The Mafia's Deadly Obsesion: Bound By Debt

ugh every corner. In the opulent Blackwood ancestral mansion, John Blackwood sat in his study, engrossed in the grim reports flashi

er's presence. His demeanor was as composed as ever, despite the gravity of recent events. He had left his own residenc

is father with a measured tone, mas

reproach. "Axel, I entrusted you with everything because I believe

defiance. "I haven't been implicated in the Governor's

cial indiscretions, but it wasn't your place to take

oving the source of the filth," Axel repl

of this. I have given you an ultimatum. You have two months to find a w

instead to leave the study, his mind already churni

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ulinary star whose recent victory had catapulted her into the limelight, was still adjusting to the n

ensation?" the cab driver exc

lle, who smiled knowingly. "Looks like fame

river her business card with a grateful smil

le couldn't resist probing gently, "

it presented. "Maybe start my own food brand... or perhaps open

thusiastically, "Having a chef like you own a restaurant would

elle, sensing her friend's uncertainty, placed a reassuring hand on Lila's arm. "Take th

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his boss's uncharacteristically tense demeanor as they worked through the

ed today, Axel. Is

nt of agitation. "My father dropped a bombshell.

surprise. "Married? Have

xel interrupted icily. "And

resolve. "Understood. I'll start looking

already racing ahead to the next steps

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able attire and air of quiet confidence marking her as someone out of the ordinary. Flora, Axel's spirited si

kept waiting," Flora chided playfully as she app

fic," Kelly replied with a smile

Flora continued, ignoring

echoed, arching an

find a wife within a month, or he risks losing everyth

nt of amusement tugging at her li

hought. "Apparently! And you, my d

de a small smile. "How did you find out about thi

shrug. "Axel wanted her to intervene,

rin, already imagining the chaos thei

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oubled past, drowned his sorrows in cheap whiskey. His daughter, Lila, had

hem both down flawlessly," Henry slurred drunkenly to anyone who wou

proached Henry with a demand for payment. Henry fumbled through his pocke

at materialized from the darkness. "The boss wants to see you," t

ed by the implication. Without protest, he followed th

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led awake by a gentle tapping at her door. Her initial fear tu

asked, her heart racing

t belied his usual jovial demeanor. "I'm sorry for waking you,

noticed the seriousness etched into he

ntly. "You remember the competition you

uched by her father's rare displa

per. "But... there's something else. Years ago, I g

and ruthlessness. She remembered him from the award ceremony, his presence casting a

u agree to marry him," Henry admitted r

d, the independence she had fought for, threatened to unravel at the whims of a ma

er voice barely audible above the t

ilt as he turned and left her room, leaving Li

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rossed in his work, when Flora stormed into his office u

g my calls, Axel?" Flora deman

e returning his attention to the com

you're acting like this. How are we supposed to plan

inscrutable. "Flora, let's get one thing straigh

re she regained her composure, her voice waveri

rupted bluntly, his words cutting t

ood ther