---- Chapter 15 Eve and Samuel stood in silence, facing each other. Samuel suddenly reached out, and his thumb brushed against Eve's lower lip to wipe away a smudge of lipstick. "Your makeup is smudged, Mrs. Vittorine." His unexpected intimacy made Eve's heart skip a beat. Before she could react, Samuel had already turned and walked towards the bedroom. "Get to bed early. See you tomorrow," he said. Then he paused at the doorway. "By the way, your room is on the left, mine on the right. Goodnight." The sound of the door closing allowed Eve to finally exhale deeply. She realized her back was already soaked with sweat. She picked up the glass and downed it in one go. The alcohol burned her throat, but it couldn't quell the turmoil within her. The cooling burn of the drink left her momentarily stunned. She liked adding a little mint to whiskey. How did Samuel know that? Was it just a coincidence? ---- Eve stared at the empty glass in her hand and suddenly gave a smile. She couldn't deny that the arranged marriage seemed to be far more interesting than she'd imagined. After leaving Eve's wedding, Lucas felt as though his soul had been drained. Alina followed him closely. She only intended to throw a tantrum at Lucas and hoped he'd coax her. She didn't want to truly break things off with him. She was an illegitimate daughter of the Costa family. She wanted to team up with Lucas to challenge Eve and seize power from her. Even though Lucas lost his position as a district leader and was expelled from the Costa family by Robert for offending Eve, Alina bet on Lucas and was convinced that he would come back one day. Lucas strode forward and weaved through the neon-lit streets. He ignored Alina's incessant chatter. "Lucas, listen to me!" Alina tugged on his sleeve, and her voice was soft and sweet. "We can go to my dad. He'll help me for sure. My mother was his favorite woman." "Boom!" Lucas punched the wall. He was oblivious to his knuckles splitting open. ---- Alina was startled. "Your dad? That old fox didn't even acknowledge you as his daughter." Lucas grabbed Alina by the throat and pressed her against the wall. His gun was put against her chin. "Alina, you're just his illegitimate daughter. Why do you think Robert would help you instead of his legitimate daughter, Eve? Did you see it today? He even gave Eve the family heirloom ring that symbolizes status." Lucas let out a cold laugh. "Stop deceiving yourself, Alina. We're doomed." Alina was no pushover. She was angry as well, when she was threatened with a gun by Lucas. Her high heel slammed into his knee. "Let go of me, you outcast!" Lucas winced in pain and released Alina. She took the opportunity to pull out a small silver pistol. They stood facing each other, with each one's gun pointed at the other. "Shoot then!" Lucas sneered. "Let everyone know Mr. Costa's illegitimate daughter killed his past important subordinate." Alina suddenly aimed her gun at the sky and shot three times. Then she tossed it aside and rushed into Lucas's arms. "I ---- can't bring myself to shoot you." Lucas's gun was pointed right at her heart. Lucas was stunned as Alina suddenly softened and pleaded for reconciliation. Alina said, "Let's work together, Lucas. You've left the Costa family and have nothing now. You only have me. Only | can help you." Lucas stood rigidly and felt the warmth emanating from behind him. He suddenly turned around and roughly pressed Alina against the damp wall. "Help me?" He snarled. His nose nearly touched hers. "How can you help me?" Alina didn't answer. She simply closed her eyes and kissed him.