When Villainess Falls In Love

On that rainy night in Vegas, the sudden downpour forced the usually bustling streets to empty. People who would typically be bustling about were now seeking shelter in cafes, enjoying a cup of warm coffee or tea. The nighttime rain created a unique atmosphere for some, including Violetta. For her, the rainy nights always brought her back to the past, a time when she embraced life with love.

However, her present life is not as beautiful as it used to be. Her feelings are empty, and her existence is monotonous. Yet, she never regrets taking the path she chose, for she had once disrupted others' lives, and now Violetta must accept the consequences, living in the darkness of her past.

"Helena!" Her voice echoed through the room.

Helena hurriedly entered Violetta's room.

"Is there still work I need to finish?" she asked.

Helena shook her head.

"Are you mute?!" Violetta snapped.

"No! No, there isn't!" Helena quickly wiped the sweat suddenly dampening her forehead.

"Finally, I can relax for a moment," Violetta said, stretching her arms. "Helena, do you know a good place to drink?" she suddenly asked.

"Sorry?" Helena was suddenly confused.

Violetta sighed. "Because I've been here for just a week. I want you to recommend a good bar or club."

Helena bit her lip as if contemplating, while Violetta stared at her cynically, waiting for an answer.

"I-I don't know. I've never been to a Bar or Club," Helena admitted.

Violetta rolled her eyes. She should have guessed from her secretary's appearance and behavior.

"In that case, open your smartphone and find out!" she ordered. Violetta then stood up from her chair and walked closer to Helena. "I'll go to the restroom, but after I come back, you better have figured out where it is." Violetta then walked past Helena and out of the room.

"I regret accepting the offer to be her secretary," Helena muttered.

Helena then took her phone from her pants pocket and began searching for bars and clubs using the most popular internet search in the Vegas area.

"Have you found it?" Violetta, who had returned from the restroom, walked in her direction.

Helena quickly turned to her as Violetta approached, "Y-yes. Based on rankings and positive reviews from visitors, Club FK is ranked number one," she stammered.

Violetta took Helena's phone, reading reviews about Club FK. She looked serious as she read, then paused for a moment before grinning. "Alright, I'll go there." Violetta handed back Helena's phone, then walked to her desk to retrieve her phone and bag.

"Helena, what do you usually do after work?" Violetta asked without looking at her.

"I-I go home to my apartment and rest," Helena replied.

Violetta grimaced and shook her head. "Tonight, you're accompanying me to Club FK."

Helena jolted, wondering if she had misheard.

"I don't have any friends here, so you have to come with me. Besides, it won't be fun if I go alone." Violetta walked with a grin on her face.

"But, how can I? I've never been to a place like that. I might just embarrass you there," Helena excused herself, secretly reluctant to accompany her.

Violetta snorted, then draped her arm over Helena's shoulder. "Just come with me and stop making excuses!" she whispered.

Violetta led Helena out of the room and with reluctant steps. Helena could only surrender, knowing that this was part of the risks of working as the secretary for the new CMO of the company – Violetta Jeanne Bolshoy.

Violetta and Helena had arrived at Club FK, but the place seemed deserted from the outside, making Violetta a bit hesitant to drive her car in.

"Is this really the place?" Violetta asked.

Helena quickly grabbed her phone, double-checking the Club FK address. After confirming, the address was indeed correct.

At that moment, a burly man seemingly appearing out of nowhere walked towards Violetta's car. He knocked on the car window, and Violetta rolled it down slightly.

"Are you a new customer?" the man asked.

"Yes," replied Violetta.

The man then took a walkie-talkie from inside his jacket and spoke to someone on the other end.

"Come, follow me!" The man ran to a street corner, and Violetta followed. They found a spacious parking lot with several cars already parked.

Violetta and Helena got out of the car, and the burly man led the way, guiding them into an elevator. They followed, surprised when the elevator descended to the underground level. However, once the doors opened, Violetta smiled broadly.

"Welcome to Faragos Kingdom."

The booming music instantly resonated in Violetta's ears, and she immediately embraced the atmosphere. Unlike Helena, who was shocked and amazed by the state of the club. Realizing this, Violetta immediately took her hand and led her to the bar. They both sat down, and Violetta ordered drinks.

