Leo's tiny fingers hovered over the tablet screen.
His childish eyes, cold and calculating, stared at the message from the unknown number. The photo of his mother's necklace glowed on the screen.
A bold, dangerous smile curved the little genius's lips.
In less than three seconds, Leo traced the sender's IP address, breaching three firewalls of the country's most secure server. He typed a quick reply.
"You can have the money, old man. But if you come within a meter of my mother, I'll melt your trillion-dollar company's servers."
The reply came instantly: "I can't wait to see you try, kid. But your mother is already on my turf."
Leo frowned. He looked out the window of the armored car taking them to the hotel.
His mother had already left. Serena was on her way to Blackwood Corporation headquarters to sign the cybersecurity contract.
"Damn," Leo muttered. "He set a trap."
Blackwood Corporation headquarters. The tallest and most imposing building in City S.
Serena Vance stepped out of the executive elevator on the hundredth floor. She walked with the poise of a warrior goddess, her impeccable white suit exuding authority.
She was the feared "S." No one in the tech world dared to disrespect her.
But inside, her stomach was churning. The encounter at the airport had shaken her more than she wanted to admit.
"Ms. Vance," Luke, the assistant, bowed nervously at the floor reception desk. "President Blackwood is waiting for you. Please come in."
The heavy double mahogany doors swung open. Serena stepped into the colossal office, whose glass walls offered a panoramic view of the city.
CLICK.
The dry, metallic sound echoed behind her. The doors hadn't just closed; they had been electronically locked.
Serena spun around. "What does this mean, Mr. Blackwood? Is locking up business partners your company's new policy?"
Julian was leaning against the edge of his massive ebony desk.
He had taken off his jacket. The sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up, revealing strong forearms tattooed with ancient runes.
He looked like a demon king ready to devour his prey. And his dark eyes were fixed on her, hungry.
"We're not business partners, Serena," Julian's voice was dangerous velvet. "And you know that very well."
"I'm here to sign a security restructuring contract," she retorted, lifting her chin and walking toward the desk. "If this isn't about business, I'm leaving."
She tossed the folder containing the terms onto the desk.
Julian didn't look at the papers. Instead, he took a step forward. And then another.
His oppressive presence forced Serena to back up until her back pressed against the cold glass of the floor-to-ceiling window.
She was trapped.
Julian rested his hands on the glass, one on either side of Serena's body, trapping her in a cage made of his own arms.
His scent—sandalwood, power, and a hint of danger—overwhelmed her senses. It was exactly the same scent from that dark night in Suite 8888.
"You have my children," Julian whispered, his face inches from hers. His hot breath sent shivers down Serena's neck. "You stole my seed, ran off with my heirs, and drove me mad for five years."
"They're not yours!" Serena lied, her heart pounding so hard it threatened to shatter her ribs. "It was just one night! You didn't even see my face!"
"I didn't need to see your face," he growled, his voice laced with irrational possessiveness. "I imprinted your scent. Your taste. Every sound you made."
Serena choked. A violent blush spread across her neck and face.
Slowly, Julian raised his right hand. Hanging from his long fingers, glistening in the sunlight, was the silver necklace with the lotus.
Serena's eyes widened in panic.
"Your mother left this to you before she died. Would you risk losing it just to get away from me?" Julian asked, gently running the cold metal across her cheek.
"Give it back," she demanded, trying to push against Julian's broad chest. It was like trying to push a mountain of pure muscle.
"I'll give it back," he agreed, his lips curving into a dark, triumphant smile. "On one condition."
He used his other hand to pull a document from the table and pressed it against Serena's chest.
It wasn't the cybersecurity contract. The title in capital letters read: EXCLUSIVE COHABITATION AND JOINT CUSTODY AGREEMENT.
"You and my children are moving into Blackwood Manor tonight," Julian declared, his tone brooking no refusal. "You will be mine."
"You're crazy!" Serena screamed, her eyes flashing with fury. "I'm the head of a global corporation! I'll never sign that!"
"Oh, you will," Julian whispered against her lips, his eyes filled with relentless obsession. "Because if you don't sign, your lovely son will face federal charges."
Serena froze. "What?"
Julian smiled, the devil incarnate. "He hacked into my private server ten minutes ago. A federal crime. If you don't sign, his genius will be rewarded with a juvenile detention center."
Serena's world came to a standstill. This man was a ruthless monster!
Before she could curse him to death, the emergency intercom on Julian's desk began beeping frantically.
"Sir!" the receptionist's desperate voice echoed through the room. "I'm so sorry to interrupt! But Miss Isabella Vance has stormed the floor! She's screaming that she's your future fiancée and demands to be let in!"
Serena's eyes flashed with a mixture of shock and icy hatred.
Isabella. The woman who had caused all her misfortune was on the other side of that door.
Julian looked at the intercom, deeply annoyed by the interruption. But when he looked back at Serena, he saw the bloodlust in her eyes.
"Interesting," Julian murmured, slowly releasing Serena. "It seems the trash has come to deliver itself right to my doorstep. Would you like to have a little fun, my queen, before signing our contract?"