Original subtitles

You really think you're in a position to negotiate?

Well, look who finally decided to drop by.

And you seriously showed up with no backup. Quite the fearless little lady,

aren't you? So what's the plan for settling that million dollar debt?

Right here.

In the flesh.

Don't move!

You give me the creeps. Who says you don't have heat under there?

Care for a demonstration?

Why not?

Strip down.

All of you, clear out.

Killer frame.

For this holy shit that hits the spot

Messing

with blood money you brought this on yourself Hold up no way the

boss finished that quickly.

I'll go check it out

Jesus Christ!

Valerie just slaughtered the boss!

Don't let her get away!

Take her down!

My apologies for this.

Stop right there!

Hit the gas!

Wait, who the hell even are you?

I'm just trying to get home! Shut your mouth and floor it unless you want your

head blown off. She had an accomplice? Take down both of them! I don't even

have a clue who she is. These freaks are completely out of their minds. Need to

break away right now.

Did you get hit?

Enjoying the view?

I was looking at that gunshot wound.

Lose the jacket.

It's bad.

That slug is lodged deep and you're bleeding out fast.

We have to extract it immediately or you won't survive this.

Dig it out. With a blade? Have you lost your mind? Do you have any painkillers?

None. No meds at all?

How can I cut into you? It's right on a nerve. The shock will kill you.

Cut through the tissue, locate the slug, and dig it out. Are you out of your

mind? No one can endure that without passing out. I've got my own way to stay

focused. Stay focused? How?

The shock alone will knock you clean out.

Adorably terrified as you are, blink out now and you'll watch me bleed dry.

Take it out.

I'm on it.

Bullets out.

Step away from the boss.

Maddox.

Is the hitman back? Get out of here. I'll hold him off. She has no clue who I

am, yet she puts her neck on the line for me. This girl, she belongs to me

now. Lower your weapon. She just saved my life.

Forgive me, boss.

Tell me, what's your name?

Chloe Sterling.

Pleasure, Chloe.

I'm Valerie Vance.

Valerie Vance?

The lethal mastermind of the Rubin Syndicate?

Commanding the whole underworld?

In the flesh. You've kept me alive twice tonight.

Allow me to return the favor.

Does this cover what you're owed?

Pick any superpar in my garage.

It's yours.

Please, no. You held on through the extraction. I only did what any decent

person would do.

Turning down cash?

Passing on exotics?

I respect that's fine.

Which means you belong to me. Excuse me, what?

Why?

Having second thoughts already?

No, I mean, that's completely fine.

Leave us.

You saved my life.

Tonight, you're all mine.

My lady.

A pleasant morning to you.

Are you speaking to me?

Your breakfast is served, miss.

I really need to get going.

I'm heading out right now.

Boss, should I have her brought back?

Don't bother. Find out where she's staying.

Clara?

Where were you all night? I stayed up waiting.

Um, I ended up crashing at Lila's. My car broke down, and it got too late to

head back.

Since when does Lella smell like rustic cedar cologne? Her signature has always

been sweet coconut vanilla.

She had her cousin's scent on, and it transferred on to me.

Ma'am, you need her brought in? Say the word and I'll secure her. I'll do the

talking. What if she turns you down?

Bust her knee-babs, drag her back?

She isn't cargo, Maddence. I'm having every piece of her. Either she walks to

me willingly, or we walk away.

Playing for a fool?

Quite the guts.

That's her nag.

Let's make him pay.

Who is he? That's Monty. His uncle runs the Steel Master Fortune.

Who's in charge here? Show yourself!

This is my place.

May I help you with something?

Here to collect what you owe.

Owe what?

Property tax, sanitation charges, fire safety dues, commercial permits, plus

the street toll.

The city is covered.

Like I care. What about my share? There's nothing left.

Darling, plan on keeping the doors open? Cough it up for the Steel Mastath

Consort. Cash down or you're done. I'll shut you down before morning.

My sister and I have nowhere else to turn. Just give them the money, please.

All right.

You win.

You call this enough? I gave you every single dollar I earned. There is nothing

else. Really?

Is that so?

Don't you have that sweet little blind sister?

No! Keep your hands off her!

This sightless darling is quite charming.

To be frank, I've never laid hands on an unsighted doll before.

She'll do nicely to settle what you owe!

Repeat what was said.

That girl happens to be her blood sister?

Precisely, boss.

She cried out, ordering them to unhand her sister immediately.

Laying hands on what belongs to me is a straight ticket to the grave.

Clear out.

Right away, boss.

Stop right there!

Take your hands off her! You pathetic piece of trash!

Who the hell do you think you're talking to?

Hold her still!

You lay a hand on my woman, you're as good as buried.

Wait.

Valieri Vance, boss of the Rubial Syndicate?

Are you all right, sweetie?

Consider that a lesson for flapping your jumps. Flapping your jumps!

Who told you you could throw your weight around here?

Messing with what's mine?

Valerie Vance?

My uncle runs the Steel Mastiff Consortium. Touch a single hair on me,

and you're as good as dead!

I put his brother six feet under. You honestly think a maggot like you scares

me?

Marcus, snap his legs.

Consider it done.

What the hell are you doing? Back off!

Valerie, if you cripple him, he'll just come after me later. How am I supposed

to keep my shop open? That's not worse than anyone. It's while Terry's stilled.

Cut him loose?

Fair point, darling.

Guess that slipped my mind.

Forget breaking his legs.

Ha! Thought so!

You never had the stomach for it! Put him down.

