Evelyn's POVThe first thing I noticed was the sharp smell of antiseptic. My head felt heavy, and as I slowly opened my eyes, the blinding white ceiling greeted me. A dull ache throbbed in my temples. Where was I?I turned my head slowly, following the murmur of voices. Two figures stood nearby, their conversation animated. My throat felt dry, and when I tried to speak, only a weak groan escaped my lips. It must have caught their attention because one of them immediately rushed toward me. “Evelyn!” a voice called with tenderness and worry. I blinked hard, trying to recognize the figure as the voice sounded familiar. As my vision cleared, I saw Andrew's face close to mine, his eyes filled with concern. His hand found mine, warm and comforting. “Evelyn, how are you feeling?” Killian asked, stepping forward. “I-I’m not sure…” My voice cracked as I spoke. “Can you follow my finger?” Killian held up his hand and moved his finger side to side, observing my reaction. “Yes,” I croak
Phoebe's POVI was bone-tired when I stepped into the house, my limbs aching from the endless hours on the road. The faint scent of stale snacks greeted me as I entered the living room. There she was—my mother—lounging on the couch, half-focused on the television, a bowl of chips in her lap.She barely glanced at me before asking, “Why are you back so soon? Didn’t you say the modeling job would take a week?”I sighed heavily, dropping my bag by the door. “Is Uncle Philip around?” I asked instead, needing to buy myself a moment to gather my thoughts.Mom’s brow furrowed. “No. He went out. Why?”I heaved a sigh of relief. The last thing I needed was to face Uncle Philip and his probing questions. I wasn’t ready for his wrath, not when I’d lost the modeling job—the one lifeline we had.“Well?” Mom pressed. “What happened? And did you at least bring some money? Philip’s already complaining about the utility bill.”I let out another sigh, this one heavier, more resigned. “Mom,” I started,
Phoebe's POVI stared at her, standing up slowly from the slap. My cheek throbbed with pain, but what stung more was the confirmation of who she truly was ...a selfish, self- centered woman!A sarcastic laugh escaped my lips as I fixed my gaze on her. “Oh, did my words hurt your feelings, Mom?” I asked mockingly, my tone dripping with bitterness. Her face darkened, her anger flaring again. “Shut up, Phoebe!” she snapped. “I will not stand here and watch my own daughter talk to me like this. Have you no respect?” Before I could reply, a cold, calm voice from the doorway cut through the tension, startling us both. “Why wouldn’t she talk to you that way, Fiona, when it’s clear you didn’t raise her right?” Mom and I turned toward the door, our eyes widening in shock. Uncle Philip stood there, leaning slightly against the frame, his expression unreadable. Mom quickly recovered, drawing herself up. “Philip, this is none of your concern,” she said sharply. “Don’t interfere in matters
Sheila's POVDinner had been nothing short of perfect. The warm light of the resort’s restaurant bathed everything in a cozy glow, making the food and the atmosphere feel even more inviting. Mom looked content, and Simeon had a calm, genuine smile and a relaxed aura around him that was rare to see. It was almost easy to forget how chaotic life could be. “I’m really going to miss this,” Mom said, cutting into her steak. “Heading back tomorrow morning feels so sudden. I wish we could stay a bit longer.” She smiled wistfully, her eyes scanning the elegant surroundings. “Jeremy has been such a wonderful host, and the staff! They treated us like royalty.” I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. It wasn’t often that I saw her this lighthearted. This short trip really did a lot of good for all of us. “I have to admit, I had a wonderful time too,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “It’s been so long since I felt this… relaxed.” Turning to Simeon, I added with an appreciative sm
Simeon's POVMia grinned triumphantly as I high-fived her.“I told you this would work,” she said, leaning back into her chair with the air of someone who had just won a grand prize.“Not just work—it was genius,” I admitted, still reveling in the success of our little scheme to trick Sheila into going to the fiesta.Regardless of her age, Mia was one of the most intelligent women I had ever met. This plan had been her idea.“Sheila’s too stubborn to go if we just suggest it outright,” she’d said earlier. “Let’s bait her with a little challenge. She hates being predictable, so let's make her think she’s proving a point.”And she was right. Sheila’s reaction had gone exactly as Mia predicted.Mia reached out and tapped my hand gently. “Take good care of her tonight,” she said with a warm smile. “Don’t spend too much time outside, and make sure she comes back safe.”I nodded. “You have my word, Mia. I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.”Mia patted my hand again, her expression softe
Simeon's POV The man ran as if the devil himself were chasing him. He darted through the crowd, his movements swift but not fast enough to escape me. My shoes slammed against the pavement as I pushed myself harder, my breath steady despite the exertion. Ramon, one of my men, was a few steps behind, weaving effortlessly through the chaos of the bustling event. “Cut him off from the north exit!” I barked, pointing toward a narrow alley where the man was heading. Ramon nodded and veered left, disappearing into the maze of pathways. The man glanced back, his panicked expression confirming my suspicion: he was guilty of something. He wasn’t just some random guy with a camera. I chased him through the winding paths of the resort. The noise of the party faded, replaced by the sound of his running footsteps. He ran past a row of palm trees and jumped over a low garden fence, trying to climb a short wall near the pool area. Big mistake.With a burst of speed, I lunged forward and grab
