The Face of Revenge

Chapter 2: The Quiet EndElise's POVThe Laurent estate loomed as we stepped through its towering doors, but today, it felt colder—less like a home, more like a throne room awaiting judgment. "Don't let them get in your head," Damon said quietly, his hand resting at the small of my back. Warm, steady—but distant. I glanced up. "You mean your grandfather? Or your father?" He didn't answer. His jaw tightened as we passed the familiar portraits. Their painted eyes still tracked me like I didn't belong. In the sitting room, Henri Laurent, Chairman of Laurent Holdings, sat like a monarch on his leather armchair, newspaper poised like a prop. "Grandfather," Damon greeted, voice calm, but clipped. Henri lowered the paper, eyes scanning us like a hawk. "You're late." "We came straight from the office," said Damon. "Had to finalize the Q2 report." From the corner of the room, Charles Laurent, Vice Chairman of Laurent and Damon's father, stood with a glass of scotch in hand. His posture

Chapter 4: Terms of ReturnElise's POV"Still the same Crybaby," he said, like no time had passed at all. I spun around to face him fully now, heart stuttering in my chest. Adrian leaned casually against the nearest tree, hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, his hair even messier than I remembered. His grin was that familiar mix of mischief and trouble. "Adrian, what are you doing here?" I blurted, still half-convinced I was imagining him. "Why are you even home?" He smirked, the same lazy grin that made him look both harmless and dangerous. "Why? Is there something wrong with me being here?" I spluttered, caught off guard. "No—I just thought you were... you know, overseas. Doing something important." Adrian… Laurent—he's Damon's younger brother. He's the closest existence there is to the past I'm burying here today. He was sent abroad to work on a project and part of his training for the family business. If I remember correctly, the project focused on a new jasmine col

Chapter Six: Cracks in the FoundationElise's POVAdrian shot to his feet, the documents scattering from his lap like fallen leaves. "That's it," he snapped, pacing the living room like a storm in a glass box. "I'm going to rip the truth out of them myself."He was halfway to the door when I stumbled after him, grabbing his arm. "Wait—Adrian—no."Adrian jerked to a stop, glaring down at me, chest heaving. "They can't—" My voice cracked. I forced it steadier. "They can't have done this. It has to be some mistake. Someone's trying to ruin them."Adrian let out a short, humorless laugh, sharp as a blade. "Ruin them?" he spat, shaking his head like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Elise, they ruin themselves just fine."

Chapter 8: Threads in the DarkElise's POVAdrian slammed the door behind him, the bang echoing sharply through the apartment.  The teenager flinched, shrinking back against the wall like a trapped animal."Sit," Adrian ordered, voice razor-sharp.The boy didn't even hesitate. He stumbled to the couch and dropped onto the edge of it, his knees bouncing anxiously, his hands wringing the hem of his jacket.  I could hear him trembling — the faint rustle of fabric, the shaky hitch of his breath.I stayed frozen near the door, adrenaline roaring in my ears."Who sent you?" Adrian demanded, every syllable a low threat

Chapter Ten: The Weight of TruthElise's POVMateo hovered uncertainly by the door, his hands wringing the edge of his sweatshirt. He looked between us and the frail figure lying on the cot, like he wasn't sure how to start.Finally, he swallowed hard and said, "Grandpa... they're here."Ramon Cruz turned his head slowly, his watery gaze landing on us. The moment he saw Adrian—and then me—his whole body shuddered.Tears welled up in his eyes, spilling freely down his gaunt cheeks. "I never thought... I'd see you again," he whispered, voice cracking under the weight of grief.Mateo stepped closer to him, voice soft but firm. "Grandpa, this is Adrian Laurent. And Elise Ford."At o