The convoy of cars swept through the imposing main gates of the Edencrest Estate, before halting in front of the main wing.Noah stepped out of the car, feeling his body stiffen up out of instinct; no matter what plans he had made, inside him, there was still a child who remembered what had happened the last time he had stood on these steps, feeling totally lost and heartbroken.He was betrayed, humiliated and forced to leave the house for the crime he never committed.He had not been expecting that nostalgia would hit him so hard, like a punch in the gut, as he looked at the palace-like mansion that was supposed to be his home sweet home.But unlike his imagination, it had never been able to serve its purpose of giving him safety and comfort.The large garden stretched out before him, leading to the steps that he started to climb with a heavy heart…All those years, he had been thinking that he never cared about this house, or his grandpa enough to remember anything about him or this
“Noah! Do you even know how big of a blunder you have left behind? Not only did you steal but you have also left a raging fire behind! How could you–”Fire… what fire? What did he leave behind himself; he clearly remembered that night, when everything had shattered around him, just a few days after his parents death.Then what fire was he talking about? He felt a jerk straightening his spine as soon as he heard his uncle's words. He could feel the control of his own tongue slipping away, the anger bubbling up from a deep well inside him. Was this the reason behind them desperately searching for him, had they really run out of people to pin the new blames on? And so, they wanted him to return and put this allegation on him… otherwise why, in all these years, did they suddenly need him?Things started to give him a hint about something he was clearly still unaware of, and he roared;“What the hell are you talking about?" he spat out, his voice harsh. "Is this why you called me back? J
“Which news?”Noah asked with complete confusion, because he had never heard about any such news in the first place!And about the lantern thing, he knew it… he had always been familiar with that lantern, so there was no chance of him mistaking it for a lamp or something else. Just like he would never leave it untreated if it ever ended up falling from his hands…But the most important factor here was, the fact that he had never been in that room the day he was casted out of the house.He had visited the room several times– with his parents, or without them, too.But on the day everything started to stir up like a tornado, he had not even left his room the whole day, and was waiting for his food. Because if the caretaker uncle Stuart was talking about was the same caretaker whom he remembered, then she was the only one who used to care for him after his parents' death.And the reason he had been starving the whole day, that day, was because she had quit the job for some reason, and le
"I don't want this, instead there is something else I want from you.”Noah gave a cold and curt reply to his uncle to drag his attention towards him; he was very familiar with this kind and concerning tone of his, and he also knew about the mask he was wearing while he was trying to fool him once again! Because there was no way in this whole world that he would be willing to help him… with anything. And this time, he was asking for help regarding the mess he himself had created, while claiming that he was doing it for Noah's sake! In fact, why would he ever want to help him or convince grandfather to take him in again, when he was the first person who wanted him out of this family?Noah was busy reminiscing in his head, when he heard his uncle finally asking, after a sigh;“What is that you want help with?”“I am glad that you finally asked!”He replied with a smirk, he knew the ball was in his court now. They always had been, but back, then he was too small to fight back.But in t
At first, Eliana was quite skeptical of letting Noah go. After all, she didn't trust anybody in this world, where Noah was really innocent. Who knows if they would bully him just like her family, as he couldn't even take a stand for himself. She was also afraid about the consequences of Sienna's arrest, and how she was going to explain it to her family.Especially when they would come to know that it was because of whom she was behind bars for misbehaving with him, because she was sure that they wouldn't tolerate this fact at all.And they won't even accept that she has taken her husband's side …when she wasn't even able to take her husband's side as well.She didn't want any of them to end up in jail, but again she was completely helpless in that situation and can't do anything further.While these are the thoughts that are clouding her mind, there was one more evident thought that peeping like a sun, hiding behind the clouds in a rainy day and that was how did Noah in the first pla
Eliana was not ready to see anyone from her own family and face them; then meeting some new guest was something she would never be prepared for.Maybe, the fact that Sienna had been arrested might not have reached their ears yet, otherwise, there was no way in this whole world that they could be so calm about it. Every passing minute felt like a ticking time bomb for her; it was already so late, and there was no way they would be able to bail Sienna out today.“Mom! Mom, please listen to me first. I can't meet any guests now, since I have kind of a big emergency in my hands–”“Oh! Please! Eliana, don't tell me your idiot husband has gotten himself stuck in some new problem now. Why don't you just sign the divorce papers and do all of us a huge favor by getting rid of that good for nothing man?”"Mom, I–" “Anyways! I am too excited and busy to let his blunders slide for a moment, you remember my little cousin, his friend is here and he is really very interested in meeting you, so wha
