Chapter One The streets of an open-air market bustled with a lot of activity as people bought and sold their wares. It wasn't quiet, but to an extent, beautiful. This market was one of the best in the state as they sold things that would normally be expensive in normal stores at cheaper rates here. While the quality might be slightly lower, its affordability was its true essence. In the middle of all these activities, stood a young man. His short black hair reflected the light of the sun and his silver-coloured eyes seemed like they could see through anything and everything. His build wasn’t particularly big, but he exuded a bit of a strong aura around him. Jason decided to take a stroll around this market and see if he could get some ingredients for lunch. ‘Those grocery stores be pissing me off. Can’t get a decent lunch without having to spend too much. Tsk… what a drag.’ he thought to himself as he walked through the road betwee
Chapter Two“Tsk… you fool. Don’t you dare call me that amongst these people?” She growled with a whisper but Jason didn’t stop. “Why shouldn’t I call my wife sweet names? Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed by it. I can see the redness on your cheeks.” He taunted and Karen could almost not take it anymore. “I am seriously not in the mood for your stupid games. I will not be lumped together with trash like you.” She bellowed and Jason was slightly displeased but didn’t voice it. Seeing this, Karen calmed down before returning to her cold expression, “So, what did you get my grandmother?” She asked. “You don’t want to be lumped with trash yet you speak to trash,” Jason replied with a cold expression too and one would notice a vein appear on Karen’s forehead.“You think you can just speak to me as you wish because I am married to you?! Are you courting death?!” She inched closer to him and squeezed his shirt by the collar. However, Jason remained indifferent.“What sor
Chapter Three “Aaaaah. What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Jared yelled with shock. His heart sank and not just him, even Karen was astounded. ‘I didn’t know he had such a bad temper.’ she thought to herself with a worried look on her face. However, when they all looked at the vase, they noticed something. The vase wasn’t smashed to pieces like they all expected. But it wasn’t undamaged either. “If it’s truly what you claim it to be, and it does come from the Ming Dynasty, then the vase should be in pieces by now.” Jason analyzed before picking up the vase that only seemed to have suffered a small breakage at the edge at which it made contact with the ground. “Also… for a vase made during the Ming dynasty era, don’t you think this vase’s designs are a little too… perfect? The carvings here are very intricate. No human can achieve this sort of precision without the modern tools we have today.” He pointed but the latter glared at him. “You… what… do
Chapter Four “Grandma… what’s going on?” Karen asked worriedly but got no response from her grandmother. Mrs. Jamie sighed after a while. It seemed like she was quite surprised about the authenticity of the vase and upon seeing that it was indeed a fake, she couldn’t help but sigh. ‘How good would it have been if it were the real thing.’ she thought to herself before looking at her granddaughter, who looked worried. “It’s all right my dear Karen. Even though it’s not authentic, it’s still a gift, and gifts aren’t meant to be rejected unless they are harmful,” she claimed and Karen couldn’t help but smile. Indeed, her grandmother’s wisdom left her marveling. She chatted with her before going to meet her brother. However, the latter was still fuming near the pool, thinking about what Jason had done to him that day. The embarrassment was too much for him to take. Not only that, but his father scolded him to a point and his allowances were going to be cut for a few month
Chapter Five Jason placed the breakfast brought by Karen on the kitchen counter before resuming his work. He was preparing breakfast before she came in, so he just had to continue with that. Karen watched him and she was confused. “What are you doing?” she asked and the latter looked at her. “Preparing breakfast,” he replied. “What happened to the one I brought you?” “Well, I was already preparing one before you came. Didn’t expect me to go to work with an empty stomach, did you?” Jason asked but Karen scoffed. “So you’re not going to eat it?” she questioned, her voice colder than normal and her eyes squinted. “Of course not. I don’t want a certain tigress yelling how useless I am.” Jason chortled before pouring the eggs into the frying pan. “What do you mean? Have I ever screamed about how useless you are before?” Karen asked and Jason looked at her with raised brows. He didn’t speak as he expected her to figure it out. ‘Silly
Chapter Six Jason couldn’t begin to fathom the reason for this person coming here but he sighed and regained his calm demeanor. However, the cold look didn’t leave his face and he kept his eyes on the man in a white suit. Mary noticed the sudden change in his expression and wondered what was going on. She traced his eyes and saw the man in a white suit, but she didn’t recognize him.“Hey… you okay man?” She asked but Jason sighed.“I’ll be right back.” He said before shifting the milkshake towards her.“What? Why don’t you just take this with you…” She uttered but the latter didn’t seem bothered. She pouted before grabbing his milkshake and wanted to place it inside the fridge, but she decided to take a sip.“Hmm… this tastes good,” she uttered before deciding against putting the milkshake inside the fridge and drinking it instead. Her mood had also brightened.Meanwhile, the man in the suit walked into the restaurant and took a seat. He ordered a few things from a good-looking w
