As they stepped out of the mansion, the cars were already lined up in front, waiting to take them to the airport. Brayden walked ahead, his cold demeanor evident in the sharp way he moved. Penelope followed behind with Anya, keeping her head down, still confused by his sudden change in behavior.The trip here had been different. She had sat beside Anya and Brayden, and though he wasn’t overly warm, he had at least acknowledged her presence. But now, it was as if he wanted nothing to do with her.Just as she reached the car, she was about to open the door to the back seat when Brayden’s voice stopped her.“Sit in the front.”Penelope froze, blinking in surprise.“What?” she asked, unsure if she had heard him correctly.Brayden didn’t even look at her. Instead, he turned to the bodyguard sitting in the front passenger seat. “Take another car.”The bodyguard hesitated for a second but then nodded and stepped out, heading toward the other vehicle.Penelope stood there, staring at Brayd
The black SUVs rolled to a smooth stop on the private tarmac, where Brayden’s jet was already prepared for takeoff. The jet’s sleek silver body gleamed under the airport lights, and the stairs were lowered, waiting for the passengers to board. A few airport staff stood nearby, ensuring everything was in order, while the air hostess stood at the entrance, a poised expression on her face.Inside the car, Penelope took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. She had expected the tension from the ride to ease once they reached the airport, but she quickly realized she had been too hopeful.Brayden stepped out first, lifting Anya into his arms as she giggled, excited about their flight back home. Penelope followed closely behind, already adjusting Anya’s little backpack on her shoulder, ready to board as usual.But the moment she reached the bottom of the stairs, the air hostess, a tall woman with sleek blonde hair and sharp eyes, stepped forward. Her lips curled into a polite yet
Inez stirred awake, her body aching with exhaustion. A dull pain throbbed at her side, a reminder of the mission she had completed earlier that day. It hadn’t been an easy one. She had pushed herself past her limits, and now her body was making her pay for it. Her limbs felt heavy, and her head pounded slightly as she blinked against the dim light of her room.She rarely allowed herself to rest this much. Normally, she was up before everyone else, ensuring that the mansion was running smoothly. But today was different. Today, her body had given her no choice but to slow down.The bullet wound which Mariana, her sister had helped her treat before she returned home, Hurts like hell.She couldn’t remember the last time she had sustained a bullet wound in a mission in many years.A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.“Inez?” A voice called from the other side. It was one of the younger maids, her tone hesitant but concerned.Inez
Darla arrived at the airport, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way toward the private arrivals section. Her heart swelled with satisfaction as she anticipated seeing Brayden again. Not because she had any deep affection for him, but because she relished her position in his life.Brayden was a man of power, and standing by his side was a privilege not everyone had. She had worked hard to secure her place, always ready to do whatever he needed. But lately, something had been bothering her—Penelope.Darla’s hands clenched slightly at the thought.Ever since Penelope entered the mansion, things had changed. Brayden was paying attention to someone who should have been insignificant. It didn’t sit right with Darla. And today, she was going to make sure Penelope knew exactly where she stood.The moment she spotted Brayden walking out with Anya by his side, a proud smirk formed on her lips.She straightened her posture, her fit
The cars pulled into the grand driveway of Brayden’s mansion, their tires crunching against the gravel. Outside, Inez stood with a few other maids and bodyguards, waiting to welcome them back. Though she tried to maintain her usual composure, there was a noticeable paleness to her face. She still wasn’t feeling well, but her sense of duty kept her standing there.As Brayden stepped out of the car, Anya immediately ran to Inez with a bright smile. “Inez! We’re back!”Inez forced a small smile, patting Anya’s head gently. “Welcome home, Miss Anya. I hope you had a good trip.”Brayden’s sharp eyes flickered over Inez, taking in her sickly appearance. He gave her a nod before saying, “See me in my study in a few minutes.”“Yes, Mr Giovanni,” Inez replied softly, bowing her head slightly.Meanwhile, Penelope climbed out of the car, dragging the luggage behind her. She barely had time to adjust her grip before Brayden walked past her as if she didn’t exist.
