“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested,” Liam said bluntly, discomfort creeping into his tone. It wasn’t that he found her unattractive; she certainly had her charms. However, he wasn’t the type to get swept away by superficial allure. He preferred genuine connections over fleeting temptations, and something about this situation felt off.He had just rejected her? Selena was taken aback. She hadn’t expected rejection from Liam, especially after she had openly shown that she was very much interested in him. She had been so sure he would fall for her charms, after all she was looking stunning. Selena's expression went from surprise to clear disappointment. Feeling offended by his blunt rejection, her expression darkened. The warmth in her smile quickly disappeared, replaced by a sharp look of offense in her eyes. “Not interested? Really?” she scoffed, the playfulness that was in her tone earlier wasn't there any more, it was replaced with an iciness as she spoke. She stood up, her chair s
Her voice startled Liam, and he immediately turned to face her, irritation and surprise creeping into his voice. “Selena? What are you doing here?” ignoring her suggestions for fun, he pointed her towards the sign that showed males only near the door. “Are you lost? This is for males only!” “Shh, don’t be too loud. We wouldn’t want people to know we’re both here, would we?” She said, a sly smile playing on her lips as she attempted to touch her finger to his lips. However Liam didn't let her, as he instinctively moved out of her reach, annoyance flashing in his eyes.Glaring coldly at her, Liam said, “Are you out of your mind! I told you I’m not interested, Selena. Now, leave me alone.” He threatened her. But Selena took another step closer to him, her body language shifting to something more predatory. “Come on, Liam. Don’t be like that. You’re just playing hard to get,” she said in a purring tone, her eyes locking into his with an intensity that felt both enticing and dangerous.“
Liam’s stomach churned. The audacity of her claim left him momentarily speechless. His mind raced, struggling to comprehend how she could twist the situation so dramatically.Before he could fully process the impending disaster, the sound of footsteps thundered from outside. Selena’s cries had drawn attention, and in no time, a burst into the bathroom, alarm etched on their faces, their eyes darting between the two of them. Not even a second after the men entered, more people from the country club also arrived “What’s going on?” one of them demanded, taking in the scene with wide eyes. Selena stood there, fabric torn in her hands. She was the picture of a victim in distress, and Liam looked like the predator. Fake tears fell from Selena's eyes, and she played her role flawlessly, bringing out a mix of concern and aggression from the newcomers who all glared at Liam with disgust. “Help, please, he tried to take advantage of me!” Selena cried out, dropping to the floor. She sobbed, h
Liam was stunned as the country club security moved in, handcuffing him without so much as asking for his side of the story. There was no attempt to understand what had happened, no investigation, just swift action based on assumptions. The fact that they were in the men's bathroom didn’t seem to raise any suspicion. No one questioned why Selena was even there, in a place meant for men. That alone should have made them stop and think something wasn’t adding up.As they put the cuffs on him, for a moment, Liam considered resisting. It would have been easy for him to shake them off and leave. And no one would be able to stop him. But he stopped himself, knowing that fleeing would only worsen the situation. Instead, he allowed them to cuff him, the cold metal biting into his wrists, the weight of the injustice sinking in. His mind raced, trying to comprehend how everything had spiraled so quickly. He was being accused of something he hadn’t done, trapped in a scheme by someone desperate
“Did he physically harm you?” another journalist asked, her voice professional though her eyes gleamed with concern, leaning forward as if to capture every detail of Selena’s response. Selena’s expression saddened with perfect timing. Her voice quivered, playing the part of the frightened victim to perfection. “Yes,” she replied shakily. “I had to fight him off. He tried to push me down, and when I resisted… he hit me!” Her hand flew up to her face, gesturing toward the red mark on her cheek, a mark she had carefully crafted moments earlier, knowing it would evoke sympathy and paint her as the victim. But, the truth was far more sinister. No one had laid a hand on Selena, but she had learned how to manipulate her image well. Pressing her hand hard against her face before walking out into the crowd had left the perfect hint of redness, a fabricated wound to sell her story. As she pointed her finger to the red mark on her face, she said,“This is what he did to me,” she choked out, he
Meanwhile, upon arriving at the police station, Liam was escorted inside the police building. They still had handcuff on him. The two cops who had arrested him had no idea of his real identity, so they treated him like they would treat every other criminal.The fluorescent lights shined overhead, casting harsh shadows on the walls as they walked down a long corridor. Liam could hear the distant sounds of people talking, phones ringing, and the rustle of paper. It all felt surreal, like a scene from a movie, but he knew this wasn't a movie, it was his reality now.Inside the processing room, Liam was told to stand against a cold wall. The officer removed his handcuffs but kept a firm grip on his arm, ensuring he didn’t make any sudden moves. Another officer entered, casting a glance at Liam, his expression a mix of suspicion and curiosity.“First name?” the officer asked, jotting down notes on a clipboard.“Liam,” Liam replied in a composed tone, his posture relaxed despite the serious
