At midnight, Mr. Caldwell lay awake, staring into the darkness as heavy thoughts weighed on his mind. The stillness of the room amplified his inner turmoil. Olivia, his wife, had become a different person since their finances had crumbled. His home, once a place where his word held authority, now seemed to operate entirely under Olivia’s control.He let out a deep sigh, his thoughts drifting back to the early days when he had struggled tirelessly to build a future. Back then, humiliation had been a constant companion, but he had endured it, fueled by the dream of creating a stable, prosperous life. Now, those efforts seemed to have crumbled overnight, leaving him feeling powerless.Olivia stirred beside him, waking to see her husband lost in thought. “Honey, why aren’t you asleep yet?” she asked softly, sitting up and placing a hand gently on his arm.“It’s hard to sleep when my mind is full,” he replied, his voice heavy with emotion. “I can’t stop thinking about how everything fell a
Ethan’s heart grew bitter as he watched the sun set and darkness fall. His mind was restless, as every night he had to sleep in an abandoned building with no doors. He wants to hurry up and get back to his little room, where he was temporarily staying. He had been delayed at work because some equipment needed repairs, and as the cleaner, he was required to stay and clean up the mess. He was saving up to get a better one-room apartment in a normal area, once his savings were sufficient. By the time he reached the old, abandoned house where he resided, it was already 1:45 a.m. After a long day at work, he still had to walk nearly two hours to get there. As he approached the old house, he noticed bright lights shining from within. His heart raced as he walked toward the building. When he got closer, he saw his tattered bags and small bed lying outside. Panicking, Ethan rushed to check his briefcase, where he had been saving his money, but it was nowhere to be found. To his shock, th
Ethan quickly bowed his head and thanked her for the lift. All the other workers, who had been looking down on him and mocking him for being the poorest among them, were stunned as they watched him step down from the car belonging to Sophia Caldwell, the youngest daughter of the man who owned the company. “Here, take my card. If you need anything in the future, just call or text me,” Sophia said, pulling a sleek business card from her handbag. She handed it to Ethan as she prepared to leave. Ethan hesitated, then cleared his throat and said, “Actually… I don’t have a phone to text or make calls, but thank you. I’ll keep it.” He slid the card into his trouser pocket. Despite his shabby appearance, Sophia treated him kindly, like an equal—unlike his colleagues, who despised and mocked him for his struggles.. “I’ll come by this afternoon,” Sophia said after a moment, studying him thoughtfully. “I’ll bring you a phone so you can reach out if you ever need help.” Ethan’s eyes widened
“I just need you to sign a contract with me,” Sophia explained, her gaze firmly fixed on Ethan. “My dad isn’t in good health, and he’s asked me to find a husband he can trust to manage his properties. I’m not ready for marriage, nor do I want the properties, but since it’s his wish, I have to take care of these things. That’s why I want us to get married.”Ethan frowned, his confusion evident. “So, that’s your plan? We just met today, and the first thing you think of is marriage? I don’t understand. Do you want James to come after me? Look, I get that your dad is pressuring you, but I’m not ready for marriage either. I can’t fake a relationship—let alone a marriage. I’m sorry, but if this is why you brought me here, I’d rather leave.” He stood abruptly, his frustration clear.Sophia remained calm. “I only asked a question, Ethan. You’re free to say no. And, for the record, this has nothing to do with me bringing you here. It just crossed my mind, so I asked. That’s all. Sit down; it’s
“Sir, no offense, but there’s a man who’s been trying to get close to Sophia,” James said, his voice shaky but determined. “He’s a nobody, probably looking to use her as his personal money-making machine. She doesn’t see it, but I’m just trying to protect her.”Mr. Caldwell studied James carefully, sensing his words were laced with jealousy. “Since when has this been happening? And who exactly is this man? What’s his name?” he asked firmly.James hesitated, fumbling for a response. “His name is Ethan,” he said finally, forcing confidence into his voice. “I’ve noticed him for a while, and I even tried to warn Sophia, but she won’t listen to me. She—she barely gives me a chance to talk.”Mr. Caldwell raised an eyebrow. “Sophia is an independent, capable woman, James. I’ve entrusted her with more responsibilities than any of my other children, even those older than her. She handles it all effortlessly. You, on the other hand, are barely keeping one branch of my company afloat, despite he
Ethan quickly stepped away from the wall when he noticed someone approaching from behind. His heart raced, but he maintained his composure, pulling out his phone to text Sophia about what he had overheard as he walked back toward the cleaner’s room. Text: “Sophia, I need to tell you something urgent. James sent Paul—someone I used to trust—to get information from me. I thought Paul was still the friend I knew, so I told him about everything you’ve done for me. But I just found out he’s working for James now. James is furious about your help and from his words I clearly heard him say he would ruin both of us. I don’t know what exactly he meant, but I don’t want you to face trouble because of me. Maybe you should take back the apartment key.” After sending the message, Ethan let out a shaky breath. His mind raced with doubt and regret. In just two days, Sophia had completely changed his life. He thought about the way she had treated him to an expensive meal just to apologize for how
