Chapter: Chapter 132: Vows and ConsequencesA week later, everything had been set in motion with a kind of quiet certainty that made the moment feel both real and unreal at the same time. The wedding venue stretched open toward the horizon, the calm breath of the sea moving gently through the space, carrying with it a soft breeze that brushed against every face present. Diana stood there in her dress, her fingers lightly clasped together in front of her, her heart steady but full, as though everything she had been through had led her exactly to this point. She turned slightly, stealing a glance at Merlin beside her. He caught her eyes almost immediately, as if he had been waiting for that moment, and the smile that spread across his face carried something deeper than joy. There was pride in it, relief, and something quietly possessive, like a man who knew what he had almost lost and refused to ever let it slip again. Diana held that look for a second longer than she intended, her lips curving softly before she t
Última actualización: 2026-04-25
Chapter: Chapter 131: A New Life BeginsTwo days later, Diana, Emma and Merlin were seated at the dining table, the atmosphere warm and relaxed in a way that felt natural now, like this was what their lives had always been meant to look like. The plates were filled, the soft clinking of cutlery against ceramic blending with the low hum of conversation. Emma sat comfortably, swinging her legs under the chair as she ate, her face bright with satisfaction. “Mummy, you’re the best cook in the world,” Emma said with full confidence, lifting a spoonful of food into her mouth like she was making an important declaration. Diana smiled, shaking her head lightly. “Don’t talk while eating, sweetheart,” she said gently, though her tone carried more affection than correction. Emma nodded quickly, though her grin didn’t fade. Merlin watched them both quietly, something soft settling in his chest as he leaned back slightly in his chair. Moments like this still surprised him, how easily Diana had blended into his life, how
Última actualización: 2026-04-25
Chapter: Chapter 130: "Can We Get Married?"Diana returned home that evening looking worn out in a way that couldn’t be hidden. It wasn’t just physical tiredness. It sat deeper than that, in the way her shoulders dropped, in the quietness that followed her into the house. The door had barely closed behind her when Merlin stepped forward. He didn’t ask anything at first. He simply pulled her into his arms, holding her firmly, one hand at her back, the other resting gently at the back of her head. She leaned into him fully, as though that was exactly what she needed. He guided her slowly to the couch, his arm still around her as they sat. Only then did he pull back slightly to look at her face. “How’s she?” he asked quietly. “She’s better now,” Diana replied, her voice low but steady. There was a brief silence before she turned to face him properly. Her eyes searched his for a moment, then softened slightly, though something unsettled still lingered beneath. “Do you think I’m a bad mother?” she asked suddenl
Última actualización: 2026-04-25
Chapter: Chapter 129: Drawn BackThe call didn’t take long, but it was enough to change everything.Diana didn’t wait to think things through. The moment she ended it, she grabbed her bag and turned toward the door without hesitation.“I have to go,” she said quickly.Merlin was already moving before she finished speaking. “I’ll come with you.”She shook her head almost immediately. “No… let me go first.”He paused, studying her face, then nodded. “Call me when you get there.”“I will.”She didn’t say anything else before stepping out.The drive felt longer than it should have. Every second stretched, her mind racing through possibilities she didn’t want to consider. By the time she arrived, her heart was already pounding in a way she couldn’t control.She rushed through the entrance, her eyes searching until she found what she was looking for.Selena.The little girl lay on the bed, smaller than usual, her usual bright energy replaced with a quiet stillness that unsettled Diana immediately.“Mommy…” Selena called w
Última actualización: 2026-04-24
Chapter: Chapter 128: A Different GameThe shift didn’t come with noise. There was no confrontation, no sudden appearance, no carefully timed interruption. That was what made it unsettling. After everything Henry had been doing, the disruptions, the pressure, the quiet interference that had slowly revealed itself, the sudden silence felt wrong.Diana noticed it before she could explain it. At first, it came as relief. A day passed without anything going wrong. Then another. Her schedule aligned perfectly, meetings held as planned, calls came through at the right time, nothing delayed, nothing clashing. It should have felt like things were finally returning to normal, but instead, it left her uneasy.She stood in her office one afternoon, staring at her calendar, going through it again even though she had already checked it twice. Everything was in order. Too in order.“That’s strange,” she murmured under her breath.Merlin, who had walked in moments earlier, caught the tone immediately. “What is?” he asked, stepping c