Liam brushed the worrying thoughts away, assuring himself that his family trusted him, and they would never believe the things being said about him on the news over him, after all they were his family and they knew him better.After all the procedures were done, Liam was escorted down a narrow, dimly lit corridor and taken to a holding cell. The clanging of the metal door echoed as it swung open, and the officer gestured for him to step inside.The moment he stepped foot inside, he could feel how the room was cold and unwelcoming, a small bench against one wall and nothing else. The faint scent of disinfectant mixed with the dampness of the air. Liam entered without a word, his composed expression never leaving him. He knew there was nothing to be worried about, hence he wasn't worried. The door clanged shut behind him, the sound reverberating off the walls, leaving him alone in the sterile, claustrophobic space.He sat down, leaning back against the cold concrete wall, staring at the
Alvin remained silent at first, his prolonged pause causing Liam to wonder if he believed the stories circulating in the news.After a moment, Alvin finally broke the silence, his voice calm and professional. “Alright, let’s get this over with.” He didn’t acknowledge Liam directly, instead turning his focus to the officers.The officer, clearly recognizing who Alvin was, hesitated briefly before nodding. “Mr. Danvers, everything has been cleared. You’re free to go.”Luke, standing behind Megan, chimed in with a smirk. “Yeah, I dunno, maybe he should stay here longer. That orange jumpsuit might suit you. Maybe it’s your new look.”Liam shot Luke a look, but couldn’t help the small smirk tugging at his lips. “Glad to know you’re enjoying this.”Alvin, ignoring the banter, moved forward, leading the way out. “Let’s go.” more than ever it was confined to Liam that his dad was mad at him, judging by the way he was acting. He had barely spoken to him directly ever since they arrived. Well,
The next day.“Mr. Danvers, you're pushing yourself too hard," a gentle voice interrupted his thoughts. Liam blinked, turning to see a nurse regarding him with concern. "You need rest too, you know. Ms. Bennett is in good hands," she added kindly, her tone soft yet firm.Liam’s gaze shifted briefly to the nurse before returning to Elena's sleeping face. Her fragile state was a reminder of how dangerous the situation was. “I’m alright, thank you,” he replied, his voice calm but carrying a hint of finality. He offered a faint, polite smile, enough to ease the nurse’s concern without inviting further conversation.Liam leaned back slightly in his chair, his hands gripping the armrests. He also wanted to go home and get some rest. However he couldn't bring himself to leave Elena’s side. What if something goes wrong while he is away? He had to make sure she was alright, and Nathan didn't try anything.Nathan wasn’t done, not by a long shot. Even with the security stationed outside the hos
Liam watched Nathan, his jaw tightening as he watched his act unfold. The ease with which Nathan faked concern infuriated him. It wasn’t just the deception, it was the calculated way Nathan played on Elena’s trust. Liam’s instinct was to confront him and expose him immediately, to reveal the truth, but he knew better. Accusing her brother without evidence would only backfire; Elena would never believe him. They were enemies, so she would only see it as him trying to drive a wedge between her and her brother out of spite. No matter how genuine Liam’s intentions were, Elena’s trust in Nathan and her disdain for the Danvers family, would cloud her judgment. If Liam confronted her now, it would only deepen her mistrust and strengthen Nathan’s position. He needed proof; something undeniable that would shatter the illusion Nathan so carefully maintained. Until then, Liam could do nothing but wait and watch, even as the charade continued before his eyes. Good to see you're awake, Ms. Benn
Liam's head snapped toward Elena, as she stirred on the hospital bed, her eyelids fluttering as if she were struggling to open them fully. The faint rise and fall of her chest confirmed she was alive, but she looked weak and disoriented.“Elena?” Liam’s voice softened as he released Nathan abruptly, letting him drop to the floor. Nathan gasped for air, clutching his throat while glaring at Liam.Liam ignored him entirely, rushing to Elena’s bed side. He placed a hand on the bed's railing, leaning closer to get a better look at her face. “Elena, can you hear me?”Elena blinked slowly, her lips parting as she tried to speak, but her voice came out as a strained whisper. “L-Liam?”She sounded surprised, not only by Liam's presence, but because she found herself laying on a hospital bed. "What, happened?"“Yes, it’s me,” Liam said, his tone laced with relief. His gaze flicked briefly toward Nathan, who was still recovering on the floor but making no move toward Elena now. Returning his at