“Inez,” Penelope said softly, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Anya was looking for you. She wants to tell you about her trip.” She paused before adding, “I’m sorry if I interrupted anything. I didn’t mean to.” Inez gave her a small smile, sensing the awkwardness in her tone. “It’s no problem. Let’s go.” Without sparing another glance at Brayden, Inez stepped out, and Penelope followed close behind. Their footsteps echoed in the hallway as they walked away from the study Brayden stood stiffly in his study, his fingers tapping lightly against his desk as he listened to the fading sound of footsteps in the hallway. Inez and Penelope had walked away, their conversation drifting further and further from his reach. His jaw clenched. I need to get over her. This whole thing was getting ridiculous. The fact that Penelope had managed to get under his skin this much was unacceptable.
Brayden quickly composed himself, his grip on the door tightening. The moment he saw Penelope standing there, an unsettling wave of emotions surged through him—panic, irritation, and something he refused to acknowledge. But he wouldn’t let himself react. He refused to give her that satisfaction.Instead, he brought his phone back to his ear, pretending as though he was still on the call. A smirk played on his lips, and his tone turned low and teasing as he spoke into the phone, his eyes never leaving Penelope’s face.“Oh, really? You think I’m that charming?” he murmured, chuckling as if he were truly engaged in a flirtatious conversation. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to prove you right over dinner.”“Do you have an idea of what we should do after having such a romantic dinner?” He asked after a while of silence, acting as though someone was replying at the other end.“Since you don’t, then this is it. I’ve made reservations at a top notch hotel. After d
Brayden stood from his chair, adjusting his cufflinks as he glanced toward Inez. His expression was unreadable, his cold demeanor in full force. He cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone still lingering in the dining room.“Inez,” he said flatly, slipping his hands into his pockets, “I have a meeting later with Victoria, followed by dinner. There’s no need to prepare anything for me tonight, and no one should wait up.” His tone left no room for questions. Without sparing another glance, he turned on his heels and strode out of the dining room.He had purposely not referred to her as a client to Inez because he knew Penelope would be listening to his words.Penelope, who had been in the kitchen washing dishes, froze when she heard his words. Her fingers trembled slightly as she gripped a plate, her heart sinking in her chest. Victoria. Again.She had overheard his phone conversation earlier when she went to call him. She had seen the way he ha
Penelope stepped out of the cab, her heart still pounding from what she had overheard at Desmond’s house. The cool night breeze did little to calm her racing thoughts as she made her way toward the villa’s entrance.She had to tell Brayden.She hesitated at the door, gripping the cold handle. Part of her still burned with resentment toward him for how he had treated her earlier, but this wasn’t about her. This was about Anya. If those men went through with their plan, Anya would be in danger, and she couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t do something to stop it.Exhaling shakily, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.The house was quiet. The usual staff had already retreated for the night, and the dim lighting cast long shadows across the marble floor.She walked up the grand staircase, her fingers gripping the railing tightly as she debated her next move.Would he even believe her?Would he care?Her hands curled into fists as she
The room was suffocatingly dim, the only source of light coming from the flickering candles placed at the center of the worn wooden table. Shadows danced along the cracked walls, making the two cloaked figures sitting across from each other appear even more ominous.They had been waiting for the arrival of their third partner.The silence was thick, tense. Neither of them spoke, but the rhythmic tapping of one’s fingers against the wooden surface echoed softly in the space.Then, the heavy metal door groaned open, indicating someone was coming in.A figure stepped inside, dressed in a crisp black suit. Unlike the cloaked men, he wore no hood to conceal his identity, but his features remained shadowed in the dim lighting.His polished shoes barely made a sound as he strode forward, his movements exuding quiet confidence. He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek tablet, placing it in front of them before sliding it across the table.One of
Brayden’s piercing gray eyes swept over the group standing before him, his expression dark and unreadable. The tension in the air was suffocating, pressing down on everyone like an invisible weight. His fingers tapped against the side of his expensive watch as he exhaled sharply. “What happened?” His voice was quiet, but the dangerous edge beneath it sent a chill down Penelope’s spine. Darla stepped forward immediately, her posture straight and composed. “Don Giovanni, it was reckless on Penelope’s part,” she said smoothly, her tone carrying just the right amount of concern and authority. “She insisted that we step back and let Anya play freely, despite my objections. I warned her that it wasn’t safe, but she refused to listen. That’s how we lost sight of Anya.” Penelope’s eyes widened in shock. “That’s not true!” she blurted out, stepping forward. “I never ignored any warnings. I only—” Brayden lifted a hand, cutting her
