REVENGE OF THE ILLEGITIMATE HEIR

imprisoned.

The clang of metal echoed through the cold, sterile walls of the prison as Dimitri was ushered into his new, unwanted reality. The officers pushed him roughly into a small cell, the heavy door slamming shut behind him with a deafening sound. He stood there, his hands shackled, his mind spinning in disbelief.

What had just happened? How had everything fallen apart so quickly? His father was dead, and he had been blamed for it without a single chance to defend himself. No trial, no hearing. Just accusations and a sentence.

His mind felt numb, the weight of the injustice pressing down on him like a heavy cloak. He hadn’t even been allowed to explain, to plead his case. They had simply dismissed him. The case was closed.

As the guards left, Dimitri sank to the floor of his tiny cell, his back pressed against the cold stone wall. His thoughts swirled in a haze of anger and confusion. How had Ava and Quinn managed to turn the entire world against him so easily? How had they orchestrated this?

His body felt heavy with exhaustion, but he couldn’t sleep. His mind kept racing, his thoughts trapped in a whirlwind of unanswered questions and betrayal. He had never felt so alone in his life.

---

Meanwhile, outside the prison walls, Ava and Quinn were celebrating their victory. The death of Levan had opened a door to opportunities they had both long dreamed of, and now they stood on the precipice of their new empire.

Ava sat in her plush living room, her face a mask of fake sorrow. She had practiced her mourning for hours in front of the mirror, perfecting the tearful look, the trembling voice. To the outside world, she was the grieving widow, devastated by the loss of her beloved husband. But inside, she couldn’t have been more thrilled. Levan’s death meant that Dimitri was out of the way, and she could finally take control of everything she and Quinn had been scheming toward for so long.

She glanced over at Quinn, who was lounging on the sofa, his smirk evident. He knew what was coming. They both did.

“I can’t believe it’s finally happening,” Ava said softly, her eyes gleaming with greed. “Levan was always in the way. He wouldn’t have understood what we need to do. But now… now we have everything.”

Quinn leaned forward, his eyes dark with ambition. “This is just the beginning, Mother. The Apollo Empire is ours for the taking. We just have to move carefully.”

Ava’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Of course. We’ll be smart about this. Dimitri was a thorn in our side, but now that he’s out of the picture, no one will stand in our way. We’ll take control of everything Levan built, and no one will even see it coming.”

Quinn’s smirk widened as he leaned back, his hands behind his head. “It’s going to be perfect. The company, the power, the wealth... it’ll all be ours.”

Ava nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing with triumph. “And Dimitri will be forgotten. He was never a true part of this family. Just a mistake from the start.”

The words felt like poison on her tongue, but she didn’t care. Dimitri was gone, and now, she would take what was rightfully hers. She and Quinn would rule the empire. Nothing could stop them now.

---

The day of Levan’s funeral arrived, and Ava stood at the front of the gathering, her heart pretending to ache as she delivered her speech. The guests, mostly business associates and dignitaries, watched her with sympathy, some wiping away tears at the loss of their influential partner. The air was thick with sorrow, but behind Ava’s composed expression was a mind calculating its next move.

She glanced over at Quinn, who stood by her side with his usual smirk. He looked almost bored with the proceedings, but Ava knew that deep down, he was just as pleased as she was about the opportunity that lay ahead.

Clearing her throat, Ava took a small step forward, her voice steady and measured. “Levan was not just a husband; he was the cornerstone of our lives. I loved him more than words can express. We had plans, dreams, things we wanted to build together… but life is unpredictable, and things don’t always go as planned.”

Her voice wavered, as though she were overcome with emotion, and she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. The guests murmured in sympathy, and Ava took a breath, letting the silence hang in the air for a moment before continuing.

“But despite the pain of losing him, we must also recognize the reality of what has happened. Levan’s death was a tragic end to a chapter of our lives, but it also opens up new possibilities. We, his family, will carry his legacy forward. Together, we will honor his memory by ensuring the Apollo Empire thrives.”

She paused dramatically, making sure every eye was on her before she made her next statement. “Unfortunately, there are those who fail to understand the value of loyalty. They betray the very ones who raised them, who gave them everything. Dimitri, my stepson, was one such person. We welcomed him into our family, gave him a place in our home, but in the end, he betrayed us. He betrayed his father.”

Ava’s voice grew colder as she spoke, her eyes narrowing, her gaze cutting through the crowd. “Dimitri’s actions, his choices, have led us to this moment. He thought he could tear apart everything we’ve worked for, but he was wrong. I loved Levan, but even I know when something has to be put to rest. Dimitri’s betrayal will not go unpunished.”

Her words were sharp, calculated. The guests watched in silence, some nodding in agreement, others glancing uncomfortably at each other. Ava’s pretended grief was so convincing that even those closest to Levan couldn’t help but feel sympathy for her.

As she finished her speech, Ava looked at Quinn, and their eyes met with an unspoken understanding. Dimitri’s fate was sealed, and now, it was time to take what was rightfully theirs.

The funeral ended with the guests paying their final respects, but the undercurrent of Ava and Quinn’s schemes was palpable. With Levan gone, and Dimitri falsely accused and imprisoned, nothing stood between them and the empire they coveted.

Quinn leaned in close to his mother, his voice low and confident. “It’s almost time, Mother. The empire will be ours.”

Ava’s smile stretched wide, but her eyes were cold, calculating. “Yes, it will. And Dimitri will never see it coming. We’ll build our empire on his ashes.”

The pieces were falling into place, and Ava could almost taste the victory. Dimitri was out of the way. Levan was gone. The Apollo Empire would be theirs.