Reina was dressed in a light beige trench coat over a striped top and black pants. While this might have been an ordinary outfit, it looked remarkable on her due to her impressive figure.
Reina, undeniably attractive to begin with, exuded a natural sensuality that made her stand out.
At 38 years old, she still looked as though she were in her prime at 25, a testament to how well she had maintained herself. Her long, stylish black hair added to her allure.
For the first time, Reina turned her full attention to Ross Oakley. Until now, her focus had been solely on her daughter, Ren. She couldn’t help but be struck by Ross’s sheer size in person.
While he wasn’t particularly handsome, his imposing physique made up for it.
He was slowly but surely transforming into a hulking figure, not yet on par with an "OP Thor" body type, but clearly on track to achieve it within a year or so.
Ross had been careful not to shock everyone with sudden changes to his physique, aware that dramatic transformations would inevitably spark accusations of steroid use or other artificial enhancements.
The room they were in had a cozy yet refined atmosphere. It was furnished with a plush sofa, a small coffee table, and shelves lined with books and decorative items.
A hidden compartment held an impressive collection of wine, which Ross now accessed. The lighting was soft, casting warm shadows that added to the intimate setting.
This was the same room where Ross had met and taken Hazel a few weeks earlier, a place that seemed to hold a blend of secrets and casual indulgence.
"A wine for your troubles?" Ross offered, retrieving a glass from the cabinet. He moved with an unhurried confidence, his every action deliberate. Reina hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on him.
"No thanks," Reina replied, seating herself at a nearby table. Her posture was composed, but her eyes were observant, taking in every detail of Ross’s demeanor.
He methodically opened a bottle of wine, the cork releasing with a soft pop. Pouring himself a full glass, he raised it briefly in a silent toast before draining it in one gulp.
Without missing a beat, he refilled the glass, the rich red liquid swirling as he poured.
Once he had his second glass ready, he took a seat across from her at the table, the faint clink of the glass meeting the surface breaking the silence.
"You seem comfortable here," Reina remarked, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "Is this your usual retreat?" She made some small talk before dropping the bomb on Ross.
Ross leaned back in his chair, his broad shoulders relaxing slightly.
"It’s a quiet place to think," he said simply, his deep voice resonating in the room. "And to enjoy a good drink, of course."
Reina nodded, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the table.
"I see. It suits you." There was a pause as their eyes met, a silent exchange of unspoken thoughts.
Despite his size and the air of dominance he exuded, there was a subtle gentleness in Ross’s demeanor that intrigued her.
There was a pause as their eyes met, a silent exchange of unspoken thoughts. Despite his size and the commanding air he exuded, there was a subtle gentleness in Ross’s demeanor that intrigued her.
It wasn’t kindness—no, it was something more insidious, a deliberate softness that cloaked the predator within.
Reina clasped her hands tightly in her lap, her nails digging into her palms as she took a deep breath. She was no stranger to negotiations, but this felt different.
Ross Oakley was not a man easily swayed, yet she had to try.
"I want you to let go of my daughter, Ren," she said, her voice steady but firm.
"Break up with her, push her away. I’ll give you anything you want in return. Money, power, women, a favor from the Hirose family—whatever it is, name your price, and it’s yours."
Ross leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with amusement as if the offer were a joke meant for his entertainment.
"I don’t lack any of those," he replied smoothly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"But you know what’s funny, Reina? Someone made me the same offer a couple of weeks ago. She ended up on her knees for me and spread her long legs for me to entertain myself on what’s between them." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing.
"Now I’m wondering if you’ll do the same."
Reina’s breath hitched, her composure faltering for the briefest of moments. She quickly masked it with a glare, her voice sharp and unyielding.
"Impossible. Ask for anything else." Her tone was laced with finality, a declaration of boundaries she refused to cross.
She had been with only one man in her life and had no intention of tarnishing her honor. Many men had desired Reina Hirose, and countless had tried to claim her.
Yet only her husband had succeeded, and that had been on her terms.
"I thought so," Ross said, his smirk fading as his eyes grew colder, more calculating.
"Then forget about Ren coming back. I never planned on letting her go, and even if I did, it’s too late. She’s already deeply in love with me. She’d give her life for me if I asked. Can you say the same about your husband, Reina? He may have claimed you in name, but he never truly conquered your body, mind, or soul." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, almost intimate murmur.
"You’re too intelligent, too proud, too ambitious for that. A rare woman, Reina Hirose. That’s what makes you so desirable."
He raised his glass, taking a slow, deliberate sip, the silence stretching between them like a taut wire.
Reina’s lips pressed into a thin line as she fought to maintain her composure. Her voice, when she spoke, was colder than ice.
"Don’t flatter me, young man. It won’t get you anywhere." She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing.
"Take my offer now, or regret it later. I know where you live, and I know who you care about. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to your women, would you?" Her voice dropped lower, the threat crystal clear.
Years of navigating power struggles had made her an expert in psychological warfare, and she wielded it like a blade.
But Ross’s reaction was not what she expected. Instead of anger or fear, he laughed softly, a sound devoid of humor.
"Threats? Really, Reina?" His gaze locked onto hers, unflinching, his smile widening with an almost predatory confidence.
"You don’t understand who you’re dealing with, do you? Threats are just empty promises, and I’ve dealt with far more dangerous people than you."
He stood, his movements slow and deliberate as he placed his glass on the table.
"Go ahead. Try," he said, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of menace.
"And when you do, you’ll find out just how much worse it will end for you." Ross’s words marked the turning point, and the discussion quickly spiraled into a tense standoff.
Reina, her composure barely intact, rose from her seat and left with her assistant in tow. Her steps were measured, her pride unwilling to betray the storm brewing within.
Ross watched them go, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He could have taken what he wanted right then and there, but out of respect for Ren, he held back.
For now.
He had granted Reina one final opportunity to walk away unscathed, a chance to preserve her dignity and retreat from the battlefield she had chosen. Find your next adventure on empire
Yet, deep down, Ross hoped she would make the wrong choice. There was a thrill in the idea of taming a fiery, unyielding woman like Reina Hirose—a challenge that stirred something primal within him.
The game was far from over, and he relished the thought of what might come next.
***
Huge shoutout and thanks to ddecoen for the gifts!
You are awesome! Thank you! ^_^