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The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 309; Boundaries of power
Chapter 302: The Boundaries of PowerThe days following Chris’s unsettling meeting with the masked figure were a blur of activity and contemplation. The air around him seemed charged with an ever-growing sense of urgency, and the weight of the notebook in his hands never felt lighter. Each page he turned revealed more cryptic fragments of a grand plan, a dark scheme that he had never fully comprehended. But the words "Ascension" echoed in his mind with growing intensity.Stephany had noticed his distraction, but she said nothing. She had become accustomed to his occasional moments of introspection, though this time, there was a different quality to it—something deeper, darker. Chris tried to convince himself that it was just the pressure of the events unfolding, but the gnawing sensation in his gut told him otherwise.Tonight, he was alone in the study, his mind focused on the next steps. The Syndicate’s reach was vast, and the masked figure’s words had only added to his growing under
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. The bitter truth
Chapter 303: The Bitter TruthThe sun was setting, casting an amber glow across the garden as Chris walked back into the house, his mind still churning from his meeting with the masked man. The word "Ascension" reverberated in his head, louder than the chirping of birds or the soft rustle of the wind. He had made a decision, but it was one that could cost him everything. In the coming days, his world would change irreversibly, but at that moment, there was still one thing he needed to confront—the woman who shared his life and had no idea what was truly happening around her.As he entered the living room, he found Stephany sitting on the couch, a book in her lap, looking peaceful, unaware of the storm brewing in his soul. Her eyes lifted as she heard him enter, a soft smile tugging at her lips."You're home early today," she said, the warmth of her voice like a balm to the rawness he felt. She stood up and walked over to him. "How was your day?"Chris smiled, though it didn’t reach hi
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 304: the reckoning
Chapter 304: The ReckoningThe silence that followed was thick, suffocating. Chris stood in the middle of the living room, his hand still hovering near Stephany’s arm, unsure of whether to touch her. Her eyes—those eyes he had always loved for their warmth and understanding—now looked at him with a mixture of confusion, hurt, and betrayal. She stepped back from him, her arms folding across her chest protectively.“You... you’re not who I thought you were,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, as if the words were too heavy to say aloud. “Chris, what is all this? What is happening?”Chris felt a sharp pang in his chest, the weight of his secret life crashing down on him. He had promised her that she would never have to be part of his world, that she would never see the dark corners he had to navigate. But the truth was out now, spilling like an unstoppable tide."Stephany," he said, his voice low but filled with emotion. "I never wanted to hurt you. I kept things from you because I
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 305; the calm before storm
Chapter 305: The Calm Before the StormThe next few days felt like a blur, a strange, surreal mix of tension and reluctant normalcy. Chris had expected things to feel different after Stephany discovered the truth about his hidden life, but the change wasn’t as immediate as he thought. They still sat together at the dinner table, still shared quiet moments, still acted like a married couple in the eyes of the world. But the air between them was thick, heavy with unspoken words and an undercurrent of uncertainty.Stephany’s resolve had been nothing short of remarkable, and Chris admired her strength. She was still processing everything he had revealed, but she hadn’t run away. She hadn’t turned her back on him, even though the truth was dangerous, even though it threatened everything they had built together.But Chris knew the storm wasn’t over. The Syndicate was still out there, watching, waiting. And the shadow cult—the group he had once thought of as a necessary evil—was becoming mor
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 306 unseen forces
Chapter 306: Unseen ForcesChris sat motionless for a few moments after the man had left, his mind racing with the weight of everything he had just learned. The man had been cryptic, elusive, but his words had struck a chord deep within Chris. The Syndicate was not the endgame. That revelation was unsettling, especially given how hard Chris had fought to get to this point. Now, he was left with more questions than answers, and his thoughts were consumed by the implications of the conversation.The small leather-bound notebook sat on the desk, mocking him. It was a tangible piece of the puzzle, but Chris wasn’t sure if he should open it. If he did, there was no going back. He had spent so much time trying to control his fate, trying to keep a firm grip on his life and the world around him. Now, it seemed like that control was slipping away, piece by piece. After what felt like an eternity, he stood up and walked over to the desk. He could feel the weight of the moment as he reached fo
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 307 The shadows invitation
Chapter 307: The Shadow’s Invitation The following morning dawned quiet and unassuming, the calm before an inevitable storm. Chris woke early, his mind churning with possibilities and strategies. The revelations of the previous day hung heavy in his thoughts. His wife’s surprising support had brought him some measure of comfort, but it also complicated his efforts to shield her from the dangers of his world. After their late-night conversation, Chris had made a decision—one that he couldn’t back out from. The notebook's secrets and the Syndicate's veiled threats demanded action, and he wasn’t about to let anyone use him or the people he cared about as pawns. Dressed in his usual understated manner, Chris slipped out of the house and into the city streets. He had arranged a meeting through a network of discreet contacts, hoping to secure an advantage before the Syndicate's machinations ensnared him further. He arrived at an unassuming café tucked away in a quiet alley. Insid
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 308; shadow clash
