Novels by Shalltell.O. Uyofor

Chapter 38 Liam stepped onto the manicured terrace of the Wells mansion, the morning sun cutting across the marble like a blade. He paused at the bottom of the steps, heart still a slow, erratic drum from the night before. The house smelled of lemon polish and something sweeter — baked bread, or maybe the perfume that clung to the house like a promise. He had rehearsed what he would say on the drive over, but rehearsals always melted when he stood in front of the door.He knocked anyway.The heavy door opened before he could knock again. Josephine peered out, her brows knitted into thin lines of suspicion. Even in the bright daylight she looked as if she expected shadows to crawl out of the corners. The relief that had softened her features when Selena was locked up was despaired by witting fear.“Liam,” she said, voice tight. “You came. Don’t stand there; come in. Someone might be watching.” Her hands moved quick and nervous, the habit of checking locks cutting across the air like a

Chapter 37 Alex held his phone, his grip tightening. He needed to reach out to Selena needed to apologize for failing her, and for failing her daughter, his wife. He closed his eyes for a moment before getting up from the bed. Walking over to the drawer, he pulled out another phone. The phone he had been using recently had limited connection. It had no access to the internet, he had programmed it that way. None of his business associates’ contacts or information were on it. That phone was strictly for necessities: communicating with Hailey, or receiving the messages and calls his father tormented him with. His real phone, the one with full access to news, work, and everything else was switched off and locked away in a drawer. He was finally ready to reconnect with the world. “I have to talk to Hailey after breakfast,” he muttered as he switched on the phone. Alex could feel his heart pounding. Turning on the phone felt like a signal an announcement that he was officially ready

Chapter 36 Mabel got out of her car, holding her phone in her hand, completely lost in thought. As she walked toward the entrance of the mansion, her mind spiraled, replaying every conversation she had ever had with Liam.She stepped inside quietly. All she wanted was to get to her room and lie down.“Hey, are you okay?” Riele asked, gently grabbing Mabel’s hand.Snapping back to the present, Mabel blinked.“Uhmm… I’m sorry, what did you say?”Riele studied her face. Even though Mabel tried to act normal, her eyes gave her away—lost, tired, and on the verge of tears.“I asked if you were okay,” she repeated with a warm smile. “I’ve been calling you, but you were so deep in thought, you didn’t hear me.”“Oh… uhmm… I—I’m just lost in my own world,” Mabel replied with a weak smile. “I’m good.”“That’s wonderful to hear,” Riele said softly.“What are you two doing?” Sean asked as he approached.“Selena is about to reveal her painting, and we’re about to grab some drinks together. You bot

Chapter 35“Hmmm, you sure did paint a masterpiece,” came Violet’s teasing voice.“Oh, stop,” Selena waved her hands, her cheeks red from smiling so much. “You know, back in the day, I’m sure kings and queens would’ve killed to have their hands on a masterpiece like that.”“ Oh yes, madame,” Violet said, holding up the painting, “we need to hang this in the most deserving place in the house.”“Above the fireplace,” she added, smiling proudly. “I’m sure that’s well deserving.”“I’m sure it is,” Selena replied, mimicking a British accent.“Okay, enough play we have other activities to do, and we’re running out of time.”“Okay… what’s next?”***Mabel looked at her phone for what felt like the billionth time that day. She and Liam had agreed to meet, but she hadn’t received a single call or text from him.Rubbing her head, she muttered, “Gosh, I hope he’s okay. The last time we spoke, he told me he had a cold.”Taking a deep breath, she finally decided on the option that had been weighin

Chapter 34Hailey stood at the door, lost in thought, trying to figure out what could have made him that uneasy.“Hey,” a calm, warm voice said behind her, prompting Hailey to blink her eyes back to the present.“Uhmm, Hailey?” the voice spoke again, this time with more depth carrying emotion, maybe worry or concern.Hailey nodded. “Oh… good day, Miss Jenny.”“Are you okay? You’ve been standing here for quite some time.”Another cough was heard from Alex’s room.“Yes, just that I’m worried about him. His fever’s worse, and he’s being so difficult,” Hailey ranted, waving the documents in her hand in the air.“Oh, I’m sorry,” she mumbled, realizing her actions.Jenny chuckled softly. “Oh, no problem. He’s always been difficult.”Biting her lip, Jenny exhaled, took a deep gulp of air, and mumbled, “I’m going to talk to him… wish me luck,” before knocking on the door.Hailey nodded, giving way for her. Poor Miss Jenny. Although Alex brought her home, he rarely paid attention to her. In fa

Chapter 33The chandelier shone brightly in the breakfast room. Everyone was seated around the round table. The staff, all dressed neatly in black and white, carried in the breakfast trays.The aroma that filled the air was so delightful that it made one’s taste buds itch for a bite even before the eyes could feast on the meal.Selena closed her eyes for a moment. 'This feels magical.' She thought, being seated with her loved ones again. The ambiance, the gold light shining from the chandelier above everything looked perfect.Her eyes drifted around the table: Violet sat at the edge, Selena beside her, Mabel opposite her, and Riele, Sean’s assistant sat beside Mabel. Sean himself was at the other end of the table, directly opposite Violet.For what seemed like an eternity to Selena finally ended when a staff placed her breakfast in front of her, while the others continued serving the rest of the family.The smell of perfectly fried eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, freshly baked bread,

