Black Rose in the Abyss Chapter 15

Dante, under the identity of "Nero," became Bianca's right-hand man.

Several tricky business negotiations and territorial disputes were solved effortlessly under his seemingly casual arrangements, securing key interests for the company.

Soon, the reputation of "Nero, the masked man beside Bianca" rose.

Naturally, this attracted the envy of other factions.

Once, the president of a newly risen business association from the West Side came personally. He offered jaw-dropping conditions—an independent territory, seventy percent of the profits, and even a promise to get him a brand-new identity to completely shake off his past.

Bianca happened to be at the end of the hallway and heard part of the conversation.

She leaned against the wall and didn't step forward.

After the president left with a confident smile, Bianca walked over slowly. "The conditions President Chen offered just now made even my heart flutter. Why didn't you accept?"

"Following me is ultimately a waste of your talent."

Dante stood with his back to her. His figure was upright but exuded a hint of loneliness.

He didn't explain much, only saying, "I will never betray you, Boss."

Bianca raised an eyebrow slightly. She found his almost stubborn loyalty somewhat amusing. She leaned in a step closer, her tone teasing. "What, do you like me?"

Dante went stiff all over. He hadn't expected her to be so direct.

His ears turned visibly red. He was speechless for a moment, his breathing stalling.

Bianca saw his instantly flustered reaction and laughed, waving her hand. "I'm teasing you. Don't take it seriously."

She turned to leave, her tone carrying a warning. "And don't like me."

"I had a relationship once. It lasted sixteen years." She paused, her voice light, but it slammed heavily into Dante's heart. "In the end, he chose someone else."

In that moment, Dante was in so much pain he could barely breathe.

After that day, Bianca seemed to intentionally avoid being alone with him.

Dante could clearly feel the distance. He searched everywhere in the company but couldn't find her.

The unease in his heart grew. He used his connections to ask around, and the news he got made his blood run cold—

Bianca was throwing a party at her private villa in the Hamptons. She had invited many young men and women from New York's party scene. Rumor had it there were plenty of minor celebrities and male models, and the atmosphere was heated.

Dante immediately drove to the villa.

When he burst into the party, the deafening electronic music and the smell of alcohol made him frown.

He spotted Bianca in the center of the crowd instantly.

She was wearing a wine-red slip dress with a high slit up the side, revealing her fair, long legs. Her curly hair was draped lazily over her shoulders, her makeup bright. A slender cigarette was clamped between her fingers as she laughed and talked with a handsome young man beside her.

That smile was a relaxation he hadn't seen in a long time, yet it stung his eyes deeply.

A nameless fire shot up inside him.

He strode through the crowd, walked straight up to Bianca, and grabbed her wrist. "Come with me."

The young male model next to her immediately objected, blocking him with an unfriendly tone. "Who are you? Daring to ruin the Boss's fun?"

Several other men and women who were high on the atmosphere also surrounded them.

Dante looked up sharply. The aura of someone who had long held power exploded out. He didn't even need to raise his voice. He just spit out one cold word from his lips:

"Scram!"

One word instantly silenced the room.

The noisy crowd seemed to be muted. The music was still playing, but no one dared to speak. The people who had surrounded them turned pale with fright, not daring to move.

Watching this scene, Bianca waved her hand lightly. "Everyone disperse."

The crowd fled like birds released from a cage.

The noisy living room was suddenly left with just the two of them.

Bianca shook off his hand, sat back on the sofa, and took a sip from her wine glass. Only then did she look up at him. Her eyes were clear, carrying a trace of knowing mockery.

"Done pretending?"

Dante froze in place.

Bianca ignored his shock. She picked up another empty glass, poured amber whiskey into it, and handed it to him.

She raised her own glass, toasting him from a distance. Her red lips hooked into a cold arc.

"Drink this glass." Her voice was calm but carried a sense of finality. "Between us, no debts remain."

Dante's heart sank to the bottom of the abyss. Panic set in.

He wanted to explain, to repent, to tell her about the regret and longing of those two thousand days and nights...

But Bianca didn't give him the chance to speak.

She tipped her head back and drained her glass. Then, she walked straight toward the door.

The sound of her high heels clicking on the floor echoed in the empty living room. Every step felt like it was stomping on Dante's shattered heart.

Her retreating figure seemed to silently declare:

That entanglement of sixteen years had completely turned the page for her.