Sophia had provided a hotel room for Ethan to stay the night while she headed to her family house to wait for James, who was summoned by Mr. Caldwell after work.In the family sitting room, Olivia and Sophia were having a conversation. Olivia casually asked Sophia about the man she was seeing, suspecting that Ethan was more than just a friend.Sophia tried explaining that there was no romantic relationship between them, but Olivia, knowing her daughter’s secretive nature, pressed for details. “If there’s something there, just be honest and bring him home soon. It’s not good to hide things,” Olivia insisted, leaving Sophia cornered. Not wanting to argue, she nodded and muttered, “Okay, Mom.”Moments later, a knock at the door signaled James’s arrival. Sophia opened it without saying a word or meeting his gaze, letting him in before walking back to the sitting room.“Good evening,” James greeted Olivia with a forced smile, his eyes scanning the room as if it were his first visit.Two mi
Ethan stood in the shower, lost in thought as the warm water cascaded over him. Could Mr. Caldwell really be responsible for the death of Philip Reynolds? The question felt heavy, like a stone sinking in his chest. His mind raced, but no answers came.A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Quickly grabbing his trousers, Ethan dressed and opened the door to find Sophia standing there, her face lit up with her usual warmth.“Good morning, Ethan. How was your night?” she asked, her bright smile softening his mood.“Morning, Sophia. My night was fine. And yours?” Ethan replied, his gaze lingering on her. He couldn’t help but notice her new hairstyle; it suited her perfectly.“My night was good too,” she said, stepping closer, her expression growing serious. “Ethan, can I ask you something? What’s your story? I’ve never heard you talk about your family, and… my parents are going to ask. I just need to know.” Her voice softened as she studied his face, uncertain how he’d react.E
At midnight, Mr. Caldwell lay awake, staring into the darkness as heavy thoughts weighed on his mind. The stillness of the room amplified his inner turmoil. Olivia, his wife, had become a different person since their finances had crumbled. His home, once a place where his word held authority, now seemed to operate entirely under Olivia’s control.He let out a deep sigh, his thoughts drifting back to the early days when he had struggled tirelessly to build a future. Back then, humiliation had been a constant companion, but he had endured it, fueled by the dream of creating a stable, prosperous life. Now, those efforts seemed to have crumbled overnight, leaving him feeling powerless.Olivia stirred beside him, waking to see her husband lost in thought. “Honey, why aren’t you asleep yet?” she asked softly, sitting up and placing a hand gently on his arm.“It’s hard to sleep when my mind is full,” he replied, his voice heavy with emotion. “I can’t stop thinking about how everything fell a
Mr. Caldwell watched the news broadcast intently. His face hardened as James confidently addressed the public, proposing his candidacy for leadership of Caldwell Horizon. Though Mr. Caldwell had been sure James was among the robbers at the disastrous party, James denied it to the police, playing the innocent with calculated precision.The sight of James’s smug demeanor stoked a fire within Mr. Caldwell. I won’t let that bastard take over my company while I’m still alive. I’ll make sure he regrets this betrayal. When I get back on my feet, he’ll pay for trying to destroy the man who once lifted him out of obscurity.Sophia Caldwell arrived at the family house, her steps cautious as she entered. She spotted her mother sitting stiffly on the sofa, her expression unreadable.“Mom, what is it you wanted to talk about?” Sophia asked, her voice low but firm.Olivia’s gaze sharpened. “Sophia, I called you here to ask if you’ve made up your mind about what we discussed last night.”Sophia’s ex
“I know about the pregnancy,” Mr. Greyson began, his tone calm yet deliberate as he stepped closer to Sophia. “I can take care of the child as if he were my grandson. All you need to do is marry my son, Alex. A guaranteed future for you and the Caldwell family is assured. Name it—anything you want, and it’s yours.”Sophia’s face twisted in anger, her hands trembling as she gripped the edges of the hospital bed. “Leave me alone,” she spat, her voice laced with fury. “That’s what I want. I don’t need your pity, and I don’t want your money. Just leave me in peace. I can’t marry an incomplete man like Alex.”Mr. Greyson’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening. “You should watch your mouth,” he said coldly. “But I’ll give you time to think this through. Don’t be rash, Sophia. This is the only way to save your family.” With that, he turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing ominously in the hallway.Sophia’s phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, her hea
