บททั้งหมดของ The Twist of Fate : บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Two weeks after Ethan's defeat, William received an invitation to the annual New York Business Excellence Gala. It was the kind of event he would normally skip, but this year was different."We should go," Lucy said, reading the invitation over his shoulder. "Show everyone that Ashcroft Enterprises is back and stronger than ever.""Or we could stay home and avoid the vultures who'll want to gossip about everything we've been through," William countered."That's exactly why we need to go. Show them we're not hiding, not ashamed, not defeated." Lucy took the invitation from his hands. "Besides, I bought a dress three months ago that I never got to wear. It's stunning."William smiled despite himself. "When you put it that way."The truth was, Lucy had a point. They'd spent the past six months fighting for survival. First William's health, then the company. Now that the immediate threats were gone, they needed to reclaim their lives. Show the world they were still standing."Fine," Willi

The press conference was scheduled for nine AM, but reporters started gathering outside the courthouse at dawn. By the time Lucy and William arrived with Patricia Wei and Brad, there were at least fifty journalists, a dozen camera crews, and a crowd of curious onlookers.Lucy scanned the front row, looking for someone wearing red. She saw three people: an elderly man in a red tie, a young woman in a red blazer, and a middle-aged woman in a red dress. Any one of them could be their anonymous helper.Patricia stepped to the microphone first, establishing the legal framework. "My client, William Ashcroft, is here voluntarily to address recent allegations. He has not been charged with any crime. This is an opportunity for transparency and truth."Then William took the microphone. Lucy stood beside him, close enough to offer support but not so close as to seem like she was propping him up."Three years ago, I began moving company assets into offshore accounts," William said, his voice stea

Lucy bought three pregnancy tests on her way home. All three were positive.She sat on the bathroom floor, staring at the lines, her emotions a tangled mess. Joy. Terror. Wonder. Fear. She was going to have a baby. William's baby. The child they'd never discussed because they'd been too busy surviving.But someone knew. Someone was watching her closely enough to know before she did.The threatening text burned in her mind: "You're pregnant, aren't you? Soon, you'll understand why that matters."Why would her pregnancy matter to their enemies? What could they possibly gain from threatening an unborn child?Lucy heard William come home, his footsteps on the stairs. She quickly hid the pregnancy tests in her pocket and splashed water on her face."Lucy? You here?" William called."Bathroom. Be right out."She found William in the kitchen, going through mail. He looked tired but content, unaware of the threat hanging over them."How's your father?" he asked."Much better. Dr. Chen says he

William hired a team of six former Special Forces operatives within twenty-four hours of the shooting. Their leader was a woman named Rachel Stone, a former Marine with cold eyes and an impressive record."Your situation is complex," Rachel said, reviewing their case in William's study. "Multiple threats from multiple sources. Brad Cooper's location unknown. The shooters from yesterday were professional but sloppy. They wanted to scare you, not kill you.""What does that tell you?" William asked."Whoever's running this operation is conflicted. They want the company but they're not comfortable with murder. Yet." Rachel spread photos across the desk. "These are the men from yesterday. We pulled them from security footage. Recognize anyone?"Lucy and William studied the faces. All strangers."We're running them through databases now. Military, private security, criminal records. We'll find them." Rachel looked at Lucy. "Mrs. Ashcroft, I understand you're pregnant. That changes the secur

Amanda Reeves's arrest made headlines the next morning. "Pharmaceutical Executive Arrested for Conspiracy," "Gene Therapy Scandal Rocks Medical Community," "Ashcroft Family Targeted in Elaborate Extortion Scheme."Lucy watched the news coverage while William fielded calls from lawyers, investors, and reporters. The business world wanted answers. So did the police.Detective Morris came by their apartment mid-morning with updates."Dr. Chen is cooperating fully. She's given us detailed information about Amanda's operation, the illegal gene therapy trials, everything." Morris sat down heavily. "The DA is building a case that should put Amanda away for twenty years minimum.""What about the people who shot at us?" Lucy asked."Marcus Webb and David Chen are in custody. They're talking, trying to cut deals. Turns out they were just hired muscle. Didn't know the full scope of Amanda's plans." Morris pulled out a folder. "But there's something else you need to know. Something Dr. Chen told