Outside the hotel, Anastasia froze, her eyes widening in disbelief as she saw the car Alex had opened for her. The cars she’d known Alex to drive were hers. But now, here was a sleek, yellow Ferrari, the kind of car that screamed wealth, its engine purring with authority.Her heart pounded in her chest. Alex had always been humble, his life modest. Yet, this car—this display of opulence—made her uneasy, as if the ground beneath her feet was slipping away.Alex gave her a soft, encouraging smile and gestured toward the open door. "Get in."For a moment, she hesitated. Her mind raced, trying to piece together the truth. How had she missed this side of him? Anastasia already knew Alex wasn’t as poor as she or her family had believed, but this—a Ferrari—was another level. Her chest tightened, the edges of doubt creeping into her mind.Still, she slipped into the passenger seat, her movements stiff with suspicion. As Alex started the engine, her thoughts churned, unable to stay silent."As
Alex saw all this, but it was what he had expected beforehand. He wasn’t talking to a doll who blindly believed everything he said. Anastasia was strong-willed, with her own thoughts and reasoning, and it would take more than words to convince her.If the roles were reversed and someone had told him about a ring capable of making someone rich and giving them mysterious powers, he wouldn’t have believed it either.But Alex was prepared. His mind was set on showing Anastasia the truth. That’s why he had driven to this secluded road.Suddenly, he opened his car door and stepped out. When he did this, he looked back at Anastasia, who sat silently beside him, eyes filled with doubt. “Please come out and see for yourself,” he said gently.Anastasia hesitated for a moment, her heart beating faster as she wondered what he was about to show her. Without saying a word, she stepped out of the car. They stood together in front of Alex’s Ferrari, the cool air settling around them like a silent wit
Right after paying the hospital bills, Nancy and Juliet were determined to get to the bottom of this. They exchanged worried glances, the weight of the situation hanging heavily between them. "Who was involved in a fight with Jackson?" Nancy asked, her voice tense, her calm cracking with each word. Every moment of uncertainty made her anxiety grow. This wasn't just a random attack. Someone had deliberately crossed a line."Who would dare beat up our future son-in-law?" Juliet added, her anxiety morphing into frustration. She felt the pressure building inside her. Jackson was supposed to be part of the family soon—this was personal. The more they thought about it, the angrier they became.Without wasting time, they rushed to the car, barely speaking. The silence between them was thick, filled with the fear of what they might discover. Nancy’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her mind raced with questions, each one darker than the last. Could t
The next morning greeted Alex with a sense of dread. He jolted upright, his heart racing, drenched in sweat. Beads of moisture clung to his face, and his breathing came in rapid, shallow gasps, as though he had just run a marathon. His chest heaved with each breath, his body on high alert from the remnants of the nightmare that had gripped him.The duvet, soaked through with sweat, clung to him like it had been caught in a torrential downpour. He wiped his face with trembling hands, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "Thank God, it was just a dream," he thought, still shaken. But the vividness of it lingered like a bad omen.In the dream, he had been strangled—by someone who looked exactly like him. The eerie twin had worn a cruel expression, his hands tightening around Alex’s throat, choking the life out of him. Behind this doppelganger, a shadowy figure emerged—a man who looked like his father. His father had been walking out of a blazing fire, wearing ancient-looking robes, his fa
“Micheal! He sent us!” The man in the suit screamed, his voice cracking with fear. Alex’s lips curled into a smirk. The moment they mentioned Michael’s name, everything clicked into place for him."Of course he is. That son of a bitch. I will make sure this is the last time he does something like this." Alex said confidently, then slapped the man in suit on his head as if he was an erring student who failed to listen to instruction. Rising smoothly to his feet, Alex strode toward the door and yanked it open. His tone was ice-cold yet disturbingly calm as he spoke. “Get the fuck out.”The intruders didn’t hesitate. Despite the pain they were in, they scrambled to their feet, their fear of Alex far greater than their injuries. The tension in the air was thick, and their panic was obvious as they rushed out of the apartment like their lives depended on it.As soon as they left, Alex’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He stared at it for a moment, his instincts already telling him this wasn’
