In the opulent living room of the Paige mansion, Ava sat on the edge of the plush sofa, her hands clenched in frustration. The news of Hunter’s true identity had hit her like a ton of bricks, and she was spiralling into a pit of regret and anger. She had divorced the heir to the biggest conglomerate in America without even knowing it. The implications of her mistake gnawed at her constantly. Ava’s father, Andrew Paige, a stern man with a booming voice, was sipping his evening whiskey when he looked over at his daughter, shaking his head in disbelief. “You really screwed up this time, Ava. Do you know what kind of opportunity you just let slip through your fingers?” Ava’s brothers, Richard and Mark, were no less forgiving. Richard smirked as he leaned back in his chair. “All those years scheming to get a piece of grandpa’s supposed inheritance, and you never thought to aim higher. Who would’ve thought the idiot you were using was actually a Lee?” Mark chimed in, his tone dripping
In the quiet neighbourhood where Charlotte lived, the atmosphere was serene, a stark contrast to the brewing storm that was about to hit. She had just finished watering her garden and was enjoying a cup of tea on her porch when her phone buzzed with a message from Hunter. He was adjusting to his new life but wanted to reassure her that they were in this together. Charlotte smiled, her heart swelling with pride and love for her son.Unbeknownst to her, a shadow was lurking nearby. The unidentified man Patricia had been conspiring with had been given his orders: to eliminate Hunter and his mother from Patricia’s life. He had been watching Charlotte for days, studying her routines, and now he was ready to strike.That evening, Charlotte decided to take a walk to clear her mind. She strolled through the quiet streets, lost in thoughts of her past with Michael and the future she hoped to build with Hunter now back in her life. As she turned a corner, she felt a chill run down her spine,
After the harrowing kidnapping incident, Hunter found it difficult to shake off the lingering fear and anxiety. The thought of returning to the Lee mansion, where his family’s wealth and status painted a target on their backs, filled him with dread. He became increasingly reluctant to go back, preferring the safety and anonymity of their modest home.Charlotte, on the other hand, had her own reservations. She worried that her presence at the mansion would not be welcomed, especially by Patricia, who had made no secret of her disdain. But the insistence from James, Michael, and even Williams eventually wore down her resistance. They made it clear that she and Hunter were an integral part of the family, and it was time to fully integrate into the household.One evening, as Charlotte and Hunter sat on their porch, James and Williams arrived unannounced. James’s face was set with determination, while Williams wore his usual easy-going smile.“Charlotte, Hunter.” James began, “We need
The Lee mansion had transformed since the arrival of Hunter and Charlotte. Despite the tension, particularly from Patricia, the house now buzzed with a renewed sense of hope. Charlotte spent much of her time with Michael, offering him companionship and solace. Their bond, rekindled after so many years, brought a gentle light into Michael’s life. However, beneath the surface, shadows of deceit and malice lingered. Patricia’s facade of indifference masked her continuing efforts to poison Michael. She was determined to maintain her control over the household, regardless of the cost. More so, with the sudden appearance of Hunter and his mother, she was determined to ensure that her own son would not be cheated of his inheritance. Williams should be the sole heir to the Lee family’s inheritance. One afternoon, Charlotte and Michael were in the garden, enjoying the warm sunlight. Michael looked frailer than usual, his face pale and drawn. “How are you feeling today, Michael?” Charlot
Months had passed since Hunter’s identity was revealed, and the Lee household was undergoing a transformation. Hunter had stepped into the business world with the confidence and determination that marked him as a true Lee. His sharp mind and natural leadership skills impressed not only James but also the board members who had initially been sceptical of this new heir. James, seeing the potential in his grandson, began to delegate more responsibilities to him. Hunter was now handling meetings on his own, negotiating deals, and making decisions that directly impacted the company’s future.Michael, still abroad with Charlotte, was making a remarkable recovery. The treatment had worked wonders, and he was slowly regaining his strength. Though still unable to walk unaided, his condition had improved drastically. Charlotte, ever the devoted companion, stayed by his side, but even from afar, they kept in close contact with the family, offering their support and guidance.Back home, William
Hunter Lee sat at his desk, his eyes glued to the screen in front of him. The morning had been a whirlwind of meetings, phone calls, and last-minute preparations for an upcoming business trip. Despite his growing prominence in the Lee family business, he felt a gnawing anxiety in the pit of his stomach. His mother’s kidnapping had left him on edge, and the constant pressure from all sides was beginning to wear on him. The last thing he wanted to deal with was another new face in his already crowded life. A knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts. “Come in,” he called out, his voice sharper than intended. The door opened, and Amelia Greene stepped in. She carried a small notepad and a pen, her posture straight, her expression poised yet uncertain. Despite her professional demeanour, there was an unmistakable nervousness in her eyes as she approached Hunter’s desk. “Mr. Lee.” she greeted, her voice steady but soft. “I’m Amelia Greene, your new secretary. Mr. Lee—your gran
