Novels by PhillWrites

By the time they returned to the mansion, the evening had deepened into night. Warm golden lights illuminated the sprawling halls of the estate, reflecting off polished marble floors and the tall glass windows overlooking the darkened gardens.A rather aged man, one Cassandra recognized as the butler… She wasn’t so sure. She’d only seen the man once… maybe twice. And well, the aged man did have this air around him. Like he was in charge of things around here. Just like at that moment. He approached them, flanked by two maids who stepped forward to take Loretha’s suitcases from Ethan. The butler gave curt nods to Ethan, Loretha and Cassandra before stepping aside. Then Ethan started to lead them inside.It welcomed them from the grand entrance hall. Several different aromas mingled together—the rich scent of roasted herbs, freshly baked bread, something savory simmering with spices, and the unmistakable fragrance of freshly squeezed fruit.Cassandra’s stomach gave a soft growl as they

The atmosphere inside the hospital room tensed the moment Cassandra stepped through the door with Ethan.Her mother stood beside the hospital bed, a packed bag resting on top of it. Her arms were folded across her chest, her lips pressed into a thin line as her gaze moved slowly from Cassandra to the man standing beside her.“Hi, Mom.”Loretha's gaze rested briefly on Cassandra when she spoke. And then it shifted to Ethan as the young man cleared his throat and stepped forward. “Mrs Greene.” He gave a curt bow. “I am Ethan Gray. Your daughter’s fiancée.”A smug smile touched his lips. “My deepest apologies that we get to meet for the first time under these circumstances.”Loretha simply stared at him. Then she returned her gaze to Cassandra, who was still standing ever so stiffly by the door. “Why would you bring him here?”“Mom, I—”“Oh, she didn't exactly bring me here, ma'am.”Cassandra's head snapped toward Ethan as his voice cut through hers.“I insisted on coming. Didn't really

The soft hum of the engine was the only sound inside the car.Outside, the city stretched beneath the bright early-evening sun, its golden rays reflecting off glass buildings and polished cars as pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks. The weather was unusually pleasant, the sky a clear shade of blue with only a few wisps of clouds scattered across it.Ethan kept his eyes on the road, his hands resting steadily on the steering wheel. However, every few seconds, his gaze would drift toward the passenger seat. To Cassandra.She was sitting with her face turned toward the window, her forehead almost touching the glass, her expression distant.Ethan didn't understand the strange sensation that had been gnawing at his chest since he'd picked her up from the university.Worry. It was an unfamiliar emotion. And he didn't particularly like it.He glanced at Cassandra again before clearing his throat.“So, umm… I was thinking we could go somewhere. Have lunch together?”“Sure.” Cassandra’s v

“Miss Greene?”Cassandra blinked. It took an entire minute before the voice of her professor finally registered.Looking up sharply, she couldn’t help but notice that the entire class had their gaze fixed on her. Just great!Cassandra’s cheeks flushed as she straightened in her seat, realizing that she had completely lost track of what was happening around her.At the front of the lecture hall, Professor Anderson stood beside the large whiteboard, a marker still between his fingers. The words 'Doctrine of Consideration' were written across the board in neat black letters.“Were you with us?” the professor asked.Cassandra swallowed. “Yes, sir.”A few students snickered.Professor Anderson raised an eyebrow. “Then perhaps you can tell us what I just asked.”Cassandra’s mind raced. She hadn’t heard a single word. But thankfully, the question was written on the board. She glanced at it briefly before looking back at him.“Well, you asked whether consideration must always be adequate for a

The evening air was cool against Cassandra’s face as she sat alone on one of the benches outside the hospital. She had been sitting there for almost twenty minutes. Or maybe longer. She had lost track of time.Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, her eyes fixed on the passing cars beyond the hospital gates. People walked in and out of the building around her, nurses rushing between departments, visitors carrying bags of food, doctors speaking quietly among themselves.Yet Cassandra barely noticed any of them. All she could hear were her mother’s words.“…You’re following my footsteps.” Cassandra signed softly. Was she really?“You’re getting involved with a powerful man. You’re pregnant with his child. Why? Did his money and influence sway you? I could have sworn I raised you better than that!”But it wasn’t about the money… Tears stung Cassandra’s eyes and nostrils. She sniffed, rubbing hard on her nose with the back of her palm.“Well, damn he is good to you now. But Cassa

“Ethan I…” Cassandra’s voice was barely above a whisper now, trailing again as she fixed her gaze again onto Ethan’s stormy blue eyes.Her stomach lurched unpleasantly, a sour taste forming in her mouth.She was no fool. Cassandra knew exactly how things looked right now. David Hudson was the biggest rival of the Gray Group. And now, he had just announced her as his daughter!The day Ethan Gray had first had his men bring her to his mansion, he had pointblankly accused her of getting pregnant for him on purpose… accused her of scheming. Hell, he still thought that way. She could feel literally it. And now, this happened!What was worse, Ethan had actually asked her that day at the vanguard gala if she knew David Hudson and she had flat out lied that she didn’t. Well, great! Now it had come right back to slap her in the face. But then, back then, what could she have said to Ethan? Could she have just told him that David Hudson was supposed to be her father but he had warned her to ste

