Ethan paced the length of his study, his brows furrowed as fragments of the past day replayed in his mind. The demands to call off the wedding, the cryptic threats—none of it felt random.He glanced at Lisa, seated on the couch, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress.“This wasn’t just about money,” Ethan muttered, breaking the silence.“The way they kept insisting we call off the wedding... it’s personal. Someone wanted to stop us for a reason beyond ransom.”Lisa looked up, her voice shaky but determined.“But who? Who would go to such lengths to ruin our lives?”Ethan stopped pacing and turned to face her.“Think, Lisa. Who benefits the most if our wedding doesn’t happen? Someone who stands to lose something if we’re married.”Lisa hesitated, her mind racing. “The inheritance,” she whispered.“It has to be about that clause in your family trust. If you don’t marry by the deadline, the estate could—”“—default to someone else,” Ethan finished grimly.He rubbed his temp
Ethan’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides as Nikolai casually dropped the bombshell that would shatter everything he thought he knew about his family.“Cut the crap,” Ethan growled, his patience running thin.“You’re wasting my time, and I don’t have any brother. You better get out before I have you thrown out.”Nikolai’s smirk only deepened, a cold, calculating glint in his eyes.But before he could respond, Ethan noticed the subtle change in Lisa’s posture.She had gone stiff, her eyes wide with fear, her body frozen in place.Her face paled, and for a moment, Ethan's focus shifted.His gaze flickered between Lisa and Nikolai, confusion mounting in his mind.Then, with an almost mocking gesture, Nikolai turned toward Lisa, his tone dripping with sardonic amusement.“Oh, come on, bro!" he said, his smirk widening."You should thank me for sparing your bride’s life. I only wanted to postpone the wedding, after all.”Ethan’s blood ran cold as his heart skipped a beat.He
The mansion felt eerily quiet after Nikolai's departure, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a storm cloud.Ethan stood still for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts, but everything felt fragmented.His entire life had been built on the assumption that he was the sole heir to the Elliot fortune—his father’s only legitimate son.Now, this stranger had come into their lives, claiming the same birthright.Lisa stood beside him, her hand gently resting on his arm, her face a mask of concern.“Ethan,” she began softly, “we need to get to the bottom of this.We can’t just let him walk in here, make these claims, and leave without proof.”Ethan exhaled slowly, his eyes fixed on the door Nikolai had just walked through.“I don’t know what to think anymore, Lisa. Everything’s turned upside down. I thought I knew my family inside and out, but now... now there’s this.” His voice trailed off as frustration overtook him.Lisa nodded in agreement, her mind already turning.“We have
Ethan was glued to the television, his stomach churning as he watched Nikolai speak with such authority.The reporters were on edge, cameras flashing, as Nikolai continued.“For years, my father, Mr. Elliot, and his company have flourished while I lived in neglect,” he said, his tone laced with mock sincerity.“He abandoned my mother and me, throwing us aside to protect his reputation. The family name, the fortune, all of it meant more to him than me or my mother. But I’ve spent my life working to survive. And now, I demand my rightful place in this family.”Ethan clenched his fists as Nikolai painted himself as a victim of neglect.It was as if he had rehearsed every word to evoke sympathy from the public.Nikolai knew exactly how to manipulate the narrative, and now the media was eating it up.The cameras zoomed in on the audience, capturing their shocked faces as they absorbed the revelation.“My mother may not have had the fortune she deserved, but I’ve worked for everything I hav
Ethan leaned back in his chair, staring at the stack of old family records spread out before him.Lisa was on the phone, speaking to one of the long-time servants from the Elliot family estate, trying to gather any information about Nikolai’s claims.She glanced over at Ethan, her face tense as she hung up.“No one remembers him,” she said, setting the phone down with a sigh.“Not a single person has heard of a Nikolai Elliot.”Ethan rubbed his temples, trying to process the absurdity of it all.“How can this be? He’s saying Mr. Elliot abandoned him, and yet no one knows anything about him?” His voice was a mixture of frustration and disbelief.“He must be lying.”Lisa nodded but still seemed uncertain.“I don’t know, Ethan. I feel like something’s missing. It just doesn’t add up.”Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.“What do you think we should do next?”Lisa hesitated for a moment before speaking.“We need to dig deeper. We can’t rely on the family records alone.
