The atmosphere in the car was suffocating, thick with tension and unspoken grievances.Daniel stared out the window, his face stony, while Nancy kept her gaze fixed ahead, her lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. Beside her, Juliet shifted uncomfortably, casting furtive glances between her mother and Daniel. Anastasia’s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles pale against the dark leather.It was silence that screamed. The hum of the engine felt louder than it should, each second stretching unbearably.Finally, Nancy broke the stillness, her voice sharp and laced with disdain. “Are you sure that... poor thing is the president of Sebastian Southlake Corporation?”Anastasia’s grip tightened further, her nails pressing into her palms. The disrespect in Nancy’s tone was a match dangerously close to a powder keg. Anastasia inhaled sharply, her voice bristling with suppressed anger. “You won’t—”“Yes, Mother. He is.” Juliet’s voice sliced through the growing tension,
The urgency in the redhead’s voice stopped Alex in his tracks. Behind him, Anastasia, Johnson, and Juliet halted as well, exchanging cautious glances but staying silent.“Do you promise to get me out of the country?” the redhead pressed, her voice trembling. “Do you promise to keep me alive?”Alex turned slowly, his expression unreadable. Instead of answering, he approached her cell with deliberate steps, the faint echo of his shoes against the cement filling the tense silence. The cold, dimly lit corridor smelled of damp stone and metal, oppressive in its weight.He knelt before the iron bars, gripping one tightly. His knuckles whitened, but his voice was calm. “I’m Alexander Sebastian, president of the Sebastian Southlake Corporation. I have money, influence, and power that extend far beyond this country. If you cooperate and tell me what I need to know, I can ensure your safety.”The redhead hesitated. Her fingers hovered over the bars, then curled around them as if seeking stabili
Anastasia, Alex, Johnson, and Juliet walked through the cold, sterile hallways of the police station, their faces a mix of determination and unease. They demanded to speak with Nancy and Daniel.The officer on duty hesitated before leading them to the holding cells. The clang of keys echoed, the doors groaning open to reveal Nancy and Daniel sitting on separate benches, eyes full of disdain. Neither rose to greet their visitors.Juliet was the first to speak, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak. She gripped the bars of Nancy's cell tightly. "Mum?" she called softly, her voice cracking. "Why’d you do it?" Her eyes, brimming with unshed tears, locked with Nancy’s, pleading for an answer.Nancy turned her head away, her response nothing more than a groan of indifference.“Mum, please!" Juliet pressed, her voice cracking. "We’re here to help you. Just... tell us why."Nancy said nothing, her stubborn silence sharper than any words.Johnson, stepped forward, resting a ca
Outside the wedding venue, chaos erupted as Nancy and Daniel were shoved into a police van. The crowd watched in stunned silence, murmurs of disbelief spreading among the guests. Nancy, ever defiant, struggled against the officers.“Unhand me! Do you know who I am?” she barked, her voice shrill.“Save it for the court,” the officer replied coldly, slamming the van door shut.In another van, the redhead sat quietly, her eyes darting to the officers outside as they secured the convoy. She glanced at her trembling hands, guilt and fear clashing within her. The years she had spent evading consequences now seemed to crash down on her all at once.As the police vehicles roared to life, Anastasia stood at the wedding hall’s entrance, watching them leave. Alex gently placed a hand on her shoulder.“They’re gone,” he said softly, his voice steady.Anastasia nodded but didn’t speak. Her emotions churned—a mix of relief, anger, and disbelief at how close she had come to losing everything on h
Nancy did not expect this. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, trailing down her temples. Her plan had been flawless—or so she thought.Anastasia was supposed to be blamed, humiliated, and torn apart by public opinion. That would’ve created the perfect storm of scandal: trending topics, media interviews, and the perfect marketing for their company. But now the tide had turned, and she found herself in the crosshairs.Daniel, on the other hand, had his heart pounding against his chest. He rubbed his sweaty palms on his trousers and glanced nervously around the grand hall. In his mind, he had already celebrated the success of his scheme. He imagined the profits flowing into the Stewart Empire and basking in their triumph. Now, faced with the grim reality, his thoughts spiraled into panic.His eyes darted toward the exits. "I need to get out of here." His fingers twitched at the thought of bolting, but the uniformed officers blocking the hall’s entrances sent a chill down his spine.T
