Chapter 4 004: Bound by power

*Ryu's POV

My gaze narrowed as I aimed the pistol, my finger tightening around the trigger. Akira's pleas fell on deaf ears; he should have thought twice before betraying me. I squeezed the trigger, and the sound of the gunshot echoed through the alley.

Akira's body jerked backward, a crimson stain spreading across his chest. I watched dispassionately as he crumpled to the ground, his eyes wide with shock.

"Foolish," I muttered, my voice dripping with disdain. "You thought you could deceive me and escape unscathed?"

My men closed in, their faces expressionless. I nodded curtly, and they dragged Akira's lifeless body away, leaving me standing alone in the alley.

I holstered my pistol, my mind already turning to the next move. This execution would send a message to anyone daring to cross me.

As the sound of the gunshot faded into the distance, the weight of what I had just done settled over the alley like a shroud. I watched as my men efficiently disposed of the body, their movements practiced and precise. This wasn't the first time they'd cleaned up my messes, and it wouldn't be the last.

Akira had been a loyal soldier once, someone I had trusted to carry out my orders without question. But loyalty meant nothing in this world if it wasn't absolute. The moment he had sold information to my rivals, he had signed his own death warrant. I couldn't afford to show mercy; it would be seen as a weakness. And in the world I ruled, weakness was a death sentence.

I turned away from the scene, the cold night air biting at my skin. My thoughts drifted to the next task at hand, one that had nothing to do with the underworld dealings I had mastered over the years. My father's ultimatum echoed in my mind-marry Petrov's daughter, Amelia, or face the consequences.

A ruthless businessman in every sense, my father left no room for negotiation. Neither would I.As I walked out of the room, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, seeing my father's name flash on the screen. I answered the call, knowing this wouldn't be a pleasant conversation.

"Ryu," my father's voice was cold, authoritative as always. "I've arranged the marriage. It's time you fulfill your role."

I clenched my jaw, irritation simmering beneath the surface. "Marriage? You didn't think to consult me before making this decision?"

"This isn't about your personal desires," he replied sharply. "Mr. Petrov's business is falling apart. He came to me, desperate for help. I saw an opportunity."

I knew where this was heading, but I stayed silent, letting him continue.

"He needed our resources, our protection," my father continued. "But nothing comes for free. I told him we'd help, but only if his daughter married you. He agreed without hesitation."

I let out a bitter laugh. "So you sold me off in exchange for a crumbling business?"

"This isn't about business," he snapped. "It's about power, alliances. The Petrov family still has influence, and with our backing, they'll recover. Marrying Amelia is a strategic move, one that will solidify our position."

"And what if I don't want to marry her?" I challenged, my voice laced with defiance.

"You don't have a choice," my father replied, his tone cold and final. "This is how our world works, Ryu. We make sacrifices for the greater good. You're no exception."

I could feel the weight of his words pressing down on me, but I wasn't ready to submit just yet. "And if I refuse?"

"If you refuse," he said slowly, deliberately, "you'll lose everything I've given you. Your empire, your men, your power-it all vanishes. Do you really want to risk that for the sake of your pride?"

I clenched my fist, anger coursing through me. He knew exactly how to manipulate me, how to back me into a corner. "So that's it? I'm just supposed to marry this girl, play along with your plan, and pretend it's all for the greater good?"

"You're not pretending, Ryu. This is the greater good. Marrying Amelia secures our future, ensures our dominance. You can hate it all you want, but you will do it."

I gritted my teeth, feeling the walls close in around me. "Fine. I'll do it. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this for you. I'll marry her, secure the alliance, and then I'll handle things my way."

"Handle them however you like, as long as the marriage happens," he replied, his tone softening slightly. "You're a smart man, Ryu. You know what needs to be done she's on her way to meet you ."

Without another word, I ended the call and shoved the phone back into my pocket. The thought of being forced into this marriage grated against every instinct I had, but I knew my father wasn't bluffing. He held too much power, and for now, I had no choice but to play along.