Amelia Greene let out a deep, exhausted sigh as she closed the door of her small apartment behind her. The first day at her new job had been a challenge, leaving her mentally drained and physically weary. Without even bothering to turn on the lights, she kicked off her shoes and shuffled into the living room. Her eyes fell on the single couch she had managed to arrange in the otherwise cluttered space, and she immediately slumped into it, sinking into the worn fabric. She gazed around the room, disheartened by the sight of unopened boxes stacked haphazardly against the walls. They were a stark reminder of how much she still had to do to make this place feel like home. The movers had delivered everything just over a week ago, but between settling into her new job and trying to adjust to life in New York, Amelia hadn’t had the time—or the energy—to unpack. Her eyes travelled to the boxes scattered around the house, each filled with items she hadn’t yet bothered to take out. Pots a
Hunter leaned back in his car, eyes closed as he tried to erase the day’s events from his mind. It was quiet now, the only sound being his audible breathing. Despite the stillness around him, his thoughts were anything but calm. His new secretary, Amelia Greene, had been on his mind since their first meeting that morning. Hunter had been intentionally cold, keeping his distance and making it clear that he had no interest in forming any kind of personal connection. But as much as he tried to ignore it, a nagging guilt crept in. He hadn’t missed the way Amelia’s hands trembled slightly as she handed him his schedule, or the momentary flicker of uncertainty in her eyes when he gave her curt instructions. He’d been harsh, perhaps unnecessarily so, but it was a defence mechanism he couldn’t afford to let down. Hunter knew all too well the consequences of letting someone get close. He’d been burned before—his mind inevitably wandered back to Ava, his ex-wife. They had married, and Hunt
Hunter paced his office, his brow furrowed and his phone clutched tightly in his hand. The soft glow of the desk lamp barely illuminated the room, casting long shadows on the walls. It had been two days since Amelia went missing, and every passing second felt like a heavy weight pressing down on him.Ethan leaned against the desk, his face a mirror of Hunter’s frustration. “I don’t understand,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “She wouldn’t just vanish like this. Amelia’s not impulsive.”Hunter stopped pacing, his dark eyes narrowing. “I know,” he replied sharply. “She’s always punctual. Always responsible. This isn’t like her.”“Have you heard from the police?” Ethan asked, his voice low but urgent.Hunter shook his head. “They’re working on it. But we’re not exactly their top priority. Missing persons cases take time—time we don’t have.”Ethan crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. “She’s my cousin, Mr. Lee. I can’t let anything happen to her. I’m not even sure how to call my
From the moment Hunter stepped into the company’s building, he felt that something was off. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary though, so he couldn’t understand why he was feeling this way. He made his way into his office, still trying to understand what was making him feel that way. Maybe it was the fact that he was yet to have his daily dose of caffeine or something.As he settled into his office chair and switched on his laptop to check his unread emails, his mind drifted off to the phone call with his parents the night before. As expected, his Dad was only getting better day by day. There was a certain glow to him and he was even thinking of starting physiotherapy. His mom was so happy when she was sharing about Michael’s progress with James and Hunter, you could literally feel the happiness in her voice as she and Michael took turns recalling several moments since they left for Michael’s treatment. Honestly, Hunter was glad that his father was getting better. That just mea
Amelia blinked, her eyes adjusting to the dim light as a figure stepped into the room. Her heart raced as she squinted, trying to make out the man’s face. She had already conjured the worst case scenario- that her ex had finally found her and was about to torture her. The man moved closer, and the faint glow from a small window high on the wall illuminated his features. She didn’t recognise him. Panic surged through her chest as the realization hit her: this wasn’t Steven, her obsessive ex. This man was a stranger. A sharp jolt of fear shook her out of her confused state. Who was this man? Why was she here? “Let me go!” Amelia’s voice cracked with desperation as she resumed struggling against her bindings. The ropes bit into her skin, tight and unforgiving. “Why am I here? What do you want from me?” The man stood in front of her, his expression neutral but slightly annoyed. He sighed loudly and then, with an exasperated tone, said, “Shut up, will you? I’m just doing my job.”
