LOGINTHE ANDERSON'S MANSIONMAX'S POVDinner was served promptly at seven.Herb-crusted steak rested beside creamy mashed potatoes and buttered asparagus. A basket of warm dinner rolls sat in the center of the table, while a fresh Caesar salad and glasses of sparkling water completed the meal.For dessert, there were slices of New York cheesecake.It should have been a normal family dinner.But something felt off.I stretched my hand toward Laura and Lisa.“Let's pray.”Lisa took my hand immediately.Laura, however, slowly pulled hers away.She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer beneath her breath before reaching for her fork.I frowned.That was strange.Lisa, seemingly unaware of my concern, dug into her food immediately.I glanced at her.She had a stern expression on her face.I couldn't understand why she had been acting so distant lately.After dinner, Laura quietly went upstairs.I watched her disappear before turning toward Lisa, who was sitting on the couch, typing furiously o
ALEXA'S POVI pushed the door open slightly.It creaked loudly, the sound echoing through the empty house.I took the first step inside.Silence.Complete silence.It felt as though time had stopped in the house years ago.Jace, Jason, and Mr. Anderson followed closely behind me.The first room was dark and dusty.I sneezed almost immediately."Bless you," Jason whispered."Thanks."He reached for the light switch.After a few attempts, the lights finally came on.I froze.Piles of documents were scattered across the floor.The furniture was covered with white sheets.Drawers had been pulled open.Several chairs were overturned.Books and papers were everywhere.The entire house had been ransacked.Someone had searched every corner of the place.And we all knew who it was.Mrs. Stones.My eyes slowly travelled around the room.Despite the years of neglect, the mansion was still grand.But its former beauty had faded.The paint was peeling from the walls.Several windows were broken.D
JENNIFER'S POVAustin covered my eyes with his hands as he carefully guided me forward.I wasn't exactly excited.Lately, excitement had become difficult.I was exhausted.Exhausted from the mysteries.Exhausted from the constant tension surrounding our family.Exhausted from pretending everything was okay."Just a few more steps," Austin whispered.I rolled my eyes playfully."If I trip and fall, I'm blaming you."He chuckled."I'll take responsibility."He finally removed his hands.My eyes widened.Candles flickered softly around a beautifully decorated table.Fresh roses sat in a crystal vase.Delicious-looking dishes covered the table.The entire setup was breathtaking."Austin..."I turned to look at him."This is beautiful."He smiled proudly."Have a seat, my lady."He pulled out a chair for me.I sat down while he took the seat opposite mine.Then he reached across the table and held both my hands.His eyes softened."You're beautiful."I laughed."And you're charming."We bo
JASON'S POV"Yesterday?" Alexa asked.She narrowed her eyes, as though trying to process what Dad had just said."Yes," Dad replied quietly.I rubbed my jaw, anxiety twisting in my stomach."How did Mrs. Stones find out about Jeffrey?"Dad sighed deeply. His face had gone pale."Katey has her ways. She's sneaky, intelligent, and resourceful.""She couldn't have known about Jeffrey by chance," I said. "I think she has someone watching us."Dad immediately stood and began pacing around his study."And who would that be?"Alexa suddenly gasped.I turned toward her.She covered her mouth, her eyes widening as though something had just clicked in her mind."What is it, Alexa?" I asked."Josie."The name dropped into the room like a stone."Josie?" Dad repeated.I frowned."What's wrong with Josie?""She was in the dining room when we were talking about Ashwood Psychiatric Hospital," Alexa explained, nervously biting her lower lip.Dad stopped pacing."Let's not jump to conclusions.""I don
ALEXA'S POVJason came downstairs with his tie hanging loosely around his neck.I smiled and walked over to him.Without saying a word, I gently took the tie from his hands and began knotting it.He watched me the entire time, a soft smile tugging at his lips.When I was done, I brushed an invisible speck of dust from his suit jacket."There," I said with satisfaction. "Now you look charming."Jason chuckled before leaning down to kiss my forehead.Then his lips found mine.The kiss deepened, making warmth rush to my cheeks.I laughed softly and pushed him away."You're going to be late.""Oh?" he teased. "A CEO is never late."I rolled my eyes."Oh, please."He glanced at his wristwatch."...Actually...""I am late.""I knew it," I laughed."You still have to eat before leaving."Taking his hand, I led him toward the dining room."Josie," I called."Please bring breakfast."Moments later, Josie entered carrying a large tray filled with pancakes, waffles, toasted bread and two steamin
JASON'S POVSilence filled the study as I pressed the PLAY button.The cassette crackled before two familiar voices echoed through the room.Richard Cardova.Jeffrey Lester."Gresham Building has recovered faster than anyone expected," Richard said.Lester let out a dry chuckle."Of course it did. It's your own fault you walked away when things got difficult. You and Edward started that company together, but you abandoned it.""I couldn't risk losing my shares," Richard replied.A brief silence followed."What exactly do you want, Richard?" Lester finally asked."The company.""The whole company."Another chuckle escaped Lester."In your dreams.""It can become reality... with your help.""And why would I help you?""Because once the company is mine, you'll get your share.""I'm not helping you, Richard.""I'm Edward Leonard's lawyer."Relief washed over me.For a moment, I'd feared my grandfather had chosen greed.Richard wasn't giving up."Lester...""Edward is using you.""Without
News spread like wildfire across New York. Before anyone could blink, it was everywhere—tabloids, blogs, social media, and newspapers.Jason stood before a crowd of curious journalists at a press conference, cameras flashing nonstop.“Good day, everyone,” he began calmly. “I’m here to address the r
Mrs. Leonard paced the living room restlessly, phone pressed tightly to her ear.“Dylan, make an appointment with Mrs. Hart immediately,” she ordered sharply. “She must find a way to stop these rumours about my daughter.”She ended the call and turned angrily to Austin.“Austin, do something too. W
“I can’t believe this,” Jennifer exclaimed.“What is it this time?” Jace said lazily. “Let me guess—your celebrity crush Rick has a new girlfriend, or Kelly Hart bought another car, or you’re jealous of Ariana—”“Shut the fuck up and look at this!” Jennifer snapped, shoving her phone at him.Curiou
JASON’S POV“How’s your marriage?” Rufus asked.“How do you expect it to be? All lovey-dovey?” I scoffed.“You still haven’t answered my question.”“Well, I can’t.”“Oh, stop it and just speak.”“We haven’t been talking.”“Why?”“I don’t know.”Rufus sighed and nodded.“As your friend—and unofficia







