Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Walsh was the epitof a gentleman-a warm and considerate man, at least on the surface.

To Ivy, whose heart was already riddled with scars, he seemed like a beacon of goodness. After enduring so much pain, even a drop of kindness could feel like salvation, compelling her to throw herself into it wholeheartedly. She never questioned Walsh's background, never stopped to wonder why he had entered her life. Slowly but surely, she fell into his gentle trap.

He took her on a tour of Rome's famous landmarks. They wandered the streets like a couple, laughing, taking selfies, and sampling local delicacies.

That day, Ivy laughed more than she had in years. She felt a happiness so pure it washed away the bitterness that had been weighing her down.

The day ended with a romantic candlelight dinner. Walsh was attentive and considerate, reminding her of the care she had only ever seen from Aurora and Julian.

In that moment, Ivy felt tears welling in her eyes. She had believed she would never meet someone who truly cared for her again. Walsh's presence reignited a spark of hope in her otherwise desolate life. For the first tin what felt like forever, she forgot her hatred and remembered love.

When he escorted her back to her hotel, Walsh simply kissed her forehead and bid her goodnight, a perfect gentleman without a hint of impropriety.

It wasn't Ivy's first tinteracting with a man, but it was the first ta simple kiss made her heart race uncontrollably.

"Goodnight. I had a great ttoday. Thank you," she said, her voice soft.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to pick you up at the sttomorrow. There are still a few hidden gems in Rworth visiting," Walsh suggested.

"Alright. See you tomorrow." "Bye." Walsh watched her leave before returning to his car.

The driver glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "Mr. Walsh, she's just a pawn. Is all this effort really necessary?" "Even a pawn requires careful setup. Do you know how to make someone willingly do your bidding?" Walsh lit a cigarette, leaning back lazily in his seat.

"No, sir." "You take their heart. Once their heart belongs to you, they'll do whatever you want." Walsh had no real affection for Ivy. When he had been gathering information on Aurora, he had learned all about Ivy and her past.

He preferred intelligent women and could never be interested in someone as naive as Ivy. But a naive woman, properly molded, could still beca sharp weapon in his hands.

"Brilliant, Mr. Walsh. Still, this current project seems like a dead end. None of the others vying for it have made any progress either. Are we leaving Rempty-handed?" "Not exactly. If we don't get this project, there's always the next one. But there's only one Aurora. As long as she's out of the picture, I'll finally have peace of mind." If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! The driver chuckled. "The head of the family's health is deteriorating quickly. Even John has been summoned back to her side. It seems she won't last much longer. Once she's gone, the position of family head will surely be yours." "Not necessarily," Walsh replied, his tone darkening. "I've heard that John has gone to great lengths for her. He even found a rare jade that, while not a cure, could extend her life by another year or two." Mio's expression turned sour. Originally, the head of the family had been beyond saving, her death imminent. But John's efforts had disrupted his plans, buying her more time.

Before learning of Aurora's existence, Walsh had been patient. He could wait for the head of the family to pass and claim his rightful place. But everything changed the day he saw a woman in his company who bore an uncanny resemblance to Tina.

Everyone knew Tina had disappeared for a few years in the past. What if, during that time, she had a child? If this child's existence becknown, they would be declared the next head of the family, nullifying all of Mio's efforts.

Walsh's investigations confirmed his suspicions. Aurora was, without a doubt, Tina's daughter. The revelation weighed heavily on him.

Before he knew about Aurora, all he needed to do was wait. But her existence posed a significant threat. Aurora had to be eliminated.

When he discovered that Aurora had left New York, Walsh spared no effort in tracking her down. His meticulous investigations revealed her brilliance. Aurora was like Tina-a natural-born leader with a sharp mind for business.

In just three years, she had built her own company despite the Montgomery family's suppression. Walsh kicked himself for not investigating her sooner. On several occasions, Tina had secretly assisted her daughter, helping Aurora's company go public in record time.

But Aurora's success wasn't solely due to her mother's help. She had the talent and drive to succeed on her own. After returning to Clothville, she quickly established her own perfbrand, earning widespread acclaim. Walsh grudgingly admired her. But admiration was quickly overshadowed by a single thought: she had to be destroyed. Only by eliminating Aurora could he secure everything he desired.

Their "chance" meeting in Rwas no coincidence. Upon learning of Ivy's connection to Aurora, Walsh devised a plan. He would use Ivy to strike against Aurora.

Ivy's hatred for Aurora made her the perfect tool. And by staying in the shadows, ensured his involvement would remain hidden from the family.

Walsh was meticulous. He never left his enemies a sliver of hope. The hope, The web he was weaving for Aurora was vast, and ivy was at its center. She would bechis hunter, the one to take down his enemy. The mere thought of it filled him with excitement. The best hunters, after all, relished the hunt more than the victory.

"John is a fool," the driver muttered.

"He knows the head of the family will never love him.

with him, she were wanted to be have agreed long ago. And yet, he still devotes himself to her. If he sided with us, things would be so much easier." Mio's expression remained calm. "Patience. What's mine will ctoeventually. And the wait will make it all the sweeter." "Of course, Mr. Walsh. You're destined to succeed. The R family has been led by women for far too long. We're ready for a change." "Don't worry. I'll give you everything you want. The era of women ruling this family is over. Under my leadership, the R family will rise to even greater heights." mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1