Meanwhile, at the Hawthorn mansion, Luke and Lisa were celebrating in the parlour with drinks. But the mood soured when John Hawthorne strode in, his face like a stormcloud. Without warning, he backhanded Luke hard across the face. Lisa gasped as Luke reeled, clutching his stinging cheek in shock.
59 The next morning, Luke awoke with a pounding headache. The confrontation with his father replayed in his mind, leaving a bitter taste. He dragged himself out of bed, dreading what the day may bring. As he entered the dining hall, he knew something was wrong. The servants fluttered about with a
60 As Darwin's car curled around the final bend, the imposing structure of The Grand View Resort and Hotel loomed into view, its grandeur unmistakable even from a distance. Clad in nothing fancier than his most comfortable casual wear, Darwin's heart sank a little. His mother's bombshell and th
61 Once outside, Darwin allowed himself a moment to catch his breath, his chest heaving with short, ragged breaths. The cool air did little to soothe the storm of emotions raging within—anger, embarrassment, disbelief swirling in a tumultuous mix. He couldn't fathom the nerve of Henry, the blat
62 Darwin, for his part, was just as taken aback. He was aware his mother had some clout in the area, given her ownership of the commercial street, but this? This was beyond anything he'd imagined. The thought that his mother could wield enough influence to make someone like Elliot show him defer
63 Elliot quickly showed Darwin around the manor before he shared some details about his past. At this point, Darwin came to realize that Elliot and his wife had once run a modest bakery. Contrastingly, Lady Wettin had always been part of the affluent elite. Despite her wealth, Lady Wettin was
64 As Darwin turned to see who had called his name, he instantly regretted his decision to wander down Valila Commercial Street. Standing at the entrance of a karaoke bar was Nick, flanked by Trevor, Jessica, Elise, and a few others from their circle. A group Darwin least wanted to encounter—his so
65 As Darwin gazed upon the bar's sign, he recognized it as one of the properties listed in his name. Apart from a previous occasion at a nightclub, he had never before had the chance to do this. However, this time, he was eager to seize the opportunity to cover the expenses for his friends. "Look