Andrew's POV “The marketing rollout needs to be flawless,” I stated, fixing my gaze on the head of marketing. “Can we meet the first-quarter deadline without compromising quality?” “We’re on track,” he replied, shuffling through his notes. “Focus groups begin next week, and the team is already working on potential adjustments based on early feedback.” “What about legal?” I turned to the Director of Legal Affairs. “Have the clauses been thoroughly reviewed? We can’t afford any loopholes.” “Every clause has been analyzed, Mr. Walker,” she assured. “The contract protects us fully, even in the event of unforeseen delays.” “Operations?” I continued, my tone brisk. “Are we prepared for increased production demands once this launches?” “We’ve doubled our resources for the initial phase,” the Operations Manager said confidently. “Barring any last-minute disruptions, we’re ready.” “Excellent,” I said, glancing around the room. “This contract is pivotal to our growth. I expe
Simeon's POVThe people after Evelyn had taken Sheila. I had spent years trying to trace them, pulling every string I could. Each lead ended the same way—nowhere. These people were like ghosts, vanishing without a trace the moment you thought you had them. Now, Sheila was in their hands. The thought of it made my skin crawl. Mia’s tear-streaked face flashed in my mind, her anguished pleas for me to bring Sheila back when I had broken the sad news to her. I had promised her I would do everything I could to get Sheila back. But how? These ghosts had always stayed out of my reach. How was I supposed to find them now? Andrew’s voice broke into my thoughts. “I need to call Evelyn,” he said urgently. “If they have Sheila, I need to make sure she’s safe.” I watched him in silence, suppressing a wave of irritation. Evelyn’s safety mattered too, but right now, the trail to Sheila was growing colder by the second. While Andrew paced and dialed her number, I began contacting every resource
Phoebe’s POVThe men’s taunts and shoves suddenly stopped, replaced by an angry shout. "Turn off those damn bright lights!" one of them yelled.The harsh, blinding beam of a car’s headlights cut through the alley like a spotlight, and I had to squint against the glare. The three men cursed, stumbling back, clearly irritated."Hey, you! Get out of here with that light!" one of them yelled. I didn’t waste a second. With all the desperation I felt in my chest, I screamed, "Help! Please, help me!"The car’s headlights were so bright, I couldn’t see the driver at all—just the silhouette of someone sitting behind the wheel. The men looked at each other, muttering curses before taking a few steps back, clearly annoyed but not ready to give up.I could barely breathe in the tense silence, but I was just so relieved that they were backing off. It was a small victory, but it was enough to make me feel a flicker of hope. I had to get away—get to safety before they changed their minds.Then the c
Phoebe’s POV Carla’s face burned with rage as she stormed toward Rachel, grabbing her by the hair and yanking hard. “You think I wouldn’t find out? You’ve been sneaking around with my husband!” Rachel yelped, struggling to free herself. “You’re crazy! Let go of me, Carla! What the hell is wrong with you?!” The chaos erupted as other staff members tried to intervene. One of them, Lily, Rachael's best friend, stepped forward and slapped Carla hard across the face. “Enough, Carla! Stop acting like this is Rachel’s fault! Your husband doesn’t even love you—he’s only sticking around for the kids!” Carla froze for a moment, her face contorting with fury. “How dare you say that to me? He told you that crap? So, you've also been sleeping with my husband?!” she hissed before lunging at Lily. The room descended into utter chaos as Carla clawed at Rachel and then turned on Lily, who shoved her back. “Get off me, you fat pig!” Rachel shouted, pushing Carla away. The staff scrambled t
Phoebe’s POVI had barely taken a few steps when I slipped on the spilled water on the floor, losing my balance and crashing to the ground. The crash of the glass milkshake I was holding hitting the floor echoed like thunder. I stood frozen, staring at the mess. The thick, sticky liquid spread across the floor, and I could feel my heart sink.Who the hell had spilled water here?!“Phoebe!” My boss’s sharp voice cut through the air like a knife. He was fuming, his face red with frustration. “What the hell is wrong with you? How many times do I have to tell you to be careful?”I opened my mouth to apologize, but he was already shaking his head in disgust.“Get the mop and clean this up, now! I don't want to hear any of your silly excuses,” He ordered. His tone was harsher than usual, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.These past weeks had been nothing short of a nightmare. It felt like trouble followed me wherever I went. Just last week, I was blamed for serving a customer t