"Give us the best drink here," Violetta confidently said.

The bartender promptly made it for them.

"Hey! What's with that expression?" Violetta asked.

"I'm not used to this," replied Helena awkwardly.

Violetta then laughed in response, and she observed the people around her, starting to count the number of men openly staring at her.

"Here, enjoy." The bartender handed them their drinks.

Violetta turned to the bartender while taking her drink and tasting it. It was good, but not to her taste.

"Where's the casino?" Violetta asked the bartender.

Helena immediately turned to Violetta with wide eyes.

"It's on the ground floor," the bartender replied.

"How do I get there?" she asked again.

The bartender looked at Violetta, then chuckled softly. "Why do you want to go there? Looking for wealthy men?"

Now, Helena was even more wide-eyed after hearing what the bartender said.

"Yes, I'll drain the pockets of those wealthy men," Violetta replied confidently.

The bartender now laughed somewhat loudly, looking down on Violetta. "It's a gambling area. If you want to sell yourself, go to a brothel."

Violetta immediately poured the drink in her glass onto the bartender's face. The people sitting at the bar were quite shocked by her actions, including Helena.

"You should be aware of who you're talking to. Why would I sell myself? I could buy this entire building and shut your reckless mouth!"

Violetta took out ten bills from her purse, then threw them at the bartender's face. She then walked away from there, and Helena hurriedly followed.

"Are we going home?" Helena asked, but Violetta didn't answer.

They entered the elevator, and Violetta pressed the button for the ground floor, where the casino was located. When the elevator doors opened, Violetta grinned and confidently entered.

"Maybe we should just go home?" Helena persuaded.

"I came here for this casino. I want to test how lucky I am at the gambling table." She stepped confidently.

Some casino visitors glanced in her direction. When Violetta stopped, observing her surroundings and starting to feel confused about where to start gambling.

"I-I think this place is too dangerous for us," Helena whispered.

Violetta ignored her, then walked towards a server who had just served drinks to the guests. "Excuse me, I want to gamble. Can you tell me where to start?"

The server hesitated, then assessed Violetta's appearance from head to toe. Then, she turned to Helena, who stood awkwardly beside her.

"I suggest you go to the table over there," the server pointed to a room with closed curtains.

Violetta then walked in that direction, drawing attention with every step she took.

"Beautiful, want to join me at my table?" teased a man with a spotted nose.

Violetta stopped walking, then turned. The man who called her smiled slyly, patting his thigh. "Come here, beautiful, sit here!"

"Ah, damn! Who does he think I am?" Violetta grumbled with annoyance, but she walked over there.

Helena immediately held her back. "I think we should go home."

Violetta brushed off Helena's hand, hands on her hips, glaring at her. "If you want to go home, go home alone!" she snapped, leaving Helena stunned.

Violetta walked back towards the man's table, exchanging glances with the men seated there. "Fine, I'll join in. But keep your hands to yourselves because you're truly not on my level!" she declared arrogantly.

The men at the table laughed, only fueling Violetta's irritation.

"Alright, come here and sit next to me," said one of the men at the table.

Violetta finally took a seat, while Helena stood awkwardly behind her. Helena had no idea what madness her boss was about to unleash, but she silently recited a mantra in her heart, hoping for everything to go smoothly.

"You shuffle the cards."

The man sitting beside her handed her the cards, and Violetta shuffled them carefully. The man beside her chuckled softly, as if knowing that Violetta was an amateur player.

Violetta then dealt the cards to everyone at the table except herself. They were puzzled, so the man next to her asked.

"Why aren't you taking your cards?" he inquired.

"I won't play; I can't play cards like this," replied Violetta innocently.

"Hey! Are you kidding?" shouted another man across the table.

Violetta smiled, then turned to the man beside her. "How good are you at gambling?"

"Me?" The man laughed.

"Yes, you! I'll give you money, and then play for me," Violetta offered.

Everyone at the table laughed again, thinking that Violetta's words were a joke. Little did they know that Violetta was serious.

"If you're just playing around, you'd better go home," another man at the table retorted.

