Ginny sat outside the hospital room, her arms wrapped around herself. Her phone buzzed on the seat next to her. It was Jane, her best friend, calling for the third time in a row. Ginny glanced at it but didn’t move to pick it up.“Are you going to get that?” Lucy asked, her voice soft as she sat down beside her daughter. The worry in her eyes mirrored Ginny's.“I can’t deal with it right now,” Ginny muttered, declining the call again.The phone buzzed again almost immediately, vibrating insistently. Ginny groaned, running her hands through her hair.“Just answer it, Ginny,” Lucy urged, giving her a slight nudge. “It might help to talk to someone. You can’t keep everything bottled up.”Ginny hesitated, but when the phone rang for the fifth time, she sighed and pressed the green button.“Hey, Jane,” Ginny answered, trying to keep her voice steady.“Oh, my God, Ginny! I’ve been calling like crazy! Are you okay? What’s going on?” Jane’s voice was frantic.“I’m… I’m fine. I’m at the hospit
The car screeched to a stop in front of the ice cream shop. Joshua barely waited for the vehicle to halt before he flung the door open and dashed out, his legs pumping toward the entrance.Once inside, his breath hitched as his eyes widened at the sight before him—a long line of customers, snaking around the counter and nearly out the door. There was no way he could wait for his turn in that.His mind raced, glancing around for an alternative. His gaze settled on a little girl, no older than six, happily licking her cone. Her face lit up with joy as she savored each taste. Joshua swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the ice cream in her tiny hands. He couldn’t afford to waste time waiting. He needed a way out—fast.Without thinking twice, Joshua approached the girl, crouching down to her level with a smile plastered on his face. “Hey there,” he began, his voice soft and friendly. “Do you know where they sell the really big ice creams? Bigger than yours?”The girl’s eyes lit up with curio
Raymond walked into the pharmacy, the faint scent of antiseptic hanging in the air. His eyes scanned the shelves as he approached the counter, trying not to appear too anxious.The pharmacist, a young woman with soft, golden-brown curls framing her delicate face, greeted him with a gentle smile.He handed her the prescription and watched her move with swift precision, collecting the necessary medication.As she handed him the small bag, their hands brushed briefly, and Raymond couldn't help but notice how strikingly beautiful she was.Her skin seemed to glow under the fluorescent lights, and he felt a strange sensation stirring within him. A wave of heat spread through his body, and for a brief moment, he found himself lost in thoughts of her.Shaking his head slightly, he sighed, trying to clear his mind. What the hell is wrong with me?He was just about to leave when something caught his attention—a small, unassuming box on the shelf behind the counter.The label was printed in bold
Joshua’s body jolted awake as something cold and wet splashed over him, drenching his clothes and sending a violent shiver down his spine.His eyes shot open, his breath coming out in sharp gasps as he tried to register what had just happened.A bucket, filled with freezing water had been dumped on him, and now he was lying soaked on the cold floor.Before he could move, a rough hand grabbed the collar of his shirt, yanking him up with a force that sent pain shooting through his muscles. Joshua groaned, blinking rapidly to clear his vision, and found himself face-to-face with the furious man from the ice cream shop, his eyes blazing with rage."You think you can steal from my daughter and just get away with it, huh?" the man snarled, his grip tightening around Joshua’s collar. "You're about to find out what happens to thieves."Joshua’s pulse raced, panic setting in as the man began dragging him across the floor, heading toward the door. The bodyguards loomed behind them, their faces
DISAPPEAREDLucy’s footsteps echoed ominously through the small bathroom as she neared the door. Panic seized Ginny, her heart hammering so loudly in her chest she was sure it would give them away.Raymond’s hands tightened around her waist as if he were preparing for the worst“Ginny?” Lucy called again, her voice filled with concern. She was getting closer.Ginny’s mind raced, her thoughts a tangled mess of fear and the lingering haze of arousal. If Lucy walked in now, everything would be ruined.She pushed against Raymond’s chest, her body trembling, but he shook his head, signaling her to stay quiet.They stood motionless, their breaths held in tight, terrified silence. The sound of Lucy’s footsteps stopped right outside the door, the small gap beneath the stall door doing nothing to shield them from the impending disaster.Ginny squeezed her eyes shut, praying Lucy wouldn’t open the door, praying she’d turn and leave. The heat from Raymond’s body against her made it hard to think
Ginny stood frozen in place, her mind racing, but she couldn’t seem to make her body move. The image of Joshua’s empty hospital bed burned into her thoughts.Her hands trembled, and she had to fight to keep her tears at bay. Lucy was still beside her, in shock, her sobs breaking through the silence of the hall.Raymond placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder, “We’ll find him. Don’t worry. We’ll search everywhere. You stay here and check the hospital. We’ll look outside.”Lucy shook her head, her words coming out in a panicked rush, “But where could he have gone? What if something happened to him? He’s so fragile...he could barely stand...he..."“We’ll find him,” Ginny cut in, taking her mother’s hands. “You search the hospital, and we’ll go outside, okay? We’ll bring him back.”Lucy’s tear-filled eyes searched her daughter’s face, a mother’s worst fear written in every line of her expression. After a moment, she nodded. “Okay. Okay... I’ll check here.”Without wasting a second, Raymond made
