Lucas returned to his office expecting a calm evening.
A wrong expectation.
The moment he stepped inside, Rafael rushed toward him.
"Boss—you need to see this."
Lucas frowned. "What happened?"
Rafael handed him a tablet.
A video was playing on the screen—news footage.
"BREAKING NEWS: Lucas Lee accused of assisting criminal syndicates overseas."
Reporters stood outside a police station, microphones everywhere.
Someone claimed Lucas had connections with mafia groups in Italy.
Fake. Planted. Strategic.
KangTech had hit back.
Rafael watched Lucas closely.
"You're not worried?"
Lucas set the tablet down.
"Worried? No."
He loosened his tie slightly.
"Annoyed? Yes."
Rafael exhaled in relief.
"Good. Because they're trying to ruin your reputation before you ruin theirs."
Lucas nodded slowly.
"Typical move. They're predictable."
He walked to the window and looked out at the city.
"Se vogliono giocare sporco… giocherò anch'io."
(If they want to play dirty… I'll play too.)
---
Meanwhile, at KangTech Headquarters
Chairman Han sat in his office, satisfied.
"He can't escape this," Han said. "Not even he is clean enough to face a mafia rumor."
His assistant nodded nervously. "Sir… Lucas Lee is dangerous. If this backfires—"
Han cut him off sharply.
"Nothing will backfire. He's alone."
But deep down, Han knew he was lying to himself.
Lucas Lee was never truly alone.
---
Back in Lucas's Office
Lucas was reviewing documents when a knock came at the door.
Ari walked in quietly.
She looked worried.
"I saw the news," she said. "Are you okay?"
Lucas didn't look up.
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
He paused.
Ari stepped closer and placed a hand on his arm.
"Lucas… you can talk to me, you know?"
Lucas finally met her eyes.
For a moment, his expression softened—just slightly.
But it was enough for Ari to see past the walls he always kept up.
"This isn't about rumors," Lucas said.
"It's a message."
"From KangTech?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Then what are you going to do?"
Lucas looked down at her hand still resting on him.
He didn't push it away.
"Troverò le loro debolezze."
(I'll find their weaknesses.)
Ari swallowed.
"You always fight alone."
Lucas shrugged lightly.
"I'm used to it."
"Well… I'm here anyway," she said softly.
Lucas didn't respond, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment too long.
Rafael peeked through the door, then retreated immediately.
Ari is the only person he lets close, he thought.
---
Later That Night
Jinwoo was walking home, exhausted after a long day, when he noticed someone leaning against the streetlamp ahead.
Lucas.
Jinwoo stopped.
"Why are you standing in the dark like a villain?"
Lucas pushed off the lamp casually.
"You looked like you wanted company."
"I didn't," Jinwoo snapped.
Lucas ignored that.
"KangTech made their first move."
Jinwoo sighed.
"I saw the news."
Lucas tilted his head.
"And?"
"And you should fight it legally," Jinwoo said.
"If you try anything reckless, I'll—"
Lucas stepped closer.
"You'll what?"
Jinwoo stiffened.
"…I'll handle it."
That surprised Lucas.
"You?" Lucas asked. "Helping me?"
"Don't get excited," Jinwoo muttered.
"I'm not helping you. I'm going after KangTech. Your case just happens to annoy me."
Lucas cracked a rare, faint smile.
"Then we have something in common."
Jinwoo turned away quickly before Lucas noticed the way his ears turned pink.
"Anyway," Jinwoo said, "I'll dig into the source of the rumor."
Lucas nodded.
"Good."
"And you—don't start a war without me knowing."
Lucas smirked.
"No promises."
Jinwoo groaned. "You're impossible."
Lucas walked past him.
"Buonanotte, Procuratore."
(Goodnight, Prosecutor.)
Jinwoo blinked.
"…Whatever. Goodnight."
---
Back in his penthouse
Lucas stood by the window, watching the city lights flicker.
KangTech thought one rumor would shake him.
They were wrong.
Very wrong.
Lucas placed a new file on the table.
Names. Dates. Transactions. Secrets.
All connected to KangTech.
A slow, cold smile appeared on his face.
"Your move is done," he whispered.
"Now it's my turn."
---
The Devil's Visit
The night in Roselane never truly slept.
Even after midnight, the city hummed—cars sliding down wet streets, distant horns, neon lights flickering like tired eyes.
Lucas stepped out of the elevator on the 15th floor of the Meridian Hotel, jacket draped loosely over his arm, tie loosened, hair slightly messy from the long day. Anyone else would look exhausted.
Lucas Lee looked dangerous.
He walked straight down the hallway, stopping at Room 1508.
He didn't knock.
He kicked.
The door flew open and hit the wall so hard the man inside dropped his drink.
"W–What the hell—?! Lucas?! What are you doing here?"
Terrence Walsh.
One of the men who "misplaced" a shipment belonging to someone very powerful.
Lucas shut the door behind him with a slow push.
"Sit."
His voice was low, calm—too calm.
Terrence sank into the chair like his bones had turned to water.
"You were warned," Lucas said, taking off his gloves one finger at a time. "You had forty-eight hours. You used forty-nine."
Terrence stuttered, "Lucas, listen, it wasn't my fault—"
"Non mentire."
Don't lie.
Terrence swallowed.
Lucas leaned forward, eyes sharp.
"You sold half of the shipment. Then you tried to run with the rest. Unfortunately for you…" He tapped Terrence's phone on the table. "…you're terrible at hiding."
Terrence's hands trembled. "Please… I have a family."
"So do the people you stole from," Lucas replied. "And they don't cry this much."
Terrence sobbed quietly, wiping his face with shaking fingers.
Lucas sighed.
He hated cowards.
"Look," Terrence whispered, "I can get the money. I just need more time—"
Lucas raised a finger.
"No."
Terrence froze.
"You have one hour to bring everything back," Lucas said. "Cash. Goods. All of it."
"One hour?! That's im—"
"It's possible," Lucas said. "Because you already stashed it close."
Terrence's mouth fell open.
Lucas smirked.
"You really thought the warehouse camera wouldn't catch you? Amateur."
Terrence looked like he might faint.
Lucas checked the time on his watch.
"Sai che succede se fallisci, vero?"
You know what happens if you fail, right?
Terrence nodded slowly, tears dripping.
"Good," Lucas said, stepping back. "Don't disappoint me again."
He turned to leave.
Then—his phone buzzed.
A message.
From Isabella.
Meet me downstairs. We need to talk.
Lucas exhaled through his nose.
"Of course she chooses the most dramatic time."
He opened the door to leave but paused and looked back at Terrence.
"Oh… and Terrence?" Lucas said as he slid his gloves back on.
"Y-Yes…?"
"Try to run…"
His lips curved into a dark smile.
"…and I'll make sure you never run again."
The door clicked shut.
Terrence collapsed to the floor.
---
Downstairs — Hotel Lobby
Isabella stood near the glass doors, arms crossed, hair tied up, wearing a loose oversized sweater that somehow made her look even more beautiful.
When Lucas approached, she didn't smile.
"You look tired," she said.
"I'm always tired," Lucas replied.
"And dangerous," she added.
"That too."
She rolled her eyes. "We need to talk."
"About what?"
"Your new case. People are whispering about you already."
Lucas raised a brow.
"Good. Let them whisper."
Isabella stepped closer.
"You're playing with fire."
He leaned down a little.
"I am the fire."
She tried to hide it, but she smiled—just a little.
Lucas noticed.
And for the first time that night…
his expression softened.
Only for her.