The next morning,Raja strolled into the Dutton Ranchlike he owned the place, Beth walking beside him, her usual confident swagger slightly dulled by last night's revelations.

Rip, who was waiting near the stables,glared at Raja with the intensity of a man whose entire existence had just been disrespected.

If John Dutton weren't standing nearby, Rip would have personallyyeeted Raja off the property.

Raja, sensing the tension,smirked and gave a friendly wave.

CRACK!

Ripbroke a wooden fence post with his bare hands.

Beth sighed."Boys, behave."

At the breakfast table,the impossible happened.

Beth, the same woman who would rather set things on fire than do house chores,started serving food.

Raja happily dug into his meal as Bethpoured him orange juice.

John Duttonsquinted suspiciously, watching Beth act like adomesticated housewife. Meanwhile, Jamie sat frozen, wondering if he hadaccidentally stepped into an alternate dimension.

Rip, gripping his fork with murderous intent, muttered under his breath."I swear to God—"

After breakfast,John suddenly stood up."Ride with me."

Raja grinned."I thought you'd never ask, old man."

John led Raja to his horse while Raja whistled forBeth's newly tamed stallion.The horse trotted over obediently, lowering its head for Raja.

John'seyebrow twitched.Even the damn horse had betrayed him.

They rode insilenceuntil they reachedthe Dutton family graveyard.

Johndismounted first, standing under an old oak tree where his wife and ancestors rested. He took a deep breath.

"Why do people keep coming for my land?"he finally asked.

Raja, still on his horse, smirked."How many generations before you?"

"Seven."

"And before that?"

John hesitated."The Native Indians."

Rajachuckled darkly."And before that, the buffalo."

John stared at him.

Raja continued."Your ancestors came here, took land that wasn't theirs, killed anyone who stood in their way, and claimed it as their own. And now, others want to do the same to you."

John'sjaw clenched.

"You're saying I just need to fight harder."

Raja shook his head."I'm saying it's not a fight you can win forever. Sooner or later, you either become the hunter or the hunted."

John stayed silent.

Raja continued" You are just shifting the target on your back on to me that's all and hyena's come for me not knowing I am a Godzilla."

Then Raja's tone turned serious."Forget the land problem. Your family is the real issue."

John scoffed."My family's fine."

Rajaleaned forward on his horse."John, your land is cursed. The sins of your ancestors have been passed down, and your family is paying the price."

Johnstiffened.

Raja listed it out like adoctor diagnosing a terminal illness.

"Your wife, who lived like a cowgirl, died from falling off a horse. You raised two stray kids—one as a trained attack dog, the other as a disciplined pet. One wants to be your successor, the other wants to marry your daughter. The other two sons? One will die young, the other will leave. And Beth?"

John'sfingers twitched.

"Beth is the one who got hit the hardest. She carries all the darkness of this land on her shoulders."

John turned to look at Raja,expression unreadable."Are you the devil?"

Rajagrinned."No, I just like Onee-san."

Back at the ranch,John gathered Beth, Jamie, Rip, and Lee into his study.He poured himself a drink.

"What do you think of this ranch?"

Rip and Lee answered immediately."Home."

Beth snorted."Hell."

Jamie hesitated, then sighed."Hell."

John nodded."Rip, if I left, would you come with me?"

Rip didn't hesitate."Wherever you go."

John turned to Beth."And you?"

Beth sighed, looking away."I should have left when I was eight. But I stayed... for you."

John turned to Jamie."And you?"

Jamie clenched his fists."I never felt like I belonged here after Mom died."

John exhaled heavily."What do you think of Raja and what are our chances of winning?"

Beth'sface paled slightly."He'll kill all of you. And I'll end up as his pet for entertainment."

Silence.

Ripstood abruptly."I'll kill him right now."

Bethlaughed bitterly."You have no idea who he is. He eats families like ours for breakfast."

John downed his drink."He's really the devil?"

Bethshivered."I don't know... but he's the devil's incarnate."

John rubbed his temples."What's his offer?"

Beth hesitated."Blank checks. Settlements for every family member. Jamie gets sponsored to become a Texas senator. Lee, Kayce, and Rip get whatever they want."

Jamieblinked."What about you?"

Beth clenched her jaw."A promise to be his woman... and a kid."

Dead silence.

John and Ripstood up at the same time."WHAT KIND OF OFFER IS THAT?!"

Beth smirked."The Shadow Corporation is run by two women. I'd be the third."

She turned to John."Daddy, please. Leave this place. Enjoy your old days with grandkids. I don't mind fighting humans, but Raja... he's something else."

With that, she left.

That night, Bethstormed into Raja's hotel room.

"They'll sell."

Raja grinned."I knew you'd convince them."

Bethcrossed her arms."You still scare the shit out of me and others."

Raja grabbed her wrist."Then let me make you comfortable."

And in the blink of an eye—literally—they were suddenlysomewhere else.

Beth'sstomach dropped."What the hell just happened?"

Raja, smirking, introduced her toJessica and Jane, the infamous queens of the business world.

Jessicasmiled knowingly."So, this is the new Onee-san?"

Jane, however,looked furious."Damn it! I bet against this happening!"

Raja looked at them, confused."What bet?"

Jessica grinned."We bet on whether or not you'd get a new Onee-san. Jane lost."

Beth, now fully convinced she was ina den of literal devils, simply nodded."I need a drink."

Then, Dobby appeared with a Glass of burbon.

Bethfainted.

Rajasighed."Well, that went well."

The next morning, Rajashook John's hand.

John, after a long pause,nodded."Enjoy your land, Devil."

Raja chuckled."Enjoy your retirement, old man."

As Raja left, Ripglared at him.

Raja winked.

Beth sighed."You're enjoying this too much."

Raja grinned."Of course. I live for chaos, Onee-san."

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