Sold to the Ruthless Mafia

ame B

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tood by the large bay window in the drawing room, hands clasped behind his back, watching the mist curl along the edges of th

pression guarded but keen. He gestured to a plush armcha

careful not to show any hint of the defiance I felt coiled within me. "W

've been thinking," he began, his voice smooth as silk. "About your potential

keep my expression indifferent. "My 'situation' was created

resistance will only get you so far, Elena. I'm offeri

you offering?" I ask

s, his gaze never leaving mine. "I want you by my

y calm. "A partner," I repeated, struggling to keep

royed," he replied smoothly. "In restoring the family name

ame my father for everything when he was the one who had orchestrated it all?

curiosity to show in my expressi

oice almost coaxing. "Wealth. Influen

ut at what cost, Victor? You've taken everything from me-my fa

Your father's choices were his own," he said, his tone hardening.

lf to keep my expression neutral. "And what i

al would be...unwise," he replied. "You have few allies, Elena. And even fewer options.

here, isolated in this grand prison of his making. B

o adopt a thoughtful expression. "And

"I want you to become a public face for the family," he said. "Attend functions with me, rebuild rel

tone light. "Parade me around to gain sympathy and re

s how you choose to view it," he said coolly. "But I believe

s proposal. It was a dangerous game he was suggesting, one that could easily backfire if I wa

aid finally, keeping my

ced. But he nodded, a faint smile curving his lips. "Good. Take you

conversation was over. But as he turned to

quiet. "Why go to all this trouble

n in his eyes-something that almost resembled vulnerabi

"You're strong, intelligent, and...resilient. You h

nd left the room, leaving

-

low breath. Victor's words echoed in my mind, his offer hanging in the air like a challenge. He wanted m

he information I needed, to find a way to escape his grasp. If I co

ictor was a master manipulator, and I couldn't afford any m

pted my thoughts. I tensed, wondering if Victor had returned. But when I

her tone carefully neutral. "He wanted to ma

l smile. "I'm c

ce. "Be careful, Elena," she said quietly. "Vic

of genuine concern beneath her cool ex

ing in a low voice. "Because I know what it's like to

ne, but I kept my expression neutr

ips. "Sometimes survival requires sacrifice.

han answers. Was she warning me, or simply reminding me of my place? An

f doubt, a reminder that I wasn't the only one ensnared by Victor's web.

-

all functions with him, keeping my demeanor polite and poised, playing the role he expected of me. I listened,

d won. But beneath my compliant façade, I was building my own network, making discre

ictor turned to me with an approving smile. "You'r

aze without flinching. "I'm simply tr

atisfaction. "Good. Keep it up, and y

offered would come at a price-and that he would never tru

ntinued to p