Fred Williams is back !!!
Mia had barely touched her meal, but the second she saw her father step inside the dining hall, she froze. Fred Williams—the man who had walked out of their lives five years ago without a second thought—strolled into the room like he belonged there. No hesitation, no shame. Just a wide grin, as if he were some special guest. Her chair scraped against the floor. “How did you—,” she muttered, halfway to standing but a firm hand closed over hers, stopping her. It was Zac’s. His grip wasn’t forceful, just steady and anchoring. His grey eyes found hers, a silent message passing between them—Stay. Mia didn’t want to. She wanted to get up, walk out, escape the spiral of emotions crashing into her. But that would make things worse. So, she did what she knew best—pretended: Pretended everything was fine. Pretended that man wasn’t her estranged father standing there. Slowly, she eased back into her seat, but her focus was still locked on him. Sarah, seated next to Samantha, had
Outside, by the rear wing of the mansion, Zac and Mia walked along the lawn. The cool night air cut through the quietness, and the sound of a water fountain flowed beside them. Mia took a deep breath, letting the crisp air calm her nerves. “You knew exactly what I needed,” she murmured, her voice soft, almost vulnerable. She tilted her head with a genuine smile. “Thank you, Zac.” Zac nodded, giving her a quiet smile in return. “You’re welcome.” “First of all, I’m so, so sorry about my dad,” Mia admitted, her words slipping out with quiet frustration. “I had no idea he’d—” She stopped, her voice shaking as unshed tears threatened to break through. Zac observed her closely, sensing the strain in her posture. He didn’t waste any time before opening his arms wide. “Come here, you.” Mia tilted her head to meet his eyes, her emotions caught in a storm. Without a second thought, she fell into his arms. For the first time in a long time, she didn’t need to hide her feelings, nor were
Sarah’s expression shattered, with tears streaming down her face as she dropped to her knees. “I’m sorry, Mia.” Mia exhaled sharply, her hands clenching into fists. “Mom, how could you? After everything we’ve been through?” Her mother shook her head, her eyes pleading. “Mia, your father reached out to me… he… he came begging. He said he wanted to make things right.” Mia let out a bitter laugh, the sound hollow and sharp. “Make things right? He left us, Mom. You have no idea what I went through because of him. And now you think a simple apology is enough?” Sarah wiped at her tears. “Mia, please. I know how hard this must be. We all make mistakes—that’s what makes us human.” “Forgiveness is not in my book anymore,” Mia shot back, her voice shaking. “I can never forgive him. And you—you gave him a chance without even telling me?” “I thought—” Sarah hesitated. “I thought it was the right thing to do, my child. Without a father figure, what would our in-laws say? You know how it loo
Shirley sat in the leather chair, her hands resting on her lap, but her fingers curled tightly into fists. Seth’s house had always been like this, untouched by warmth, too large for a man who lived alone. His children were gone, spread across different corners of the city, and the only ones here—aside from himself—were the staff who knew better than to intrude. It had been twenty-eight years since she had last been this close to him. Back then, she had been young, head over heels, caught in the effortless charm of a man who knew exactly how to wield his words. How could she not have fallen? He was handsome, compelling—his voice alone was an invitation, a promise. And she had believed in a promise of forever. She had loved him, blindly, foolishly—until the day he announced his engagement to another woman. By the time she realized she was carrying his child, Seth had already married into a powerful family, leaving her no choice but to walk away. But fate had been kind. A widower w
Mia let out a quiet scoff, shaking her head as she turned back to the mirror. “Feelings? Come on, Sam. You’re exaggerating. I’m just—” She paused, adjusting her necklace, pretending to be focused on something else. “I’m just concerned, you know. Maybe something happened to him or maybe not. Besides—” “Go on,” Samantha cut in smoothly, her tone dripping with amusement. Mia exhaled, gripping the edge of the dresser a little tighter. “I don’t think he’s capable of—” She hesitated, catching herself before she said too much. Her fingers loosened, but she didn’t turn around. “I don’t know, Sam. I don’t think Zac is like that.” Samantha tapped her fingers against her thigh, clearly impatient. “Mia, you’re in a safe space, okay? Just spill the tea.” “Like someone who—” She waved a hand vaguely, as if searching for the right words. “Feels things that deeply. He’s focused on work. That’s all.” Samantha gave a slight smirk. “And yet, here you are, trying so hard to convince yourself of t
A couple of hours later, after dropping Samantha off, Mia found herself in the quiet luxury of a private theater with Angelo. The service was outstanding, the atmosphere cozy—exactly the kind of experience most people would cherish. She took a slow sip of her drink, her eyes absentmindedly glued to the screen. Of course, the movie was good, the food even better. But that didn’t stop her mind from drifting, no matter how she tried to push it away. She turned slightly, glancing at Angelo beside her. He was clearly enjoying himself, laughing at some scenes, tossing popcorn into his mouth, and casually passing her some snacks. His energy was effortless and natural. “Everything okay?” Angelo asked suddenly, his voice low as he stared at her in the dim light. Mia blinked, then nodded quickly. “Yeah. Sure.” His jaw tensed slightly before he let out a small chuckle. “We can switch to something else if you don’t like this one, you know.” Mia smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. “No…
