LOGINScott’s head felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it. He dragged himself to the dining area, each step sending a fresh wave of pain through his skull. Dora appeared at his side with a steaming cup of coffee. “Breakfast will be served soon, Mr. Hunter,” she said gently, like she knew exactly how much noise his brain could tolerate. “Thanks, Dora.” Scott dropped into his chair and took a long sip. The coffee burned going down, but at least it was something real to focus on besides the throbbing behind his eyes. Mia and Nate walked in and sat across from him. Mia took one look at Scott and smirked. “Wow. You look like shit warmed over and left out in the sun.” Scott didn’t have the energy to respond. “Rough night?” she pressed, clearly enjoying herself. “Something like that.” “Strip club or casino?” “Both.” Mia laughed. “At least you’re honest.” The door opened again. Emily walked in. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before both looked a
Amy Anderson POV ----- “Ian is an asshole, but he won’t kill his own grandmother for the inheritance, right?” Amy picked up a fresh apple from the kitchen basket and took a big bite. She leaned on the counter. “And then there’s the half-brother—the billionaire who has little to gain from this but is fighting tooth and nail for it.” Amy took another bite. “It just doesn’t make sense. He’s sketchy—but not in a murderous way.” “All billionaires are sketchy,” Gracie replied, then continued chopping carrots. “I know, right?” Amy giggled. “I think he’s kinda cute.” “Eww, Grandma. He might be a killer.” “If Hilda wanted you to do something, don’t you think she would’ve told me? Are you sure it wasn’t just pleasantries?” “Grandma, she said she needed professional investigative help. Then she died.” “Bless her soul.” Gracie dropped the knife and made the sign of the cross. “In my line of work, that’s what we call super suspicious.” “Read the letter again.” “Grandma—” “Read it,
Emily opened the box. She reached into it and brought out 3 pieces of paper. That’s all the box contained. Emily analyzed the papers. The first one looked like a birth certificate. The one half had the last name “Hunter” written on it. It also had the mother’s name section. “Andrea Hunter” was written on it. If this was Scott’s certificate, that must be his mother’s name.The father section must be on the other half. Emily took the other paper. A marriage certificate. Also ripped in half. One name on it; Francis Hunter. Scott’s father. Emily’s mind raced. According to what she knew Scott is an Illegitimate child because Francis and his mother where never married. If that was true how come she had the surname Hunter. And how did Scott’s birth certificate get into Hunter Autos. Something wasn’t right. Emily’s pulse quickened. She picked up the third paper, also ripped in half. It was a letter, a pretty lengthy one.Emily tried to read the first few lines. “My dear bo
“He wouldn’t even let me explain.” Emily’s voice cracked.Rosa placed a hand on her back and patted it gently.“It’s okay, dear.”“That—Susan. I don’t know how she’s doing this, but—”“Em, are you sure it’s her?”“Of course I’m—wait, what are you saying?”“I’m not saying anything—it’s just—”“Just what? Say it, Rosa.”“Do you think maybe you weren’t careful—”“Are you saying this is my fault?”Silence.“Wow. Unbelievable, Rosa. You too?”“Em—”“No!”“Em, I’m not saying it’s your fault.”“But you’re not saying it’s not—even when I told you it’s that—witch Susan!”“Emily, calm down. You’re getting worked up.”“No. Sorry, but fuck you, Rosa.”Rosa gasped.“And fuck Susan.”“Emily.”“And fuck Scott too—and Ian, and Jane—and fucking Kevin Holland.”“Em.”“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck it all. Fuck everyone. Fuck.”Emily collapsed into the chair, breathing heavily.Then she brought her hands up and covered her face.“I’m sorry, Rosa,” she said through her palms.Rosa moved closer and pulled her in
Scott slammed another stack of chips on red.Fifty thousand. Gone in seconds.He laughed—sharp, bitter, the sound of a man masking hurt with forced humor.His smile stretched wide across his face, but his eyes were bloodshot, hollow. Empty.The wheel spun. Black.Another hundred thousand. Dust.Scott’s hand shook slightly as he reached for his drink. Whiskey sloshed over the rim.“You’re on a losing streak, sir. Maybe—a different game?”The dealer’s voice was careful. Pitying.Scott’s laugh came out broken. “Shit. Tell me about it.”He shoved everything forward. Two hundred thousand.Red.The wheel spun.Black.His jaw clenched. His knuckles went white gripping the edge of the table.Gerry stepped closer. “Boss. I think we’ve used up our time at the table.”Scott didn’t move. His chest heaved once. Twice.Then he turned.His smile didn’t reach his eyes.“Then let’s go to the strip club.” His voice was flat. Dead. “I need half a million in cash.”Gerry hesitated. “Sir—”“Now.”Scott wa
Emily couldn’t feel her legs.Numbness spread from her ankles upward, like the blood had stopped flowing entirely.Her muscles screamed, threatening to cramp.Her heart throbbed like it had been gashed open.Every beat felt slower, weaker—like it was struggling to pump what little remained.Her vision blurred at the edges.Who would do this to me?Plant a photo. Steal the flash drive. Coordinate an attack.And why?“I bet you thought we wouldn’t find out about the games you’re playing.”Emily shot a look at Susan, who met her with a sinister smile and knowing look.She shot her glance at Scott.His eyelids were heavy, dim. His lips bent in a slight frown.The type of look that preceded an outburst.Then he closed his eyes and looked away from her.As if looking at her any longer would make his anger spill over.The disappointment on his face was unmistakable.It carved into Emily deeper than any accusation could.“Scott—I have no idea how—this—”Emily tried to explain, but she stumble
“This isn’t your moment. Keep walking. I got her out.” Ian finally let go of Emily.“Emily?” Scott stretched his hand toward her.Emily walked to Scott and stood at his side.Ian closed the distance. He glared at Scott.“You think she cares about you? You’re wasting your time.”Scott pulled Emily c
“You kissed him four times!” Rosa said, shocked. “Three!” Rosa shot Emily a quick glance before returning her eyes to the road. “Like that matters!” Emily knew it didn’t. Every time she got in a room with Scott— She shook the thought away. “It’s never happening again,” Emily said. “Mm-hmm.
Emily rushed into her office building.Nadine stood nervously at her office entrance.“She’s inside.”“How is she?”Nadine’s expression said everything.Emily had kept Sophia Delgado—CEO of Everdale Pottery—waiting over thirty minutes.She adjusted Rosa’s dress and entered. Nadine followed.Sophia
“Scott is Ian’s half-brother and also rightful heir to the Hunter Legacy.” Her throat tightened. “He’s new in town.” Confusion flickered across her parents’ faces. She had no better way to explain it. “Scott, this is my mom and dad—Ruth and Thomas Everson.” She looked at Scott from the corner of







