LOGINCatherine suddenly grew quiet, resting her chin on my desk, her expression turning serious. After a moment of silence, she looked up, her eyes betraying uncertainty. "Annie, there's something I need to tell you." I was reviewing some documents and responded without looking up. "Go ahead." "I had some tests done," she said, her tone unusually grave. This immediately caught my attention. I set down my papers and leaned forward with concern. "What kind of tests? Are you feeling alright?" Catherine shrugged, trying to appear casual despite her obvious discomfort. "Nothing serious. Just had an ultrasound done. And it confirmed something - the scar on my abdomen isn't from an appendectomy like I've always been told. Just like yours, it's from a C-section." My heart skipped a beat, and I stared at her in disbelief. "Are you sure about this?" How could I be wrong? I confirmed it multiple times. The ultrasound technician even pointed out scarring on my uterus." Her voice was st
George's POV The antiseptic smell of the hospital room clawed at my nostrils, making each breath a reminder of my confinement. Sunlight streamed through the window, mocking me with its cheerfulness while my world collapsed around me. The morning nurse had just left after changing my IV when Pax delivered the news that felt like a second heart attack. "Mr. Simpson, Jack has resigned from Simpson Group. He's... he's left town." The words hit me like physical blows. My son. My only son. Gone. I stared at the ceiling, not trusting myself to speak. The betrayal cut deeper than the pneumonia that had ravaged my lungs, deeper than the hypothermia that had nearly killed me. I'd built everything for him—the empire, the connections, the legacy. And he'd thrown it all away. The door to my private room burst open with such force that the decorative vase on the side table rattled. Mary stormed in, her usually immaculate appearance disheveled, eyes wild with a fury I hadn't seen in y
Mary's POV The kitchen smelled of rosemary and thyme as I supervised the final preparations for dinner. Lucy moved around the space with effortless grace, checking the roast and adjusting the table settings with meticulous attention to detail. "Mrs. Simpson, do you think we should use the Waterford crystal tonight?" she asked, holding up one of the delicate glasses to the light. "I noticed Jack seemed particularly tired these past few days. A nice setting might lift his spirits." "Excellent idea, Lucy. Jack needs the comforts of home right now," I replied, watching her set the table with practiced precision. "You remind me so much of myself at your age." Lucy lowered her eyes modestly. "That's the highest compliment, Mrs. Simpson." The front door clicked open, and Lucy's head snapped up. She immediately abandoned her task and glided toward the foyer. I smiled to myself. *Perfect instincts*. "Jack! You're finally home." Lucy's voice carried that perfect note of concern wi
Marcus's POV I jolted awake to Benedict's cries piercing the darkness. My body ached with exhaustion, but instinct propelled me upright before my mind fully surfaced from sleep. The door creaked open immediately, revealing Peter Reed's concerned face. "Mr. Murphy, is the young master hungry?" he asked, his usually stoic expression softened with genuine concern. I glanced at the digital clock, noting it was precisely 2:13 AM. A small smile tugged at my lips-my son already had his own schedule. "Probably," I murmured, pushing myself out of bed and padding toward the crib. The moment I lifted Benedict, a surge of unfamiliar responsibility washed over me. His tiny body trembled slightly against my chest, his cries growing more insistent. I gently checked his diaper, feeling the dampness through the fabric. "He needs a change," I announced, still marveling at how naturally these words now came from the same mouth that once only discussed market takeovers and asset acquisitions.
Jack's POV "Who would do such a thing? Who?" Mother's voice trembled, her perfectly manicured hand clutching at her pearl necklace. I watched her panicked expression with a strange flicker of satisfaction. For the first time in years, Mary Simpson displayed genuine fear instead of her usual calculated disdain. 'Take a guess," I drawled, dragging out each syllable. "How am I supposed to know?" Her eyes darted frantically as her mind raced through the list of Simpson family enemies. The fact that such a list existed spoke volumes about our family's true legacy in Skyview City. Lucy shifted uncomfortably beside Mother, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jack, was it.. Anna?" "Anna Shaw?" Mother froze at the name, her face draining of what little color remained. "Has she lost her mind? How dare she?" I stared directly into Mother's eyes, unexpected fury surging through me. For decades, the Simpsons had trampled over anyone who stood in their way, never once considering t
Jack's POV The bitter November wind cut through my designer coat as I stepped out of the car, scanning the abandoned industrial area. Anna's cryptic words echoed in my mind: "George is being held in the south district. Not far from the Industrial Park warehouse that mysteriously caught fire this afternoon." "Jack, over here!" Calvin's voice carried across the barren landscape. His flashlight beam bobbed wildly, illuminating something that made my blood freeze. I sprinted across the uneven ground, nearly twisting my ankle on the frozen dirt. The sight that greeted me knocked the air from my lungs-my father and Pax Powell tied to separate trees, shirtless in the frigid night air, their coats discarded just beyond reach. "Jesus Christ," Luke whispered beside me, his breath forming clouds in the freezing air. My father's head hung limply, his usually commanding presence reduced to a terrifying stillness. His skin had taken on a bluish tinge that sent panic racing through my vein
Anna's POV "Anna, grab my hand, quickly!" Logan's voice cut through the night air, filled with desperation. My wrist was caught in his grasp. I could see the veins in his forehead bulging as his entire body trembled with exertion. With the last of my strength, I reached out with my other hand
Anna's POV The words hung in the air like a grenade with its pin pulled. I sat frozen, my coffee cup suspended halfway to my lips, as my brain struggled to process what Marcus had just said. The bustling restaurant seemed to fade away, leaving only the thundering of my heart in my ears. Gabriel's
Anna's POV My lips twitched with the effort not to smile. Trust Catherine to come charging to my defense like an avenging angel in heels. Lucy immediately pivoted to her favorite role the victim. "Catherine, I'm just here with Jack," she said, eyes widening in feigned innocence. "Charity events
Anna's POV He had noticed me, and that look in his eyes sent a cold chill down my spine. I watched as he whispered something in Nora's ear before making his way toward me. "Ms. Shaw, it's been a while," Samuel said as he approached. His posture was relaxed, confident-the stance of a predator who