Última actualización: 2026-04-24
Chapter: Chapter 127: Standing FirmBy the time Diana reached the end of that week, she was no longer guessing. The pattern had revealed itself too clearly to ignore, and the quiet frustration she had been managing turned into something more grounded, something sharper. She didn’t feel overwhelmed anymore. Instead, she felt focused. Whoever was behind it had expected confusion, distraction, maybe even panic. What they hadn’t expected was for her to step back, observe, and decide she was done reacting blindly.That was how she found herself standing in front of Henry again, not by accident this time, not because he appeared uninvited, but because she chose it. She sent the message herself, short and direct, leaving no room for misinterpretation. He agreed to meet just as quickly, as if he had been waiting for that moment all along.When she arrived, he was already there, seated, calm as always, his presence carrying that same controlled composure she had come to recognize too well. For a brief second, Diana studie
Última actualización: 2026-04-23
Chapter: Chapter 111: Blood for Love"Why?" Lauren snapped, loud and furious. "Why do you risk your life to save this bitch?! You've never been that in love with me."Her voice echoed violently through the abandoned building, filled with heartbreak, jealousy, and rage that had built up over the years. Tears gathered in her eyes despite the hatred twisting across her face. The hand holding the knife trembled slightly, but the madness burning inside her eyes remained frightening.She could not understand it.Even after everything.Even after all the manipulations.Even after all the sacrifices she believed she made for Curtis.He still chose Tessa.Every single time.Curtis gasped again, his breathing harsh.The pain tearing through his chest was becoming unbearable now. His strength was fading faster than before, yet his body still leaned protectively toward Tessa as though shielding her had already become instinct.Blood stained his clothes heavily.Even the floor beneath him had begun turning red.But his eyes remain
Última actualización: 2026-05-27
Chapter: Chapter 110: Blood and Regret"Curtis! Curtis!" Tessa was calling, her voice quivering, her eyes teary.Her entire body trembled violently as she held him against herself on the cold floor. Blood soaked through her fingers no matter how much pressure she applied to the wound on his chest. The warmth of it spread across her palm endlessly, frightening her more with every passing second."Why are you so stupid?"Her voice cracked badly as she spoke.Curtis was now on the ground, held by Tessa.His head rested weakly against her arm while his breathing came out unevenly. The sharp pain spreading through his chest had already drained the strength from his body, but even then, his eyes remained fixed on Tessa's face.He could see her crying.And somehow, that hurt him more than the knife wound."I'm fine. Don't cry." He managed to say, his voice struggled to steady as he met her gaze.His breathing was coming in gasps yet he tried to pretend to be okay, just to make her not to cry.The corners of his lips even attem
Última actualización: 2026-05-27
Chapter: Chapter 109: The Fatal ShieldCurtis gently lifted Tessa from the ground.He carefully held her not minding the panic written all over his face. One of his hands supported her shoulder while the other wrapped protectively around her waist. Tessa winced slightly from the lingering pain around her stomach and the ache spreading through the back of her head where she had been struck earlier.Dust clung faintly to her clothes and hair.Her breathing was uneven.Yet the moment Curtis touched her, she could feel how badly his hands were shaking.And immediately, Lauren halted.The small knife remained tightly hidden inside her palm for a second before she slowly changed her expression. The hatred on her face disappeared almost instantly, replaced with tears and trembling lips. She quietly slipped the knife back into her breast pocket as though nothing had happened.Then she slowly dropped to her knees.Like a victim.Like someone broken."Are you okay?" Curtis asked Tessa passionately.His eyes searched her face anxio
Última actualización: 2026-05-26