Penelope’s heart pounded violently against her ribs as she sprinted through the park, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her voice was hoarse from screaming.“Anya!” she called, desperation clawing at her chest. “Anya, where are you?”The afternoon sun bathed the park in warm light, but to Penelope, everything felt cold and suffocating. Parents strolled with their children, unaware of the panic gripping her. Some cast curious glances, sensing the distress in her voice, but no one had seen a little girl wandering alone.Behind her, Darla and the other guards moved swiftly, searching every bench, every slide, every hidden corner.“Spread out!” Darla barked at the men, her sharp eyes scanning the playground. “Check near the fountain and behind the bushes. Someone had to see something!”Penelope’s hands trembled as she gripped her phone, hesitating for a moment before shoving it back into her pocket. Calling Brayden now wouldn’t do any good. She had to find Anya firs
Penelope sighed as she pulled the soft blanket over Anya’s small body, brushing a few strands of hair away from her peaceful face. The little girl had dozed off mid-sentence, exhausted from the morning’s activities. Penelope smiled faintly, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead before straightening up.She walked quietly out of the room, careful not to wake her, and stepped into the hallway where Darla stood, already waiting.“She’s ready for school,” Penelope said softly.Darla gave a curt nod and opened the door wider. Anya stirred, blinking sleepily as she saw the bodyguard. “Darla…” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.“It’s time to go, princess,” Darla said, her tone softer than usual.Anya yawned and stretched her little arms before slipping off the bed. Penelope helped her into her coat and adjusted the straps of her pink backpack.“I’ll see you when you get back, okay?” Penelope said, crouching to Anya’s level.Anya nodded before wrap
The morning sunlight filtered through the large windows of the dining room, casting a warm glow over the space. The sound of clinking cutlery and soft footsteps filled the air as the household staff moved about, ensuring that everything was in place for breakfast.Brayden sat at the head of the table, dressed in a crisp black suit, his expression unreadable as he scrolled through his phone while sipping his coffee. His plate was mostly untouched, the food before him barely registering in his mind. He had a long day ahead, and his thoughts were already occupied with business matters.The sound of small, hurried footsteps caught his attention. Looking up, he saw Anya running toward the dining area, her face bright with excitement. Behind her, Penelope followed at a more measured pace, her hair slightly tousled from sleep. She wore a simple dress, her features neutral as she realized who was seated at the table.Brayden’s eyes flickered to Penelope brief
Brayden stepped into his villa, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. The evening had been unnecessarily draining, filled with public appearances, staged moments, and the suffocating presence of Victoria Monroe. He had tolerated it all with his usual indifference, knowing full well what she was playing at, but he couldn’t let his irritation cloud his judgment.He loosened his tie as he walked through the quiet hallways, his footsteps silent against the polished marble floor. The house was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the security fixtures along the walls. He made his way toward Anya’s bedroom, his body instinctively guiding him there despite the late hour.Pushing the door open slightly, he peeked inside. The warm glow of the nightlight illuminated the room, casting soft shadows along the walls. His daughter lay curled up on her bed, her small body wrapped in the blankets, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. But
The evening had played out exactly the way Victoria planned.From the moment they arrived at the high-end restaurant, everything had been carefully arranged. The paparazzi had been stationed at strategic angles, capturing shots of them walking in together, exchanging subtle glances, and sharing what appeared to be a pleasant dinner. Every element screamed elegance and power—just as she wanted.The moment they stepped out of the restaurant, the flashing lights returned in full force. Reporters and photographers called out to them, asking questions about their relationship, speculating on the nature of their bond. Victoria smiled, clutching Brayden’s arm with just the right amount of intimacy.Brayden, however, remained impassive. His face betrayed no emotion as he led her through the chaos. He was used to this. His presence alone was enough to stir media frenzy, but tonight, the focus wasn’t just on him. It was on them.As they reached his car
Penelope woke up the next morning feeling drained. She had barely slept the night before, tossing and turning as thoughts of Brayden and Victoria clouded her mind. Even now, as she forced herself out of bed and went to freshen up, the memory of the news report still played in her head. The images of Brayden and Victoria looking so comfortable together, so intimate, were burned into her mind. But today, she wasn’t going to let it affect her. She had a job to do, and that was all that mattered. Taking a deep breath, she pulled on a simple but neat outfit and stepped out of her room. She was expecting Brayden to have already left for work by now, which would make it easier for her to avoid him. But when she descended the stairs and stepped into the dining area, her feet almost stopped in their tracks. He was there. Brayden sat at the dining table, dressed sharply as always in a crisp dark suit. He had a newspaper spread open in front of him, his focus on the articles as h