My eyes squinted against the bright light as soon as the room lit up. And then I found the person who dragged me into this room.

Dark orbs watched me silently.

My fists clenched. “What the hell is this, Arthur?”

His head cocked to the side. “You don’t even know what hell is. Trust me, I haven’t done anything yet to compare it with hell.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

A muscle of his jaw ticked, and his aged left eye twitched. “I’ll just say five words, Emerald.” Disgust dripped from his voice as he said my name. “Stay out of my path.”

My forehead creased more in confusion.

A shiver ran down my spine at the malice that his dark, soulless eyes held as realization hit me.

“What are you trying to say, Arthur?” I kept my voice even.

He found out. He found out about my quest, but I didn’t know how much he knew.

He let out a humorless chuckle. “You exactly know what I’m talking about. You really thought you could dig into my past and my secrets, and I wouldn’t find out?”

When I didn’t say anything, his lips curled into a sneer.

“Surprised?” he mocked. “Well, from the day you saw me with Sierra in the hotel garden, I knew you wouldn’t keep quiet. You’d go after her asking about me. And you did, just as I assumed. And then I found out that worthless ex-boyfriend of yours had his cousin after me. Do you think I’m that unaware and foolish?”

I stepped back as he took a threatening step towards me. With my eyes wide, my heart hammered in my chest. Not because I was scared of him, but because he now knew about Warner and his cousin’s involvement in this matter.

Shit, I didn’t plan this! I didn’t want him to hurt them in any way because of me.

Be strong, Em! Don’t show him your weakness. Don’t let him threaten you like he did to Liza and Sierra.

Holding my chin high, I held his gaze. “I don’t need to think you’re a fool. You are a fool.”

His nostrils flared at my comment.

“Anyone who dares to go against Ace is considered as a fool. Do you really think you can backstab him, and he will let you leave like that? Just because you’re his uncle?” I snorted. “It’s just a matter of time before I tell him what you do under your respected businessman façade, and he’ll throw you out of this company like a fly from sweet.”

“You think he’ll believe you? What proof do you have against me?”

Nothing. That’s why I was stalling to reveal your betraying ass before him.

I kept a straight face. “Do you think he’ll want any proof when his Rosebud will say something to him?”