Adrian wasted no time. He instructed Richard to set up an internal investigation, discreetly tracking suspicious activities within the company. Meanwhile, he laid a trapâone that would lead Margret right into his hands.He leaked false information about a supposed financial crisis in Williams Corporation, knowing she would rush to share it with Charles Hawk.And just as expected, Margret took the bait.That evening, Margret met Charles Hawk in the same private lounge.âYou were right, Charles,â she whispered, sliding a folder across the table. âWilliams Corporation is in deeper trouble than we thought. Theyâre struggling with liquidity issues. Their recent deal in Europe is failing, and Adrian is panicking.âCharles smirked as he opened the folder. âAnd youâre sure this is accurate?âMargret crossed her legs confidently. âI got this straight from Adrianâs office.âUnbeknownst to her, a small recording device hidden in the centerpiece of the table had captured every word. And on the ot
William sat in his office, staring at the companyâs logo that had been his pride and legacy for decades. He knew it was time to step down, to pass the torch to Adrian. But there was a problemâhis son had already built something of his own. Adrian was no longer just the heir to Williams Corporation; he was a powerful businessman in his own right.That evening, William invited Adrian to his private study. "Son, itâs time. Iâm retiring."Adrianâs eyes narrowed. "I expected that, but whatâs your plan?"William leaned back. "I want you to take over Williams Corporation."Adrian sighed. "Dad, I have my own company to run. I canât just abandon everything Iâve built."William nodded. "I know, and I admire what youâve done. But this company is your legacy too. I built it for you, for our family. I need to know itâs in safe hands."Adrian hesitated. "I wonât let it fall, but I canât be at the helm of both companies."William studied his son for a moment before saying, "Then we find another way.
Margret wasted no time putting her plan into motion. She met with a few key board members who were still loyal to her, promising them wealth and power if they helped her destabilize Williams Corporation. Some were hesitant, afraid of Adrianâs influence, but othersâthose who had benefited from her schemes in the pastâwere willing to take the risk.She sat in a luxurious private lounge with two senior executives, Mr. Conrad and Mr. Liu, both of whom had worked under Williams for years."Youâve seen whatâs happening," Margret said smoothly, sipping her wine. "Adrian is reshaping the company, getting rid of anyone he deems untrustworthy. Itâs only a matter of time before you two are next."Mr. Conrad frowned. "What exactly are you suggesting?"Margret leaned in. "Iâm offering you a way outâbefore Adrian tightens his grip. If we create enough instability, the shareholders will panic, and Adrian will struggle to keep control."Mr. Liu shifted uncomfortably. "You mean sabotage?"Margret smir
Benson sat in his office, gripping the edge of his desk as he replayed the recent events in his mind. His motherâs plans had failed miserably, and Adrian had outmaneuvered her once again. He had warned her, but she never listened. Now, the company was slipping further from their grasp.Just then, Derrick walked in, his face unreadable. âI told you your mother is reckless,â he said, shutting the door behind him.Benson clenched his jaw. âAnd you think youâre any better? You abandoned me and now suddenly want to act like a father?âDerrick sighed. âI didnât abandon you, Benson. I made choices that kept you safe, even if you donât see it that way.âBenson scoffed. âSafe? You left me to grow up thinking I was another manâs son, fighting for an inheritance that was never mine to begin with!âDerrick stepped closer. âAnd if I had told you the truth? You think William would have let you stay in his house? He would have thrown you and your mother out in an instant.âBenson fell silent. He hat
Benson hesitated before finally making his way to Margretâs house. When he arrived, he found her pacing back and forth in the dimly lit living room.âWhatâs so urgent, Mother?â he asked, arms crossed.Margret turned to face him, her eyes filled with desperation. âWe have to act now, Benson. William is getting closer to retiring, and if we donât take control before he officially hands everything to Adrian, weâll lose everything.âBenson sighed. âAnd what exactly do you want me to do?âMargret stepped closer, lowering her voice. âWe have to remove Adrian from the equationâĶ permanently.âBensonâs heart skipped a beat. He stared at her in shock. âYou want to kill him?âMargret huffed. âIf thatâs what it takes! Weâve come too far to let everything slip through our fingers now.âBenson felt a knot in his stomach. He had done a lot of questionable things, but this? This was crossing the line.âI canât do that,â he said firmly.Margretâs expression darkened. âYouâre weak, just like William al
After everything that had happenedâthe betrayals, the lies, and the chaosâAdrian and Grace finally had a moment to breathe.That evening, as they stood on the balcony of their home, overlooking the city skyline, Grace leaned into Adrianâs arms. The warmth of his embrace felt different this time. It wasnât burdened with stress or fear. It was peaceful.âItâs finally over,â Grace whispered.Adrian kissed her forehead. âYes. And now, we focus on us.âGrace smiled. âItâs been a while since we justâĶ enjoyed being together.âAdrian sighed, guilt creeping into his voice. âI know. Iâve been caught up in everything. I shouldâve made more time for us.âShe cupped his face, her eyes filled with understanding. âYou were protecting our future, Adrian. And now, we finally have one.âA week later, Adrian surprised Grace with an impromptu trip to a secluded beach resort.âNo business calls. No distractions. Just you and me,â he declared as they arrived.Grace laughed. âI love this side of you.âFor t
