Chapter 5 Threat!

Helena was already quite tired and had closed her eyes several times, as it was almost midnight, but her boss was still busy discussing work. Helena couldn't really understand it. Just a while ago, Violetta had firmly refused to collaborate with FK, but now she was so serious about discussing their cooperation that she had to explain her vision for the future. Violetta seemed to enjoy this meeting, comfortable making direct eye contact with the FK CEO.

"Well then, tomorrow FK will draft the contract according to the agreed-upon points. But Bolshoy might have to wait a few days until the legality of our acquisition with NVD is finalized."

"Alright, I'll wait. In that case, I'll take my leave. Until we meet again at the signing of the collaboration agreement." Violetta immediately rose from her chair and left without shaking hands as a sign of respect to her colleagues. Helena was once again puzzled by Violetta's behavior.

"Sorry, Miss, is it okay to leave like that?" Helena asked as she followed Violetta walking in front of her.

Violetta stopped walking, then turned around. "What do you mean?"

"Miss left without shaking their hands. Isn't that a bit..." Helena felt pressured to say it.

"There's no set rule for that. Besides, I don't want to shake hands with him again." Violetta continued walking.

"Why is that?"

"When I shook his hand earlier, I could already sense something bad about him. That big guy has other intentions towards me."

Helena was shocked. "How can you know, Miss?"

"Learned from many experiences. That's why you should be more careful when dealing with men."

"I-I don't socialize with many men."

Violetta glanced briefly at Helena, then sighed. "Socialize occasionally, don't just stay in your apartment after work."

Helena nodded obediently.

"Are you going home by taxi?"

"Yes, Miss."

Violetta looked at Helena again, then glanced at her watch. "It's already midnight, and Vegas isn't a safe city. I'll contact Andreas to drive you home."

Helena looked up in surprise. "No, Miss! No need! That would be very inconvenient. Thank you for the offer."

"So, you want me to drive you home?"

Helena was surprised again, shaking her head immediately. "Not like that, Miss. I'll just take a taxi home."

Violetta gave her a sharp look, and it successfully weakened Helena's determination.

"Alright, Miss, I'll wait for Andreas."

Violetta smirked. "Why so stubborn when accepting kindness from others?"

Helena nodded.

While Violetta was contacting Andreas, a luxurious car stopped in front of them. Violetta paid no attention, unlike Helena, who was amazed to see it. However, when Ludwig stepped out of the driver's seat, Helena immediately furrowed her brow.

"Uh? Hi! We meet again."

Violetta narrowed her eyes and moved away from the man. Meanwhile, Helena quickly turned her head away, pretending not to recognize him.

"What are you two doing here? It's already midnight."

"We just finished a meeting," Helena replied quickly.

"Andreas will be here soon; you can wait here," Violetta said. She then glanced at Ludwig and walked towards him. Instantly, Ludwig took a step back, avoiding her.

"You're the one who took most of my money at the gambling table, right?"

Ludwig swallowed hard.

"Are you picking up your brother?"

"How do you know?"

Violetta squinted, then approached Ludwig even closer. "While waiting for your brother to come out, please accompany my secretary here until Andreas arrives."

Ludwig was taken aback, as was Helena.

"Do you know Andreas?" Violetta asked.

Ludwig nodded.

"Alright, then I'll go first." Violetta walked towards her car, but after a few steps, she turned back to Ludwig and Helena.

"Hey, you!" she called.

"Me?" Ludwig said, pointing to himself.

"Don't touch my secretary! If you do that again, I'll beat you up!"

Ludwig couldn't say a word. He didn't expect a woman to threaten him, especially since he was usually the one threatening others. Honestly, he felt humiliated.

________________________________________

Matteo then walked out with Fabian and his secretary. Matteo's gaze was directed at Ludwig, who was staring sharply at Helena, while Helena felt cornered and frightened.

"Alright, see you at the office."

Matteo nodded and then shook hands with Fabian, who excused himself first.

Matteo then approached Ludwig and Helena. Seeing Matteo's presence, Helena's heart immediately raced with fear. Who wouldn't be afraid of Matteo's tall stature and deadly gaze ready to pounce on his prey?

"Are you still here? Where's Violetta?" he asked.

Helena dared not look at him. "Miss Violetta has already gone home; I'm here waiting for Andreas."

Matteo snorted, then walked towards his car. However, he immediately stopped when he realized that Ludwig wasn't following him.

"Why are you standing there?"

"That woman... I mean Violetta, she asked me to accompany her secretary until Andreas comes to pick her up."

Matteo furrowed his brow. "And you're willing to comply with her request?"

Ludwig sneered. "It didn't even sound like a request, more like an order," he complained.

Matteo chuckled dryly, then cynically glanced at Helena. Unfortunately, Helena met his gaze directly, and her knees suddenly went weak.

"You! What's your name?" Matteo asked.

"H-Helena."

"Come on! I'll drive you home."

Helena's eyes widened, and she immediately shook her head in panic.

"I'll call Andreas. I know him; he's an old friend of mine."

Helena didn't care. She would still wait for Andreas rather than enter the lion's den.

"You shouldn't make my brother stand for too long, beautiful," Ludwig whispered.

Helena swallowed hard.

"Ludwig, quickly get her inside!" Matteo ordered.

Ludwig immediately dragged Helena inside, terrifying her. Helena tried to resist and scream, but Ludwig quickly silenced her and then immediately put Helena into the car. Violetta's threat was nothing to Ludwig; he wasn't a man who could be easily threatened.

