Seraphina sat on the bed, fully dressed in Ezrin's clothes, yet feeling anything but covered.
The weight of the fabric, the lingering warmth of his touch—it was all too much, yet not enough. Ezrin stood in front of her, arms crossed, gaze sharp. Something had shifted between them. The rules were different now.
She knew it.
He knew it.
But neither of them would acknowledge it. Not yet.
Ezrin finally exhaled, his voice smooth but firm. "Rest. You're still injured." Seraphina smirked, tilting her head. "And since when do you care?" Ezrin's jaw tensed, but instead of answering, he simply turned and walked out of the room.
Leaving her alone. But she knew better. Ezrin never truly left. And something about the way he walked out told her that the real game was just beginning.
The next three days passed in a blur.
Seraphina stayed in Ezrin's penthouse, healing, watching, working. She pieced together clues about the manipulator, gathering fragments of information, analyzing every detail.
Ezrin left her alone—but not really. He was always watching, always knowing. And on the third day, she was good. Her ankle was stable enough to walk. Her wounds were healing.
And most importantly—her mind was sharper than ever. She was ready. Ready to leave. Ready to move forward with the case. Ready to face whatever was coming next.
But as she stepped toward the main door, Ezrin's voice cut through the air."Where do you think you're going?" She froze.
Of course.
He wasn't going to make this easy. Seraphina turned around, meeting his gaze with unwavering confidence."I'm fine now. I'm going home." Her voice was calm, absolute—leaving no room for negotiation.
But Ezrin? He didn't even flinch. Didn't step aside. Didn't let her have the satisfaction of believing she had a choice.
Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, expression unreadable."No, you're not." Seraphina's jaw tightened. "Ezrin—"
"You think I don't know what you've been doing the past three days?" His voice was smooth, controlled. "Gathering clues. Analyzing the manipulator. Preparing yourself to go back out there."
He took a step forward. "Tell me, Seraphina." His voice dropped lower, more dangerous. "Did you really think I'd just let you walk out?" Seraphina's fingers curled into fists. She had expected resistance. But this?
This was Ezrin reminding her that she was still under his control. Would she stand her ground—or find another way out? Seraphina's eyes burned with determination as she took a step forward.
"I'm here to do this, Ezrin." Her voice was sharp, unwavering. "I was appointed to Oblivion Division for this—not to rest."
She squared her shoulders, challenging him."I'm fine now. And I'm going." Ezrin's gaze darkened. His fingers flexed at his sides, as if restraining the impulse to grab her, to stop her. He exhaled slowly, tilting his head."You think you're in control here?"
Seraphina didn't flinch. "I don't think. I know." A slow smirk curled at his lips, but there was no amusement in it."Then walk past me." He stepped aside just slightly.
A test. A trap. Seraphina knew it. But she also knew she wouldn't back down. Without breaking eye contact, she stepped forward. And in an instant—Ezrin moved. Faster than she anticipated. One second, she was walking past him—the next, she was pinned against the door. His hands caged her in, his body pressing just close enough to make her pulse spike.
"Try again." His voice was dangerously low. "Because the first time didn't work." Seraphina's breath hitched, but she masked it with a glare."Move." Ezrin's smirk didn't fade. "Make me." Seraphina didn't fight him. Didn't push. Didn't react the way he wanted.
Instead—she smirked. Ezrin's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing something was off. She tilted her head, voice dropping into something smooth, almost teasing.
"You're not stopping me because I'm not ready." Her gaze flickered over him, controlled, confident. "You're stopping me because you don't want me to go."
Ezrin's jaw tensed, but he didn't move. She leaned in, just slightly, closing the space between them herself. A deliberate, calculated move. His grip on the door tightened."Good." Seraphina's smirk deepened. "If you want me to stay, just say it."
Ezrin exhaled through his nose, his grip twitching—but still, he said nothing.
She pressed forward again, forcing him to step back just slightly.
"Thought so." And in that exact second—she moved. Quick, fluid—dodging past him before he could react. By the time Ezrin turned, she was already at the elevator. His smirk was gone. His amusement? Shattered. Seraphina met his gaze as the elevator doors started to close.