Noah's POV:I saw the message and quickly typed 'Okay' in reply, before anyone would take notice of me reading that message.“So what's your plan on staying here tonight? As I promised, I will be arranging the mansion of your choice in two days, but till then why don't you just stay here? I mean, don't you think it is a little inconvenient for you to live in your in-laws’ house, even after meeting your family?”Uncle Otis spoke up in a casual tone, as if he was simply trying to make conversation while stuffing the food into his mouth.“I don't think it would be a good idea for me to stay here tonight. You see, I don't really want to spend even a single day in the house from where I was thrown out into the stinky dumpster without any fault–”“Noah! Darling, I know you are still upset regarding that misunderstanding! But dear, now that you have grown up, try to think from our perspective as well. What were we supposed to do, if not obey your grandfather's order? After all, he is the one
“Noah! How are you, my son? I know you might be getting so emotional right now, but you have to control your emotions for now and just go to the apartment I have bought for you with Stuart. He will explain everything to you there.”Noah wanted to give a fiery retort by asking why should he be emotional and after all, who were they to him? When they once had the heart to cast him out of the house, then why were they so eager to get him back and even care about his emotions? But he managed to restrain his emotions just as his grandfather had instructed, and asked;“But how would I go there–”“Don't worry about it, my dear. Stuart will manage everything from now on, did you have a good dinner?”“Yes.”Noah didn't lie; since the day he was thrown out of the house, it was the first time in all these years that he had a good dinner with so much variety of food on the table. And if he forgot about the melodrama being pulled by his aunt and uncle, this was the first time he had been able to
Noah was sitting in the garden, trying desperately to calm himself as he had been feeling a little uneasy because of the way things had unfolded.He had spent most of his life away from home, this is why, he knew the value of family. He had also met several people who were dark to the very core, but for some reason, he thought that Liam was different…Noah had a feeling that everything he had been doing so far, was just because something that he thought would always remain his, had been snatched from him in the middle of all the succession drama… and especially because of Noah himself.So it was a logical thing that he hated him from the core of his heart… but he had also seen his affection towards their grandpa. He was lost in his thoughts, staring off into the distance… when he noticed some disturbance near the ivy vines, lurking by the southernmost boundary of the garden.He rose from his seat and started walking towards the boundary; and Ben snapped to attention.He had been stan
“Killed him? Dad!! You are saying you killed him… wasn't his death an accident? Then how is it possible that you are the reason behind–”Liam didn't even realize that he had started to interrogate his father under the effect of his anxiety on hearing the last words spoken by him.Till now, he had been thinking that they were standing on the right side of the situation as well as the history that was yet to be written. He really believed that they were the oppressed ones who had always been discriminated against, trying to fight for their rights which had unjustly been snatched from them.But after hearing his father's nonchalant response, he wasn't able to think straight anymore. He was ready to go to any extent to get what really belonged to him, but killing someone was something he could never imagine doing… nor was he able to digest the fact that his father was a murderer.But before he could have completed his statement, Otis interrupted his rambling. “Yes! It was an accident, a
Sabreena hesitated in the doorway, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she clutched a large bouquet of white lilies. She took a deep breath before stepping into the living room, her eyes darting around nervously and scanning the faces: her brother was looking at her with confusion, while Olivia’s gaze was sharp, Eliana’s gently curious, and Noah was stoic and calm; although his calm demeanor wasn't exactly helpful in taming her anxiety.Finally, with a forced smile, she spoke up. “Oh, come on, Olivia…” She started awkwardly, the bouquet trembling slightly in her hands. “How long are you going to hold on to some… some small incident from ages ago? Why would I insult him? I… actually, I have come to thank No- I mean, Mr. Kingsley.”Eliana shot her mother an amused glance, while Noah remained silent, his face unreadable as Sabreena took a few steps forward, extending the bouquet of lilies towards him. Olivia crossed her arms and cut in sharply, “Well, I can’t exactly let it go