Violetta grinned while pulling out a check from her purse. "Can I cash this check here?"

The men at the table fell silent. They peeked at the amount on the check and were immediately astonished. Twenty thousand dollars!

"You can cash it," said the man beside her.

Violetta then turned to the man. "So, in that case, play for me!"

"Fine, besides, when else can I play without spending a dime of my own money?" The man lit his cigarette, then opened the cards he received. After seeing the value of his cards, his face immediately tensed. He looked at Violetta, who was staring at him sharply.

"I don't like losing. If you disappoint me, I won't hesitate to finish you!" Violetta threatened, her eyes intimidating.

The game began, and Violetta learned how to play. Initially confusing, she gradually caught on. However, the man playing cards for her wasn't very skilled, and half of her money had already changed hands.

"Ck! Are you stupid? I don't care about losing my money, but teach me how to play to win!" snapped Violetta.

"Hey, Miss! In gambling, you need not only skill to win but also a bit of luck," retorted the middle-aged man who had taken some of her money.

Violetta sighed in frustration. She grabbed a cigarette from the table, lit it, and said, "Don't underestimate me. You'll all be surprised to know what my job is." She took a strong puff and blew out the smoke.

"So, what's your job? Judging by your looks, I guess you're just a model," one of the men guessed.

Violetta burst into laughter. It was amusing that everyone who met her for the first time always guessed that she was a model.

"We're not models," Helena interjected nervously.

"Mistress?" guessed another man.

"Watch your mouth! Have you ever been hit with a high-heeled shoe?" Violetta retorted.

All the men at the table laughed, and the game resumed. Now Violetta joined in, determined to show how lucky she could be at the gambling table.

The game heated up, and Violetta began to enjoy it. She understood the flow of the game and was willing to bet all the money she had.

"All in."

"Are you serious, Miss?"

Violetta finished her cigarette. "Please tally up all the money I'll get if I win this third round!"

The dealer added up the money, and the total reached fifty thousand dollars.

"Wow, Helena, you can pay off your family debt if I get that money. Plus, there's still some left for you to splurge," Violetta said with a grin as she revealed her cards, frustrating everyone at the table. Even the dealer was surprised, knowing it was Violetta's first game.

"Oh, damn! That money should've been mine! Damn woman!" grumbled the middle-aged man, banging the table.

Violetta couldn't stand being insulted like that. They had already called her a mistress, and now they were calling her a damn woman. So, with emotion, she took off her shoe and threw it right at the old man's head.

"You bastard! How dare you say that to me!"

The man yelled at her, but Violetta just grinned, ignoring him. Instead, she asked Helena to hand over her bag, then put all her winnings inside.

"Are you ignoring me? Do you even know who I am?" the man shouted.

"Are you so important that I should know you?"

Violetta remained remarkably calm, while Helena was sweating cold, pondering her fate. Unfortunately, why did she have to be trapped in this situation?

"Do you think you can still live when you leave here?" the old man taunted, standing up to challenge Violetta. Helena was scared, unlike Violetta, who didn't seem to be intimidated at all. Helena was now thinking about how to get both of them out of trouble, but the more she thought and observed the situation, the less she found any solution.

"Would you like to have a drink with me?" whispered a man, surprising Helena. Apparently, the guy who had been playing on behalf of his boss was inviting her. But how could he be so casual about it?

"Are you kidding?" Helena exclaimed.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"My boss's life is in danger!"

"I don't think so."

Bragh!

Helena was startled when Violetta threw the bag full of money at the man threatening them, causing him to fall to the floor.

"Oh damn! Okay, take all that money. I don't want to argue over such a small amount!" he conceded.

A crowd began to gather around their table. Violetta and Helena became the center of attention.

"Stop being so arrogant!" the man scolded.

"Oh God! What else do you want? I've given you the money you wanted, take it!"

Everyone was astonished by Violetta's arrogant attitude, while the man at the center of attention seemed indifferent and was now looking for the shoe he had thrown earlier.

"Don't insult me!" the man scolded again.

"Who's insulting you? You're the one who can't accept losing and called me a damn woman! Now, I've given you the money, and you're still mad at me. What else do you want? Is the money not enough?"