"You'll have to try harder next time, Holloway." And then—she was gone. But even as she left, she knew one thing for certain. This wasn't over.Not by a long shot. Seraphina exhaled as the elevator descended, a smirk tugging at her lips. She had won.
Outmaneuvered Ezrin Holloway.
But little did she know—she was still in his territory. As the elevator doors slid open, she stepped out into the grand lobby of the penthouse tower. And then—she froze.
Two men in black suits stood near the exit, their postures rigid, their eyes trained on her the moment she appeared.
Security. Ezrin's security. "Of course." Seraphina's fingers curled into fists, but her expression remained unreadable. She had played smart. But not smart enough.
"Where was she supposed to go?" She thought. The driver outside belonged to Ezrin. The security detail worked for Ezrin. Even if she stepped outside—she wouldn't get far.
Behind her, the soft ding of the elevator echoed in the silence. She didn't have to turn around. Didn't have to look. She already knew. Ezrin was right there.
A slow chuckle sounded behind her, low and smug."You really thought I'd let you leave just like that?" Seraphina's stomach twisted, but she kept her posture composed. She turned slightly, meeting his gaze, hiding the frustration bubbling beneath her skin.
"This is ridiculous, Ezrin." He stepped closer, his presence suffocating."Is it?" His voice was smooth, unbothered. "You're the one who forgot whose kingdom you're standing in."
Seraphina clenched her jaw. "So, what now?" she asked, crossing her arms. "You'll drag me back upstairs?" Ezrin smirked. "That depends." He tilted his head slightly. "Are you going to run?" Seraphina didn't answer. Because she already knew—no matter where she went, Ezrin would catch her. This was his world. And in this moment? She was trapped in it.
Seraphina stepped back—just an inch. But Ezrin? He didn't give her the chance to move further. In one swift motion, his hands gripped her waist, lifting her effortlessly. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she was thrown over his shoulder, her fists immediately pounding against his back."Ezrin, put me down!" she snapped, struggling.
Ezrin's grip remained firm, unbothered.
"You had your chance to leave, Seraphina." His voice was smooth, absolute."And you wasted it." He carried her through the penthouse, into the elevator, up to the highest floor. Ding. As soon as the doors slid open, he didn't waste a second. He walked into the room and pinned her against the wall. Hard.
The impact stole the breath from her lungs. Seraphina's hands flew up, gripping his arms, but he didn't let go. Ezrin's face was inches from hers, his gaze dark, unreadable."You're not going anywhere." His voice was low, final. "Not tonight."
Seraphina glared at him, her breathing uneven."You can't just keep me here, Ezrin." His fingers tightened around her wrists, pressing them against the wall beside her head.
"Watch me." She struggled—but he didn't budge. Instead, his smirk deepened, taunting.
"There's a party tonight." His voice was calm, controlled, like this was all perfectly normal. "And you're coming with me."
Seraphina's brows furrowed."What?" Ezrin leaned in, his breath ghosting over her skin."Your dress will be delivered soon." His grip loosened slightly—but he didn't move away.
Not yet. Because this? This wasn't just about the function.
This was a reminder. She could try to fight him. She could try to run.
But in the end— She was still in his hands.
Seraphina stared up at him, her pulse pounding in her ears. Ezrin was too close, his grip firm, his presence suffocating.
She could feel the heat of his body against hers, the way his fingers wrapped around her wrists—unchallenged, unshaken.
His words echoed in her mind. "You're coming with me." Her jaw clenched. "I don't remember agreeing to that." Ezrin smirked, tilting his head slightly."You don't need to."
Seraphina exhaled sharply, masking the frustration bubbling beneath her skin."And if I refuse?" Ezrin's grip tightened just slightly, enough to make her pulse spike—but not enough to hurt."Then I'll make you."
Seraphina hated the way her breath hitched, hated the way his words sent a shiver down her spine. He wasn't bluffing.
She knew that. And the worst part? So, did he.
Ezrin leaned in just enough that his lips were near her ear, his voice lower, rougher.
