Chapter 10 - The King's Decree
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The silence in the penthouse was suffocating. Vivian’s triumphant smile began to falter under Dante’s dark, unblinking gaze.
“You found this in her bag?” Dante asked the security chief, his voice deceptively calm.
“Yes, sir.”
Dante held out his hand. The chief placed the diamond watch into his palm. Dante examined the glittering face, tracing the diamonds with his thumb.
“It’s a beautiful piece, Vivian,” Dante murmured. “A limited edition. You bought this in Paris two years ago, didn't you?”
“Yes, Dante. It’s priceless to me,” Vivian lied smoothly. “Which is why she needs to be punished.”
“Fascinating,” Dante said softly. He looked up, his eyes locking onto his fiancée. “Because I have the security feeds for this entire floor routed directly to my personal server. I watched you walk into Lena’s room twenty minutes ago while she was in here with me. I watched you plant the watch.”
Vivian went stark white. The color completely drained from her face. “Dante, I… that’s a lie! You’re protecting a thief!”
Dante threw the diamond watch hard against the marble wall.
The priceless timepiece shattered into dozens of pieces, showering the floor with diamonds and broken gears.
Vivian screamed, stepping backward.
“You think I am a fool, Vivian?” Dante roared, his voice shaking the crystal glasses on the bar. “You think you can play parlor tricks in my house, against my people?”
“Dante, she’s manipulating you!” Vivian cried, tears of panic welling in her eyes. “She’s nothing! I am your future wife!”
“You are a political liability,” Dante corrected coldly. He turned to the security chief. “Escort Vivian out of the hotel. If she sets foot on the property again, shoot her.”
The security chief didn't hesitate. He grabbed Vivian roughly by the arm.
“You can't do this!” Vivian shrieked as she was dragged toward the doors. “My father will break the alliance! Marcus won't stand for this! You’re a cripple, Dante! You need us!”
The doors slammed shut, cutting off her screams.
Lena stood frozen, breathing heavily, staring at the shattered watch on the floor. Dante had just started a war with a rival syndicate to protect her.
Dante turned his wheelchair toward her, his face softening.
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“I told you,” Dante said quietly. “You are under my protection. No one touches you.”
Lena looked at him, realizing that the golden cage she had walked into was no longer a prison. It was a fortress. And he was the king guarding the gates.