The next morning, well before the sun had fully risen, Mia stood in front of the gates of Charles Cornell’s mansion—a quiet, secluded place with restricted access. The cab driver pulled up to the security entrance, waiting for her to obtain an access pass so they could drive through. Mia adjusted the strap of her bag, staring at the towering gates. She was simply dressed in a skirt that fell just above her knees and a plain chiffon top. She looked nothing like what one might expect from a billionaire’s fiancée. No designer labels, no extravagant jewelry—just a simple, refined sense of style. If anything, she fit in a little too well, like any other visitor rather than someone who belonged there. The guards noticed her immediately, and one of them stepped forward, eyeing her with the same wary expression reserved for an unwelcome guest. “How can we help you, Miss?” one of them asked, his tone tinged with impatience. “I’m here to see Sir Cornell,” Mia said, standing her g
“Good morning, Grandpa.” Mia stood the moment Charles Cornell stepped onto the terrace. His face was bright, as though he’d been up for hours. He was simply dressed in straight pants and a button-down shirt, with his sleeves neatly folded to his elbows. “Oh, Mia, please, sit,” he said, motioning toward the chair beside him. “Come inside, or are you comfortable out here?” “This is fine,” she assured him. “Actually, this is my favorite spot.” Charles sat with a satisfied nod. “How long have you been waiting?” “Not too long,” Mia said lightly. The Chief of Staff, standing nearby, bowed slightly. “She has actually been here for over an hour, sir. She was standing by the gate.” Charles’s expression shifted instantly. “What?” His voice carried a quiet authority. “And they didn’t let her in?” “They were just doing their job,” Mia interjected quickly. “It was an innocent mistake.” Charles exhaled through his mouth. “Who was on duty?” He turned to the Chief of Staff. “How could they
Late morning sun streamed through the cab window across Johnny Hansen’s face. His duffel bag sat on the seat beside him, his passport tucked into his hoodie pocket, and a boarding pass pulled up on his phone.The airport was minutes away. Just a few more turns, and he’d be out. Canada was calling—a fresh start, a clean slate.He scrolled absently through the web, then stopped. A news notification blinked at the top of his screen: Mia Cornell allegedly files a lawsuit against Zandawoo, followed by the assault video—that same video—still ripping through the internet like wildfire.His stomach churned. His mind slipped, without permission, into the past.**It was a few years ago, during his second year in college.It was Johnny’s party. Loud music blasted in the dimly lit, colorful space. The air smelled of weed and energy drinks. Red plastic cups clinked. People danced, and a mixture of cheap perfume and sweat hung in the air.And somewhere in the corner, near the wall of blinking LED
The smell hit him first—dust, hay, and dried sweat soaked into the wooden beams. Zac stepped into the poorly lit space, the creaking barn door closing behind him with a hollow thud.It was a secluded ranch, far from the city. Not marked on the map, or easy to locate. The kind of place where if you screamed, the echo would fade—and no one would ever hear you.A single bulb dangled from a rusty hook above, casting a sickly orange glow over the center of the barn.Below it, a man was seated in a worn-out chair, slumped but barely breathing.It was Brian.His wrists were bound, ankles tied to the legs of the chair, head low like he couldn’t lift it anymore.His face was swollen, bruised around the mouth and cheek. Blood crusted along one eyebrow. His breathing came in short bursts. Every inhale looked like it cost him something. Still, his eyes were wide open, darting around at the figures that stood in the shadows around him.Zac didn’t speak at first. He just stood there, arms folded, a
“Bella?” Angelo whispered, moving toward the entrance. I hope she did not come back to pick another fight. But as he reached the hallway, a familiar face appeared, nearly colliding into him.“Oh—Samantha!”She blinked, holding a small tote bag in one hand and her phone in the other.“Hey. Did I scare you?”Angelo let out a deep breath. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”Samantha stepped inside, her eyes scanning the place. “You guys look like you weren’t expecting me.”“We totally forgot,” Mia said, appearing behind him. “We didn’t hear a knock.”“Oh. The door was unlocked. I figured you were home. By the way, I saw Bella at the gate, actually—she looked… pretty mad.”Angelo and Mia exchanged a glance.“Is everything alright?” Samantha asked, looking between them. “I hope there’s no drama.”Mia folded her arms. “Nothing serious. Just… Bella being Bella.”Samantha gave a small, careful smile. “Okay. As long as it’s not an issue.”Silence hung for a beat. Angelo cleared his throat. “