Sheila's POVI was in my room with Mom, carefully organizing the clothes Granny had recently bought for me. There were so many that I wondered when I would have the chance to wear them all. I kept telling her I had enough, but my sweet Granny wouldn't hear of it. "Sheila," Mom began, her voice gentle yet curious, "I've noticed Andrew dropping you off quite often lately. Are you two back together?" A warm blush immediately crept up my cheeks. I paused, folding a shirt, and then replied, "We're just taking things slowly, Mom. One step at a time." She looked at me with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I see," she said, her tone teasing. "Well, if you're really sure about giving Andrew another chance, then I give you my blessings." I felt a surge of happiness and gratitude. I walked over to her, enveloping her in a tight hug. "Thank you, Mom. You've always stood by me, and I can't express how much that means to me." She pulled back slightly, holding my hands i
Andrew's POVA few weeks had passed since the chaos surrounding Therese and everything else had settled. Alfred was back to work after being suspended for weeks without pay, and things with Sheila had been going progressively smoothly. I had been buried in work, the weight of the business constantly hanging over my head. As I sat in my office, typing away on my laptop, a sharp knock on the door interrupted my concentration. Before I could respond, the door swung open, and my parents entered. My secretary rushed in after them, looking flustered. It was obvious she had tried to stop them, but they were having none of it. "Andrew," my father called out, his tone already tinged with annoyance. My mother followed behind him, her expression unreadable but no less intense. My secretary stepped into my office and began to explain. "I... I apologize, Mr. Walker. They insisted on seeing you immediately," she said nervously. "They refused to wait for me to inform you before they barged i
Sheila's POVAs the plane touched down in the city, I felt a sense of relief mixed with anxiety. We were finally back, but the weight of everything that had happened still loomed over me. As soon as the plane’s door opened, the cold rush of air hit us, and I could see the flashing lights of police cars waiting on the tarmac. They were already here, prepared for whatever would unfold next. As we began to step off the plane, the sound of raised voices reached us. Turning around, I saw Andrew's guards holding Anna back, their grip firm as she struggled against them. "Please, I just need to talk to her!" Anna cried out desperately, her voice trembling. "I promise I don't mean any harm!"Andrew’s expression darkened as he stepped forward. “Take her away,” he ordered, his tone cold and unyielding. “I don’t want to see her again.” “No! Please, Mistress, just a moment! I need to say something to you,” Anna pleaded, her voice growing louder. Her tear-filled eyes met mine, and the despe
Sheila's POVI didn’t know where Andrew was taking me, but I could see how furious and upset he was. His mood was dark, and I could feel the weight of his emotions without him saying a word to me. I didn’t even ask. There was something about him that made me want to follow quietly, unsure how I was going to calm him down, and not wanting to make his mood worse. He led me to a secluded part of the plane, a small, well-decorated room that looked almost like a personal cabin. Before I could ask any questions, Andrew shut the door behind us. His eyes, filled with a storm of emotions, met mine for a brief moment before he suddenly pulled me into his arms. I froze, caught off guard by the suddenness of his embrace. He pressed his head against my shoulder, holding me tightly as though trying to find some comfort. We stood there for a few seconds, both unsure of what to do. Hesitantly, I began to pat his back, uncertain of how to respond. “They turned against me! I trusted them so muc
Andrew’s POV I was trying so hard to understand what I had just heard. Anna, the woman who had served me so faithfully all these years, had been hiding something this massive from me. How could Therese be Anna's daughter? I stared at her, disbelief flooding my veins. I hadn’t known Anna had a child, let alone one who was working in my mansion under false pretenses. “What’s going on, Anna?” I asked, my voice thick with anger and confusion. “How is it possible that your daughter has been working here without my knowledge?” Anna’s face twisted with a mix of guilt and fear, tears welling up in her eyes. She had never been one to break down easily, but this time, it was different. “She’s not really my daughter, Master,” Anna explained shakily, her voice quivering. “She’s my late twin sister’s child… I raised her as my own after my sister passed away. I’ve done everything I could to give her a good life, everything. I sent money whenever I could, supported her when she needed it. I
Andrew's POV“Double-check everything,” I instructed the housekeeper over the phone. “The villa needs to be ready when we arrive, and I want the staff there briefed. No room for error.” “Yes, Sir. Everything is confirmed,” the voice on the other end said. “Good,” I replied with a nod before hanging up. It had taken a lot of effort to organize this, but I knew it would definitely be worth it. I turned to Alfred. “Are the movement schedules finalized? And the cars we'll be using once we land?” He nodded. “Yes, Master. Everything has been arranged as per your instructions. Everything has been confirmed.” “Excellent,” I replied, leaning slightly against the window frame. I allowed myself a small smile, one of satisfaction. The truth was, I knew Sheila wouldn’t have come willingly if I had asked her outright. She would’ve found an excuse, some way to evade me. That’s why I had to take matters into my own hands. It wasn’t ideal, but it was necessary. Alfred tilted his head, ob