"Mm… fell asleep too quickly. Seems like my little bird is tired, huh?" Nikolai's deep voice rang through the room as his gaze fixed on Elena's duvet-clad body.
Elena held her breath, bracing herself for what would come next. She understood one thing—this man is unpredictable, and she would have to be careful even while pretending to sleep.
His hungry eyes trailed over her petite frame. "Dream about me, my little bird… and keep that Volkov out of your dreams. Otherwise, I will haunt you even there." His voice rumbled low, mocking, with a hint of promise and threat mixed together.
Just as he was about to climb onto the bed, his phone rang.
He picked up the call and placed it against his ear.
"Speak."
His voice was sharp and commanding.
On the other side, a voice came in a hushed tone. "Boss… Adrian caught Marcus. He beat him brutally."
Nikolai's expression turned cold and dark instantly.
The voice continued, "And… Adrian killed the men you sent."
Nikolai shouted into the phone, making the man on the other side fall silent.
"And WHO told you all to use cell phones
Huh? I told you again and again not to use any devices so he can track you!"
The man's voice shook in fear as he tried to explain, "But boss, we switched off our cell phones most of the time… only turning them on when it was necessary…"
Nikolai roared, "Don't give me excuses before I rip your throat apart through this damn cell phone."
The man immediately went silent, knowing better than to argue.
"Did Marcus spill anything to Adrian? Or did Adrian suspect anything?"
The man answered quickly, "No boss.
Marcus is trying to trap Adrian with his words."
Nikolai's expression didn't change as he gave another order. "Keep giving me updates. And one more thing—don't fall into Adrian's hands. And keep your phone data clean."
Nikolai cut the call and tossed the phone onto the nearby sofa, cursing under his breath.
"That's why I didn't bring any men with me… and kept my location hidden even from Marcus. But still… Marcus knows all my hideouts, every penthouse, every hidden location. I have to move from here as soon as possible."
On the bed, Elena heard everything.
An idea suddenly struck her.
Her face lit up.
Not because Adrian was coming for her—but because this could be her chance to escape.
According to Nikolai's words, if he really left this place to move somewhere else, there would be a chance for her to run.
And she couldn't miss this golden opportunity.
But she had to think logically.
If she planned to escape, she would need food, money, and her passport.
Three essential things.
And she had to gather them carefully… with calculation.
Because rushing would only make things worse.
She wouldn't stay under anyone's control.
Not Adrian.
Not Nikolai.
No one.
On the other hand, Adrian kept tormenting Marcus while Alex searched the hideout like a wolf.
Adrian pulled out a knife from his waistband, its blade glinting under the dim light. Marcus was tied to a chair—bloodied and half-dead.
In a blink of an eye, Adrian stabbed the knife into Marcus's hand.
Marcus let out a soul-wrenching scream, which made Adrian smile coldly.
"Yeah, don't scream… otherwise I will cut your tongue off next. Now be a good little dog and tell us the location."
Marcus's lips curled into a smirk, blood dripping from his mouth as he spoke in a broken voice, "Why so hurry, Volkov… she might be enjoying her night with Boss…"
Adrian's anger flared instantly.
Before Marcus could say anything further, Adrian's knife came down again—cutting off one of Marcus's fingers brutally.
Marcus screamed again, his voice breaking in pain.
Adrian's eyes glinted with rage.
"I will move heaven and earth if I have to. But since you are so excited to die by my hands, I will gladly make your wish come true."
He leaned closer, his voice turning colder.
"But if you give me the information… I will make your death less painful."
A pause.
"Choice is yours."