Lilian Carson POV

Hannah opened the door for me with a smile. I smiled back at her. She always greets me with warmth and kindness, making me feel welcomed.

"Can you bring me some snacks to my room? I am feeling hungry," I asked politely.

"Right away, ma'am."

Hannah nodded and quickly scurried off to fetch the snacks, her footsteps echoing down the hallway. As I made my way towards my room, I couldn't help but think about the situation I faced earlier. Can I really trust Alexander? He seemed so dangerous and moody. As I entered my room, I couldn't shake off the lingering uncertainty about Alexander, but I knew that I had to tread carefully moving forward.

⁠⁠⁠ I changed my clothes and freshened up. Soon there was a knock at my door. It must be Hannah. I opened the door to find Hannah standing there, holding a tray of snacks, with a worried expression on her face. She seemed to sense my unease and asked if everything was alright. I hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to confide in her about my concerns regarding Alexander. Ultimately, I decided to keep my suspicions to myself for now, not wanting to burden Hannah with my doubts. I thanked her for the snacks and assured her that everything was fine, putting on a smile to ease her worries. After that, she walked away, and I closed the door again.

I sighed and looked at the gourmet food in front of me. Despite its exquisite presentation, my appetite had vanished. The taste of uncertainty lingered in my mouth, overshadowing any enjoyment I might have derived from the meal. But I have to eat it to fulfil my hunger.

I grabbed the chicken sandwich and took a hesitant bite. The rich flavours and textures of the sandwich failed to distract me from the swirling emotions within. Each bite felt like a chore, a reminder of the weight on my shoulders. I wished I could savour this meal, but my mind was too preoccupied with the unknown. As I forced myself to swallow each bite, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held and how my current situation would unfold.

After I was done eating, I decided to make a visit to Alexander's room. Maybe if I try harder, I can learn more about his family. As I walked down the hallways towards Alexander's room, my heart raced with anticipation. As I approached his door, I took a deep breath. I knocked softly, hoping to not startle him.

"Alexander, it's me!" I called out to him. But soon I was surprised by the sudden moaning of a girl coming from his room. My heart sank as I realised that Alexander had someone else in there with him.

My mind raced with questions and uncertainties. Who could this girl be? Were they just friends or something more? I stood frozen outside the door, unsure of what to do next. Should I walk away and give them their privacy or confront Alexander about it? The sound of their voices became muffled as I weighed my options, trying to decide how to proceed.

I heard as the girl screamed Alexander's name in a pleasurable manner. But I shouldn't care at all, should I? Me and Alexander had no relationship to begin with; he was the one who forced me to be here. I took a deep breath, realising that I had no reason to get involved in their situation. The pang of jealousy mixed with anger, making it impossible to stay calm. I was jealous, but not because he was having sex with someone, but because he took everything for granted and was still living his life without any consequences.

As I turned away from the closed door, I made a silent promise to myself that I would find my own happiness outside of this toxic environment. Suddenly my eyes lay on the mysterious man in front of me; he was the same guy from earlier, wearing a top hat and those green emerald eyes that seemed to shimmer with mischief. A shiver ran down my spine as I locked eyes with him. In that moment, it felt as if he could see right through me, like he knew the turmoil that was raging inside me. Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't help but wonder what role this enigmatic man plays in Alexander's life.

"Who are you?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.

The mysterious man smirked, his lips curling up into a sly grin. He tilted his head slightly and took a step closer, his gaze never leaving my own. "Ah, love, I am Titus Davidson," he said in a voice that made me shudder. "I am but a mere friend, advisor, and spectator in the grand theatre of Alexander's life." His words were cryptic, leaving me with even more questions than before.

That name doesn't ring a bell. Maybe he is like an advisor after all. Giving all the wrong advice to Alexander. Or perhaps he is more than just an advisor, pulling the strings behind the scenes of Alexander's life. Whatever his role may be, there is an air of danger and intrigue surrounding Titus Davidson that I can't ignore.

"Eavesdropping is really a bad habit, especially when that person is involved in a personal deed," he said indirectly to me. Was he keeping an eye on me?

"I was just here to talk to Alexander, but I think he is busy," I said, trying to appear nonchalant.

