A tall guy in his twenties walked through the door.
He moved with the easy, careless confidence of someone who had never been told no. He was handsome—probably second or third compared to Daniel's devastating looks—but in a different way. Where Daniel was cold, untouchable, carved from ice, he was warm. Approachable. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, styled to look effortless. His jaw was sharp, his cheekbones high, and his brown eyes held a glint of mischief that suggested he was always looking for trouble. He had the easy confidence of a second-generation young master who had never been told no in his life. He wore a designer jacket over a simple shirt, designer jeans, shoes that cost more than most people's rent. He looked like he had just stepped out of a magazine spread for "Rich Playboy on Vacation."
He strolled into the room like he owned the place and slumped down beside Daniel on the bed.
"Geez, man, the living room is a bloody mess," the young man said as he laid comfortably on the bed, his tone light and unconcerned.
Daniel moved slightly away from him, irritated by how close he had gotten.
"What are you doing here?"
The guy propped himself up on his elbow, facing Daniel. He squinted at the space Daniel had created between them.
"Don't you miss me, brother?" he asked, pouting dramatically as he moved closer to Daniel, attempting to snuggle him.
Daniel shoved him away.
"Bryan, what do you want?" His voice was tinged with irritation.
The shove sent Bryan tumbling off the bed. He landed on his butt with an indignant huff. He frowned, brushing off his designer jacket as if the floor had personally offended him.
"Grandma sent me to drag you by the ear back home," Bryan said, standing and dusting imaginary dirt from his pants before settling back onto the bed.
Bryan Thompson. The second son of the Thompson family. He had been living abroad since birth and was known as the unserious Thompson son—a reputation built on his love for women and his playboy lifestyle. The Thompson family surpassed the Sabel family, making them second only to the Viggo family.
They were well known for their cars. Sleek, powerful, expensive machines that were the envy of every driver. No home in Eldrida lacked a Thompson vehicle in its garage. Their business expanded overseas as well—luxury dealerships in every major city, their cars a symbol of status and success. They were feared because of their unpredictability, their willingness to play by their own rules.
Bryan, however, was the exception. He was not feared. He was tolerated. Charming, reckless, and utterly unserious, he floated through life on his family's name and his brother's reputation.
"Home," Daniel repeated, frowning. He did not understand which home Bryan was referring to.
"Eldrida, man. It's our home," Bryan said, draping an arm around Daniel's shoulders.
Daniel scoffed. If Bryan had not returned three years ago, no one would have remembered he was from "home."
"I plan on going back with you this time," Bryan said, shaking his head sadly. "Because Grandma sounded angry, so I figured you're in trouble."
Daniel removed Bryan's arm from his shoulder. "You just want a free ride."
Bryan gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Are you saying that I don't love a brother?"
Daniel glanced at him sideways and chose not to respond.
Seeing that Daniel wasn't saying anything, Bryan grew anxious.
"Hey, bro, come on. Let me ride with you."
He knew Daniel had not given him permission.
Daniel remained silent.
Bryan became desperate, frustrated at the same time, knowing Daniel's nature well.
"My old man doesn't want me back in Eldrida," Bryan confessed. "So he's blocking my every possible way back."
Daniel turned to him and smirked—a cold, knowing smile that made Bryan's stomach drop. He stood and walked out of the room.
Bryan caught the smirk and cursed Daniel in his mind. He followed suit.
"So tell me," Bryan said, falling into step beside Daniel as they reached the suite's living room, "are the ladies over there getting better?"
Daniel paused and glanced at the luggage Bryan had brought along. Was this idiot moving out of the country?
He said nothing and instead raised a finger up at Bryan before walking out of the room.
Bryan understood immediately and shouted after him.
"No. No. I need all of this," he yelled after Daniel, who had already left.
He turned back to the staff. "Make it two. Don't mind him."
Then he rushed after Daniel.
He caught up with him in the elevator, panting heavily.
"You shouldn't treat me like this, you know," Bryan said, tidying himself. "I'm your only true brother."
He crossed his arms over his chest and glanced sideways at Daniel for a reaction. He received none.
Liam was waiting at the elevator. As soon as the doors opened, the three men walked to the car and headed to where the private jet was parked.
Bryan jumped out of the car and laughed loudly.
"And that's why they call him Daniel Viggo!" he screamed, throwing his arms wide.
Daniel stepped out and stood beside him. He shook his head and walked away from Bryan and toward the jet.
---
Lina emerged from her room a few minutes later, after Daniel and Bryan had left.
She walked through the lobby, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Her body still ached. Her heart still felt hollow. But she forced herself to move forward.
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, a tall, burly man approached her. Without a word, he handed her a black envelope.
Then he turned and left immediately, not saying a single word.
Lina was puzzled. She opened the envelope and found a letter and a black card.
She unfolded the letter.
"This is a gift from Apex Holdings to Miss Angelina Johnson."
Her name was written in capital letters.
She glanced at the black card in her hand.
Was black card gifting part of the deal?
She did not dwell on it. It was probably his doing. Daniel's reach was unpredictable. His power extended further than she had ever imagined.
And since she had been gifted, she should probably get to work.
Thinking about this, Lina walked out of the hotel and hailed a taxi.
She was going to spend his money and make him go broke.
She was going to explore Merra with his money. Every shop. Every boutique. Every restaurant. She would drain that card until it was dry.
---
Throughout the flight back to Eldrida, Daniel's phone kept dinging with notifications.
He checked it once and saw that it was a debit alert from the card he had given Lina.
"Bro, you should probably report that. You'll go broke at this rate," Bryan joked after peeking at his phone and noticing the sound was not stopping—or ready to stop.
Daniel smirked.
This only confirmed his thoughts. That bitch was a gold digger. A pretender who would break at the sight of money. She was just like every other greedy whore. There was nothing special about her.
He tossed his phone aside and closed his eyes. He needed rest.