Vandetta's End

CHAP.53

Irene slowly regained consciousness, her head throbbing as her eyes fluttered open. She found herself in a room unlike any she'd ever seen, luxurious and elegant with a dominating black theme. It was both beautiful and chilling. Confusion washed over her as she tried to piece together how she had ended up in this place. Irene had woke up to the sound of soft music playing. She took in her surroundings. She was in a luxurious room, with black marble floors, velvet drapes, and crystal chandeliers casting intricate patterns on the walls.

As she attempted to sit up, a tall, imposing figure stepped out of the shadows. It was Malik Voss, a name she had heard before, but she couldn't fathom why he would be here. He was dressed in a black suit, his dark hair neatly combed. He smiled at her, a predatory curl of his lips that sent shivers down her spine. His icy gaze bore into her, and his tone was disturbingly calm as he spoke. "Irene, you're finally awake. Good morning, my love. Did you sleep well?"

Irene's heart raced as fear and anger welled up within her. "Where am I? What is this place?"

Voss circled her slowly, his eyes never leaving her. "This is my mansion, Irene, a place where I can keep you safe from the world that wants to take you from me. You are with me.

Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of the situation. "Why have you brought me here? I don't even know you."

Voss's demeanor shifted from calm to intense, and he leaned in closer. "Irene, I've loved you from afar for so long, and I can't bear the thought of you being with anyone else."

Irene's confusion turned to disbelief. "Love? You don't even know me! And I'm married. I love my wife, Seulgi. You need to let me go."

Voss's obsession became painfully clear. "I can't do that, Irene. You're meant to be with me. You'll learn to love me, just give it time."

Irene's voice quivered with a mix of fear and anger. "You can't force someone to love you, and you certainly can't make me love you by kidnapping me."

Voss's eyes burned with intensity as he spoke. "Irene, you'll see. I'll make you understand the depth of my love. We'll be together, and no one will come between us."

Irene's defiance remained unwavering. "I will never leave Seulgi. I love her, and she's the only one I want to be with."

Voss's obsession had reached a terrifying point. He refused to accept Irene's words, convinced that time would change her feelings. "You'll come to realize that you were meant to be with me, Irene. In time, you'll forget about her and eventually love me. I love you more than anything and I won't let you go."

Irene laughed bitterly. "Love?" she said. "You don't know what love is. You're obsessed with me."

Voss's face contorted with rage. "You will love me," he snarled. "You will forget all about that other woman. She is nothing compared to me."

Irene shook her head. "No," she said firmly. "I will never forget her. I will never love anyone else." And then she slapped him.

Voss's eyes narrowed as he looked at her with an evil smile . "We shall see about that," he said ominously and grabbed her arms firmly.

Why do you fight me?" he asked, his voice laced with frustration. "Can't you see that I love you? That I would do anything for you?"

Irene looked him in the eye. "I don't believe you," she said. "Your love is nothing more than obsession. You don't care about me. You only care about possessing me."

Voss's face darkened. "You are wrong, and just so you know no one's going to save you. I will kill that Seulgi in front of you. She is the one that gave me all the problems."

He turned and walked away, leaving Irene alone in her gilded cage.

Irene knew that she had made a powerful enemy. But she also knew that she would never give in to his demands. She would never betray her love for Seulgi. Irene knew then that there was no hope of escape. She was trapped in a gilded cage, a prisoner of Malik Voss's twisted love.

...........................

In the dimly lit study of the Castillo mansion, Tzuyu and Seulgi stood before their father, Leonardo. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, and the worry in their eyes was unmistakable.

"Father," Tzuyu began, her voice steady but laced with concern, "Irene has been kidnapped. We believe it's the work of Malik Voss, an obsessed man who's taken her to his mansion."

Leonardo's usually composed expression shifted to one of deep concern. "Irene? My dear daughter-in-law?"

Seulgi added, "Yes, Father. We're certain it's Voss. He's been fixated on Irene for a while, and now he's taken her against her will. This can't go unanswered."

Leonardo's jaw tightened. "This has gone too far. They've crossed the line. It's time for us to act."

Tzuyu nodded. "We couldn't agree more, Father. We need to take action against not just Voss but also Carlo Gambino. They're working together, and they've made it personal."

Leonardo's gaze hardened. "Prepare quickly, my daughters. This is the moment we've been preparing for. Call our allies, gather our forces, and make the necessary arrangements. We will not rest until Irene is safely back with us, and those responsible for this atrocity face the consequences."

Seulgi spoke with determination, "We will, Father. We won't stop until Voss and Carlo Gambino pay for their actions."

Leonardo leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in deep thought. "We have some powerful allies, and now is the time to call upon them. Reach out to Jeon Jungkook and Kim Taehyung. Let them know the situation, and tell them it's time for us to stand together."

Tzuyu nodded, taking notes on her tablet as her father spoke. "We'll contact them immediately, Father. I'll ensure that the message is delivered personally."

Seulgi added, "And we should also inform our strategic allies like Hirai Momo and Lisa Manoban. Their support will be crucial in this fight."

Leonardo's eyes sparkled with resolve. "Good. Our alliance is our strength, and we'll need every ounce of it in the coming battle. Tell Chaeyoung about it too"

Tzuyu continued, "We'll also start mobilizing our own resources. We have a formidable network and loyal operatives. They will be essential in locating Irene."

Seulgi leaned in closer, her voice determined. "We should also consider launching a covert operation to infiltrate Voss's mansion. We have skilled agents who can get the job done."

Leonardo nodded. "Yes, we need to be swift and precise. Remember, Voss is dangerous, and we need to be prepared for any contingency."

The planning continued for hours as they discussed strategies, resource allocation, and the roles of key allies. Leonardo was impressed by his daughters' commitment and strategic thinking. This was the moment when the Castillo family would show its unwavering resolve and unity.

As they left their father's study to set their plans in motion, Tzuyu and Seulgi shared a glance, knowing that the coming days would be fraught with danger and uncertainty. But with their allies at their side and a burning determination in their hearts, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead to bring Irene home and make those who had dared to harm their family pay the price.

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