Titus Davidson's piercing eyes bore into mine as he responded with a sly smile, "Oh, I assure you, it's his way to reduce stress. It was your duty to help the young master, but he decided not to force you." Goosebumps formed on my skin, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that Titus knew more than he let on. When did it start to be my duty? I never signed up for all of this.

I shifted uncomfortably under Titus Davidson's intense gaze, unsure of how to respond. "I understand that it's important to support Alexander," I began cautiously, "but I never agreed to be his whore. I didn't sign up for all of this." My voice wavered slightly, betraying the uncertainty that had settled in the pit of my stomach.

Titus's smile widened, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh, my dear," he said, his voice dripping with a mixture of condescension and intrigue, "sometimes you just have to accept your fate."

Suddenly, a phone ringtone pierced through the tense air, interrupting Titus's condescending words. I looked around, searching for the source of the noise, hoping it would provide a momentary escape from the uncomfortable conversation. As the ringtone continued to sound, Titus's amused expression turned into one of annoyance. He fumbled in his pocket, retrieving his phone, and hastily answered the call. Relief washed over me, and I was grateful for the unexpected interruption that momentarily shifted the focus away from my predicament.

"Yes, the cat is safe. Send me the details." Titus gave me a look and walked away while talking on his phone. I felt a mix of curiosity and relief. What details was he referring to? What Cat? It sounds so familiar. Then I suddenly remembered about that feng shui cat I saw a couple of days ago. Alexander was making some kind of deal. What's so special about that cat figure? It seemed like a plain house decoration.

I decided to do some research to satisfy my curiosity. I quickly went to my room, pulled up my laptop, and began typing keywords into the search engine. As I scrolled through the results, I discovered that the feng shui cat, also known as the beckoning cat or Maneki-neko, was believed to bring good luck and fortune to its owner. These are all just ordinary facts, and they definitely are not the reason why it seemed so precious to Alexander.

Intrigued, I delved deeper into the history and significance of this seemingly ordinary decoration. Yet I couldn't find any proper explanation. Instantly, my eyes fell on a shady website that claimed to have the secrets of the feng shui cat. Skeptical but curious, I clicked on the link and was transported into a world of conspiracy theories. According to the website, the feng shui cat is often used as an easier way to transport drugs into South Korea and has been linked to an underground network of organized crime. The website went on to explain that the innocent-looking cat figurines were hollowed out and filled with illegal substances, making them virtually undetectable to authorities.

As I read further, I discovered that this secret operation had been going on for years, with countless unsuspecting tourists and collectors unknowingly becoming carriers for these illicit goods. It was a shocking revelation that turned a seemingly harmless decoration into a symbol of deceit and criminality. Although the authenticity of these claims was questionable, Alexander's fascination with the feng shui cat suddenly made more sense to me.

It was as if he had stumbled upon a hidden world, a world where innocent trinkets held dark secrets and unsuspecting individuals unknowingly played a part in a larger, sinister scheme. My mind raced with questions. How had this operation gone undetected for so long? Who was behind it all? And most importantly, what was Alexander's role in this elaborate web of deception? I knew I had to dig deeper. I knew Alexander was dangerous, but what else is left for him to join? He can kill people and deceive people, and he is now involved in an illegal business. Does my father know everything? He must be involved as well.

My father, a seemingly ordinary man, was now tangled up in this web of deception along with Alexander. But was he a victim or a willing participant? I needed answers, and I needed them fast. My mind was racing with a million thoughts, trying to piece together the puzzle that had suddenly consumed my life. I knew my father could do anything for money, and these prove that I was right.

What if Jace was right? I felt a mix of anger, betrayal, and fear. Maybe if I asked Sherry, I would know something. She is his secretary; she keeps all his business information. Even a hint would help me.

Suddenly, I heard a scream. I think it's Hannah's voice. I bolted up from my chair, my heart pounding in my chest. Without thinking, I rushed in the direction of the scream, adrenaline fueling my every step. As I reached the living room, my mind was already imagining the worst-case scenarios. Was she in danger? My hand trembled as I reached for the doorknob, unsure of what I was about to uncover.

Hannah was lying on the floor when I walked in; her eyes were wide open, and she appeared terrified. I walked over to her. When I put a hand on her shoulder, she jumped; it's like she saw a ghost. She pointed to something while wiping the tears from her cheeks with her shaking hands. I followed her trembling finger, and as soon as I saw the scene, my hands turned cold as I felt bile rising in me.

