LOGINOtto registered Gideon's presence. One glance at the suit, the business luggage, and his posture told him everything he needed to know.When he looked at Gideon, there was no warmth left in his eyes. Nothing remained of their old friendship. Something cold had settled there."I heard your family issued an industry-wide blacklist against Lucille." His words were measured. "Is this how your family treats a daughter-in-law who spent five years in your household and gave birth to your family's child? The Prescotts' standards of conduct are... truly educational."The anger beneath his calm tone was so tightly controlled that it was almost more unsettling because of it.Gideon's expression hardened. "Otto, answer my question first. When did you get this close to Lucille?"Otto's expression settled into what was almost a smile. "Much earlier than you might think. Earlier, in fact, than you."The words landed like a physical blow.Gideon's face went rigid. "That's not possible. You two
It was Lucille.She stood alone near the exit doors, one hand tucked into the pocket of a cream-colored trench coat. A white beret rested on her head, and she held a small bouquet of jasmine at her side.Lucille was as slight as ever and looked completely at ease, her makeup applied with the precision she had always considered standard.She was clearly there to meet someone.Gideon's was the last flight into Coasthaven tonight. She had to be here for him.Something surged in Gideon's chest. He forced it down, squared his shoulders, and walked toward her with an expression that was calm and unhurried.…Lucille was alone because Felix had received a call halfway through the drive and turned back for a family matter, leaving her to handle the meeting by herself.She was still thinking about what to say to Otto, rehearsing the conversation in her mind, when a tall, familiar figure emerged from the crowd and walked straight toward her.'Gideon?' She registered him with mild surpri
The call ended.'Looking forward to working with you.' Lucille turned the phrase over in her mind. She had no existing collaboration with Otto. They shared no projects and no clients. What exactly had he meant?The office door swung open, and Felix walked in wearing the biggest smile she had ever seen. "Lucille! I have incredible news. The studio's other major shareholder, my brother, is coming back to the country today."With you and him both here working together, Zibli River is going to become the top architectural design studio in the industry. No question."Lucille froze as the pieces fell into place.Felix had just said his brother was coming back. Moments earlier, Otto had said he was coming back.She was on her feet before the realization had fully formed. She stared at Felix in disbelief. "I understand now. Otto founded Zibli River Studio. You're his brother. So for the past five years, the person reviewing my design drafts and leaving comments was him. It was your broth
Daphne, Elaine, and Rayne stood frozen. No one had expected this. No one had imagined Lucille would go this far beyond every boundary they had ever set for her."Dad!" Daphne's composure shattered. "If we don't deal with this now, she's going to tear everything apart!"Lincoln snapped back to attention.He slammed a hand onto the armrest, his eyes turning cold and calculating. "Daphne. In addition to taking custody of the child, accuse her of stealing the Prescott Group's core confidential materials, specifically the Sage Tower architectural plans."Have her blacklisted across the entire industry. Freeze all her assets, and have the authorities bring her in for questioning."He was not finished. "Also, ruin her reputation. I want everyone in Coasthaven to know exactly what kind of daughter-in-law our family ended up with. Spread the word about her ingratitude and her complete lack of basic decency. Put it everywhere."Killing intent burned in his eyes, an expression he rarely sho
"Why would I come just because you told me to? Are you the King? What makes you think you can summon my daughter and me with a 20-minute deadline?"20 minutes? That's actually funny. What do you take me for? A delivery driver? Even when you order delivery, the bare minimum is common courtesy."Lucille was done tolerating every last bit of the Prescotts' self-importance. She had spent five years trapped in the haze of managing their egos, and she would never do it again.The speakerphone was on. In the Prescott mansion's living room, every word came through with perfect clarity.Lincoln's face went through several shades before settling into a dark, swollen red. The veins on his forehead bulged visibly."Lucille! I am your father-in-law! How dare you speak to me like this! You have absolutely no manners! What did your parents teach you? What kind of family raises someone so crude and disrespectful?"He was coughing now, his anger rising faster than his body could contain it.Befo
Rayne had been waiting for this moment. She pressed Play.Every word of the argument echoed through the room.By the time the recording ended, every face in the living room had gone pale.Lincoln's expression was the worst. It was dark and rigid, as though he were forcing himself to contain something on the verge of breaking free.He braced both hands on his knees and let out a long, heavy breath. "Gideon has always been hard and disciplined in the way he handles things. How has he become someone his own wife slaps whenever she feels like it, yet simply endures it?"Daphne's eyes narrowed. "Because he's been too soft on her. If he hadn't been, she never would have gotten this far."She turned to her father. "Dad, we need to act. We need to make Lucille understand she's gone too far."Lincoln's expression turned icy. "Get me Lucille's number. I'll call her myself. I want to see whether she'll show me the same disrespect."In five years of marriage, Lincoln had met Lucille only a
Lucille pressed a hand to her aching lower back. Her whole body trembled, but she smiled coldly.She took two steps forward, then collapsed. Darkness rushed up and swallowed everything.…Gideon took Rayne back to her room.Not long after, his mother, Elaine Greenfeld, arrived with a thermos of
Rayne's expression froze."What?" she shrieked. "Lucille, you're disgusting. Delete it. Delete it right now!"The weak, delicate act vanished at once.She lunged forward and grabbed for the phone in Lucille's hand. Her soft, pretty face twisted into something vicious and arrogant. "You can't beat
The moment Gideon opened his mouth, Lucille felt her heart drop straight into hell. "Gwen, stop trying to stir things up. Lucy is baby Connor's aunt. We're all family. If she can help, she should. There's extra milk anyway."'Baby Connor. He said the name with such easy intimacy, as if the boy were
After the examination, Lucille remained asleep.The doctor stood in the hospital room and explained her condition to Gwen. "The patient's body is severely depleted after childbirth. She has already suffered a major hemorrhage and undergone emergency treatment, so she is highly prone to hypoglycemia







