Chapter 47: Unraveling the ThreadsThe air in the faintly lit office remained still as Melissa pressed herself further into the shadows, her heart hammering continuously, rhythmically in her chest. Alexis Hawthorne's voice echoed through the room, sharp, unforgiving and menacing."Iโll find you," Alexis murmured, her tone dangerously smooth, each step bringing her closer to Melissaโs hiding spot.Melissaโs fingers tightened around the handle of the knife hidden in her gown, every fiber of her being screaming for her to act. But she couldnโt afford a confrontation, not here, not now. The file in her bag was too important to risk losing and anything could risk her take death being exposed.Alexis paused, her sharp gaze sweeping the room, her lips curving into a predatory smile. "Youโre clever, Iโll give you that. But cleverness only gets you so far, I begin where your cleverness ends."Melissa steadied her breathing, counting the seconds as Alexis took another step forward. She needed a
Chapter 48: Into the FireMelissaโs breath was shallow, her back pressed against the cold, textured wall of the service hallway. Her ears strained to pick up every sound over the echo of her pounding heart. The gala was still alive with music and chatter, but the danger closing in on her was deafening in its own silence.The stolen file in her bag felt like a ticking bomb, one she had to get out before the Hawthornes discovered its absence. But escaping unnoticed was proving impossible. Evelynโs security team had spread across the venue, locking down exits. And Alexis Hawthorneโs voice, sharp and brimming with menace, still rang in her ears: โIโll find you.โMelissa adjusted her earpiece, her fingers trembling slightly. โVale, I need an out. Now.โโWorking on it,โ Vale replied, his tone clipped. โTheyโve locked down all the main doors. Youโll have to use the service tunnels beneath the building. Iโm uploading the schematics to your watch now, just because I don't want to say I told yo
Chapter 49: Shadows in the MazeMelissa froze. Alex Montgomeryโs voice carried a calm, dangerous edge that sent a chill down her spine. He stepped forward, his gun steady, eyes dark with a mixture of recognition and menace.โDrop the bag,โ Alex ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.Melissaโs mind raced. Her pulse thundered in her ears, but her expression remained neutral. She slowly lowered the bag, her hand lingering just enough to buy herself a fraction of a second.โYouโve been very busy, havenโt you?โ Alex continued, his smirk widening. โStealing from Evelyn, sneaking around like a ghost. Tell me, Melissa...โ he emphasized her name, confirming he had pieced it all together, โhow long did you think you could keep this act up?โMelissa tilted her head, her voice steady despite the terror clawing at her chest. โLong enough to bring you all down.โ she repliedAlex chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. โYou always had a flair for dramatics. But this isnโt your stage anymore. It
Chapter 50: A Game For Betrayers.The flames from the explosion where high in the distance as Melissa disappeared into the cityโs alleys. Alex Montgomery stood by the wreckage of his SUV, his chest heaving with fury. Smoke and sirens filled the night air, but all he could see was red, he was angry.โFind her!โ he barked at the men around him, his voice sharp and venomous. โI want every alley, every corner of this city searched! She doesnโt leave here alive!โThe men scattered without question, their footsteps echoing into the night. Alex stood motionless for a moment, his mind racing. Melissa Reynolds, alive and more dangerous than ever. This revelation threatened to unravel everything he had worked for, and there was only one person he could turn to now.Without wasting another second, Alex climbed into one of the remaining SUVs and barked at the driver to take him to Evelyn.***Evelynโs EmpireEvelyn Hawthorneโs mansion was an architectural masterpiece, a symbol of her iron grip ov
Chapter 51: The Blood OathThe rain came down in cold sheets, washing the blood from the streets but doing nothing to cleanse the night of the terrible atrocities. In the shadows of the city, Evelyn Hawthorneโs empire filled with quiet fury, the balance of power wobbling as every move was countered by unseen hands.Melissa Reynolds didnโt have time to revel in her escape. She didnโt have time for fear, either. Every breath she took burned with the weight of what she carried, the proof. Proof that Evelyn and her Hawthorne empire werenโt invincible. But the cost of that knowledge was deeper than just a few papers.Deep in an abandoned subway station, Melissa adjusted the strap of her bag and kept her ears attuned to every sound. She could feel Valeโs tension even through the comm link.โAre you listening to me, Melissa?โ his voice snapped, pulling her focus back.โIโm listening,โ she said, crouching low behind a rusted waste bin. Her eyes scanned the tracks, the echoes of the city abov
Chapter 52: A Motherโs FarewellThe dim light of the evening filtered through the curtains of Graceโs new small apartment. She sat at the worn wooden table, staring at a photograph of Sophia and Zira. Her hands trembled as she traced their faces with her fingers, tears falling onto the glossy surface. The weight of the decision to leave Zira at the orphanage crushed her, but she knew it was the only way to protect her granddaughter.Grace sighed, her voice barely a whisper. โSophia, if only you could see what Iโve done. I hope one day youโll understand.โThe sound of a creaking floorboard snapped her out of her thoughts. She froze, her heart racing. The apartment was supposed to be empty. Her hand instinctively reached for the knife she had kept under the table for protection.โWhoโs there?โ she called out, her voice trembling but firm.Silence.Her mind raced. Could they have found her? She had tried to stay off the radar, changing her routines and avoiding contact with anyone who mi
