The city didn't sleep anymore.
Not since the scandals, the exposés, the ruined reputations.
Not since Dr. Frederick Vance reappeared — not as a physician, but as a phantom puppeteer, destroying from the shadows.
And now, Lucia's empire was collapsing.
But the Queen had one move left.
She agreed to meet him.
In secret.
No police.
No cameras.
Just them.
Suite 1701.
Top floor.
No staff allowed.
Lucia walked in dressed in blood-red silk. No guards. No weapons. Just fury wrapped in beauty.
Frederick stood by the window, unshaven, dangerous, and calm.
> "You wanted this," he said without turning.
> "I wanted answers," Lucia hissed. "You gave me a circus."
He turned slowly, eyes burning with cold fire.
> "You started the show."
> "Because you lied to me."
> "Because you betrayed me."
> "You used me."
> "And you used everyone else."
The silence that followed was thick — but it was laced with desire. Two monsters facing each other, remembering what it felt like to burn together.
> "What do you want, Frederick?"
> "Closure."
He poured wine into a single glass and walked it toward her.
> "One drink. One conversation. Then we're done."
Lucia took the glass. Sipped. Her eyes never left his.
They talked for hours — about the first patient. About Aria. About the games they used to play. About pain… and pleasure… and what it meant to truly control someone.
But the air was thick with something else.
> "You still want me," Lucia whispered.
> "No," he said. "I want to ruin you."
> "You already did."
> "Not completely."
He stepped close. She didn't flinch.
Their breaths tangled.
And suddenly, she kissed him — hard, violent, passionate — because hate was the only thing stronger than love.
They fell to the bed, twisted in lust and venom.
This wasn't romance.
This was war disguised as seduction.
When she awoke, Frederick was gone.
The room was empty — except for a note.
> "I never wanted your body. I wanted your confession. Enjoy your fame. The cameras were hidden well."
— F
Lucia's blood ran cold.
She turned on the TV.
There it was — the live stream.
Her voice. Her actions. Her laughter.
Everything.
Broadcasted. Uncensored.
To the world.
> "He was right," she had whispered in the video. "We always did enjoy hurting people together."
Aria watched from her apartment, tears rolling down her cheek.
> "You filmed her…"
She turned off the screen.
And picked up her phone.
> "Where are you?" she texted.
A few seconds passed.
Then:
> "Waiting. For you. Always."
The air was thick with tension as Aria walked through the gates of the secluded villa on the edge of the city — the place only she and Frederick knew existed.
The place where their story began.
And now… where it would end.
She wore no makeup.
No disguise.
Just silence.
And a gun tucked in the side of her coat.
Frederick stood at the balcony, watching the dark clouds roll in. Storms always followed him — both in weather and in women.
When he turned and saw Aria, his expression didn't change.
But his heart stuttered.
> "You came," he said quietly.
> "For closure," she replied. "Nothing more."
> "Liar."
He walked toward her, stopping just inches away.
The chemistry between them had never died. Not even now. Not even with so much ruin behind them.
> "You watched what I did to Lucia."
> "I did."
> "And you still came."
Aria's voice broke slightly.
> "Because I needed to look you in the eyes before I kill the part of me that ever loved you."
They sat across from each other.
Candlelight flickered.
Rain began to patter against the glass.
Frederick poured two glasses of scotch. One for him. One untouched.
> "Aria, I was never going to hurt you. Not really."
> "But you did. You made me fall for someone that never existed."
> "I existed," he said bitterly. "You just never saw the monster."
> "I did. I just thought I could fix him."
Frederick leaned back, voice cold now.
> "You think you're here to trap me? You're already in the cage."
She stood up slowly.
> "Not this time."
The door burst open.
Two agents stormed in, guns drawn.
> "Dr. Frederick Vance," one barked, "you are under arrest for sexual misconduct, coercion, cyber exploitation, and blackmail."
Frederick didn't even flinch.
He smiled.
> "Of course. She brought company."
He turned to Aria.
> "But did you bring a judge? Because everything you just accused me of… was consensual."
> "The women—"
> "Have all been paid. All signed NDAs. All had reasons to love me. Except one."
He stared into her soul.
> "You."
--
The agents hesitated. Something wasn't right.
Frederick looked to the corner — a camera blinked red.
> "You brought justice?"
> "I brought truth," Aria replied.
> "Then here's mine."
He reached under the table.
A screen flickered to life.
Dozens of files opened — recordings, emails, contracts, text messages.
Every woman.
Every agreement.
Including Aria's recorded confessions of desire.
> "You think you're innocent?" he said quietly. "You're just like the rest. You enjoyed the lie."
The agents exchanged glances.
Aria froze.
Her plan was falling apart.
Again.
In one final act of desperation — of clarity — of pain…
Aria pulled the gun from her coat.
Frederick stepped forward.
> "Do it."
> "You ruined me."
> "No. I showed you what you are."
> "A fool?"
> "A woman who still wants me."
Her hand trembled.
A shot rang out.
But it wasn't hers.
Frederick's shoulder exploded in blood — one of the agents had fired.
He dropped, smirking even in pain.
> "You missed your chance, Aria."