ration for the evening's celebration was palpable. Eve sat in her chair, eyes glued to the laptop screen, scrolling through e

down gently, scanning the screen for any mention of the mysterious figure. But there was nothing. No wife.

, shrill and sudden in the stillness. Eve stood up, the phone pressed to

her manager, spoke on the other

e. She turned her attention back to the phone. "Not even a loophole?" H

"Nothing, boss. He's a difficult on

stepping out of the cars, their movements swift, purposeful. It was like watching a well-oiled mach

her," she muttered

him, and the others began to bow in respect. The figure moved

She spoke into the phone, her voice calm but filled with intent,

e, boss,"- K

Eve turned, her eyes darting to the door.

allway, a long black box cradled in his hands. Eve r

the call. She shifted her attention b

said with a mischievous glin

Nik entered, and she closed the door behind him. He

ik teased, his voice low, hi

bed, unwrapping the crimson ribbon carefully. There, in the box, was a st

This will look

e details before laying it on the bed. Just then, Nik spoke a

" he muttered, a

he scanned him, then immediately moved to shut down her

e snapped, her tone shar

rs. "You won't find anything about him. Trust me

t hide the curiosity that flared inside

est, his lips curling into a sly

er head slightly. "How did you know him?" she asked, her

ighed, as if the weight of the memory was he

"You worked for the mafia k

hung heavily in the air. Eve stared at him, her mind racing. Nik, with his

nease. "What, you didn't think I had a past

wn ambitions, without bothering to learn much about the people around her.

ou," she said, her voice quieter n

expression serio

rent approach. "Why did you stop working for

is jaw tightening. "Let's not talk about that,

looking for t

nd moved toward the bathroom. "You don't need to know," she said di

e asking, "But why do you want to

er answer. She smirked, and turned to look at him.

ed back, his eyes widening in disbe

spreading across her face. "Do I

to you?" Nik asked,

lking toward the bathroom, her voice tinged

the mafia king. You won't survive. Whoever's advi

voice was firm, unwavering as she

ve, this isn't some game. This is real, and if you go thro

termination. "Nik, I don't need anyone telling me what to

t understand," he said, his voice quieter now. "The mafia king

then she turned and walked into the bathroom, leavin