CHAPTER NINE
ASHER P.O.V
"Kill him."
My voice was cold. Final.
"No… wait… wait—I'll talk—!"
Too late.
BANG.
Felix didn't hesitate. The bullet tore through his skull, and his body slumped lifelessly to the floor.
Silence followed.
Thick. Heavy. Familiar.
"Bring in the next one," I ordered, not even sparing the corpse a glance.
"Brother, what are you—" Allen stepped in, then paused as his eyes landed on the body. "And who's this?"
"Spies, sir," Felix answered calmly.
"Oh… alright," Allen muttered, unfazed quicker than most. "Asher, Father wants to see you."
"What for?" I asked flatly.
"Isn't it normal for a father to want to see his son?" he shrugged.
"Not without ulterior motives," I replied, taking a slow drag from my cigarette.
"Not this time. There's a party for Clara tonight. He wants you there."
"I don't have time for those useless gatherings," I said, already walking off.
"Brother—this time is different."
I stopped.
"And why is that?" I asked, my tone edged with suspicion.
Allen hesitated for a second.
"He wants to discuss something… about the Black Spade."
That got my attention.
"…Very well."
—
The Black Spade.
An organization whispered about in the darkest corners of the underworld.
Elite assassins.
Not just ordinary killers—monsters.
They could eliminate anyone.
Supernaturals. Nobles. Mafia lords. Kings.
It didn't matter.
They answered to no one.
Twenty years ago… they vanished.
No traces. No clues. Nothing.
Searches were conducted for years, but eventually, the world forgot.
Everyone—
Except me.
Recently, there had been sightings again.
Unconfirmed. Unreliable.
Could be imposters.
But something about it…
Didn't sit right with me.
If Father called me for this… it better be worth my time.
—
I arrived at the mansion.
The place was buzzing like a disturbed hive.
Annoying.
So-called businessmen swarmed around, trying to get my attention.
Pathetic.
Felix handled them before they could even get close.
I headed straight for Father's study—
Empty.
"Annoying."
"Young Master," the butler approached. "Your father is waiting in the dining hall."
Of course he was.
I made my way there and found everyone already seated.
Except the celebrant.
"Sit," Father said the moment he saw me.
"You said you had something to discuss," I replied, remaining standing.
"I do. But now isn't the time."
"It is. I don't plan on wasting my time here."
"You are going nowhere," Mother's voice cut in sharply. "We're having a family dinner. For once, sit with us."
I glanced at her.
Then, reluctantly… sat.
Not because I wanted to.
But because arguing would take longer.
"So, son," Father began, "how has business been lately?"
"Not that it's any of your concern," I said blankly, "but it's fine."
"Asher, be respectful," Mother scolded.
"Respectful? To the man who tried to—"
My phone rang.
Perfect timing.
I stood and walked out to answer it, my gaze drifting lazily toward the crowd downstairs—
And then—
I saw her.
"Sir, I just received a call from Apex Robotics Corporation's secretary. They want to schedule a meeting with us."
Felix's voice echoed through the phone.
"Aren't you my assistant?" I replied, my eyes still fixed on the girl below. "Handle it."
She stood out effortlessly.
A black gown clung to her figure, every curve defined with dangerous precision. The slit revealed smooth, pale legs with each step she took. Her hair was pinned up, exposing her neck… her collarbone…
And her eyes—
Even from here, I could tell.
They were… captivating.
"Sir? Sir?" Felix called, pulling me back.
"What?" I said, annoyed.
"They want you at the meeting."
I scoffed. "A company that hides its CEO dares to request my presence? It's already a miracle we work with them."
Ungrateful.
If not for their efficiency, loyalty, and consistency—
I would have cut ties long ago.
"But sir… it's the CEO requesting to meet you personally."
I paused.
"…You should've led with that."
Still—
"That doesn't change my point."
Just then, a commotion broke out downstairs.
My gaze snapped back.
And there she was again—
Elegant.
Refined.
Looking like someone who had never known violence.
Punching the life out of a man.
Brutally.
Effortlessly.
"…Interesting."
"Sir, should I confirm your attendance?" Felix asked.
"Do whatever you want," I said absentmindedly and ended the call.
—
I returned to the table shortly after.
A few minutes later, the three girls arrived.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Slade. It's so nice to see you again after all these years," she greeted politely.
I didn't pay much attention at first.
Until Father spoke.
"So, what did you study during your time abroad?"
That caught my interest.
She intrigued me.
There was barely any information on her.
Someone who could erase their existence that cleanly…
Was worth watching.
I listened.
Robotics.
No parents.
Runs a company.
Composed.
Careful.
Controlled.
…Annoying.
Dinner continued.
Conversations blurred into background noise.
Until—
"Can you pass the sushi rolls?"
Her voice.
Right beside me.
I glanced at the bowl.
One piece left.
I had been saving it.
Unfortunate for her.
I picked it up—
And ate it.
Simple.
She could eat something else.
But then—
An idea formed.
I turned to her…
And chewed slowly.
Deliberately.
Payback for the villa.
I didn't expect what happened next.
She snapped.
Completely.
In a flash, she lunged at me like a predator.
"SPIT IT OUT!"
Her hands were on my throat.
Tight.
Strong.
Far stronger than any normal woman should be.
To say I was surprised—
Was an understatement.
But I wasn't about to lose.
Not to her.
I gripped her throat in return.
We crashed to the floor, locked in a violent struggle, neither willing to yield.
She was relentless.
Wild.
Dangerous.
And for the first time in a long while—
I felt… something.
Not anger.
Not irritation.
Something else.
Eventually, we were dragged apart.
The room was a disaster.
Food everywhere. Chairs overturned. Silence thick with shock.
Allen pulled me outside.
"You've completely lost it," he said. "You're smiling like a lunatic who wasn't just wrestling on the floor a minute ago."
My expression froze.
…Smiling?
The realization hit.
And just like that—
It vanished.
What was that?
Why was I—
"…Tell Father I'm leaving," I said coldly. "We'll talk another time."
I turned to walk away.
"Uh… there's something I forgot to mention," Allen added.
I stopped.
"What?"
"Mother invited us to stay the weekend."
"…And?"
"I accepted. On your behalf."
I stared at him.
"You're going to regret that."
"I know."
He walked back inside.
I exhaled slowly… then followed.
—
Everything had already been cleaned.
Restored.
Like nothing had happened.
I took my seat again.
Moments later, the girls returned.
She looked like a mess.
Food-stained dress. Slightly disheveled.
And yet—
Somehow—
She was still the most captivating person in the room.
I frowned slightly.
What is wrong with me?
Our eyes met.
Those sapphire eyes again.
Pulling.
Holding.
Dangerous.
She looked away first.
Then excused herself from the table.
I watched her leave—
Before standing up as well.
For the first time that night…
I wasn't thinking about business.
Or the Black Spade.
Or anything else.
Just one thing—
Her.