Ginny sat on the cold ground, cradling Joshua in her arms, her heart hammering against her chest as panic surged through her.His body was unresponsive, and every second that passed felt like a lifetime. She gently shook him, her voice trembling with desperation.“Joshua! Please, wake up. Please...” she whispered, her tears falling freely, streaking down her cheeks and dripping onto his shirt. “You have to wake up. You can’t leave us like this...”His head lolled to the side, eyes half-closed, and for a moment, Ginny felt as though her entire world was collapsing.Her mind raced. What could’ve happened? Why had Annabella’s father called him? None of it made any sense, and now, Joshua was lying in her arms, barely hanging on.She fumbled for her phone with her free hand, dialing Raymond’s number with shaky fingers. Her breath came in short gasps, her voice a broken sob when he finally answered.“Raymond, I... I found him. He’s unconscious. I’m at the ice cream shop near Annabella’s hou
The doctor came out from the hospital looking so grim. Lucy, Ginny, and Raymond stood frozen, hearts pounding, as he approached.Ginny held her mother's arm tight; silent prayers for good news echoed in her heart.He cleared his throat. "After much analysis, administering of treatment, and trying to stabilize him back to life, we've found that he has internal bleeding in his backbone."Lucy and Ginny's heart skipped a beat."But thanks to the fact you brought him early, we were able to prevent him from being paralyzed" Ginny heaved a sigh of relief." Does that mean he's fine?" Lucy asked hoping he had say yes. Her heart was beating so fast, fear pumping through her veins"I'm afraid not. Joshua has slipped into a coma."These words fell upon them like a ton of bricks, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop spinning.Lucy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth as she shook her head in horror."No, no, this can't be happening," Lucy whispered low, her legs giving way as she collapsed
The room was suffocating, filled with the sharp tang of fear and the heavy sound of panting breaths. Ginny’s heart pounded as Lucy’s men spread out, eyes sharp and muscles tensed.Annabella leaned against the cool stone wall, holding the book of accounts as if it was her ticket to life. Joshua, on the other side, has his jaw clenched, fists too tightly bunched at his sides."You actually thought that you could outsmart me?" Lucy's voice sliced through. There was an undercurrent in her voice: humor laced with rage. She did another step and, by that light, her eyes sparkled menace. "You have underestimated me once too often."Standing her ground and her eyes fixed on Lucy, Ginny said, "We aren't afraid of you anymore, Lucy. The truth's out, and it is only a matter of time before the board sees it.Lucy's lips curled into a smile, but it was anything but friendly. "The boa"rd? Oh, darling, you don't think I'm worried about the board, do you?"She turned to one of her men, nodding sharply
The early morning air was sharp and cool as Ginny stood on the balcony of her room, staring out at the sprawling estate below.It was the calm before the storm, that silence that always heralds the expectation of an up-and-coming battle.Two days had gone by since they had met with the investigator, and their plan had begun its motion. Her testimony to the embezzlement of Lucy into papers, with the damning link to Victor Kane, had all been set in place.She had learned to make the most of moments like this; when the quiet seemed to cradle her in its fragile, uncertain peace. She knew it wouldn't last. The board meeting loomed ahead, and with it, Lucy's inevitable counterattack."Morning." Annabella's voice snapped her from her thoughts. She stepped onto the balcony, joining Ginny with a determined expression."Morning," Ginny said, offering her a small smile. "Are you ready?"Annabella glanced over at her, the light in her eyes unwavering. "As I'll ever be. We've come this far, and no
“You’re playing with fire, Ginny,” Joshua warned, his voice low as he leaned against the doorframe of her room.She sat at her desk, staring at the documents strewn all over the front of it. Margaret's testimony and the board's decision to sideline Lucy had been a monumental win, but it was a hollow victory. The air in the mansion still felt charged, like Lucy's fury had soaked into its walls.“She’s lost control of the board,” Ginny said, her tone resolute. “She knows she’s slipping, and that makes her more dangerous. But we’re not backing down now.”Joshua shook his head, his expression grim. “You don’t get it. Lucy’s not the type to slink away into obscurity. She’s the kind who burns everything to the ground if she can’t have it.”“Then we’ll douse her fire before she starts it,” Ginny replied sharply.Before Joshua could argue, a knock on the door interrupted them. Annabella stepped in, her face pale but determined.“We have a problem,” she said, holding up her phone.Ginny’s sto
