CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY – SHE’S TOO NAIVE

That evening, Joan returned to Alessandro's penthouse, anger simmering beneath her calm exterior. "We need to talk," she said as she entered. Alessandro looked up from his desk, his expression guarded. "About?" "About the fact that you broke your promise," Joan said, her voice tight with controlled fury. "You said Kara would be safe." "She is safe," Alessandro replied coolly. "We were just keeping an eye on her." "By terrifying her in broad daylight?" Joan shot back. "That's not keeping her safe, Alessandro. That's intimidation." Alessandro stood, his own anger rising to match Joan's. "What did you expect, Joan? That we'd just let her walk away without any consequences?" "Yes!" Joan exclaimed. "That's exactly what I expected. Because that's what you promised me." "Promises in our world are flexible, Joan. You should know that by now." Joan shook her head, disgust evident in her expression. "Is that how you see our relationship too? Just another flexible promise?" Alessandro's