Permanently. Wait, what?

What the- Marcus, put an end to him. My uncle will skin you alive for this!

Valerie Vance!

Valerie Vance!

Are you Chloe's sister?

Valerie Vance.

Chloe, is she?

Clara was in an accident.

It took her vision.

Hi, Clara.

I care deeply about Chloe.

Give me a chance.

Once we tie the knot, you'll be treated like my own family, and I'll get you the

absolute best surgeons.

Married? Married? What are you talking about?

The two of you are actually tying the knot? Clara!

I literally just pulled her out of trouble yesterday, and completely out of

nowhere she claims she's in love with me? You gave me your word that you were

done getting mixed up with mobsters. The reason doesn't matter.

Break all ties with her this second. She isn't like the rest of them.

We're... Save it! There is no way you're being with a gangster!

And you, keep your hands off my sister.

Got that?

Well, is this what you truly desire?

Chloe...

It's her or it's me.

There is only one choice.

I can't choose between you two.

Ma'am, Mr. Voss is on the line.

Talk to me.

Understood.

Headed over now.

Sweetheart, there's family business I need to take care of.

Today was supposed to be the proposal, but things shifted.

Sit tight. We'll sort everything out the second I get back.

A proposal?

Hold on, seriously?

I never agreed to marry you!

Greetings, boss!

Boss, every last piece of the proposal tribute is accounted for. Chloe will

never marry you!

It's never gonna happen! Chloe, why does your sister hold such a deep grudge

against me?

Valerie, our mother was killed in gang crossfire, and Clara lost her vision

back then too.

That's why she harbors such hatred for mom.

Understood. Leave it to me.

I'll win Clara over.

I will never give you my blessing!

Keep dreaming!

Oh, is that right?

Like it or not, Chloe is mine.

I... See you.

Are the two of you actually discussing tying the knot? Chloe, how could you let

me down like this? I had no other way out.

If your heart isn't in it, we pack up and cut all ties with her.

Valerie, so you actually deem to grace us with your presence.

Why did you call me here?

Cut to the chase. My time is limited.

Well, well, Valerie.

Just how much longer are you planning to run away from tying the knot with Rowan

Sterling? Camilla, stop pretending you have any say in this family.

Keep your damn nose out of my affairs. Who gave you permission to speak to her

in that tone? Show some damn manners.

Venusit, please.

It's on me for failing to connect with Valerie. Please don't be hard on her.

Valerie, get this straight right now. You are walking down the aisle with

Rowan and you don't get a choice.

Venusit, take a look.

I'm already off the mark. To some mechanic nobody?

Over my dead body!

Your approval means nothing to me. My life belongs to me. No one gives me

orders. Least of all you.

Go through with this, and I'll wipe her off the map!

Finish it! Lay one finger on her and see what happens!

Pushing me onto Rowan was just a scheme to rob my birthlet and gift Rubina to

Camilla. Ruby Sineket is my mother's legacy.

She won't ever lay a single finger on it.

This isn't up for debate!

Pin her down!

Drag her to that altar!

Lay a hand on me, I dare you.

You insolent brat!

Standing in my home openly defying me?

Valerie, please.

We're all one family here.

There's no call for this hostility.

Your father arranged this match purely with your best interests at heart.

Shut your mouth.

Camilla?

For my own good? You colluded with Steel Mastic to steal Rubiel from me. Not a

chance in hell.

Valerie! Don't slander her!

Slander her?

I'll kill her and make her confess.

Grab her right now!

Marcus! Put them on the ground!

Wait!

Don't shoot!

Valerie! If you insist on tying the knot with that garage girl, I'll offer you an

alternative.

Boss!

You have to pay them back for what they did to Monty! What the hell happened to

him? Boss, we just went to hit up that flower shop, the one Valerie's crew

watches over.

Valerie jumped Monty out of nowhere, beat him to a pump, and dumped him

straight into the harbor!

She did what?

It's true.

Every word of it.

First, she put my brother in the ground. And now she came for my nephew.

I'm going to rip her apart.

Every single one of you, listen up. We hit the Rubili syndicate tonight and we

turn it to ashes.

Valerie dies by my hands. Roll out. Hold on, boss. Let's not lose our heads.

Brute force leaves too many messes.

Precision guarantees results.

Fabian, you've always had the sharpest mind here. Give it to me straight. How

do we crush valetory and settle the score for my family?

Doesn't Volitary have some little girl she treasures?

Chloe, why are you still just sitting there?

Get your things together!

Clara, is leaving really our only choice?

We only just started getting settled here. You still can't tear yourself away

from that gangster?

I already said, I will never let you be around her.

Hurry up and pack!

Off in a big hurry?

Trying to skip town?

What choice?

Take Rowan, and the Rubia Consortium is yours. Stick with that shop girl, and

you're cut off from the Empire forever. You won't walk with a single soldier,

not a single cent!

Just who the hell are you?

So you're the little bird Valinary's got wrapped around her finger.

Doesn't look like much to me.

Now this little doll right here, that's a whole different story.

Valerie again!

She brings nothing but ruin everywhere she goes!

What do you freaks want from us? You're speaking to the boss of the Steel

Mastiff Syndicate.

What the hell do you want?

You ask what I want?

Vengeance! Tear this place apart!

Acting like you don't recognize me?

Valerie slaughtered two of my own blood!

You're the little pet she cherishes, which means your life pays their debt!

Whatever blood she spilled has nothing to do with us! My sister walked away

from her a long time ago!

