Claimed By The Mafia Rogue King (Snow and Cupid) novel Chapter 348

Chapter 348

Ares

It had been a long time since I last set eyes on Doctor Catina, let alone spoken to her.

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After she chose Feroz over me, I knew I’d lost her for good. But never. not once, did I imagine she’d turn herself in to the authorities and walk straight to the witness box to bury me.

And now, watching her step forward, I knew, the moment she opened her mouth, I was finished. Completely done. Snowflakes would learn about the overdose I’d forced on her. She’d learn Kim Krates had been drugged into oblivion too.

I bolted from the witness stand, lunging toward Doctor Catina in blind desperation but the guards were faster. Strong hands clamped around my arms, yanking me back and slamming me down. I struggled, thrashing against their grip.

“Stand down,” Neils ordered from the bench, voice calm but firm.

I froze when I caught his gaze. The subtle signal in his eyes, quiet, urgent told me to shut up. Stay silent. Play the game.

I stood still, swallowing hard, my heart lodged in my throat like a stone.

Doctor Catina swore the oath, voice steady. Eshan approached her slowly, standing just close enough to command the room without raising his voice.

“Please, ma’am, state your full name and profession for the record.”

She swallowed once, then introduced herself clearly. The title, credentials, all of it.

“How do

you

know the defendant, Ares Bani?”

Doctor Catina didn’t even glance my way.

“I met him approximately seven years ago. We became business partners of a sort. He would bring people to me and instruct me to drug them. Some of the medications I used are banned, highly restricted substances. I administered them to the individuals Mr. Bani designated.”

“Can you identify some or all of those individuals?”

“The list is long. Among them… Briton Han. He was a rival to Mr. Bani; I helped remove him from the picture. Another is Kim Krates. To seize control of his projects, we drugged him repeatedly until he became unstable, mentally fractured.”

Murmurs surged through the courtroom sharp, rising, falling like waves. I shuddered with every sound, body going cold. But then… a small frown creased my brow. She hadn’t mentioned Snow. Not once. That had to count as a relief, right? A tiny lifeline?

Neils turned to my lawyer. “Do you have any questions for the witness, counsel?”

Rusi had already retreated a step, face pale. He needed time, new angles, new lies. He shook his head quickly.

Neils nodded once.

“The case is adjourned,” he declared. “Ares Bani will be remanded into H.O.W.L. custody pending further investigation. All rise.”

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Chapter 345

hove to the hirer Puck he’s my Braher on t59

jerked violently against the guards dragging me toward the transport van, fuevits raging concrete they diverse ona ir p

Tcouldn‘) believe this was happening. I needed to see Neds. We had to talk. Why remand me to HOPE Y

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“Nells?” I shouted into the chaos.

Then, through the swarm of bodies and flashing lights, I saw her, Snow walking out of the courthouse our eyes locked

My heart sank like lead.

The look she gave me, pure, quiet disappointment cut deeper than any blade. No anger. No hatred. Just sorrow Like she finally saw me for what I was.

The guards shoved me harder, forcing me down onto the bench seat. The van doors slammed shut. Tires screeched as we peeled

away.

I sat frozen, her face burned into my mind. She still didn’t know I was the one who’d ruined her womb. That secret was safe for now. That was something, right? A goal still within reach.

All I had to do next was expose Cupid Godlike for the monster he really was. Then she’d see. Then she’d realize I was the only one she could ever lean on. Not him.

I was lost in that dark loop of thought when the van suddenly lurched to a stop.

I frowned.

“Why are we stopping? Are we at H.O.W.L. already?”

The guards didn’t answer, just stared at me like I was trash. One reached back and yanked the door open.

My heart stopped.

We were on a deserted stretch of highway. Not the route to H.O.W.L. Not even close.

Slowly, I turned my head, dread crawling up my spine until my eyes landed on the black car idling ahead.

Rough hands dragged me out. I fought, twisting, cursing but a brutal punch slammed into my jaw. Stars exploded behind my eyes. I crumpled to the asphalt, vision blurring.

“Get him up on his knees.”

The voice was unmistakable deep, cold, lethal.

They hauled me upright, shoved me to my knees, wrenched my head back by the hair. Blood filled my mouth. I blinked through the

haze.

Cupid Godlike stood over me.

Today he looked entirely different. No charming model smile. No casual elegance. Black leather gloves covered his hands, practical, evidence–proof. His jaw was set like stone, eyes flat with controlled rage.

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Chapter 348

He drew back and drove another fist into my jaw harder. Pain detonated. My head snapped sideways.

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The guards held me steady as the blows kept coming again, again, again until I was shoved face first to the ground, whimpering. tasting copper and dirt.

“Consider yourself lucky the case is only adjourned,” he said quietly, voice low and venomous. “You still have to show up for the next one. If not for that… I’d strangle you myself right here.”

He didn’t need to raise his voice. The threat landed like ice in my veins. My whole body shuddered in raw fear.

The guards yanked me up, half–carrying me back to the van. They bowed, actually bowed to Cupid before slamming the doors.

I collapsed onto my stomach inside, heaving, shaking, wriggling uselessly against the restraints as the van lurched forward again toward H.O.W.L. this time.

But the taste of blood and terror lingered.

And for the first time, I wasn’t sure I’d walk out of the next hearing alive.