Ava sat in her spacious living room, her manicured fingers tapping impatiently against the armrest of her leather couch. She had expected chaos, a storm of judgment and pressure directed at Hunter, but what had followed was far from her plan. The media frenzy she had so carefully orchestrated had fallen apart within days. Articles had been mysteriously pulled, and apologies issued publicly. The buzz around Hunter’s alleged mistreatment of her was gone—replaced by whispers of her dishonesty. Her phone buzzed, and she stared at it with cold eyes. It was another message from her mother, full of concern and confusion. Her family was worried, asking why the media had retracted their story, why suddenly everyone was siding with Hunter. Ava tossed the phone onto the couch in frustration. She felt trapped—this wasn’t how things were supposed to go. She wanted Hunter to come running to her, desperate to fix things, willing to give in to her demands. But instead, it seemed like everything was
Ava was meticulous when it came to planning her moves, and this was no different. She knew how to play her cards, and the game she was setting up with Hunter was no exception. Just a week after confirming her pregnancy, Ava discovered that the child was the result of a short-lived fling she’d had a couple of with some guy. Rather than letting this inconvenience derail her plans, she saw it as an opportunity to further tighten her grip on Hunter. Hunter had made it clear that he didn’t want anyone to know about the pregnancy until he was ready, but Ava had no intention of keeping that promise. She needed leverage, and what better way than to stir the pot before Hunter could even get his bearings? Ava sat in her spacious, meticulously decorated apartment, scrolling through her contacts until she landed on her mother’s number. She hesitated for a brief second, then hit dial. The phone barely rang twice before her mother picked up, her voice dripping with concern. “Ava, darling! Ho
The next day, while Hunter was buried in reviewing some documents, his phone buzzed on his desk, jolting him out of his work. He glanced at the screen and saw a text from Ava: ‘I’m heading to the hospital now to confirm the pregnancy. The appointment is at 2 PM. I expect you to be there.’ Hunter stared at the message for a moment, his emotions a tangled mess. He didn’t want to believe Ava’s claims, but he knew he had to face this head-on. If she really was pregnant—and if the child was somehow his—then he needed to know for certain. He typed a quick reply: ‘I’ll be there.’ The next few hours passed in a blur. He tried to focus on his work, but his thoughts kept drifting to the appointment. By the time 1:30 PM rolled around, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing anxiety any longer. He grabbed his coat and told Amelia he was stepping out for a while. Her concerned eyes followed him as he left, but she didn’t ask any questions, sensing the gravity of whatever was weighing on him. W
The day had started like any other, with the usual bustle of meetings, reports, and phone calls. Hunter was finally beginning to move past the paranoia that had lingered since the drugging incident two months ago. His grandfather James, and even his father Michael had both been furious when they found out what had happened, demanding tighter security and investigations. Even Patricia, who had never hidden her disdain for Hunter, had shown genuine shock when she heard the news. For a while, Hunter had ruled out the possibility of any family member being involved. But despite the lingering questions, things had finally started to settle down, and Hunter was slowly easing back into his normal routine. The office buzzed with activity as the day unfolded, and for a moment, it seemed like the shadow of the past was finally fading away. That is, until he heard the commotion outside his office. A loud cry echoed through the hallway, followed by the sound of frantic sobbing. Hunter frow
Ava stood by the window of her luxury apartment, staring at the skyline with a smirk curling at the edge of her lips. It was clear her previous attempts to bring Hunter down and crawling back to her had failed miserably, thanks in no small part to that secretary of his, Amelia. But Ava wasn’t the type to back down easily. If Patricia’s schemes weren’t enough to shake Hunter’s control, then it was time for her to take matters into her own hands—directly. And this time, she wasn’t interested in ruining his reputation. No, she wanted to rekindle the flame that once existed between them, to pull him back into her grasp where he belonged. The plan was simple but effective: tamper with Hunter’s lunch order and let the drug do its work. She had timed it perfectly—Amelia would be on her usual afternoon break, leaving Hunter alone. It was now or never.Hunter’s day had been gruelling. He was swamped with meetings and reports, but he was used to the pressure. What caught him off guard was th
Patricia sat in her dimly lit study, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished mahogany desk. The room was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, but the bitter taste of resentment lingered in her mind. Weeks of scheming with Ava had led them to this point. The groundwork had been laid: whispers in the right ears, planted doubts in the minds of the board members, and calculated rumours designed to paint Hunter as a ruthless and manipulative leader. They were confident that the seeds they had sown would soon bear fruit. But Patricia couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her. For all their efforts, Hunter had yet to show any signs of cracking. Across town, Ava was busy playing her part. She had reconnected with some of Hunter’s old acquaintances from college and strategically let slip comments about how he was always distant, cold, and more interested in personal gain than genuine relationships. “He’s always been like that.” she would say with a practiced sigh,