LOGINI nearly dropped my phone, staring at those three simple words on the screen. My heart slammed against my ribs like it was trying to escape my chest. With trembling fingers, I hastily wrapped myself in my silk robe, not even bothering to call Lily for assistance. My damp hair clung to my neck as I rushed downstairs, leaving wet footprints across the polished hardwood floors. Clayton, Rachel, and Sean sat in the living room, their conversation about today's security arrangements stopping abruptly when they saw me. "Ms. Shaw, is everything alright?" Clayton rose immediately, his brow furrowed with concern. I couldn't form words. My mind was already outside, beyond those heavy oak doors. Without responding, I pushed past them and hurried through the garden, my bare feet padding along the stone pathway. The cool morning air prickled against my skin, but I barely noticed. And then I saw him. Marcus Murphy stood at the edge of my property, wearing black casual clothes instead
I directed my final words at Mary, making sure each syllable carried the weight of my threat. "Beautiful women being harassed by men is never the woman's fault. And Mary-I suggest you control your tongue, unless you want someone to slap you in public." "Rachel, release her," I commanded coldly, watching as Mary Simpson was finally freed from Rachel's grip. Though she no longer hurled insults, her eyes burned with enough hatred to incinerate both Elizabeth and me on the spot. I couldn't care less about her glare as I gently took my mother's arm, feeling the slight tension in her body. "Let's say goodbye to Harper and leave," I said softly to Elizabeth, vanting to remove her from this unpleasant situation. Elizabeth hesitated, her brow furrowing with concern. "Wouldn't it be impolite to leave so soon? People might think..." Her voice trailed off, clearly worried about Skyview City's inevitable gossip. I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It doesn't matter. Why stay somewhere tha
Anna's POV I let Rachel guide me toward Mary Simpson's shrill voice, each step measured and careful despite the fury building in my chest. My hand instinctively cradled my six-month pregnant belly as we rounded the decorative wall separating Harper Watson's baby shower from this unexpected drama. The scene before me stopped me cold. George Simpson stood in an unexpected protective stance near my mother, while Mary looked ready to claw someone's eyes out. What the hell was George doing at a women's baby shower? "You're talking nonsense. Look at yourself," George barked at Mary, his tone uncharacteristically harsh. Mary's face contorted with rage, her perfectly applied makeup doing nothing to mask her fury. "George, you dare defend her?" She shoved her purse into Lucy Taylor's waiting hands and lunged toward my mother. "Elizabeth Shaw, you shameless old whore! I'll kill you!" My heart hammered against my ribs. With my pregnant belly restricting my movement, I couldn't ph
Catherine's POV To me, Jack was worse than an actual jerk. He made me sick. I used to think he was decent, without the common vices of wealthy heirs, which is why I supported Anna when she wanted to marry him. My best friend marrying my cousin-perfect. But look how that turned out. The man was pathetically indecisive. Jack offered a bitter smile. "You think I want this? Do I have any say in that house?" He paused, his eyes filled with resignation. "My father reassigned Pax back to the company. Probably because I couldn't convince Anna to reconsider. He's very disappointed in me." I paused, then let out a derisive laugh. "Ha! You all think Anna is someone you can marry whenever you please? You didn't treasure her before, and now she's out of your league. Don't expect Anna to marry you again with Skylake District as her dowry. Who do you think you are?" Jack shook his head, genuine pain in his eyes. "I never thought that. I know she doesn't love me anymore. I've lost her co
Mary's POV My cheeks burned as Father's words cut through me like a serrated knife. How dare he scold me in front of everyone-especially that insufferable Catherine? I straightened my silk blouse, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. "I'm only trying to uphold the standards of this family," I said, my voice trembling slightly despite my best efforts to control it. "Someone needs to teach her proper respect." "Mary," Father said, his tone dropping to that familiar warning rumble that had always made me shrink as a child. "Not another word." Lucy appeared at my side like a guardian angel, slipping a crystal tumbler of bourbon into my hand. "Mrs. Simpson, I brought your favorite," she whispered, her fingers briefly squeezing mine in solidarity. I took a long sip, letting the alcohol burn away the humiliation lodged in my throat. The dinner proceeded with excruciating politeness, each bite of perfectly cooked steak turning to ash in my mouth. George sat beside me,
Anna's POV Sunlight streamed through the hospital window, casting a warm glow across Lucius's pale face. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the beeping monitors confirming what the doctors had told us—he'd survived the critical forty-eight hours. Relief washed over me like a gentle tide. "Rachel, please arrange a private room for Lucius," I said. "Make it convenient for Lucian and the others to visit. And hire a professional nurse for when they return to work." Hours passed before Lucius finally opened his eyes, initially silent and disoriented. The police investigators waited patiently until he was ready to speak. "I... remember clearly," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Someone... pushed me. At that moment... only he and I were on the scaffolding." My jaw tightened. This wasn't an accident—it was attempted murder disguised as workplace negligence. With the victim's testimony, the police finally had what they needed. The next day, they issu
Over the following month, reports flowed in daily as Doyle's empire crumbled piece by piece. His businesses, properties, and networks fell into my hands or dissolved entirely. His allies were bought, intimidated, or eliminated. His financial resources were frozen or appropriated. Anna's POV I l
"Is that what you believe?" I stared at Doyle, my voice cutting through the night air like a blade. "Your sister's feelings were entirely one-sided. I never led her on. In fact, I explicitly rejected her advances numerous times." The wind whipped around us, carrying the scent of salt and decay fr
Anna's POV The woman standing beside Catherine in our living room looked like she'd stepped out of a medical journal-crisp linen shirt tucked into tailored pants, not a single blonde hair out of place in her tight bun. Her posture screamed professional discipline. "Elizabeth, I heard you were l
Anna released me, her eyes warm and sincere. "That's what best friends are for." Anna's POV The ultrasound image in my hand showed a tiny black circle-the pregnancy sac-nestled in the gray blur of my uterus. My finger traced the outline, a strange warmth spreading through my chest. "Everythin







