Louis Toreto put on a crisp shirt, adjusting his tie in front of the small mirror in his cramped room. Today was his first day working at Dimitri Group, the large company he had dreamed of joining for a long time—not for career or money, but for his personal mission. He had fought hard to be accepted there, relying on his intelligence and exceptional data analysis skills. Now, as a member of the finance department, Louis had enough access to monitor every transaction and movement of Theodore William Blake, the man he believed responsible for his father's death.

Louis took a deep breath, preparing to leave the room when a soft voice came from the living room, 'Louis, heading out already, son?"


Louis gave a faint smile, stepped out of his room, and greeted his mother, Linda Toreto. She was standing in their small kitchen, her face radiating the gentle strength that always gave Louis encouragement. He approached her, giving her a loving kiss on the forehead. 'Yes, Mom. Wish me luck, okay?"

Linda looked at him proudly, 'Always, my dear. You can do it. Your father would be proud of you."

Before Louis could respond, a sudden commotion sounded outside. Several large men barged in without permission, their expressions wild and threatening. One of them, with a tattooed arm and a menacing face, approached Linda without hesitation.


'Linda Toreto, your time is up," he said coldly, grabbing Linda's arm and dragging her out of the house.

Louis immediately reacted, trying to protect his mother. 'Hey! Let her go!" he shouted angrily, attempting to hold them back. But one of them punched Louis in the mouth, pushing him backward. Fresh blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but he stood tall, glaring at the thugs.


One of the men, who appeared to be their leader, approached Linda and Louis with a cold expression. 'Linda, you have three months to settle your debt. If not, we won't hesitate to throw you both out," he threatened.

Linda nodded shakily, her eyes filled with fear and regret. The men then turned, leaving the small alley they lived in with mocking laughter still ringing in Louis's ears.

Once they were gone, Linda approached Louis, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. 'I'm so sorry, son. I never wanted to make you face something like this."

Louis shook his head, gently holding his mother's hand. 'It's okay, Mom. This isn't your fault. I promise, once this is all over, we'll live a better life. I'll find a way to pay them."

With unwavering resolve, Louis promised himself to seize every opportunity at Dimitri Group to expose Theodore William Blake's corruption and settle his family's vendetta. Not only for his father, but also for his mother, who shouldn't have to bear this burden.

After comforting Linda and ensuring her safety, Louis left the house with determined steps. His heart burned with determination and hatred, fueling the mission that drove his life. Behind his modest appearance, Louis carried an unshakable resolve—he wouldn't stop until the truth was uncovered, until justice for his father and his family was fulfilled.

________________________________________

Louis Toreto sat at his desk, trying to focus on the computer screen in front of him, though his mind was still filled with the events of that morning. The thugs' warning to settle his family's debt in three months echoed in his mind, further strengthening his resolve to use his position at Dimitri Group to uncover evidence of Theodore William Blake's crimes. But his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the ringing of the phone on his desk.

'Louis, this is Sarah," his manager's voice sounded firm on the other end. 'The CEO has requested you in her office. Now."

Louis paused, shocked and confused. Cleopatra Thompson, the company's CEO, was calling him directly to her office without going through the finance manager or any other superior? This was highly unusual for a junior employee like him. Nevertheless, he quickly composed himself and steadied his thoughts.

After taking a deep breath, Louis walked toward the CEO's office. When he arrived, an assistant opened the door and invited him in. Behind the large desk framed by windows overlooking the city, Cleopatra Thompson sat elegantly, her sharp gaze immediately fixed on him.

'Good morning, Miss Thompson," Louis greeted respectfully, though there was a slight tension in his voice.

Cleopatra gave a faint smile, but her eyes remained cold. 'Good morning, Louis Toreto. Take a seat."

Louis complied, sitting in the chair across from her. Cleopatra observed the young man for a moment, as if evaluating his every move.

'Are you comfortable working at Dimitri Group?" Cleopatra asked abruptly.

Louis nodded, a bit puzzled by the direction of the conversation. 'Of course, Miss. I feel very fortunate to be here."

Cleopatra nodded slowly. 'That's good. Because I have an offer… one you can't refuse."

Louis held his breath, unsure of what Cleopatra was planning. But within seconds, she spoke words that left him stunned.

'I'm offering you a contract marriage."

Louis was genuinely shocked, almost unable to believe what he had just heard. He looked at Cleopatra, trying to gauge whether this was some kind of joke. Cleopatra, however, remained calm and serious, adding further details without hesitation.

'I will pay you one million dollars if you accept this offer," Cleopatra continued, her tone firm. 'However, there's a condition. You must pretend to be my boyfriend for three months before the official marriage takes place. That should be enough to resolve… a little issue I'm currently facing."

One million dollars. It was more than enough to settle his family's debt, even to give his mother a new life. Cleopatra's offer seemed like the perfect solution amid the overwhelming troubles weighing him down. But on the other hand, Louis felt anger and humiliation. This wasn't the way he wanted to solve his problems. He knew Cleopatra saw him merely as a tool, a means to save her inheritance and reputation. His mind churned with conflicting feelings—between his pride and his urgent need.

Cleopatra observed his expression and narrowed her eyes. 'You seem hesitant," she said, her tone slightly challenging. 'This is a rare opportunity, Louis. Don't waste it."

Louis clenched his fists, trying to keep his emotions in check. He wanted to refuse, to say he wasn't someone who could be bought. But the image of his mother harassed by the thugs came to mind, reminding him of his dire situation. One million dollars could save his family—maybe even help him achieve his goal of exposing Theodore's crimes.

After a moment of silence, Louis looked at Cleopatra, his eyes full of inner conflict. Finally, with a voice that nearly trembled, he could only say, 'I… need time to think it over, Miss Thompson."

Cleopatra leaned back in her chair, giving a cold smile. 'I don't have much time, Toreto. Think quickly. I'm only giving you three days. Consider it well."