Liam threw down the glass vase which was placed on the side table in his room, sending it crashing to the floor, as soon as he noticed his parents trying to enter his room once again.It had been four days since his return- or to be honest, the rather rude way in which he had been thrown out, not just from the party but from the city itself. The security had unceremoniously dumped them on the first flight back to Edinburgh, without caring which class tickets were available. And apart from declaring in front of his parents that he had failed miserably, he hadn't given any specific details to his parents. Instead, he had locked himself in his room, boycotting everything: from eating properly to speaking to his parents.In fact, since last night, he had not even touched the food, even for once… and this was making both Otis and Viola more and more tense with every passing second.Even though they were aware that the deal had slipped out of Liam's hands, they were still trying to keep th
“What? Richard Jensen was there too?!” Eliana’s voice burst out in surprise from Noah's phone speaker, her lovely face filling the screen of their video call as she heard the entire story from his mouth. She leaned closer, her eyes wide with disbelief, while Noah glanced into the screen as he replied while preparing to go to bed. “Oh yeah! And he had plenty to say against me at first, calling me a scammer and whatnot. But as soon as Grandpa Omar and Norm showed up, he went quiet and practically disappeared into the crowd, fearing for his own safety.”Eliana burst into laughter, covering her mouth. “After what happened last time, I can’t believe he had the nerve to show up and then also splash mud on you! I mean, did he get the guts?”Noah chuckled. “Apparently, he bribed the event organizers for an invitation. And I guess he was really feeling frustrated after our last meeting, and thinking that he had nothing more to lose now, just vented out all his anger. His little scam was
“I understand, Grandpa Omar, that you’re not much of a drinker.”Noah continued with a steady voice, meeting some raised eyebrows from the people gathered around there. He continued, knowing that his words were surely having some effect, since Norm and Omar were looking at him with curiosity now, instead of suspicion. “I am also aware that you, Grandfather Norm and my grandfather have planned to visit Edencrest Estate together after the signing of the deal, and finally share the bottle of wine purchased so long ago. That is why I have ensured that the other bottle has safely been delivered at your residence, as the homage to that promise.”He glanced at the broken necklace on the floor, and everyone else's eyes followed; to the place where Sienna had thrown it after snapping the string and causing the pearls to scatter in all directions. “And I apologize for the condition of the necklace. It was a vintage heirloom, and though it was meant to be my gift to Eleanor, I shall make sure
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Noah blinked before responding. “Of course,” he said smoothly. “I am happy to answer any questions you might have to help you see that I’m speaking the truth.”Blaine folded his arms, looking Noah up and down, an expression of irritation on his face. Clearly, he thought it was nothing more than a waste of his time to entertain him, but he had no other choice. “Fine! Then show me what you have brought as a gift for my niece. If you are truly the heir of the Kingsleys, you would know better than to show up empty handed, wouldn’t you?”Noah inclined his head, unbothered by Blaine’s mocking tone. “Certainly, uncle. I’ll show you the gifts I have brought.” Turning slightly, he motioned to one of his guards, who stepped forward, handing him a wine bottle wrapped in elegant packaging. Noah held it, his fingers lightly wrapping around the bottle— the vintage wine he had personally unearthed that morning.He extended the bottle toward Blaine. “This
Sienna’s eyes narrowed with suspicion as she looked at the scene in front of her. Just this morning, this idiot Noah had been roaming around the city, trying to get access into a high- end bank.And now, he was supposedly surrounded by an army of guards? Something was really fishy…Just then, her eyes landed on the man at the front of the group, and recognition flashed in her eyes. She clenched her fists, it was him! The same gullible bodyguard from the bank earlier that morning; the one whom she had already fed lots of half- truths and mostly lies about Noah, painting him as a dangerous criminal.She had tried to make sure that he wouldn't slip away by any means, but he had. And now she knows how! Feeling a pang of betrayal and anger, she couldn't hold herself back from commenting;“Oh! I see, he has managed to fool you all too! And now you’re siding with him?” Her laugh was bitter, remembering the way this guard had promised her that he would call the police on Noah and that the
At the time when Noah had entered the venue, hardly anyone had noticed him in the middle of VIP guests, each more prestigious than the last.As long as he had an invite and the security had allowed him in, only a fool would waste their time questioning a nobody instead of making the most of this opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most important people in the world. However, as Liam and Sienna started to mock and humiliate Noah out loud in the open, a crowd slowly started to form around them.The guests started to point him out specifically, murmuring about the possibility of him being a con man and still dodging the security arrangements at this venue.Meanwhile, Noah was standing at his place, completely unfazed by their speculations and instead maintained his calm with a smile that didn't even budge for a single moment.“And do you mind telling me, when will she become your wife? Because as far as I know, my sister in law was already married to someone else. So I'm assum