Chapter 2 Ten Years Later

The Criss family lived in Sicily, Italy. They founded and operated the Flame Gang, the biggest underworld organization in the world. Legally, they also ran the Criss Group. No one dared to offend them, neither the underworld nor the corporate world. Even the government feared and respected them. Kirk was the head of the family now. The twenty-three-year-old man had already assumed the responsibility for his whole family's impressive empire.

"Sir, here is the information you wanted." The assistant opened the file and several pictures of a girl appeared on the computer. The photographs captured her in different moods. Sometimes she looked pensive, other times she was shy, and in almost every picture she looked cute. She was as beautiful as a flower in bloom.

The corners of his mouth rose slightly, breaking his otherwise stoic expression. The next minute, the coffee cup in his hand was smashed into pieces and his blood dripped on to the computer. He muttered, "My dear Susan, we will meet soon. You can't escape me forever. I have let you live away from me for too long."

Meanwhile, at the National University of A City...

"Susan, do you know Kirk Criss? He is the most handsome man in the world!" Squealed Susan's best friend Yilia Ye, handing her a magazine. The man on the cover had features that were sharp as a knife and eyes as blue as the sea. His thin lips were slightly upturned. He was a born aristocrat and exuded a regal air that made people unconsciously bow before him.

Susan looked at the cover and shook her head indifferently. "I don't know him and nor am I interested in him."

"That's because everyone knows that you have a rich and handsome fiance, right? I'm sure, for you, Richie is the best man in the world," Yilia Ye said, smirking.

"Yes, Richie is the best man in the world," echoed Susan. At the thought of Richie, she already felt warm and happy.

As soon as they reached the school gate, a Rolls-Royce pulled up. A man stepped out of it and leaned casually against the car. He was incredibly good-looking. A lock of hair flopped on his full forehead and under his thick eyebrows were long eyelashes, which were the envy of most women. He had particularly sexy lips. It was no wonder that he commanded respect and admiration wherever he went. Looking at Susan, who was overjoyed to see him, Yilia Ye said, "Hurry up. Your Richie is here to pick you up!"

"See you tomorrow, Yilia," Susan bid goodbye to her friend and happily ran to Richie. Her beautiful face flushed and she looked even more attractive.

"Why are you running? Be careful. If you fall, I will be sad."

Richie held Susan in his arms and kissed her on the cheek.

The other students, who were walking out of the school, witnessed the entire scene. Classmate A said, "Isn't he the CEO of the Ye Group? He is even more handsome than his pictures in the magazine."

Classmate B responded, "That girl seems to be Susan, a freshman. She is gorgeous!"

A crowd collected at the school gate. The girls stared at Susan with jealousy, wishing they could be the ones in Richie's arms, while the boys gazed at Susan dreamily, imagining themselves to be the ones holding her in their arms.

"Richie, let's go! I don't like the way those girls are staring at you," complained Susan, holding Richie's arm possessively like a spoiled child.

"Well, you needn't worry as I only have eyes for you. You are the most beautiful girl in the world," said Richie, lovingly pinching Susan's nose. He helped her into the car and fastened her seat belt.

After the car drove away, the group of students dispersed as if they had just snapped out of a spell.

"Susan, you will be eighteen years old in two days. Tell me what you want. I will give you anything that your heart desires," Richie said indulgently as he expertly maneuvered the car through the traffic.

"All I want is for you to stay with me forever," Susan replied, studying his handsome face.

"All right. On your eighteenth birthday, I will give myself to you. We will be engaged on your birthday, and after you graduate from college, we will get married, okay?" Richie said, stroking her hair gently.

"Oh, Richie! That makes me so happy. I love you the most." Susan wrapped her arms around his neck gleefully and kissed him on the cheek.

Surrounded by a breathtaking forest, the Ye family's mansion was classic and elegant. Well-manicured trees and shrubs lined the pathway to the house and the emerald-green forest gradually became denser as one approached the top. On the side was a natural waterfall, giving the old castle cool respite even in summer. It felt like spring all year round.

The big names in the business world had gathered in the magnificent banquet hall. Waitresses in black miniskirts shuttled through the crowd, refilling glasses with expensive wine. Soft music flowed through the hall like a gentle waterfall and a crystal chandelier sparkled above. It felt like one had stepped into paradise.

Suddenly the music stopped and the noise in the hall died down. Everyone's eyes turned toward the stairs and it felt like time had stood still. The man of the hour made a grand entrance, wearing an Armani suit. His hair was slicked back and his charismatic features made all the women in the hall go weak in the knees.