The man bowed and left. When he reached the room where Ella was locked up, he was surprised to see that she was still alive. Ella lay on the floor, using one of her hands as a pillow. Her body was already very weak.
"Hey!" the man called out.
Her eyes were dim, empty of life. Her once-sexy pink lips had lost their color, now pale and lifeless. Her hair was a tangled mess. Looking at her, even the man—who had killed many without remorse—felt something stir in him.
He didn't understand why. He'd never shown mercy before, yet looking at this once-beautiful creature now reduced to this fragile state, he didn't think he had the strength to kill her.
The man, named Judge, reluctantly stepped forward. He had no idea how to handle this or what to say to the broken girl on the floor.
"What are you doing? Kill her already," said another man standing at the doorpost.
Tears slowly rolled from Ella's eyes to her nose.
Was she really going to die like this? No chance to say goodbye to her siblings? The three of them had come into the world together—born in the same minute—and now she would leave it alone.
It was too painful to think about. How would they live knowing she was dead?
"Haven't you killed her yet? What's taking so long?" another voice snapped.
She didn't need to look to know who it was. That voice was unmistakable. She forced her eyes upward and saw a lean figure with a cigarette in his hand.
He smokes?
She was surprised. If he really smokes, how is he still so handsome? she wondered.
"We... we were about to begin, boss," Judge said.
"Hmm. You better be quick," Maximus replied.
"Yes, boss," Judge murmured.
Maximus walked to where Ella lay. Bending down slowly, he took a long drag from his cigarette and blew the smoke directly into her face. She hated cigarettes with a passion. The scent made her nauseous. She instinctively held her breath, but it was too late—she coughed from the bitter, stinging smoke.
"Finish her," Maximus ordered coldly.
"Yes, boss," the other man responded, pulling out his gun—just as a female voice echoed behind them.
"Don't you dare!!" she screamed.
Everyone turned to see Isabella standing at the door.
Maximus took one last drag and tossed the cigarette to the floor, grinding it beneath his heel. With both hands in his pockets, he walked calmly toward Isabella.
"Why?" he asked.
That was when Isabella saw it—there was no warmth in his eyes anymore. Only coldness and loneliness. The tiny spark she'd once kindled in him had vanished.
"Because I own her," she said firmly.
"Isabella!!" he barked, calling her by her name for the first time.
She swallowed hard. That alone sent a chill down her spine.
"Why are you angry? Don't tell me you actually like her now," she taunted. His anger flared.
"Kill her!"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Isabella Lysander!"
"Maximus Malcolm!" she retorted, just as fiercely.
She was angry too. She had brought Ella here—she had to take responsibility, even if it meant her own life. If she let Daniella die, the guilt would haunt her forever.
'Maximus Malcolm? Hmm, not bad' Ella thought to herself. Even on the verge of death, she couldn't help but admire the sound of his name. Their argument, in its own twisted way, entertained her.
"Seems like you're tired of living," Maximus growled at Isabella.
"No. It's you who's tired of living. That's why you kill for fun. Am I wrong?" she shot back.
Maximus's fury burned hotter.
"This is none of your business. Leave."
"Like I said, Max, she belongs to me."
"No, she's mine! I'll do whatever I want with her!" His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at her.
Isabella laughed mockingly, and it cut him to the core.
"Did you hear yourself? You own nothing. Just wealth. Nothing more. Don't you know? You're boring. You're lonely. Ever wonder why no one loves you? Because no one can love someone with a stony heart. You're a monster! And no one will ever love a monster. You're cursed!"
Maximus couldn't contain his rage. He gripped Isabella's delicate neck.
"T-That's why… everyone w-will shower you with hatred," she choked out.
The pain in him overwhelmed the fury, and he finally let go. Without a word, he walked out, his men following. Isabella smiled, victorious. She rushed to Ella.
"I'm... fine," Ella whispered, her voice hoarse from thirst.
"How can you say that?" Isabella asked, panic in her voice.
"I really am," Ella replied weakly.
Isabella helped her up, and together they walked out.
'They could've argued a bit longer' Ella thought. 'I was enjoying it' She wanted to hear more about Maximus's loneliness. Not because she pitied him—how could she pity a man who wanted her dead? But... still, it intrigued her.
What about his parents? she wondered. Maybe they went on vacation...
She smiled at the thought of seeing her siblings again.
Back in her room, Ella showered and ate. Isabella personally tucked her in.
When she woke up, she had regained her strength—but Isabella was gone.
How could she leave me here? What if the bad guy comes back?
She noticed a note on the bed:
> Don't do anything stupid. I'm at my mansion anytime. This is my phone number. If you need anything, call me.
"Nonsense," Ella muttered.
Knock-knock.
"Come in," she said. It was Serah.
"The young master wants to see you in the sitting room," she said.
"Huh? M-m-m-me?" Ella stammered.
"Yes," Serah said before leaving.
Ella was terrified. She had to call Isabella! She had just escaped death—why was she being summoned now?
She entered the sitting room and saw Maximus seated in a gray armchair, smoking.
"Maidi," he called.
"S-sir?"
"You're a very disobedient child."
"...?"
His face was as emotionless as ever. His thick black hair fell neatly on his forehead. It was so... nice. She had a sudden urge to run her fingers through it—and immediately scolded herself.
'How could I think like that now?'
"I'm sorry," she said. She didn't want any more trouble.
"You should be sorry," he replied, finally turning his gaze to her.
"From now on, you'll follow five solid rules."
She swallowed hard. But she wasn't the type to break rules—so she wasn't afraid.
"What are the rules?" she asked.
He smirked. "Good question."