I stood by the window, the city sprawling out beneath me like a map of my dominion. The world outside was a web of power and influence, carefully spun, with me at its center. My thoughts were interrupted by the soft click of the door opening behind me. I didn't need to turn around to know who it was-Amelia Petrov, the woman I was being forced to marry.

I kept my back to her, allowing the silence to stretch. The weight of this moment hung heavy in the air, charged with the tension of our impending union. Finally, I turned, my gaze locking onto hers. She looked fragile, but I knew better than to trust appearances.

"Miss Petrov," I greeted her, my voice cool and detached. "You're late."

Her voice wavered as she stammered out an excuse, "I-I'm sorry. The traffic..."

I cut her off with a sharp gesture, not interested in her apologies. "Spare me the excuses. You're here now, and that's what matters."

I watched her stiffen, a flicker of defiance in her eyes. Good. At least she wasn't completely cowed. "I'm only here because I have no choice," she said, trying to muster some courage.

"Good," I replied, allowing a cold smile to curve my lips. "Then this arrangement will work just fine."

Her words seemed to sting her, and I could see her trying to maintain her composure. She lifted her chin, a sign of resistance that I found more amusing than threatening. "I want you to call off this marriage," she demanded, a spark of fire in her voice.

My eyes narrowed, the amusement fading. "You're not here to barter words, Miss Petrov. You're here because your father made a deal. A deal you will honor."

I could see the fight draining out of her, replaced by the cold realization of her situation. "I'm only here because I have no choice," she repeated, her voice quieter this time.

"Then this arrangement will work just fine," I reiterated, stepping closer to her. "Let me make one thing clear. This marriage is a business transaction, nothing more. You will play your part, and I will play mine. But don't ever mistake this for something it isn't."

She met my gaze, her defiance flickering weakly. "Believe me, Mr. Chen, the feeling is mutual."

I studied her for a moment, assessing whether she truly understood the gravity of what was happening. "You'll be given everything you need to prepare for the wedding," I said, my tone dismissive. "Make the most of it."

Without waiting for a response, I turned back toward the window, effectively ending the conversation. I listened as she walked out, the door closing softly behind her.

The room felt quieter after she left, but I didn't allow myself to dwell on the encounter. Amelia was just a piece in the larger game-useful, necessary, but ultimately expendable. My father had orchestrated this arrangement, and I had no choice but to see it through. But that didn't mean I had to like it.

The truth was, I despised being manipulated, even by my father. But he held the cards this time. Mr. Petrov's business was crumbling, and in his desperation, he'd come crawling to my father for help. In return, he'd sold his daughter to secure the alliance. And my father, ever the strategist, saw the opportunity to tighten our grip on the city's power structure.

As much as I hated the idea of being forced into this marriage, I couldn't ignore the benefits. Marrying Amelia would strengthen our position, and if I played my cards right, I could use this union to my advantage. But I would never let her forget that this was all business, nothing more.

I pushed away the thoughts of Amelia and focused on the bigger picture. There were still deals to be made, alliances to forge, and enemies to eliminate. This marriage was just another step in a long, calculated plan, and I intended to see it through to the end.

But as I stood there, staring out at the city, I couldn't shake the feeling that this marriage, this arrangement, would be more complicated than I initially thought. Amelia wasn't as weak as she seemed, and I'd need to keep a close eye on her. She might be a pawn in this game, but I couldn't afford to underestimate her.

The door opened again, and one of my men stepped in, breaking the silence. "Everything's been taken care of, Mr. Chen," he reported, referring to the cleanup from earlier.

I nodded, not looking at him. "Good. Make sure it stays that way."

As he left, I allowed myself a moment of contemplation. My father's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the stakes involved. This marriage was more than just a union-it was a declaration of power, a statement to our enemies that the Chen family was untouchable.

And so, as much as I hated the thought of being tied to someone like Amelia, I knew I had no choice. I would go through with the marriage, play my part, and ensure that our enemies continued to fear us. But I wouldn't let anyone, not even my father, control my fate.

This was my life, my empire, and I would shape it according to my own will. Amelia Petrov might be a part of that plan, but she would never be anything more than a tool-a means to an end. And once the deal was done, I would make sure she understood that clearly.