Amid the confines of Harriet's home, the air seemed to hang heavy with the weight of their suffering. The cupboards, once stocked with sustenance, now stood barren, echoing the hunger that gnawed at them relentlessly.Toria, Harriet's mother, slumped into a chair beside her daughter, weariness etched into the lines of her face. "Harriet," Toria began, her voice carrying a mix of weariness and concern, "I know times are hard, but we have to talk about this, we have to just get through and stand on our own two feet on our own."Harriet, lost in the depths of her mourning both for her father and her former luxurious life, looked up with distant eyes, her grief like an invisible shroud around her."I've been thinking," Toria continued, her voice a fragile thread of hope, "maybe Adonis is right, you know. Maybe he didn't do it, it does not even seem like he could ever do it if we think about this properly, a lot of things just do not connect."Harriet's gaze remained fixed, her thoughts di
Adonis decided to keep his shocking discovery to himself for now. He believed that the right moment to reveal it would come, but that moment wasn't now, he needed to be smart about everything that he does or every step that he decided to take.To pass the time, he headed to Valerie's boutique. On his way, he encountered a group of people carrying placards with his picture and name on them. At first, he thought it was some kind of protest from his critics. But his perspective changed when he heard them shouting his name and cheering.Their words weren't hostile; they were expressing support."Prince Adonis! You're our inspiration!""Stay strong, Prince Adonis!""We're with you all the way!"Adonis was taken aback by this, his heart touched by their unexpected display of encouragement. Not even in a million years did he ever thing he could get such support especially with the scandals and bad rumors that surrounded his name at the moment. He was extremely dumbfounded that he needed to m
Today, Adonis chose to do something really nice. He wanted to help the kids in a certain orphanage. So, he talked to Jesse and told him to gather all the things they needed. They headed over to the orphanage together, ready to bring some smiles. When they got there, the kids were super excited. Their faces lit up when they saw Adonis and Jesse. Adonis didn't waste any time. He jumped right into the fun, playing games with the kids. Their giggles and laughter filled the air, and it felt so good for Adonis, it was exactly what he needed to feel good at the moment.Under the warm sun, Adonis and Jesse gave out food, clothes, and stuff the kids needed. The kids were so happy and thankful, their eyes shining bright. It was a really nice feeling, knowing they were making the kids' day better. As the day went on, Adonis felt really happy. Seeing the kids' happy faces made all the effort worth it. The connection between them was special – it showed that even little things can bring big happin
The following morning, Oliver, Harriet, and Toria found themselves in a flurry of activity as they gathered their belongings, preparing for the journey to the airport. However, before they could depart, Harriet seemed to have an uncanny talent for introducing delays. First, she lingered longer than necessary while getting dressed, leaving Oliver tapping his foot impatiently. Then, just as they were on the brink of departure, she suddenly exclaimed that she had forgotten something upstairs.Oliver's frustration was very much obvious, but he managed to contain it. After what felt like an eternity, they finally made their way out the door, leaving behind the house and its vexing delays in pursuit of their flight.As they continued on their journey, Harriet once again brought their progress to a halt, this time claiming she urgently needed to use the restroom."Harriet, we're running late for God’s sake, you can’t keep delaying us like this, it makes no sense that you keep doing this, thi
Under the shroud of an unusually quiet day, the trio arrived at the police station, their footsteps echoing in the stark, sterile corridor. Unlike before, there were no persistent journalists with probing questions, no curious spectators, and no news anchors clamoring for a sensational story. Adonis had orchestrated their arrival with precision, keeping Oliver's face concealed from prying eyes.The subdued atmosphere enveloped them as they walked in. The absence of the usual chaos was very obvious and it emphasized the gravity of their situation. Each step, while seemingly ordinary, carried the weight of what was happening.As the commissioner caught sight of Oliver, his eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Turning to Adonis, he exclaimed, "Where in the world did you find him?"Adonis, his demeanor calm and composed, began to recount the entire story. "We tracked him down, Commissioner, with the help of someone on the inside, someone you would never even believe would have helped like thi
In the hours leading to the upcoming court hearing, Adonis knew there was one crucial piece of the puzzle left to uncover: the identity of Oliver's true father. If Queen Sophia was his mother, and King Archie wasn't his father, then who was?With determination, curiosity and conflict burning in his heart, Adonis rose early one afternoon, fully aware that time was running out. He had a singular purpose in mind.Jesse, ever loyal, offered to accompany him, but Adonis shook his head. " No, I need to do this one alone, Jesse" he insisted.Jesse persisted, "At least take some guards with you then, your highness. It's safer, don’t you think so?"After a moment's consideration, Adonis relented. "Alright, one guard, and my driver then, just to be on the safer side," he conceded.With his resolve unwavering, Adonis set out on this final quest for the truth, the weight of the impending court hearing and the secrets of his family's past pressing heavily on his shoulders. As Adonis arrived at his
