Chapter 14

Victor sat on the couch, the TV blaring in front of him. He was watching the news, a smug smile spreading across his face as the headline flashed on the screen: "Smith's 2 Warehouses Burn to Ashes.".

Just as the anchor began to speak, Ivy emerged from her room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She looked disheveled and tired, but as she saw Victor sitting on the couch, a look of anger crossed her face.

"What's going on?" she demanded, her voice husky from sleep.

Victor turned up the volume, the news anchor's voice filling the room. "Smith's warehouses burned to the ground last night. The fire department is still investigating the cause of the blaze."

Ivy's eyes widened as she realized what was happening. "You," she spat, her voice venomous. "You did this."

Victor turned to face her, a mocking glint in his eye. "Oh, Ivy. You destroy my house; I destroy your brother's property. It's all just a game, and everyone gets an equal chance to attack."

Ivy's face crumpled, tears streaming down her face. "You're a monster," she sobbed. "How could you do this?"

Victor shrugged, his smile growing wider. "You should have thought of that before you decided to play with fire. Now, it's my turn."

Ivy's anger boiled over, and she launched herself at Victor, her fists flying. "You'll pay for this," she screamed. "You'll pay for everything."

Victor laughed, catching her wrists and holding her back. "Oh, Ivy. You're so predictable. You think you can hurt me? I'm the one who always comes out on top."

Ivy struggled against him, her tears turning to curses. "I'll kill you," she spat. "I'll make you pay for everything you've done."

Victor's smile never wavered. "I'm shaking in my boots," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But until then, let's just enjoy the game, shall we?"

And with that, he released her, turning back to the TV as if nothing had happened. Ivy stood there, her chest heaving with rage and sorrow, her eyes fixed on Victor's back with a hatred that seemed to burn brighter with every passing moment.

Ivy's eyes blazed with fury as she watched Victor's calm demeanor. How could he be so nonchalant about destroying her brother's property? Did he have no conscience at all?

"You're going to regret this," she spat, her voice low and deadly. "You're going to regret ever crossing me."

Victor chuckled, not even bothering to turn around. "You think you can threaten me? I'm the one who holds all the cards here."

Ivy's anger boiled over, and she launched herself at him again. But this time, she wasn't just fighting with her fists. She was fighting with every ounce of strength she had and every trick she knew. She was determined to make Victor pay for what he had done.

But Victor was ready for her. He caught her wrists, holding her back with ease. And then he did something that made Ivy's blood run cold. He smiled.

"You know, Ivy," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I've been waiting for you to finally realize that you're no match for me."

Ivy's eyes widened in horror as Victor's grip tightened around her wrists. She knew she was in trouble. She knew she had to think fast if she wanted to get out of this alive.

But as she looked into Victor's eyes, she saw something that made her heart skip a beat. She saw a glimmer of victory. And she knew that she was in grave danger.

Adrenaline coursed through Ivy's veins as she struggled against Victor's grip. But he was too strong, and he effortlessly overpowered her, pinning her down on the couch.

Ivy's eyes flashed with anger and fear as Victor hovered over her, his face inches from hers. He locked both of her hands above her head, his fingers digging into her skin.

Their faces were so close that their breath mingled, creating a warm, sweet caress that sent shivers down Ivy's spine. She tried to wriggle free, but Victor's grip was unyielding.

As they lay there, locked in a silent struggle, the tension between them grew thicker, heavier. Ivy's heart pounded in her chest, her pulse racing with fear and something else—something she couldn't quite name.

Victor's eyes burned with intensity, his gaze piercing and unyielding. He seemed to be drinking in the sight of her, his face inches from hers.

Ivy's struggles weakened, her body betraying her as she felt herself getting drawn into the depths of Victor's eyes. She was trapped, and she knew it. Trapped in a web of emotions that she couldn't escape.

Their breath mingled, creating a sweet, intoxicating scent that filled the air. Ivy's head spun, her senses reeling from the intensity of the moment.

And then, in a movement that seemed almost involuntary, Victor's face moved closer, his lips almost touching hers...

his breath mingling with hers. But instead of the kiss she was expecting, his voice came out low and menacing.

"You're playing with fire, Ivy," he whispered, his eyes blazing with intensity. "You think you can cross me and get away with it? You're wrong."

Ivy's heart raced as Victor's grip on her hands tightened.

"You're stupid for thinking you could take me on," he continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're no match for me, Ivy. I'll always come out on top."

Ivy's eyes flashed with anger, but Victor's gaze pinned her down, refusing to let her look away.

"Listen to me, Ivy," he growled, his voice low and deadly. "I'm giving you a warning. Back off now, and I might let you live. But if you keep pushing me, I'll destroy you. And I won't hesitate."

Ivy's breath caught in her throat as Victor's words hung in the air—a threat and a promise all at once.

And then, just as suddenly as he had pinned her down, Victor released her, standing up and towering over her.

"Don't forget my warning, Ivy Elizabeth Smith," he said, his eyes glinting with a cold, hard light. "You're playing with fire. And you're going to get burned."

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