The sun was slowly dipping below the horizon, casting a rather warm and golden hue over the serene seascape. The air was cool and soothing. The gentle sound of waves crashing against each other gave off a a soothing backdrop to the scene. Along the sandy shore, an aisle was crafted, adorned with seashells and colourful flowers. Audrey had been the one in charge of all the wedding decorations and she had done one hell of a job! The salty breeze carried with it a sense of anticipation, mingling with the laughter and chatter of everyone gathered, half of which the wedding couple didn't even know. Being the global favourite couple, people had come for their wedding from all around the globe. The place was packed full. It was a good thing that the private beach was immensely spacious. Underneath beautifully constructed bamboo arches, adorned with billowing fabrics and fresh blooming flowers, the guests were sitting in groups. A romantic melody soon started to play and the procession

The long awaited day of the trial of the state versus Linsley Conat finally came. As the masses were now actively involved in this case, Linsley Conat had been unable to bribe her way out of prison. The few people she knew in power in the judiciary system refused to help her. Her last resort, which had been to fake mental illness, had fallen apart because her son had made sure to cut her off completely from those that might be able to help her fake the reports and all the other necessary documents. Backed in a corner, helpless, all she had been able to do was wait dejectedly in her cell for the day of her trial…"All rise!"Everyone in the courtroom rose immediately as the command from the judicial assistant rang out. The judge stepped in and it was after he took his seat that he muttered a lazy, "Sit!" and everyone else in the courtroom took their respective seats.From across the courtroom, Linsley's almost lifeless eyes caught sight of her son and she gave him the most deathly st

It was all over the news the next morning being a Saturday, every news channel was airing it. Newspapers, magazines both online and in hard copy print all carried the news of the arrest of Linsley Conat. The news however didn't say under what grounds she was arrested but in the news published by Starlight Media agency, they announced that the son of Linsley Conat, Jake Conat had agreed to an exclusive interview to discuss the subject of his mother's arrest and give them all the scoop there was. The interview was scheduled for the next day being Sunday. The internet was in a frenzy. Jake got a call from the company warning him not to come because the paparazzi were everywhere. Even the security stationed far ahead at the entrance of the street leading to the mansion had called to inform him that the paparazzi were gathered there as well. Thankfully, the paparazzi couldn't get into the street because of the tight security at the entrance so they couldn't get anywhere close to the ma

It was a lot. Everything that had happened in the past couple days. It was too much revelation. She was angry, bitter, sad, frustrated, and hurt but most of all, what she felt the most was fear. The fear of losing the love she shared with Jake. The fear of losing the happiness he had brought into her life. The fear of losing the peace he had brought her. The fear of losing the complete perfect family she had envisioned. The fear of losing her brother even. It was because of this fear that she hadn't come to a decision all the while or even address the situation. Now she was ready. She knew what she had to do. Karen had ended their session with the words, "Maddie dear, don't forget that the past is past. It actually has no control whatsoever on your present or future, not unless you allow it. Your happiness does not lie in the past but in your now." Karen's words had been the final push she had needed to come to a decision… "Welcome mummy," Andrew who was in the living room rushed

Maddie had been sitting right across Karen for roughly fifteen minutes already, yet she hadn't said a word other than the greeting she had muttered to the lady when she had first stepped in. The warm smile playing on the therapist's face didn't falter, she continued waiting patiently for Maddie to speak. Drawing a sharp breath, Maddie finally opened her mouth to speak. "I umm, it's umm, complicated. I don't even know where to start." Karen's smile widened. "You can start anywhere you like Maddie. " The way Karen's office was designed, it was a modern office setting with an office table and a chair, and then across the table on the other end were two other chairs, arranged to slantingly face each other. There were a stretch of cupboards right behind the office table and chairs, at the far end of the wall, it contained drawers containing files of patients. Ahead of the office table before one got to the door or if one came from the door, were two adjacent reclining sofas. This w

"Idiot!" Linsley cursed under her breath the moment Stephanie was gone, kicking at her feet in fury, and just then her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and then picked the call rather hurriedly. "So, have you found that fool Harry?" she asked the person on the other line. "No we haven't. He seems to have disappeared," came the reply from the person on the other line. "Then find his f**king family fool and use them to lure him out!" She practically yelled into the phone. "Well, umm, his father and younger sister have disappeared as well. I think your son is protecting them by keeping them hidden somewhere." "Arrrgh!" Linsley screamed, tossing her phone across the wall in anger. "Incompetent fools!" she cursed, and then started to parade about the room. Her son was protecting Harry! Was he f**king insane? He had threatened to send her to jail but it had just been an empty threat, right? Well, she was beginning to think of the threat as more than just an empty threat.