Is that your story?

Then explain why word on the street says you're Valerie's girl.

We despise gangsters!

She'd never get involved with someone like Valerie!

I'm begging you, just spare us!

I might spare your life. Bless you, thank you.

On one condition.

Name it. What condition?

You will take the stand for me.

Your new Tate Anne is me.

Swear under oath that you watched Valerie butcher my blood with your very

own eyes. Get her on death row. Put her away for good.

And I just might spare your miserable lives.

Put your name on it.

Every single word here is fabricated.

There's no way in hell I'll sign.

Like you get any say in this?

Pin her down! Make her sign it!

Scumbag! Lay one finger on me and Valerie will slaughter every last one of

you! Valeria.

She wouldn't dare show her face.

Not a chance. She knows I'm in trouble. She won't leave me here. Her own father

locked her down to wed Rowan. You're a nobody from some grease pit. Wait.

As if.

You're lying.

Valerie is devoted to me. There's no one else she'd ever take as hers. I'll stand

right here until she comes.

Rot waiting, then.

She won't ever show.

She's coming for me!

Even walking through that door is a death sentence.

Force her hand on it!

Never!

Take your hands off her.

Step away from her.

Right now.

Didn't you hear her? Let her go!

Sweetheart, are you alright?

Did they lay a fender on you?

I'm unharmed.

She walked right into this trap all by herself just for Chloe.

Her feelings for my sister are real.

Even so, I can never condone what they have.

She's the root of every nightmare that's found us.

Valerie.

Walking straight in with zero backup, huh?

You think I won't put a bullet through you right now?

I tore through Steel Mastiff headquarters alone, put your brother in

the ground, and walked away unscathed.

Why you?

Look here. Your little pet signed her confession.

Got this right here, which means your life is officially fourfold.

Valerie, that confession is a total setup. I never put my name on that

paper. Hey, look at me.

Sweetheart, I never doubted you for a single second.

Her signature's dry on the page. You're an absolute corpse walking.

The two of you, take her out!

Everyone in

Steel Mastic is an absolute joke.

You little bitch!

Come and get it.

If they wipe each other out, taking over Steel Mastic will be a walk in the park.

I've got to make sure this turns into a slaughter.

Boss, we're really walking away from this? Our street cred will be completely

destroyed. I don't care how lethal Valonie is, she can't take us all at

once. There are well over a hundred guys stationed right outside.

Bring them in to finish her off!

Valerie!

You think I'm actually scared of you?

Mark my words, with a single command from me, my crew will rip you limb from

limb. A measly hundred men? It takes a lot more than that to rattle.

Tear her apart!

Hey, move your asses in here!

Where the hell did everybody go? They're not showing up.

Marcus! Those spineless bastards outside have already been put to sleep.

Bullshit!

You wiped out a hundred men all by yourself?

You mean those pathetic punks? I didn't even break a sweat before they ran off

like roaches.

Scumbag, get the hell out of here.

Never let me see your face around here again.

Honey, are you alright?

Boss, are we really turning tail like this? The Steel Manta's name will be

completely dragged through the mud.

Snatch that sightless chick over there, and the game flips right back to us.

Now that is damn brilliant.

Somebody here!

Stop! Don't touch her!

One single flinch and she's a corpse!

Chloe, help me!

Take your hands off her!

Back off, you piece of trash!

You're dead meat!

Ah, this sightless brat actually means something to you. Drop the iron,

Valerie.

That mountain behind you drops his too, or I slit her pretty little throat right

now. Damn you! If she throws down that gun, Valerie won't stand a chance.

There's no way she drops her weapon for someone like me.

All right.

I'm setting it down.

Did she truly give up her gun just to save me?

Your vendetta is with me.

Slaughtering an innocent girl doesn't settle your score.

Trade her for me.

Lay a finger on her, and Madak and I will end you on the spot.

Swap me for her, and Madak won't make a move.

I'm the one you leave with.

It's a deal.

We'll play by your rules.

She's putting her own life on the line?

Just to get me out?

She's not a ruthless criminal at all. How could I have been so wrong about

her? Valerie, you can't! It's suicidal!

I'm not letting you do this!

Sweetheart, since you belong with me, shielding your sister is my

responsibility.

Still, this favor won't come entirely free.

Just one turn.

Name it, and I'll do whatever it takes.

Once I bring the two of you out unharmed, you will marry me and take my

name. Yes!

I'm completely yours!

Cut out the sappy romantic theater already!

Valerie, march your ass right over here, this second!

Freeze right there!

What's the catch?

Ditch that jacket!

Show me you're clean!

Step forward, easy now!

No, wait!

Getting cold feet?

I'll slit her throat!

We can all burn together!

Leave her alone!

Fine, it's coming off.

Valerie, please don't!

Sweetheart, everything's fine.

Satisfied yet?

Far from it.

Keep shedding it.

Have you had enough?

You try shaming her again, and I swear to God you're dead!

I'm putting her in her place right now.

So what are you going to do about it, tough guy?

That ain't enough!

Keep stripping! This is all on me.

You shouldn't have to suffer this.

Hey, none of this is your fault. If I hadn't messed up, Clara wouldn't be in

this mess.

She took the blame just to protect me.

Hardly. Strip it all off. Every single stitch.

You pay for laying a finger

on Chloe.

You pay for making Clara bleed.

And you pay for forcing off my clothes.

Clara, are you hurt?

Ma'am, Fabian Ford slipped out.

He's irrelevant.

