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Chapter 106

Author: Johnel
last update publish date: 2026-02-11 15:14:13

CHAPTER 106

The next day dawned gray and heavy over Velmore, the kind of morning that pressed against the windows like a cold hand. Nikolai and Sandy had spent the night in the uncomfortable chairs of the neuro ICU waiting area, trading shifts so one of them was always near Tiana. By mid-morning, with her vitals stable and the subdural hematoma showing no progression on repeat imaging, Dr. Ramirez had finally ordered them home.

“Go,” she’d said firmly. “Shower, change. Eat something that isn’
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    CHAPTER 166 One Week After Sentencing - Toriaga Group Headquarters The boardroom on the sixtieth floor had been completely transformed since Nikolai's reign. Gone were the oppressive dark woods and imposing portraits of stern-faced Toriaga ancestors. Sandy had ordered a complete renovation. floor-to-ceiling windows now flooded the space with natural light, the furniture was modern and collaborative rather than intimidating, and the overall atmosphere felt more like a dynamic tech startup than a stuffy corporate empire. Today, the board had assembled for a historic vote. Sandy stood at the head of the table. Around the table sat twelve board members, a combination of longtime Toriaga Industries executives and new appointments Sandy had carefully vetted for their integrity and vision rather than their willingness to maintain the status quo. Tiana sat in the observer section, her pregnancy making the boardroom chairs increasingly uncomfortable at eight months along. Nikolai had want

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    Chapter 164 "And it's true that your father's will left the majority of his fortune in trust for her and your children?" Nikolai's expression became guarded. "That's correct." "So your wife benefited enormously from George's death and the timing of his will change. Doesn't that give her, and by extension you, motive to want Eva convicted of murder? To ensure she can't contest the will or make any claim to the estate?" "Objection!" Amanda was on her feet. "This is outrageous. Mr. Carlisle is suggesting the witness and his wife conspired to frame the defendant…" "I'm simply exploring potential bias," Carlisle said smoothly. "Approach," Judge Andersen ordered, and both lawyers went to sidebar for a heated whispered discussion Tiana couldn't hear but could easily imagine. Finally, they returned to their positions. "Objection sustained," the judge said. "Mr. Carlisle, you will not imply conspiracy without evidence to support such claims. Move on." Carlisle looked frustrated but nod

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    Chapter 163 Amanda pulled out a document. "Mr. Toriaga, I'm showing you what's been marked as Prosecution Exhibit 47. Can you identify this?" "It's the autopsy report on my father. The independent one my sister commissioned after his death." "And what did this autopsy reveal?" "That my father had been poisoned with thallium over an extended period. That his death wasn't natural but was caused by deliberate, repeated administration of a toxic substance." The jury was leaning forward now, attentive despite having heard versions of this information from medical experts. But hearing it from the victim's son carried different weight. "When did you first learn about this report?" Amanda asked. "My sister showed it to me about three months after my father's death. We met at a pier in Velmore, and she presented the evidence which included the toxicology results, the physical indicators of thallium poisoning, everything that proved Dad hadn't died naturally." "And what was your reactio

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    CHAPTER 162 Five Months Later - Velmore County Courthouse The media circus had been building for weeks. Every major news outlet had descended on Velmore for what they were calling "The Trial of the Decade". Eva Toriaga, a prominent socialite and matriarch of one of California's wealthiest families, is accused of poisoning her husband over the course of two months in a calculated plot to prevent him from changing his will. The courthouse steps were lined with reporters, their cameras and microphones forming a gauntlet that anyone entering the building had to navigate. Protesters held signs with some supporting Eva ("Innocent Until Proven Guilty!"), others demanding justice ("Justice for George!"). The whole spectacle felt obscene to Tiana, this reduction of George's murder to entertainment, to clickable headlines and cable news debates. But there was no avoiding it. The trial was happening, and Nikolai had to testify. Today. Tiana sat in the back of the town car, watching Nikol

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    CHAPTER 121 The front door burst open with the familiar bang of Pascal’s small hand against the door, followed by the quick patter of sneakers across the marble foyer. “I’m home!” he shouted, voice bright and full of the kind of energy only an eight-year-old could carry after a full day of school.

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-04-01
  • Tastes Like Damn Chocolate    Chapter 114

    CHAPTER 114 Tiana sat alone in the conservatory of the Toriaga residence. The wheelchair felt foreign beneath her. It was too rigid, and strange, even though Dr. Ramirez had promised it was temporary. Her left leg rested elevated on the footrest, the ankle-foot orthosis already fitted beneath

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    CHAPTER 111 He strode through the foyer, past the grand staircase, and pushed open the double doors to the private sitting room. Eva sat in her usual high-backed chair by the fire, a glass of scotch in her hand. Indy perched on the sofa opposite, twisting the diamond ring on her finger. Both wome

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    CHAPTER 110 Nikolai leaned close to Sandy, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper that barely carried over the steady beep of the monitors. Tiana lay still wondering where her life was headed. “Follow me,” he murmured, nodding toward the door. Sandy glanced once at Tiana, making sure she was okay

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