u's

Akira's pleas fell on deaf ears; he should have thought twice before betraying

ding across his chest. I watched dispassionately as

ing with disdain. "You thought you co

odded curtly, and they dragged Akira's lifeless b

ing to the next move. This execution would

the alley like a shroud. I watched as my men efficiently disposed of the body, their movements practi

ng in this world if it wasn't absolute. The moment he had sold information to my rivals, he had signed his own death warran

task at hand, one that had nothing to do with the underworld dealings I had mastered over the year

As I walked out of the room, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing my father's

ritative as always. "I've arranged the m

ath the surface. "Marriage? You didn't think

sharply. "Mr. Petrov's business is falling apart. He

ading, but I stayed sile

d. "But nothing comes for free. I told him we'd help, but onl

o you sold me off in exchang

Petrov family still has influence, and with our backing, they'll recover.

marry her?" I challenged, m

old and final. "This is how our world works, Ryu. We mak

ressing down on me, but I wasn't ready

hing I've given you. Your empire, your men, your power-it all vani

e me, how to back me into a corner. "So that's it? I'm just supposed to marry t

Marrying Amelia secures our future, ensures our domin

do it. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this for you. I'l

he replied, his tone softening slightly. "You're a smart man, R

t of being forced into this marriage grated against every instinct I had, but I knew my fat

er and influence, carefully spun, with me at its center. My thoughts were interrupted by the soft click of the door op

eavy in the air, charged with the tension of our impending union. Finally, I turned, my

her, my voice cool and

tammered out an excuse, "I

rested in her apologies. "Spare me the excus

d. At least she wasn't completely cowed. "I'm only here becau

smile to curve my lips. "Then thi

She lifted her chin, a sign of resistance that I found more amusing than threatenin

here to barter words, Miss Petrov. You're here bec

cold realization of her situation. "I'm only here because I

e make one thing clear. This marriage is a business transaction, nothing more. You will p

lickering weakly. "Believe me,

ravity of what was happening. "You'll be given everything you need to pr

e window, effectively ending the conversation. I listen

just a piece in the larger game-useful, necessary, but ultimately expendable. My father had orchestrat

s crumbling, and in his desperation, he'd come crawling to my father for help. In return, he'd sold his daughter to secur

Marrying Amelia would strengthen our position, and if I played my cards right, I could use this

l deals to be made, alliances to forge, and enemies to eliminate. This marriage was jus

ement, would be more complicated than I initially thought. Amelia wasn't as weak as she seemed, and I'd nee

king the silence. "Everything's been taken care of, Mr. C

at him. "Good. Make su

ind, reminding me of the stakes involved. This marriage was more than just a union-it wa

d no choice. I would go through with the marriage, play my part, and ensure that our ene

ov might be a part of that plan, but she would never be anything more than a tool-a mea