Carson immediately stopped and stared at Ander with distrust."How did you return so quickly?" Carson asked Ander."Return? What do you mean?" Curtis asked, puzzled.Ander didn't respond. He just lowered his gaze and remained silent while standing there under the doorway."What did you do to Ander?" Curtis demanded, his attitude changing."I didn't do anything. We just went for a little walk as brothers," Carson replied expressionlessly."Agata and Campbell were involved too. I should have guessed from the beginning," Curtis said."I walked back. My shoes are filled with sand," Ander confessed, crestfallen. "When I got to the hotel, I could see Amber very upset asking for you, Carson. She's at the chalet," he informed.Carson moved his lips from side to side. He wasn't sure if he could trust Ander after what he had done against him."Didn't you hear?" Curtis said, indicating that Ander had given him the needed information. "Your wife is at the chalet. So, I ask you to leave my room im
Amber walked slowly down that long and extensive hallway that disappeared into the distance. It was a solitary and silent corridor. There was no one who could prevent her commitment to Carson that night. It was her duty as a wife to surrender to Carson without making any excuses.There was only one small problem. Her mind couldn't stop thinking about Curtis every second. That spontaneous kiss replayed itself over and over in front of her eyes as if it were a romantic movie.But often in life, all that remains is to sigh and move on."Come on, Amber. You have to forget about Curtis," said Amber, reprimanding herself for that attitude.Amber reached the door of the room she shared with her husband on this trip, and there she sighed deeply.She lifted her face and gathered the courage to open that door. She placed her hand on the handle and turned it slowly.The door opened, and the light from the hallway illuminated the inside of the room."Carson?" Amber swallowed that lump in her thro
The next day, the world's most important bank opened its doors. It was the largest banking institution that existed, famous for lending immense sums of money to big magnates and important individuals when they faced economic problems.The last place in the world any millionaire would want to visit."Alright... Here we are," said Prince Rick Carusi once he saw the bank doors opening.The prince adjusted his elegant and expensive suit as he gathered courage to enter the bank."Are you sure you don't want to wait a couple of minutes?" his assistant Linder asked, still seated on the curb."I don't understand. They just opened their doors. We can go in now," the prince replied, confused."Exactly! They just opened. We don't want them to think we're desperate, and if we go in as soon as they open, they'll realize we spent the night here," explained Linder."Damn it!" the prince immediately knew his assistant was right. "But if we wait too long, others might get ahead, and then it will be ha
The prince and Linder were thrown out of that bank as if they were just ordinary humans. Rick Carusi needed an explanation immediately. So he went to his father to demand the truth about what was happening.It took them a while to return to the palace because they were traveling by bus and covering their faces to avoid being recognized.Upon arriving, they found a huge paper stuck to the main entrance of the castle.It was an ultimatum threatening to expropriate the property if the owners did not pay soon.The prince took that paper and looked at it more closely while Linder looked at Rick in disbelief."It can't be. The bank manager was telling the truth," said Rick Carusi, totally surprised."What are you going to do now?" Linder asked."I need to confront my father," confessed Rick."Remember that your father is very ill," reminded Linder so that Rick would be careful."Don't worry. I just need to know what the hell is going on," said Prince Rick as he opened the palace door.Rick
"What are we doing here?" Ander asked as he followed Curtis to the Stanton mansion's parking lot."You'll see," Curtis replied, searching through all the keys for the cars in that place.Curtis searched for a few minutes on a huge board displaying all those keys until he finally found what he was looking for."Here it is," Curtis said, taking one of those keys.Curtis tossed the keys so that Ander could catch them with his hands."What is this?" Ander asked suspiciously, looking at the keys in his hands."It's my gift to you. I want you to realize that you're a Stanton just like Agatha, Cambell, or Carson," Curtis assured."I don't understand... what can I do with these keys?" Ander asked, looking very confused.Curtis began laughing out loud. He couldn't believe Ander was so inexperienced in these matters."Don't be stupid, Ander. I'm not giving you those keys," Curtis said, laughing hysterically."No?" Ander still didn't understand anything. "Then what is my gift?" he asked."Just p
"That means we'll discuss something serious," said Curtis, also wiping the smile off his face."Otherwise, I wouldn't have come in person," replied the expressionless prince.Curtis closed the mini-bar door very slowly and then crossed his arms over his chest."If you don't mind. I'd like to take a seat," he indicated."Of course... this way," Curtis pointed to his desk and walked over to sit down.The prince sat across from him, and everything was ready to start the conversation."The last time we met, I promised you that I would come soon to Stanton Manor to talk about my engagement to Miss Agatha," Rick Carusi crossed his legs to demonstrate that he was a cultured and stylish person."I remember perfectly. It's very hard to forget everything I went through that day at the art exhibition," joked Curtis as he smiled slightly.The prince interlocked his fingers and then leaned slightly forward to let Curtis know he was speaking very seriously."That day has come, Curtis. I'm here to t
