"Welcome, man. Welcome."
At Richard's honey-mixed mocking tone, both Nasso and Lucas, seated on the divan, frowned. Curious, they looked ahead and saw Prem Ahsan striding forward eagerly, a crooked smile on his lips. Richard sat at the head desk of the office, checking files. He had been waiting impatiently for someone. The chamber on the twelfth floor glowed with golden sunlight pouring through the glass walls.
The room was filled with flawless modern decor. Files lay scattered across the desk. On the half-bitten-apple laptop, live CCTV footage from every corner of the garden house was still playing. Like the garden house, the office wall also held a giant dragon painting. From afar, it looked as if Richard sat on the throne of a colossal dragon. Without a word, Prem came in and sat in the chair opposite, crossing one leg over the other. Seeing his attitude, Richard arched an eyebrow and asked,
"Tea or coffee?"
Prem scanned the room, eyes moving around until they landed on Nasso and Lucas. Looking at one dark and one pale, he smirked.
"Interesting."
Then he looked at Richard and said,
"The owner of casinos is offering tea and coffee? So rude of you, man."
Richard smiled lightly.
"Whiskey or vodka?"
Prem answered,
"I think it wouldn't be enjoyable without girls."
Richard asked again,
"Do you prefer being in a dark room or with lighting?"
Prem froze. The crooked smile vanished, replaced by a wrinkle of thought. Richard smiled again, almost invisibly. Looking at Nasso, Richard signaled. Nasso quickly approached and stood before the desk.
"Sistema bene il pacco e preparalo subito."
(Arrange the parcel nicely and prepare it now.)
"Speak English."
With a loud slam on the desk, Prem stood up. The veins in his neck swelled in anger. But his rage lasted only seconds. Nasso and Lucas rushed like a storm and pinned Prem's head to the desk. It happened so fast he couldn't defend himself. He struggled, but both of his arms were twisted behind his back. The more he tried to move, the harder they pressed. Richard leaned back in his chair, watching with a hard jaw. His stern mind returned to its usual nature.
"Forget reaching toward me. First, get past them."
Then he looked at Nasso and Lucas.
"Leave him."
Nasso obeyed and walked out. Lucas released Prem and stood beside Richard like a bodyguard. In the silent room, the strong-built Lucas looked like an executioner. His fiery eyes seemed ready to burn Prem alive. Prem straightened himself, glaring into Richard's eyes. Black eyes and blue eyes locked in a silent war.
"Where have you hidden the minister's son?"
"In the underworld. Find him if you can."
Richard's answer was flat. Prem's anger rose, but he controlled it. Smart people do not waste opportunity by letting rage rule. Suddenly, Prem smiled.
"So you admit you kidnapped the minister's son?"
Richard answered coldly,
"Yes. I kidnapped him. And I killed that motherf***ing P.A."
Prem's smile deepened. His tone turned almost casual.
"And what did you do with the head?"
Richard replied,
"I melted the eyes and fed them to the fish in my aquarium. Cut the tongue and lips, boiled them, and fed them to my pet cat."
Prem's expression remained unchanged. The horrifying details did not shake him. If anything, his curiosity grew.
"And the skull?"
"Wait."
Richard turned the laptop toward Prem. The screen shook even Prem's hardened heart. He swallowed but hid it. He looked away quickly. On the screen, the skull still dripped brain matter. It stuck to the dogs' paws as they played. The face had been cut apart. The eyes removed. The nose sliced in half. Flesh from the lips hacked off like with a shovel. The trapped dogs licked the leaking remains. Prem forced himself to look away and stared at Richard.
"What proof is there that it's Sultan Kayesh's skull?"
Richard smirked.
"The proof is in your hand."
Before Prem could react, Lucas attacked again. He snatched the pen from Prem's pocket, crushed it underfoot, and pointed a gun at his head. Prem's last bit of hope collapsed. Richard stared calmly.
"How long will you keep saving yourself like this? Your final game will end in my hands."
Richard burst into laughter. Files on the desk trembled from the force of it. Then his mood changed instantly. Grinding his teeth, he said,
"Next time, before playing with me, learn how to move the pieces. Child."