“I’ve never told you who your father really is,” Audrey began, her voice trembling as she rested her frail hands on her lap. “Your surname isn’t Fallow. I gave you that name because it was my father’s, and I wanted to protect you. But the truth is, your father is Maxwell Harrington—one of the richest men in the world.”Ethan froze, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger. Audrey continued, her voice heavy with years of unspoken pain.“I met him at a party years ago. I was a stripper back then, just trying to survive in a world that didn’t care if I lived or died. That night, I went to a new club, and he called me over. He said he’d pay me well if I made him happy. I didn’t know who he was, but I needed the money. We both got drunk, and he—well, it happened without protection. I didn’t think much of it until I found out I was pregnant.”Audrey paused, her voice cracking. “When I told him, he laughed. He accused me of trying to trap him for his money. He told me to get rid of the ba
About twenty minutes into the robbery, chaos reigned inside the Caldwell estate while the police worked frantically to contain the situation. A loudspeaker blared from outside the building, “This is the police! Drop your weapons and surrender immediately. You’re surrounded—there’s no way out.”Despite their commands, the officers struggled to breach the premises. A bomb squad reported that a powerful explosive had been planted at the entrance. According to the bomb experts, the device was potent enough to demolish the entire building, requiring at least five hours to defuse. The police had no choice but to exercise caution. With several high-profile figures inside, any misstep could spell disaster. The robbers had already warned that if provoked, they would kill everyone, including themselves.Inside the building, Sophia’s piercing screams echoed as one of the masked men violated her. The cold, cruel satisfaction on the man’s face sent waves of helpless rage through Mr. Caldwell. He s
Sophia approached her father in his room, her face a mixture of frustration and sadness. “Dad, why? Why can’t you let me marry Ethan? David and Lila could marry whoever they wanted, and it’s not like Lila’s fiancé is in our league either,” Sophia said, her voice trembling as she stared at Mr. Caldwell.Her father sighed deeply, his expression stern yet weary. “At least Lila’s fiancé has a reasonable background,” he replied softly, yet with finality.Sophia clenched her fists, her voice rising with emotion. “What’s this obsession with background? Weren’t you the one who told us about your struggles? About how you suffered before you became the man who could make others rich in a single day? You’ve built this empire, and you have the power to help Ethan too! He’s responsible and capable—”Mr. Caldwell cut her off sharply, his tone colder now. “Like James was, right?”“No! Ethan is different,” Sophia pleaded, stepping closer. “Trust me, Dad. He’s not like James.”Her father shook his hea
Ethan stood in the shower, lost in thought as the warm water cascaded over him. Could Mr. Caldwell really be responsible for the death of Philip Reynolds? The question felt heavy, like a stone sinking in his chest. His mind raced, but no answers came.A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Quickly grabbing his trousers, Ethan dressed and opened the door to find Sophia standing there, her face lit up with her usual warmth.“Good morning, Ethan. How was your night?” she asked, her bright smile softening his mood.“Morning, Sophia. My night was fine. And yours?” Ethan replied, his gaze lingering on her. He couldn’t help but notice her new hairstyle; it suited her perfectly.“My night was good too,” she said, stepping closer, her expression growing serious. “Ethan, can I ask you something? What’s your story? I’ve never heard you talk about your family, and… my parents are going to ask. I just need to know.” Her voice softened as she studied his face, uncertain how he’d react.E
Sophia had provided a hotel room for Ethan to stay the night while she headed to her family house to wait for James, who was summoned by Mr. Caldwell after work.In the family sitting room, Olivia and Sophia were having a conversation. Olivia casually asked Sophia about the man she was seeing, suspecting that Ethan was more than just a friend.Sophia tried explaining that there was no romantic relationship between them, but Olivia, knowing her daughter’s secretive nature, pressed for details. “If there’s something there, just be honest and bring him home soon. It’s not good to hide things,” Olivia insisted, leaving Sophia cornered. Not wanting to argue, she nodded and muttered, “Okay, Mom.”Moments later, a knock at the door signaled James’s arrival. Sophia opened it without saying a word or meeting his gaze, letting him in before walking back to the sitting room.“Good evening,” James greeted Olivia with a forced smile, his eyes scanning the room as if it were his first visit.Two mi
Ethan quickly stepped away from the wall when he noticed someone approaching from behind. His heart raced, but he maintained his composure, pulling out his phone to text Sophia about what he had overheard as he walked back toward the cleaner’s room. Text: “Sophia, I need to tell you something urgent. James sent Paul—someone I used to trust—to get information from me. I thought Paul was still the friend I knew, so I told him about everything you’ve done for me. But I just found out he’s working for James now. James is furious about your help and from his words I clearly heard him say he would ruin both of us. I don’t know what exactly he meant, but I don’t want you to face trouble because of me. Maybe you should take back the apartment key.” After sending the message, Ethan let out a shaky breath. His mind raced with doubt and regret. In just two days, Sophia had completely changed his life. He thought about the way she had treated him to an expensive meal just to apologize for how