CHAPTER 631. RED PROMISE. A Strange NightmareBetween Mauro Keller's determined gaze and Senator Russo's bewildered one, it was clear who held the upper hand. No matter how much Loan tried to steer the situation toward a reasonable outcome, it was evident that his son would relent and that the senator was genuinely invested in Ainara's survival."Why are you doing this?" he asked. Before Mauro could respond with a curt, "That's none of your business," Loan widened his eyes just enough to make him rein it in a little."I’ve known her for many years. She’s a smart woman; she knows what’s best for her. So, you can be sure she’ll be fine," Mauro stated firmly.No one dared say anything more. The only thing left was the senator’s nod as he walked away."Do you want to make our lives miserable?" Loan exclaimed as soon as they were alone. "What are you doing, Mauro?! Are you really going to donate half your liver? Just like that?! Do you want your mother to kill me?!"Mauro took a deep brea

CHAPTER 633. RED PROMISE. A Difficult WomanHe had met her on the street—one of those streets in Zurich where rich kids went to race their expensive cars. Traffic was minimal, and the police patrolling the city’s grittier areas were easily bribed.Mauro had seen her—uncomfortable, nervous, even curt. She didn’t let boys her age approach her. Although she was stunningly beautiful, her sharp, defiant demeanor revealed a deep mistrust or perhaps a lack of refinement.Later, he found out more about her after following her to a building not far from there. Ainara Jáuregui was the daughter of immigrants, at least on her mother’s side. She had never known her father and attended a public school where kids were practically frisked to ensure they weren’t carrying weapons.Abrasive, distrustful, always ready for a fight. But even so, she had the kindest heart in the world, and that was what made Mauro fall for her completely. It took six months and all his willpower to win her over because she

CHAPTER 635. RED PROMISE. A High-Standard ServiceSaying his breath hitched in one sharp jolt was an understatement. Ainara’s body had changed significantly in ten years—her curves had filled out, her skin was taut and warm over soft muscle. She was solid, a woman. Mauro couldn’t quite define it, but maybe that was the word: she had become a woman. And in her eyes, there wasn’t a shred of the innocence he once believed he had fallen in love with.She wore a small red nightgown that didn’t aim to seduce, but even so, Mauro couldn’t stop that damned image from surfacing in his mind—the photo of the prostitute in red from the website…“Damn it!” he growled, taking slow steps toward her with a silent denial. A second later, his mouth crashed onto Ainara’s, tearing her nightgown apart without hesitation.She was sweet and bitter at once. The memories hurt, and yet the desire was stronger than him. Ainara’s skin burned against his, and Mauro’s hands gripped her hips possessively as he plun

CHAPTER 637. RED PROMISE. Take NotesMauro would never have believed himself capable of such indignation until the following day, when he saw yet another massive charge on his credit card—over five thousand francs in one go. Although it didn’t hurt him financially and he wasn’t about to make the mistake of asking Ainara what she was spending it on, it gnawed at him that she wasn’t holding back at all. Not even pretending to behave or—at the very least—making it less obvious that this was a transaction.He called the number she had given him, and she answered immediately.“Mauro?”“I came back late last night and was gentlemanly enough to let you rest,” he hissed, irritation lacing his tone. “But since it’s obvious you’ve done so already, tell the driver to bring you to my office. I need you to take care of me.”The silence on the other end was profound but brief, broken only by a response that sounded like it was trying not to be too... amused.“I’m on my way.”Mauro blinked slowly.

CHAPTER 639. RED PROMISE. Truths“Who told you?!” Ainara hissed. “Was it the same woman who jumped into your bed at the first chance she got?”Mauro ran his hands through his hair, shaking his head angrily.“I saw you, Ainara! I saw you with my own eyes! I saw you with Rosso! Or are you going to deny it?” he shot back. “And I’m not stupid. I know the conditions you lived in, and if your mother was sick, I can’t even imagine it. But I also remember you never wanted to accept a single franc from me! Instead, you took it from Rosso, from Lugh, from Cassiel—”Ainara stepped back as if he’d slapped her.“Excuse me?! Are you saying I was also sleeping with Lugh and Cassiel... your friends?” she shouted, exasperated.“No, not with them. But I know they paid you to sleep with me!” Mauro retorted. “I know they paid you to take away my ‘goodness’ and my ‘virginity’! And hell, they must have paid you a lot because I know I took your virginity too!” he growled. Ainara looked into his eyes as if s