Annoyed, Violetta then took out her wallet from her bag. She searched for money inside her wallet and found a coin in there.

"There, I'll give you more." Violetta tossed the coin, and everyone in the crowd burst into laughter.

"Helena, don't just stand there! Find my shoe!" Violetta snapped.

Helena promptly bent down and searched for her boss's shoe. Instead of finding the shoe, she was handed a business card by the man who had invited her for a drink.

"You can contact me in your free time."

"You're out of your mind! Beware!"

"Arrrgh!"

Helena stood up immediately, hearing her boss scream. She thought something was wrong or that she was injured, but it turned out her boss was screaming because there was a bug on her clothes. Helena quickly shooed the bug away, and Violetta shivered in disgust.

"This place is terrible! You recommended a lousy place, Helena!" grumbled Violetta.

"I'm sorry!"

"I gambled with foolish men, and this place looks filthy with bugs everywhere!"

Violetta didn't want to bother about her missing shoe anymore. She immediately stormed out of there in peak anger, limping in her steps. However, her steps halted when someone blocked her way.

"Move aside!" snapped Violetta.

Instead of moving, the man stared at Violetta with a piercing gaze.

"Are most men here stupid?!" Violetta exclaimed, frustrated.

"Miss, don't shout! Let's just leave," Helena tried to pull Violetta's hand to find another way.

"Who are you calling stupid?"

Helena shivered as the tall and imposing man uttered a deep, intimidating voice.

"You! And the guy over there! Also, the bug that landed on my clothes!" Violetta pushed the big man, and then several men behind him immediately pointed their guns at her. Instantly, Violetta and Helena tensed in their places.

"Miss, you should apologize to him," Helena muttered with a trembling voice.

Violetta sighed deeply, then blew it forcefully towards the man until he turned his face away.

"If you shoot me now, I'll make sure my spirit haunts and torments all of you. When that happens, I'll drive you crazy, and you'll regret your lives. And remember, when I become a ghost, your bullets won't be able to kill me!"

"Miss, this is not the time to joke," Helena whispered.

The big man asked his men to lower their guns. Helena breathed a sigh of relief, and so did Violetta.

"This is the first time I've seen you," the man said.

"It's also the first time I've seen you. So, let me go." Violetta and Helena walked, looking for an escape, but they were truly trapped there.

"Is the commotion here because of you?"

Violetta glared in annoyance. She had run out of patience.

"Me?!" Violetta then laughed, her laughter so loud that it silenced everyone. "Big sir, can you step aside from my way?"

The man remained silent, but he silently observed Violetta's appearance. He couldn't believe that there was a woman this audacious in front of him, even after being threatened by a gun.

"Brother! You've missed an interesting show." The man who acted as a decoy for Violetta approached.

"Foolish man! Can you tell your brother to step aside from my way?!" Violetta retorted.

The man grimaced, then shrugged his shoulders. "Don't you know who my brother is?"

"Why should I know? Is he that important to me?!" Violetta couldn't take it anymore. Stupid men, bugs, and people whispering surrounded them, making her furious. "Fine, if the polite way doesn't work. I'll try another approach."

Violetta then grabbed her phone from her bag and called someone. "I'm trapped at FK Club, and a bunch of big guys with guns are blocking my way out. Please come quickly!"

After ending the call, Violetta bent down and took off her other shoe. The decoy man quickly avoided, afraid the shoe might fly towards him. But what he feared didn't happen; instead, Violetta walked through the crowd towards the bar, followed by a terrified Helena.

"Please make me a strong cocktail and a mocktail for the lady next to me!" Violetta ordered the bartender. Even the bartender, Helena, and the people there were surprised by Violetta's calm demeanor.

"Miss, we could die here," Helena whispered.

"If that person is smart, he won't dare to shoot someone like me."

"What about me?"

"Because you're my secretary, you won't be shot here either."

Violetta then looked at the silent bartender who had not made her drink yet. "Are you also stupid?"

The bartender then glanced behind Violetta, precisely towards the big man. Curious, Violetta turned to look back, and then shouted at the big man.

"Do you also employ stupid people?!"

The big man gritted his teeth, then walked towards Violetta and asked his men to leave them alone. He also told the people to go back to their business and stop crowding around Violetta.