"Now be good," he murmured. "And wait for your dress."
With that, he finally let go. Seraphina stumbled slightly, her back still against the wall as he stepped away. Her wrists burned from his grip, but she refused to rub them. Refused to give him the satisfaction.
Ezrin glanced at his watch, then back at her. "You have an hour."
And with that, he turned and walked out—leaving her standing there, trapped in the weight of his command. But as the door clicked shut, Seraphina exhaled, her fists clenching. This wasn't over. Not even close.
Seraphina let out a slow breath, pushing the tension aside as she made her way to the bathroom. The warm water soothed her muscles, washing away the weight of Ezrin's presence—but not the frustration burning beneath her skin.
She scrubbed her skin harder than necessary, as if trying to erase the way his fingers had held her against the wall. As if that would work. After some time, she stepped out, wrapping herself in a towel. She walked back into the bedroom, running her fingers through her damp hair, lost in thought.
"How did she let him win so easily?" She murmured.
She sat on the bed, legs crossed, her mind replaying every second of the past hour. She hated this—hated that he controlled everything, hated that he made her feel like she was always two steps behind. A sharp knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.
Seraphina blinked, momentarily forgetting where she was. She stood up, adjusting the towel around her body before making her way to the door.
As she opened it, a young woman stood there, holding a sleek black box in her hands."This is your dress," the girl said simply, offering her the box.
Seraphina took it, her grip firm. "Who sent it?" The girl arched a brow, as if the answer was obvious."Mr. Holloway."
Seraphina's jaw tightened, but she said nothing. The girl gave a polite nod before turning and leaving, the sound of her heels fading down the hall.
Seraphina exhaled, looking down at the box in her hands. She already knew. Whatever was inside—it wasn't just a dress.
It was a message.
Seraphina slowly lifted the lid of the sleek black box, her fingers brushing over the delicate fabric inside.
The dress was black silk—smooth, elegant, effortlessly luxurious.
She held it up, letting the material flow between her fingers.
Long. Form-fitting.And dangerously beautiful. Just like something Ezrin would choose.
"A message indeed." She said. With a deep breath, she slipped into the dress, the cool fabric molding against her skin.
It clung to her curves in all the right ways, the material flowing down to the floor like liquid shadow. The design was flawless. Half-up, half-down. Just enough to tease. Just enough to command attention.
She stepped toward the mirror, eyes scanning her reflection. For a brief second—she barely recognized herself.Elegant. Stunning. Untouchable. A smirk curled at her lips.
"Let Ezrin think he won." She said with a sinister smirk. "If I am going to be in his world tonight then I'm going to own it."
The door clicked open. Seraphina didn't turn, too focused on the reflection staring back at her. But she felt it. The shift in the air. The presence behind her. Ezrin stepped inside, his movements calculated as always.
But the moment his eyes landed on her—he stilled. For the first time, his breath hitched.
"She wasunreal." His mind raced. The black silk clung to her body like it was made for her.
The half-up, half-down style of her hair framed her face perfectly, strands cascading over her shoulders, teasing the bare skin the dress so effortlessly revealed.
"She knows very well how to control." He thought.
Seraphina caught his reflection in the mirror—his darkened gaze, the way his fingers twitched at his sides.
"He wasn't unaffected." She noticed, "Good." A slow smirk curled at her lips as she met his eyes in the mirror."Something wrong, Holloway?" Her voice was smooth, taunting.
Ezrin's jaw tightened, but his gaze never left her."You're late." His voice was lower than usual. Controlled. But she could hear it—the slight edge beneath.
She turned slowly, watching him. Studying him. And for the first time—she saw something new in his eyes.
Something he wasn't used to feeling. Something he wasn't ready to admit.
Seraphina stepped closer, just slightly. "You seem… distracted." Ezrin exhaled slowly, as if forcing himself to breathe. Then, in a flash, his mask was back. His smirk returned, his confidence settling. "Don't flatter yourself, Seraphina."
He reached for the door, gesturing. "Let's go." But as she walked past him, brushing close enough that his fingers nearly touched the silk against her skin—
Ezrin knew. He had just lost the upper hand.
