Knock-Knock…
Moments later, the sound of the door knocking filled the air.
He went to open the door. A familiar face appeared.
"Dominic!" the man breathed out, his gaze scanning him from head to toe. Relief flooded his features as he saw him alive, on his feet. "Hell, man, you scared me."
He pulled him into a tight embrace.
Dominic winced. "You are crushing me," he muttered through his clenched teeth.
Lucas stepped back. "Sorry. I just… The car exploded, and you disappeared. I found nothing. I was scared."
"I am not that easy to kill." Dominic looked around. "Come in."
The door shut behind them.
"Tell me no one noticed you entering," Dominic's tone was cold.
"I made you. No one noticed me."
Dominic settled onto the sofa, gesturing Lucas to take his seat.
"Marco declared you dead within hours," Lucas informed as he sat down. "The syndicate is in chaos. Half of the men are waiting for the confirmation, while the other half," he paused, hesitating, "they've sided with Marco."
Dominic listened to him carefully, leaning back on the sofa.
"Marco has been aggressive," continued Lucas. "He is taking control of shipments, assigning his trusted men to control the regions. He is already acting like he is the king. If we don't act quickly, he will capture all the businesses. He'll grow powerful and turn the syndicate to his favor."
He paused for a moment. "Then it will be hard to defeat him."
Dominic knew everything. He knew how ambitious Marco was. But he wouldn't act recklessly.
"The brake line was cut," Lucas went on. "We confirmed it. That wasn't an accident."
Dominic's expression didn't change. He had already guessed that. And deep down, he knew it was Marco's doing.
"I'm sure Marco plotted it," Lucas said with certainty. "He wants to snatch the power from you. We need to take him down."
Dominic's jaw tightened slightly, barely visible. He was still silent, seemingly calm. But his cold eyes betrayed the storm threatening to be unleashed within him.
"He is acting too fast after you disappeared," Lucas spoke again. "It's like he was waiting for this moment."
Dominic listened to everything with no reaction. But his mind already started calculating.
"We need to stop him before it's too late," Lucas expressed his worry without hesitation. "We are all prepared for the war. Just say the word."
"Patience," the one word escaped Dominic's mouth. "I'll stay dead for him. For now."
Lucas stared at him. Dominic wasn't known for patience. Shouldn't he destroy Marco right away? Why was this delay?
Lucas couldn't make sense.
Dominic wasn't someone who would tolerate betrayal. What was he planning?
"Let Marco feel secure. Let him gather supporters. In this way, those who want me gone will be exposed."
At that, Lucas understood what Dominic had on his mind.
"I want to see who else is against me." A dangerous smile danced across Dominic's lips. "Then I'll remove them one by one."
Noticing the murderous glint in his eyes, Lucas felt chills on his spine. But this was Dominic, deadly. That was why he was called a devil.
Lucas looked around. "This place…Do you think you are safe here?"
"I can take care of my safety," Dominic replied calmly.
"And this woman – you trust her?" Lucas tilted his head slightly as he searched his eyes.
Dominic recalled how Mila had pulled him out of the wrecked car just in time and saved him. He had no reason to doubt her.
"She saved me," he said. "I'm grateful to her."
"Does she know who you are?"
"No."
"Dude, I don't think it's a good idea to be here," Lucas said honestly. "She is an ordinary woman. What if she makes some mistakes and exposes your identity? You'd better hide somewhere safe. I'll arrange it."
Ordinary?
Dominic didn't think so. A woman who had dragged a bleeding stranger out of a car that was about to explode couldn't be ordinary. She could have died, but she had not hesitated. Fear had not pushed her away.
She could have abandoned him, but she had brought him to her place, taken care of him, and even cooked for him. She wasn't a threat.
"It's safer than any place you will arrange," Dominic said. "Trust me, I'll be fine."
Lucas was uncertain. He stared at him for a long moment.
Dominic had never taken an interest in a civilian before. This time, he involved himself with an ordinary woman. This could be dangerous for both of them. But he knew better that Dominic wouldn't listen to him.
"Alright, if you think it's safe here, stay. But be careful. If Marco suspects you are alive, you will put her in danger."
Dominic was aware of the consequences. He shouldn't involve an innocent person. But he didn't know why he couldn't leave yet. Something about her attracted him. He knew he shouldn't feel that way, but he couldn't help it.
When she called him 'Big guy', he had indeed felt something fluttering inside his chest. He was curious about her.
"I need you to check on her," Dominic said slowly. "I want everything on her. Family, friends, work history."
Lucas studied him for a while before nodding. "Alright. You will get the details soon." He walked away but paused right beside the door. "I'll be around. Call me if there is anything."
With that, he left.
At the hospital…
Mila was studying a patient's file when the door opened without a knock. She stiffened slightly and glanced up as a familiar figure entered.
It was the cheater.
She ignored him and continued checking the report.
"What's wrong with you?" Ethan's voice was sharp. "You didn't come to my birthday party. I waited. You didn't call me either. Not even a text. Don't you care about me?"
"I told you I couldn't make it," she replied flatly. "I was on a double shift last night. I was busy."
Ethan let out a frustrated groan. "You have time for everyone, but not for me. It was my birthday. All my friends were asking about you. I felt so embarrassed."
Mila flipped the page, telling herself not to react.
"I thought I'd proposed to you."
She closed the file and snapped her head up at him, her patience thinning.
She had prepared a gift for him and gone to surprise him last night. She had been ready to give him everything. But she had heard him laughing, mocking her, scheming to take her shares, and cheating on her with her half-sister. And now he was acting as if he were wronged.
Her blood boiled.
Ethan faltered facing her burning gaze. His expression softened. "I didn't mean to shout at you." He strode around the table and went to her. "I was just upset."
He gently took her hands in his. "Mila. I love you. Let's get married. I can't wait any longer."
Mila kept staring at him. 'You want to marry me so you could force me to surrender my shares.'
Bitter bile rose to her throat. She stood up, jerking her hands free from his grip. "I changed my mind."
"About what?" He squinted at her, confused as to what she was implying.
"About marrying you."
He frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Let's break up."