After the long silence, Sir Logan said, "Though I haven't personally seen my grandson, I can beat my hand on my chest and say that he's no less a man like his father, my late son, Dunstan. In fact, I believe he's better than his father and I can't wait to see my grandson. I have been longing to see him for two decades now. I want to know how he has grown all this while.""I am happy you believe him too, Father. I don't know what's wrong with Luke." Lady Zelda felt a growing unease settle within her as she pondered the recent argument with Luke. Though she understood his concerns for her son, Duncan, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more beneath his reaction. A subtle shift in his demeanor or the tone of his voice had caught her attention, leaving her with a lingering sense of uneasiness. Her thoughts drifted to Duncan, who was currently working on securing a crucial deal for their company. Lady Zelda's heart swelled with a mix of pride and worry for him. She

Zinnia's heart pounded in her chest as she witnessed the shocking scene unfolding before her. Marcus, with his towering figure, stepped forward, reacting quickly to prevent their mother, Laila, from stumbling to the floor after receiving a slap from Ma'am Luna. The force of the impact had caught Laila off guard, and she stood there, frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief. It had been over two decades since Laila had last been slapped by her own mother, and the shock of the situation reverberated through her. She couldn't fathom how a simple act of interceding for her daughter, Zinnia, could elicit such a harsh response. The pain and confusion etched across Laila's face were palpable, and she struggled to collect herself in the aftermath of the unexpected blow. As she opened her mouth to talk, no words came out. As the tension lingered in the air, Zinnia's gaze retracted from her shocked mother and turned towards her grandmother, Ma'am Luna. There was a mixture of disappointment and

Duncan's mischievous smile stretched across his face like a flicker of devilish delight. His eyes sparkled with a wicked glint as he surveyed the stunned expressions of his family members in the dining room. After his audacious statement, he reveled in the chaos he had incited. While Zinnia stood frozen, her face having a mixture of shock and indignation. She struggled to find the right words to express her outrage at Duncan's demeaning remark, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. But before she could utter a single word, her mother, Laila, stepped forward to defend her honor."How dare you, you miserable, worthless thing," Laila's voice trembled with a mix of anger and disbelief. "Does my daughter look like a househelp? You'll forever serve this family despite being a part of it, you insignificant fool!" The room fell silent, everyone waiting for Ma'am Luna, the family's matriarch, to intervene. Ma'am Luna with her regal posture and commanding presence, obse

Duncan's heart raced in his chest as he locked eyes with Karla once again. The intensity of their gaze was undeniable, and it seemed as though time stood still at that moment. Karla, taken aback by the palpable tension, could hear the rapid beating of Duncan's heart, a subtle sign of the effect she had on him. Feeling slightly flustered, Duncan broke the eye contact, averting his gaze to regain his composure. He cleared his throat in a slightly awkward and unusual manner, trying to collect his thoughts before responding to Karla's question."W...what do you mean?" Duncan stammered, his voice betraying a mix of surprise and curiosity. Karla, sensing Duncan's unease, spoke cautiously, her eyes fixed on him, searching for answers. "I mean...Uh, I woke up this morning, and I'm just realizing that I maybe got drunk last night. So, did something perhaps take place... between us?" Duncan's mind raced as he tried to gather his thoughts. He vividly remembered the events of the previous n

Abigail slowly opened her weary eyes after the heavy wooden door of her room clicked shut. The weight of her pretense had become too much to bear, and despair clung to her like a suffocating shroud. Her feet carried her to the window, where she pulled back the curtain with trembling hands. A glimmer of hope danced within her as she yearned for a glimpse of Duncan who she had failed to convince to stay. She hoped to catch a final glimpse of his face and go to bed with it. But all that greeted her was the serene sight of the empty street road, bathed in the gentle glow of the setting sun. A sigh escaped Abigail's lips as she felt the weight of her failure settle deeper within her chest. The realization that her efforts had been in vain coursed through her, igniting a spark of desolation. She felt the absence of Duncan like a void, an ache that gnawed at her soul. In search of solace, Abigail turned her gaze to the study desk adjacent to her room. Its surface held remnants of her