Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Internal attack.
Inside the penthouse, towards the kitchen, Daniel was walking through the passage, his mind foggy, like a memory trying to force its way out.
"That face... that face..." Daniel muttered, trying to remember where he had seen that look before. Then, suddenly, it flashed.
During the crew’s departure, someone had the same look—the same smile. It was that new guy.
The feminine-looking man with raven hair cascading down his waist in waves. Why did it feel like they had already spoken? Why was he remembering this? He sifted through his encounters, but he was certain the new guy hadn’t been involved.
Then, a wave of cold goosebumps spread across his arms, making him shiver.
Something terrible was about to happen. His instincts screamed at him in warning.
"Okay, chill for a moment... why are you here again?" Daniel whispered to himself, trying to refocus.
Yes—the plan. He needed to find a way to seduce one of the countless stone-faced guards and see if any of them could provide a proper exit before Adrian came back.
Coming here had been a mistake. Staying any longer could get him killed. Ironically, he had come here seeking protection, but instead, he was drowning in danger.
It was time to put the plan to work.
Ignoring the lapses in his memory, Daniel turned away from the kitchen. Adrian had countless chefs there. They should be the ones cooking. He wasn’t going to lift a finger for that multitude—they needed to let him breathe.
Then, he got what he wanted.
Six Alphas stood guard at a particular door. Daniel could guess it was the weapon room. He had seen the crew go in there—either to drop their old weapons or come out with ones more dangerous than before.
Their pheromones polluted the air. Typical Alphas. The arrogance on their faces proved they believed every other rank was beneath them. Yet, ironically, they were still just slaves.
Funny enough, a rich Omega was better than them.
So much for pride. Daniel let out a sharp laugh.
Straightening his outfit a bit, he raised his chin and walked towards the men with a poised step.
Yuck.
He was wrong. Their pheromones were worse than expected. God—it stank.
"You can do this. Just don’t take in their scents," Daniel reminded himself. Before he knew it, he was standing right before the six Alphas.
Their eyes fell on the gorgeous figure standing there. Some wondered if he was lost—because the main rooms and exits were in the other direction, not this way.
"Are you lost?" one of them asked. A gentleman in manner, though his face was absolutely nothing to write home about. Years of hard labor had left him plain, rugged, and ugly. Daniel hated ugliness. If you were poor, at least compensate with a decent face. But this one? Nothing.
"Hmm, I don’t know... maybe just a little," Daniel answered, flipping his hair while sliding one hand to his butt, holding the corner suggestively.
Four of the men began gawking, practically drooling. Only two resisted—one was that so-called gentleman (the pest), and the other, the only handsome one among them.
The rest? Hopeless. And they stank of sweat and unwashed bodies.
"Don’t they teach hygiene here?" Daniel muttered under his breath, nearly gagging from the mix of pheromones and odor.
"You should be on your way now. Someone important must be waiting," the handsome one suggested.
Daniel instantly disliked his voice. Why was he dismissing him? Didn’t he find him attractive?
"Okay, you’re right. I’m just bored. I need some company... who better than charming men like you all?" Daniel chimed.
The four ugly ones grinned like fools, practically glowing at the compliment.
Oops. He hadn’t meant them. Just the handsome one.
"Let’s keep him company—maybe a few minutes right here," one of the four muttered eagerly.
If it had been someone worthwhile, Daniel would’ve brightened. But no—just an irrelevant thing.
"Yes, boredom is killing me here. And the boss isn’t even back," Daniel complained, trying to sell the act.
The gentleman, however, kept staring at him weirdly—almost suspiciously, like he saw through him.
And worse, the man whispered something to the handsome one. Immediately, the handsome Alpha’s expression turned grim.
Shit. What did I do now?
"Any problems? Why are you both looking at me like I just murdered someone?" Daniel questioned nervously.
The gentleman stepped closer and grabbed his hand.
"We’ve been here all this while. Have you ever spoken to us once?" he asked sharply.
Daniel flushed red. Oh, right. He’d never acknowledged them. Not once. Not even when they greeted him. He ignored most of the guards and trainees—too caught up in his own issues to bother with nobodies.
So that was it. The man had caught on—Daniel wanted something.
"Smart man," Daniel smirked, masking his nerves with flirtation. "But you failed this time. I was just trying to be friends."
"Oh boy—is that a Versace shoe?" he pointed at the handsome Alpha’s boots. No response. He looked like an idiot.
"Boys, what’s the problem? I’m making an effort here—trying to talk—and you’re giving me levels?" Daniel yelled, frustrated as his carefully laid plan crumbled thanks to this hideous pest.
"We don’t like being taken advantage of just because we’re workers," the gentleman muttered bitterly.
Daniel burst out laughing.
He kept laughing, harder and harder, his voice echoing through the corridor. The four other men stopped drooling, now utterly confused.
"Oh, that’s rich. A servant... asking for respect. Funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time." Daniel’s voice dripped with mockery.
"You’re all just pathetic losers. A bunch of useless Alphas who think you matter." He laughed again, brushing past them.
His plan was ruined. He needed Plan B.
But then—he froze.
A beeping sound.
Where was that coming from?
He looked around, then heard a deafening scream from outside the penthouse.
People were running, scattering for safety. Hundreds of trainees were fleeing, panic etched on their faces.
"The headquarters is under attack! Everyone save yourselves!"
Daniel’s eyes widened.
The six guards suddenly turned, shouting at him.
"Jump, man! Jump!"
Without thinking, Daniel leapt over the spot where he stood—just as the floor behind him exploded into flames.
The building shuddered. The structure cracked and roared as fire engulfed it.
It was a bomb.
But how? An attack from the inside? Impossible.
The fire chased him down the passage as he ran desperately for his life.
Fortunately, he spotted the elevator. He sprinted, slammed the button, panicking as the flames drew closer, roaring behind him.
The doors opened. Someone was inside.
Matteo Valez.
"Daniel, come in—now!"
Without a second thought, without remembering what Matteo had done, Daniel rushed in. The doors closed.
Finally, he exhaled, trying to steady his nerves. His heart hammered. Relief washed over him.
But then—steel flashed.
A dagger swung toward his side, grazing his arm.
Daniel’s eyes flew open in shock.
Matteo Valez stood armed, a chainsaw dagger in hand.
And he swung it heavily at Daniel.