"Doctor, can I see her?" Nathan asked, his voice a carefully faked blend of concern and anxiety. He leaned forward slightly, as if eager to rush to Elena's side, but his eyes held a calculating glint, that showed his true feelings.He had no care for Elena, the only reason he wanted to see her was to make sure she wouldn't wake up. He was disappointed when he heard that she survived the car crash, even more disappointed when he tried to do it himself and he was almost caught.Dr. Grant, looking observant, paused for a moment, studying Nathan's face. He had seen countless worried family members in his years of practice and being a doctor, and something about Nathan's demeanor felt off. Even the way Nathan spoke and carried himself, it was all pretend. However, he couldn't deny a brother's request to see his sister, after all, he was just a doctor here and nothing else."Of course," Dr. Grant replied, stepping aside. "But she's still unconscious. I wouldn't expect ....""I understand,
Nathan was just as nervous, if not more than brad. "Hold on," he said, reaching for his phone, panic creeping into his voice. "Let me try and call for help."His fingers moved quickly, dialing a number with speed. The phone rang only once before someone answered."Hi, Mr Simpson, it's Nathan," he said, his voice tight with growing anxiety. As he began to realize what a dangerous situation he was in, panic began to set in. "I’m being chased. Need backup, now."After a brief exchange on the other end with Mr Simpson, Nathan hung up and leaned back in his seat, his eyes locked on the rearview mirror, watching the Danvers security vehicles closing in fast. Brad glanced at him nervously. "Are they going to be able to help? We’re running out of time."Nathan didn’t answer immediately, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the road ahead. "Yes. Just give them a few minutes. Simpson's men are close by."Some time later, they were still being pursued by Danvers security, unable to shake them. B
Liam stood frozen in the doorway, his breath caught in his throat as his gaze darted from the panick stricken doctors to Elena. She was lying on the bed, looking still and lifeless.The beeping of the heart monitor echoed in his ears, sharp and irregular. He had been gone for only a few minutes, but it felt like a lifetime. Something was terribly wrong already. What happened when he was gone? He didn't know, but he was very worried for Elena and his baby."Is she going to be okay?" Liam asked, his voice was barely above a whisper as he asked the doctors. His eyes searched their faces for an answer, but no one seemed willing to give. They were too focused on Elena.Doctor Grant, focused and calm despite the chaos, didn't look up as he adjusted the machines. "We're doing everything we can, Mr Danvers. I suggest you go outside sir."Liam's stomach twisted with anxiety. He felt like he shouldn't leave Elena and the baby’s side, but he knew the doctors needed space to work. Reluctantly, h
At the same time, Irene and Alvin Danvers arrived outside the hospital room, accompanied by Doctor Grant.The doctor Grant was telling them about Elena's health and the risks she could face on her way to recovery. He spoke calmly, his tone professional yet reassuring. “So far, there have been no complications. She should recover well.”Alvin Danvers voice was composed as usual, but laced with concern as he enquired“And the pregnancy? Is the baby going to be okay?”“Yes, we believe so,” Doctor Grant replied, nodding his head. “But even with all indications being positive, we can’t be completely sure there won’t be complications. It’s something we’ll need to monitor closely.”"That's such a relief, that she is better," Irene Danvers sighed, her tension slightly easing. As much as she and the Danvers family didn't like Elena, they were worried about her, because she was carrying, potentially the future heir to the Danvers empire. Irenes brows furrowed again as she asked, “What other ris
Slipping into the room, Nathan’s eyes were fixed on Elena with a cold, predatory intensity. Not even seeing her in the state that she was in, made him feel bad for her. It was a testament of how much hatred he had built up for her, ever since the betrayal.The door clicked shut softly behind him. As he approached the bed, his footsteps were slow and deliberate. His gaze roamed over her pale face. He stood by the bed, glaring down at her unconscious body. At first, his facial expression was casual, as if he were merely observing something boring. But then, suddenly, his demeanor shifted. His eyes softened, and his brow furrowed in an almost sorrowful way. The rapid change in his emotions was unusual and unsettling. It was as though two opposing emotions: cold detachment and remorse battled within him, each fighting for dominance. Well, Elena was someone whom he used to consider family, and loved so of course he was going to be feeling bad and guilty, but at the same time he hated h
Liam turned to look at Nathan. Their expressions were unreadable as the two men stared at each other. From the hostility in each other's eyes, it was clear they were enemies.Liam turned back around with a sigh. Although he disliked Nathan’s presence intensely, he decided to tolerate it for now. There were more pressing matters at hand than their mutual disdain.Nathan stepped further into the room, closing the door quietly behind him. His gaze lingered on Elena. And a storm of frustration was boiling beneath his calm facade. ‘How the fuck is she still alive?’ he thought bitterly. ‘Those bastards. Useless idiots. I should have done this myself instead of hiring some incompetent fools.’ The sight of Elena still breathing, although shallowly, was infuriating Nathan. All his carefully planned plans, the money he had spent, the risks taken now felt like it was a waste.But the wasted money was the least of Nathan's concerns right now.He feared that if Elena woke up, there was a very rea