Let him scurry.

Take out this trash.

Understood.

Clara, you all right?

Don't worry. I wasn't hurt.

Valerie, I can't thank you enough.

That's it?

Just a thank you?

Whatever you want, just name it.

A kiss will do.

Thought so.

You just like getting my hopes up, don't you?

Unbelievable.

Such a sweet girl.

Consider this your paid out.

Getting pretty late. Need to take off. See ya.

Hold on. Please stay.

Clara, Valerie walked away from Rubin for our sake. She has nowhere else to

stay. Please, let her crash here with us. Clara, she has nowhere else to go.

Please.

Not happening.

I've got places lined up all over the city. You don't need to stress over me.

Boss, every last deed went right back to Rubin.

You're sleeping on a park bench tonight.

Quiet, Frosty!

Clara, I'm begging you, just let her stay.

Hey, sweetie, Clara's not comfortable with me yet. Don't back her into a

corner.

Frosty, move out.

Hold on!

Just for tonight.

Wait, that's a yes?

That's just Clara. Her bark's worse than her bite.

Yeah, she's letting you crash here.

Seriously?

Valerie, the couch is your only option.

Clara, my bed has plenty of room for both of us.

Absolutely not.

The two of you sleep in different rooms.

Cross that line, and Valerie is out on the street.

So don't we mean it again? Please don't let it bother you.

Valerie, she doesn't mean any harm. Why don't you get some sleep in the bedroom

while I take the couch out here?

In your dreams.

You look so beautiful tonight.

In just a week, Venison ties the knot with me and passes Rubin straight

to my hands.

Steel Masson is locked under our thumb.

The second Rubian is yours.

We combine forces.

Then we crush the ultimate powerhouse, Apex, and claim the entire city.

Taking out Vincent and Valerie rests entirely with you.

Vincent's actually going through with marrying that snake and handing Rubil

over to her on a silver platter. My mother must have lost her mind ever

falling for him.

Wait!

wedding invite!

I wouldn't be caught dead at their sickening ceremony.

No matter what, he's still your father.

Besides, don't you want to take Ruben back for your mother?

So Valerie actually showed up.

This couldn't be better.

I can take down both her and her old man in one stroke.

Move.

Instruct Fabian to lock down the perimeter.

No one leaves this hall alive.

Understood. Camilla, I'm signing over Rubian as my wedding tribute to you and

as my sacred vow to this union.

Camilla, this is my vow to you.

With this agreement, I entrust the future of our legacy to you.

I will not fail you, the Rubius Consortium.

At last, it's all in my hands.

Camilla.

Will you become my wife?

She is never going to marry you.

Fabian, what do you think you're doing here? Nobody invited you to my damn

wedding! Get him the hell out of here!

Camilla, have security drag his ass out right now!

Shut up, you miserable old fool. Did you really think I'd kick out my own man?

You... the two of you!

Vincent, Camilla, and I tied the knit 20 whole years ago to claw our way straight

to the absolute pinnacle.

I slipped inside Rubina, clawing up from absolute zero right to the throne.

While I embedded myself in steel mastiff, rising from a lowly chauffeur

to its true master.

Conniving snakes, biding their time for two decades just for this coup.

There's going to be a massacre.

Babe, you have to get out right now.

Grab Claire and get out of this city.

No. I'm not leaving your side, no matter what.

You stubborn fool.

Camilla! Don't you dare get ahead of yourself!

Every single soul in Rubina answers only to me! Put them in the dirt!

Ruby belongs entirely to me now. Fall in line behind me, and every man gets ten

times his pay.

Defy me and perish.

All hail Madame Cruz!

Camilla? Take down Vincent and claim a billion dollars.

This is Jai Kill one shpeery water.

He's still our rightful leader.

Isn't this going too far? Ten billion!

There's no turning back.

Marcus, get Chloe out of here. I won't leave you. Boss, I'm not walking away

either. Are you defying a direct order?

Your late mother placed your life in my hands.

I will protect you with my last breath.

Marcus, take my sister and get out of this city now.

I'm not leaving Valerie to fight alone.

Copy that.

Kill Vincent!

Take him down!

Die, Vincent!

Die!

If you want him dead,

take me down first.

Valerie, you shouldn't have come!

I dragged you into this mess.

Look at the bride you chose.

She played you all along and stripped you of every single thing you built.

I was a blind fool to ever trust that viper. Valerie, run! Get out of here

right now!

Leave?

You really think she's walking out of here alive?

I swore on my own blood.

I'll tear Valerie apart and make her pay for the steel matter!

Fabian, once the Vosses are eliminated, both syndicates belong to us.

Uniting these two powerhouses, and Cyrus Sterling of Apex will have no choice but

to kneel before me.

Cyrus Sterling?

Has something happened to my sister?

Something's off.

Valerie and Chloe have walked straight into a trap.

We need to clear out right now.

Zoe's under attack.

You have to help her. Move. Now.

Don't just stand there. Shoot.

Take one step and you're dead.

One million cash for taking out the Voss family.

Hear that voice?

Two million on the table. We're rich.

Take them down.

Come on, boys.

This is our night.

Nobody move a muscle.

I am Cyrus Sterling's daughter. Lay one finger on Valerie.

and not a single one of your bloodlines survive.

Give me a break.

The daughter of the all-might-mighty Cyrus Thurling wasting away at some two

-bit body shop?

Cute story, little girl.

Nobody's buying it.

Babe, I know you're covering for me, but that bluff is way too thin. They're not

swallowing it.

