The Damned Demon

656  I Wouldn't Want This To Be True

Cecilia drew a deep, calming breath, her eyes snapping open with a steely resolve, "I don't want to hear any more of your slandering of my husband and his work with spurious videos. For all I know, you're just doing this because you hate our agency and are desperate to undermine our efforts with such despicable means."

Vladimir's eyes narrowed, cold and calculating, "You are half right but half wrong. My family and my people still long for a peaceful future, free from the shadow of eternal bloodshed. I will allow you to build your tower in my country, but only if you can disprove the evidence I've shown you. You can even take these clips with you and see if they are fake. This is no longer just about the WHA; it's about humanity. If the things I showed you are true, would you still stand by your husband's work? Or do you not care about the people you claim to protect?"

Cecilia's jaw tightened, her thoughts churning with the gravity of Vladimir's accusations. The cold certainty in his tone made her question the veracity of the footage, even though she fought against the unsettling thoughts. She forced herself to dismiss the doubts, focusing on maintaining her composure, "I need to excuse myself for now. I'm feeling a bit tired and need to return."

Vladimir's lips curled into a subtle, knowing smile, "Of course. You are welcome to return whenever you feel ready to address these concerns further."

Cecilia clenched her fists, the uncertainty and frustration palpable in her stance. Without another word, she turned sharply and strode towards the exit, her back rigid with tension.

Asher, noting the silent exchange between Cecilia and Vladimir, exchanged a quick, understanding glance with Mikhail before following Cecilia out the door. The soft click of the door closing behind them was the only sound that punctuated their departure.

Once they were gone, Vladimir slowly rose from his seat, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the room. His eyes met Mikhail's, their conversation shifting to a more personal tone, "So, that young man... Was that really him?"

Mikhail, his expression heavy with emotion, nodded slowly, "I know it's hard to believe, but yes, it is truly him. Not even he knows how everything unfolded, but what matters now is that he's back."

Vladimir's face, etched with lines of sorrow and age, softened momentarily as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, "I still can't forgive him—not for what the world has condemned him for, but for what happened to your sister. That foolish girl sacrificed her life for him. Part of me wants him to suffer for letting that happen to my daughter, but..."

"But you're also relieved that the man who is my brother and whom your daughter loved still lives on, even if it's in this state," Mikhail interjected with a bittersweet smile.

Vladimir opened his eyes, the pain hidden beneath a mask of stern resolve, "Are you sure this plan will work? I never imagined that one-eyed son of a bitch would take things this far."

Mikhail's gaze was firm and resolute, "Yes, I believe in my brother. Previously, he was blinded by those bastards, yet he stood by us. But now…he knows what he needs to do to save us all, and he is the only chance we got."

-

Asher followed Cecilia, his footsteps echoing softly in the marble halls of the Volkov estate. The imposing grandeur of the manor contrasted sharply with Cecilia's hurried pace and tense posture.

"Mrs. Sterling," Asher called out with a tone of concern, catching up to her.

Cecilia, her back stiff with tension, saw her guards standing at a distance. She abruptly halted and slowly turned to face Ash. Her eyes were troubled, her voice tight, "You... You heard and saw everything Vladimir said. Don't mention it to anyone else— not even your own assistant because it's not true at all. Do you understand?"

Asher inwardly scoffed though on the outside, h's expression remained concerned as he nodded, "Of course, but... are you alright?"

Cecilia looked away, struggling to maintain her composure, "I just need some time to myself." With that, she resumed her walk.

Asher quickened his pace, calling out, "I can help you." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as Cecilia stopped in her tracks, "I can help you check whether the videos he showed us are fake or not. Even if there's technology to fabricate such evidence, not everything can be faked. I can investigate discreetly and present you with the results."

Cecilia's eyes closed briefly, torn between disbelief and the pressing need to verify the truth. Her mind raced, knowing she needed Vladimir's agreement to build the Junction Tower. If Ash could prove the videos were fake, the path to gaining Vladimir's approval would remain clear. The man's word, despite his hatred for the WHA, would hold.

She slowly turned back to Asher, her voice wavering but determined, "You can really find out?"

Asher nodded, a hint of resolve in his eyes, "I suppose we'll find out soon."

Cecilia managed a light smile, relief mingling with her anxiety, "Alright. I would appreciate your help, Advisor Ash, and thank you for agreeing to be discreet about this."

"Please don't mention it, Mrs. Sterling," Asher replied with a tight-lipped smile, "Just like you, I wouldn't want this to be true."

Cecilia pressed her lips together, a look of gratitude and weariness in her eyes before she turned and walked away, her silhouette gradually disappearing around a corner.

Rebecca, her expression unreadable, approached Asher as Cecilia departed, "What now? Did everything go as you wished, or will we get a chance to have some fun with that bitch?"

Asher smirked as he turned towards Rebecca, "Have some fun with her? I have yet to have my fill of having fun with you first. So follow me, slave."

