1:30 AM - Outside Shayeli's Apartment

Luna's bike came to a halt outside Shayeli's apartment. The moment Shayeli stepped down, her gaze fell on the slightly open gate. A chill ran down her spine.

"Strange... I'm sure I shut the door properly in the morning," she muttered, more to herself than to Luna.

Luna, sensing something was off, scanned the building. Her eyes traveled from the ground floor to the top, sharp and observant. That's when she noticed it-light spilling from the window of Shayeli's apartment.

"You live with someone?" Luna asked casually, though her instincts were now fully alert.

Shayeli forced a small laugh, but her voice came out shaky. "No, it's just me and my dog."

Luna nodded. "Oh, maybe your dog turned on the light?"

Shayeli shook her head. "No, I left him to my nabour house."

A heavy silence settled between them.

Luna's expression hardened. "Then why is your apartment light on?"

Shayeli sighed, rubbing her forehead. " maybe I forgot to turn off the lights. My electricity bill is going to be a nightmare."

Luna, however, didn't feel at ease. Something didn't sit right. With Shayeli now connected to Andrew, it wouldn't be surprising if someone tried to hurt her. Though Andrew surely had security set up for her, she couldn't take any chances. She needed to make sure everything was fine.

Luna placed a hand on her stomach, feigning discomfort. "Shayeli, can I use your washroom? You know I'm on my period."

Shayeli nodded without hesitation. "Yeah, yeah, sure! You don't have to ask, just go."

As they made their way inside, Luna's sharp gaze scanned every inch of the apartment, searching for anything suspicious.

Shayeli gestured toward the washroom, and Luna nodded. As Shayeli headed toward her bedroom to place her bag, Luna's eyes caught something-a knife, stabbed into the sofa cushion.

Her stomach clenched. This wasn't random. Someone had placed it there, deliberately.

Her suspicions solidified. Casually, she checked the gun tucked in her waistband, confirming it was loaded.

Steeling herself, she stepped into the washroom-only to be met with a mess. Blood-stained tissues scattered near the sink. A bloody smear on the doorknob.

Someone had been here.

She heard Shayeli's footsteps approaching and acted fast. Abruptly, she stepped back out, shutting the washroom door behind her.

"Shayeli, can you bring me a glass of water?" she asked, keeping her voice normal.

Shayeli nodded and walked toward the kitchen.

The moment she turned away, Luna's gaze swept across the apartment again. Thankfully, Shayeli's apartment wasn't large, making it easier to assess the entire space within seconds.

She moved to the couch, her fingers trailing along the armrest. A slight layer of dust had been unsettled. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make her instincts flare.

she moved toward the doorknob, inspecting it closely. Her breath stilled when she spotted it—a smear of something dark. Blood.

Her eyes flicked toward the floor, scanning the area. Nothing at first—then she saw them. Faint, barely noticeable, but there. Footprints.

Her jaw clenched. Someone had been here.

Confirmed.

Someone had entered Shayeli's apartment.

And they'd been injured.

The kitchen tap shut off, signaling Shayeli's return. Luna quickly slipped the spray back into her jacket, her mind racing.

She had two options—call Jaxson in for analysis or go straight to Andrew.

Either way, someone had crossed a line.

And she was going to find out who.

As soon as she did, Luna slipped into the washroom and locked the door from inside.

She pulled on her gloves and carefully picked up a crumpled piece of paper tucked near the sink. A note. Without unfolding it, she slipped it into a plastic pouch.

Preparedness was second nature to the gang. They always carried essentials for situations like this.

Luna pulled a small spray bottle from her jacket and lightly misted the floor-a chemical compound that could reveal fresh footprints.

Seconds later, faint shoe prints appeared near the entrance. There was no doubt now-someone had been inside.

Working swiftly, she captured evidence of the prints and then erased every trace of disturbance, making sure the washroom looked exactly as before.

Just as she was finishing, a loud scream echoed from the living room.

Shayeli.

Luna's instincts kicked in-someone was still there!

She bolted out, her hand reaching for her gun-but stopped just in time.

Shayeli wasn't in danger.

She was with her dog.

Luna exhaled sharply, her pulse slowing down.

"Oh... hi," she muttered, trying to regain her composure.

Shayeli's dog, Pumpkin, sniffed her intensely, then suddenly started barking.