Our only way out of here is to fight. Valerie, I'm not making this up!

Clara and I came out here just to walk away from all that bloodshed.

I wouldn't ever bring up that damn name if your life weren't on the line. That's

enough.

Drop the drama. Even if Cyrus Sterling really is your old man, there's no way

in hell he gets here in time. Damn straight.

That old bass Cyrus is stuck way up north. And honestly, if he walked in

right now, I still wouldn't give a shit. The pair of you, neither one is walking

out of here alive.

Your death sentences were signed the moment you stepped into this house.

Kill them all right now!

I'll douch the floor in your blood and snap both your necks with my bare hands.

You little garage rat, you get to die first.

Chloe!

Who the hell do you think you are?

You really have the guts to stand in my way?

Fabian, you honestly fail to recognize Cyrus Sterling?

And you flatter yourself you can conquer his realm?

What? You are Cyrus Sterling?

Indeed.

Release her.

Valerie, are you hurt?

I'm alright.

Chloe, is that truly your father?

He's nobody to me.

Fabian! Didn't you boast that with our numbers we had nothing to fear from

Cyrus? Let's slaughter Chloe and Valerie right before his eyes, then seize this

entire city!

Take out my daughter with me standing right here?

You taking me for soft boy?

Camilla's got it right. We want respect in this city, we start by ending Cyrus'

bloodline. Move in and take her.

Lay a finger on her.

And you won't survive her.

She doesn't flinch at anything, does she?

Cyrus, that girl is my blood, and she's completely head over wheels for yours.

Sharp eye.

She definitely takes after me. That's the exact same fire I had winning over

her mother.

Enough with the small talk!

Take out this garbage already!

And here I was convinced my sweet girl was done with me for good.

If Valerie weren't on the line, you wouldn't even cross my mind. Fiercely

loyal. Chip off the old block.

Cyrus Sterling, don't lecture me on looking out for family.

Enough.

Water under the bridge.

Take them down!

You bluffing me?

Drop them all!

Disarm right now if you want to walk out alive.

Lay down your arms, and your slate is wiped clean.

I run Rubiot now.

Gun them down. There's a hundred million for their heads.

Camilla, Rubina belongs to my mother. Just what the hell do you think you are?

That contract is nothing but scrap paper now. Pick the winning side if you value

your lives.

Fabian, you're finished.

Stand down.

I will never yield to you!

Men, block the path through!

Planning on slipping away?

A bit late for that.

Every single man you had waiting outside has been dealt with. Put him down!

You piece of shit!

Showing respect is entirely your choice.

Makes no difference to me.

Yet anyone who dares harm my girl... Time to settle the debt in blood.

Valerie, their lives are yours to end.

Chloe, please. We have no real blood feud.

You wouldn't actually execute me, would you? No feud.

After the bloodbath you brought to my doorstep? I was wrong! I swear, it was

all my fault!

Torturing Clara, hunting Valerie down, and either crime alone warrants a bullet

between your E's.

Cold-blooded, fearless.

A true sterling through and through.

You're taking over Apex Corporation. End of story.

Keep your crown.

I want no part of it. Valerie, she's yours to deal with. Valerie!

I am your stepmother! Have some mercy!

You stabbed us in the back, trying to seize control.

Did you honestly expect to just stroll out of here alive?

Vincent! Tell me you still care! You wouldn't just watch me die!

Camilla, I gave you everything.

Poured millions into your lap, and this is how you repay me? Give me one reason

to keep breathing your breath.

You rotten old fossil! Stop it! acting like you gave me the world. You only

wanted a plaything between your sheets and that filthy fortune?

Nothing but leftover scraps tossed to a stray dog.

Have you ever shown me an ounce of respect?

Camilla, learn where you belong.

Your folly was reaching for power far beyond your station. So that was it?

I was nothing more than a caged canary to you.

Clear as glass.

played hidden this entire time?

Vincent, was any part of it ever real to you?

Valerie, I was utterly blind to place my faith in someone so venomous. Chloe

staked everything just to keep you safe. Her devotion to you is beyond doubt.

Tell me something I don't know. My time has passed. I'm stepping down from

Nubel. The syndicate is yours now. The only thing that matters to me is

standing right beside me. Take your precious empire and shove it.

I want nothing from you.

Come on, darling, we're done here.

Not so fast.

What do you want now? A small time out like Rubin is nothing for that girl to

throw away. Still, Apex is your birthright. You have to take over.

Cyrus Sterling, I wouldn't touch your empire for the world.

I'll never forget what cost Clara her sight or how Mom died.

I know the lines that crossed those days. The moment you walked away, I

turned it all around.

Apex is completely legitimate now.

Not a single word of that means anything to me.

What do you mean it doesn't matter?

Every single thing I built was meant for you and Clara.

Quit acting like the savior.

Clara and I couldn't care less about your damn empire.

We're leaving.

Right behind us.

Sir, are we really just letting this Chloe walk away?

Stubborn and unbreakable. That's my girl.

Listen closely.

Deploy the shadow detail to keep both my girls safe.

Good, sir.

Dinner's on the table. Dig in, everyone.

Marcus, you don't have to watch my back anymore.

Valerie! Why are you cutting me loose?

What did I screw up? Spell it out. I'll make it right. Easy there. Take a seat.

Sit back down.

You're taking this the wrong way.

I'm walking away from the life for good, guns down.

All I want now is a peaceful life with Chloe.

Boss, I'd gladly share that quiet life with both of you.