Just as the tension in the hall reached a boiling point, Nancy and Daniel stepped forward, moving deliberately to the front of the audience. A few feet away, the red-haired woman who had earlier accused Alex mirrored their movements, her fiery gown and cascading locks drawing every eye in the room.The red-haired woman, her voice sharp and unwavering, shouted again, her words slicing through the murmurs like a blade.“I have no motive to falsely accuse this man. But his cold indifference toward the child growing inside me has forced my hand! He’s a hypocrite! You, Anastasia—or whatever your name is—don’t marry him. He’ll get you pregnant and abandon you, just like he’s done to me!”Gasps rippled through the crowd, the shock reverberating like waves crashing against a rocky shore. Murmurs grew louder, the disbelief palpable. No one had seen this coming.Seizing the moment, Daniel’s voice rang out, adding fuel to the fire.“Anastasia, my cousin, is no saint either! They’re two birds of
Nancy and Daniel arrived at the wedding venue, and her eyes widened at the sight. The crowd was enormous, the scale of the event stunning. Her shock furthered deepened as she saw Alex standing at the front, the priest beside him, waiting for the bride.Nancy’s mouth fell open as she noticed the esteemed personalities seated in the VIP section—the country’s president, his high-ranking officials, and the vice president of the Sebastian Southlake Corporation. She hadn’t expected the wedding to be this grand, attended by such prestigious guests. Quickly, she shook off her awe, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.“This is all Anastasia’s influence,” she muttered. “Working at the Sebastian Southlake Corporation surely gave her these connections.”Daniel nodded in agreement. “Exactly, Grandmother. Everything here is because of her. If she’d used that same influence to help the Empire, we wouldn’t be in this mess. That’s why she has to pay for her selfishness.”Daniel’s gaze lingered on Al
The wedding day arrived like a celebrated warrior on a decorated chariot, eagerly awaited by everyone in Southlake. Each person who couldn't be at the wedding was glued to their TVs, anxious to catch a glimpse of the mysterious young millionaire.Nancy was dressed flawlessly, every detail perfectly in place, as was Daniel. Nancy wore an elegant white gown with a hat that had a veil, delicately covering her face. She looked like a queen, her white gloves adding an air of nobility. Her dark leather heels completed her regal appearance.Daniel, in turn, wore a sharp black tuxedo with polished loafers that spoke to his family’s refined background and wealth. Outside the villa, a sleek limousine waited to take them to the venue, the chauffeur ready to drive them to the event everyone was talking about.On the other side of the city, Anastasia was also prepared to be a bride. Her custom-made wedding gown fit her like a dream, and her makeup artist had enhanced her beauty until she looked li
For years, Daniel’s life had revolved around one thing: proving his worth to his father and grandmother. Every decision, every sacrifice, was made with their family empire in mind. It was no wonder Nancy saw him as her favorite—his devotion mirrored her own.Nancy observed Daniel with a glint of something like hope in her eye. Beneath the confidence he wore so well, she could see the weight of the ideas he was carrying.“What do you have in mind?” she asked, her voice almost a whisper. Daniel inhaled deeply, steadying himself. His words, when they came, were calm but edged with a hint of ruthlessness.“This won’t be easy, Grandmother,” he said, turning to her. His gaze was unflinching. “Once we start, we can’t afford to hesitate. Are you ready for that?”Nancy’s lips curved into a slight smirk, a shadow of her younger self slipping through her polished exterior. In her prime, she’d played this game more ruthlessly than anyone. A hard-earned empire had meant desperate measures, and she