Chapter SevenIt was a bit early in the morning as Jason was just about to go to work. He did not have breakfast he intended to grab brunch by afternoon. Just as he prepared to put on his shoes, he heard a knock on his door.“A visitor this early? I wonder who that is,” he said before walking towards the door and opening it. However, he saw a familiar but unexpected face looking at him coldly and standing by his front door.“May I come in?” Karen asked and Jason sighed. He wasn’t one to keep grudges, but he was no longer going to remain the same to her. He would normally want to invite her in and have a brief chat with her, even though he was already late for work, but not today.“Nope. I’m just about to go to work.” He said and the latter frowned. She simply groaned inside herself but didn’t complain.“I brought you breakfast again.” She said but Jason sighed.“Well, you’re gonna be eating it on your own because I’m not hungry,” he said before going back inside to pick up his bag and
Chapter Eight It would be an understatement to say that Karen was stunned by those words of his. She was completely caught off guard and suddenly, she couldn’t help but think about him. She looked at his calm but still serious face and a tint of admiration surfaced in her mind, even though it was only for an instant. ‘He considers me a priority to him and my safety matters. Why though? He could simply just let the assassins kill me. After all, they were most likely sent by my brother and I think he knows this too. Yet…’ She thought to herself and pursed her lips.“Keep your eyes sharp, Karen. Don’t act like I’m holding you hostage.” His voice jolted her out of her thoughts. She wanted to flare up and turn this into a small argument but remembering that there were assassins after Jason, she just kept quiet.“I don’t get something though. Since they’re after you, why don’t I just go home while you deal with them… or let them deal with you…” She suggested but Jason shook his head.
The air was thick with the scent of jasmine as Karen stood on the veranda of the grand Marco estate, her heart heavy with the burden of her unspoken words. It had been months since Karen and Marco had truly spoken, and even longer since the incident in the train station. The tension between them was palpable, but Karen was ready to tire to adjust things with her husband.Karen had spent the last few weeks trying to reach out to Jason, who had distanced himself, retreating into the solitude of his apartment in the city.She had called, sent messages, even written him letters—each one filled with the hope that he would come back to her, back to the life in the estate.But Jason remained silent, his pain and doubts holding him back from returning to the place that held so many memories, both beautiful and painful.She knew the reasons for his hesitation. The Marco family was not just any family; the fighting, legacy, power, and expectations weighed heavily on Jason’s shoulders.But recen
"Ben, are you okay?" Hilary asked, his voice low and steady.Ben let out a shaky breath. "Not really. I have no idea what's going on. They dragged me out of my own home in front of my family, accusing me of stealing our damn painting. It doesn't make any sense."Hilary leaned forward, his eyes scrutinizing Ben's face. "I need you to be completely honest with me. Is there any possibility that you could be implicated in this? Any dealings, communications, anything that could be misconstrued?"Ben's eyes flashed with indignation. "Of course not! Why would I steal from my own family? That painting means as much to me as anyone else."Hilary nodded, considering. "They're claiming to have evidence—financial records, communication logs. Any idea where that could have come from?"Ben hesitated, thinking hard. "No. Unless... unless someone planted it. I mean, I handle a lot of the family's business dealings, but nothing illegal. Someone must be setting me up."Before Hilary could respond, ther
The atmosphere in the Ravenelli dining room was already tense, but the sudden intrusion of the LAPD turned unease into utter chaos.As the police officers filed into the ornate room, their uniforms starkly contrasting against the opulent decor, the family members froze in shock. The lead detective, a stern-looking woman with sharp features and piercing blue eyes stepped forward, holding up a badge."Good evening. I'm Detective Laura Martinez with the LAPD. We're here for Ben Ravenelli," she announced firmly, her gaze scanning the faces around the table.Ben, who had been nursing a glass of red wine and a wounded ego from the earlier confrontation, looked up incredulously. "What the hell is this about?" he demanded, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet.Detective Martinez's expression remained impassive. "Mr. Ravenelli, you're under arrest for the theft of the Monalisa portrait and conspiracy to commit fraud. Please turn around and place your hands behind your back."Gasps fil