Whatever path you take, I've got your back. All the way.

I planned to keep you by my side.

But there's a far greater mission waiting for you.

Clara.

What's this for? Just personal funds I've stashed away over time.

Rest easy. Every cent of it is spotless.

I tracked down a world-renowned specialist.

He assured me there's a great chance you'll see again. Chloe, is this real?

It really is.

Getting an opening with this specialist is almost impossible, so hold on it

tightly.

I can't thank you enough.

No need to thank me. You're family now. It's simply what I meant to do.

Marcus, while Clara undergoes her surgery and recovery, you'll stay by her

side around the clock as her personal detail.

Shield her just as fiercely as you've shielded me. Clear on that? Consider it

done.

That settles everything. Time to eat.

Are you Rowan Sterling?

The one and only.

So who are you supposed to be? Corinne?

Right on the money.

Quite handsome in person, aren't you?

You claimed you could get Validary back for me? Every word.

What's your angle in giving me a hand? Because Valerie and Chloe slaughtered my

mother Camilla and my father Fabian. I'm gonna make them pay in blood.

And what do I stand to gain if I play along?

Some gutter trash bitch from a garage snatched your bride. Your fiancé was

stolen by a mechanic.

I'm giving you the chance to drag her right back.

Isn't that generous enough for you? Even without you lifting a finger, Valerie's

coming back to me either way. No sweeter, no deal.

A hundred thousand as a starting deposit.

I couldn't care less about spare pocket money.

So tell me, what's your price?

You already know precisely what I'm after. Follow every step of my lead, and

I promise Valerie will end up in your hands.

Look across the hall. Isn't that Valerie right there?

Marcus Maddox is out of the picture.

This is my moment to corner her.

Moron. Step up right now, and you're a corpse.

Give me a break.

Watch what they do next.

She's ending up in my sheets. Mark my words.

What's step two?

All you have to do is make sure Valerie drinks this coffee, and I promise you,

she's completely yours tonight.

Don't sweat it. When it comes to handling women, I never miss a beat.

Valerie, let me order that special cappuccino you always crave. Just the

way you like it, right?

All right.

Forgive me.

I was distracted on this call and didn't spot you.

That was a complete accident.

Please, let me help clean you up.

Don't worry about it.

I'll step into the restroom to sort this out.

I'm so awful about this. Your top is completely wrecked.

Take it off here. I'll get it cleaned up for you, okay?

Don't worry. It's totally okay. It didn't cost much anyway. Please, just

let me help slip it off.

Honestly, that won't be necessary.

Tell me, darling, do you think I'm gorgeous?

I mean, there's no denying you're gorgeous.

So what's your real angle here?

Rowan, what are you after?

Ran into your fiancé, and not even a smile?

You're nothing to me.

That setup was Vincent's idea, not mine.

Get lost.

Now.

Still so sharp.

That's why I adore you.

Ah, damn it. Let go. I'm sorry, okay?

Pay attention.

Put your hands on me again, and I'll snap your wrist in two.

All right. Message received.

What's your angle?

Just noticed you sitting by yourself.

Figured I'd grab you a drink. Just how you like it. Caramel cappuccino.

I'm meeting someone.

Valerie. Back the hell off and get lost.

We're still engaged.

Mind your tone with me.

Whatever. I finish this cup, and you walk away.

You got it.

Empty the cup, and I'm out of your hair.

Leave. Right now.

Whatever you say, sweetheart.

I said beat it!

Rowan, you miserable bastard!

What the hell did you slip in my drink? Get off me! What is wrong with you?

I apologize, truly.

Seeing you just reminded me so vividly of my ex.

My emotions overwhelmed me.

Can we move past this? I'll overlook it once.

Just so you know, I'm already in a relationship.

Let me at least compensate you for the ruined fabric.

Like I said, walk away.

Understood. You stay, then I'm out of here.

Hold on!

Rowan must have sealed the deal by now.

Valerie? Where did Valerie run off to? She'd never walk out without letting me

know. Pardon me, did you notice where the woman who was sitting over here

went? Are you referring to that striking, sharp-looking beauty?

Yes, precisely, that's her. A gentleman walked up to speak with her a moment

ago. I couldn't catch what was said, but she seemed faint, so he escorted her up

to the guest rooms.

Unsteady on her feet?

Taken upstairs?

No, this isn't right. What's on the upper floors? The guest rooms.

Be a sweet girl and take what's coming to you.

Burning.

Burning up.

I can't take this heat.

The dose is finally taking hold.

Valerie, give me a second, and that heat will turn into pure bliss.

Rowan, how the hell did you get in here?

Seeing those eyes wide open makes this a whole lot more thrilling.

Get off me, bastard!

Let you go? Why ruin the thrill when the ropes make it so much sweeter?

Give it a second. You're about to crave this.

Take your damn hands off me!

Valerie, can you hear me?

Burning up.

I can't breathe.

You really slipped something in her drink?

Chloe, behind you! You scumbag! I'll tear you apart!

Who gave you permission to lay a hand on Valerie?

I'll break every bone in your body.

You little psycho.

You actually kicked me down there? I'm going to slaughter you.

That was long overdue for trash like you.

Valerie, talk to me. What's happening? Can you hear me?

I'll manage.

It's scorching through me.

Come on, move.

What the hell happened? It's all on your idiot plan.

Every bit of this is on you.

Rowan, I held Chloe back for you and literally spiked Valerie's drink. Yet

you managed to blow it anyway?