Adonis, now back at the palace, swiftly summoned his lawyer in preparation for the imminent court hearing. As the lawyer entered the room, Adonis wasted no time in recounting everything he had uncovered—the medical reports, the letter from his father, and the shocking revelation about Oliver's true parentage.The lawyer's eyes widened in disbelief as Adonis poured out the startling details of his discoveries. He stammered, "Your Highness, this is... I mean, it's beyond belief."Adonis nodded, a sense of astonishment still fresh in his mind. "I was just as shocked when I first uncovered it," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of emotions.The lawyer, now regaining his composure, leaned forward. "Your Highness, this information could be a game-changer in court. We have a strong case now."Adonis sighed, the weight of his newfound knowledge pressing on him. "Yes, but it's also a double-edged sword. I need to tread carefully, especially with Queen Sophia involved."The lawyer no
The courtroom was charged with an air of anticipation as the charges against Adonis were read out once more. The prosecuting attorneys were then given the floor to question Adonis, and they wasted no time. "Prince Adonis," the lead prosecutor began, her voice sharp and probing, "is it true that you harbored intentions of revenge against those who mistreated you before you learned of your royal lineage?" Adonis, composed yet tense, met her gaze. "Yes, that is very true," he replied firmly. Adonis's defense attorney, realizing the potentially detrimental path this line of questioning could lead to, swiftly interjected, "Your Honor, I must object. This line of questioning is very much irrelevant to the current case and should not even be asked." The judge, a stern figure at the bench, raised an eyebrow. " There is nothing wrong with the question so I will allow it. Continue," she directed, giving the prosecution the green light to proceed. The defense attorney, now somewhat defeated,
Meanwhile, in the palace, the elders sat in somber silence, each lost in their own thoughts as they waited for their prince’s return. Jesse's watch seemed to tick louder with every passing second, a constant reminder of Adonis's absence. They all shared the same unspoken hope that Adonis would return safely, that his plan had succeeded.Suddenly, the room was jolted by the abrupt entrance of an excited messenger, who burst into the chamber with breathless urgency. "The prince is back!" the messenger exclaimed, unable to contain his joy.Without hesitation, the elders and Jesse rushed outside, their faces alight with anticipation. Their hearts swelled with relief and joy as they laid eyes on Adonis and Valerie, who walked toward the palace in a regal and triumphant manner. Adonis, his presence commanding, strode majestically with Valerie by his side, a living testament to the successful rescue.Jesse approached them, his relief was obvious as he greeted the prince with a deep bow. Adon
Adonis clenched his fists, his anger boiling over as he continued to listen to Oliver's sinister demands. "You heartless bastard!" he spat, his voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. "What do you want with my wife? She's innocent in all of this and you know it! This is not necessary at all!"Oliver's voice remained chillingly composed as he replied, "Adonis, your wife's fate is in your hands. All your protests and shouts won't change a thing. H\You know what you need to do but I will be a darling and just repeat them for you: step down from your position as the heir to the throne. Then, prepare an official statement, one that will be signed by the kingmakers and the tribunal. And this time, that is not all that you will do, let me add one more that I have not added before, Adonis, you will deliver this statement to me in person, and only you should come with it."Adonis attempted to reason with Oliver, his mind racing for alternatives, but before he could make any headway
The next day, as Adonis stood at the crime scene, frustration and weariness washed over him. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on his shoulders, burdening him with unanswered questions. He recalled the call he had received from Oliver during his joyous wedding party, the moment when everything had taken a dark turn.He turned to the acting commissioner, his eyes burning with determination and anger. "Why wasn't I informed about Oliver's escape?" Adonis demanded, his voice filled with frustration. "I trusted you to keep this city safe, to keep my loved ones safe!"The acting commissioner sighed heavily, his gaze filled with remorse. "Your highness, I didn't want to ruin the joyous atmosphere of your wedding day," he admitted. "The truth is, the police station was attacked, and Oliver managed to escape yet again. We kept it from you to preserve the happiness of the moment and also due to the fact that it was just so hard to tell especially since its not his first time."Adonis