Eleanor was growing fast, and with every passing day, her presence filled the house with joy. Adrian and Grace found themselves captivated by her every little achievementâfrom her first giggle to the way she clapped her tiny hands in excitement.One morning, as Adrian was getting ready for work, Eleanor crawled towards him, her bright eyes locked onto his polished shoes. She reached out, grabbing his pant leg with determination."Dada!" she called, her voice filled with excitement.Adrianâs heart melted instantly. He abandoned his tie on the nightstand and scooped Eleanor into his arms. "You donât want me to go, do you?"Grace, watching from the bed, laughed softly. "Youâre getting more attached to her than she is to you."Adrian smirked. "I canât help it. Sheâs my little princess." He kissed Eleanorâs forehead and turned to Grace. "Maybe I should work from home today.""Nice try," Grace teased, standing up. "But you promised to check in at the company. Besides, Eleanor and I have our
Benson watched from the shadows, seething with envy as he observed Adrianâs perfect little family. The warmth in Adrianâs home, the love between him and Grace, and the way Eleanorâs laughter filled the airâit all made Bensonâs blood boil.He had lost everything. His so-called mother, Margret, had failed in her schemes. Derrick, his biological father, had abandoned him. And now, Adrian had everything he had ever wantedâa family, power, and a name that people respected.Benson clenched his fists. "If I canât be happy, neither will he."That night, as he scrolled through his contacts, an idea struck himâone that would shatter Adrianâs peaceful life. He dialed a number he hadnât touched in years."Hello?" A sultry voice answered, dripping with venom."Bella, itâs me," Benson said, his voice cold but calculated.There was silence on the other end before a low chuckle filled the receiver. "Well, well, Benson. To what do I owe the pleasure?""I have a job for you. One that involves Adrian."
The Williams estate had never looked so magnificent. Golden lanterns lined the garden pathways, casting a warm glow as the grand celebration unfolded. A cool evening breeze carried the scent of fresh roses and jasmine, blending with the melodies of a live orchestra playing in the background. Guests dressed in the finest attire mingled, their glasses clinking in joyous toasts.This was a night of celebrationânot just for wealth and success, but for truth, redemption, and love.At the heart of the event, Mr. William stood beside Grace, his eyes gleaming with pride as he raised a glass to address the guests.âTonight, we honor not just a lost daughter, but a strong woman who fought for her place in this family. Grace, my child, welcome home.âApplause erupted. Grace swallowed the lump in her throat, overwhelmed by the acceptance she had craved all her life. She glanced at Adrian, who gave her an encouraging nod, his hand firmly holding hers.She stepped forward, her voice steady but emot
As the night continued, laughter and celebration filled the air. Grace basked in the warmth of her newfound family, unaware of the danger lurking just outside the estate.Diana stood in the shadows, her eyes never leaving Grace. She held the USB drive tightly in her palm, her mind racing through her plan. She had spent weeks gathering fabricated evidence, working with her accomplice to create a scandal that would ruin Graceâs image before she could fully settle into her new life.Beside her, the mysterious man smirked. âAre you sure you want to do this now? Sheâs got a lot of support.âDianaâs lips curled into a sinister grin. âThatâs exactly why we have to do it now. The higher she climbs, the harder sheâll fall.âInside the grand ballroom, Grace felt a vibration against her palm. She glanced down at her phone and saw an unknown number flashing on the screen.Frowning, she excused herself from the crowd and stepped onto the balcony, pressing the phone to her ear.âHello?âA deep voic
The night was eerily silent as Adrian and Grace arrived at the old estate. The grand mansion, once filled with warmth and laughter, now stood as a dark shadow of its past. The wind howled through the broken windows, sending an unsettling chill down Graceâs spine.Adrian squeezed her hand. âStay close to me. If anything seems off, we leave.âGrace nodded, her heart pounding. She had spent so long uncovering the truth, and now, she was moments away from facing the woman who had tormented her family.They pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside. The grand hall was dimly lit by flickering chandeliers, their light barely piercing the darkness. At the far end, a lone figure stoodâMargret.She turned slowly, a wicked smile playing on her lips. âYou actually came. I knew you would.âAdrian took a step forward, his eyes locked on her. âCut the games, Margret. You wanted us here. Now talk.âMargret let out a low chuckle, her eyes gleaming with malice. âYou think youâve won, donât
