Chapter 57 WELCOME TO THE REALITY
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ADELINE
The moment the sinister words left Charles’ lips, my’s world tilted on its axis.
My breath came in shallow gasps, but I refused to show weakness. Vladimir being tortured- My nails dug into my palms as I clenched my fists, my entire body trembling with barely restrained fury.
I pulled away from Vladimir without a second thought, my legs moving before my mind could catch up. In the next moment, I was in front of Charles, grabbing his collar with a force that made the room collectively gasp.
“Who the hell are you?” I demanded, my voice shaking with rage.
“And what were you doing with my brother?”
I glared at Charles not knowing what he was playing. Why he was doing this. Behind me, Vladimir stood abruptly, his voice urgent.
“Adeline!”
But Charles… Charles only looked amused.
His lips curled into a smirk as he glanced down at my hands gripping his shirt. His green eyes gleamed with something dangerously entertained, something darkly intrigued.
“Fiery little thing, aren’t you?” he mused.
“I like that.”
My grip tightened and my anger only heightened due to his nonsensical words.
“Answer me.”
Charles let out a soft chuckle before lifting his hands in mock surrender.
“Calm down, sweetheart. We have much to discuss.”
Then, without looking away from me, he spoke over my shoulder.
“Eva, take Vladimir to rest. He’s been running a lot ”
My stomach twisted, but before I could argue, Eva gently grabbed Vladimir’s arm.
“Come, Vladimir,” she whispered.
Vladimir hesitated, his eyes locking with mine in silent protest. I could see it—the reluctance, the need to stay by my side. But I gave him a slight nod, a silent reassurance. I needed answers and this Charles was the only person.
With a final glance at Charles, Vladimir relented and left the room.
Only then did I let go of Charles’ collar, my fingers trembling as I stepped back.my chest heaved up and down and I tried to calm myself down but nothing worked.
Charles smoothed his shirt, chuckling.
“Feisty and obedient. A rare combination.”
“Cut the shit and get to the point.”
His smirk widened as he gestured toward the couch.
“Sit.”
I didn’t want to. I didn’t trust him. I already despised this man But I knew I needed answers. With reluctant steps, I finally sat down.
Charles, however, remained standing. Without a word, he picked up a remote, pointing it toward the large screen across the room.
The TV flickered to life.
And my world shattered.
The room filled with the sounds of screaming.
My breath caught in my throat as the screen displayed him.
Vladimir.
Bound, beaten, his body covered in bruises and cuts. Blood stained his torn clothes as his broken voice begged, pleaded for mercy.
Then—a sharp crack.
I flinched, my hands flying to my mouth as I watched a masked man drive a fist into Vladimir’s gut, making him convulse in pain.
My stomach churned.
“Turn it off,” I whispered. I did not had the courage to watch. How brutally they were torturing my baby brother and I could not even protect him. I was not even there- I was not even aware.
Charles didn’t.
Instead, he tilted his head.
“Why? Can’t bear to watch?” His voice dripped with mockery.
“You should watch. After all, as a sister, you forgot about him.”
My nails dug into the fabric of my dress. My entire body shook with suppressed fury.
Charles chuckled, savoring my reaction.
“You see, Leonardo didn’t just hurt Vladimir—he planned to kill him. And you, too.”
My breath caught.
“He… what?”
Charles finally turned off the video, stepping toward me. His voice was softer now, but no less dangerous.
“Leonardo has been planning your deaths for a long time, sweetheart. In fact, he succeeded in killing Vladimir.”
My heart lurched. “That’s not possible—he’s alive—”
“Because I saved him.”
Silence.
My stomach dropped as my mind struggled to process his words. The family we trusted. The people I loved and considered my family was …… so brutal.
Charles crouched before me, his eyes locked onto mine. “And you should be grateful.”
I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why?”
His smirk returned.
“Because, Adeline…” He leaned in slightly. “Leonardo doesn’t want money or fame. He wants power.”
My blood ran cold. Everyone was after power.
“He killed your father.”
The words hit like a gunshot.
I recoiled as it hit me like a bullet. I blinked as it took a little second for me to process. He- killed my father- the man I loved-
“No. No, that’s not—”
“Oh, stop playing innocent,” Charles interrupted, rolling his eyes.
“Leonardo and Bianca worked together to get rid of your father.”
My heart stopped.
Bianca.
The woman who had been like family. She was a family. Even though I hated her, she was the one who gave me birth and loved father- The woman who had raised me and birthed Vladimir.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head violently.
Charles let out an exasperated sigh.
“You really are naïve, aren’t you?” He leaned back, watching me with mild amusement.
“Bianca has been having an affair with Leonardo for years. They murdered your father, thinking they’d get the power. But—” he smirked,
”—Luciano became the heir instead. And now?” He tilted his head.
“Only you can take that power. Unless you’re married.”
My body went rigid.
“That’s why they wanted me to marry Valentino.”
Charles let out a slow, approving clap.
“Bravo, sweetheart. You’re finally catching up.”
My heart pounded violently against my ribs. The betrayal, the deception—it was too much. The people my father trusted all his life and even I gave my everything to were …… fucking bastards.
Charles stood up, his expression unreadable. “They are bad people, Adeline.”
My fists clenched. “And you?” I met his gaze, my voice laced with suspicion.
“Who are you? Why are you helping Vladimir and me?”
A smirk curled on his lips.
“Because, darling… our enemy is the same. And that makes us friends.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“What did Leonardo and Bianca do to you?”
For the first time, Charles’ smirk faltered.
Then, it returned—this time darker, colder.
“Oh, they didn’t.”
I frowned and He leaned in, his voice a low whisper that sent shivers down my spine.
“But Luciano did.”
My breath caught.
Luciano.
My Luciano.
My world was crumbling, and I had no idea who to trust anymore. I looked at Charles and he sat on the couch, legs crossed and a wicked smile on his lips.
“ welcome to the reality, Sweetheart “