
The next morning, the sun's rays fell on the grass, and Liana was walking toward Bella's pen . She stepped into the pen and started looking for the bracelet, but couldn't find anything.
"Where is it gone? What can I do now ..." Liana murmured.
Suddenly, she heard someone's footsteps towards her. She turned and saw Eric walking toward the pen. Her face became colorless, but thankfully, Eric didn't see her. She ran and immediately hid behind the wall.
Eric entered the pen with Bella. "There is no other way, Bella, my sweet … I will do that for your ease."
Eric felt that there was someone else present. He looked around and saw Liana hiding behind the wall. He took deliberate steps toward her, and with a sudden force, he yanked her against the wall.
"Ouch!" Her hand got injured, but he didn't let go, instead, he held her injured hand more tightly.
" What the hell are you doing here! Get the hell out of here," Eric barked.
Liana flinched at his loudness and aggression. " M-My bracelet fell yesterday. I am just here to pick it up."
"There is no bracelet here now get the fuck out of here." He pushed Liana to the ground. Her eyes filled with tears, she got up and ran out of the stable crying.