As the night of celebration came to an end, Grace and Adrian returned home, unaware of the dark clouds gathering around them. Grace, exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions, settled into Adrianâs arms."Tonight was perfect," she murmured, running her fingers through his hair.Adrian smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It was, but we both know peace never lasts long with people like Benson and Margret lurking around."Grace sighed. "I just wish, for once, theyâd let us live our lives."Adrian tightened his hold around her. "Whatever theyâre planning, weâll face it together."Meanwhile, Benson was far from done. He stormed into Margretâs suite, his jaw tight with frustration."What the hell were you thinking, siding with those men? Do you even realize the mess youâre dragging me into?"Margret remained calm, sipping her wine. "I know exactly what Iâm doing, Benson. Youâre the one who doesnât understand the game."Bensonâs eyes darkened. "You still think you can outsmart Adrian an
That evening, Grace arrived at the dimly lit cafÃĐ where Brenda had asked to meet her. The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, but Grace had no appetite for itâher instincts screamed that something was off.Brenda was already seated in a corner booth, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea. When she saw Grace, her lips curled into a smile, but her eyes held something unreadable."You actually came," Brenda murmured, gesturing for Grace to sit.Grace slid into the seat, keeping her posture guarded. "You said you had something to tell me."Brenda sighed dramatically. "Oh, Grace, you have no idea whatâs been happening behind your back. Your so-called family? They were never looking for you. They were looking for someone they could control. Thatâs why Iâ"She stopped abruptly, catching herself.Grace narrowed her eyes. "You what, Brenda?"Brenda leaned forward, her expression suddenly desperate. "I was supposed to be the one. I was supposed to be their daughter, Grace. Bu
As the glamorous gala continued, the hall was filled with laughter, music, and celebration. Grace had finally found her true placeâwith a family that cherished her, a husband who adored her, and a life free of the deception that had tried to tear her down.But not everyone was happy.From the far end of the hall, a pair of eyes burned with resentment, watching Grace bask in her newfound happiness.The woman who had pretended to be the lost Lennox daughterâClaraâhad been exposed, humiliated, and dragged away by the police just days before. However, her hatred for Grace had only intensified behind bars.And she wasn't the only one.At the back of the estate, where the celebration lights barely reached, a black car was parked discreetly. Inside, a figure sat in the driver's seat, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel impatiently."Sheâs glowing like a damn queen," he muttered, watching Grace through a pair of binoculars. His face twisted with hatred. "That should have been Clara
The Lennox estate was no longer a place of peaceâit had become a battlefield. Isabella wasted no time asserting herself as the "rightful" heir, basking in the attention and respect she believed she deserved. She walked through the grand halls like a queen, flashing a smug smile whenever she passed Grace.Eleanor, unable to accept this sudden revelation, grew withdrawn. She barely ate, and the sorrow in her eyes broke Alexanderâs heart. Adrian, on the other hand, was restless. His gut told him something was wrong, and he wasnât going to let Isabellaâs smug face fool him.One evening, as Adrian sat in his office combing through the DNA reports again, something caught his eye."This doesnât make sense," he murmured.The report bore the name of a reputable lab, but something about the formatting feltâĶ off. He compared it to an old DNA report from the same lab and noticed slight inconsistencies in the font, structure, and signature placement.His heart pounded. Could Isabella have forged t
The room fell into an unbearable silence as Graceâs mind reeled with the truth. Her pulse was racing, her hands trembling. She looked at Eleanor, the woman claiming to be her mother, then at Alexander, who had a commanding presence that reminded her so much of Adrianâs father.âI donât know what to say,â Grace admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.Eleanor took a cautious step forward, her eyes desperate and hopeful. âI donât expect you to accept this immediately, my love. I just want a chance. A chance to prove to you that I never stopped loving you.âGraceâs jaw clenched. âIf you loved me so much, why didnât you fight for me? Why did you let my grandmother raise me all these years while I struggled, thinking I had no one but her?âEleanorâs tears spilled over. âI tried, Grace. Believe me, I tried. I searched for you for years, but your grandmother ensured that every trace of you was erased. She made sure that you would never find out about me, and by the time I discovered where
As Adrian left the prison, Margret slammed her fists against the table, seething with rage. She had counted on Adrianâs fearâhis desperation to protect his familyâto make him surrender. But now, she was trapped.Derrick entered, shaking his head. âYou should have kept your mouth shut, Margret.âShe shot him a glare. âIâm not done yet. Thereâs always another way.âDerrick sighed. âNot this time. Adrian already countered your blackmail. The legal team got ahead of the story, and Williamâs company released a statement proving all the shady deals were your doing, not Adrianâs.âMargretâs blood ran cold. âThatâs impossible.âDerrick smirked. âWilliam knew youâd try something like this. He had a contingency plan. Every illegal deal was traced back to you. Youâre the only one facing charges.âMargretâs body slumped in the chair. âNoâĶ No, this isnât how it was supposed to end.âDerrick leaned in, his voice dripping with satisfaction. âOh, but it is, Margret. You finally played your last cardâ