The bar was dimly lit, the air thick with the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke. Jake sat across from Hunter, nursing his drink while listening attentively to Hunter’s ramblings. Hunter's words were slurred, and his eyes were bloodshot from a combination of alcohol and pent-up emotions. “You know, Jake,” Hunter began, his voice wavering, “sometimes I wonder how things got so messed up. My ex in-laws... they were a piece of work. Always meddling, always judging. But Ava... she was the worst of them all.” Jake nodded, his expression sympathetic. He had only known Hunter for a short while, and though he had never met Ava or her family, he had heard enough stories to form a clear picture. “Tell me about it,” Jake said, leaning in slightly. Hunter took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “It’s not just one time. It was everything. They controlled every aspect of our lives. Her parents would criticize me for the smallest things, like the way I dressed or the job I couldn't se
Over the next few weeks, James Lee observed Hunter closely. He took note of certain physical qualities and mannerisms that seemed strikingly similar to his son Michael. Hunter had the same piercing onyx-coloured eyes, the same dimpled smile, and even the same habit of tapping his fingers when deep in thought. James found himself increasingly captivated by the young man, convinced that there was something more than mere coincidence at play. James was sure that Michael had only one son, Williams. Michael would have mentioned if there were another child. This strange resemblance gnawed at James’ mind, distracting him during meetings and luring his thoughts back to Hunter time and again. That evening, James returned home, the Grand Lee mansion standing imposingly against the twilight sky. The mansion, despite its size and grandeur, was eerily silent. It had been this way since Michael fell ill seven years ago. James walked past the ornately decorated rooms, each one a testament to t
Despite hearing from both sides and having both stories sound identical, James couldn’t ignore the gnawing need to be absolutely sure that Hunter’s mother, Charlotte, was indeed the same Charlotte who had been a significant part of Michael’s past. The uncanny resemblance and the name weren’t enough to satisfy his doubt. He needed confirmation, and the only way to get it was to meet Charlotte in person, he decided. One afternoon, after ensuring Hunter was busy at work, James took Hunter’s address from the company’s records. The drive to the modest neighbourhood where Charlotte lived was filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. His sleek, expensive car felt out of place as he pulled up to the small, well-kept house with a vibrant front yard garden. Charlotte was tending to her flowers, her hands deftly working the soil. When she noticed the luxury car, a flicker of apprehension crossed her face. She straightened up, wiping her hands on her apron, and watched as James stepped
James had spent the last few days contemplating the best way to break the news to Patricia and Williams about Hunter’s true identity. He knew it would be a shock, especially to Patricia, but he believed it was time for the truth to come out. One evening, he called a family meeting in the living room, his heart heavy with the weight of the revelation. Patricia and Williams sat on the plush couches, curiosity and slight apprehension evident on their faces. James cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts. “Thank you both for coming. There’s something very important I need to tell you,” James began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. Williams leaned forward, his brow furrowed in concern. “What is it, Grandpa?” James took a deep breath. “I recently discovered something about our family, something that changes everything. You both know that Michael had a serious relationship before he married you, Patricia.” Patricia’s expression hardened slightly, but she nodded. “Yes, Ja
Hunter stood outside the courthouse, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion. The divorce from Ava had been long and painful, but it was finally over. The sun was high, and the courthouse steps were bustling with people, but all he could think about was moving forward. As he approached the entrance, he saw Ava and her mother waiting. Their faces twisted with anger as they spotted him. “You worthless piece of trash!” Ava’s mother spat, her voice venomous. “You couldn’t even keep a marriage together.” Ava joined in, her words cutting deep. “You’re useless, Hunter. I can’t believe I even considered marrying trash like you.” Hunter took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. He knew engaging with them would only make things worse. “Goodbye, Ava. I hope you find happiness,” he said simply before turning away. Ignoring the continued barrage of insults, Hunter walked to the exit. As he stepped outside, he was taken aback to see a sleek black sedan parked at the curb, a uniformed
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity at the Lee mansion and the Lee Corporation offices. The upcoming press conference, where James would reveal Hunter as his first grandson and subsequent heir, required meticulous planning and coordination. James was determined to ensure everything went smoothly. James stood in his office, reviewing the press release drafts with his assistant, Matthew. “We need to make sure the statement is clear and leaves no room for misinterpretation. This announcement is going to change everything.” Matthew nodded, jotting down notes. “I’ve scheduled meetings with the PR team to refine the message and anticipate potential questions from the media. We’re also preparing a video montage to introduce Hunter and highlight his achievements in college and as a employee in business industry.” James looked out the window, deep in thought. “Good. Hunter deserves to be recognized for who he is and what he’s accomplished. This isn’t just about the inheritanc
Patricia paced back and forth in her room, her thoughts a whirlwind of anger and frustration. The presence of Hunter and his mother, Charlotte, was a constant reminder that her carefully constructed life was at risk of unravelling. Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, she picked up her burner phone and dialled the only number saved on it once again. The phone rang several times before the gruff voice answered. “What now, Patricia?” Patricia’s voice was sharp, laced with impatience. “How long are you planning to take? I need Hunter and Charlotte gone from my life immediately.” There was a pause on the other end, then a low, menacing chuckle. “You seem to forget who you’re talking to, Patricia. You don’t make demands of me.” Patricia’s grip tightened on the phone. “I’m paying you a lot of money. I expect results.” The man sighed, his tone shifting to one of warning. “Careful, Patricia. You may be paying me, but I’m the one taking all the risks. A little gratitude might b
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
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,