Chapter 53: Lost and Not FoundSophia sat on the edge of the motel bed, scrolling mindlessly through her phone. Her hands trembled slightly as she searched for any news about Grace. It had been days, and she hadnโt heard from her mother. That wasnโt like her. Grace always found a way to check in, even if it was just a short message.Her stomach twisted with unease. She typed "Grace Silverton" into the search bar, praying for something, anything, to ease her fears.The first headline made her breath hitch.LOCAL WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN APARTMENT. SUSPECTED FOUL PLAY.Sophia's vision blurred as she clicked on the article."Grace Silverton, 58, was found dead in her apartment late last night. Authorities suspect foul play, though details remain unclear. Sources indicate that Holloway had no known enemies, and investigators are working to determine the cause of the attack."The phone slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a dull thud. Her breath came in short gasps, her chest tightenin
Chapter 54: A Past That Wonโt Stay BuriedSophia Wakes UpThe first thing Sophia felt was pain, sharp, deep, and unforgiving pain. It dragged her up from the heavy darkness, pulling her toward consciousness like a weight pressing against her chest. She let out a slow, shaky breath, feeling her body protest at the slightest movement.Then she heard footsteps.Her eyes fluttered open, and the dim glow of a bedside lamp made her squint her eyes. She wasnโt in the motel anymore. The air smelled sterile, the walls bare. A safe house? A hospital?She shifted, and pain flared through her shoulder, making her suck in a sharp breath."You're awake." He said That voice. She knew it. Calm, unreadable.Sophia turned her head slowly. Vale was standing near the window, arms crossed, his face half hidden in the shadows."Youโre lucky I was keeping an eye on you," he said, walking toward her. "Otherwise, you'd be dead."Sophia swallowed, her throat dry. "Whereโฆ am I?" She asked."Somewhere safe," Va
Chapter 65: The Game ShiftsRicoโs CounterattackThe Blackwood estate was silent in the early morning, but inside Ricoโs office, the tension was thick. Raymond sat across from his father, his fingers tapping against the polished wood desk as he waited. The scandal surrounding Ricoโs Dubai deal had exploded overnight, and the investors were already asking questions.โI knew Adrian would try something,โ Raymond muttered. โBut I didnโt expect him to come after you Dad.โRico leaned back, eyes unreadable. โThis isnโt just Adrian, this is Evelyn, his just a child, he wouldn't dare"Raymond frowned. โYouโre sure?โRico smirked. โAdrian might be smart, but heโs a child like you. This attack? Itโs too calculated. Evelyn knows exactly where to hit.โ He tossed a folder onto the desk. โYou want so bad to be involved in adult dealings here you are we need to respond, and fast.โRaymond picked it up, flipping through the details of Ricoโs plan. He exhaled slowly. โThis is risky dad.โRicoโs expres
Chapter 64: A Dangerous GameRaymondโs Next StepThe night air was cool, but Raymond barely noticed it as he pulled up to the location Camila had sent him. It was an upscale lounge, discreet enough to keep conversations private but exclusive enough that anyone inside knew they were dealing with power.Camila was already seated in a booth at the far end, sipping on a glass of wine. She looked completely at ease, but Raymond knew better. Camila was always calculating, always one step ahead.โYou took your time,โ she said, not bothering to look up as he slid into the seat across from her.Raymond leaned back, arms crossed. โI wasnโt sure if this was a setup.โShe smirked. โIf I wanted you destroyed, I wouldnโt be so obvious about it.โRaymond exhaled sharply. โThen what do you want?โCamila tapped her nails against the glass. โYouโre in a mess, and I have a way out for you.โHe narrowed his eyes. โAnd what would that be?โShe leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering. โYouโre not the o
Chapter 63: A Battle has began.Raymond In TroubleThe Blackwood name had weight, until it didnโt, Raymond was the reason why the Blackwood name began to sink gradually.Raymond had spent the night in a holding cell, the cold metal bench beneath him doing nothing to soothe his rage. The moment the police raided the party, he knew he had been set up, but it didnโt matter. The flashing cameras, the whispers, the humiliation, all of it had happened so fast. And now, the headlines were everywhere."Blackwood Heir Busted in Drug Scandal!""Raymond Blackwood: Reckless or Ruined?"The door to the holding cell creaked open, and in walked his father, Rico Blackwood. He wasnโt angry. No, Rico was worse than that. He was disappointed.Raymond stood immediately, trying to salvage some dignity. โDad, Iโ he started before he was interruptedRico raised a hand, silencing him. โDonโt.โ His voice was like steel, cold and final. He turned to the officer behind him. โRelease him.โ he said with a voice o