The next morning, Anastasia arrived at the Stewart family villa just as she had been instructed. As she stepped out of the car, the tension in her chest tightened, her heart pounding faster with every step she took toward the imposing entrance. The villa loomed before her like a prison—grand, cold, and suffocating. This was her family, but it did not feel like home now.Inside, her footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, each one amplifying the dread crawling up her spine. It was as if the house itself whispered for her to turn back. But she couldn’t. Not now. She had been summoned, and that meant she had no choice.When she entered the dining room, her eyes immediately landed on Nancy, sitting stiffly at the head of the table, sipping her tea. Juliet, her mother, sat beside her, lips pressed into a hard frown. The tension in the air was suffocating, heavy with unspoken accusations.They didn’t acknowledge her as she stepped inside. It was as if she were invisible—a dismissal that had h
Alex boarded the next available flight to Italy. He kept this decision to himself, telling no one—not even Anastasia. After all, Michael was Anastasia’s friend’s boyfriend. The last thing he wanted was to involve her in what could be a dangerous mission.He knew that Anastasia and Juliet’s friendship was strained, judging by the tension he'd noticed at their last get-together. Still, Anastasia had a noble heart. If she found out what he planned to do, she might try to stop him, appealing to his sense of reason. He couldn’t afford that.“Welcome to Italy, sir,” said the man waiting at the airport. It was Luca De Rossi, the private fixer Alex had hired even before leaving Southlake.A few hours ago, Alex had devised a plan to deal with Michael, but he needed someone familiar with both the legitimate and underworld sides of Italy. After a bit of searching on the internet, he’d found Luca, a former associate of the mafia heir, whose portfolio was filled with dangerous but successful dealin
Being disowned by her family was a bittersweet moment for Anastasia. On one hand, she felt a strange sense of freedom, like she was no longer shackled by their expectations. But on the other hand, it still hurt deeply. The people who were supposed to love her unconditionally had turned their backs on her. Yet she chose her freedom. She chose to chase happiness, no matter how painful the price.As she stepped through the gate of her family villa, a lump formed in her throat. Her mind kept circling back to Alex. She had dialed his number countless times, clinging to the hope that he would answer and that he’d somehow know exactly what to say to make everything right. But all she heard was the same automated voice: “The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.”With a frustrated sigh, she sent him a text: “Babe, where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you.” She stared at the screen for a moment, hoping for a response that didn’t come. There was no time to sit and wait. H
The day before, Daniel had meticulously planned every detail. He had ordered a specific set of glassware, ensuring they were delivered directly to his chemist contact. "If anything goes wrong, the hooker can take the fall for it," he had concluded smugly, sharing his plan with Nancy.Nancy, as calculating as ever, nodded in agreement. “Let’s make sure this is foolproof. The less we leave to chance, the better.”Now, as the commotion unfolded in the house, Nancy’s smirk betrayed her satisfaction. Everything was falling into place. She pulled out her phone and dialed 911, her tone dripping with urgency.“Hello? Yes, there’s been an attempted murder. I think I know who did it,” she said, casting a sharp glance toward Veronica, who was nervously pacing in a far corner of the house.Before hanging up, Nancy made sure to add, “Please hurry. The suspect might try to flee.” She snapped her phone shut and turned to her other grandchildren, her voice sharp and commanding.“Make sure she doesn’t