"As my brother said, it seems I've missed an interesting show tonight," said the big man, then he signaled the bartender.

"It should be, the club owner is busy with his big business," Violetta remarked.

The man grinned, then stood leaning on the bar table, looking at Violetta. "What's your name?"

"You don't need to know."

"You seem not from an ordinary background."

"Is that important?"

The man laughed, then handed his business card to Violetta. But Violetta didn't bother to read it; instead, she handed the business card to Helena.

"You might need it someday."

"I'll make sure my secretary remembers your name."

The man couldn't say anything more. Usually, when he met women, they would give him two different reactions. First, they would be frightened, like what Helena felt, and second, they would go hysterical, completely infatuated with him. However, this one behaved arrogantly and indifferent towards him.

"I'll make sure we meet again soon."

"Yes, I could already guess that. We will meet again, even sooner than you think, Mr. Big Guy," taunted Violetta.

The man then brought his face closer to Violetta's, and she didn't avoid it at all. Instead, she gave him her best smile.

"Later, when you're sound asleep, I'll come into your dreams," he continued.

"Really? I'm looking forward to it," the man bit his lower lip.

"Then I'll point a gun to your head and shoot you dead on the spot." Violetta boldly declared.

The man then laughed, even bursting into laughter, attracting everyone's attention. But Violetta didn't care; she immediately downed the cocktail just served by the bartender.

"Miss, should I keep his business card?" Helena whispered.

"Just throw it away; I don't need it," mumbled Violetta.

A group of tall men then entered the club. The big man's assistants were immediately on guard, ready with their respective guns.

"Oh, they've arrived," said Violetta.

"Are they your bodyguards?" the man asked.

"You could say that. My father knows how intimidating Vegas can be, so reluctantly, he sent them for me."

A man then walked towards Violetta with a worried expression. He even made sure Violetta had no injuries whatsoever.

"Are you okay?"

"Stop being overly concerned, Andreas," Violetta said, feeling uncomfortable.

Andreas nodded. Then Violetta immediately got off her chair, as did Helena.

"I won't pay for my drink, and I'll consider it compensation for the unpleasant behavior you've shown me," Violetta said to the big man.

"Miss, what happened?" Andreas looked panicked and glanced at the big man.

"It's not a big deal, actually. But I'm too tired to deal with all of them."

The big man chuckled hearing Violetta's words; he was quite impressed with her bravery.

Violetta then walked barefoot, surprising Andreas.

"Miss, where are your shoes?"

"I don't know! Don't bother, I just want to sleep in my room."

The big man's guards then cleared the way for Violetta and Helena.

"Andreas!"

Violetta turned when Andreas was called by the big man.

"You should have come to see me as soon as you returned to Vegas. Don't you miss me?" The man smiled thinly.

Violetta furrowed her brow. "Do you know him?"

"Just an old friend." Andreas continued to lead their way and ignored the big man's words.

"Don't be friends with foolish men, Andreas!"

"Yes, Miss."

Matteo Accardi Faragos is the eldest son of the successful businessman Lucio Arman Faragos. Being the CEO of a large company known as Faragos Kingdom undoubtedly earns him a great deal of respect and fear. There is no negative record for every success he has achieved at the age of 35, which is considered young for a leader of such a large company.

Despite being known as a young, wealthy, and successful CEO, the label of a cold and feared man by his competitors makes people in the business world reluctant to deal with Matteo personally. Rumors have spread that the Faragos family is the owner of a secret organization that handles illicit business.

"It's not usual for you to come here. Is your business at the company done?"

Matteo didn't immediately answer. He walked annoyed towards his office, followed by his younger brother, Ludwig Faragos. "Who's that woman? And why did she cause a scene here?" he asked.

Ludwig waited until Matteo sat in his executive chair before explaining the events that had just occurred.

"Interesting," Matteo said with a smirk on his face.

"I don't think she's just an ordinary woman. She even hired Andreas as her assistant," Ludwig added.

Matteo tapped his fingers on the desk. He replayed the memories when he and Andreas were still quite close friends until Andreas chose to leave his life for a certain reason. However, he didn't expect that they would be reunited in a situation like earlier.

