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
Annabella's father was a big man; his frame cast a long shadow well over Ginny and Raymond as he looked upon them darkly through the doorway.His eyes were narrowed, his face masked in malice.To either side of him stood two silent men; big, husky men whose presence was meant to intimidate."I'm here to discuss the wedding preparations," said Annabella's father firmly. "I assume everything is ready? When is Joshua going to marry my daughter?"Ginny's breath caught. She looked at Raymond unsure of how to respond, with her heart racing.Joshua was in a coma; how could they now possibly discuss wedding plans?Before Ginny could get a word out, Raymond stepped forward, his face hardened in defiance. "Joshua won't be marrying Annabella," he said coolly."Your family is toxic, and we don't want any part of it."It was as though a few degrees of coolness hit the room in just that instant.Annabella's father's face twisted up in anger, as he took one threatening step towards Raymond. "What did
Ginny sat on her bed alone, her mind in a tangled chaos.She hadn't meant for it to go this far, she hadn't meant it to get this deep, and yet here she was clutching at the sleeve of her sweatshirt as if it was to anchor her against the crackling electricity buzzing through her.She took a steadying breath and left her room, padding silently down the stairs, avoiding the spots that creaked.A few doors down, she paused outside the library door, her hand hovering over the handle.She wasn't sure if he'd be there, but something told her she'd find him in that familiar chair by the window.Inside, the room was dark, except for the faint light of a small lamp, which was casting long shadows across the bookshelves.And there he was, leaning back into a book, eyes dark, intense as he looked up. There was a moment when neither of them spoke."Ginny," he said then, his voice low. "It's late. Is everything alright?Ginny hesitated, then came closer, her step muffled by the thick carpet. "I… co
Back at the Prescott’s Mansion,Annabella's father, Harold Prescott, never raised his voice. But tonight, his words resounded through the grand foyer of their family's estate like a threat."I won't allow it, Annabella. This association with the Taylors ends tonight."Annabella rolled her eyes, hands on her hips as she faced him. "Father, you're being ridiculous. Joshua and I are engaged, and he needs me. Especially now."Engaged or not," he shot back, "the Taylors are nothing but trouble. Joshua's in a coma, and they're circling his inheritance like vultures. You think they'd hesitate to pull you into their mess, too?"Annabella's gaze hardened, her chin lifting defiantly. "Then maybe I'm one of the vultures, too."Harold's face fell, a mixture of anger and shock clouding his expression. "I don't know who you are anymore, Annabella.""You don't need to," she snapped, snatching her purse from the table. "But you will understand why I'm doing this. With or without your support."She pu
Ginny's heart raced as she slid through the darkened hall, her feet silent on the carpet. She moved softly, carefully, stopping every now and then to listen if there was any noise from upstairs.The house could have been a maze of secrets where its hallways held secret meetings and words.Raymond waited for her in the small sitting room hidden deep in the furthest wing of the mansion, a place few people entered.It was perfect to seclude them from the prying eye, one of those very few places outside the circle of Lucy's view.She stepped into the room to find him standing at the window, looking out as if lost in his thoughts."Raymond," she whispered, taking a step toward him.He turned and, as his eyes met hers, softened. In an instant, the tension she'd felt dissipated. She was safe here, with him.And in this quiet corner of the house, they could let down their guard, drop the masks they wore for everyone else."Ginny," he whispered, extending his hand to draw her close. "It's been
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