Chapter 308: Shadows Clash The factory’s hollow expanse became a battlefield as Kael’s tendrils of shadow energy lashed out toward Chris. The air hummed with dark power, thick and suffocating, like the weight of an oncoming storm. Chris stood his ground, his senses heightened, his inner energy thrumming in response to the threat. He had prepared for this moment, honing his cultivation techniques and drawing on his shadow cult training. Kael’s voice boomed through the chamber, a sinister echo. “You’ve stepped into a world far beyond your understanding, Brown. You’re nothing but a pawn in a game you can’t win.” Chris smirked, his stance relaxed but ready. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.” With a flick of his wrist, Kael unleashed a torrent of shadow tendrils that snaked toward Chris, their edges sharp and deadly. Chris responded in kind, summoning his inner energy to create a barrier of shimmering light. The shadows collided with the barrier, sizzling on impact
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 308; shadow clash
Chapter 308: Shadows Clash The factory’s hollow expanse became a battlefield as Kael’s tendrils of shadow energy lashed out toward Chris. The air hummed with dark power, thick and suffocating, like the weight of an oncoming storm. Chris stood his ground, his senses heightened, his inner energy thrumming in response to the threat. He had prepared for this moment, honing his cultivation techniques and drawing on his shadow cult training. Kael’s voice boomed through the chamber, a sinister echo. “You’ve stepped into a world far beyond your understanding, Brown. You’re nothing but a pawn in a game you can’t win.” Chris smirked, his stance relaxed but ready. “Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.” With a flick of his wrist, Kael unleashed a torrent of shadow tendrils that snaked toward Chris, their edges sharp and deadly. Chris responded in kind, summoning his inner energy to create a barrier of shimmering light. The shadows collided with the barrier, sizzling on impact
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359: Stephany’s Spiral
Chapter 359: Stephany’s Spiral Stephnay stepped our. And Chris followed her. The air outside the ballroom was colder than it should’ve been. Stephany’s heels clicked furiously against the marble as she stormed down the corridor, the silk of her gown swishing violently behind her. Her breath came in shallow bursts, not from exertion, but from the ache building in her chest, from the burn in her throat she couldn’t swallow. Everyone had lied to her. Everyone. Her father… who paraded around like he was the reason for the deal, when he was nothing more than a shadow. Her mother… who, for all her sharpness, had encouraged her to chase a stranger, unaware he was already sleeping in her daughter’s bed. Sandra… her friend, her confidante, who had stood by and said nothing while Stephany wept and doubted and begged. And Chris. Chris. The man she insulted. Defended. Hated. Loved. The man who, it turned out, had been ten steps ahead of her the entire time. She pushed
358; after the lights
Chapter 359: After the Lights The ballroom lights dimmed slowly, the last echoes of applause fading into the glittering hush of evening elegance. The crowd had dispersed into small clusters some lingering around the champagne bar, others whispering in stunned awe near the media walls. The air was thick with disbelief, admiration… and a new respect that hadn’t been there before. Chris Brown stepped off the stage like a man who had just laid his past to rest. His face was composed. His shoulders straight. But inside? A storm raged. He didn’t look for her in the crowd. He didn’t need to. He felt her. Stephany. And she was coming. Each step she took echoed like a countdown. He turned slowly to face her, meeting her eyes across the polished marble floor, under chandeliers that suddenly seemed too bright. Her heels clicked to a stop three feet in front of him. She didn’t speak at first. Didn’t blink. She just looked at him like she was seeing a ghost. No… like she was seei
357 the speech
Chapter 358: The Speech The ballroom, moments before electric with noise, now pulsed with stunned silence. The man everyone had ignored, mocked, and dismissed… stood before them. No longer in the shadows. No longer “just a son-in-law.” Chris Brown. The President of MTD Enterprises.If not because Sandra herself introduced him, no one would believe he was the owner of Sterling, the one calling the shots. The man who had, without the Preston name, without favors or inheritance, built a corporate empire that now stood at the helm of Preston Holdings’ salvation. He stepped up to the stage, his black tux catching the soft gold light of the chandeliers above. Calm, composed, magnetic. He didn’t need a grand entrance. He was the moment. The microphone felt cool in his hand as he brought it close. “Good evening,” he began, his voice smooth, quiet, but undeniably strong. The crowd leaned in. “I’ll keep this brief,” he continued. “I know the wine is flowing, and so
356; president on a bike
Chapter 356: The President on a Bike The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered with opulence. Glittering chandeliers hung like frozen stars above the gold-accented floor. Guests milled about in tuxedos and flowing gowns, laughter and polite applause filling the space as media crews tried to capture every angle. Business moguls, celebrities, and dignitaries gathered, sipping champagne and posing for press photos beneath the towering banners that read: “The New Preston Empire – Gala of Legacy and Innovation.” Charles Preston stood front and center, basking in the glow of attention. His tailored white suit gleamed under the lights, and he wore a practiced smile that hadn’t wavered since the event began. Every reporter, every business associate—he greeted them all with open arms and exaggerated humility. “I just did what any visionary would do,” Charles said during an interview, brushing invisible lint off his shoulder. “The expansion was necessary. And thanks to our trusted par
355; a night of glass And gold
Chapter 355: A night of glass and gold. Add her mother pushes her to welcome him The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered like a crown jewel in the heart of Manhattan. Crystal chandeliers dripped light onto mirrored floors, casting glittering illusions across a sea of tuxedos and couture gowns. The air was thick with cologne, champagne, and the sharp undercurrent of ambition. It was a night carved out for legends. And Charles Preston was ready to claim it. "Smile, Mr. Preston!" "Over here, Charles!" "The face behind Preston’s comeback!" Charles grinned wide, adjusting his cufflinks as camera flashes burst in succession. Reporters flanked the red carpet, microphones stretched forward like spears as he paused just long enough for the spotlight to settle comfortably on him. “Yes,” he said with polished ease, “we’re very proud of the progress Preston Holdings has made this year. Tonight is about celebrating that growth—and the vision that brought us here.”