Shut your mouth!

Can't get a single thing right.

Such an utter disgrace.

Keep in mind, Rowan, Valerie and Chloe are the ones who brought you down.

Valerie, Chloe, I swear I'll slaughter you both!

Rowan, whether it takes raw cash or their blood, I'm behind you the whole

way. I've got just one demand.

Bring them both to me, tied up hand and feet.

I need to bleed them dry with my own hands to get my payback.

This is completely dull.

I actually find myself missing those blood-dreamt years.

All that edge, all that madness.

Craving some action again? Hey, I'm only teasing you.

Oh!

A neighbor needs me to run a car part over.

They're offering ridiculous money for it. I'll drop it off and be right back.

Should be right here.

Hello. For you. Got a delivery here.

Wait. Wait!

Look who it is! Talk about timing. Why don't you step inside?

I really shouldn't linger. Step right inside.

Please. Why isn't she back yet?

Forget this. I'll go find her myself.

Valerie is right outside.

Perfect cue for a little trap.

And tear the two of you apart.

Chloe,

you... Valerie?

I can explain everything.

How could you deceive me?

Falling right into her embrace?

I was only delivering a car part. She collapsed into the- Save it!

Caught in the act and you still make excuses?

I only keep people who are completely loyal.

If you play both sides, you and I are finished.

Just hear me out! I swear on my life, nothing happened! How could you break me

like this, Chloe?

I threw away the entire Ruby and Simphit just to have you.

I emptied every dime I had to save Clara's eyes, and this is the betrayal I

get in return?

Valerie, you won't slip out of my hands a second time. Chloe, I can't breathe

without you.

Valerie!

Where did you go?

Chloe, I spotted Valerie just now. Jump in.

Are you serious?

Oh, thank heaven!

Aren't you just the most obedient little dog?

Rowan, snap Valerie out of it.

Things get infinitely more interesting that way. With pleasure.

What the hell is happening?

Valerie! That psycho set up this entire trap!

She staged everything to turn you against me, broke us apart, and hauled

us both in here! Rowan, you piece of trash!

Who the hell is she?

Let me give you a proper introduction.

Name's Corrine.

Corrine? Camilla's little girl?

You actually had the nerve to crawl back here?

I came back to bury you in blood.

Corrine, Camilla died by my hand. Chloe didn't have a single thing to do with

it. You want someone dead? Take me. Cut Chloe loose right now. How can you say

that? Remember what we swore to each other?

Whatever comes, we survive as one or we fall together.

Rowan, darling, don't forget she's the one who ruined your manhood. Who knows?

Taking it out on her might just... Fair enough.

Let's test that out.

Rowan, lay a single finger on me and I will sever both of your hands.

And if I do, how are you gonna stop me? You piece of trash.

I'm gonna rip you apart!

Save the bluffing.

There's no way you're making it past tonight.

Why don't I get a piece of you first?

Rowan, you sick bastard!

Keep your filthy hands off her!

Had the nerve to touch me?

You're a dead bitch!

Rowan! You lay a fi-

Corrine, with a sweet couple like this, how should we make them suffer?

Strip every single dime out of their hands, and only then break them down

piece by piece until they're gone.

Now, where's the rush?

Are they even worth anything?

Ever heard of the Rubin Consortium?

Yeah, obviously.

Except Valerie walked away from Rubin. Well, now.

Venice might look like he's calling the shots, but that senile bastard already

signed every single asset over right to Valerie.

And the best part?

She doesn't have a clue.

Father of the year, huh? That senile bastard Vincilet was supposed to hand it

over to my mother, Camilla! Yet right on their wedding day, Valerie had to ruin

everything, leaving the entire empire in her clutches!

Reclaiming the ruby and coloration today is nothing more than delivering it

straight back to its true owner.

I turned Rubin over to Vincent already.

You won't get my signature.

Ever. Refusing to sign?

Works for me.

I'll carve off your ear, slice out an eyeball, and ship the pieces to Vincent

Voss, along with these papers.

Wonder if he'll yield the Confortion once he sees that?

Hold on!

Got a better plan, Rhodey? Slicing off her ear, that's just unnecessary

carnage. This butchery is killing my buzz.

We had an explicit deal once we bagged them.

Valerie Vass belongs to me. This butchery is killing my buzz.

Are you suggesting we cut her loose?

Are you insane?

She's a feral predator.

Unchanting that beast gets us both killed. So spit out what you actually

propose.

We can easily find another angle to make her sign.

Come to think of it, there is.

Corinne, what the hell are you doing? Keep your hands off her and deal with

me! The deeper that bond between you runs, the more delicious this becomes.

Thought you'd die forever, sweetie.

What do you think you're doing?

Corinne, don't you dare lay a finger on her!

Chloe, I told you that you reminded me of my first love.

And every word was true.

I wasn't making it up.

Pity that you happened to be on the wrong side.

Or I might have stolen you away from Valerie.

Chloe!

It's my girl!

Get the hell away from her!

One little kiss and you're already losing your mind? How about I slit her

throat right before your eyes?

Corrine! Drop the blade, or I swear to God I will tear you apart! I told you,

I'm taking the ruby Cintiq. Put your name... on the goddamn paper.

Val, don't do it.

It's your mother's legacy and your father built it up. Don't you dare give

it away.

Refusing to sign?

Then she bleeds.

I'll gut her right before your eyes.

So tell me, which do you care about more?

Her or the Ruby and Syndicate?

Valerie, I know how much you care about me, but you can't surrender the Ruby and

Syndicate.

