LOGINHundreds of miles away, Troy’s phone vibrated. He smiled the moment he saw the sender, it was his sister. He noticed she had sent a message and also an email.“Finally” He opened the message but it was only a short message.[I want you to go to DC Technologies. Show this email to the CEO. Do not open it.]His smile disappeared. This wasn’t like Claire, the message felt rushed and desperate.He immediately called her. The phone rang once, an automated voice answered.“The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off.”He frowned. He dialed again and again but still got the same response.His grip tightened around the phone. Their last conversation replayed inside his mind, Claire’s trembling voice.The way she kept insisting everything would be alright, something was not right.Without wasting another second, he grabbed his backpack and rushed out.Nearly thirty minutes later, the taxi stopped before the enormous building of DC Technologies.Troy slowly stepped out, his hea
The black sedan moved smoothly through the city streets.Claire sat quietly in the back seat beside her younger brother, neither of them spoke. Her mind was filled with questions.Who exactly had sent for her?Where were they going?Why had someone with enough influence to secure her release wanted to meet her?The silence was finally broken by her brother.His eyes widened as he looked through the tinted window. “Sis…”Claire turned. “What is it?”He pointed ahead with trembling fingers. “I know this place.”Claire followed his gaze.A towering skyscraper came into view, its glass exterior reflecting the afternoon sunlight.At the very top of the building gleamed bold silver letters. ‘DC Technologies’Troy’s mouth slowly fell open. “This … ” He looked at Claire. “ This is the building I came to two days ago.”Claire’s heartbeat quickened before she could ask another question, the sedan slowed into the underground parking garage.The security barrier was lifted automatically. The guard
Earlier, while Agent Hayes had left with the arrest team to apprehend Edward Sterling.Claire sat alone inside the Interrogation Room. She leaned back against the chair and let out a long, exhausted sigh.The events of the day replayed over and over in her mind. Only hours ago, she had believed her life was over. She had accepted that she would go to prison for crimes she had never committed.Yet everything had changed in the blink of an eye. She still couldn’t believe it.The press conference. Edward’s mask finally falling before the entire nation and him collapsing on the stage.For the first time in days, Claire felt as though she could breathe again.The door opened. Agent Hayes’ partner, Agent Spencer, stepped inside carrying a transparent evidence bag.Inside was her cellphone.“As instructed by Agent Hayes,” Spencer said, placing the bag on the table. “You may make one phone call.”Claire managed a grateful smile. “Thank you.”Spencer opened the evidence bag and handed her the
The vehicles pulled into the underground parking garage of the Financial Crimes Division Headquarters.Edward was escorted out of the vehicle, his hands still restrained in front of him.The flashes of cameras from outside were gone, the silence inside the headquarters felt far more intimidating.Two agents led him down a long corridor before stopping outside an interrogation room. The metal door swung open.“Please have a seat.”Edward sat down without saying a word.Moments later, Agent Daniel Hayes entered carrying a thick case file. He placed it on the table before taking his seat. The digital recorder was switched on.“For the record, state your full name.”Edward leaned back in his chair.When he didn’t get any response. Agent Hayes continued anyway. “You are Edward Sterling, Chief Executive Officer of JH Industries, correct?”Edward stared at the wall, he still kept quiet. His pride didn’t allow utter a word, he had refused to believe his current situation.Hayes opened the fil
Edward had been rushed to the hospital because of the way he fell at the stage. His lawyer had left to have a meeting with the other laywers. Celeste sat beside the bed. George had already cleaned the make up that had made him look sick. He looked at his father lying on the bed. George looked pissed. “Dad, you can open your eyes, we are alone. The reporters are not here.”Celeste glared at him. “Will you stop what you are doing! Your dad is going through a lot.”“Mum, do you really believe that dad fainted? That man is calculative, I am sure he can hear us perfectly.”As though Edward heard what George had said. He opened his eyes.“You are finally awake. I was so worried when you fell” Edward sat up, Celeste helped by putting a pillow behind his back for him to sit up well. “Is that how you speak of your father?” Edward shot George a disdaining look.“Honey, you should take it easy”Edward ignored Celeste’s warnings, she had tried to stop the fight between her son and her husband bu
Amidst the chaos that had occurred at JH Industries, Agent Hayes knew he needed to get Claire out before the situation spiraled even further.“Move.”The two officers immediately covered Claire. Hayes and his partner escorted her through a side exit away from the conference hall.Behind them, reporters continued shouting while camera crews scrambled after the ambulance carrying Edward.The moment they stepped outside, they realized escaping the media would not be so easy. An army of reporters had gathered outside the building.The instant they spotted Claire and the Financial Crimes Division officers, they rushed forward.Microphones were shoved into Hayes’ face, camera flashes exploded.“Agent Hayes!”“Agent Hayes!”“Is Claire Montez being released?”“Will all charges against her be dropped?”“Was she falsely accused?”“Did the Financial Crimes Division almost send an innocent woman to prison?”“What actions will be taken against Edward Sterling?”“Has a warrant been issued for his a
Across the city, in the elegant Carrington family estate where Damien had grown up, chaos was already brewing.Amira Carrington sat on the couch, her phone glued to her hand as her long fingers scrolled endlessly.She was halfway through her morning coffee when a video started playing on her social
Elena was greatly astonished, as she looked around she saw a fountain that danced in the circular driveway, water cascading over smooth stones. The building itself seemed to go on forever, wings extending in both directions from the main entrance."Oh my God," Elena whispered."The Carrington estat
The name still sounded strange, but Elena was beginning to accept it. For one year, she would be Mrs. Carrington. She would live in this man’s home, care for his son, and play the role of his wife.Damien leaned forward, pressing the intercom button. “Drive”, he commanded the driver."Wait!" Elena
Elena stood in the middle of her small apartment. It felt strangely quiet, almost hollow, as if it already knew she was leaving. This was the place she had once called home. She had rented it temporarily, promising George they'd buy a proper house after the wedding. Their house, he had called it,