Chapter 62: The Seeds of WarThe Weight of ConsequencesRaymond Blackwood had never known restraint. His entire life had been a series of privileges, expensive cars, exclusive clubs, and unlimited access to wealth. But now, standing outside St. Augustineโs Academy, waiting for a driver that would never come, he realized just how much had changed overnight.His bank cards were useless. His friends, once so eager to be around him, had suddenly become ghosts. Even Rosalie, usually his partner in crime, seemed distant.โLetโs just go home,โ she muttered, adjusting the sunglasses on her face to hide the bruise Adrian Hawthorne had left.Raymond clenched his fists. โIโm not going anywhere without a plan.โHis pride wouldnโt allow him to simply accept Ricoโs punishment.As if on cue, a sleek black car pulled up beside them. The window rolled down, revealing a girl around their age. Her dark brown eyes gleamed with amusement, her black hair styled in effortless waves.โRaymond Blackwood,โ she
Chapter 61: One Good, Two Bad.Rachel sat at the farthest corner of the school library, her fingers flipping through the pages of a thick textbook. The familiar scent of old paper and ink filled the air, a quiet comfort in the otherwise chaotic world of high school.She didnโt mind being alone.It was easier this way.People at St. Augustineโs Academy, one of the cityโs most elite private schools werenโt cruel to her, but they werenโt friendly either. She was neither rich enough to be admired nor outgoing enough to be noticed. The other students barely acknowledged her presence, as if she were part of the furniture.Rachel had stopped trying to fit in years ago.โClass, before we begin, I want to acknowledge something,โ Mr. Grayson, their economics teacher, said as he entered. He was one of the few teachers who actually noticed her.He turned to face the class. โWe had a round of mock exams last week, and the highest scorer as usual where a number of kids but someone had given a large
Chapter 60: New Beginning, Old ShadowsFifteen years had passed, and the world had moved on. The city still played with power, its undercurrents of corruption as strong as ever. The names that ruled it, Blackwood and the Hawthorne had not faded, only grown more ruthless.And among them, hidden in plain sight, was a girl who had no idea she was part of that world.Rachel Smith.Or, as she had once been called Zira.She didnโt remember the name. She didnโt remember much of anything from the life sheโd left behind.But some things, even forgotten, never truly disappeared.***The Smith's Household: Two Sisters, Two RealitiesThe Smith's were a good family. At least, thatโs what everyone believed.And in some ways, it was true. They werenโt cruel. They didnโt raise their voices, didnโt hit, didnโt mistreat her.But love?That was different.Rachel sat at the dinner table, the warm glow of the chandelier above them casting soft light over the polished mahogany. The smell of roasted chicken
Chapter 59: Before A New Era.The world had shifted, but the game? The game was still the same, power, secrets, and survival. Only this time, the rules were different.Some won. Some lost. And some? They simply waited for their next move, it took years but it never ended.***Evelynโs Unfinished BusinessEvelyn Hawthorne sat in her dim lit office, her fingers tapping against the polished wood of her desk. The city skyline stretched beyond the floor to ceiling windows, a reminder of everything she had builtโฆ and everything she had yet to destroy.Dominic, her right hand, stood by the door, watching her closely. โWe have a problem,โ he said.She exhaled slowly, swirling the whiskey in her glass. โI donโt like problems, Dominic.โโThis one wonโt go away.โ he saidEvelyn arched a brow. โAlison Roman?โโShe disappeared.โ he answered Silence."Isn't that suppose to be Alexis and Alex job?" She fired back, staring at him.Evelyn didnโt react right away, but the weight in the room changed. D
Chapter 58: Shadows and ReckoningsThe night was thick with tension. Evelyn Hawthorne sat in her car, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence. Across the street, the remnants of the burned warehouse still smoldered, sending wisps of smoke curling into the dark sky. Her men were scattered, stationed at vantage points, waiting for movement.And then it came.A black SUV, tinted windows, slow and cautious, pulled up near the alleyway. Someone had come to investigate the aftermath of her destruction. Evelyn smiled coldly.โFinally,โ she murmured.Dominic, her enforcer, leaned forward. โWant us to move in?โ he askedEvelyn held up a hand. โNo. Not yet. Let them think theyโre safe, I also want to see who it is.โShe watched as a figure stepped out of the SUV, their figure obstructed by shadows. They stood still for a moment, surveying the damage, then pulled out a phone. Whoever they were, they were making a call.Evelynโs fingers drummed against her armrest. โFind out who theyโre ca
Chapter 57: Resilience and Confessions.The night air smelled of smoke and destruction. The fire raged, licking at the sky as the old warehouse collapsed in on itself. Evelyn Hawthorne stood a safe distance away, her face illuminated by the flickering flames, eyes cold and calculating.Her men moved like shadows around her, efficient, ruthless. This was just the beginning. Whoever had taken over Alex Montgomeryโs empire had hidden well, but Evelyn wasnโt one to play guessing games. Sheโd draw them out the old-fashioned way, by making them bleed, This wasn't a fight for her children as she had instructed them to watch and learn how it is done.One of her men, a tall enforcer named Dominic, stepped closer. โThe fire will take care of any evidence. We hit three of their locations tonight. Their operation is falling apart Ma.โ he aaidEvelyn took a slow breath, the scent of burning metal sharp in the air. โGood,โ she murmured then smiled, โNow we wait.โ she replied.If the new leader was