Shadows Of Deceit
Author: Aniovoh
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

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
Continue to read this book on the App

Related Chapters

  • Hidden Legacy    Amelia Greene

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    A Rocky Start

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    A New Start

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    Meeting His Ex

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    Persistent Pursuit

    Ava didn’t know the meaning of giving up. After her last confrontation with Amelia, she was even more determined to get through to Hunter. The image of her ex-husband’s stoic face haunted her, and her mind twisted with thoughts of what she had lost. The fact that Hunter was now the heir to the Lee fortune only fuelled her desperation. She needed him back—not for love or even for the prestige, but because her life had spiralled out of control since their divorce, and Hunter was the key to regaining her footing. Her next attempt after that fateful encounter with Amelia at the office, was at a charity gala that she knew Hunter would attend. She had been planning to make a grand entrance, to remind him of the woman he had once fallen for. But as she arrived, dressed in an elegant red gown designed to turn heads, her heart sank when she saw Amelia lingering around Hunter— who seemed to be in a heated discussion with some businessmen, scanning the crowd. “Good evening, Ms. Greene.” Ava

  • Hidden Legacy    Power Shifts

    The evening sun cast a warm, golden hue over the garden outside Amelia’s house. Inside, the small living room was filled with a sense of quiet anticipation. James sat across from Amelia, his sharp eyes softened with age but still holding a commanding presence. He held a cup of tea between his large hands, the steam swirling lazily upward. Amelia, seated with a notepad and pen out of habit, watched him patiently, ready to jot down any relevant information that might alter the direction of the company, and possibly the family, forever. “Amelia,” James began, breaking the silence. His voice was deep, measured, as if weighing each word before it left his lips. “You’ve been with us for a while now, but you’re a seasoned secretary and you’ve seen the ups and downs, the battles within and outside companies. I’ve come to a point where I must make a decision that will affect the future of everything we’ve built.” Amelia leaned slightly forward, her curiosity piqued. “What are you thinking,

  • Hidden Legacy    The Heart Wants What it Wants

    The passing weeks were a whirlwind of meetings, decisions, and long hours as Hunter Lee gradually took the reins of the family business. He threw himself into the role with a single-minded focus, determined to prove his worth not just to his grandfather, but to himself. The shadows of past mistakes loomed large in his mind—chief among them, his disastrous marriage. The bitter memories of how his ex-wife had betrayed him left deep scars, making him wary of trusting anyone, especially when it came to matters of the heart. Amelia, on the other hand, was a model of professionalism and efficiency. As a long-time secretary, she was more than familiar with the inner workings of the company and had become an invaluable asset to Hunter. She was there for every meeting, handled every crisis with calm composure, and often worked late into the night to ensure things ran smoothly. But behind the professional facade, Amelia couldn’t help but notice the subtle changes in Hunter—how he was more wit

  • Hidden Legacy    A Glimpse of Us

    The Lee Enterprises office was buzzing with activity as usual, with employees moving quickly from one task to another. Hunter Lee’s office, however, was filled with a different kind of tension. For the past few months, Hunter had been managing the company smoothly, his confidence growing with each passing day. Even Ava, had backed off from her frequent and uninvited visits, leaving him free to focus. Yet, the pressure of proving himself never really left. And today, it was all boiling over. Hunter leaned back in his chair, his face buried in his hands. “Where the hell is that file?” he muttered angrily. The file contained crucial documents for a high-stakes meeting later that afternoon. Without it, the presentation would be a disaster. Amelia entered his office with a cup of coffee, her usual warm smile in place. “Here’s your coffee, Mr. Lee. Anything else I can help with?” Hunter didn’t look up, his jaw clenched tight. “I can’t find the Simpson file. I asked you to organize eve

Latest Chapter

  • Hidden Legacy    

    Closer To You

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    

    Apprehension

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    

    Why Me?

    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.”

  • Hidden Legacy    

    Kidnapped

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    

    A Web of Lies

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    

    A Sharp Reality

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    

    The Mask of Deception

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    

    Threading on Dangerous Waters

    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

  • Hidden Legacy    

    Unravelling Schemes

    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,