CHAPTER 16: DEVIL's SMILE

The air inside Mark's office felt heavy.

The scent of old paper, black coffee, and tobacco filled the space as the two men sat across from each other.

Alexander had just finished his report on the alleyway incident.

Mark sat there, silent, processing everything.

Thirty gang members dead.

Their own leader turning on them.

All because of Alexander Bluestone's words.

He exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "You… manipulated a warlord into butchering his own men."

Alexander simply smiled, adjusting his cufflinks. "I call it efficiency."

Mark let out a low whistle. "You're a damn demon."

Alexander chuckled. "Come now, Mark. That's a bit harsh."

Mark rubbed his temples. "And the bullet?"

"Used it well, didn't I?"

Mark shook his head. "And to think, people believe I'm the ruthless one."

Alexander leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "You and I both know the world isn't black and white. I don't act out of kindness, Mark. I act because the world responds only to power and intelligence. That's why we're sitting here, alive, while men like Brooklyn rot in an alley."

Mark stared into Alexander's sapphire-blue eyes, trying to find a shred of humanity.

There was something there.

But it was buried deep beneath the surface.

A smirk.

A mask.

Something far more terrifying than a killer.

A man who understood the rules of the game.

A man who played it better than anyone else.

Finally, Mark sighed. "Just don't get yourself killed, Bluestone."

Alexander grinned as he stood. "Not until I'm done playing."

THE FEAR IN HER EYES

Alexander arrived back at the detective office.

As soon as he stepped in, he noticed something different.

Madison and Darmian were talking as usual, but Roselia…

She was silent.

Sitting at the farthest corner of the room, her brownish-golden eyes barely meeting his.

Her hands clenched into fists, her body tense.

She was afraid.

Afraid of him.

Alexander sighed inwardly.

He expected this.

After all, she saw it.

She saw him manipulate a monster into killing his own men.

She saw his words break someone's mind.

And now, she was looking at him like he was no different.

He removed his coat and walked over, slowly, hands in his pockets. "Roselia."

She flinched.

That reaction alone told him everything.

He tilted his head, scanning her face. "What's wrong?"

She stayed silent.

Her fingers gripped the edge of her sleeve, her shoulders stiff with tension.

Alexander clicked his tongue. "Are you afraid of me?"

No answer.

Silence is an answer too.

He sighed, then—**without warning—**he stepped forward, placing his hand on the table and leaning in close.

Close enough for her to feel his presence.

To see his expression.

And then—he smiled.

A different smile.

Not his usual smirk.

Not a smirk of victory or arrogance.

A calm one.

A reassuring one.

He softened his voice. "I don't kill for fun, Roselia."

She blinked.

His sapphire eyes locked onto hers, unwavering. "I do what needs to be done."

She swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But… you smiled."

Alexander tilted his head. "Hmm?"

"Back there," she continued, her voice shaky. "You smiled while manipulating him. Like it was… enjoyable."

Alexander studied her for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. "Because it was necessary."

She bit her lip. "You scare me."

He reached out—**slowly, deliberately—**and before she could react, he placed a finger under her chin, gently tilting her face upward.

"Then let me fix that."

She stiffened.

His voice was calm, confident, and inescapable.

He leaned in closer, just enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath.

"Roselia, if I truly scared you… would I be standing here like this?"

Her breath hitched.

He wasn't trying to intimidate her.

He was breaking down her fear.

With words.

With presence.

With undeniable control.

And then—he smiled again.

Soft. Reassuring.

The same way someone would soothe a frightened child.

Slowly, her fingers relaxed.

Her posture loosened.

The tension in the room faded.

She exhaled.

And in that moment, Roselia Dukeforth realized something terrifying.

The most dangerous thing about Alexander Bluestone…

…wasn't his intelligence.

…wasn't his ruthlessness.

It was that he always knew exactly how to control everything.

Even her.