The sound of Richard's laughter battered Prem's ears. It scraped through his nerves. Boiling with rage, Prem stormed out. As soon as he left, Richard's laughter stopped. His jaw tightened and his fists clenched.
For the first time in eight years, female maids entered the garden house. Four women were brought. All wore black uniforms and flight-attendant-like hats. Fear showed on all their faces. As soon as they entered, chills ran through them. Everything—from furniture to walls—was black. Their faces were full of shock. They had agreed to work here only because of the huge payment. In seven days they would earn what they couldn't in seven months. But money wasn't the only reason—they had also been forced. When the car left the city and entered the deep forest, unknown fear settled in all of them. Seeing the guards' heavy weapons, none dared speak.
Elizabeth had still not regained consciousness. Her body lay motionless where Richard had pushed her earlier. Two maids stood at the room's door. Clothes of a man and woman were scattered across the floor. The bed was a mess. They exchanged hot breaths. It was obvious someone had suffered brutal violence here. They prepared themselves for the horrible sight.
When they removed the comforter from Elizabeth's face, both were stunned. Her beauty left them staring. One maid, Reshma, touched Elizabeth's tangled red hair and cheek, checking if it was real. Then she checked her breathing. Relief came.
After splashing water for a long time, Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes. Reshma leaned over. When Elizabeth tried to move her legs, pain twisted her face. She couldn't lift herself. Her lower body felt numb. Pulling the comforter aside, she saw her naked body. Memories of the night returned. She broke down. Hugging Reshma's waist, she cried uncontrollably. Reshma's motherly heart softened.
Every cry pierced Reshma's chest. She stroked Elizabeth's red hair gently, giving her time to calm and accept the irreversible truth. The room echoed with grief. But remembering Nasso's warning, Reshma steeled herself. She sat Elizabeth upright and covered her. Yet Elizabeth kept crying, face buried in her knees. Shopping bags were brought in. Reshma said,
"Madam, get up. We'll help you freshen up."
Suddenly, Elizabeth grabbed both her hands.
"Please save me. That monster took everything from me. Help me get out. His perfume is still on my body. I'm in hell. Please save me."
Reshma lowered her eyes.
"We can't, madam. Forgive us."
"Don't turn away from me. He'll kill me. Don't push another girl into destruction."
Then she begged again.
"Do you have a phone? I'll call my uncle. He'll take me away."
"No phone."
"Where is the landline? Please tell me quickly."
"There is no phone in this house."
Tears streamed down Elizabeth's face. The memories returned again and again. Suddenly, she started hurting herself—pulling her hair, hitting her bruises. The maids panicked. They tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen. Blood started coming from reopened wounds. Finally, she collapsed again in tears. They wrapped her in a sheet and helped her off the bed.
"Please let us do our work, madam."
"Please save me."
Reshma quietly said,
"As far as I know, you came here willingly."
Elizabeth froze. She stared at the floor. Her eyes filled like monsoon clouds. It was true. She had come willingly. She had offered herself. Who could she complain to now?
After that, she said nothing. The maids helped her bathe. Reshma fed her with her own hands. Elizabeth ate silently. Medicine was given. Reshma stayed at the door, watching the girl who had become like ice. Only tears moved on Elizabeth's face as she stared lifelessly through the glass outside.
At Anisul Haque's house, he sat with an ice pack on his head. His only son, Sadman Haque, was missing. Prem and his team sat nearby. The police commissioner was opposite. The minister's wife remained critical. All roads and CCTV had been checked—nothing. No ransom call had come. Prem understood much, but without proof, the law was powerless.
The silence broke when the commissioner said,
"It's been 48 hours. No ransom call. Maybe your son is hiding willingly."
Anisul exploded.
"What nonsense! Why would my son hide? He lacks nothing. He is heir to all my wealth. Remember who you're speaking to."
Then he broke down.
"Please find my son. I'll pay anything. If something happens to him, none of us will survive."
Prem was already irritated from the morning. Suddenly, the landline rang. Everyone froze. Anisul answered on speaker.
"Hello?"
A strange voice came.
"You want your son?"
