The air around the abandoned car was thick with tension. Vanessa paced near the vehicle, her heels clicking against the asphalt with each step. She clutched one of her children’s backpacks tightly against her chest, her heart hammering harder with each second that passed. The world around her seemed muted, Diego’s low voice as he spoke into his phone, the faint hum of distant traffic, none of it fully registered.She was just thinking about the worst scenario her kids and Emily might be in. She should have done better! Sh shouldn't have let her enemies get to them First.Tears threatened to fall from her eyes but she held it in. This wasn't the time to cry. What if her parents or Xavier called now, what was she going to tell them? That she's been receiving threatening messages and now her kids and babysitter have gotten kidnapped and her house raided?It all sounded absurd. What would people think of her? An irresponsible mother, who couldn't keep her kids safe?Her mind raced with po
“So, tell me. What exactly happened?” Riccardo asked as soon as they stepped inside his house, his voice calm but firm.Vanessa sighed, running a hand through her hair as she tried to collect her thoughts. “It all started in my house earlier today. I got back and…” She stopped, her voice cracking slightly. “My house was turned upside down. Furniture was broken, drawers were empty, and...” She inhaled deeply, steadying herself. “I found this.”She held up Emily’s cracked phone. “It was in the car, and the car was empty. The kids and Emily… they’re gone.” Her voice trembled as she finished.Riccardo’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “Do you think you can help me find them?” she asked, desperation thick in her voice.“Yes,” Riccardo said firmly, giving her a small nod. “I’ll try my best.”Vanessa felt a flicker of relief but quickly tamped it down. “When I came in, you looked like you were heading out. Do you have somewhere important to be?”“I was,” Riccardo admitted, sitting on the
Vanessa stood silently as Riccardo worked, the sound of his fingers tapping the keyboard filling the quiet room. Her eyes wandered, taking in the sleek and organized space. It was very much like him, no clutter, no distractions. Everything had its place.“Got it,” Riccardo said finally, his voice breaking through her thoughts.She moved closer, her heartbeat quickening. “What did you find?”Riccardo turned the screen toward her, showing a map with a blinking red dot. “The car the suspects used has a tracker. It’s parked at a warehouse on the outskirts of the city.”“A warehouse?” Vanessa repeated, her stomach twisting.He nodded. “It’s in an isolated area, far from the main roads. It looks like they didn’t bother disabling the tracker, which might mean they weren’t expecting anyone to trace it.”Vanessa’s fingers clenched at her sides. “Then let’s go. We don’t have time to waste.”Riccardo shook his head. “We can’t just storm in blindly. We need a plan.”She glared at him, frustration
As Riccardo’s phone buzzed again, he glanced at the screen, then looked at Vanessa. "They’ve checked the warehouse. It’s clear. We can head inside."Vanessa gave a shaky nod, her hands clutching her purse tightly. Diego, fell into step beside her.The air was still, too still for Vanessa’s liking. The building was tucked away at the edge of town, surrounded by cracked pavement and overgrown grass. Riccardo’s team had already formed a perimeter, their sharp gazes scanning the surroundings. Vanessa’s heart pounded as she followed Riccardo inside.The warehouse smelled of grease and dust, and the faint whir of machinery hummed in the background. The dim lighting made it hard to see far, but Vanessa’s eyes scanned the open space, desperate for any sign of her children.“Where are they?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.“No sign of the main suspect,” one of Riccardo’s men said, his voice clipped.Vanessa froze. “What do you mean? The car is outside! They have to be here!”Riccardo
Vanessa stared at the crumpled note in Riccardo’s hand, her breathing shaky but steadying. She didn’t have time for fear or anger. Her kids were out there, scared.“We don’t have time for riddles,” Vanessa said, her voice firm. “Where are they?” She asked Riccardo.Riccardo slid the note into his pocket. “They’re nearby. They wouldn’t risk taking them far. Let’s move.” He said.The group hurried out of the abandoned building, the setting sun casting long shadows over the cracked pavement. Riccardo directed his men with clipped commands. Diego stayed close to Vanessa, offering her silent reassurance.One of Riccardo’s men jogged up, his boots crunching against the gravel. “Boss, there are fresh tire tracks leading to an old farm about two miles from here.” He informed.Vanessa didn’t hesitate. “Then that’s where we’re going.” She stated firmly.Riccardo glanced at her, his brow furrowed. “Stay close to me. No risks.”The drive to the farm felt like it stretched on forever. Every bump o
Vanessa tightened her grip on Ethan and Emma as Riccardo’s men restrained the last of the attackers. Her heart pounded, the chaos of the fight still fresh in her mind. She hadn’t wanted her children to see any of it. When the scuffle started, she’d crouched down and gently covered their eyes, whispering soft reassurances.“Don’t look, babies. Just keep your heads down,” she had murmured, her voice trembling.Now, with the fighting over, she allowed herself a deep breath. The barn smelled of hay and dust, the cool afternoon air filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls. Riccardo strode forward, his knuckles bloodied but his movements steady. His sharp gaze fixed on one of the restrained men.“Call the police,” Riccardo ordered one of his men.The man nodded and stepped outside, pulling out his phone.Vanessa turned her attention back to Ethan, Emma, and Emily. She knelt down, her hands trembling as she brushed their hair back. “Are you okay?”Ethan sniffled, his small hands clut