I'll sign it. Have you lost your mind?

She's going to murder us either way. From the very first moment we crossed

paths, when you ran right into the crossfire to pull me through and dug

that lead out of my flesh without even a drop of painkiller, I realized you were

the only one for me. Come whatever may, nobody will ever come before you.

Give me a break. Isn't that just precious?

She comes first to you?

You're actually in love with her?

Then what the hell am I supposed to be to you?

Shut your mouth.

Rowan, make her sign it.

Write this down.

Put your name on it. I'm bound tight here. Just how am I supposed to write?

Cut the ropes!

Whatever, I'll loosen them up.

The second these cords come off, neither of you walks out alive.

Hold on. Free only one hand. Leave the other arm secured to the post.

Smart move.

She's sharp as hell.

Sitting around gets me nowhere. I have to find an opening.

Screw it.

She doesn't miss a thing.

Nice try, Valerie, but you didn't quite get away with it. Put your name on it!

I'm completely out of patience!

Do it!

You psycho bitch!

I'll rip your goddamn head off!

Corrine, release Chloe right now or his throat gets opened up.

You seriously think his life means a single thing to me? We're in this

together! You're just gonna stand there and watch her gut me? Shut your mouth!

I couldn't care less about your pathetic skin.

Can you actually stomach watching Chloe bleed out right here? Now take your

hands off Chloe.

Valerie, pull one stunt and I'll carve her throat wide open!

Put your name on it.

No tricks.

Alright.

I'll sign.

Yes!

Corrine! The Rubion Coalition belongs to us now.

So is Valerie finally mine to play with?

Hold on just a minute.

You'll put your name on the key.

The Apex Consortium?

The biggest empire in the city.

Headed by the bloodthirsty Cyrus Sterling. What are you really pulling

here? I'm swallowing Apex whole.

I'll tear Cyrus to pieces and rule over everything!

Are you completely insane?

Who on earth would ever put their name on this? This paper is dead weight!

How can you be this blind?

Chloe is Cyrus' real daughter.

Wait, what?

If Cyrus hadn't torn through that wedding, my parents wouldn't be in the

ground!

And his precious blood is tied to that chair.

I'll strip her of every last dime.

Chloe belongs to Cyrus Sterling?

That's right.

I'm Cyrus Sterling's girl.

You're well aware of how vicious he gets. Cross his line, and you cease to

exist. Cut my ropes right now, and I promise you walk away breathing.

Wait, I mean... Rowan, snap out of it! Stop falling for her garbage! She's

playing you for a fool!

Cyrus is an absolute psychopath.

I can't handle this.

I'm having second thoughts.

High stakes, high returns.

You're a total nobody among the Sterlings right now, but if you seize

control of both Apex and the Rubin's Instacat... You'll drown in boundless

wealth and command absolute authority.

Just think of where you'll stand.

I'll reign supreme over the entire bloodline!

Even my own old man will have to bow to me!

Precisely. So when fortune knocks, you bet everything you've got.

Besides, this game was already won before it started.

Damn right.

Chloe is completely at our mercy right here. Making her put her name on the

line won't take any effort at all.

The two of you are embarrassingly delusional. Cyrus Sterling didn't build

an empire by being weak.

You honestly think he'd bend over backwards for some paper I scribble on?

She's actually making sense.

A ruthless warlord like Cyrus isn't a pathetic fool like Vincit, holding his

entire empire just to protect his precious little girl. Which proves you

haven't the faintest clue who you're dealing with. Oh? And you think you've

figured out Cyrus' soft spot? According to my sources, Cyrus lost his wife in

the middle of syndicate bloodshed. Plus, his little girl Clara went completely

blind from that tragedy.

That remorse for his girls has been tearing him apart ever since. To tell

you the truth, he tried signing Apex straight over to Chloe.

She was the one who refused it.

Where did you dig all that up?

He's my blood rival. There's not a single detail I don't crack.

Enough dragging your feet. Make Chloe put her signature down this second.

Darling, why keep stalling like this?

You don't have a single way out.

And if I say no, what the fuck are you going to do to me?

You brought this on yourself!

Rowan! Every single blow you give her, I'm telling it! I'll make sure you beg

for death when I'm done with you!

Valerie, you won't even live long enough to see tomorrow.

Save your breath for your own funeral.

Put your name on it! Not in this lifetime!

Chloe, that was purely a little tease just now.

Valerie didn't hesitate to toss her own father aside and sign.

Given how deeply you two adore each other... A slight nudge on Valerie ought

to make you sign without a fuss, wouldn't it? You vile piece of trash!

Don't fret over me.

Oops, my fault. Hand slipped an inch and drew Valerie's blood.

You certainly wouldn't care to see me press any deeper, would you?

Fine, fine, I'll sign it. Just keep your hands off Valerie.

I figured you'd break.

Rowan, loosen one of her arms.

Die, bitch!

Valerie!

Pathetic scum.

Rowan!

My father already gave the command to crush the Sterling family.

If you care to make it out alive, butcher that treacherous bitch.

Rowan! Tune her out! She's tearing us apart on purpose!

You think I'd buy your pathetic mind games?

Rowan, you utter moron!

Provoking Cyrus Sterling, the Strickling family has gone completely bust.

Consider yourself kicked out of this house!

You dragged me into this ruinous mess!

I'm gonna rip you apart with my bare hands!

Valerie,

are you alright?

I'm good, sweetheart. Let's head home.

Yeah.