"Boss, forgive me. I will not commit this sort of mistake again." He pleaded, kissing the floor as he begged for his life. Fear was evident on his face. He regretted betraying the greatest mafia boss in the country. It was the biggest mistake of his life, and he was paying dearly for it now.

"You won't live to make this mistake again, Peter. I never spare a traitor, and you know that very well," Dominic said, waving his gun around and blowing cigarette smoke into his face, making Peter even more nervous.

Peter held Dominic's feet and begged, "Forgive me, boss. I promise I won't make such a mistake again. I have a family."

"You should have thought about all this earlier," John growled. "It's too late now."

Peter's face contorted in desperation. "Have mercy on me, Boss."

Arthur stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "You were passing our information to our enemies; don't you think this mistake is too serious to be forgiven, Peter?"

Peter's voice cracked. "I... I was helpless. Those people threatened to kill my family and sell my daughter to a brothel."

Max's voice dripped with malice. "Jenna, 25 years old, beautiful. Can I make her my slave?"

Dominic's gaze never wavered from Peter. "Do whatever you want with her, Max."

Then, his attention snapped back to Peter. "I won't leave you unpunished."

John's anger flared. "I suspected you for a long time; even if you were forced, you should have remained loyal. Do you think those people are more dangerous than us? We are the most powerful mafia in this country. How did you forget this? Betrayal from us after working for us for 7 years."

Peter's eyes pleaded. "I'm sorry for what I did, but—"

Dominic cut him off. "If I had not married your daughter, you would have fallen here in pieces by now."

Peter's voice barely audible. "I'm sorry..."

The office door swung open just then. Valerie's gentle voice cut through the scene: "Dinner is served."

Every head turned toward the door. Valerie's eyes popped when she registered the room atmosphere. "Dad?"

Dominic had an angry face, but in his eyes flickered a warning. He nodded subtly to Kael.

Kael moved toward Valerie in smooth strides. "Val, let's go."

He placed a gentle hand on her elbow, ushering her out of the office. The door fell shut behind them, leaving muffled sounds of raised voices.

Valerie quivered as she asked Kael, "What's going on? Why's Dad kneeling over there?"

Kael's expression softened, but his eyes remained guarded. He offered a gentle smile. "You don't need to worry about him, Valerie."

Valerie's concern deepened. "But what's happening?"

Kael's tone turned cold. "Anyway, that man doesn't deserve anyone's concern."

Valerie's eyes widened. "That man is my father."

Kael's jaw clenched. "That man was neither a good father nor an honest man. He's getting what he deserves."

Suddenly, a bullet fired with a sharp crack through the air. The sound made Valerie's eyes go wide, and she took a step forward, but Kael held her hand tightly and pulled her back.

"Don't go there, Valerie," said Kael in a hushed, urgent voice. "The boss is very pissed off. It's not safe."

Tears welled in Valerie's eyes, spilling down her cheeks. "He was my father," she whispered with a breaking voice.

*******************

Carter quavered in voice with the words, "Why did you shoot him?"

Dominic's gaze turned glacial, his eyes blazing with anger. "I'm the boss here, and I don't need to explain anything to anyone."

With that, Dominic turned and strode away, leaving the others in stunned silence.

Carter's eyes narrowed. "We could use this bastard against our enemies."

Arthur's expression turned skeptical. "This bastard is not to be trusted."

Carter persisted. "But Dominic also had the same plan."

John's voice dripped with calculation. "We know the reason for this. Valerie, if this man was alive, surely she would have shown mercy towards him. And Dominic would not have been able to refuse Valerie."

Max snorted. "Love is bullshit. Dominic is cruel to everyone except his wife."

Arthur's tone turned cynical. "Because his wife is going to give birth to his heir."

The room fell silent, the weight of Dominic's motivations hanging in the air like a challenge. The men knew better than to question their boss's actions, but the whispers of doubt had already begun to spread.

As they dispersed, the sound of Dominic's footsteps faded into the distance, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with tension and unspoken questions.

*************************

Valerie and Kael's embrace lingered until Dominic's fake cough broke the spell. Valerie's gaze shifted, meeting Dominic's piercing stare.

Dominic signaled to Kael, and he discreetly exited, leaving the two alone.

Dominic's expression softened as he approached Valerie. "These six men of mine used to be the most cruel once, but after you came, they became humans from animals."

Valerie remained silent, her eyes searching Dominic's face.

"Baby, next time, before you come to my office, knock on the door," Dominic reminded her, his tone gentle.

Valerie's voice trembled. "How can you be so calm?"

Dominic's brow furrowed. "And why are you so stressed, baby? May has a problem; I don't want my son to have any problems. Did you have dinner?"

Valerie shook her head. "No."

Dominic's expression turned stern. "How can you do this? It's your responsibility to take care of my baby. I won't tolerate it next time."

Valerie's eyes dropped. "Sorry."

Dominic's tone softened. "Okay, I'll feed you."

He offered his arm, and Valerie took it, allowing him to lead her to the dining area. The tension between them melted away to make way for an easy warmth and familiarity.

As they walked, Dominic's hand drifted to Valerie's stomach, a gentle caress. "My priority for all time next is you and our little one."

Valerie's gaze met his, a mix of love and concern reflected in her eyes.

Dominic guided Valerie to the dining area; within her mind, her father's image of kneeling on the floor repeated, the gunshot still echoing.

Shiver in her spine as Dominic's warm touch passes his palm through her neat stomach, hitherto stark contrast with what had happened right in front of her.

***************