Pearl stormed into the lavish Cavendish estate, her heels clicking against the marble floors as she approached her father’s study.Without knocking, she pushed the heavy oak doors open.Edward Cavendish looked up from his desk, his calm demeanor unwavering.“Pearl,” he said, setting his pen down.“To what do I owe this... dramatic entrance?”“Don’t play coy with me, Father.” Pearl’s tone was sharp, her eyes narrowing.“I know you’ve been hiding something about Louis. I want the truth.”Edward leaned back in his chair, studying her with a measured gaze.“Louis Kindsor? I wasn’t aware he was still a topic of interest for you.”“Don’t deflect,” she snapped.“Did you have anything to do with his exile from the Kindsor family?”Edward’s expression darkened slightly, but he kept his composure.“You should tread carefully with your accusations, Pearl. I had no hand in what happened to him.”Pearl crossed her arms, refusing to back down.“I don’t believe you.The timing of his exile, the rumo

ONE DAY BEFORE SAMUEL WENT TO MEET LOUIS----Vivian sat in her penthouse suite, the dim lighting casting long shadows across the room.Her lips curled into a smirk as Samuel entered, his posture stiff and uncertain.On the table before her was a sleek black bag, the zipper slightly open, revealing bundles of crisp bills.“Samuel,” Vivian greeted smoothly, her tone oozing false warmth.“So good of you to come. I was beginning to think you had second thoughts.”Samuel shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the bag of money.“I didn’t. But this… this doesn’t sit right with me, Vivian. Louis—”“Louis?” Vivian interrupted, her voice sharp as she leaned forward.“You mean the so-called self-made man? The fraud? The loser who spent years doing house chores and suddenly thinks he’s some kind of kingpin because he has Terminator X cleaning up his messes?” She let out a cold laugh, her manicured nails tapping against her wine glass.Samuel frowned but remained silent.“Oh, don’t look at me like tha

Juliet had been pacing her apartment, conflicted and overwhelmed by the whirlwind of accusations and betrayals swirling around Louis.Her phone chimed with a message from an unknown number.“I have information that will prove Louis is lying to you. Meet me at Blue Orchid Café at 3 PM. —V.”Juliet hesitated, staring at the message.She wanted answers, but trusting Vivian felt like walking into a trap.Her emotions, however, overpowered her logic.If there’s a chance to know the truth, I have to take it.At 3 PM, Juliet walked into the café, scanning the crowd until she spotted Vivian, sipping on a glass of wine with a practiced air of superiority.“You actually came,” Vivian said, smirking.“I wasn’t sure you’d be brave enough.”“I’m not here for games, Vivian. What do you have?” Juliet snapped, pulling out a chair.Vivian leaned forward, her expression sly.“I could give you all the proof you need to see Louis for what he is, but I need something from you first.”“What could I possibl

Juliet’s mind was in turmoil, replaying Vivian’s words over and over.She clenched the photograph she’d found inside, her fingers trembling as her eyes burned with jealousy.The image showed Louis and Pearl, their faces close, their expressions unreadable under the dim lighting.To Juliet, it looked intimate, far too familiar."I need answers, Louis," she finally said, her voice tight with emotion."What is this? Were you lying to me about her?"Louis stopped in his tracks, turning to face her.His brows furrowed when he noticed the photograph in her hand.He exhaled sharply, frustration mingling with fatigue."Where did you find that?""Inside," she snapped, her eyes narrowing."It’s fake, isn’t it? Tell me it’s fake."Louis hesitated for the briefest moment."It’s not what it looks like, Juliet. Pearl and I were discussing something important—""Important?!" Juliet cut him off, her voice rising."It looks like more than just a discussion, Louis. Do you know how hard it is to trust y

The two worked late into the night, pouring over the information Pearl had uncovered.Among the files was a trail of financial transactions, coded messages, and a list of names—operatives, allies, and unsuspecting victims of The Avaris Circle’s schemes."This one," Pearl said, pointing to a name on the list."Marco Duvall. He’s one of their top enforcers.If anyone knows the truth about their plans, it’s him."Louis’s gaze sharpened."Where can I find him?"Pearl hesitated."He frequents a private club downtown. But Louis, he’s dangerous. You can’t just confront him without a plan."He smirked faintly, his confidence unwavering."I don’t intend to confront him. I’ll make him come to me."Pearl’s brow furrowed."What are you planning?"Louis stood, his movements deliberate as he gathered the documents."To give him a reason to talk."As he turned to leave, Pearl called after him."Be careful, Louis. These people don’t play fair."He glanced back, a determined glint in his eyes."Neithe