Chapter 17
The moment Wansoor proposed to Marine in front of the elite crowd, a wave of disbelief swept through the hall. How could a business tycoon of his stature publicly claim a young fashion designer? Marine's parents stood frozen, their eyes wide with shock. But Ranzo... Ranzo was the only one who didn't look surprised. Instead, his gaze sharpened into that of a cold-blooded predator.
"How dare you even breathe her name," he hissed silently, his blood boiling beneath a calm exterior.
Marine, overwhelmed and confused, looked instinctively toward Ranzo. He stood there, silent as a shadow, then slowly extended his hand toward her. The moment she saw the gesture, she forgot the crowd, forgot Wansoor, and ran straight into Ranzo's arms, clinging to him.
Wansoor, still frozen in his proposal pose, slowly retracted his hand. A strange, unreadable smile played on his lips as he looked down at the floor before standing up. Every eye in the building was now fixed on the siblings.
Zaydan, their father, stepped forward, his face etched with worry. "Marine, did Wansoor's boldness scare you? If he crossed a line, I will deal with him personally—"
Ranzo turned to his father, pressing a finger to his lips to signal silence. Then, he turned his cold, piercing gaze back to Wansoor. His voice rang out, deep and authoritative, echoing through the silent hall.
"Marine is my sister. If you want to propose to her, you have to go through me first. And my answer is 'No.' You have no right to claim her."
Wansoor remained on the stage, smiling as if Ranzo's threat was nothing more than a passing breeze. Ranzo didn't waste another second; he grabbed Marine's hand firmly. "Let's go, Marine. We're going home."
Marine looked into Ranzo's eyes, her own shimmering with trust. She nodded silently, and the family made a swift exit, leaving the high-society crowd in a state of chaos.
During the drive back, the atmosphere in the car was heavy. In the back seat, Zaydan whispered to his wife, "Look, we have to marry her off eventually. Wansoor isn't a bad choice on paper."
"No," she interrupted sharply. "Not now. She's only eighteen. Wansoor is wealthy, yes, but no one knows his true background. No one even knows who his parents are."
Zaydan nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. I'll dig into his history before we even think about it."
Ranzo caught Marine's reflection in the rearview mirror. "Don't worry, Marine," he said, his voice soft but ironclad. "Nothing will happen to you. You are safe as long as I am standing."
Marine smiled warmly. "I know, Ranzo. I trust you with my life."
Suddenly, Ranzo's phone buzzed with a text. He checked it with one hand, his expression hardening.
After they reached home and finished dinner, Ranzo approached Marine. "Marine, my friends are throwing me a small party for the 'Best Student' award. I have to go, but I'll be back soon. Stay here with Mom and Dad."
Marine pouted, looking down. "I won the Best Fashion Designer award, and no one is throwing me a party..."
Ranzo stepped closer, gripping her shoulders gently. He lifted her chin so she was forced to look into his eyes. He gave her a rare, genuine smile. "I promise, tomorrow I'll take you to a VIP lounge for a private celebration. And I have a special gift for you. So, don't be sad."
Overjoyed, Marine hugged him tight. "Thank you, Ranzo! You're the best!"
An hour later, Ranzo arrived at the lobby of the safehouse's front—the coffee shop. Sanko and Sukome were already there.
"You finally made it!" Sanko grinned. "Let's get this party started!"
"Master Ace," Sukome added shyly, holding out a beautifully wrapped box. "I have a gift for you to celebrate your achievement. Please, accept it."
Ranzo took the gift with a nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Sukome. I appreciate it."
Just then, Lady Cold entered. She didn't say a word, only making a 'V' sign with her fingers—a signal to move to the basement safehouse immediately. After locking up the shop, they followed her into the shadows of the underground base.
"Congratulations, Ranzo," Lady Cold said calmly. "You've worked hard."
Ranzo bowed his head in respect. Sanko, sensing the tension, spoke up. "Lady Cold, we were planning to celebrate tonight. Is there a new mission? Because if there is, the party is off."
Lady Cold smiled faintly. "Go ahead and celebrate, but first, I need to speak with Ranzo. There is something he needs to know—something urgent."
Ranzo looked at her, puzzled. "Your text was the reason I rushed here. What is it?"
Lady Cold looked down, her expression becoming solemn. "The time has come to reveal the truth. Why I started the Mafia Hunters, who I really am... and most importantly, who Marine truly is."
At the mention of Marine, Ranzo's heart skipped a beat. "What? What do you mean? What do you know about Marine that I don't?"
"Listen closely," Lady Cold said, her voice dropping to a whisper.
For the next hour, Lady Cold peeled back layers of secrets that no one could have imagined. Sanko and Sukome stood with their mouths agape, but Ranzo was paralyzed. He stared at her, his mind reeling as the final piece of the puzzle fell into place.
"No... that's impossible," Ranzo stammered, his voice trembling with shock. "Lady Cold... you are Marine's biological mother?!"