Mia didn’t move. She relaxed on the couch, back straight, legs crossed, and her hands folded loosely in her lap. Bella continued, zeroing in like a missile. “What the fuck is she doing here?!”Angelo stepped in fast. “Hey—hey, Bella, whoa—chill.”But Bella shoved right past him. “No. Don’t ‘chill’ me. Is this what we’re doing now?” Her eyes blazed as she jabbed a manicured finger toward Mia. “I thought she was happily married.”Mia didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed level as she held herself together.“Hey, you!” Bella raised her voice, meeting Mia’s eyes. “Or is your husband suddenly not enough anymore? Or do you just have this… disease—jumping on every man who shows you attention?”“Bella,” Angelo warned, stepping forward again, blocking her path. “Please… don’t do this.”“Oh, I’m doing it,” she snapped. “She’s a goddamn married woman, sitting in your house like it’s a weekend getaway. What is this—some rehab retreat for junkies?”Mia rose slowly, intentional in every step. Her voice w
In less than no time, Zac reached the neighborhood.As he neared Samantha’s street, he didn’t turn in. Instead, he took the next street over, slowing the car and glancing at the rearview mirror.There were no tails behind him, so he pulled up beside a quiet corner house, parked under the shade of a leaning tree, and stepped out.The sun was bright and hot, and the air was full of city sounds, but the street was quiet.He pulled out his phone and made the call.A second later, a backyard gate creaked open. Samantha peeked out, her movements quick and quiet.She opened the gate fully when she saw him. “Zac,” she breathed. “Thank you so much for coming.”“What’s going on?” he asked, stepping inside the fence.“I don’t know how to get to my car,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I parked it right out front. I was about to leave… then I saw them swarming.”“Don’t worry,” Zac said. “We’ll use mine. I parked it down the block. Come with me. I’ll drive.”Samantha nodded and followed him.The
The following day, Zac arrived at Zandawoo Headquarters the moment business hours began. The elevator doors slid open, and he didn’t pause to speak to anyone—he headed to the executive floor.The receptionist barely had time to look up before he was already halfway across the lobby. His strides were long and determined. He didn’t wait for permission—he didn’t even think he needed it.He walked straight past the front desk, ignoring the assistants who tried to stop him. The hall was still quiet, not many people around yet, and that worked in his favor. The last thing he wanted was more drama—even though he was down for it.Jonathan’s office door wasn’t even shut all the way. Zac pushed it open and stepped inside.Jonathan looked up from his desk, startled. “Mr. Cornell,” he said, already rising to his feet. “I wasn’t expecting—”Zac kept moving until he reached the desk, his hands resting against the wood like a man there for war.“We need to talk,” he said through gritted teeth.Jonat
The tension in the beach house felt like it had a pulse of its own.Zac scoffed, stepping back. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What the fuck are you even saying?”“You know exactly what I’m saying,” Angelo didn’t flinch. “You dragged her into your world.”“My world?” Zac’s voice rose. “Wait—are you blaming me for this? For that video?”“Of course I have every right to blame you!” Angelo snapped, stepping closer. “Ever since you made her sign that damn contract, she hasn’t had a single moment of peace.”Zac’s expression twisted, his fists flexing at his sides. But Angelo didn’t stop.“She never wanted this life.” Angelo shrugged, spreading his arms. “And now—look at her—caught in this bullshit again.”“You know nothing, Angelo,” Zac retorted, his voice low. “I didn’t know things would be like this. I’ve always protected her, and I still will.”“Ha-ha-ha. How heroic,” Angelo replied, his tone taunting. “Because every time she needs you… you’re not there.”“Well, I’m here now.
By the time Angelo got to the tech corner behind the stage, Jonathan was already there—his face red with panic. He was yelling at the tech crew, who were hunched over a console blinking with error lights. “Take it down!” Jonathan barked. “Get the damn video off the screen! Now!” “We’re trying, sir!” one of the tech guys snapped, fingers flying over the keyboard. “It’s not responding—system error keeps flashing. It’s like a virus or something, an override! The damn thing won’t shut down!” Jonathan cursed, then stepped back with wild eyes. He grabbed a thick cord running to the display hub. He yanked at the wires, pulling one loose. A small spark flew, and the large screen in the main hall went dark. A collective gasp echoed from the hall, but the damage had already been done. An alarm started to wail in the distance—soft at first, then louder. Security teams moved in with accuracy, their earpieces crackling. VIP guests were already being ushered out a side exit, leaving the
It was the day of the product reveal.Mia was already dressed—flare black trousers, a tucked-in blouse, and her red Zandawoo lipstick perfectly set. Her face was bare but glowing, hair pulled into a sleek low ponytail.She moved around the condo with quiet focus, checking her bag again, even though she’d already packed everything twice.Zac sat at the kitchen island in his loose lounge pants and a white tee, sipping coffee with one hand, scrolling through emails with the other. He looked up when she walked past with her coat draped over her arm.“You’re leaving already?” he asked, brows pulling together.Mia paused at the door, her clutch in hand. “Yeah. The hotel’s closer to the venue. I just want to settle in there before everything kicks off.”“And Angelo?” Zac’s raised a brow.She gave a short nod. “He’ll pick me up from there.”Zac looked down at the coffee in his hand. “Right. Makes sense.”“See you around,” Mia said, offering a small smile. “And don’t be late.”“Wait,” he said