"Hey, idiot! Get out of there!"The shout echoed through the empty basketball court, followed by the unmistakable sound of a ball hurtling toward Ethan’s head. He barely had time to flinch before the basketball collided with his skull, sending him stumbling backward onto the cold concrete. His vision blurred, and his head throbbed in pain.Laughter erupted from the group standing near the court’s edge—Mike and his friends, their mocking grins wide as they watched Ethan, sprawled out on the ground like a fool."Look at him!" one of Mike's friends called out, his voice laced with cruel amusement. "Can’t even dodge a ball!""Stupid, pathetic loser," another chimed in, their laughter making Ethan’s ears ring.The floor beneath Ethan’s hands was gritty and dirty, and he wiped his forehead with his sleeve, feeling the sting of embarrassment heat his cheeks. He had been cleaning the court, doing his job as part of his work-study program. But clearly, Mike and his crew had other plans.Gr
“Oh, shit! What is this idiot trying to do here?”The shout cut through the air, sharp and mocking. Ethan’s heart hammered in his chest as he ran toward them—Mike and his cronies standing near the edge of the basketball court, their attention already drawn to him. A pit of dread formed in Ethan’s stomach, but he pushed through, his mind filled with nothing but the need to confront Melissa. She was there, among them, and something didn’t sit right. He had to know what was going on.Before Ethan could take another step, one of Mike’s friends, a stocky guy with a cruel smile, stepped forward. His arm swung in a wide arc, slapping Ethan hard across the face. The sound of skin meeting skin rang out, and Ethan staggered to the side, his cheek stinging from the impact."You really want to ruin this for Mike?" the guy spat, stepping closer, his breath hot and sour. "I told you how important this confession was, you idiot! What the hell are you even doing here? You’re just a cleaner! You
“You’re fucking bastard!!” Mike’s voice rang through the air like a thunderclap, his fury palpable. His face was red, and his eyes burned with rage. He pointed directly at Ethan, who was already reeling from the blows he had taken moments before.Mike’s cronies were circling Ethan like sharks, their fists flying mercilessly. Ethan stumbled, his vision blurry as pain radiated from his side. A cruel punch slammed into his stomach, forcing him to his knees. The thud of their fists hitting flesh, mixed with the mocking laughter of the gang, filled the basketball court."Get up, loser!" Mike spat, his words dripping with venom. "I told you not to mess with me!"Ethan groaned, blood dripping from his mouth, but he pushed himself up, his eyes glaring defiantly through the haze of pain.“I’m not going to back down, Mike,” Ethan muttered, though his voice wavered with exhaustion.Mike’s anger only increased. He turned to his friends, gesturing violently for them to continue. "Beat him dow
Ethan leaned back in his chair, staring at the stack of old family records spread out before him.Lisa was on the phone, speaking to one of the long-time servants from the Elliot family estate, trying to gather any information about Nikolai’s claims.She glanced over at Ethan, her face tense as she hung up.“No one remembers him,” she said, setting the phone down with a sigh.“Not a single person has heard of a Nikolai Elliot.”Ethan rubbed his temples, trying to process the absurdity of it all.“How can this be? He’s saying Mr. Elliot abandoned him, and yet no one knows anything about him?” His voice was a mixture of frustration and disbelief.“He must be lying.”Lisa nodded but still seemed uncertain.“I don’t know, Ethan. I feel like something’s missing. It just doesn’t add up.”Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.“What do you think we should do next?”Lisa hesitated for a moment before speaking.“We need to dig deeper. We can’t rely on the family records alone.
Ethan was glued to the television, his stomach churning as he watched Nikolai speak with such authority.The reporters were on edge, cameras flashing, as Nikolai continued.“For years, my father, Mr. Elliot, and his company have flourished while I lived in neglect,” he said, his tone laced with mock sincerity.“He abandoned my mother and me, throwing us aside to protect his reputation. The family name, the fortune, all of it meant more to him than me or my mother. But I’ve spent my life working to survive. And now, I demand my rightful place in this family.”Ethan clenched his fists as Nikolai painted himself as a victim of neglect.It was as if he had rehearsed every word to evoke sympathy from the public.Nikolai knew exactly how to manipulate the narrative, and now the media was eating it up.The cameras zoomed in on the audience, capturing their shocked faces as they absorbed the revelation.“My mother may not have had the fortune she deserved, but I’ve worked for everything I hav
The mansion felt eerily quiet after Nikolai's departure, the weight of his words hanging in the air like a storm cloud.Ethan stood still for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts, but everything felt fragmented.His entire life had been built on the assumption that he was the sole heir to the Elliot fortune—his father’s only legitimate son.Now, this stranger had come into their lives, claiming the same birthright.Lisa stood beside him, her hand gently resting on his arm, her face a mask of concern.“Ethan,” she began softly, “we need to get to the bottom of this.We can’t just let him walk in here, make these claims, and leave without proof.”Ethan exhaled slowly, his eyes fixed on the door Nikolai had just walked through.“I don’t know what to think anymore, Lisa. Everything’s turned upside down. I thought I knew my family inside and out, but now... now there’s this.” His voice trailed off as frustration overtook him.Lisa nodded in agreement, her mind already turning.“We have
