Chapter 90: Power Games: Betrayal, Strategy and Seduction.

When she heard the sound of the gunshot, Bella instinctively closed her eyes, waiting for the impact that seemed inevitable. In a split second, flashes of her life passed before her: Théo, Dylan, her father, her brother... even the memory of her mother. But before she could succumb to despair, she felt a firm embrace enveloping her. When she opened her eyes, she found Dylan looking at her with a mixture of relief and determination.

In the distance, on the roof of a nearby house, Mackenzie adjusted her aim with precision and muttered to herself: "That was close."

Bella took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. As she observed the environment around her, two things caught her attention: Kevin was lying on the ground, dejected, and Rebecca had disappeared.

"Someone helped her," Bella said, her eyes scanning the room. "But who?"

"At least this time I know it wasn't Oliver," Dylan joked, trying to lighten the tense mood.

"That's a bad joke for the moment," Bella replied, rolling her eyes.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"Can we focus on the real problem now?" Bella crossed her arms. "And the first one is that you're surrounded by incompetents. How come no one saw a limping and injured woman escaping from here?" "Because, brunette, everyone was worried about what would happen to you," DK replied with a half smile.

"But don't worry, she won't get far. This house is surrounded by security guards on every corner." Despite DK's confidence, he wasted no time and ordered his men to start an immediate search. In the meantime, something caught his attention. He remembered a spot in the garden—a spot he and Rebecca had used in the past as an escape route, when Alexander Kicher prohibited anyone from leaving the mansion. DK walked quickly to the bushes against the wall, where he noticed that the ground had been disturbed.

"She managed to escape," he muttered under his breath, slipping through the opening in the wall. Bella and Oliver followed him, and as they came out on the other side, they heard the sound of an engine roaring in the distance. Rebecca was speeding away.

Patrick stood next to DK and asked, "If she knew about this passage, why didn't she use it to get in or out before?"

"Have you ever tasted power mixed with arrogance and vanity? Put it all together and you have the perfect explanation. She wanted to make her grand entrance through the front door," DK replied with a tone of controlled irritation.

"What now? What do we do?" Oliver asked, frowning.

DK took a deep breath and stated firmly, 

"Now we prepare for an intense war."

As she drove through the busy streets of Miami, Rebecca was in complete despair. She almost crashed her car three times, ignored red lights and attracted the attention of the police. When she was finally stopped, a police officer approached the car window and, upon seeing her, almost recoiled at her deplorable state.

"Miss, do you want me to call an ambulance?" the police officer asked, concerned.

"No, officer. If you're going to write me a ticket, do it right away," Rebecca replied with a sigh, looking at the ticket pad in his hand. The officer began to write down the information: license plate number, license plate number. "Can I go now?" "I'm afraid not. I'm going to have to take you to the police station. Standard procedure. You were speeding, putting your life and the lives of others at risk." Rebecca let out a sarcastic laugh. "I know Johnny Iverson!" "And I know the Pope. Now get out of the car." Rebecca reluctantly got out. At the police station, she was led to a bench while the officer filled out the necessary paperwork. As soon as she could, she demanded her call. After a few rings, Johnny finally answered: "Hello?" "I'm at the police station," Rebecca snapped. "Fix it, they won't let me go. And by the way, why did it take you so long to answer your cell phone?"

"I had a visit from an old friend," Johnny replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was appreciate her company. In short, I have better things to do than wait for your calls."

"Even though I knew I was taking care of something important for our business here in Miami?" Rebecca narrowed her eyes. "Are you a sex addict?"

"Maybe I am," he interrupted, laughing. Then he muttered to someone in the background, "Slowly, Chloe. And don't bite me."

"You're disgusting," Rebecca said irritably. "Solve it now. And if I were you, I'd lock all the doors and windows."

"Why? Are the late DK's lackeys coming to get me?" Johnny scoffed.

"Deceased? Ha ha ha," Rebecca laughed before hanging up the phone.

A short time later, the same police officer approached with an embarrassed expression. 

"There's been a mistake. I apologize for the inconvenience. You're free to go, along with your car."

Rebecca left without looking back, heading straight back to Johnny's mansion. When she entered, she found him in the room he shared with Bella, engaged in an intimate moment with Chloe. Irritated, Rebecca opened the door at once.

"The world is on fire and you're here having fun?"

Johnny stopped what he was doing, while Chloe, visibly disconcerted, walked away. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking on the door? And apparently someone beat you up. Who was it?"

"You didn't even bother to ask why I came back?" Rebecca replied, crossing her arms.

"It's obvious that the plan to invade the Kicher mansion went wrong."

"That's not all. Kevin is dead"

"Too bad. He was excellent informant."

Rebecca shook her head. "DK and Bella Hahn are alive."

"Impossible!" Johnny jumped out of bed. "The news said no one survived. Even the leader of the rescue team confirmed it."

"It was all a show to fool us."

"Shit!" Johnny ran his hands through his hair, finally understanding the gravity of the situation.

"You finally realized it," Rebecca said sarcastically. "We need to get out of here and find a refuge to plan our next steps."

While they were discussing strategies, Chloe, clearly irritated at being ignored, protested: "Johnny, I'm still here! Don't ignore me."

"Chloe, you better go," Johnny replied coldly. "Things are going to get heated here, and not in a good way."

"But..."

"Go away," Rebecca interrupted impatiently.

Back at the Kicher mansion, DK and Bella were adjusting their plans.

"I think we need to join forces against Johnny and Rebecca," Bella suggested.

"I'll agree to join forces with you, but on one condition," DK replied, crossing his arms provocatively.

"Are you seriously trying to impose a condition now?" DK asked, visibly impatient. "DK, we know we'll have a better chance if we're together."

"You don't even know what my condition is."

"Then tell me. What is it?"

"Be my submissive for a day," DK said, with a seductive smile.

Bella arched her eyebrow, looking at her with a mixture of surprise and amusement, she held his gaze, a mischievous smile on her lips, clearly pleased with the provocation.