His Empire...Her Endgame

nyone, but by his own wife. He clenched his fists, hating the way the situation made him feel-stupid, powerless, exposed. That was something he could never allow himself to be.

ng back at her . You invited the devil into your life, Adanna. She had taken the job knowing the risks. But she hadn't expected this. Her options were clear-risk her life or surrender herself in a way she refused to. She would never stoop that low. After her meal, she checked her laptop for any useful updates on her surroundings. Then, finally, exhaustion pulled her into a nap. She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep when the knock came. Soft. Too soft. Her heart pounded in her chest. She lay still, listening. Then another knock. Adanna swallowed hard, creeping toward the door. She peered through the peephole. Room service. But she wasn't expecting them. Her breath came faster now, her gut screaming at her to stay put. You're just being paranoid. She forced herself to believe it-until, in a split second, the door opposite hers swung open. A man stepped out. Calm. Unsettlingly so. Before she could react, he was in front of her. Then-blackness. MATTEO- Matteo stirred, blinking as he woke to the sight of Griselda standing over him. Expressionless. Cold. He sat up abruptly. "Why are you looking at me like that?" His voice was rough from sleep, but frustration bled through. "Can't I have some damn peace in my own house?" She didn't flinch. Didn't waver. "Whatever you've done to get yourself into this mess," she said coolly, "my children and I will not be a part of it. You started this war. You'll dance to the tune alone, because none of us like the sound." Then, without another word, she turned and walked out. Matteo's hands clenched into fists as he moved to go after her-to shout, to demand-but the moment he stood, a wave of weakness crashed over him. He barely made it to the couch before collapsing into it, his body heavy with exhaustion. LORENZO Lorenzo studied his color palette, searching for the right shade to capture his background. The ringing of his phone broke his concentration. "I think I got the girl," came the voice on the other end. Then silence. A slow smile spread across Lorenzo's face. Aldo. Always so efficien