"My initial observation, it seems that she's not American judging by her accent," he muttered.

"Clearly, she looks Russian if you judge by her facial features," Matteo explained.

Ludwig smiled, not doubting his brother's ability to identify someone, especially a woman.

"She was born with a silver spoon, judging by her appearance," he continued.

"Isn't she very beautiful? But I don't like her attitude; her mouth is very venomous," Ludwig said, shivering.

"That rough woman must have been hurt by a man; that's why she acted aggressively and called all men fools," Matteo replied.

"Ah, that makes sense. But how could she win the game, considering it was her first experience?" Ludwig still couldn't believe it.

"She was just lucky," Matteo replied. Matteo then rose from his chair and walked towards the liquor storage shelf, taking a bottle of whiskey. "Find complete information about that woman."

"Hey, are you interested in her?" Ludwig smirked.

"She's beautiful, bold, arrogant, and very stubborn. Wouldn't it be fun to get to know someone who's similar to me?" Matteo turned and smiled at his brother.

Ludwig then laughed. He almost forgot that Matteo was a man with the worst behavior he had ever known.

"Oh, also, find the latest information about Andreas. I'm curious about what he's planning, coming back to Vegas."

"Alright."

"Tomorrow, I'm going to see Dad, so make sure there's no trouble here while I'm away."

"Have you still not found that person?" Ludwig asked as he approached.

Matteo sighed deeply after taking a swig of whiskey straight from the bottle. "I'm suspicious of someone."

"Who?"

"Keegan. I think he's the one hiding Adam all this time," Matteo said, furrowing his brow.

"Him? The crazy guy who ordered his men to smuggle cocaine onto our ship? How is that possible?" Ludwig seemed a bit incredulous.

"I'm trying to find out too. But I suspect Keegan has some connection with the Walington family." Matteo was currently troubled by the past that had befallen his father. He was searching for someone whose name kept coming up in every meeting.

His name was Adam, a former friend of his father who had betrayed him. He was also the one who had kept Matteo's father living in guilt throughout his life. Now, his father was seriously ill, and his last wish before dying was to see Adam die in front of him.

***

"Miss, there's a guest for you," Helena said.

"Who?" "A big guy we met at the FK club."

Violetta stopped reading the document in her hands and turned to Helena, who looked frightened. "I don't want to meet him." "

B-but he insists on meeting you."

"Get him out!" Violetta snapped, then went back to reading her documents. She didn't care about what would happen next.

The door to her room was kicked open. The big guy walked arrogantly toward her desk. Violetta frowned; she was annoyed by his behavior and stood up, slamming the table.

"What do you want coming here?!" Violetta asked boldly.

"Of course, I came to kill you!" The man pointed his gun at her head. Then he shot her with a sweet smile, bidding Violetta farewell.

Violetta opened her eyes with a start. For a few seconds, she struggled to breathe. But eventually, her body began to calm down, and her breathing returned to normal. Violetta then glanced at the clock, and it was still three in the morning.

"Damn! Why did I dream about being shot by him?" Violetta then got up from her bed, walked into the bathroom. She washed her face and looked at her reflection in the mirror, which appeared quite pale. And instantly, the memory of being threatened by many guns at the club resurfaced, making her hair stand on end. It was a lie if Violetta wasn't scared earlier. She was very scared, but she tried to keep her composure and act casual.

Violetta walked out of her room, and to her surprise, she found someone sitting and watching TV in her living room. It was Andreas, her own bodyguard.

"Why are you here?!"

Andreas immediately stood up and saluted. "I apologize for startling you, Miss. I'm here because Mr. Dom instructed me to stay close to you."

Violetta frowned, then glanced at the table filled with snack wrappers. "Being close to me doesn't mean you can act so casually."

Andreas looked at the table and regretted his actions. "I'm sorry; I'll clean it up." Andreas quickly tidied up the food wrappers, and Violetta went to get a glass of water.

If her father was so concerned about the safety of his eldest daughter, he shouldn't have assigned her to work in Vegas. Wasn't it like sending his daughter into a lion's den?

"Andreas..."

"Yes, Miss."