"Pumpkin! Stop it," Shayeli scolded. "Don't be rude."

The dog quieted but continued sniffing her suspiciously.

Luna knew she couldn't stay any longer. Dogs had a strong sense of smell-they could detect even the slightest trace of something unusual.

If she lingered, it wouldn't take long for Shayeli to sense that something was off.

Forcing a smile, she thanked Shayeli and made her way to the door.

Shayeli followed her to the exit, waving her off casually.

Luna, however, had only one destination in mind-Jaxson' mansion.

As someone experienced in chemical analysis, he might be able to help trace the evidence she had gathered. She could call in a team for a thorough search.

Or...

She could tell Andrew.

But the thought made her hesitate. If she involved Andrew, she would surely face his wrath for not informing him sooner.

Instead, she decided to take the safer route-informing someone with more experience without inviting Andrew's anger.

For now.

---

Meanwhile in Wilison mansion.

Jaxson stood shirtless in the kitchen, his sculpted muscles flexing subtly as he poured water into a glass with one hand while holding Emma's tablets in the other. The dim kitchen light cast shadows over his toned chest, his sharp jawline set in determination.

As he entered their bedroom, he found Emma sitting cross-legged at the center of the bed, arms crossed, her lips pursed in defiance. Her expressive eyes burned with irritation-the clear result of their earlier argument.

All because he had snatched away her Kurkure.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he placed the glass and tablets on the nightstand. She looked absolutely adorable when she was mad.

As he stepped closer to the bed, Emma immediately put up a hand. "Don't come near me! Stay back." Her voice was sharp, but there was a slight tremor-a betrayal of the effect he had on her.

Jaxson simply tilted his head, resting his a hand into the waistband of his sweatpants as he gazed at her. The lazy smirk on his lips, the intensity in his eyes-it was impossible to ignore.

The man was breathtakingly hot, standing there half-dressed, his chiseled abs on display, and that damn metal watch on his wrist only added to his undeniable presence. Her hormones betrayed her, urging her to take in the sight of him.

She turned her face away, pretending to ignore him, but before she could react, he moved-fast.

A sudden gasp escaped her lips as Jaxson scooped her up effortlessly into his arms.

"Jaxson!" she squealed, her fists lightly hitting his bare chest, but he didn't stop.

With long, purposeful strides, he carried her out of their bedroom, his grip firm yet gentle. The tension crackled between them, her heart hammering as she realized where he was taking her.

The grand piano in the lobby.

Jaxson set her down on its smooth surface, the cold metal pressing against the bare skin of her thighs. A shiver ran through her-not just from the touch of the cold surface but from him.

She huffed, glaring at him, her lips forming a small pout. "Hmph." She turned her face to the side in silent protest, refusing to acknowledge him.

Jaxson chuckled, the deep sound vibrating through the air. He loved this playful resistance.

He leaned in, fingers brushing over her jaw as he caught her chin and gently turned her face toward him. His eyes burned with something raw, something possessive.

"Still mad at me, Purple?" he murmured, his voice husky.

Before she could answer, his lips claimed hers.

The kiss was slow, deliberate-a tease and a promise all at once. His warm lips moved against hers, coaxing, demanding. Emma tried-tried so hard-to resist, to hold on to her annoyance.

But the moment his hand slid to cup her breast, her resolve shattered.

A soft whimper escaped her, her fingers instinctively clutching his biceps. She hated how easily he unraveled her, how his touch made her melt, how her body betrayed her even when she wanted to stay mad.

Jaxson deepened the kiss, swallowing every protest she had left.

Just as his hand trailed lower, a hesitant cough broke the moment.

They turned to see a maid standing nearby, her head bowed in embarrassment.

"Sir," the maid spoke timidly, "someone has arrived."

Jaxson exhaled sharply, his grip on Emma tightening before he dismissed the maid with a nod.

As the maid scurried away, he turned back to Emma, brushing a thumb over her swollen lips, his voice low and commanding.

"Purple, you're going to take your tablets first," he ordered, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Then, you come back . Until then, I'll see who's at the door. Got it?"

Emma, still dazed from the intensity of his touch, could only nod.

Satisfied, Jaxson gave her one last lingering look before stepping away.

Emma sat there for a moment, heart still racing, her body tingling with the remnants of his touch.

Damn him.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

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