Chapter: Chapter 108: The Sudden RescueFrozen on the ground, the phone slowly dropped from her grip, her empty and teary eyes fixed blankly on the ground. The abandoned building suddenly felt colder around her. Dust floated faintly through the air while silence pressed heavily against the walls. Tessa's fingers trembled beside her body, her chest rising slowly as if even breathing had become difficult after hearing Curtis's words.Lauren chuckled.The sound echoed sharply across the empty building."You said I don't have friends and family." She said with a smirk, her head tilted. "But aren't you the same? Do you think Curtis will be with you once I'm out of the picture? He finds you disgusting!"Tessa remained quiet.Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out immediately. Curtis's cold response still rang repeatedly inside her head. The little hope she had unknowingly held onto shattered completely the moment he told her they should cease all contact. Even though she kept telling herself she hated him, a part of
Última actualización: 2026-05-26
Chapter: Chapter 107: The Last Hope"Your job here is done." Came Lauren's fierce voice as she stepped forward, snatching the phone from the man's hand. Her face was hard with anger, her eyes swollen with sleepless rage and resentment that had built up over time. Tessa remained on the cold floor, one hand pressed weakly against the spot where the heavy stick had landed on her back earlier."Leave! I'll give you the money once I'm done with her."The man was still shaking, bent to Tessa on the ground. His rough face carried desperation more than cruelty. Sweat gathered around his forehead while his trembling fingers scratched nervously against his trousers. His eyes darted repeatedly between Lauren and Tessa like someone caught between fear and greed."I'll save you as long as you pay me better than she did." He whispered to her, his widened eyes looking strangely serious, almost convincing, as if he truly expected Tessa to agree to such madness.Tessa stared at him with disbelief. Her head still ached heavily from
Última actualización: 2026-05-25
Chapter: Chapter 106: Blood And Betrayal“Shut up!” Lauren snapped furiously. “Shut up!”Her entire body trembled violently with rage as she lifted the knife high into the air. The hatred in her eyes had completely swallowed every remaining trace of sanity.She no longer looked like someone trying to threaten Tessa.She looked like someone ready to kill.But the rope tying Tessa’s hands behind the chair had already loosened after the long time she’d secretly been trying to loose it.Her wrists hurt badly from the constant friction, and parts of her skin already felt raw beneath the rope, but none of that mattered now.Survival mattered more.The instant Lauren moved forward with the knife, Tessa reacted immediately.She shifted sharply sideways and kicked Lauren hard in the stomach before the knife could reach down.Lauren gasped loudly.The knife slipped slightly from her grip as the force sent her stumbling backward.She crashed heavily onto the dusty floor with a loud thud, groaning painfully while clutching her stomach.
Última actualización: 2026-05-25
Chapter: Chapter 89: The Final ReckoningThe boardroom was silent except for the shuffle of papers and the faint hum of the air conditioning. Ginny sat stiffly, her hands clasped together so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.Every breath she took felt heavy, thick with fear and hope.Annabella sat beside her, calm on the outside, but Ginny could feel the tremor in her cousin’s hand where their fingers brushed.Margaret was across from them, her face sharp with determination, and Joshua, though bruised and pale, sat straight-backed as if refusing to show weakness before Lucy.The doors opened.Lucy walked in like she owned the air they all breathed. Her heels clicked against the polished floor, her dress immaculate, her smile calm, controlled, a queen entering her throne room.She didn’t spare Ginny a glance as she took her seat at the head of the table.The board members murmured faintly, unsure, restless.“Ladies and gentlemen,” Lucy began, her voice dripping with authority. “I called this emergency meeting because the
Última actualización: 2025-10-02
Chapter: Chapter 88: The Trap for Victor KaneThe night city lights spilled into the car windows as Ginny sat beside Annabella, her palms damp against the leather seat. Every bump on the road felt like it echoed in her chest.The investigator drove in silence, his jaw tight, eyes locked on the road as though he too carried a burden heavier than the air around them.“Are we really ready for this?” Ginny whispered, her voice fragile but steady enough for Annabella to hear.Annabella turned her face, her eyes burning with determination. “We don’t have a choice. Lucy has painted you as a thief. If we don’t cut Victor down, the board will never listen to us.”Ginny nodded, though her stomach twisted. She had imagined the face of the man who helped Lucy weave her lies.Now, she was on her way to meet him, to wrestle her fate back from his hands.The car slowed before a dimly lit diner tucked away at the end of an almost deserted street. The signboard flickered, half-broken, as if the place itself was tired of hiding secrets.The invest