The Ravenelli Estate stood grand and imposing, its vast gardens meticulously maintained, with towering trees casting long shadows over the manicured lawns. Jason Ravenelli walked beside his mother, Mrs. Rose Ravenelli, his wife Karen on his other side, as they took in the sight of the estate. It had been years since Jason had set foot on this land, ever since his grandfather had cast him out. The memories of that day lingered, but today, he felt something different—something almost akin to hope.Mrs. Rose pointed out various parts of the estate as they walked. "The east wing has been completely renovated," she said, her voice tinged with pride. "We added a new library, and the garden has been expanded. You remember how your grandfather loved his roses."Jason nodded, his eyes scanning the familiar yet changed surroundings. "It’s different, but it still feels like home."Karen smiled, squeezing Jason’s hand. "It’s beautiful, Mrs. Ravenelli. I can see why you’re so proud of it."Mrs. Ro
"What's on your mind, Jason?"Karen turned to face him, her expression soft but concernedHe sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... everything's different now. Being the Ravenelli heir—it changes everything. I don’t even know where to start."Karen reached out, gently placing a hand on his arm. "You start by facing it head-on. You’ve always been strong, Jason. You can handle this."Jason looked at her, appreciating the calm resolve in her voice. "I haven’t been back to the estate since Grandfather cast me out. It feels like a lifetime ago.""Maybe it’s time to go back," Karen suggested. "You’re the heir now. That estate is yours, along with everything that comes with it."He hesitated, memories of the old man’s harsh words echoing in his mind. "What if they haven’t forgiven me?"Karen smiled gently. "You don’t need their forgiveness. You’ve earned your place. It’s time to claim it."Jason lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the early morning light filtered through the
As the night unfolded, Jason sat on the edge of the bed in their elegantly decorated bedroom, the weight of the evening’s revelations pressing down on him. The room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, casting flickering shadows on the walls, but the warmth in the air did little to ease the coldness he felt inside.Karen, with her golden hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, moved quietly around the room, her movements graceful and purposeful. She was dressed in a delicate, silky creamy lingerie set that clung to her curves, emphasizing her ethereal beauty. She had chosen it carefully, hoping that tonight, after everything that had happened, she could be the one to soothe Jason’s troubled soul.She approached him slowly, her bare feet barely making a sound on the plush carpet. Jason looked up as she neared, his eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and wariness. He had always been able to read Karen like an open book, and tonight, despite her soft demeanor, he couldn’t shak
A dancer had been entertaining him for a while, her laughter light and flirtatious as she tried to coax a smile out of him. But Ben's thoughts were far away, lost in the storm of emotions that churned within him. As the minutes ticked by, his patience wore thin, and the dancer's attempts at seduction began to grate on his nerves."Come on, Ben," she purred, leaning in close to whisper in his ear. "Why don't you let me take your mind off things?"But instead of responding to her advances, Ben's hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly. His eyes were dark, filled with a volatile mix of anger and desperation. "Touch me," he demanded, his voice rough and slurred from the alcohol. "Make me forget."The dancer's eyes widened in fear as she tried to pull away, her playful demeanor vanishing in an instant. "I can't," she said, her voice trembling as she looked around for help. "Please, let go."But Ben's grip only tightened, his anger rising like a tidal wave. The events of the night—the rev
The night was growing late, and the revelers in the Marco estate’s grand ballroom were finally beginning to filter out, their excitement over the shocking revelation still buzzing in their conversations. Jason, however, had retreated to his private quarters, away from the eyes of the guests and the burden of his newfound status. The emotions of the evening weighed heavily on him—relief, confusion, and the simmering anger at how his life had been manipulated without his knowledge.As he sat on the edge of his bed, lost in thought, there was a sharp knock on the door. Before he could respond, the door swung open, and Jared Marco, his brother-in-law, strode in with the kind of arrogance that made Jason’s skin crawl. Jared was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, but the sneer on his face ruined whatever charm he might have otherwise possessed.“Jason,” Jared drawled, his tone thick with sarcasm, “or should I say, *Mr. Ravenelli*? Congratulations are in order, aren’t they? You’ve really out
My son, Jason Ravenelli, is the rightful heir to the Ravenelli Empire.”The silence that followed was deafening. Every eye in the room was on Jason, who still hadn’t moved, and still hadn’t fully processed the enormity of what had just been revealed. He had always known he was different, that he didn’t quite belong in the Marco family, but this—this was beyond anything he had ever imagined.Karen, her initial shock giving way to a wave of happiness and pride, grabbed Jason’s hand. “Jason,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “you’re the heir. You’re the Ravenelli heir.”Mrs. Marco, who had been watching from a distance, felt a sense of relief wash over her. For years, she had carried the burden of knowing the truth, of keeping the secret that Jason was not truly her son, but the son of the Ravenelli family. She had grown to love him as her own, but the weight of the deception had taken its toll. Now, at last, the truth was out, and she could finally breathe.As Jason stood there, stil