The tension followed them out of the room, thick and suffocating. Neither of them spoke, as they made their way through the penthouse, the silence heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Ezrin walked ahead, but Seraphina could feel his presence everywhere in the way his pace was calculated, in the way his body was just close enough to remind her he was still in control.
Or at least, that's what he thought. As they stepped outside, a sleek black car was already waiting. Ezrin opened the door for her, an unreadable look in his eyes.
Seraphina held his gaze for a second longer before sliding into the car. The moment he shut the door behind him and settled into the driver's seat, the tension inside the confined space became unbearable.
Seraphina crossed her legs, tilting her head slightly as she finally broke the silence.
"Where are we going?" Ezrin's fingers tapped against the steering wheel before he started the engine. His voice was calm. "An underground party." Seraphina's brows lifted slightly. "Didn't take you for the party type." Ezrin's lips curved into a smirk, but his eyes remained on the road."It's not that kind of party." Seraphina's stomach twisted slightly. "Then what kind is it?"
Ezrin glanced at her, something dark flickering in his gaze."You'll see soon enough." The car sped through the night, taking her deeper into his world.
As they stepped into the underground venue, the atmosphere shifted—low golden lights, murmured conversations, an air of exclusivity that reeked of power.
Seraphina barely had a second to take in the scene before Ezrin's hand slid to her waist. Firm. Possessive. Unyielding. With a subtle pull, he drew her closer, their bodies nearly brushing. His lips dipped near her ear, his voice smooth, dangerous."Stay close." Seraphina exhaled slowly, masking the shiver his touch sent down her spine.
"Afraid I'll run off?" she murmured, tilting her head slightly, her smirk playful—but her heart pounded at the way his grip didn't loosen. Ezrin's thumb ghosted over the silk of her dress, his fingers tightening just slightly."Afraid someone else will get ideas."
Her pulse spiked.
Not from fear. From something else entirely. Because in that moment, she realized this wasn't just control. This was possession. Seraphina felt the weight of his touch, the way his fingers pressed into her waist—not harsh, but firm enough to remind her of one thing.
She was his tonight. Not in words. Not in promises.But in the way he held her, in the way his body shielded hers as they moved deeper into the room.
The underground party was unlike anything she had imagined.
No wild music. No reckless dancing. Instead—low murmurs, exchanged glances, a room filled with people who carried influence in silence.
The kind of people who didn't need to show their power—because everyone already knew. Seraphina's eyes scanned the room, taking in every face, every subtle interaction. Ezrin's grip on her waist tightened slightly as he leaned down, his breath warm against her ear.
"See anything interesting?" She tilted her head slightly, smirking. "Besides your need to keep me on a leash?" Ezrin chuckled softly, but there was no amusement in his gaze when she looked up at him.
"You should be grateful." His fingers brushed against her waist again, slow, deliberate. "Do you know how many men in this room are already looking at you?"
Seraphina's stomach twisted—not in fear, but in realization. She knew how to recognize a hunter. And right now, there were several in this room. Ezrin's grip didn't falter. Didn't waver.Because he wasn't just holding her. He was making a statement.
A silent warning to anyone who even considered trying. She belonged to him. At least, that's what he wanted them to think.
As the party progressed, Seraphina and Ezrin engaged in conversation, blending seamlessly into the world around them.
It was a game of words, of subtle glances and unspoken power—but Ezrin wasn't focused. Not entirely. His grip on her waist had tightened slightly over time, his fingers flexing every time another man's gaze lingered on her for too long.
Seraphina noticed. The way his patience was thinning. The way his jaw tensed. The way his eyes darkened whenever someone looked at what he so clearly believed was his.
But she didn't comment on it. Because at that moment, she saw something that made her stomach twist.The dealer. The same man she had followed before—the one who led her to the lab.
The same one who tried to kill her. And now? He was standing across the room, completely unaware that she was watching.
Her grip on Ezrin's arm tightened instinctively. He noticed. Of course, he did. Ezrin's head tilted slightly, his patience already stretched thin from the lingering gazes on her.
