Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Dark ploys.
A brand new day came fast as expected, and the jabbing sunlight pierced through the open curtain, falling straight on Daniel—on his disheveled hair and clothes that were all out of place.
He yawned countlessly, trying to figure out which day it was, only to realize it was a new one. And once again, he was reminded he was still in the Mafia zone, with Adrian tormenting his life.
Dragging himself up, he headed toward the bathroom to wash and bathe when a silhouette appeared before him, making him scream.
"Jesus Christ—oh my heart..." Daniel yelped. Right there stood Jake, holding a tray in his hands.
Just how long had he been standing there? And why did he look like some monitoring spirit? Gosh, his fragile heart couldn’t take this.
"You creepy bastard! Couldn’t you give a person a heads-up before barging in?" Daniel fired at Jake, annoyed that the useless butler—or whatever he called himself, Adrian’s right-hand man—couldn’t even allow privacy. Or was it simply because this was his master’s room?
Gosh, this wouldn’t be happening if he had his own room. Now he was stuck sharing one with a deranged person like Adrian.
By the way—where was Adrian? And why did it feel like something crucial had happened yesterday that he was forgetting?
"Will you stand there or come take your food?" Jake barked, surprising Daniel. Just the other day, he had clearly seen him whimpering like a beaten dog. Now he was suddenly showing superiority.
And talk more of the matching black eye.
"Hold your horses! I’m not the cause of your problems, so carry your tantrums to Adrian and don’t come shouting at me, you hear?" Daniel shouted back, his voice loud enough to show the exact seriousness and unhinged hatred he felt toward him.
"What!!" Daniel questioned when he noticed the surprise flicker in Jake’s eyes.
"You don’t like me, and here I am reciprocating the same energy. Or were you expecting I bow and worship you?" Daniel mocked, his eyes scanning Jake deliberately.
Jake didn’t reply. He simply dropped the breakfast and conveyed the message he had been told to.
"The boss requests your presence immediately after eating and freshening up. Your time is strictly thirty minutes. It shouldn’t exceed that." Jake announced, and just as he came, he vanished—walking out quietly like a cat, making him uncatchable.
Here he went again with the commands and instructions. Now he was being timed—even when to eat and when to meet Adrian.
Was Adrian God or what? Who else had that kind of authority?
Daniel couldn’t keep digesting all this shit. It was messing with him badly.
Heading into the bathroom, he grabbed his brush, added paste, and began brushing casually. His hands moved toward his pocket, only to feel a bit of metal dangling inside.
Daniel stopped brushing, fished his hand into the pocket, and pulled out the strange object—only to see that same suppressant he normally used.
Someone must have placed it there. He couldn’t remember bringing one. His hands trembled already, thinking about how impossible it would be to mask his scent in both Adrian’s bedroom and bathroom without getting caught.
But fortune smiled on him. The suppressant was here, found in his pocket. Far too convenient to be coincidence. And Daniel wasn’t stupid enough to leave it all to fate. When the damn thing couldn’t rescue him during heat, why was it appearing now of all times?
Holding it securely, he made sure no one could see. Adrian might be watching from outside the bathroom. Bringing the suppressant out wasn’t advisable, so clutching it close would have to do for now.
"Thank you so much, benefactor..." he muttered to himself before resuming brushing.
*****
Downstairs, Adrian was dressed in a sharp suit, arms tucked into his pockets, looking both ragged and poised. His tattoos gleamed dangerously under the sunlight.
His crew members gathered around him, ready for a mission. An important one for all of them—the kind that would determine the future of their family and headquarters. Adrian was briefing them when Matteo stormed into the circle, eyes smeared with tears and body trembling with profound rage.
"Where are you going, Adrian? Mother is dying and she needs real treatment—not the scraps they offer here in the clinic! And we can’t go anywhere without your permission. Why is that?" Matteo yelled.
Adrian turned slowly, finally giving him some acknowledgment. But even that small glance carried cold dismissal. Adrian didn’t rate him enough to waste words on.
