A SMILE MARKED BY THE SAME EVIL

And there were more jewels, all with a price tag. Some were even more expensive, and a bouquet read:

"Is this expensive enough, or shall I keep going?"

LIANA thought, annoyed but with a sadistic smile:

"How charming… such high prices you offer, even knowing I'm worth more. I have no price, nor will.

This shouldn't surprise me. Men are cruel, and they won't rest until they get what they want.

And I won't rest until I give them what they want… but I'll return their gift. That excites them more.

And they'll want to give more, and more… until they give me, as payment, their life."

"But for now, I need Lucas.

Because Leo knew. And he wanted to provoke me.

He knew I'd go.

And it's wise not to go.

But I want to feed his obsession. I want to unleash his desire.

How selfish men are… He has a woman in his heart, yet still follows sinful desires."

—she said, as she walked toward Lucas' room, where silence reigned. A room lit only halfway.

LIANA entered in deep silence and didn't see Lucas. Then, with a playful smile, she peeked into the bathroom.

Obviously, he was bathing and resting from his daily routine. When he turned and saw her, without a hint of emotion, he said:

"Don't you think this is a bit too much?"

LIANA, with a smile, replied:

"And what if I come closer?"

Lucas replied:

"Okay. You managed to make me blush."

LIANA, staring at him, said:

"Well, I don't see your skin turning red."

He replied:

"I choose to believe it."

LIANA responded:

"Okay. This mission isn't over yet."

Lucas said:

"There's nothing to be ashamed of."

LIANA, out of context, lowered her head and murmured:

"Someday you'll leave. You'll meet a beautiful girl… or an ugly one.

(Hopefully beautiful.) But of course… to you, even her burnt food will taste delicious.

You'll have children with her. A family.

And maybe you won't be able to work with me anymore, except in the company.

Or maybe… you'll just leave."

Lucas responded:

"I don't think I'll leave. But yes, I may need to go back to my own house.

Still, I'll be with you… until your old age. And mine."

LIANA replied:

"I'm not sure I'll ever grow old…

Because I'd rather be a beauty, even in death."

And Lucas said:

"What about a family?

Someday you'll meet someone… someone you truly love."

LIANA, with a faint smile, replied:

"You know… I never had a family in my plans.

Children are a burden.

And I'm a wandering spirit.

I don't know if I'd be able to abandon them.

And even worse… I don't know if I'm willing to stay with someone my whole life.

I made so many plans for myself, but I never included a family.

And if someday… I wait for someone, it'll be someone capable of giving me a sweet ending.

Someone I'd want to give everything to. Even my own life.

In return, I want them to show me the joy of living, just once…

Even if it's just a fleeting illusion."

Lucas replied:

"That's a beautiful way to love.

Not staying until old age and waiting for one to die and the other to suffer alone…

But to die together, protect each other, and end the cruel cycle imposed upon you both."

LIANA replied:

"Exactly.

But that's not why I came," she said with a smile. "Want to go out with me?"

Lucas, with a cold face, asked:

"Where to?"

LIANA replied:

"We're going to play… with a lion who doesn't understand the game."

Lucas said:

"Nothing interesting. Besides, I have work tomorrow."

LIANA said:

"If you come with me, you get tomorrow off."

Lucas replied:

"No, thanks. I have responsibilities… which you don't want to take."

LIANA asked:

"How about dinner?"

Lucas replied:

"No, thanks. I already ate.

Instead, I'll take a week off… and a bonus for overtime."

LIANA said:

"Didn't I say the job was 24/7?"

Lucas replied:

"But that exceeds human limits."

LIANA sighed and gently said:

"Okay… A bonus and a week off.

Now I'll go get dressed."

Lucas calmly replied:

"Okay, as you wish, Miss. I'll wait downstairs… and please, be quick."

LIANA nodded and headed to her room, thinking:

"I must wear something daring… but not too much.

Seductive to those who seek me, unnoticed by the eyes that don't interest me.

It's a common method, but not everyone can apply it—even if they're charming.

Let's remember: not every beautiful person is attractive.

Though, of course, beauty has its advantages…

Well then, time to get dressed."

She chose silver accessories, a black dress with a back and leg slit that highlighted her perfect figure.

The makeup was simple, yet suggestive.

High silver heels. Imposing.

And, as always, she looked at herself in her grand mirror…

The one that had witnessed her transformation.

The Empress.

The one with poisonous lips.

The one whose heels made the halls tremble and whose presence filled the house with majesty.

When she arrived at the staircase, from above, with an innocent smile, she said:

"Lucas…"

He, adjusting his glasses, softly replied:

"You look beautiful…"

LIANA smiled with spectacular elegance.

"Then… let's go."

Lucas nodded and walked toward the door, waiting for her to step outside.

Meanwhile, he thought:

"She's a beautiful woman. Dazzling.

If I were any other man, I'd be dumbstruck by her beauty and that enchanting body… and that way of speaking, sweet yet bitter.

It's not that she shows her bitterness… you can feel it.

Her honey… isn't sweet."

"I want to see how this game ends—the one I chose to stay in.

Not out of weakness, but because she… is a mystery.

I never know what she's thinking. I never know her next move.

I swore loyalty. But… will she grow old? Or will her story end early?

Maybe someday she'll love someone. I don't know.

Someone beautiful, charismatic… not so childish.

Though I doubt there's anyone else like her."

LIANA, already outside the car, called him:

"Lucas!"

He snapped out of his thoughts:

"Coming… Don't rush me."

---

Meanwhile, in his house, LEONARD smiled.

"I hope she liked it… and if not, I'll give her more. Until she gets tired.

For now… all I can do is wait for her to arrive."

---

In the car, LIANA thought:

"I shouldn't go… but he thinks he's in control.

How pathetic.

He has someone to love… but I'll make sure he ends up alone.

Alone like a remorseful lover.

I won't allow the woman who loves him to cling to his heart.

Because that heart… doesn't belong to her.

And it doesn't belong to me either."

"In exchange, he'll give me everything he loves the most.

Everything he stands on.

Everything that makes him feel powerful."

She smiled. A sadistic, corrupted smile.

A smile marked by pure evil.