354: Behind the Velvet curtain
Chapter 354: Behind the Velvet Curtain The night shimmered like a stage awaiting its lead actor. Inside the Grand Ballroom at the Empire Crown Hotel, chandeliers sparkled above a sea of elegantly dressed guests. Velvet drapes framed tall windows, and gold, edged mirrors gave the illusion of endless luxury. A symphony quartet played in the background, their music crisp, purposeful like the gala itself. This wasn't just a party. It was war with lace gloves and champagne. And behind the scenes, the generals were preparing. Connor Shaw, head of the Metropolitan Police and Chris’s long, time ally, stood in the back service corridor of the hotel, earpiece in, tablet in hand. His eyes weren’t on the stage. They were on security feeds. “I want eyes on every major entrance,” he said into the comms. “Check for duplicates of the guest list, especially near the back elevators. Nothing gets past us tonight.” He wasn’t here in uniform. He was dressed in a black tailored suit
353; The interruption
Chapter 353: The Interruption The city glowed with twilight as the sun bowed behind glass towers and flashing billboards, preparing to hand the stage over to a night of prestige, power, and unveiling. The Preston Expansion Gala was just hours away, and every detail had been scrutinized to perfection—down to the shimmer of champagne and the alignment of name cards. But Chris never made it to the venue. Not yet. He had left the penthouse in his tailored suit, calm and resolved, his presence a storm wrapped in elegance. The drive his most trusted escort had been instructed to take the back route, avoiding media hotspots. It was supposed to be quiet. Controlled. But power always attracts chaos. And Chris never saw it coming. As the car approached an underpass just twenty minutes from the gala hall, a black SUV swerved from nowhere, cutting them off. Before the driver could react, another vehicle blocked them from behind. Then darkness. Metal clashed. Tires screeched. Doors fl
352: the call of blood
Chapter 352: The Call of Blood The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Chris's penthouse office, casting elongated shadows across the polished marble floor. He stood by the window, gazing out at the city skyline, his reflection a ghostly overlay against the bustling world beyond. The news had broken earlier that day: the elusive president of MTD was also the owner of Sterling Heritage and would be making a public appearance at the Preston gala. His phone buzzed on the desk behind him, a persistent vibration that refused to be ignored. Chris turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he saw the caller ID: "Grandpa Brown." A sigh escaped his lips, heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved tensions. He picked up the phone, the device cool against his palm, and answered with a measured tone. "Grandpa." The voice on the other end was sharp, tinged with a mix of frustration and disbelief. "Christopher, care to explain why I had to find out from the p
351; stranger in my bed.
Chapter 351: A Stranger in My BedStephany sat on the edge of her bed, the white gown draped over the hanger before her like a symbol of everything she didn’t understand.Her phone rested beside her—dark, unmoving, silent.She had texted Chris earlier that morning.Just one line: Are you coming to the gala?There had been no reply.Now, hours later, she was still waiting for one. Pathetic, wasn’t it?She wasn’t even sure why she had messaged him. Pride should have kept her fingers frozen. But she’d done it anyway, and as the day wore on, her pride started feeling more like desperation.She glanced at her phone again.Nothing.No read receipt.No typing bubble.No trace of him.Her thumb hovered over the call button. For the fifth time.And finally, she gave in and pressed it.The line rang. Once. Twice.Then it went dead.Switched off.Stephany stared at the screen.She tried again.Switched off.The emptiness that settled in her chest wasn’t just disappointment it was something heav
