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Chapter 18
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2025-06-19 18:00:55
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LOVE AGAINST LEGACY Chapter 20
Chapter 20Celeste point of view "More to the left, Mrs. Lancaster. And perhaps touch your husband's arm? Yes, perfect."The photographer circles us like a hungry shark, camera clicking in rapid bursts. I maintain my smile, hand resting lightly on Adrian's sleeve as instructed. We stand in the Lancaster estate garden, roses blooming behind us, sunlight catching on my diamond earrings and his platinum watch. A picture-perfect couple in a picture-perfect setting.All of it fake. All of it planned."Now perhaps looking at each other? As if sharing a private joke?" The photographer demonstrates the expression he wants, a manufactured intimacy that makes my stomach tighten.I turn toward Adrian, finding him already watching me with an unreadable expression. For a moment, genuine connection flickers between us, not love or desire, but a shared understanding of our predicament. Both trapped in this performance."Beautiful!" The camera clicks frantically. "The markets will love this."The ma
LOVE AGAINST LEGACY Chapter 19
Chapter 19ELIAS POINT OF VIEW Rain hammers against the cabin windows, drops racing down glass like tears. I pace the small living room, checking my watch again. 8:42 PM. Adrian is late. Adrian is never late.Unless he's not coming at all.The thought sends fresh panic through me. After watching that gala footage, after seeing Adrian with his wife, doubt has taken root in places I thought were sealed by trust. Has he changed his mind? Chosen the safer path of his marriage? Decided I'm not worth the risk?Headlights sweep across the walls suddenly, a car approaching through the storm. I move to the window, peering through rain-blurred glass at the vehicle pulling up outside. Relief floods through me as I recognize Adrian's car, followed immediately by the tension of what's about to happen.I open the door before he can knock. We stand facing each other across the threshold—Adrian soaked from the dash from car to porch, water dripping from his hair, his clothes, his eyelashes. For a mo
LOVE AGAINST LEGACY Chapter 18
Chapter 18ELIAS POINT OF VIEWI didn't mean to watch it. I promised myself I wouldn't torture myself with images of Adrian's public life. But the notification popped up on my phone..."Lancaster Stock Rebounds After Heir's Gala Appearance"...and my finger tapped before my brain could stop it.Now I sit in my hotel room, the television casting blue light across my face in the darkness, watching Adrian dance with his wife. Not just dance, smile at her. Lean close to her ear. Look at her with something that looks like love.The business channel replays the footage on a loop as analysts discuss the market. "The Lancaster stock jumped fifteen points in after-hours trading following the couple's appearance," a woman in a severe suit explains. "Investors clearly responded to the show of family stability."The camera zooms in on Adrian and Celeste, moving together like they've been dancing their whole lives. Her emerald gown shimmers under the chandeliers. His hand rests on her back, guiding
LOVE AGAINST LEGACY Chapter 17
Chapter 17CELESTE POINT OF VIEW The ballroom of the Whitehall Hotel glitters with wealth and power, bankers, politicians, celebrities, old money and new all gathered under the pretense of charity while conducting the real business of social influence. As Adrian and I enter, conversation stops for a moment, heads turning to watch the Lancaster heir and his bride making a rare public appearance together.I feel Adrian's arm tense under my hand. I squeeze gently, a silent promise that we'll face this together. Strange how our roles have flipped, him nervous, me steady when so often in our marriage it's been the opposite."Lancaster stock dropped seventeen points today," I murmur, smiling for the cameras that track our every move across the room. "Let's see if we can bring it back by midnight."The challenge brings a real smile to Adrian's face, and my heart skips because I so rarely see him look genuinely happy. "Never underestimate the power of society gossip on market confidence."We
LOVE AGAINST LEGACY Chapter 16
Chapter 16CELESTE POINT OF VIEW The numbers on the screen plunge downward like stones in water. Twelve percent. Fifteen percent. Seventeen percent. The Lancaster Enterprises stock is in free fall, dragging everything I've ever known with it. I stand in the conference room, surrounded by panicking executives, their voices becoming white noise as I watch years of work crumble before my eyes."—anonymous source claims board members are divided—""—rumors of Reginald Lancaster's failing health—""—speculation about leadership challenges within the family—"My phone buzzes continuously in my pocket. Grandfather, no doubt, demanding explanations, solutions, miracles. I let it ring. Nothing I could say would calm his fury today, and I can't handle another conversation with him without breaking completely.The PR director shoves an iPad into my hands. "Latest headline. We need to respond immediately."The screen shows a financial news site, bold text screaming: "LANCASTER LEGACY CRUMBLES: N
LOVE AGAINST LEGACY Chapter 15
Chapter 15CELESTE POINT OF VIEW I didn't mean to snoop. The drawer was partially open, a corner of paper sticking out like an invitation. I only meant to push it closed while organizing Adrian's desk, a task he never asked me to do, but one I took on during these strange, tense days after that newspaper article.But the paper caught, dragging out several others, spilling them across the polished surface. And there among business documents and meeting agendas lay a photograph that caught my attention.Adrian, smiling with a dark-haired man with striking features. Both hold drinks, a cityscape visible behind them on what looks like a rooftop bar. They look relaxed, casual, like colleagues unwinding after a successful day.I pick up the photo, studying it carefully. Nothing unusual about it, just two professionals enjoying drinks. But I realize I know so little about Adrian's work friendships, his life before our marriage. The genuine smile on his face makes me ache because I rarely se
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