Prem immediately knew it was Richard disguising his voice.
"Yes! I want my son alive. Don't hurt him."
"His safety depends on me. My mood depends on your words."
"What do you want in exchange?"
"Money?"
Prem clenched his teeth. The commissioner signaled him to stay silent.
"How much?"
"Fifty lakh."
Anisul agreed instantly.
"Yes. I agree."
"Wise man."
A horrifying laugh echoed. Everyone covered their ears. Prem couldn't stay silent anymore. He grabbed the phone.
"What proof is there that Sadman is still alive?"
"Sending proof."
The line disconnected.
Later, a truck arrived. Security said the kidnapper sent something. Prem rushed first. The truck driver was gone. No documents. Fake plate. Furious, Prem punched the truck. Then he checked the back. A huge drum was there. The smell was unbearable. Opening it, he saw a half-rotted severed finger. Flesh melted away from acid. He immediately understood. Someone had sliced the flesh into pieces and dissolved it.
Prem covered it quickly, then turned to the minister.
"There was nothing. Just a scare tactic. I think the kidnapper will call again."
The phone rang again. This time Prem answered, imitating the minister's voice.
"Where should I bring the money?"
"That's my boy."
"I want my son alive. Today."
"In my kingdom, everything happens by my will."
Prem lowered his voice.
"When?"
"Tomorrow. Ten a.m. Agargaon Railway Station."
The line cut. A crooked smile appeared on Prem's lips. He said nothing, only whistled as he mounted his bike. Destination: Agargaon Station.
Seeing Richard return, all the maids disappeared into the kitchen. Nasso had forbidden them from appearing before him. Richard went upstairs, still in his black coat and shirt. Opening the bedroom door, he switched on the light. Elizabeth immediately sat upright in fear.
Since morning she had been silent. Reshma had fed her. Even after medicine, the pain remained. Physical pain could fade—but could mental pain? She couldn't close her eyes without seeing the nightmare.
For the first time, Elizabeth saw Richard's face clearly. She saw a monster. A man so handsome could hide such brutality. There was no match between his appearance and his soul. Beneath that masculine face lived a beast. She turned away in disgust, though her body trembled.
Richard watched her deeply. Even exhausted, her beauty had not faded. Lucas was right—she was fire. He looked at her messy red hair. Then suddenly he removed his tie and threw it aside. Slowly, he began unbuttoning his waistcoat and walked toward the bed.
Elizabeth's heart pounded wildly. Her body shook like an earthquake. Sweat formed despite the cold air. Every step of Richard brought back last night. Her clothes stuck to her body. Her limbs went numb.
Richard came close, kneeling on the bed. He tucked her hair behind her ear. His warm breath touched her. The perfume scent from him—still stuck on her body even after six showers—grew stronger.
Suddenly, Elizabeth grabbed a flower vase and struck him. Blood flowed down Richard's forehead. Instantly, rage exploded in him. His dragon-tattooed hand gripped her throat. He ignored the blood on his own head. His eyes burned.
Elizabeth choked. The vase fell. In a broken voice she said,
"Monster… inhuman… let me go."
He pressed harder. Tears ran from her eyes. Richard roared,
"Never raise your voice at me. I'll rip out your tongue. No one talks to me like that. I bought you here with money. In thirty years, you are the first woman I touched. But don't expect softness. I am not a man for a home. There is no freedom for you. I bought everything—your body, even your tears. My hands suit guns, not tenderness. My mornings begin with blood. My nights end washing blood away. I love blood. See the red stain on my collar? Not lipstick. Blood. Fresh human blood. I get trapped in bundles of money, not women. Do you understand?"
Elizabeth whispered one word in Russian.
"Murderer."
Richard released her. She coughed violently.
"You speak Russian, Red?"
Elizabeth cried,
"I want freedom. I'll go far away. To my mom and dad. I don't want to stay among selfish cursed people."
She buried her face in her knees. Hearing her defiance, Richard's mind turned dark again. He threw her onto the bed. That sadistic smile returned.
Without another word, he forced himself onto her again. Pulling her into his grasp, he only said,
"I DESPERATELY WANT YOU, RED."