LOGINAurelia’s POVWe got to the hospital with our hearts galloping ahead of us. Police officers lined the corridor, their faces tight, professional, uneasy. This was no ordinary incident. This was aftermath.The commissioner spotted us immediately and walked over, rubbing his forehead like he’d aged ten years in one night.“What’s going on?” Julien asked.The commissioner exhaled slowly. “You’re not going to believe this.My stomach sank.“In the dead of the night,” he began, “Grant requested food. There was only one officer stationed outside his room at the time. When the officer stepped away to get it…” He paused, gathering himself. “Grant somehow managed to uncuff himself. We’re still investigating how.”Julien’s jaw clenched.“He triggered the fire alarm,” the commissioner continued. “Chaos followed. Nurses running, alarms screaming, security stretched thin.” he paused.“Grant made his way straight to Isolde’s room,” he said. “When the officer tried to stop him, Grant wrestled the gun
Aurelia’s POV“And the warehouse?” I asked, heart pounding.“The police arrested two of the men working for her,” Julien replied.I looked toward his mother and shook my head. She glanced down, sadness shadowing her features. The reality of what had happened.After the call ended I sat quietly, she must be arrested, she has to be arrested.My phone buzzed. Matteo’s name flashed across the screen. I answered immediately.“Tell Julien and his men,” he said briskly. “I’ve got her surrounded at Fifth Avenue. Grant too.”I squealed, unable to contain the rush of joy and relief that hit me.“Wait… what about Selene?” I asked, suddenly anxious again.“She’s here with me,” Matteo replied.“She… was able to go out?” I asked, incredulous.He chuckled softly, then ended the call.I turned to Julien’s mother. “What is it?” I asked.“My friend got them,” she said, her lips curving into a small, proud smile.I immediately called Julien. Once he heard, he and his men rushed straight to the location.
Aurelia’s POV“Don’t worry,” Julien announced, his voice tense but determined. “I’m calling the commissioner right now. I’ll give them the details, we’ll track it, and the video will be exposed. I’m… fighting Isolde in a petty way.”I frowned slightly. “Be careful,” I warned, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap.Matteo stood up suddenly. “I’m going with you.”Julien glanced at him, eyes sharp. Then he nodded, understanding that having Matteo at his side was non-negotiable.“I’ll call your mum to check on the kids,” I said. “They have no exams today, so she can keep them busy.”“Okay,” Julien said, already moving toward the door.Both of them left. I sank onto the couch, the weight of solitude settling on me.I picked up my phone and dialed his mom. After greetings, I said, “Please, would you be free to be with the kids? We left before they woke up, and the staff will likely be in the house now, but I don’t want them freaking out.”“I’ll be on my way now,” she said, concern softeni
Aurelia’s POV“I’m so sorry,” I said softly, meaning far more than the words could carry.Selene lifted her gaze to me, eyes still rimmed with exhaustion. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”Julien shifted beside me, his expression all sharp angles and quiet fury. “About the video,” he said carefully. “You saved it, right? The part that shows the murder.”“Yes,” she replied without hesitation. “The video and the conversation. They mentioned K Tech too.”The air in the room tightened.I turned slowly toward Julien. “I have a strong feeling it’s your accountant.”His jaw flexed, the idea clearly landing where it hurt most.“We should go look for the phone,” Matteo said, already thinking in routes and contingencies.“No need,” Julien replied calmly. “If they haven’t destroyed it already, they’ll have searched for it. My tech guy will hack it.”Selene’s hands curled into fists. “I’m scared, Aurelia,” she whispered. “That woman… she’s brutal. I know they’re looking for me.”I placed a hand
Aurelia’s POVI didn’t waste time thinking. I called Matteo.“I need your help, urgently,” I said the moment he picked up. My voice sounded steadier than I felt. “I asked Grant’s girlfriend to get me some information. Now she’s in danger.”There was no panic on his end, only the quiet shift of a man switching into action mode.“Send me the location,” he said.I hesitated, fingers tightening around my phone. “Matteo… I want this done quietly. No noise. No headlines.”“That’s not a problem,” he replied smoothly.We sent him the exact coordinates her phone was pinging from, then all we could do was wait. Every second stretched thin, brittle with dread. My eyes kept drifting to the screen, as if staring harder might will it to change.Not long after, my phone rang again.“She’s not at the location you sent,” Matteo said.My stomach dropped. “That doesn’t make sense. Her phone is pointing in that direction.”There was a brief pause on the line, the kind that carried weight.“Could it be th
Aurelia’s POV“How did you even come to that conclusion?” Julien asked, his voice measured but tight.“Matteo,” I said simply.His head snapped up. “What?”“Look,” I continued, already sensing the shift in the air, “you don’t like him, and that’s fine. But he works for me. I can ask him whatever I want.”Julien exhaled slowly, rubbing his jaw. “I can’t use that information.”I turned fully to him. “Because you’re proud?”His eyes flashed. “Because Matteo is a shady man. And because this doesn’t make sense.” He straightened. “How could it be Isolde? She comes from one of the wealthiest families in the country. The Cyrus family owns the largest shares in that company. Why would she need to steal from me?”I scoffed, the sound sharp. “Are you saying this because you hate Matteo… or because you like Isolde?”“What?” he asked, genuinely stunned.“If not,” I pressed, “why are you so determined she isn’t involved? This is the same woman who lied to you before.”“That’s outrageous,” he snappe
Aurelia’s POVThe next morning, the news was everywhere, too loud, too bright, too relentless.No matter how hard I tried to avoid it, it found me. On social media. On my phone notifications. Even the TV wouldn’t let me breathe.> Rumors concerning billionaire CEO Julien Knightley and heiress Isold
Aurelia’s POV“About the person who released the photos… any news?” I asked, my voice low.He exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “No. I just don’t understand why it’s so hard to trace them. It’s like the pictures were dropped physically, right in front of the press offices. No trace, no sender,
Aurelia’s POVThe next morning, after breakfast, Julien left.I made him promise to go straight home and take his pills. He looked a little better but still pale.When the door closed behind him. I cleaned up, played with Oliver for a while, then just sat staring at the half-empty cup of coffee he’
Aurelia’s POVI managed to put together lunch, though Cassia barely touched hers. She kept tapping her nails on the table, glancing at the clock every two minutes.“Cass, relax,” I said, pouring her a drink. “You’ve met his parents before.”“I know,” she groaned, pushing her plate away. “But for so







