Afternoon...
In a narrow alley of an old neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, only a few people passed by from time to time.
At a corner table inside a worn-down tea shop by the roadside, Isabella sat quietly by herself. Her expression remained calm and composed as usual, but beneath the table, her fingers were clenched tightly together.
Across from her sat a man in his fifties. His clothes were untidy, and the strong smell of alcohol lingered around him. That man was Ethan's biological father, Richard.
Richard took a long drag from his cigarette before letting out a slow stream of smoke.
"It's been a long time, Isabella."
Isabella's face remained cold.
"Just get to the point."
Richard chuckled.
"Same as always. I need money."
Isabella slowly closed her eyes. This was not the first time she had heard those words. Over the past several months, Richard had contacted her again and again.
At first, he had only asked for small amounts of money. Not wanting any trouble, she had given him what he wanted. But the amount he demanded had gradually grown larger and larger.
Richard stared at her and smiled.
"This time, it's not that much. Just fifty thousand dollars."
Isabella's brows immediately furrowed.
"Fifty thousand?"
Richard shrugged casually.
"That's nothing for you. I know how rich your husband is."
Her voice turned colder.
"My husband has nothing to do with this."
The smile slowly disappeared from Richard's face.
"Oh, really? Then what about this?"
He pulled out his phone. An old photograph appeared on the screen. The color immediately drained from Isabella's face. The picture had been taken many years ago. It showed her standing beside a wealthy businessman.
To someone who knew the truth, it meant nothing. But a single photograph could be interpreted in countless ways. Richard slowly put the phone away again.
"I think your current family would find this very interesting."
"Richard!"
Isabella's voice hardened instantly. Richard laughed.
"Don't be angry. I just need a little money. I'm having a hard time myself."
For a brief moment, Isabella almost wanted to laugh. Having a hard time? You mean casinos, bars, women. She knew exactly where Richard's money had disappeared to.
"One last time."
She gritted her teeth as she spoke. Richard's eyes immediately lit up.
"You said that last time too."
Isabella remained silent. Richard leaned slightly forward across the table.
"To be honest... I'm not asking money from you. I'm asking it from your rich husband."
A cold light flashed through Isabella's eyes. Richard ignored it and continued.
"Next time, this won't be enough. I want more. A lot more."
Then he stood up from his chair.
"I'll give you one week, Isabella. If you can't do it..."
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"I might have to pay a visit to your happy little family."
After saying those words, Richard turned and walked away. Isabella was left sitting alone at the table. Her hands trembled slightly. The past she had spent years trying to escape was slowly catching up to her once again.
Richard's figure gradually disappeared into the distance at the end of the alley. Yet the pressure inside Isabella's chest did not lessen. Her gaze drifted toward the cup of tea that had already gone cold.
Once upon a time, Richard had been a man she loved. But now, whenever she looked at him, he felt like a complete stranger.
Gambling…alcohol…debt and also countless women.
Richard had destroyed his own life with his own hands. And now, he no longer wanted to sink alone. He wanted to drag others down with him.
Slowly, Isabella reached into her handbag and took out her phone. A family photograph appeared on the screen.
Mr. Thorne, her current husband...
The life she wanted to protect more than anything else. Richard's threats continued to echo inside her mind. Next time, this won't be enough. I want more….
The color faded slightly from Isabella's face. Fifty thousand this time. Hundreds of thousands next time. And after that, an endless abyss. She knew Richard would never stop. Every time she gave in, his demands would only become worse.
Yet...
At this moment, she had no other choice. She slowly closed her eyes and let out a long, exhausted sigh. The past she had buried for years was slowly rising back to the surface. And now, that past had begun trying to destroy the peaceful life she had fought so hard to build.
...…
Richard walked slowly toward the end of the alley. In his hand, he held the bundle of cash Isabella had given him. A restless, uncertain smile lingered on his face, but beneath it, greed and excitement twisted together in his eyes.
"This time… at least I can win something back…"
He muttered under his breath. His steps had not yet reached the main road when a faint sound of footsteps came from behind him. Quiet and cold.
Richard stopped.
"Who's there…?"
He turned around. Three men stood in the alley, dressed in black. Their expressions were unreadable, their eyes cold and emotionless. Richard felt a sudden chill run through his chest.
"Hey… I'm not looking for trouble, alright…?"
He said quickly, raising one hand slightly as if to show he meant no harm. But one of the men stepped forward without saying a word. In a single motion, he grabbed the bundle of cash from Richard's hand.
"Hey! That's mine…"
Before Richard could finish his sentence, a heavy punch landed directly in his stomach.
"Guh!"
The air was knocked out of him as he doubled over, stumbling backward. He tried to steady himself, gripping the wall beside him, but another strike followed immediately, forcing him down again. The third man approached slowly. His voice was calm, almost indifferent.
"In Devil Iris territory… People like you don't walk freely."
Richard's eyes trembled.
"I… I didn't know… just let me go…"
He couldn't finish. Another blow came down, not meant to kill but to warn.
Pain shot through his body as he collapsed further toward the ground. The alley fell into silence again. After a moment, the three men stopped. Richard was left kneeling on the cold ground, breathing heavily. A thin line of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
The cash was gone. The men turned away without looking back. One of them spoke calmly as they walked off.
"Next time you step into this territory…"
He paused. Then added,
"it won't end like this."
Their footsteps faded into the distance. Richard remained on the ground, trembling, trying to breathe through the pain. For the first time, something replaced his greed with fear.
Raw, heavy fear. After a few seconds, his phone vibrated. Unknown number and one message only.
"Stay out of Devil Iris territory."
Richard stared at the screen. His fingers shook slightly. A cold realization slowly sank into his mind. He was no longer just dealing with debt. He had stepped into something much larger. Something that did not forgive mistakes, that did not negotiate, that only issued warnings once.
And now, he understood. He had not simply borrowed money from the wrong person. He had crossed into the edge of an organization that operated like a shadow over the city itself.
Devil Iris was not just a name. It was a boundary. And he had just been warned once.