Última actualización: 2025-10-02
Chapter: Chapter 87: Lucy’s Last CardThe morning carried no peace. By the time Ginny stepped out of her room, whispers were already spilling through the hallways.Faces turned toward her, some with pity, others with suspicion. She felt the judgment like stones pressing against her chest.At the dining hall, Annabella hurried in, her face pale, clutching a folded newspaper. She dropped it on the table before Ginny. “She’s done it,” she said, her voice shaking. “Lucy has moved first.”Ginny’s eyes fell on the bold headline. Her name screamed across the page—accused of siphoning funds, manipulating accounts, betraying her own family’s trust. A wave of heat rushed through her body.She gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles whitening. “This is false,” she whispered, though the heaviness in her throat made her voice crack.“She’s framing you,” Annabella said firmly. “And she’s doing it publicly.”Margaret entered slowly, her face stern, her hands holding yet another folder. “It’s worse than that. She’s called for an emer
Última actualización: 2025-10-02
Chapter: Chapter 86: Shattered LoyaltiesThe night air felt heavier than before, pressing against Ginny’s chest as she and Annabella stumbled out of the hidden passage with the ledger clutched tightly in Annabella’s trembling hands.Their breathing came in broken gasps, not just from running but from the weight of what they had left behind.Joshua.Ginny’s heart pounded at the thought. She could still hear his voice in her head, telling her to go, telling her to finish the fight, even as he stayed back to face Lucy’s men.The guilt was like fire in her veins. She had promised him she would end it, but the promise did not make the emptiness in her chest any lighter.Annabella slowed, pressing her back to the wall once they reached the east corridor of the mansion.Her face was pale and streaked with sweat, but her grip on the ledger was fierce. “Ginny,” she whispered, almost choking on the words, “we left him… we actually left Joshua down there.”Ginny’s throat tightened. She looked at her cousin, tears glistening in her eyes
Última actualización: 2025-10-02
Chapter: Chapter 85: A Desperate GambleThe room was suffocating, filled with the sharp tang of fear and the heavy sound of panting breaths. Ginny’s heart pounded as Lucy’s men spread out, eyes sharp and muscles tensed.Annabella leaned against the cool stone wall, holding the book of accounts as if it was her ticket to life. Joshua, on the other side, has his jaw clenched, fists too tightly bunched at his sides."You actually thought that you could outsmart me?" Lucy's voice sliced through. There was an undercurrent in her voice: humor laced with rage. She did another step and, by that light, her eyes sparkled menace. "You have underestimated me once too often."Standing her ground and her eyes fixed on Lucy, Ginny said, "We aren't afraid of you anymore, Lucy. The truth's out, and it is only a matter of time before the board sees it.Lucy's lips curled into a smile, but it was anything but friendly. "The boa"rd? Oh, darling, you don't think I'm worried about the board, do you?"She turned to one of her men, nodding sharply
Última actualización: 2024-12-09
Chapter: Chapter 84: The Hidden VaultThe early morning air was sharp and cool as Ginny stood on the balcony of her room, staring out at the sprawling estate below.It was the calm before the storm, that silence that always heralds the expectation of an up-and-coming battle.Two days had gone by since they had met with the investigator, and their plan had begun its motion. Her testimony to the embezzlement of Lucy into papers, with the damning link to Victor Kane, had all been set in place.She had learned to make the most of moments like this; when the quiet seemed to cradle her in its fragile, uncertain peace. She knew it wouldn't last. The board meeting loomed ahead, and with it, Lucy's inevitable counterattack."Morning." Annabella's voice snapped her from her thoughts. She stepped onto the balcony, joining Ginny with a determined expression."Morning," Ginny said, offering her a small smile. "Are you ready?"Annabella glanced over at her, the light in her eyes unwavering. "As I'll ever be. We've come this far, and no
Última actualización: 2024-12-09
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