"You.." Rebecca swallowed her saliva and hissed but followed him without protest. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

—

The clatter of fingers hitting keys emitted from Asher's laptop, the only sound embellishing the hotel's tranquil ambiance, sponsored by the WHA.

Cecilia had chosen to stay behind in Russia, so he found himself in the middle of an intense conversation with Grace over text chat.

His focus was solely on cementing a logic-tight report that would eliminate any doubt of the videos' obvious authenticity. His work was promptly completed, and he instinctively closed the laptop.

However, his gaze of gratification trickled downwards onto a satisfying sight.

An alluring woman with voluptuous curves and long, wet silver hair, stripped of her clothes, knelt obediently at his feet, her lips engrossed in a passionate worship of his hardened rod.

The fading whiplashes on her shapely back bore witness to their eventful yet punishing session earlier.

Unfazed by the peculiar setup, a stern but smug hint escaped as Asher commanded, "Suck it deeper, slave, or do you need more 'motivation'?" His unblinking eyes, darkened with lust, invoked a certain fear of ownership.

Rebecca, under his spell, cast her a single resentful glare. It soon dissipated, replaced with a deep inhalation and a determined courage to do his bidding. "Smmmlcchhh~...Sssscrrrp~...."

The hot clenching of her throat signaled a successful deep-throat of his thick cock, her nerves shivering in response.

A smug sense of victory made its home upon Asher's face as he let out a blissful sigh. "Nnnhh... That's a good slave. You truly have improved," he commended, a cruel edge to his praise, "It took quite some time to break you in during the past few months. I grew weary of wrestling to get what I wanted. Nice to see some progress." His smile was void of warmth as he added with false cheer, "Oberon would be proud to see you finally appearing to enjoy your duties."

Rebecca abruptly stopped and pulled back, her eyes blazing with unshed tears and unspoken fury, "Why must you always invoke my son?" She snapped, her emotions barely held in check as her teeth gritted against the onslaught of bitterness, "I have proven my loyalty as your slave, time and again, even at the cost of my dignity. I have endured you parading me around like some pet, all for your amusement and your human bitches. Isn't that enough? Don't I deserve some mercy or at least some pity towards my half-crippled son? You punished him enough already."

08:20

Rebecca abruptly stopped and pulled back, her eyes blazing with unshed tears and unspoken fury, "Why must you always invoke my son?" She snapped, her emotions barely held in check as her teeth gritted against the onslaught of bitterness, "I have proven my loyalty as your slave, time and again, even at the cost of my dignity. I have endured you parading me around like some pet, all for your amusement and your human bitches. Isn't that enough? Don't I deserve some mercy or at least some pity towards my half-crippled son? You punished him enough already."

Asher's sudden shift in tone sent a chill down Rebecca's spine. The icy threat lacing his words was a gruesome reminder of his ruthless dominance. He sneered, "What did you just say? Are you actually making a demand? Do you want a repeat of what your son went through for your disobedience? Do you want me to send him your soaked panties again?"

His words spun her insides wildly. She remembered the shocked and angry reaction Oberon had when this bastard sent her son her wet panties. Fortunately, Oberon thought it belonged to some whore though it only soured his mood to get such things from him, as if he was some toy for his amusement.

But there was no telling if Asher might send something more dangerous to Oberon the next time.

The sheer panic of the threat prompted her to lower her gaze, "F-forgive me. I wasn't thinking... Master," she stuttered, each syllable gnawing away at her pride.

Asher's cold eyes glinted at her submission, a perverse delight twisting his lips into a cruel smirk. "What did you just call me?" he commanded and playfully pointed at his ear, "Say it again."

Rebecca's flush only deepened. Asher's satisfaction was bittersweet – stinging her pride but sparing her son any additional embarrassment. Swallowing her self-respect, she gritted out the words, "M-master..."

"Hahaha..." His mocking laugh echoed mercilessly around them before he looked down at her, "Congratulations, you finally figured out who holds the reins. As a consequence of your desired progress, I'll forgive your imprudence. Come up here."

She felt some twisted form of relief, even though the cost was her dignity. Regardless, there was no room for defiance. Obediently, she began her ascent, maneuvering herself between his legs and the table.

However, before she could fully rise, Asher's hand gripped her curvy hips, his dark eyes focused intently on her well-endowed sweaty breasts, "You've earned a reward for your small achievement, slave," he declared devilishly before taking her breast in his mouth.

"Haang!~~" She threw her head back with a gasp, his warm mouth against her sensitive skin, pulling a moan from her lips as his tongue danced over her stiffening nipple. Every pull, every lick rekindled her lost senses with an unwelcome pleasure, contrasting the bitter taste of the word 'Master' still lingering on her tongue.

But as he kept ravaging her breasts, the heat from her breast radiating all over her body, melting away her thoughts and resentment...leaving only a bitter pleasure behind.

And for the rest of the night, she could only curse herself for always letting her body succumb to him like this.