CHAPTER ONE
The door creaked open as the two first sons of Godfather Vickenzo stepped inside—Oscar and Jaime—each holding a briefcase.
"Good day, Father," Oscar greeted, placing his briefcase on the table. With a click, the locks snapped open, revealing rows of gleaming gold bars.
Jaime followed, setting down his own case. He lifted the lid, and more bricks of solid gold caught the dim light of the room.
"This is what I'm talking about!" Godfather Vickenzo roared with satisfaction. He seized the briefcases, running his hands over the shining bars as if caressing a lover.
With a grin, he tossed two gold bars each to Oscar and Jaime.
"Spend it wisely," he ordered.
Just then, the trio heard groans from the villa's torture grounds
"I think he's back," Jaime muttered, his face tightening into a frown.
"Let's go have a look," Oscar suggested, and Godfather Vickenzo, leaning on his support stick, led the way.
Outside, they found Kian—the youngest son—tied to a rod, his body marked with visible wounds of torture.
"What are you doing here?" Vickenzo barked. "Haven't I warned you never to come unless you're called?" His voice rose into a furious shout. "Huh? Are you daring me?" He struck Kian repeatedly with his walking stick until it snapped in half.
Oscar and Jaime stood silently, not daring to intervene.
"Let's leave," the Godfather's voice finally commanded. Without another glance at Kian, they turned back toward the mansion.
Kian was untied and staggered away from the villa, limping toward a small cottage he had built far from the main estate—a place meant for times like this. Inside, Sophia was waiting.
A quick smile flickered on his lips at the sight of her, but he quickly replaced it with a frown.
"What are you doing here, Soph?" he asked quietly.
"What? Don't you miss me?" she teased, trying to lighten his mood.
"I saw what your brothers and father did to you," she whispered, her fingers brushing gently against his bruised face. "I felt so hurt, Kian. I had to come. I even brought some chicken I stole from the kitchen."
"How many times have I told you not to put yourself in trouble because of me?" Kian said, frustration edging his tone.
"You know I can't help it," Sophia sniffled.
Sophia wasn't just his closest friend—Kian considered her a younger sister, someone who had always been there to anchor him during his darkest times.
_______________________________________
"OUCH!" Adeline hissed, her eyes watering after another sharp sniff of cocaine.
"I can't seem to get enough of this," she murmured to herself, stumbling to the wardrobe for another wrap. Just then, a knock sounded on her door.
"Who the f*** is that?" she snapped.
The door swung open, and her twin sister Catherine stepped in.
"What do you want?" Adeline asked impatiently, still searching for her stash.
"Mum wants you at the dining table," Catherine said evenly.
"I don't need any damn dinner!" Adeline shot back. "I need my drugs. Wait… Cathy, did you hide my drugs?" Her eyes narrowed as she glared at her sister suspiciously.
"I'll give them back to you after dinner," Catherine replied calmly. "Now, let's go." Without waiting for an answer, she turned and left the room
---
[At the Dining Table]
Godmother Jadeline set down her cutlery with a sharp clink.
"There is a mission tonight," she announced.
"Okay, Mother. We promise we'll do our best," Bianca, the first daughter, replied eagerly.
Catherine and Adeline said nothing. They simply continued eating in silence.
"Aren't you two going to say anything?" Bianca pressed.
"I'm done," Adeline muttered, pushing her plate away. Without another word, she rose from the table and walked out.
"That girl is just getting worse," Jadeline said bitterly, her eyes following Adeline's retreating figure.
"I'll speak to her later, Mother," Catherine promised quietly before excusing herself as well.
---
[Adeline's Room]
"My drugs," Adeline demanded the second Catherine stepped in.
"Yeah, relax," Catherine said, handing her a brown paper bag filled with white powder.
"Ha…" Adeline groaned with relief, slapping her head. "That's the spot."
"Addict," Catherine muttered under her breath.
"Shut up. So, Catherine, did Mother send the location for the mission?" Adeline asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Yeah. I'll forward it to you," Catherine replied with a shrug.
"Thanks, twiniee," Adeline said with a sly grin. Then her mood flipped instantly. "So, school is finally resuming on Monday. I can't wait to meet Mandy and Chloe again!"
She flung herself onto the bed, bouncing so hard the mattress squeaked. Catherine rolled her eyes.
"You're such a drama queen."
"And you love me for it," Adeline shot back with a smirk.
---