Heril's eyes remained widened in disbelief even when Adonis confirmed what he had just said. He couldn't fathom that his little sister was engaged to the Prince of the city. It all felt surreal, like a dream."Valerie, is this true?" Heril asked, still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation.Valerie nodded, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. "Yes, Heril. Adonis and I are engaged, you still think that I could never get such a man?"Adonis decided to show Heril the depth of their connection. With a gentle smile, he approached Valerie, his eyes locked onto Heril's. He embraced Valerie tenderly, pulling her close to him. It was a silent but powerful gesture that spoke volumes. Adonis was staking his claim, declaring his love for Valerie in front of her brother.As they stood there in that heartfelt embrace, Heril's initial shock began to give way to a sense of acceptance, and perhaps even happiness for his sister. Adonis even went further to gently ra
As they made their way back to the palace, Adonis decided to contact his lawyer to inform him about Oliver's capture and discuss rescheduling his case.He dialed the lawyer's number and, after a few rings, the lawyer answered."Hello," the lawyer said.Adonis replied, "Hello, it's Adonis. I wanted to let you know that Oliver has been apprehended, so we need to reschedule my case as soon as possible."The lawyer, however, had some news that Adonis wasn't entirely pleased with. "I understand your urgency, Adonis, but the city currently has a backlog of cases, and it might take some time before we can secure a new date for your hearing."Adonis, slightly frustrated, responded, "you’re saying that even as a prince, I still have to wait too?"The lawyer, maintaining his professionalism, explained, "It's a matter of protocol, Adonis. We'll do our best to expedite the process, but we must follow the established legal procedures."Adonis, though not entirely satisfied, reluctantly agreed, rea
As Adonis and the elders anxiously awaited news of the police mission's outcome, a sense of unease hung heavy in the air. Adonis couldn't help but consider the myriad of possibilities that could derail their plans. What if Oliver had somehow learned of the police's approach and was lying in wait to ambush them like he had done twice? What if his henchmen had already scattered upon hearing of the police's arrival? Maybe he still had more minions giving him information? Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, and Adonis' patience and hope was starting to waver. Some of the elders began to voice their doubts, questioning whether everything was truly unfolding as Adonis had envisioned. They had been waiting for nearly an hour, and the absence of any updates was gnawing at their patience too. Adonis remained silent, but the seeds of doubt had already been sown in his mind. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that their carefully laid pl
While Adonis stood in the room with the unconscious guard, Jesse suddenly busted in, holding Adonis's phone. The screen displayed an incoming call from an unknown number, which, in their world, meant it was likely Oliver on the line. Adonis took a deep breath and answered, bracing himself for what was to come. "Adonis," Oliver's voice echoed through the phone, "it's time." Adonis couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Who tipped you off about our coming?" he demanded, hoping to unravel the mystery. Oliver's response was far from what he expected. "Oh! I had no idea you were coming, Adonis," he replied, genuine confusion in his tone. "I didn't even know you had been to our previous hiding spot. But it seems even nature is conspiring against your success." The revelation left Adonis perplexed, wondering how Oliver had managed to stay one step ahead without any external information. Oliver continued, hinting at his usual threat. "Get ready, Adonis," Oliver warned. "The second p
The tracker had arrived, and Adonis wasted no time briefing him on the task at hand. They needed to locate Oliver through a phone call, and the tracker assured them that he could accomplish the job. He emphasized the necessity of a ninety-second call to pinpoint Oliver's location accurately. With their plan in motion, they turned their attention to the captured guard, their determination unshaken. They needed him to make the crucial call to Oliver, even though he had deleted all traces of their previous conversations. Initially, the guard remained silent, stubbornly refusing to cooperate. But as the pressure mounted, he finally relented and dialed Oliver's number. The call went through, and Adonis took the phone, speaking calmly but urgently. "Oliver," Adonis began, "we've captured one of your minions yet again." There was a pause on the other end, and then Oliver's voice, cold and calculating, responded. "Who told you those were my minions, Adonis? They were nothing more than tool
Pleasantries were exchanged as they all settled around the table at the casino. Adonis observed the familiarity the elders shared with King Clark, who greeted him with a hint of amusement."Prince Adonis," King Clark said, a mischievous glint in his eye, "it's truly delightful to finally meet the lost but found prince in person."Adonis, though puzzled by the king's words, offered a polite nod. "Likewise, King Clark."However, as they indulged in the various games and distractions the casino had to offer, Adonis couldn't help but sense a subtle shift in the king's demeanor. What had started as a friendly encounter took an unexpected turn when King Clark began to act rudely.He fired questions at Adonis with a mocking tone, each one designed to taunt. "Do you know how to play the 'rich men' games, Adonis? After all, you've just become a prince. Do you know how to act rich, or have you been poor your entire life?"The others at the table remained silent, aware that King Clark was simply