LOGINOn Monday morning, Evelyn Bennett arrived at Clara and Daniel’s house to begin work.The security checks had confirmed her identity, employment history, qualifications and references. Clara and Daniel had discussed the encounter at the shopping centre several times before finally deciding to hire her.Evelyn had received the position.However, Clara still intended to be careful.She met Evelyn in the foyer shortly after nine.“Before I show you the rest of the house, I’ll introduce you to everyone,” Clara said.She led Evelyn into the kitchen, where the household staff had gathered.Grace stood beside Beth, the other maid. Andrew had come in from the garage, while Martin, the gardener, had removed his muddy boots and left them beside the back entrance.All four turned when Clara entered with Evelyn.“I’m sure all of you know that Mrs Holmes will not be returning,” Clara began. “Ms Evelyn Bennett has accepted the position of house manager and will be taking over her responsibilities f
By the time Maxwell returned Theo home on Sunday night, the boy had already begun telling Daniel about the match.Maxwell left while Theo was demonstrating a pass in the middle of the foyer. Daniel looked prepared to hear about every minute before bedtime.After leaving Clara and Daniel’s house, Maxwell drove home. He changed out of the clothes he had worn to the stadium, then sat down in his study with his phone.Gideon Pembroke’s face appeared on the screen.Maxwell looked again at the photograph of him with Jay Harcourt. Jay’s arm rested across Gideon’s shoulders, and both men were smiling at the camera.Maxwell swiped through the rest of the archived event gallery.Very soon, more images loaded onto the display.It was not just a single picture. In another photograph taken at a high-level corporate dinner, Gideon was seated directly at the main table. Sitting right beside him was Edmund Harcourt himself, flanked by several senior members of the Harcourt family! They were raising c
“Mr. Sterling.”Maxwell turned from the sink.The man offered a polished smile as he stepped towards the wall. He tapped the foam sanitiser dispenser, caught a tiny amount on his fingers and immediately wiped it off with a paper towel.“We didn’t get a chance to introduce ourselves earlier. Gideon Pembroke.”Maxwell dried his hands under the wall dryer.“Maxwell Sterling.”“Yes, I know.”Gideon gave a patronising chuckle, as though Maxwell’s formal introduction had been an amusing technicality.After the coverage over the past few days, there were probably very few people in the city’s business circles who would not recognise him!“Enjoying the match?” Gideon asked casually.“So far.”“The finishing could be better.”“He should have scored,” Theo chimed in from the step stool beside the basin.Gideon glanced down at the boy.“The chance before the whistle?”Theo nodded with solemn certainty.“Then we agree.”Gideon smiled before turning his attention back to Maxwell.“I hope seeing Le
Lenora noticed Maxwell when she was only a few steps away.The smile on her face slowly disappeared.Of all the people she could have encountered here, why did it have to be him?For a brief moment, she considered simply walking past. But their eyes had already met. Pretending she had not recognised the man whose case she had heard only days ago would be ridiculous.What made it uncomfortable for Lenora was knowing that she had been unfair during the hearing.“Oh, Mr. Sterling.”Maxwell gave her a slight nod.“Good evening, Judge.”His tone was polite, but his expression remained serious.Lenora glanced at Theo, then at the drinks and snacks Maxwell was carrying.He had clearly come for the match. That should have reassured her.Instead, she found herself remembering the envelopes she had accepted from her brother.Standing before Maxwell now, she felt considerably less comfortable than she had behind the bench.“I didn’t expect to see you here,” she said.“Neither did I.”Maxwell’s g
By Sunday evening, Maxwell had heard enough about the Harcourts to last him a month.Unfortunately, switching off the television did not stop the phone calls, messages or reports arriving from his legal team.There was always another development requiring his attention.But he had promised to take Theo to a football match, and he had no intention of disappointing the boy because Jay Harcourt had discovered how much he enjoyed speaking into a microphone.The lawyers could manage without him for a few hours.Theo had been waiting for this outing all day.By the time they arrived at the stadium, he was practically pulling Maxwell towards the entrance.Now, with kickoff approaching, the two were making their way back from the refreshment counter. Maxwell carried their drinks and a bag of snacks while Theo walked beside him, holding tightly to his free hand.Around them, supporters were heading towards their seats. The noise from the stands grew louder whenever they passed an opening overl
The moment she heard Jay’s voice, Imogen wanted to turn around and leave. After everything he had done yesterday, she could not stand the thought of seeing his face again.But why should she leave her own parents’ house because of him?If anyone was leaving, it would be Jay!Her disgust quickly turned to anger.How dare he come here? Was he really that shameless?And what did he want this time?Knowing Jay, Imogen suspected he had come to pester her family about marrying her again. She had rejected him repeatedly, yet the man still refused to accept that she wanted nothing to do with him!Imogen walked into the living room, ready to order him out.Instead, she found her younger brother stretched across the sofa. Their mother sat nearby with a cup of tea.To her surprise, Jay was nowhere in sight.His voice, however, continued.Imogen turned towards the television and finally understood.He was on the news.She felt relieved. At least she would not have to deal with him in person.On t







