Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Two Months Later.

Bar Paradiso

People called it paradise on earth-a world of luxury and excess that others spent their whole lives pursuing. Yet, it was a world of decadence and corruption.

In one of the lavish private rooms, a man lounged on a sofa in the corner. His face was so strikingly handsome that it seemed like the masterpiece of a dedicated artist, sculpted with the utmost care. His sharp, defined features exuded a wild, yet refined allure, with an aura of untouchable power.

Resting his elegant chin on one hand, his deep brown eyes-mysterious and unfathomable, like a bottomless pool-gazed thoughtfully at an ancient painting on the wall. He gently swirled the wine in his glass, lost in thought.

With a tilt of his head, the fiery red liquid flowed smoothly down his throat, filling his mouth with its rich aroma. His cold, somber face, shrouded in the dim light, was a stark contrast to the vibrant, lively scene behind him.

Suddenly, the crisp sound of high heels clicking against the floor pierced the air, followed by a pair of slender arms wrapping around him. "Lion, everyone's waiting for you to give the word!"

The woman tugged at his arm, pulling him from the sofa. As she looked up at his chiseled features, her heart raced like a frantic deer.

No wonder he was Lionel Williams, the CEO of K International Group. It wasn't just his billion-dollar fortune; his god-like looks alone could stop traffic, captivating every woman who laid eyes on him. He was born to stand out, a beacon that had shattered countless women's hearts.

But she knew all too well that he was a man who stood at the pinnacle of the pyramid, a man with standards so high that someone like her, a mere woman of the night, could never hope to match.

His gaze, when it flicked over to her, was enigmatic and distant, with a subtle hint of coldness that was easy to miss. His thin lips curved ever so slightly, sending a chill down her spine. Those familiar with Lion knew this was a sign of his displeasure, and she quickly released her grip on his wrist.

"Lion, you're off in your own world, leaving us hanging. You should be punished."

Another man approached with a bright smile, holding a glass of wine.

How could anyone be so handsome? The women around the room felt both envy and an overwhelming urge to pounce on him.

"Lion, have a drink!" A sultry beauty, who had already toasted him several times, slid over to sit next to Lionel, holding the glass, stained with her lipstick, to his lips.

Lionel's brow furrowed slightly, and a faint, hollow smile flashed in his eyes. He took the bottle and poured himself a drink, then downed it in one go.

The seductive woman, familiar with his temperament, didn't mind. She happily withdrew her hand and finished her own drink.

"Lion, for you!"

"Lion, here's to you!"

"We want."

Seeing the woman get so close to the handsome man, the others in the room became desperate. They quickly stood up and crowded around him, each one trying to offer him a drink.

The ignored men glanced at each other and sighed, "With Lion here, we can forget about getting any attention from the ladies. Let's go."

They wanted to say goodbye to Lionel, but seeing how busy he was, they figured he wouldn't have time to respond, so they quietly left the room.

The boisterous laughter and chatter didn't last much longer. Suddenly, Lionel's face darkened. The smile that had been playing in his eyes turned into a sharp, cutting glare that he swept coldly across the crowd of women. Their laughter froze on their lips.

It was the first time he had ever shown anger toward women. With his already commanding presence, combined with a look that seemed capable of killing, the women didn't dare to even breathe.

"Wh-what's wrong, Lion?" The woman's voice trembled as she reached for Lionel's hand, but she quickly withdrew when she met his icy gaze.

His eyes roved over the faces of the women, who felt as if the cold wind was slicing their skin. Clutching their glasses tightly, they noticed the liquid inside trembling uncontrollably.

"Get FUCKING out!" he suddenly roared like a beast, smashing his glass onto the floor with a loud crash that sent shards flying.

The women couldn't help but tremble violently. One after another, glasses shattered, and the women, abandoning all pretense, screamed and bolted like startled deer, fleeing in all directions.

In an instant, only a floor littered with broken glass remained. Lionel, now drenched in sweat, looked as if he were burning up with a fever. His pale face had turned a fiery red.

The heat surging through his body was sudden and overwhelming. He clenched his teeth, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Some fool had dared to drug him?!

After years of navigating the cutthroat business world, this wasn't the first time someone had tried to poison him, but the dose this time must have been at least three times the usual amount.

It was clear-someone was dead set on taking him down tonight!