Chapter 26Lucas paced in the cell, visibly angry and confused. He had no idea what evidence they found, but one thing he was sure of was that he was being framed.What annoyed him most was that he still hadn’t gotten a hold of John.“Is this all Violet’s doing?” he mumbled to himself. “Of course, it’s hers, using me as a sacrificial lamb to free that bitch of a mother.”He laughed, but pain laced his laughter.“You better hope your plan works, Violet,” he said, staring into thin air, his eyes as dark as they could be. “Because if it doesn’t…” he paused, his voice dropping to a low growl, “…I will just have to show you how monstrous I can be.”***The next morning, Lucas sat on the edge of his cot, staring at the wall. He was still confused and angry. He hadn’t slept last night. How could he, when the walls were closing in on him?“Mr. Lucas,” a guard said, opening the cell door slightly. “You have a visitor.”Lucas’s head shot up. “Visitor?” he mumbled as he got to his feet.Inside t
Chapter 25Hailey stared, bewildered, at the woman standing before her and her boss.She looked exactly like the picture Hailey had once seen in Alex’s office.'She hadn’t aged a bit, how was that even possible?' Hailey thought.Hailey’s eyes flickered to Alex. His expression was anything but blank, and relief washed over her. Thank God, she thought. I was beginning to think he was broken, that he didn’t feel anything at all.The woman’s hands trembled, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.“Alex…” she whispered, uncertain whether to step closer or stay still.The shock on Alex’s face had already shifted, hardening into pure anger.“You’re Alex’s mother?” Hailey blurted, unable to stop herself.The woman’s tearful eyes moved to her, and she gave a small nod.“Alex,” she called again, taking a cautious step forward, holding her breath.“Don’t you dare take another step.”Alex’s voice thundered through the room, cold and sharp. The sheer force of it made Hailey flinch where she stood.“W
Chapter 24 Lucas walked down the stairs, his face etched with confusion. What could Josephine and Alfred possibly have that warranted them taking a picture together? he wondered. He sighed, regaining himself as he saw Leo walking into the mansion. “Sir,” Leo said, standing before Lucas. “All is ready and we are good to go.” Lucas, who still had the picture of Josephine and Alfred, folded it carefully and slipped it into his pocket. He bent down, picked up the small bag filled with everything he could salvage from Josephine, and straightened up. Closing his eyes, he tried to shut out the noise in his head. Too many voices ran through his mind, but he forced himself to focus, there was a mission at hand. “Let’s go,” he said to Leo. As they approached the door, the wail of sirens caught them from afar, drawing closer by the second. “Sir… I think it’s the...” “The police,” Lucas finished for him. Leo nodded in agreement. Lucas sighed. “Ahhh. When I thought the day couldn’t get
Chapter 23Josephine hurriedly walked out of the company building as though her life depended on it. She had initially thought of having a conversation with Lucas on the way to control the ongoing situation, but after receiving the latest information, nothing seemed more important.***"Good day, ma'am. How may I help you?" the receptionist asked as Josephine stood in front of the counter.Presently, Josephine was at the Royal Suite Restaurant, one of the most prominent restaurants in the city. It was known not only for hosting elite customers but also for its high level of security. The restaurant provided a secured place to talk freely, with soundproof rooms and tight security measures ensuring privacy."Ah, yes. A reservation under the name John," Josephine said, managing to control her racing heart."Okay, ma'am. Give me a second," the receptionist said, offering Josephine a sweet smile as she quickly tapped on the keyboard in front of her."Here we go, ma'am. A
Chapter 22"Violet," Josephine mouthed, her eyes trembling, her stomach sinking. "No… this is impossible," she whispered, as Violet's heels clicked against the marble floor, she sat down at the edge of the table."Tell me, Josephine, why is it so impossible?" Violet asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, though her eyes remained dead cold and serious.The aura in the room shifted instantly, her presence alone commanding.Josephine felt as though the air in the room was being sucked out. Lucas, on the other hand, felt his world crumbling. What is she doing here? Why now? he thought. Why reveal that she’s alive now?He quickly snapped out of his shock, realizing he needed to refute her claim."How can she stake a claim?" Lucas asked, still standing, trying to assert his authority.Josephine, however, couldn't process anything. She instantly sat back down, trying to digest the fact that Violet was sitting before her."Mr. Lucas," the spokesperson began, but Lucas immediately i
Chapter 21"Mom! Mom!" Liam called out as he headed toward her room.He had just seen the disturbing video of his father and couldn’t imagine what his mother was going through. As he stepped inside, he was met with a sight that took him aback—a woman he could barely recognize. Josephine sat there, her makeup ruined, her expression hollow with sorrow."Mom," he said softly, pulling her into a hug."Liam," she murmured, clinging to him.She opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by her own choked sob. Though Josephine had put on a strong front in front of Lucas, deep down, she was shattered."Do you think this is karma?" she asked suddenly, shocking both herself and Liam.After the death of Christopher Wells—Lucas’s father, she and Lucas had grown distant, each consumed by their own thirst for power."Hey, look at me," Liam said gently, wiping away her tears. "It’s not karma, okay?"He paused, staring at her for a long moment before adding in a low tone, "It’s Lucas. His selfish