Chapter 11

“Let’s get this over with. I still have to meet Ethan before the bridal shower tonight,” Arden said.

Working quickly, she and Kate moved through the house, strategically placing hidden cameras in areas where they wouldn't easily be spotted. Arden had deliberately given the domestic staff the morning off, ensuring no one would witness what they were doing.

Once finished, Arden returned to her room to pack essential documents, files, and a few personal items into a sturdy box. As she carried it out toward the stairs, a sudden commotion from downstairs caught her attention.

She quickened her pace, abandoning the box on the landing and rushing toward the living room so fast she nearly lost her footing.

She expected chaos, but found only Kate, sitting casually on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

“Kate, what is all that noise about?” Arden asked, frowning.

“Are you done?” Kate countered, offering a knowing, up-to-no-good smirk instead of an answer.

Realizing Kate wasn't going to spill immediately, Arden turned toward the front door. Just then, her phone—which was still in Kate's possession—began ringing loudly.

“Can you at least grab my phone for me?” Arden called over her shoulder as she pushed the heavy front door open.

Outside, Stephanie was standing on the porch, furiously hurling insults and threats at Ethan’s driver, who stood like a silent wall blocking the entrance and refusing to let her pass.

Hearing the door click open, the driver turned and bowed respectfully to Arden without saying a word to Stephanie.

“Let her in,” Arden instructed. She instantly understood what had happened and why Kate had been so nonchalant.

Stephanie was notoriously stubborn, always throwing tantrums when things didn't go her way, and Arden wasn't surprised she had refused to wait outside the gates. Arden had given strict orders to the security team to bar everyone and notify her and Kate first, but Stephanie clearly hadn't cared.

“Sis, what is the meaning of this?” Stephanie demanded, aggressively brushing past the driver.

“I'm sorry. I instructed him not to let anyone in,” Arden replied smoothly, turning back inside.

“Why on earth would that bitch tell him to block me?” Stephanie pressed, her face twisted with irritation.

“I said I'm sorry. It won't happen again,” Arden repeated, keeping her voice level. Knowing Stephanie, she would only pick a fight with Kate and drag out the drama, and Arden was already running dangerously low on time.

“Sorry? Is that all I get after being treated like a common thief? You can't even make your silly friend apologize to me?” Stephanie huffed, crossing her arms and waiting for Arden to grovel.

Arden stopped dead in her tracks, turning slowly to face her stepsister. “Stephanie, look—I am swamped today and have a massive load on my plate. I already apologized because I gave the instructions. If that isn't enough for you, then I'm sorry, but there's nothing else I can do.” Her voice came out sharper than she intended.

Stephanie blinked, suddenly picking up on the sharp edge in Arden’s tone. Her expression shifted into false concern. “Sis... are you okay?”

“I’m totally fine. Why are you even here anyway?” Arden countered.

“What? Am I not allowed to visit my own sister?” Stephanie batted her eyelashes. “I don't know what's gotten into you today, but I'll let it slide. You've never treated me like this before, so it's probably just wedding stress.” She stepped forward, reaching out to lock her arm with Arden’s.

“If you're quite finished, we really need to leave now. Remember, you have a meeting in thirty minutes,” Kate announced, walking into the foyer. She had already stashed Arden's box in the waiting car and returned just in time to see Stephanie playing the victim.

Stephanie shot Kate a venomous glare before turning back to Arden. “Don't tell me you still have a meeting today? Your bridal shower is tonight, and your wedding is tomorrow! Does Luke even know about this?”

“Why are you so overly concerned about Luke?” Kate couldn't help herself, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“And why are you forcing her to work today without giving any thought to her health?” Stephanie fired back defensively.

“It's just a final check-in, and she's a grown adult,” Kate snapped, her temper flaring. “If you're so utterly obsessed with Luke, maybe you should have spoken up sooner so Arden could have backed out and saved everyone the trouble!”

“What did you just say to me?” Stephanie hissed, taking a threatening step toward Kate.

“Enough!” Arden screamed, stepping between them.

She turned to Stephanie, forcing her voice to soften. “Stephanie, I decide what I do with my own life. And Kate, you shouldn't provoke her.”

“Are you seriously taking her side right now?” Stephanie whined, looking genuinely flustered. “Everything I'm doing is for your own good, Arden! Your wedding is tomorrow. You've been run ragged preparing for this big day, and you're still killing yourself at the office. Even if you don't care about your own health, can you at least think about your unborn child?”

Anyone listening would have thought Stephanie's voice was filled with genuine sisterly love. But knowing the truth, Arden felt violently sick to her stomach at the sheer depth of her disguise.

She wanted nothing more than to slap the theatrical concern right off Stephanie's face. Instead, she forced herself forward, pulling Stephanie into a stiff, brief embrace and patting her back.

“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. But this meeting is critical, and I have to be there,” Arden whispered smoothly. “If you're still worried, you're welcome to come with us and see for yourself.”

“No, it's fine... I understand,” Stephanie said, pulling back with a strained smile. “I'll just head back and keep working on the home preparations. Just... please be careful, okay?”

“I will. Take care,” Arden said, turning on her heel and heading out the door without looking back.

“Please make sure you're back before the party starts tonight!” Stephanie called after her.

“Got it!” Arden shouted over her shoulder, sliding into the back of the waiting vehicle alongside Kate. The heavy doors sealed shut, and the car pulled away.

The moment the car's engine faded into the distance, Stephanie’s sweet, concerned expression vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating sneer. She whirled around, dashing up the stairs toward Arden’s bedroom.

She grabbed the brass knob and twisted—only for the door to remain firmly shut.

“Why the fuck is this locked?” Stephanie cursed under her breath, giving the hardwood a furious kick.

Her original plan had been simple: slip into the master bedroom while Arden was away, locate the property deeds and documents relating to Arden's company holdings, and steal them. She needed to secure the assets before Luke could get his hands on them, keeping him tightly on her leash.

Now, with the door locked tight, her backup plan was ruined—and she didn't even dare call Luke to complain, terrified of blowing her cover.

Her chest heaved as a cold, sinking realization washed over her.

Wait a minute... Arden has been acting completely off today.

Her eyes widened in sudden horror.

Did she... Did she already find out about our plans?