Chapter 54Author’s POVThe night after Sisi caught the shadow of a man lurking in her house, she couldn’t sleep. She sat upright, staring at the faint outline of Ryan curled up peacefully on the couch. Her heart was heavy, tangled between suspicion and fear. But as the morning sun crept through the curtains, the man was gone leaving behind nothing but the cold reminder that she wasn’t safe.Determined to distract herself, Sisi decided to take Ryan shopping the next day. Maybe, she thought, the mall would drown her mind in noise and colour.Ryan was the first to brighten the moment. Holding Sisi’s hand, he tilted his head and smiled softly.“Don’t worry, mum,” he said in his innocent voice. “Even if bad people come, I’ll always protect you. You and aunt Camila… you’re my family.”Her heart ached. She pulled him close and kissed his forehead.“You’re just a child my little boy,” she whispered. “You shouldn’t have to protect anyone. It’s me who should protect you.”Ryan shook his head w

Chapter 53Camila’s POVThe numbers circled in my head like vultures around dying prey. Eight million. It wasn’t small—not the kind of sum I could ever pull together without questions being asked, without sacrifices that would shine a blinding spotlight on me.I sat at the corner of my room, knees pulled to my chest, the moonlight slashing across my face. The demand replayed in my mind again and again. Whoever those people were faceless, terrifying they were serious. And if I didn’t act, someone else would pay.My first thought had been Roderick. His name always split me in two—anger on one side, longing on the other. He had the money, the power, the means. But what would I tell him? That strangers were threatening me? That I needed millions overnight? He’d never give it quietly. He’d question, investigate, drag the whole house into the storm.No. I couldn’t risk it.My mind shifted. Adrian.Adrian wasn’t perfect—he could be cold, distant, a man who carried his emotions like armor. Bu

Chapter 52 Author’s POV The Clastu mansion had grown unusually quiet since the parents left two days ago. But in the silence, darkness brewed. Precillia and Aria had been meeting old friend and dangerous connection in hushed tones, their faces pale with malice, their whispers laced with venom. Ryan’s existence had become the center of their twisted plan. “We’ll end it,” precillia muttered one night, her eyes cold. “We’ll end him… and she will take the blame.” Aria leaned closer, her voice low and steady. “Yes. Camila will suffer, not just lose her name, but her soul. No one will believe her again after this, and Roderick, Roderick will be all mine. The fact am willing to do anything for that handsome man and his wealth shows how much am in love with him.” Aria said with a self prasing tone and a smile on her face. Their plan was precise, heartless. Before striking Ryan, they needed bait—someone who could drag Camila right into their trap. For a while, that have been keeping a ver

Chapter 51Author’s POVThe Clastu family’s convoy of black cars pulled up to the quiet street, their polished exteriors reflecting the late afternoon sun. It was supposed to be a visit of comfort, of unity or at least that was how Aria had painted it when she suggested the idea. But beneath her sweet expression, a darker satisfaction bloomed.From the backseat of one of the cars, Aria’s sharp eyes caught sight of a figure storming out of Roderick’s house.It was Sisi.Her face was pale but streaked with redness from tears, her expression twisted in pain and fury. She clutched Ryan’s small hand tightly, the boy trailing beside her, his little face confused and tear-stained. Sisi walked fast, her shoulders stiff, her free hand gripping her car keys as if they were the only thing tethering her to the present moment.Aria tilted her head slightly, lips curving into a sly smile. Precillia, sitting beside her, also noticed.“That’s her,” Aria whispered under her breath. “The one Camila cal

Chapter 50Author’s POVAria sat on the edge of her bed in the Clastu mansion, phone in hand, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. She dialed a number, clearing her throat before speaking in a calm, measured voice, perfectly imitating Camila.“Hello… it’s me Camila." She said. The voice on the other hand replied triled to her from her. "Wow Camila. It's been a while. How're you doing." She asked. "I'm really sorry for not reaching out lately but We need to meet, it's really urgent” Aria said softly, glancing at her reflection in the mirror. “Somewhere private. I’ll text you the address.”"Well ok. If it's really that important, I'll be there ok. I'll be expecting the address but I have to go now. See you later Camila." She hung up. A small smile curling on Aria's lips. One step closer. Few minutes later, she walked into the sitting room where the Clastu family except Adrian was gathered. She scanned the environment and saw how everyone was glued with either their phone or documents.

Chapter 49Camila’s POVRoderick’s voice was low, but it cut straight through me. “The last time I saw her like this,” he said, his gaze fixed on the door as though Sisi might appear any second, “was when she was about to jump. That same look… like she’s holding the weight of the world in one hand and a blade in the other.”A chill slid down my spine. I folded my arms across my chest, bracing against the thought.“You mean… she’s dangerous?”He turned, eyes sharp. “Yes. And when Sisi’s in this state, she’s dangerous to herself—and to everyone she thinks has betrayed her.”That last word hung between us like smoke—thick, suffocating, impossible to ignore.The next morning, I found her in the sunroom, the one place in the house too bright for shadows. She sat in the corner chair, staring out the tall windows, a coffee mug in her hand, untouched.I moved toward her slowly, each step feeling like it might set off a mine.“Sisi,” I began, voice softer than I meant it to be, “I just… I want