LOGINAmber POVBy evening, the president's announcement had spread across every major news channel. Commentators debated whether Jason and I should be arrested, while others questioned why the government had announced a guilty verdict without presenting a court judgment or publicly verifiable evidence.The accusations against the Asher family were even more complicated. Some citizens demanded the immediate return of the alleged stolen assets. Others asked which properties the president was referring to and why the evidence had remained hidden until now.That uncertainty mattered.The president had expected outrage, and he had certainly received it. But outrage wasn't the same as universal acceptance.Jason stood beside me in the study, reading through the latest reports."Christian has agreed to meet us tomorrow," he said. "His legal team is preparing the original documents.""Good. Have our lawyers prepare a complete record of the Asher family's property acquisitions, including the histor
Amber POVChristian exhaled slowly."You're aware that challenging him publicly will not be easy. His administration controls considerable resources, and he has spent years building a network of loyal supporters.""I'm also aware that you've spent years trying to expose the irregularities in his land agreements."Another silence followed, this one more thoughtful."Your investigators found the contracts?""We found the contracts, the payment records, and the correspondence surrounding the agreements. We've also found evidence suggesting that the administration's claims over the land changed after you had already fulfilled your obligations."Christian's voice sharpened. "How much evidence?""Enough to justify a serious investigation. Not enough for me to promise you a particular outcome."I could almost hear him reconsidering his position."I appreciate your honesty," he said at last."I prefer to know what I can prove before I make promises. It's a habit I recommend."That earned a br
Amber POVThe Sum president had finally made his move.And, as expected, he had chosen the biggest stage he could find.The rally was broadcast live across Sum, with thousands of people packed into the capital's central square and countless more watching from their homes. Flags waved above the crowd, enormous screens displayed the president's smiling face, and reporters had gathered in front of the stage, ready to capture every word.I watched the broadcast from the castle's private study, sitting beside Jason with a cup of tea growing cold in my hands.The president appeared on the screen wearing a dark suit, his expression unusually grave. He waited until the crowd quieted before stepping toward the microphone. When he finally spoke, his voice carried the sorrowful weight of a man preparing to deliver terrible news."My fellow citizens, it is with a heavy heart that I address you today."Jason glanced at me.I raised an eyebrow. "Here we go."The president paused for dramatic effect
Amber POVNoah and Daniel reached the neighborhood later that morning. By early afternoon, Jason received their first report."There are people inside the school," Noah said over the secure call. "A lot of them."Jason straightened. "How many?""Approximately forty adults. Men and women. They're spread throughout the grounds, and several appear to be watching the entrances."I moved closer to Jason's laptop."Forty people?" I asked. "At a school that's supposed to be empty for the summer?""Exactly," Daniel answered. "There are no children around, and they don't look like teachers preparing for the next term. Some of the men appear to be trained security personnel."Jason's expression hardened. "Do not get any closer. Photograph what you can from where you are, then leave the area.""Understood."The call ended, leaving us staring at the map.Forty adults in a supposedly empty school. A suspicious sighting of Adrian's father nearby. And a group of people behaving as though they were g
Amber POVJason had always been good at finding people who didn't want to be found. The contacts he had acquired through Cronos gave him access to information networks that most people didn't even know existed. With Mr. White and the Wyatts still at large, he had been using every connection available to track their movements.I was in the castle's private study when he finally found something worth our attention. Noah and Daniel were seated on the sofa, while Jasmine stood behind them, clearly annoyed that Jason had refused to let her join the investigation.Jason turned his laptop toward me. "We have a sighting of Adrian's father."I stared at him. "Where?""At a supermarket in a lower-income school district. He was seen there recently, and the location matches the last information we received about the Wyatts."For a moment, I simply looked at him."Adrian's father?" I repeated. "The same man who knows we're looking for him? The man who knows Mr. White is internationally wanted, and
Amber POVAdrian, unfortunately, was still too unstable to be moved. Emory had explained that although he was responding to treatment, his condition remained fragile, and transferring him now would introduce risks they weren’t willing to take. Clara and Mr. Asher had arranged to stay in a private hospital suite nearby so they could remain close to him.Before we left, I went to say goodbye to Clara. She sat beside Adrian’s bed, holding his hand while the monitors continued their steady rhythm. The exhaustion on her face was unmistakable, but she managed a small smile when she saw me.“Go home, Amber,” she said before I could offer to stay. “You’ve been here long enough, and the boys deserve to be in their own home.”“I’ll call you as soon as we arrive.”“You’d better.” Her eyes moved toward the twins’ carriers. “And send me pictures. Lots of them.”“I’ll send so many you’ll regret asking.”“That’s impossible.”I hugged her carefully, promising we would keep checking on Adrian and that
I didn’t cry. I didn’t shake. I didn’t look back, or mourned the life and the years i will never get back, lost forever. I just went home, time to pack and say goodbye to my old life. The penthouse doors opened with biometric recognition the moment I stepped inside. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Marb
We moved quickly through the hallway. Adrian walked behind me, gun raised, covering the corridor while I forced Henry Watson forward. The mansion was quieter than expected. Too quiet. Which meant either the guards were regrouping… or Jason was already on his way. I glanced over my shoulder.
Jason POV Marcus nearly slammed the brakes. “She shot the camera!” I leaned back slowly. Marcus looked at me. “What the hell was that?” I ran a hand over my face. “She said hello husband before she shot it.” Marcus stared. “…Okay.” Silence filled the car. “…What does that mean exactly?”
Family drama. Honestly, I was getting tired of it. I shifted slightly in the chair, letting the ropes around my wrists rub just enough to make the guards think I was uncomfortable. In truth, they had tied them loosely—political kidnappers rarely knew how to do proper restraints. Across from me,







