Rebirth: My CEO Husband's Thoughts Are Too Shameless

A low rumble escaped Marco’s throat before it erupted into a fit of malicious laughter, leaving not only Thomas stunned but everyone else in the room frozen in disbelief.

"Got you," Marco said with a wicked grin, his gaze fixed on Thomas’s ghostly pale face.

For a brief moment, Thomas had truly believed his life was over. He had been certain the bullet would tear through his skull.

But the gun had been empty.

Paul stared at his friend in shock. Then, hearing Marco laugh, he forced out an awkward chuckle of his own.

"Boss... y-you’re really something," he said nervously.

Thomas finally felt like he could breathe again.

Everyone in the room knew Marco was a twisted man, but none of them had imagined he would toy with someone’s life so casually. His mere presence was enough to make people fear even taking a breath.

"I was simply testing the man you brought me, Paul," Marco said as he leaned back in his chair and took a slow drag from his cigar. A cloud of smoke drifted through the room before he continued.

"And guess what? He passed."

His eyes narrowed on Thomas.

"He’s desperate, but he’s willing to risk his life to get what he wants. I admire that."

Thomas remained silent, watching Marco cautiously.

The older man casually placed the empty pistol back on the table before letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Give him what he came for," Marco ordered.

Then he paused.

A chilling glint flashed across his eyes as they locked onto Thomas once again.

"But if you get caught..." he said in a calm voice that was somehow more terrifying than a shout, "...or if you expose us, don’t expect us to come after you."

The room fell silent.

Thomas immediately understood the warning.

The little game Marco had just played was nothing more than a demonstration—a glimpse of what awaited anyone foolish enough to betray him.

"Don’t worry, Boss," Paul quickly assured him. "Thomas isn’t the type to betray his own people."

Marco didn’t respond. His eyes remained fixed on Thomas.

"I won’t," Thomas said firmly. "You have my word."

Only then did Marco look away.

With a slight nod, he signaled one of his men.

"This way."

The guard stepped forward, and Thomas and Paul quietly followed him into the adjoining room where the samples were being stored.

Outside the door, Gen stood rooted to the spot.

Her heartbeat thundered against her chest after witnessing the terrifying game unfold before her eyes.

Only now did she truly understand the kind of monsters she was surrounded by.

Did I make a mistake by coming here?

The question echoed in her mind.

She had always known her father was a useless man, but seeing him point a gun at his own head just to obtain Marco’s sample made her realize how desperately he wanted it.

What she couldn’t understand was why.

Thomas was an alcoholic, a gambler, and a deadbeat father. But as far as she remembered, he had never touched drugs.

Then why does he want it so badly?

The thought lingered in her mind until a voice suddenly broke through her thoughts.

"What are you doing standing there?"

Gen jolted in surprise.

She turned around to find the same man who had ordered her to clean the bloodstains walking toward her. His brows immediately furrowed when he noticed her standing outside the room.

Before suspicion could settle on his face, Gen quickly raised the tray in her hands.

"I finished cleaning, so I came to serve the drinks."

Although she was trembling inside and wanted nothing more than to run away before this place scarred her for life, she forced herself to remain calm.

She knew the man before her wasn’t someone she could overpower or escape from.

For now, the only option was to play along.

The man studied her silently for a few moments before glancing at the tray.

Finally, he gave a short nod.

"Fine."

He opened the door for her.

Gen tightened her grip on the tray until her knuckles turned white. Taking a slow, steady breath, she forced herself to nod before stepping inside, carefully hiding every trace of fear from her face.

***

Meanwhile, back in Karlo’s private lounge, he studied Clara for a brief moment after she rejected his offer. Her refusal didn’t surprise him in the slightest. In fact, he had expected it.

Women like her were never easy to impress.

And somehow, that only made her more intriguing.

"You don’t realize what you’re turning down, woman," Karlo said, taking a slow step toward her until only a few inches separated them. "I don’t make offers like this to just anyone. If I choose someone, it’s because I see value in them."