Ethan’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides as Nikolai casually dropped the bombshell that would shatter everything he thought he knew about his family.“Cut the crap,” Ethan growled, his patience running thin.“You’re wasting my time, and I don’t have any brother. You better get out before I have you thrown out.”Nikolai’s smirk only deepened, a cold, calculating glint in his eyes.But before he could respond, Ethan noticed the subtle change in Lisa’s posture.She had gone stiff, her eyes wide with fear, her body frozen in place.Her face paled, and for a moment, Ethan's focus shifted.His gaze flickered between Lisa and Nikolai, confusion mounting in his mind.Then, with an almost mocking gesture, Nikolai turned toward Lisa, his tone dripping with sardonic amusement.“Oh, come on, bro!" he said, his smirk widening."You should thank me for sparing your bride’s life. I only wanted to postpone the wedding, after all.”Ethan’s blood ran cold as his heart skipped a beat.He
Ethan paced the length of his study, his brows furrowed as fragments of the past day replayed in his mind. The demands to call off the wedding, the cryptic threats—none of it felt random.He glanced at Lisa, seated on the couch, her fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress.“This wasn’t just about money,” Ethan muttered, breaking the silence.“The way they kept insisting we call off the wedding... it’s personal. Someone wanted to stop us for a reason beyond ransom.”Lisa looked up, her voice shaky but determined.“But who? Who would go to such lengths to ruin our lives?”Ethan stopped pacing and turned to face her.“Think, Lisa. Who benefits the most if our wedding doesn’t happen? Someone who stands to lose something if we’re married.”Lisa hesitated, her mind racing. “The inheritance,” she whispered.“It has to be about that clause in your family trust. If you don’t marry by the deadline, the estate could—”“—default to someone else,” Ethan finished grimly.He rubbed his temp
Ethan's guards, dressed as ordinary laborers, move in perfect synchrony.With weapons drawn, they break from their hidden positions, storming the factory.Chaos erupts as the air fills with shouts and the sharp echo of gunfire.“Secure the exits!” Mike orders, his voice cutting through the cacophony.Lisa, despite her feet still bound, starts to hobble toward Ethan.“Lisa!” he shouts, running to her.His strong arms envelop her as he pulls her close, holding her trembling body protectively.“Ethan,” Lisa whispers, her voice hoarse from the gag.Tears stream down her face as he gently works to untie her hands and feet, his movements deliberate and calm despite the chaos around them.“You’re okay,” he murmurs, removing the gag and cupping her tear-streaked face.His thumb brushes against her cheek.“It’s over. I’ve got you now. No one’s going to hurt you.”She clings to him desperately, her sobs muffled against his chest.Her hands, though free now, grip his shirt like a lifeline.“Lisa
The kidnapper’s voice was slow, deliberate.“Start with your name and say you’re here to make an important announcement about your wedding to Lisa Barrett. Then announce that due to irreconcilable differences, the wedding has been called off.”Ethan’s stomach churned. He looked around as the background looked familiar to her.He glanced at Lisa’s face on the screen, her wide eyes pleading with him.Every fiber of his being screamed to defy this monster, but he couldn’t risk her life.“I’ll do it,” he said, his voice steady despite the storm inside.“But I need to hear her voice. Let her speak—just for a moment. That’s all I ask.”The kidnapper laughed.“A sentimental man, I see. Fine, but only for a second.” The camera angle shifted slightly, and the gag was pulled from Lisa’s mouth. She gasped for air, coughing as tears streamed down her face.“Ethan…” she whispered, her voice raw and broken.“Don’t—”The gag was shoved back in place before she could finish, and the camera returned t
The afternoon sun was unforgiving as it streamed through the broken windows of the abandoned factory, casting long shadows on the rusted machinery scattered throughout the room.Ethan’s boots echoed against the concrete floor as he walked into the cavernous space, his jaw clenched and his eyes scanning every corner with precision.The factory was a ghost of its former self—neglected and decaying, much like the storm brewing inside him.His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts.With a steadying breath, he pulled it out and answered.The voice on the other end was cold and detached.“Mr. Elliot,” the kidnapper began, each word calculated, “you’ve come as instructed. Good. Now, listen carefully. You’ll find a chair in the center of the factory. Sit down.”Ethan’s grip tightened around the phone, his voice low and controlled.“I came as you asked. But before I do anything, I want proof that Lisa’s alive. Let me see her.”The kidnapper chuckled, a sound that made Ethan
Ethan paces the length of the mansion’s study, his hand clenching and unclenching the phone.His thoughts are a chaotic swirl of anger, fear, and strategy.He dials Lisa’s friend, Alyssa, who had previously helped them track down the blackmailer.“Alyssa,” he says sharply as soon as she answers, “it’s an emergency. Lisa’s been kidnapped. I need you to trace the number they’re calling from.”Alyssa’s gasp is audible.“What? Oh my God, Ethan! Are you okay? What happened?”“I don’t have time to explain,” Ethan snaps, though he softens slightly.“I’ll send you the details of the calls. Just tell me if you can do it.”“I’ll try,” Alyssa says firmly.“Send me everything you’ve got. I’ll call you as soon as I have something.”“Thanks,” Ethan says, his voice clipped. He ends the call and turns to Mike, who is coordinating with the guards in the corner of the study.“Mike, I want every available guard on standby near the mansion and another team ready to move out with me,” Ethan orders.“Yes,