Chapter ninety fiveThree days later, Lora sat in a dimly lit booth at Rogue's, a bar on the edge of Boston University's campus. Not her usual scene, the sticky floors and graffiti-marked walls a far cry from the elegant establishments she'd frequented in her previous life. But perfect for her current purpose.She checked her watch. Ten minutes late. Typical.The door swung open, letting in a blast of cold air and three young men. They scanned the room, spotting Lora in her corner booth. Their swagger as they approached told her everything, money, privilege, and not enough supervision. Just James's type of friends before Mona Kane entered the picture."Mrs. Caldwell?" The tallest one extended his hand. "Tyler Hutchins. We spoke on the phone."She gestured for them to sit. "You're late."Tyler slid into the booth, flanked by his companions. "Had to make sure we weren't being set up. James hasn't exactly been returning our calls lately.""That would be his new 'godmother's' influence,"
Chapter ninety fourLora's coffee grew cold as she stared at the Boston Tribune's society pages spread across the kitchen table. Her hands trembled, crumpling the newspaper's edges. The headline screamed at her: "YOUNG BENNETT HEIR CELEBRATES 20TH BIRTHDAY WITH 'GODMOTHER' MONA KANE."The photo beneath showed James, her cousin, her rightful inheritance, beaming between Alexander and Mona Kane. They looked like a perfect family unit. James gazing at Mona with open admiration. Mona's hand resting on his shoulder in a maternal gesture. Alexander standing proud, like a father watching his protégé."Godmother," Lora whispered, the word burning her throat. "She's calling herself his godmother now."She read further, each word stabbing deeper:*"James Bennett showered praise on Mona Kane during his emotional birthday speech, crediting her with his transformation from 'family disappointment' to capable heir. 'She believed in me when no one else did,' the young Bennett told the assembled guest
Chapter ninety threeLights from a thousand crystal chandeliers bathed the Bennett estate's grand ballroom in golden warmth. Every surface gleamed, polished marble floors, gilt-edged mirrors, sparkling glassware. The air smelled of fresh flowers, expensive perfume, and success.Mona Kane stood at the edge of the crowd, watching James Bennett navigate the room. Twenty years old today, he moved with a confidence that hadn't existed six months ago. His navy suit fit perfectly across his shoulders, his smile came easily, and his handshake looked firm even from across the room. He'd grown into himself, no longer the awkward teenager playing video games that Lora had dismissed so easily."He's quite the young man now."Mona turned to find Madam Leah Bennett beside her, elegant in dove gray silk, her silver hair swept into a perfect chignon. The Bennett matriarch watched her grandson with obvious pride."He is," Mona agreed. "He's worked incredibly hard.""Thanks to you." Madam Bennett's voi
Chapter ninety twoEmily Caldwell watched workers remove the gilded letters from the Caldwell Children's Wing of Boston Memorial Hospital. Each letter pulled from the stone felt like a physical blow, erasing a legacy built across generations.A small crowd gathered, taking photos of the family's public rejection. Emily stood tall despite their whispers and barely hidden satisfaction.The final "L" came down with a scrape of metal against stone, leaving ghostly outlines where the letters had protected the granite from weather."Mrs. Caldwell?"She turned to find Dr. William Foster, the hospital's director, a man who had fawned over her at countless galas, who had named a research lab after her just two years ago."I didn't expect to see you here," he said, uncomfortable."I wanted to witness this moment personally," Emily replied, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil. "The Caldwell family has donated over twenty million dollars to this hospital since 1990.""The board's decision
The door opened two hours later. Mona entered, elegant in a midnight blue dress from her dinner meeting. Her eyes immediately went to the multiple screens, the maps, the lists of properties."You're working late," she said, crossing to his desk. "Important acquisitions?"Alexander met her gaze, measuring how much to reveal. Their relationship had evolved from a business arrangement into something deeper, more complex. But some aspects of his revenge he still kept close, executing them alone, protecting her from certain knowledge."Come here," he said, gesturing to the chair beside him. "I have something to show you."Mona moved around the desk, her eyes widening as she absorbed the information on the screens."Are these... Caldwell properties?"Alexander nodded, switching to a view that showed multiple transactions, all completed within the past twelve hours."Martha's Vineyard estate. Aspen ski lodge. Palm Beach condo." He pointed to each listing. "All sold today to what appear to be
Chapter 90Darkness settled over Boston as Alexander Kane sat alone in his private office, sixty floors above the city. The space was dimly lit, the only real illumination coming from multiple screens displaying property listings, bank transfers, and corporation filings.He swirled amber whiskey in a crystal glass, his face bathed in the blue glow of the monitors. Three separate phones lay on his desk, none connected to Kane Industries or his personal accounts. Untraceable. Undetectable. Perfect for what he needed to accomplish tonight.The first phone rang. Alexander put it on speaker."Mr. Greene?" The voice was professional, eager. A real estate attorney doing late-night work for a premium fee."Yes." Alexander used the name with ease."The Martha's Vineyard property closed thirty minutes ago. Atlantic Sunrise Holdings now officially owns the former Caldwell estate. The sellers never questioned the corporation's ownership structure.""Excellent." Alexander made a note on a pad. "An
Chapter 89Emily Caldwell's hand trembled as she signed the listing agreement for their Martha's Vineyard estate. Twenty-five years of summer memories, now priced for a quick sale at millions below its value. The realtor maintained a professional smile, but Emily saw the hunger in her eyes, this listing would make her career."We're pricing it to move quickly," the woman said, sliding glossy photos across the table. "At this price, you should have multiple offers within days."Emily nodded stiffly. She thought of Samuel's tenth birthday on the lawn overlooking the ocean. Sarah's sweet sixteen where Boston's elite families watched fireworks from their private beach. The memories that had defined the Caldwells as New England royalty."We're also listing the Aspen ski lodge and Palm Beach condo simultaneously," the realtor continued. "I should warn you, the press has been inquiring. There will be publicity.""Of course there will," Emily said, her voice brittle. "Nothing sells papers lik
Chapter 88Cold morning light filtered through the tall windows of the Caldwell mansion dining room, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air, something that would have never been allowed when they had a full housekeeping staff. Samuel stared at the particles, oddly fascinated by this small sign of their decline.Mrs. Hudson, their longtime housekeeper, stood at the head of the table where the remaining household staff had gathered. Her gray hair was pulled back in its usual tight bun, but her eyes were red-rimmed."As you all know," she began, her voice wavering, "the family is facing... financial adjustments." She glanced at Samuel, who nodded for her to continue. "I've been asked to inform you that, effective immediately, the household staff will be reduced."Murmurs rippled through the small group of people who had served the Caldwells for years, some for decades."Those of you whose positions are being eliminated will receive two weeks' pay," Samuel said, unable to meet the
Chapter 87Rain hammered against the windows of Kane Industries, the sky as dark as midnight though it was only three in the afternoon. Mona stood by the floor-to-ceiling glass, watching water stream down in rivulets, distorting the city below. The corporate tower stood tall among the Boston skyline, a monument to Alexander's power and now, her own.A soft knock interrupted her thoughts."Mrs. Kane?" Her assistant's voice held an unusual edge. "There's someone here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment."Mona turned, eyebrow raised. "Who is it, Claire?"The young woman shifted uncomfortably. "Lora Caldwell. She's... quite insistent."A slow smile spread across Mona's face. She smoothed her silk blouse, adjusted her diamond earrings – the ones Alexander had given her after they destroyed Davidson Shipping. "How interesting. Send her in."Claire hesitated. "Security offered to remove her, but she's causing quite a scene in the lobby.""That won't be necessary." Mona's voice remain