"Something caught your attention?" His voice was smooth, but there was an edge to it—a warning. Seraphina's lips parted, but she didn't answer immediately.
Because she knew. She knew if she told him, he wouldn't let her out of his sight.
And she needed to move. To act. To catch him before he disappeared again. So, she made a choice. A reckless one.
She let go of Ezrin's arm and stepped away.
Not much. Just enough.
Ezrin's grip snapped back around her wrist before she could take another step."Where do you think you're going?" His voice was lower now, possessive, absolute.
Seraphina's mind worked fast. If she told Ezrin about the dealer, he wouldn't just watch.
He would act. And when Ezrin acted, it was never subtle. The dealer wouldn't live long enough to give her any answers. So, she chose a different approach.
She turned to Ezrin, masking her urgency with an easy smirk.
"I need to use the bathroom." Ezrin's gaze narrowed slightly, as if trying to read through her."Now?" His voice held suspicion, low and unwavering. Seraphina tilted her head."Unless you plan on following me inside, Holloway."
His jaw tensed, but his grip loosened just slightly. He was possessive, but not unreasonable.
"Five minutes." His voice was smooth, but firm. "Any longer, and I come looking for you."
Seraphina smiled, turning away before he could change his mind. She weaved through the crowd, her pulse steady, her steps calculated. But the second she was out of his sight she wasn't going to the bathroom. She was going straight for the dealer.
Because if she waited even a second longer—he might disappear again. Seraphina moved swiftly, weaving through the crowd with precision. Her heart pounded in her chest, but her expression remained unreadable. The dealer was standing near the far end of the room, partially hidden by shadows, a phone pressed to his ear.
She slowed her steps, positioning herself just close enough to listen. His voice was low, rough—too careful, too calculated.
But the words that slipped past his lips? They changed everything.
"Elias never even realized. He thought he was in control." A dry chuckle. "Idiot didn't see he was the one being played." Seraphina's fingers tightened into fists.
"He sold that researcher for just a few billion dollars—"A pause."—and he still thinks he's untouchable?" Seraphina's breath hitched. "Sold. Not kidnapped. Not forced. Elias willingly handed the researcher over." She murmured. "And he was nothing more than a pawn in someone else's game." Seraphina's stomach twisted. As she pieced the things together
"If Elias wasn't the real mastermind—who was?" She thought.
She needed more. More than just this conversation. But before she could decide her next move—the dealer's eyes flicked up.
And locked directly onto hers. Seraphina didn't move. Didn't flinch. Didn't let him see even a flicker of reaction. The dealer lowered his phone, slipping it into his pocket as he took slow, deliberate steps toward her.
Within seconds, he was standing directly in front of her—too close, his smirk sharp, knowing.
"Good," he murmured, tilting his head. "I wanted you to hear that."
Seraphina's pulse was steady, her expression unreadable. She wasn't a fool—if he wasn't bothered by her presence, it meant one thing.He wanted her involved.Or worse—he had already planned for this.
Her fingers itched to reach for a weapon, but she held her ground. Instead, she lifted a brow, matching his smirk."How generous of you."
The dealer chuckled, his eyes dark. "Well, you've been quite the troublemaker, haven't you?" Seraphina tilted her head slightly. "If I have, then why are you standing here instead of running?" His smirk widened. "Because, darling—" He leaned in slightly, his voice dipping lower. "You're exactly where I want you to be." And in that moment, Seraphina realized—this wasn't a coincidence.
It was a trap. Seraphina didn't move. Didn't react. Even as the dealer's smirk curled deeper, laced with amusement."You're next," he murmured, his voice slow, deliberate. "Be careful, darling." Seraphina's fingers itched to grab something—anything—to use against him.
But she held still. Waiting. Calculating. His gaze flickered over her, almost mockingly."Even Elias doesn't know what will happen to you." His smirk widened. "But I do." He took a step back, his movements too easy, too relaxed—as if he already considered the game won.
And then, just like that—he turned and walked away. Seraphina exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay composed. But inside? A storm was brewing. Because if Elias wasn't in control of this game—then who was? And more importantly, what exactly was coming for her next?