**Chapter 10: The Web of Deceit**

Lucien's eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched the video on his computer screen. Amalia Vale, the daughter of his arch-nemesis, Elias, was tied up and helpless. James, his son, stood beside him, his face expressionless. "She's beautiful, isn't she?" Lucien said, his voice dripping with malice. "But she's also a threat to our plans. We need to use her to lure Elias into a trap." James felt a pang of guilt as he watched the video. He had seen Amalia's determination and spirit when they fought, and he had kicked her hard. But now, seeing her vulnerable and helpless, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. "Father, what's the plan?" James asked, trying to focus on the task at hand. Lucien's smile grew wider. "We'll send this video to Elias, and he'll come for her. We'll be waiting for him, and when he arrives, we'll kill him and dominate the world." James nodded, trying to appear enthusiastic. But as he looked at the video, he saw Amalia's face, and his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't believe he was about to use her as bait. As they watched, Amalia's eyes flashed with defiance, and she struggled against her restraints. James felt a surge of admiration for her spirit, and his guilt grew. "James, are you listening?" Lucien asked, his voice sharp. James snapped back to attention. "Yes, Father. I'll make sure to capture her and bring her to you." Lucien's eyes narrowed. "I want you to be careful, James. Elias will stop at nothing to protect his daughter. We need to be prepared for anything." James nodded, feeling a sense of unease. He knew that Amalia's brother, Lorenzo, was a traitor, and he wondered if he was involved in this mess. He had heard rumors that Lorenzo had left Amalia and Elias, but still cared for his sister. As he left his father's study, James couldn't shake off the feeling that he was walking a thin line between loyalty and obsession. He was driven by a desire to prove himself, but also by a growing attraction to Amalia. He made his way to his room, his mind racing with thoughts of Amalia. He couldn't believe he was about to use her as bait, and he wondered what would happen to her once he did. As he entered his room, James saw a note on his bed. It was from an unknown sender, and it read: "Be careful, James. You're playing with fire." James's eyes narrowed. Who could have sent this note, and what did they mean? He looked around the room, but there was no one there. He shrugged, telling himself it was just a prank. But as he sat down on his bed, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. And that Amalia was more than just a pawn in his father's game. James's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his guards approaching. "My lord, we have received a report that Amalia Vale has been spotted in the nearby village," one of them said. James's heart skipped a beat. This was it, his chance to capture Amalia and prove himself to his father. But as he turned to leave, he felt a pang of doubt. What would happen to Amalia once he captured her? And would he be able to control his own desires? The questions swirled in his mind as he set out to capture Amalia, driven by a growing obsession that threatened to consume him. As James rode his horse towards the village, he couldn't help but think of Amalia. He had seen her fighting, her light green eyes flashing with determination. He had seen her beauty, her spirit, and her strength. And he was about to use her as bait. The thought made James's stomach turn. He knew that he was a villain, and that he had been raised to be ruthless and cunning. But as he approached the village, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was crossing a line. One that would change everything.