"Where's your home?" Matteo asked.

Helena didn't answer; she was truly frightened.

"I'm not carrying my gun right now, so you don't need to be afraid."

Helena became even more afraid of him.

"Mat, don't say that. She's too innocent and weak; she won't be able to sleep all night," Ludwig chimed in.

"I asked her nicely, but she didn't answer my questions. Usually, people would spill everything when I point a gun at their heads."

"McLeland, st. 1234," Helena said, trembling.

"Mat, she's really scared." Ludwig then looked at Helena through his car's side mirror. "Beautiful, my brother Mat is just kidding. Don't worry; usually, he doesn't shoot nice women like you."

Helena clasped her hands, silently praying for God to save her from these Faragos brothers.

Halfway through the journey, her phone rang. Helena was startled, and she glanced at Matteo, who was staring at her.

"Why didn't you answer your phone?"

Helena quickly took her phone from her bag, and she felt immense relief when she saw Violetta calling.

"Your boss?" Matteo asked.

Helena nodded.

"Answer it, but let me hear your conversation!" he commanded, an order that Helena couldn't refuse.

Helena then answered her phone and turned on the speaker.

"Where are you, Helena? Andreas is looking for you!" Violetta exclaimed, and a smirk appeared on Matteo's face.

"I'm on my way h-home."

"You! I told you to go home with Andreas. Why did you just leave like that? Aren't you afraid something bad might happen to you?!"

"That's actually happening," Helena wanted to say, but she didn't want to risk getting shot by Matteo.

"I didn't expect you to panic like this," Matteo suddenly remarked.

"Who's that? Matteo?" Violetta exclaimed.

"Yes, it's me, Matteo. I felt sorry seeing your secretary standing outside the restaurant in this freezing weather, so with all my kindness, I'm driving her home."

"Helena, what's your apartment address?" Violetta asked, ignoring Matteo's statement.

"Mecleland, st. 1234."

"Alright, we'll meet there," then Violetta ended the call.

"Wow, that woman is truly amazing. She completely ignored your words, Mat." Ludwig burst into laughter, and Matteo just smirked while clenching his fists tightly.

***

Matteo arrived at Helena's apartment. Helena had bid them farewell and intended to get out of the car, but Matteo prevented her from leaving until Violetta arrived at her apartment building. Helena could already anticipate what would happen in the next few minutes. The lioness would go on a rampage against the tiger.

Helena glanced at Matteo, who appeared cold, then at Ludwig, who seemed relaxed while puffing on his cigarette. These two siblings had contrasting characters. The car lights shining towards her made Helena feel relieved; at least she had escaped the lion's den.

"That's her car, but there's another car with her," Ludwig remarked.

"That must be Andreas."

Matteo, Ludwig, and Helena got out of the car after both cars stopped, and Violetta and Andreas stepped out of each. However, Helena almost fell as her legs felt weak. Fortunately, Ludwig quickly caught her.

"Sorry for making you anxious," Matteo said to Violetta as she approached.

But once again, Violetta didn't respond. Violetta, with steps full of anger, walked towards Helena and pulled her away from Ludwig.

"Are you okay?" Violetta asked, looking panicked.

Helena nodded awkwardly, but Violetta realized that Helena was not okay. Her face was pale, sweat covered her forehead, and she had almost fallen earlier due to weakness.

"What do you think we were doing?" Ludwig asked, a bit offended by Violetta's question.

Violetta slapped Ludwig right away, shocking everyone present.

"Didn't you hear what I said earlier? I told you, never touch her!" Violetta scolded.

Ludwig, furious, prepared to retaliate by hitting Violetta. However, Matteo quickly restrained his hand, and Andreas also immediately pulled Violetta away from him.

"You..." Ludwig pointed towards Violetta with his anger boiling, and Matteo promptly brought him into the car and locked it from the outside. Matteo then leaned against the car door, folding his arms.

"You slapped my brother after he safely escorted your secretary home to her apartment?"

"Next time, don't behave so recklessly!" Violetta scolded.

"In my entire life, I've never slapped him. He's my only brother," Matteo then reached into his jacket pocket, lit a cigarette, and took a strong puff.

Violetta felt a different aura from him. He wasn't like the big man she first met at the club or the CEO of FK. He showed a different side, one that made her hair stand on end.

"Who are you? How dare you slap him right in front of my eyes?" Matteo questioned.

Violetta clenched her fists tightly; she couldn't falter. "Didn't you see, my secretary was terrified like that?"

Matteo dropped his cigarette and stepped on it. He then walked closer, and Andreas immediately stood between them.

"Mat, please forgive her," Andreas muttered.

Matteo smirked, then gently patted Andreas's cheek before slapping him so hard that Andreas fell to the pavement. Violetta was shocked; she couldn't believe that someone as big as Andreas could be knocked down with a single slap.

Violetta looked up at Matteo, trying to appear calm even though she was genuinely terrified. Matteo stared at her with his cold gaze, then touched Violetta's cheek, a smirk appearing on his face.

"I'll forgive your actions once again this time, but I won't forgive you for the third time," Matteo whispered threateningly.

Andreas tried to intervene again, but Matteo raised his hand in the air, warning him not to interfere.

"If that happens, I'll never let you go, Violetta. I'll confine you in my life, and you won't have a chance to escape. Do you understand?"

Violetta didn't answer, and Matteo brushed Violetta's cheek with his thumb.

"Damn! You're so beautiful that I can't bring myself to slap you." Matteo said, then he lowered his head and kissed Violetta's cheek. "Good night, Vio."