Ander raced through the city streets at meteoric speed in his new Lamborghini Veneno, which Curtis had gifted him.Speed was an addiction that penetrated his veins deeper and deeper with each passing moment.He disregarded all traffic signals, even as he passed by the city's central hospital. Ander was obsessed with that car."This is wonderful!" he shouted behind the wheel as he pressed down on the accelerator, causing the Lamborghini to cover kilometers in mere minutes.Everything was joy and celebration until he came face to face with a police checkpoint controlling traffic.Ander barely managed to brake and stop before running over all those police officers. The Lamborghini's tires screeched loudly as they abruptly came to a halt."Damn it!" Ander exclaimed once he stopped, fortunately without harming anyone.The police officers thanked God for still being alive, then headed towards the Lamborghini to arrest the daredevil who dared to drive so recklessly on a public road.The poli
"Is there something on my face?" asked the beautiful girl, gently touching her face.It was at that moment that Ander reacted and realized he had been mesmerized staring at the face of this stranger."No, no, you don't have anything," Ander quickly said, feeling very embarrassed."You're not from around here, are you? I've never seen you before," she said as she adjusted her merchandise."No, I'm not from here. In fact, I'm lost and I was wondering if you could help me with directions," confessed Ander, lost in the eyes of this lovely girl."Yes, of course. I can definitely help you," she responded as she stepped out of the small shop to face Ander while offering her assistance."I need to get to Stanton Mansion. Do you know which bus I can take, or which direction I should go?" asked Ander."Bus?" she asked and began to laugh."Why are you laughing?" Ander was confused. He didn't know what he had said wrong."The nearest bus would leave you two kilometers away. You would have to walk
Campbell watched with concern the news of his mother's arrest on his cell phone as he prepared for the flight where he would escape with Dany.Dany noticed Campbell's demeanor and immediately took his hand to comfort him."We can't look back," Dany said, "I know just the thing to cheer you up."Dany went to the airplane minibar and grabbed a bottle of champagne, perfectly chilled. Without hesitation, she uncorked it in front of Campbell, letting the bubbly foam cascade everywhere, soaking the red carpet beneath their feet.It was all laughter, hugs, and kisses until a voice amplified by a megaphone wiped the smiles off their faces instantly."Campbell Stanton, step out of the plane with your hands on your head," the police chief's voice echoed through the megaphone.Campbell and Dany peered out the window to see an entire army of international special police agents on the runway, aiming their firearms directly at the plane.Curtis returned to the Stanton mansion safe and sound, as he
Charles Ballmer laughed maniacally. He couldn't believe that he had finally ended the life of the wretched Curtis Stanton. He had always known he would kill him since the day Curtis had used him as a stool alongside Araña years ago.His escorts also laughed, pleased to see that their boss had finally gotten what he wanted. However, things changed in an instant. A shot came out of nowhere, hitting one of the escorts directly in the forehead, killing him immediately. Another shot hit the leg of another escort, and that's when everyone finally reacted, starting to shoot in all directions without knowing where the shots were coming from.Charles Ballmer crouched down and quickly sought shelter from the gunfire while continuing to give orders."Shoot! Shoot at anything that moves!" Charles shouted, hiding behind one of the containers.Curtis was also crawling on the floor, completely unharmed by the shots Charles Ballmer had just fired at him.Immediately, the dock was filled with internat
The limousine slowly came to a stop in front of the Stanton mansion, and Agatha looked through the window while accompanied by Angeline."Welcome to your true home," said Agatha as the gigantic gate opened to allow the limousine to pass.Both were personally greeted by Curtis.Agatha quickly got out of the limousine and ran to hug Curtis."What the hell are you doing here? I told you to stay on the island and take care of Angeline," Curtis reprimanded."He came back, Curtis. He managed to find me," Agatha confessed, terrified, with a look of fear in her eyes."That's impossible!" Curtis exclaimed."I know, I know. But he did it. He reached the hotel and chased me up the stairs. He said Angeline was his daughter and that he had the right to know her," Agatha said, unable to stop crying."You are safe now," Curtis comforted her with a kiss on the forehead."Daddy!" Angeline exclaimed, hugging her father's leg while Alfred carried Agatha's suitcases."Hello, my love," Curtis greeted with
