ALANA

prologue

My heart raced as I met Vincent's glare, a surge of anger and defiance coursing through my veins.

He stood there, his back to me, but I could sense the disdain radiating from him like heat off asphalt. "You may be my boss," he spat to the old man, his voice dripping with contempt, "but I control my own decisions." Beside the man called boss, another man leaned in closer, his gaze crawling over me with an unsettling hunger that made my skin crawl. "I'm more than willing to take her as my mistress," he smirked, and bile rose in my throat at the thought.

That was it; I could no longer contain myself. "That's enough!" I cut in sharply, my voice slicing through the tense atmosphere like a knife cutting through flesh. The air crackled around us as I stood tall, summoning every ounce of noble pride instilled in me since childhood.

"I'm not some object for you to bid on like a prostitute! I come from a noble family." With a swift kick, I sent the table rattling against its legs for emphasis—a thunderous echo that reverberated through the room.

"If anyone utters another worthless word about me," I warned, letting the threat hang heavy in the air like lead weights poised to drop, "they'll regret it."My gaze shifted to the old man at the head of the table; his eyes were sharp with curiosity and skepticism that only fueled my determination further. "And you," I continued fiercely, pointing directly at him with conviction burning in my chest,

"I can be of service to you. Send me on a mission; my mind is sharper than your old one." Vincent's grip tightened around my arm—a futile attempt to silence me—and though anger simmered under his hold like molten lava ready to erupt, I refused to back down. "Mind your words in front of the boss," he cautioned."Let her speak," the old man interjected coolly, raising an eyebrow that suggested both interest and amusement mingled with respect."

"And if your quick wit fails during the mission?" he challenged.

"Then I'll accept whatever punishment you decide," I shot back defiantly, locking eyes with him as if daring him to challenge me further.

"But if I succeed...?" My voice held steady as hope intertwined with determination while turning slightly towards Vincent again.""Then he will marry me..."

"No chance," Vincent roared, his voice echoing off the walls and shaking loose any lingering doubts among those present."The promise will be honored," assured the boss confidently. For once in this tense standoff amidst all uncertainty swirling around us—I felt that perhaps fate was finally shifting in my favor.