Chapter 2: An Offer No One Refuses

Devon remained frozen in the middle of Eclipse Lounge, staring at the silver business card in his trembling hand.

"Marco De Luca."

The name alone was enough to send a chill through anyone who lived in New York's upper circles. Even businessmen whispered it carefully. Politicians avoided mentioning it in public. Newspapers never printed it unless they had undeniable proof.

The De Luca family wasn't simply wealthy.

They were powerful.

Dangerously powerful.

"You've got to be kidding me..." Devon whispered.

The bartender approached carefully.

"Mr. Hamilton... are you alright?"

Devon looked at him.

"Who exactly is Marco De Luca?"

The bartender nearly dropped the glass he was polishing.

"You don't know?"

"Should I?"

The older man lowered his voice.

"He's the man every criminal fears and every businessman pretends doesn't exist."

"Some call him the King of Manhattan's underworld."

"Others simply call him... the Devil."

Devon forced out a laugh.

"You're exaggerating."

"I wish I was."

The bartender leaned closer.

"You kissed the most dangerous man in New York tonight."

"And you're still alive."

"That alone is a miracle."

The words sobered Devon instantly.

He replayed the last few minutes in his head.

Marco hadn't looked angry.

He hadn't looked embarrassed either.

If anything...

He had looked amused.

That somehow felt even more terrifying.

Devon left several hundred-dollar bills on the counter before walking outside.

Cool night air struck his face.

He inhaled deeply, hoping the alcohol would disappear.

Instead, Marco's calm voice echoed inside his mind.

"Tomorrow... your life is going to change forever."

"What does that even mean?"

His phone powered back on inside the Aston Martin.

Thirty-two missed calls.

Twenty-one messages.

Every single one from his father.

Before Devon could read them, another call arrived.

"Father."

He considered ignoring it.

Instead, he answered.

"Where the hell are you?" Benjamin Hamilton barked immediately.

"Busy."

"Get home. Now."

"No."

Silence.

It was the first time Devon had openly refused his father.

"Excuse me?"

"I said no."

"I'm tired of living my life according to your rules."

"You think you're free?" Benjamin said coldly.

"Without this family, you're nothing."

"Tomorrow morning, you'll apologize."

"And you'll meet the Lawson family."

"Good night, Father."

Devon ended the call before another word could be spoken.

His heart pounded wildly.

Oddly enough...

It felt good.

For the first time in years, he had chosen something for himself.

Even if that something had been incredibly stupid.

The drive back to his penthouse felt unusually quiet.

He showered, changed clothes, and collapsed onto his bed.

Sleep came almost instantly.

...

Elsewhere across the city...

Inside a luxurious mansion overlooking the Hudson River...

Marco De Luca stood before floor-to-ceiling windows with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"You're smiling," Luca Romano observed.

Marco's closest friend and consigliere had known him for over fifteen years.

"That's unusual."

"Is it?"

"The last time I saw that expression, someone was about to die."

Marco chuckled softly.

"Not this time."

"Then what happened?"

Marco reached into his pocket and removed Devon's forgotten wallet.

"He left this behind."

Luca examined the driver's license.

"Devon Hamilton."

"Benjamin Hamilton's son?"

"The same."

"Interesting family."

"Very."

"Should I return it?"

Marco slowly shook his head.

"No."

"Bring me everything you can find about him."

"Everything?"

"School records."

"Financial history."

"Friends."

"Relationships."

"Habits."

"I want to know who Devon Hamilton really is."

Luca raised an eyebrow.

"You've never investigated someone because of a kiss before."

"No."

"But no one has ever kissed me without fear either."

Marco stared toward the city lights.

"He's different."

"Or drunk."

"Sometimes," Marco replied calmly,

"people reveal their true selves when they're drunk."

...

The next morning...

Devon arrived late at Hamilton Group headquarters.

The receptionist looked relieved.

"Mr. Hamilton, your father has been waiting."

"Of course he has."

Inside Benjamin Hamilton's office, tension filled the air.

The Lawson family sat comfortably on expensive leather sofas.

Anna Lawson looked elegant in a white designer suit.

She smiled politely.

"Good morning, Devon."

"Morning."

"Sit down," Benjamin ordered.

Devon remained standing.

"I'm not marrying her."

Anna blinked.

Benjamin's face darkened.

"This isn't a discussion."

"Actually, it is."

"Because it's my life."

"Enough!"

Benjamin slammed his fist against the desk.

"This marriage secures a billion-dollar merger."

"I don't care."

"You will."

"No."

The room fell silent.

Anna quietly stood.

"Perhaps we should continue this another day."

Her father nodded.

"Benjamin... maybe give him some time."

"No," Benjamin answered firmly.

"The engagement announcement is tomorrow evening."

"Whether he likes it or not."

Devon laughed bitterly.

"You've already planned my future."

"Again."

He turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here."

Benjamin's voice became ice cold.

"Walk out that door..."

"...and don't expect to inherit a single dollar from this company."

Devon paused.

Then smiled.

"Maybe that's exactly what I need."

Without another word, he walked away.

Benjamin watched him leave with barely controlled anger.

"He's making the biggest mistake of his life," he muttered.

Just then...

Benjamin's secretary entered nervously.

"Sir... there's someone here to see you."

"Tell them to make an appointment."

"I... don't think that's possible."

"Why?"

The secretary swallowed hard.

"Because... Marco De Luca doesn't ask for appointments."

Benjamin's confident expression disappeared instantly.