Rosé King

Chapter 3

I was trudging up the stairs, exhausted and indifferent, when I stubbed my toe on one of the steps. The sharp pain made me curse under my breath, "Fuck, shit, damn, that hurts."

I must have been louder than I realized, because my parents and the guy from earlier turned their heads in my direction. My mother's gaze was a mix of irritation and amusement, and she asked, "Why did I get a call from your principal today?"

I shot back, "I was just stating some truths about that old hag."

My dad struggled to suppress a laugh, but failed miserably, while my mom gave him a sharp jab and told him to "shut up." Turning back to me, she gave me a disappointed look, though my dad's expression seemed almost proud.

Realizing that no amount of discipline would change me, she sighed and let it go. I turned to see the hot guy again but was too tired to focus on his face. I shuffled up to my room and collapsed into bed.

When I woke up, it was already 7 PM—dinner time. I changed into something cute and comfortable that showcased all my tattoos. Descending the stairs, I was met with the sight of a birthday cake surrounded by my parents and the guy from earlier. They began singing "Happy Birthday" to me.

As they finished, I sat at the table, feeling the hot guy's gaze on me. Curiosity piqued, I asked my parents, "Who is this?"

They looked at me as if I had two heads and replied, "Look more closely."

When I finally focused, I locked eyes with a pair of gray ones that sent a jolt through me. It was my Uncle Enzo. I was too shocked to move, and a whirlwind of emotions overwhelmed me, leaving me numb.

His appearance was striking. Despite being in his late thirties, he was as incredibly attractive as ever—muscles taut, shoulders broad, and his clothes clung to his physique. New tattoos peeked from beneath his shirt, and his light stubble added to his rugged charm. He still looked familiar, though I couldn't quite place it.

After my initial assessment, I couldn't deny that he was still stunning. Just then, his deep, husky voice broke the silence. "How are you, Aurora?"

Anger surged within me, but I managed to keep my voice steady. "Fine."

I turned to my parents, demanding an explanation. They informed me that he was visiting and would be staying with us for a few months. Despite his attempts to engage in conversation, I responded with one-word answers, making it clear that I was not interested in talking.

Sensing my displeasure, Uncle Enzo wisely chose to remain silent. An awkward pause followed until my phone rang with its unmistakable "Boss Mode" ringtone.

Excusing myself from the table, I retreated to my room, locked the door, and answered the call with a businesslike tone. "Speak."

My PA began, "Ma'am, the Knights Company is demanding more than 10% of our shares. They've threatened to tarnish your company's reputation if we don't comply. What should we do?"

I replied, "Handle it. Do not disclose what they said to anyone. That bastard is going down for daring to threaten me."

My PA acknowledged, "Understood, ma'am," and I ended the call.

I immediately dialed my most trusted friends, Aria and Scar. When they answered, they knew they were speaking to their boss rather than their friend. I instructed them, "Get me all the information on Elijah Knight—every detail, no matter how small."

Aria told me to hold on while she gathered the data. Once she had the information, Scar reported, "Elijah Moses Knight, age 29, owns Knight Corporation. He's involved in illegal activities: drug dealing, kidnapping women and children, selling sex slaves, and embezzling from the Russian mob."

My blood boiled as I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. Aria and Scar knew what was coming next. They said, "Good luck, boss."