His eyes wandered shamelessly across her face before trailing down the length of her body.

"So..." he murmured with a faint smile, "what do I have to do to make you accept my offer?"

In his mind, Karlo had already imagined countless possibilities with Clara. But he knew forcing her wouldn’t work. She wasn’t the type of woman who would surrender so easily.

That was exactly what fascinated him.

It wasn’t merely her beauty that had caught his attention. There was something about the way she carried herself—her confidence, intelligence, and fearless attitude—that drew him in.

Claire was the perfect blend of elegance and fierceness, qualities that strangely complemented his own ruthless nature.

After watching her effortlessly outplay Finn downstairs, Karlo found himself wanting her even more.

Not just for a single night.

He wanted her by his side.

Perhaps even as his queen.

Across from him, Clara almost laughed.

What an idiot.

To her, Karlo was nothing more than another arrogant man whose judgment disappeared whenever a beautiful woman crossed his path.

If only he knew she already belonged to someone.

And if her husband ever caught him staring at her with such greedy eyes, Dominic wouldn’t hesitate to gouge them out.

Still, Clara found the situation amusing enough to play along.

After all, this was precisely why she had come here.

While entertaining the gamblers downstairs, she had spotted Thomas entering Crimson Crest alongside another man before heading straight toward the VIP section.

That man was probably either the dealer... or someone introducing him to this place.

But something didn’t add up.

Thomas had constantly complained about being broke, yet Karlo’s merchandise wasn’t something an ordinary man could afford.

There was no way Thomas had enough money to buy anything here.

If he’s inside Crimson Crest, he didn’t come here for entertainment.

He’s here for business.

Clara’s eyes darkened slightly.

I need to get out of this room before I lose track of him.

Taking a slow breath, she shifted her attention back to Karlo, who was patiently waiting for her answer.

"Well..." Claire said thoughtfully as she stepped away from him and gracefully settled onto the velvet sofa. Crossing one leg over the other, she rested an elbow on the armrest before looking at him with an amused smile.

"It’s actually not that difficult."

Karlo raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

Clara tilted her head ever so slightly.

"I simply want to know what you’re truly good at."

For a second, silence filled the lounge.

Then Karlo threw his head back and laughed.

"Hahaha... you’re an interesting woman," he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "No one’s ever asked me that before."

"Then I suppose I’m the exception," Claire replied with a faint smile.

Karlo burst into laughter once again, louder than before.

Clara had no idea what was so amusing about her response, but if he found her entertaining, she wasn’t about to stop him. The longer he laughed, the more relaxed he became, and that only worked in her favor.

"Well," Karlo said after finally calming down, "I’m excellent in bed. No woman has ever complained."

He flashed a confident grin before adding in a more serious tone, "But if you’re asking about my business... then I’m sure you already know who I am. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be sitting here, looking me straight in the eye."

For a brief second, Clara’s expression faltered.

He’s more observant than I gave him credit for.

She quickly masked her thoughts with a composed smile.

"So," Karlo continued, "if you really want to see what I’m good at... come with me."

His unexpected invitation left not only Clara but even Luca staring at him in surprise.

Luca immediately stepped forward.

"Boss," he said cautiously, "we don’t know who this lady is. Taking her there could be risky."

Karlo glanced at him before letting out a quiet chuckle.

"I know exactly what I’m doing, Luca."

His gaze returned to Clara as he extended his hand toward her like a gentleman.

"Shall we, my lady?"

Clara looked at his outstretched hand before calmly meeting his eyes.

"Not there yet."

Karlo laughed again, clearly amused by her refusal. Instead of taking offense, he simply withdrew his hand and gave a small nod.

"I like a challenge," he said with a grin. "Just don’t keep me waiting for too long."

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the exit, the smile never leaving his face.

Clara rose from the couch and silently followed him, her expression calm while her mind remained alert.

Whatever you’re hiding, Karlo... I’m about to find out.