Daniel stood by the upstairs window, a glass of wine in hand, his gaze fixed on Alex, Anastasia, and Antony outside. His posture was casual, but his smirk betrayed the calculated mind of a man waiting for chaos to unfold.He swirled the wine before taking a deep gulp. “I should have known he couldn’t pull it off,” he muttered under his breath.A sudden shout from below caught his attention. “Fuck!” The voice carried up through the house.Daniel smirked again, his amusement turning to irritation as he overheard their heated exchange. “That idiot just keeps running his mouth,” he said aloud, his voice laced with disdain.Moments later, he saw Alex leave the group and head toward the house. Daniel stepped back from the window, his smirk deepening.The house was eerily silent. The partygoers were all outside, basking in the perfect night, oblivious to the brewing storm.“Daniel!” Alex’s voice echoed through the empty halls as he entered.Daniel didn’t respond. The house was vast, a maze o
Inside the boutique, she stepped out of the changing room, her reflection in the mirror catching her eye. The dress hugged her body in all the right places, the rich fabric gleaming under the soft lights. She took a deep breath, adjusting the neckline before stepping out.Daniel, lounging on a stool, barely glanced up at first. His fingers tapped rhythmically on his phone, scrolling through his feed. But as the click of her heels echoed across the tiled floor, his attention snapped to her. His eyes widened, and he slowly set his phone down on the counter.“Wow,” he murmured, rising to his feet. His gaze traveled from her head to toe, lingering appreciatively. “That dress—it’s perfect. You look incredible.”She twirled lightly, letting the hem of the dress flare out. “You think so?” she asked coyly, her lips curling into a small, teasing smile.“Think so?” Daniel took a step closer, his voice lowering. “You look like you just stepped out of a fashion magazine.”His words made her cheek
Daniel cleared his throat, the weight of his words pressing down on him. “I have a confession.” His face shifted into a sombre expression, the gravity of what he was about to say consuming him. He wanted them to believe him, to take him seriously.“Now that our family has united once more,” he continued, pausing for a brief moment as he scanned the faces in the room, “I believe it’s time I come clean to us all.”He bowed slightly, as though remorse for a long-hidden truth overwhelmed him. A silence filled the room. No one spoke. The family members exchanged confused, questioning looks, and for a long beat, no one moved.Then, finally, Daniel spoke again, his voice filled with finality. “I am married.” The words hung in the air like a bomb, detonating a sharp, collective gasp that reverberated throughout the room.“What?” Everyone exclaimed at once, their voices full of disbelief.Daniel was old enough to be married, but everyone knew him as the man who never took relationships serious
Discussing the plan with Nancy, her eyes widened with excitement. “Let’s do it!” she said firmly to Daniel. They exchanged cunning smirks, their resolve evident. Without wasting any time, Nancy picked up her phone and dialled Juliet’s number. “My child,” Nancy began, her voice soft and deliberate, “I need to apologise to everyone—please come to the family villa this evening. Bring your daughter and her husband. I must apologise to them in person.” Her voice trembled, a masterful performance of guilt and sincerity. “Mother, are you serious?” Juliet asked, her tone cautious. “Yes, Juliet. I’ve wronged too many people, and it’s time I made amends,” Nancy replied, her voice almost cracking with emotion. “Alright, Mother. We’ll be there,” Juliet agreed, though scepticism lingered in her voice. Nancy ended the call and turned to Daniel. “Everything is set. Make sure the house is ready. By the end of tonight, the pieces will be where we need them.” Daniel nodded, a sly grin spreading
The first light of morning came like an unwelcome friend. Daniel had not slept throughout the night. He sat in his home bar, thinking about what to say to Antony to convince him to return to Anastasia’s life.He knew that, back in the day, Anastasia was the first to like Antony. Antony, on the other hand, genuinely loved Anastasia. But due to reasons far beyond their control, they could not have a relationship. So convincing him to do something ill-minded against Anastasia might be hard.“What if I told him Anastasia confessed to me again? Though she is married, she wanted out of her marriage?” he thought to himself, then shook his head.“That won’t work!” he muttered, knowing full well that Antony, though unmarried, respected the sanctity of marriage and wouldn’t want to be the devil that destroyed one.Daniel gulped down his glass of wine suddenly. He slowly paced to the glassy wall and stared at the view of the city.“This is harder than I thought,” he said to himself.Suddenly, hi
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 stabilit
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 cal