“Okay. I appreciate that , Jamal.” Jason said, although he was still thinking about the Caelthorn family that had reportedly disappeared years ago.He didn’t know them and was only hearing about them now, but why did it sound so familiar?“You’re welcome, sir. Do you want me to send someone to search the property for another piece of the map, or maybe the Obsidian Dagger itself? Or should I get clearance from the Voss family so you can do it yourself?”“No need. I’m friends with Selene Voss. I’ll ask her to show me around. That way, I can see if the dagger is in there.” Jason’s gaze narrowed in thought. “Anyway, do you have any idea why their location is on the map as a clue? I find it strange that they disappeared—probably dead—and now they are tied to the Obsidian Dagger.”“That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” Jamal replied. “I also think they’re connected to the dagger. The Caelthorn family was known for their esoteric collections and fascination with ancient artifacts.”After a
“As the head of this family, and your grandmother, I demand that you end your engagement with him, immediately,” demanded Lady Smith, her voice final.Vanessa felt a cold dread creep into her stomach. Her initial anger at Jason, fueled by the family’s fervent belief in Cassius, suddenly felt complicated. To be ordered so bluntly to dismantle her own life—even a part of it she currently resented—was infuriating.Her fingers curled so tightly around her glass she feared it might shatter. The thing Vanessa hated most about her family was how they always tried to make decisions for her—especially when it came to her love life.And she hated being told what to do. Especially by her grandmother, whose authority was absolute—and rarely gentle. Yet what could she say? She did believe Jason had lied, and the idea of being free of a fraud was tempting. Still, this engagement wasn’t meant to be broken. It had been arranged by her late grandfather.Meanwhile, Seraphina pressed a hand to her chest
The Smith villa was a place of happiness as laughter and clinking glasses filled the grand hall. The air buzzed with relief, a sharp contrast to the weeks of tension and uncertainty that had hung like a storm cloud over the family. For the first time in what felt like forever, the Smiths were celebrating.Servants bustled in and out with trays of champagne, while Seraphina held court in the center of the room, basking in the glow of her own triumph.“This is only the beginning,” she declared, her voice carrying over the chatter. “With Sterling Enterprises backing us, Smith Royale will rise higher than ever.”“Higher than ever,” Charlie echoed, raising his glass again—his third toast of the hour. The room erupted in cheers, glasses clinking in agreement. For most, tonight was a victory worth savoring.But not for everyone.Two women sat in silence, their smiles thin and brittle, in fact one of them wasn’t smiling at all: Vanessa and Morgana were both drowning in dark thoughts, though
Vanessa skimmed the final page one last time, the words blurring for a moment as the realization of what she was about to do settled over her. Then, with a steady breath, she picked up the pen. Her hand didn’t tremble, not outwardly—but her pulse thudded in her ears as she signed her name in bold ink.Done. The deal that will change everything for Smith Royale was sealed.Across the table, Marcus smiled widely as he pulled the documents towards himself and then he added his own signature. After he was done, he looked to Vanessa and said, “Congratulations, Ms. Smith,” he said smoothly. “Welcome to Sterling Enterprises’ circle of partners.”“Thank you,” Vanessa replied, her voice composed though her chest fluttered with barely contained relief. She didn’t care anymore who had helped smith royale, Jason or Cassius, what mattered now was that, they were safe from bankruptcy.Marcus rose from his chair, buttoning his suit jacket with effortless elegance. “Before you go,” he added, his ton
Cassius shamelessly lied to Seraphina and Charlie.“Oh, is that so?” Seraphina asked.“Yes,” Cassius replied with an easy smile.Seraphina’s expression brightened, her eyes gleaming with hope. She was elated—convinced that Cassius had pulled it off. To her, he was the perfect future son-in-law: wealthy, well-connected, and considerate enough to use his influence to help her struggling family.What more could a mother ask for? He was the one for Vanessa and she didn't care what her daughter or anyone else thought, but she would make sure that Cassius would be the one who got to be the son in-law instead of a bum like Jason.Little did she, or anyone else, know he was lying through his perfect white teeth.“Cassius, you're such a lifesaver.”He laughed lightly, his tone just modest enough to seem sincere. “Well… I did say I could get it done.”He was lying, calmly, confidently, without hesitation. But what choice did he have? Telling the truth now would just ruin everything. Worse, it w
The phone rang twice before a crisp voice answered."Marcus Gunn speaking.".“Hey, Marcus! It's Cassius Devereux.”“Who?Charlie and Seraphina exchnaged a worried look. If they were friends, why was Marcus being rude towards him?Cassius let out a laugh, so that it would sound like him and Marcus were really friends and the latter was just pretending to not know him. “Haha, you're always funny…. How are you, my friend?"There was a pause. A long, uncomfortable pause. Frowning, Cassius immediately removed the phone from the speaker and pressed it to his ear. "Cassius Devereux?" Marcus's voice was cold, almost confused. "I'm sorry, do we know each other?"Cassius's smile faltered slightly. But when he noticed Seraphina and Charlie looking at him with uncertain expressions, he laughed and said, "Of course it's me! Buddy, how could you forget me, when we play golf together every Sunday at the country club. Just last week you were telling me about Sterling's expansion plans—""I think you