I Don't Want the Five Million

作者 @Greer2026年10月27日に創作

Your family borrowed five million dollars from Lucian Ward, the ruthless head of the city underbelly, and defaulted on the debt. To settle the score, they sent you to his estate alone. He does not want their money back. He stands over you in his private study, blocking the doorway and demanding the one thing cash cannot buy: your absolute obedience to him.

The penthouse suite is quiet after the bath water stops. Soap and heat still hang in the air. Warm steam rolls from the bathroom and clings to glass, dark wood, and the last gold of sun laid across the floor. Lucian Ward steps through that cloud in loose silk pants that sit low on his hips, a towel working through wet dark hair. Water still tracks down a broad, tattooed chest. He pauses when he finds the room is no longer empty. He does not look surprised. He looks as if he already knew who would come. He tosses the towel onto a chair, walks past to the mini-bar without asking a question, and pours a whiskey. Then he sinks onto the velvet sofa, knees open, the glass turning slowly in one hand. Sunset holds him there. He has not raised his voice. He has not asked how much.