"What was your job before working for me?"

Andreas fell silent, unable to answer, and that was answer enough for Violetta.

"I don't like dealing with people with problems, Andreas."

"I've left my past behind, Miss."

Violetta stared at him, observing Andreas's slightly anxious movements. Then she walked past him to the balcony to breathe in some fresh air.

"I don't like living here," she said.

Andreas approached, and Violetta raised her hand, signaling for a cigarette. Initially, Andreas didn't understand until Violetta gestured as if she were smoking a cigarette.

"Why don't you like living here?" Andreas asked as he lit the lighter to ignite Violetta's cigarette. Violetta took a drag, then exhaled the smoke forcefully.

"Vegas is bad enough in my eyes, and living up here makes me feel isolated. I'm not Rapunzel waiting for her prince."

Andreas nodded.

"Find me a simple house but with a comfortable yard to relax."

"Simple?"

"Yes, simple."

Violetta reached for Andreas's hand and handed him the still-lit cigarette. After that, Violetta walked back into her room. Meanwhile, Andreas was still puzzled, trying to interpret what Violetta meant by a "simple" house. There was a difference in the meaning of simplicity for each caste. The simplicity Andreas had in mind was clearly different from the simplicity Violetta wanted.

***

In this morning, unlike her usual routine, Helena arrived late at the office. She could already imagine how furious Violetta would be because that person wasn't the forgiving type. Fresh in Helena's memory was the fierceness of Violetta when she reprimanded those intimidating men at the club last night.

Helena hurried towards her office after stepping out of the elevator, at least making an effort to alleviate her guilt. However, her steps came to an abrupt halt as she found Violetta sitting in her chair. Helena was caught red-handed.

Violetta, aware of her presence, only gave her a brief glance without uttering a word. Helena knew her career was about to end.

"N-no, I'm s-sorry, I'm late."

Violetta ignored her, focused on reading the documents on Helena's desk. Helena stood frozen in place; she didn't dare to approach, fearing the lioness would tear her to shreds.

"Where are the detailed investment fund documents for NVD Airlines?"

Helena was taken aback.

Violetta looked at her cynically. "Are you deaf?"

Helena quickly walked towards her desk, searching for the documents Violetta was looking for. After finding them, she handed them over to Violetta. Violetta read them seriously, and Helena observed anxiously, waiting for the moment of her impending shredding.

"Find out all the background information on the companies involved in the investment. If any of them have issues, I'll ask the CEOs to cancel their cooperation."

Helena furrowed her brow. "But Julio said he already sent a copy of the cooperation contract to NVD on Mr. Dom's orders."

Violetta sneered and threw the documents onto the table. Startled, Helena took a step back, increasing the distance between her and Violetta.

"My instincts are bad about this collaboration. The second-largest shareholder in NVD is Faragos Kingdom, and didn't we go to their company's club last night? FK Club?"

Given her background, Violetta despised personal relationships outside of work. Rumor had it that she had trauma from her engagement with Elias, the owner of StarUp JR.Co, which fell apart due to conflicts within the company.

"I feel like FK is not just an ordinary investment company. We also can't figure out where their money comes from and goes, aside from my suspicion about their casino."

"Could they have hidden illicit businesses?" Helena guessed.

Violetta turned her chair, facing Helena. "Exactly! Usually, in a casino, it's not just gambling activities. Drug abuse, illegal weapons trading, and even human trafficking might occur."

Helena swallowed hard.

"Oh damn! Because people pointed guns at me, I can't stop worrying." Violetta then stood up from her chair.

Did Helena hear correctly? Violetta was just as worried as she was?

"I can't sleep because I'm haunted by nightmares. Are you experiencing the same?" she asked.

Helena nodded. She could only sleep after exhausting herself with some light exercise. That's why she came to the office late this morning.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have forced you to come with me last night."

Helena was shocked. Violetta apologizing to her? Was this for real?

"Get back to work, and please schedule a private meeting with the owner of NVD," Violetta persisted.

"Miss, are you planning to meet them without Mr. Dom's knowledge?" Helena asked.

"Isn't it obvious? Somehow, I have to sever ties with Faragos Kingdom. Especially with that annoying CEO."