There, in the corner of the room, was a gruesome sight that sent shivers down my spine. A pool of dark, crimson blood stained the carpet, spreading out from the lifeless head of a girl served on a platter. The room was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of our shallow breaths. The girl's vacant, lifeless eyes stared into nothingness, haunting the room. I couldn't tear my gaze away; the image burned into my mind like a nightmare.

I covered my mouth in disgust and backed away, trying to process the horrifying sight before me. I felt suffocated, and the air was thick around me. Fear and unease engulfed me. Who was she?

I froze in my place; I was shaking from inside. Hannah held me and told me to sit down, but I couldn't bring myself to move. The weight of the situation pressed down on me, and I could feel a chill creep up my spine.

I noticed Titus as he entered the room, his eyes watering with tears as he took in the scene. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself, before slowly approaching the lifeless head. It was evident that the sight had shaken him to his core. I could see his hands trembling as he reached out to touch her cold, pale skin. The room fell silent as we all grappled with the overwhelming emotions that filled the air.

"Don't let Alexander come here." Titus spoke to one of the servants, who nodded at his order and walked away. Titus turned his attention back to the lifeless head, his voice barely above a whisper. "Am...Amaya," he choked out, his grief palpable. We stood there in solemn solidarity, understanding the depth of his loss.

Did he say Amaya? I am sure I heard it right. But who was Amaya? Who killed her so brutally? My mind raced with questions. Alexander must be close with her, or else he must have enjoyed this gruesome sight if it were his enemies.

I saw three people enter the room with a disappointing and horrified look. They were wearing all black. Judging by their attire, they were Alexander's bodyguards.

"We only found the head, sir. Other body parts are still missing," informed one of the bodyguards. My heart sank at the bodyguard's words. The gruesome sight I had just witnessed was even worse than I had initially thought. How could someone be capable of such a heinous act? The mention of Amaya's name by the man in the alleyway suddenly became more chilling. It seemed that Alexander's enemies were not only ruthless but also determined to send a message.

"She was kept under high protection; how did this happen?" No one should have known about her location either," said Titus in a loud voice, his anger palpable.

The bodyguard's eyes shifted nervously as he avoided direct eye contact with Titus. "I-I'm not sure, sir," he stammered, his voice quivering. "We had the best security measures in place, but somehow they managed to bypass them all. It's as if they had insider information."

Titus clenched his fists, his mind racing with thoughts of betrayal and conspiracy. He paced back and forth, trying to make sense of the situation. "Someone on the inside must have leaked her location. Must be a mole," he muttered under his breath.

The bodyguard stood there, feeling the weight of Titus' accusatory gaze. "I apologize, sir," he finally said. "We are conducting an internal investigation to identify the source and ensure this doesn't happen again." Titus nodded, his distrust lingering in the air.

Then there was silence in the room until Titus spoke again: "Find the mole; you have 24 hours, or it will be one of you on that platter next." The pressure to uncover the mole intensified as the consequences became clear. The clock was ticking, and the bodyguard knew that failure was not an option. They knew they had to find the mole and restore Titus' trust or face a fate worse than they could imagine.

"Take care of this mess; we have a funeral to attend." The guards nod and walk away.

"Who is the dead girl?" I asked Hannah in a low voice.

Hannah glanced around cautiously before leaning in closer. "That's Amaya Agnor, the younger sister of Alexander."

I couldn't believe what Hannah said. How can Alexander have a sister? She was never mentioned anywhere, not on TV or in the newspapers. Now she suddenly appeared out of nowhere. But I also don't know much about Alexander's family tree to begin with. It was clear that Alexander had been hiding a lot about his personal life. I wondered why he would keep his sister a secret.

The silence was soon broken by a loud glass shattering noise. I realized the noise source was coming from Alexander's room. Titus looked at me, and I felt nervous at his gaze.

"Go and check on the young master," Titus commanded.

"Me?" I asked hesitantly, unsure of what to do.

"Yes, you love. You are going to be his wife. Do your responsibility." I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I was ready for this level of responsibility. But I knew I couldn't ignore Titus's command. For now, I'll try to go with the flow.