New York – The Queen’s Frustration

(Nocturne's POV – The One Who Let Him Go)

I sat in my luxurious penthouse office, scrolling through my phone, my fingers tapping impatiently against the glass screen.

And what did I see?

Liberty.

Henry Hans—or rather, the man who had completely reinvented himself.

The headlines were everywhere.

"World-Famous Artist Liberty Surrounded by Fans in Times Square!"

"The Mysterious Genius Who Has Women Swooning!"

And worst of all—

The videos.

There he was, standing under the neon lights of New York, effortlessly charming an entire crowd.

His golden eyes gleamed like molten gold, sharp and piercing, framed by his perfectly sculpted face.

Damn it.

I hated to admit it.

But he had become more irresistible than ever.

And those eyes—

Priceless.

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs as I continued scrolling.

The way the girls clung to him, the way they practically threw themselves at him.

I clenched my jaw.

And then—

I found myself looking at an old file.

A file on his past.

Henry Hans. The forgotten husband. The man Katerina Maa had successfully humiliated and discarded.

I tapped my nails against my desk.

Katerina.

The idiot.

That woman had tried to keep him hidden, secretly cheated on him—and for what?

For that pathetic assistant?

I clenched my phone tighter.

For fuck's sake, Katerina.

Why go after that cheap assistant when you had this fine masterpiece in front of you?!

I let out a sharp breath, setting my phone down.

I stared out over the New York skyline, my hands resting on the cool glass of my office window. The city pulsed with life below, but my mind was elsewhere.

Was the cheating really necessary?

Katerina had a masterpiece right in front of her. A man who was loyal, intelligent, and powerful.

And yet—she still strayed.

For what?

A cheap assistant? A thrill?

I clicked my tongue in frustration.

This wasn't just about Katerina's stupidity.

It was about women like her.

Women who had everything—a devoted husband, a stable life, a future.

Yet they threw it away for temporary excitement.

Why?

Because for them, sexual temptation and thrill outweighed loyalty.

I had seen it countless times.

Powerful women. Wealthy women. Women who had built empires.

And yet, the moment they felt bored, the moment the thrill of marriage faded—

They looked elsewhere.

They wanted the high of seduction. The danger of sneaking around. The ego boost of being desired by someone new.

Even when they had a man who worshipped them, who would go to war for them, who would die for them—

It still wasn't enough.

I narrowed my eyes.

They didn't cheat because they were unhappy.

They cheated because they wanted to.

And in the end?

They lost the only men who truly cared about them.

I leaned back, my fingers tapping against my desk.

Katerina lost Henry because of her own foolishness.

Abigail lost Samuel because of her own arrogance.

And I?

I refused to be like them.

I would not make the same mistake.

Henry Hans—Liberty—would be mine.

And I would make sure he never looked at another woman the way he used to look at Katerina.

(Nocturne's POV – The Divine Executioner Will Be Mine)

I leaned back in my leather chair, crossing my legs, a smirk playing at my lips. The glow of the city lights illuminated my office, reflecting off the glass walls that showcased my empire.

Maa Industries? A child's plaything compared to what I had built.

Katerina Maa? A small-time executive who didn't deserve the power she held.

My wealth?

Ten times larger than hers.

I was Nocturne.

The Lord of Despair. The richest and most powerful woman in the world.

And now—

I set my phone down, staring at the image of Henry Hans—now Liberty—flashing across the headlines.

"World's Finest Artist Takes New York by Storm!"

I smirked.

Henry Hans… The Divine Executioner.

A man who once fought against me in our past life.

A man who was once my greatest rival.

A man who had been humiliated and discarded by a woman who didn't deserve him.

I tapped my nails against my desk.

"Let's see, Henry. Will you bow to me… or will we end up in bed this time?"

---

Nocturne's Private Penthouse – The Invitation

I stood at the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, staring down at the bright lights of New York.

A knock at the door.

Tyler, my assistant, stepped inside. "Madam, the arrangements have been made. Liberty has received the invitation."

I didn't turn around. "And his response?"

Tyler hesitated. "He hasn't replied yet."

I smirked. "He will."

Men like Henry Hans didn't just ignore invitations from the most powerful woman in the world.

Especially when that woman knew exactly what buttons to push.

I turned around, my heels clicking against the marble floor. "Make sure everything is perfect. I want him entertained… and intrigued."

Tyler nodded. "Of course, Madam."

---

Liberty's Hotel – The Meeting

(Henry's POV)

I sat on the balcony of my penthouse suite, sipping a glass of whiskey, watching the city stretch out beneath me.

My phone buzzed.

I glanced at it.

An invitation.

From Nocturne.

I chuckled, swirling the glass in my hand. "Took her long enough."

Samuel had warned me—Nocturne doesn't take losses lightly.

And now?

She wanted to see me.

For what?

To intimidate me? To manipulate me?

Or…

I smirked.

To seduce me.

I stood up, grabbing my coat.

"Let's see what the Lord of Despair has planned."

---

Nocturne's Penthouse – The Encounter

I arrived at Nocturne's private penthouse, a luxurious space that screamed power and control.

The moment I stepped inside, she was already waiting.

Dressed in a silk black gown that hugged her curves perfectly, she held a glass of red wine, her amethyst eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Liberty." Her voice was smooth as silk. "You actually came."

I smirked, taking off my coat and tossing it onto a nearby chair. "Would've been rude to ignore the richest woman in the world."

She chuckled, stepping closer. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, Henry."

"I wasn't trying to flatter you." I met her gaze, unbothered. "Just stating facts."

Her smirk widened as she took a slow sip of her wine. "You've changed."

I leaned against the bar, grabbing my own drink. "So have you."

She tilted her head. "Have I?"

I chuckled. "You used to want me dead. Now, you're inviting me for drinks. If that's not change, I don't know what is."

She laughed, stepping closer, placing her wine glass on the counter.

"You intrigue me, Henry."

I raised an eyebrow. "That so?"

She leaned in slightly, her perfume intoxicating. "You didn't answer my question."

I smirked. "Which one?"

Her fingers traced the edge of my glass as she whispered—

"Are you going to bow to me… or are we going to end up in bed?"

I exhaled sharply, amusement flickering in my golden eyes.

"Guess you'll have to find out."

And just like that—

The game between us truly began.