"Are you done?" Adrian asked flatly.
Matteo gasped, shocked by the heartless display. His fists clenched until his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.
"It’s better if you keep your hands to yourself before I cut off the other one. I know you don’t want to be completely handless." Adrian threatened. At that, Matteo quickly dropped his raised hand.
"What did Mom ever do to you? Just what?" Matteo demanded, fighting back tears. Anyone could see he was a mama’s boy, and this was tearing him apart—watching his mother rot away in the hospital, unable to walk.
Adrian let out an amused smile.
"That bitch isn’t my mom. She’ll never be. Don’t ever ask me such an abominable question again," he deadpanned.
Alexander watched Adrian with a passive look, holding a two-faced dagger and gun for the mission. Hearing Adrian’s words, irritation flickered in him.
"What a person... such a heartless soul doesn’t deserve redemption at all."
Adrian ignored Matteo completely, continuing his orders, detailing everyone’s duties for the mission.
When it was over and they were ready to depart, he finally noticed Daniel.
Dressed in a killer outfit, Daniel’s waist and curves were accentuated as usual. He wore all black with golden floral designs, a black choker around his neck set with a dangling pendant, and matching loafers.
The design was unmistakably Dolce & Gabbana, its luxury impossible to miss.
Every eye turned to him, admiration and stunned expressions spreading across faces.
It was good to be beautiful and handsome combined.
Adrian was spellbound, utterly enamored by Daniel’s emerald eyes and flawless fashion sense.
Greta, who had been smiling like a fool all this while, stopped dead. Her smile vanished. Gregor noticed immediately—and understood. That worthless whore was once again giving his sister a hard time.
It was time for action. After this mission, Daniel Moretti wouldn’t exist. He would be burned alive. Gregor grinned, pleased to serve his sister.
"Calm down, baby sister. Your brother’s got this," Gregor whispered, patting Greta’s head.
Daniel finally reached the group, stopping to assess what was happening—only for Adrian to throw out an unexpected command.
"You’re going to be tasked with cooking this time. I want to see what you’ve got. No kitchen staff for you—only you will do the job," Adrian declared.
"What!!!" Daniel screamed.
Others snapped their heads toward Adrian too. Their boss wanted this lunatic _ Daniel to cook for them? What if they got poisoned?
"You guys shouldn’t worry. I’m sure Daniel doesn’t want to end up on my bad side." Adrian’s voice was loud, laced with threat, not bothering to hide it. Daniel gulped hard.
Matteo stood forgotten, but his bloodlust now turned fully on Daniel. To him, Daniel was the perfect tool for revenge.
"Watch and see—Adrian will crush you to death. I promise you, he will," Matteo ranted madly.
Oblivious to the pit being dug beneath him, Daniel only glared at Adrian, flabbergasted. The creature still wouldn’t let him go.
Was this how his life was going to be until the contract ended?
No way. This wasn’t going to stay this way.
Things were changing today. Tonight even. His body was going to be a tool. If he looked this beautiful, why not use it? Seduce some horny men, and free himself from this death trap.
Still plotting, his eyes caught Alex. He winked, flashing a charming smile.
Satisfied things had sunk in, Adrian gave his crew the departure sign. They began leaving, even Titania, who made sure to flip Daniel a middle finger.
"Well, she looks alright now," Daniel smirked, proud he had managed to teach that cunt a lesson.
Matteo still stood there growling, darker thoughts swirling. With one last murderous glare at Daniel, he stormed out.
Finally, Daniel was left alone. Jake had followed Adrian. Alone at last, Daniel decided it was time.
Time to escape.
Adrian, who had just entered his car, cast one last glance at the headquarters. Before he looked away, Jake spoke up.
"Boss, Gianna asked of you. She was crying earlier," Jake said quietly.
But Adrian didn’t reply. Jake could only drive on.
Gianna was on her own now—in a sick bed, with no one to help her. Even her rock, Adrian, had abandoned her.