“You can’t let her win, Ginny,” Annabella said sharply, leaning closer. “This is our moment. If we falter even for a second, she’ll dismantle everything we’ve worked for.”Ginny's fingers shook slightly as she flipped through the stack of documents before her, seated in the back of the car, parked a short distance from the boardroom where the meeting was about to take place. Joshua sat beside her, his expression unreadable as he stared out the window."I know," Ginny said finally, her voice low. "But this isn't just about facts and evidence, Annabella. It's about perception. Lucy's a master at twisting the narrative to suit her. Even with everything we have, she'll find a way to cast doubt if we're not careful."Joshua turned to her, his voice surprisingly steely. "That's why you need to stay calm. Let her think she's in control, and then hit her where it hurts."Anabella smirked. "That's what I've been saying all along."She exhaled slowly, and the nerves were forced to settle in. Th
“You’re going to get yourself killed,” Ginny hissed, gripping Annabella’s arm tightly. “This isn’t just some game of cat and mouse, Annabella. This is Lucy. She’ll tear you apart if you make the wrong move.”Annabella wrenched her arm free, her face sharp and defiant. "Then it's a good thing I don't plan on making a wrong move."Joshua, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, let out a long sigh. "Ginny's right. This is reckless, even for you. Confronting Lucy directly? You might as well hand her a loaded gun.Annabella rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. “We can’t keep waiting for the perfect moment. We’ve got the evidence, Margaret’s testimony is locked in, and Lucy’s scrambling to keep control. This is the time to press her, not sit around hoping she doesn’t retaliate first.”Ginny leaned in, lowering her voice. "And just how do you plan on doing that? Walk in and just accuse her? She'll twist everything you say and bury you before you know what's hit you."A sl
The mansion buzzed with tension. Staff whispered in corners, their eyes darting nervously as they went about their duties.The front-page article had thrown the household into disarray, and Lucy's fury reverberated down every corridor.Ginny sat in her room with Annabella and Joshua, the stolen files and copies of the article spread out before them like battle plans."She's going to retaliate," Annabella said, her voice tight with urgency. "That article was a nuclear strike, and Lucy isn't the type to surrender quietly.Ginny nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of a document. "We've drawn her out of the shadows. Now we need to be ready for whatever she throws at us."Joshua, who had been uncharacteristically silent, spoke up. "I found something," he said, his voice low. "Last night, after Lucy called her allies, I checked the study. She left a folder open on her desk."Ginny's eyes narrowed. "What kind of folder?”Joshua wavered, glancing between them. "It was correspondence; letters
The next morning dawned overcast, as though the world itself mirrored the tension within the mansion.Ginny woke early, her mind still swirling with the revelations from the night before.They sat in the locked drawer of her desk, a comfort and a threat all at once. She hadn't slept too well; the enormity of what they were about to do weighed heavily upon her.Annabella came into her room at precisely seven, with a mug of steaming coffee in her hand and a glint in her eye. "We need a plan," she said without beating around the bush. "Lucy's not going to stay idle for long. She'll know something's off soon."Ginny nodded, taking the coffee gratefully. "We take the evidence to the board before she has a chance to spin her lies. We have the will, the financial records, everything. But we really have to tread carefully. If she gets even a hint of this...""She'll go nuclear," Annabella finished grimly. "Which means we need to move fast.As though called out by the saying of her name, Lucy'
The estate’s library smelled of aged leather and polished wood, a comforting yet foreboding scent that Ginny could no longer separate from her mounting anxiety.She sat at one of the long tables, surrounded by stacks of old legal documents, their edges frayed from years of handling.Annabella sat across from her, flipping through another bound volume, her brow furrowed in concentration."I still don't understand how she managed to rewrite his will," Annabella muttered, slamming her book shut in frustration. "There has to be something in here we can use."Ginny said nothing at first. She had been stuck on a page in the old draft of Raymond's will when suddenly her heart was racing wildly as one sentence leaped out at her."Annabella," she said quietly but urgently. "Look at this."Annabella leaned forward. Her eyes scanned the passage that Ginny pointed to. "What am I looking at?"It's a clause," Ginny said, her voice shaking with excitement. "It prevents the estate from unilateral con
The impending board meeting loomed like a thunderstorm on the horizon, its threat palpable. Ginny found herself in a restless daze, oscillating between hope and dread.She had hardly slept, her nights plagued by the specter of defeat. But something far more insidious gnawed at her gut-the flickers of recognition she glimpsed in Raymond's eyes.He was remembering, piecemeal and painfully, and the implications hung over her like a physical weight.This morning was no different. Outside her window, the sky was a mass of grey, diffused sunlight struggling to break its way through heavy clouds. At her desk, she sat flipping through Annabella's notes, though her mind struggled to focus. A soft knock on the door startled her out of her reverie."Come in," she called, her voice hoarse from disuse.The door creaked open, and Raymond stepped inside. His presence filled the room, his tall frame and broad shoulders exuding a quiet strength that still managed to unnerve her.“Ginny,” he said, his