"You can leave this mansion calmly in handcuffs, or you can leave forcibly subdued by a police officer. The decision is yours," said Inspector Ascanio, leaning forward slightly. "Neither. There's no need for handcuffs or brute force. I'll accompany you without any resistance," Curtis stood up and prepared to accompany Inspector Ascanio. "Very clever of you," the inspector praised Curtis's willingness and also stood up to leave for the county jail. Curtis fastened the button of his elegant suit and pointed to the exit with his hand, being very polite and refined. While Curtis was being arrested at the Stanton mansion, the clinic where Carson died was in chaos. The news had leaked to the press, and all the journalists were fighting to get some information. Even the police were forced to intervene to prevent these reporters from harassing the Stanton family. Ámbar cried inconsolably in the waiting room where she was forced to stay. Baxter accompanied her at the back of the room, an
"It's nothing personal, Curtis," the prisoner said, cracking his knuckles after hitting Curtis with all his strength. "They threatened to kill us if we didn't beat you up," the other prisoner explained, returning to his bunk. Curtis lay on the floor after receiving a severe beating. His body was sore, and he could barely move. "D-don't... Don't worry," Curtis said with effort, coughing in pain. "I don't blame you." At that moment, Curtis began to recall all the moments he had lived in the Stanton mansion and all the bad decisions that had led him to that place. He wondered what would have happened if he had never retaliated against Carson's blow. He closed his eyes and deeply regretted Carson's death. Surely Joseph and he were insulting him from beyond at that precise moment. For a second, Curtis hated himself deeply. "Forgive me, Joseph, please," Curtis said with great emotion as a tear escaped from his eyes. A small family gathering had gathered in the clinic to mourn Carson'
A sudden rain began to fall over the city, soaking everything in its path. Some people took it as God's tears mourning the death of Carson Stanton, while for others, it was merely the onset of the cold winter.Two burly men guarded a gigantic door behind them. They were dressed very elegantly in completely identical black suits.The door they guarded was truly massive. It measured ten meters high and five meters wide, and behind that door lay the Ballmer mansion with all its luxuries.These burly men took shelter from the rain under a small roof at the top of the door. They were there twenty-four hours a day.From a distance, they could see a man approaching slowly, walking in the pouring rain."Do you think he's a threat?" one of the men asked."I don't know. He's alone and doesn't seem very strong," the other man said, "it's better to wait for him to arrive and see what he wants."The stranger in the rain approached closer and closer until they could finally see his face.It was Luc
"It's beautiful!" exclaimed Charles Ballmer as he looked at the document Lucius placed in front of him to be signed.For a mafioso like Charles, having a corporation like the Stantons to cover his crimes was an incredible advantage. It was the most feasible way to expand his shady businesses to other countries."You just have to sign here, and you'll have all the right in the world to freely trade with Stanton Corporation," said Lucius, placing the pen in front of him.Without hesitation, Charles Ballmer stamped his signature on the document, now equipped with a very important tool to become an international mafioso. All ships and trade routes were at his disposal."And now what?" asked Charles Ballmer, handing the pen back to Lucius."The first thing you need to do is to keep your word and get Curtis out of jail.""That's not a problem, Lucius.""Very well. I will go to court to make this document public, and then it will have all the validity in the world, even when Curtis loses his
The astonishment on the coroner's face made Beth alarmed as she realized she had made a grave mistake."How do you say? Of course, it's poison!" Beth took the vial, snatching it from the coroner's hands to examine it herself.The coroner sighed and frowned slightly annoyed by Beth's attitude."It's a very strong anesthetic, a family of belladonna. It's capable of plunging people into a very deep sleep," he explained."A deep sleep?" Beth widened her eyes to their fullest upon hearing this information from the coroner."Very deep. So deep that a person can slow down their heart rate to the point of believing they're dead," he said, gripping Beth's shoulders.Beth fell silent for a moment, assimilating the coroner's words, and it didn't take her long to understand the situation."Carson is alive!" exclaimed Beth."Alive and very close to waking up," the coroner indicated.Beth turned her body and took a few steps away from the coroner, appearing pensive."You should feel joy, Beth. Your
Charles Ballmer was sitting at his private desk, watching as the seconds ticked away on the clock on his wall.It was the first time he would attack a police station, but his deal with Curtis was something he couldn't break.*Knock, knock* came from the office door, indicating someone wanted to enter."Come in!" said Charles Ballmer. It was his butler."Mr. Ballmer, the men are ready and waiting for your order to leave the mansion," he reported."Thank you, Alfonso. Please have them wait for a moment. I would like to speak with them," Charles replied."Right away, sir," said the butler as he went to fetch the men who would carry out the operation.Charles stood up from his chair and began to look out the window with his arms crossed behind his back.Five burly men with the faces of criminals entered the private office while the butler, Alfonso, closed the door."You wanted to see us, sir," said the leader of the men."I just wanted to make sure you were clear on what you were going to
Carson had appeared out of nowhere, accompanied by a police guard. They were immediately shocked to encounter that unexpected scene.Inspector Ascanio was completely unconscious on the prison floor while Curtis had his hands on the lock of the gate, preparing to open the door with the keys.Curtis, too, was petrified to see Carson enter through that door. It was the first time he had witnessed someone coming back to life. He stood completely still there, as if he had seen a ghost."Carson..." Curtis said, astonished, "Is it really you?" Curtis asked without moving a muscle."You thought you could get rid of me that easily?" Carson joked, smiling slightly.The guard accompanying him finally reacted and shouted at Curtis."What are you doing with those keys? Why is Inspector Ascanio unconscious?" The police officer quickly took a definitive stance against Curtis."He handed me the keys into my own hands and then said he was feeling very unwell. He passed out, and I wanted to get out to
The weeks passed, and gradually people began to forget about the Carson incident. Everyone turned the page, and no one asked any more questions about what had happened.Everything returned to normal, and Curtis resumed his role as the head of Stanton Mansion, despite having many enemies who wanted to take away his inheritance. He continued to enforce his rules.Every year, the Stanton family hosted an art exhibition at one of the country's most important museums. It was a way to showcase to the world the good taste and distinction of that surname.It was the first year without Joseph Stanton as the president of the exhibition, and instead, Curtis would obviously be representing the Stanton family.Everyone in the mansion had prepared with great excitement for this occasion. It was an elegant party where they could mingle with very important and powerful people.The Stanton siblings had hired famous designers to create exclusive outfits for the occasion. Charles Ballmer and Kim Ballmer
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