LOGINNova-“IT'S A BOY!”“GIRL!”“BOY!”“Oh, for heaven's sake! Will you all stop shouting?!”I burst into laughter as Patrice attempted to restore order to what was supposed to be my elegant baby shower.Supposed to be.Four months had passed since the Supreme Court dismantled the Lottery System, and today, the Moreau estate looked like something straight out of a fairy tale.Thousands of ivory roses, blush peonies, and lavender hydrangeas decorated the magnificent gardens. Crystal butterflies hung from flowering arches, while golden ribbons fluttered above tables covered in exquisite desserts.A towering six-tier cake stood beneath a floral canopy, surrounded by miniature pastries, chocolate fountains, and beautifully wrapped favors.Even the fountains had been decorated with floating flowers.And the gifts?Good Lord.There were hundreds!Every Moreau relative imaginable had attended, along with my grandmother, members of Patrice's Crestwood family, distant cousins, aunts, uncles, and e
Nova-“Your Honors, for centuries, the Lottery System has operated under the illusion of opportunity. Today, the Republic intends to prove that it was never anything more than legalized exploitation.”Attorney General Carmen Vasquez stood confidently before the seven Supreme Court justices of South-Bay.“The Republic is petitioning for its complete and permanent abolition, along with the dissolution of its governing council.”The courtroom was packed.Beside me, Nicolai held my hand while Nathan, Patrice, Nate, Perra, Jessica, Chloe, and Aaron occupied the surrounding seats.Outside, hundreds of protesters crowded the courthouse steps.END THE LOTTERY!WOMEN ARE NOT PROPERTY!JUSTICE FOR THE FORGOTTEN!Reporters swarmed the pavement, interviewing survivors and their families.“I was sixteen when they selected me!” one woman cried into a microphone. “My husband beat me for eleven years! Where was this wonderful opportunity everyone keeps talking about?!”Another woman held a photograph
Nova-One month.It had been exactly one month since Gabriel Castillo and my family were arrested, and in those thirty days...the entire country had been turned upside down.What began as an investigation into kidnapping, murder, fraud, and corruption had become something far greater...a national reckoning.The media frenzy was unlike anything I'd ever witnessed.Every major news network covered the scandal. Reporters surrounded the Pierce residence, Sinclair properties, and even Gabriel's medical practice.My parents' photographs were plastered everywhere.WILLIAM AND JULIA PIERCE ACCUSED OF SACRIFICING YOUNGEST DAUGHTER TO PROTECT ELDEST!ELITE SURGEON CHARGED WITH MURDER OF KIERAN SINCLAIR!THE LOTTERY EXPOSED: GENERATIONS OF ABUSE, CORRUPTION, AND CLASS DISCRIMINATION!My brother Jordan's arrest had only fueled the outrage, and Tanya...she had become another subject of public scrutiny, although her cooperation with investigators had spared her from criminal charges thus far.But t
Nova-Beep. Beep. Beep.My eyes slowly opened.Warm amber lights glowed above me. The sharp scent of disinfectant filled my nose, and somewhere beside me, a machine hummed softly between the steady beeping of a monitor.The hospital. I was in a hospital. My eyes widened as I tried to piece together what happened. And then...Oh no! The baby!I shot upright.“Ah!”Pain tore through my right side, but I ignored it as both hands flew toward my stomach.“No...no, no—”The door flew open.“Nova!” Nicolai rushed inside with a doctor and two nurses. “Baby, lay back!”“My baby!” I frantically grabbed his arm. “Nicolai, the baby! Is the baby okay?!”“Mrs. Moreau, please lie down—”“Tell me!”The doctor quickly stepped forward.“Mrs. Moreau, your baby is fine.”I froze.“What?”“Your baby is perfectly fine. We’ve monitored the heartbeat continuously. There are no signs of fetal distress. So please, lay back and rest.”My lips parted. Then I broke.“Oh God...”Sobs tore from my chest. Nicolai im
Chapter 64: Why Do You Pretend!Nicolai-“Have a seat.”My eyes remained on Nova.“I’ll stand.”Gabriel laughed.“Of course you will.”He slowly dragged the barrel of the gun along Nova’s cheek. My entire body tensed as his lips hovered beside her right cheek.“You always have to be the one in control, don’t you, Moreau?” His voice hardened. “But you’re not the one in control today...so sit the fuck down.”My jaw clenched. Every instinct inside me screamed to kill him. One move...that was all I needed. One fucking opening...but the barrel against Nova’s head kept my feet planted.Think, Nicolai.I moved toward the chair. Nova’s tear-filled eyes remained locked onto mine.I’m getting you out of here, baby.I sat and Gabriel grinned.“There we go.”Using his foot, he dragged another chair toward himself before guiding Nova into it. He sat directly behind her, his arm still wrapped around her neck as he leaned forward, the gun pressed firmly against her temple.“Now,” he said lighthearte
Nicolai POV — Three Hours Earlier“Pull every property.”Aaron looked up from his laptop.“Already on it. I think he may have setup properties in his shell names too.”I nodded.“Then pull that as well. Houses. Condos. Warehouses. Medical buildings. Investment properties. Shell companies. I don’t give a fuck if his name is buried beneath twenty corporations. Find it.”The Moreau Estate had transformed into a command center.Laptops covered the dining table. Phones rang nonstop. Security personnel moved throughout the room while my father’s investigators worked alongside my own.Nate sat across from me, searching traffic footage. My phone rang...Agent Cole.“Moreau.”“We have another problem. Sinclair’s missing.”I froze.“What?”“Kieran Sinclair. No one’s been able to locate him.”My eyes slowly lifted toward Aaron. Kieran. Gabriel. Both missing.“They’re working together.”“Mr. Moreau—”“They’re fucking working together!”Aaron immediately understood.“Pull Sinclair’s properties too.