“Curtis?” said Beth, peeking onto the balcony, “I finally found you. I've been searching all over the mansion for you.”“I was reminiscing about the view from this magnificent balcony,” Curtis replied.“Remembering old times, I imagine.”“Exactly in this spot, I stood the day Baxter went crazy and killed Lucius for no reason,” commented Curtis, fully aware that Beth was the culprit. However, he never pointed the finger at her directly.Beth immediately understood the accusatory remark and simply smiled to keep up the pretense.“It’s a real shame that such a beautiful place brings such bitter memories to your mind,” Beth responded.“No, not at all. It’s the perfect occasion to remember the inexplicable things that only happen in the Stanton mansion. Ander died and no one knows a thing about what happened. It’s exactly the same with Lucius and Baxter,” Curtis remarked sarcastically. “These elegant walls hold mysteries that the world has no clue about.”Beth only responded with a feigned
Agatha couldn't believe it. That man had found her and surely wanted to harm her and her young daughter. She could expect anything from Prince Rick at that moment. It was impossible to trust someone who had abandoned her and stolen all her money."Let's go, Angeline. We need to go back," Agatha said, terrified, taking her young daughter by the arm to return to the elevator."Agatha!" Prince Rick shouted, rising from his seat when he saw that Agatha wanted to flee from him.However, the elevator had already closed again and was on the upper floors. No matter how many times Agatha pressed the buttons, the door simply wouldn't open.Agatha watched with concern as Rick quickly crossed the entire lobby to reach where she was."Let's go through the stairs," Agatha said, picking up her young daughter and carrying her to move much faster.She was forced to walk a bit further to her right to enter the door leading to the hotel's stairs. She tried to move as quickly as possible without drawing
The next day, all the media outlets were abuzz with a story that went global in a matter of minutes.Ander Stanton, the youngest member of the powerful Stanton family, had been found completely charred inside the remains of a limousine that had been intentionally set on fire. He was found alongside a girl, also charred, who, for some strange reason, had a chain tied around her neck.This news plunged the Stanton family into mourning and called into question the performance of the city's police authorities. The citizens were alarmed. If something like this could happen to someone as important as Ander Stanton, what could an ordinary citizen expect?"That's common in this city. People are murdered like that every day. It's just that now it's someone rich, and that makes the difference," said an old woman being interviewed on television while Charles Ballmer and Beth Aldress watched.They were both completely naked and sitting in a hot tub. Charles was enjoying a cigar while Beth just re
Ander lost all the harshness in his voice and his bravery vanished as if by magic. Now he was just a scared and cowardly child, trembling like jelly in front of what seemed like a ghost from the past."Annie..." Ander sobbed, a mix of lament and high-pitched cry.He began to sweat profusely, and tears streamed down his face like waterfalls as he remained in disbelief. He couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing.Annie was there, staring at him face to face. However, she seemed unresponsive. Somehow, Charles Ballmer had managed to destroy her feelings and emotions. Everything that Annie once was had been erased from her mind forever. Now she was just a kind of pet that only served to wag her tail when her master, Charles Ballmer, came home tired from work."What did that bastard do to you?" Ander said, crying like a child.He took the chain that bound Annie's neck and noticed it was made of very resistant material. Perhaps that was why she had never managed to escape. Or maybe Charle
Ander woke up again in the middle of the night due to a horrible recurring nightmare that he had over and over again. Annie's face and voice tormented him during his dreams, preventing him from resting. Since it happened, Ander hadn't been able to sleep peacefully on any of the following nights."You're a damn coward," he told himself to gather the courage to go on with his life.His idea was to convince himself that he had chosen well by showing loyalty to Charles Ballmer. After all, Annie had brought that horrible end upon herself. However, the nightmares and the bitter taste in his mouth didn't go away with anything. Maybe it was something he had to learn to live with.The next day, everything returned to normal at the Stanton mansion. Beth walked proudly around the mansion, not missing any opportunity to rub her triumph in Curtis' face.However, Curtis was locked in his room with no desire to come out. He just stared out the window while everyone else enjoyed the pool. Maybe they
"Congratulations," said Campbell innocently."I think you should be grateful he didn’t get your wife pregnant, idiot," Beth snapped angrily, while Campbell felt ashamed."My personal life with my wife is none of the business of anyone present," Curtis commented immediately, although, to be honest, he was still in shock."You’re right. We don’t care about the child of a bastard and a traitor," Beth said venomously, not caring that she was talking about her own grandchild."He will own everything you see," Curtis defended himself with a sharp comment."That reminds me," Beth stood up and began walking around the office, "the new company directors have been talking, and...""And what?" Curtis questioned."And we’re thinking of kicking you out of the business," Carson immediately attacked.Curtis smiled, letting out a bit of air in a half-laugh."That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard," Curtis said, smiling."We want to remove you from your duties as president of Stanton Enterpr