"What do you mean? What are you actually planning?" Leah asked, her voice trembling. Panic began to claw at her chest the moment Fabio mentioned the orphans at the church where she frequently volunteered.
Fabio did not answer immediately. Instead, he allowed a thin, cold smile to curl his lips. "Do I really need to repeat myself, Leah?" he whispered. His low tone was far more terrifying than a shout. His gaze pierced through her, pinning her in place.
"Don't you dare do anything to them! You monster!" Leah screamed. She tried to avert her eyes, but the movement only provoked him.
His large fingers lunged forward and seized her chin, gripping it with ruthless strength. Leah's cheeks were pressed so hard her lips parted in a grimace, forcing her to maintain eye contact with his frozen stare.
"Will you obey? Or shall I eliminate those children right now?" The threat was delivered with a haunting calm, contrasting sharply with the flash of fury in his eyes.
"EMMA!" Fabio suddenly barked, never once breaking his gaze from Leah.
The bedroom door flew open instantly. Emma, who had been waiting anxiously in the hallway, rushed in with hurried, short steps. "Yes, sir," she answered softly, keeping her head bowed low.
"Bring her food. Ensure she finishes every bit of it. Do not leave a single scrap." Fabio released his grip with a violent shove, causing Leah's head to snap to the side.
Leah glared at him, her eyes reddening with a mixture of suppressed tears and rage. Her chest heaved as her breath came in ragged gasps.
"So this is who you truly are? Fabio Casso the killer. The criminal." Leah shouted in frustration, her fists clenching tight against the bedsheets. "I regret it. I deeply regret ever loving you."
Fabio stood tall and straightened his blazer with composed movements, as if her outburst were nothing more than a minor nuisance. He looked down, fixing his eyes on her one last time. "You finally realize what I am, then."
He stepped closer to the edge of the bed again, exerting a heavy pressure of intimidation through his sharp gaze. "Think very carefully about the consequences if you still intend to defy me."
A moment later, Emma returned with a silver tray carrying steaming food. "Miss Leah, please eat. I will feed you," Emma said gently as she sat on the edge of the bed, attempting to soothe the lingering tension in the room.
"Remember, Emma. Report to me if she refuses even a single bite," Fabio commanded. Without looking back, he turned and stroded out of the room with a steady, authoritative gait, leaving Leah's vengeful gaze behind.
"Miss Leah..." Emma called out softly. "Please eat, Miss," she coaxed, holding a piece of steak to Leah's lips.
With stiff, slow movements, Leah opened her mouth and accepted the food without a word.
"You must eat. Please do not make the Master angry again," Emma spoke softly, offering a compassionate smile that felt entirely out of place given the circumstances.
Leah's eyes grew dim as she looked at the maid. "Emma, I want to eat by myself. Can you please unlock these chains?" Leah raised both hands, letting the cold rattle of iron fill the silence between them. "I promise I will behave. I couldn't possibly escape this place anyway, could I? There must be guards everywhere outside," Leah pleaded, her voice thick with unshed tears.
Emma looked hesitant. "But, Miss..."
"I just want to eat in comfort, Emma," Leah interrupted quickly.
Emma let out a long sigh. Her expression softened with pity. "Very well, Miss," she finally answered, reaching into her uniform pocket to retrieve a key.
"Did you know? I have been the one taking care of the Master since he was a baby," Emma said, initiating a conversation.
Emma tried to break the icy atmosphere by talking about Fabio, but Leah remained silent. To her, Fabio was nothing more than a hated monster. However, curiosity slowly began to gnaw at her defenses.
"Does he have any siblings?" Leah asked, trying to respond.
"Yes, a younger sister. But she passed away," Emma replied. A shadow of profound sadness suddenly clouded her face.
"Passed away? How?" Leah found herself drawn to this other side of her captor's life.
"An attack by another mafia group. It wasn't just his sister. His mother was killed in the incident as well," Emma said, her voice wavering.
Hearing this, Leah stopped chewing. A strange tightness gripped her chest. "How old was Fabio back then?"
"About fifteen," Emma replied. "In the past, the Master never wanted to be involved in the organization. He was a very bright boy. However, since that bloody event took his mother and sister, he was forced to step into that dark world."
Emma's eyes began to well up until a single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek.
"Emma, are you crying?" Leah reached out, gently wiping the maid's cheek.
"Oh, forgive me, Miss. I shouldn't have become so emotional..." Emma couldn't finish her sentence before Leah cut her off.
"It's alright, Emma," Leah said comfortingly. She paused for a moment before asking again. "You really care for Arnold, don't you? I mean... Fabio."
Emma nodded slowly. "Yes. He is actually a very good man, Miss. It is only the circumstances that forced him to become part of this bleak world."
***
Inside his dimly lit office, Fabio was ready. All-black attire clung to his powerful frame, completed by a tactical vest filled with ammunition. A cold aura radiated from his sharp eyes.
"Where is his position now?" Fabio asked without looking away from the weapon he was inspecting.
"He is heading toward the Red Hook Industrial Area, Boss. Ernest managed to lure him there with false information," Martin reported firmly. "And all of our men have surrounded the area," Martin added, ensuring their plan was flawless.
Fabio paused for a moment, his fingers brushing against the cold metal of his gun. "Is he going alone?"
"I have confirmed he is by himself. His high curiosity and impatient nature make him easy prey," Martin said with a dismissive tone.
The corner of Fabio's mouth tilted up into a chilling, cunning smile. "Good."
He holstered his weapon with a single, sharp motion. "Let's go. Do not keep him waiting too long."