Vanessa slipped into the room across from where her kids were sleeping. The door clicked softly behind her as she leaned against it for a moment, letting out a shaky breath she had been holding in all day. The silence of the room felt heavy, but it was better than the chaos that had unfolded earlier.She moved to the bed, her legs feeling like they could give out at any moment. Sitting on the edge, Vanessa buried her face in her hands. The tears she had held back for so long finally came, spilling down her cheeks in uncontrollable waves.Her kids were safe now, that was all that mattered. But what if she hadn’t found them? The thought made her stomach twist painfully. If Riccardo and Diego hadn’t been there, if Emily hadn’t been so brave, what would she have done?Her mind spun with questions, each one heavier than the last. What if they had been hurt? She shuddered at the thought, her heart aching as images of what could have gone wrong flashed through her mind. She pressed her hands
Vanessa stayed by the window for a moment, watching the city come alive in the morning light. She could hear the faint sounds of cars and people outside, but in the room, it was peaceful. Her kids still slept soundly, their small bodies curled under the blankets.Emily sat at the small table, her hands wrapped around a glass of water. She looked calmer now, though the tiredness in her eyes hadn't fully faded. Vanessa walked over and sat across from her.“How are you feeling?” Vanessa asked gently.Emily gave her a small smile. “Better, I think. I was so scared yesterday, but... I’m glad everything worked out.”Vanessa reached across the table and squeezed Emily’s hand. “You were so brave, Emily. I don’t know how to thank you.”Emily shook her head, her cheeks flushing. “I just did what I had to. The twins mean so much to me. I couldn’t let anything happen to them.”Vanessa’s heart swelled at her words. “They’re lucky to have you.”Before Emily could respond, there was another knock at
Vanessa’s OfficeVanessa sat at her sleek glass desk, her fingers tapping softly against the keyboard of her laptop. The hum of the air conditioning filled the room, blending with the faint rustle of papers on her desk. The muted city sounds filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting long shadows across her pristine office. Despite the calm around her, Vanessa’s mind was anything but at ease.A sharp knock broke through the quiet. She paused, lifting her head as her dark eyes flickered toward the door.“Come in,” she called, her voice steady.The door creaked open, and Lily stepped inside, her beige blazer slightly wrinkled as if she had rushed up the stairs. Her usually bright demeanor was replaced by something more subdued, her expression careful.“What is it? Any news?” Vanessa asked, her voice clipped and to the point. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest as she studied her assistant’s face.“Yes,” Lily said, hesitating for a
LUCAS’S MANSION: LIVING ROOMLeila sat in the middle of the plush leather couch, her eyes fixed on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The headlines flashed in bold letters: ROYALS ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE CRIMES. The images accompanying the news showed Monica and Robert Royal being led out of their mansion in handcuffs. Their faces, once filled with arrogance and power, were now masks of shock and humiliation.Leila’s face was unreadable, her expression cold and distant. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers loosely intertwined, but her knuckles were slightly white from the pressure she didn’t realize she was applying. The faint hum of the air conditioning filled the silent room, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the events unfolding before her.She had expected this moment for a long time, and now that it was here, it brought her no joy. The Royals were getting what they deserved, but she knew this was just the beginning. The evidence leaked online was only a fraction of
ROYALS MANSIONMonica adjusted her blazer in front of the full-length mirror, her polished heels clicking against the marble floor as she paced the room. The quiet hum of the central air conditioning was the only sound as the grand clock on the wall ticked steadily. Her handbag rested on the arm of the plush leather couch, ready for the day ahead.She took a final look around the living room, the modern decor gleaming under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier. Everything about the Royals Mansion screamed wealth and status, from the white marble floors to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and turned toward her husband, Robert, who sat leisurely on the couch. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the glass table in front of him, untouched, as he scrolled through his tablet with a calm demeanor."I'm heading out now," she said, her voice carrying a hint of nervous energy. “Wish me luck for today.”R
VANESSA'S OFFICE : NINE A.MVanessa paced the length of her office, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she held her phone to her ear. Her reflection in the large window showed her furrowed brow and the way her fingers tugged at the hem of her blazer.“Lily, make sure everything is set up. I don’t want any surprises at this press conference,” Vanessa said sharply, the tension in her voice was unmistakable.“Understood, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily replied on the other end of the line. “The venue is ready, and the media has been briefed. You just need to arrive.”Vanessa let out a breath, nodding to herself. “Good. Thank you.” She ended the call and set the phone down on her desk.Emily, who had been sitting on the couch, looked up from her phone. “You okay?”Vanessa paused, her hands resting on the back of her chair. “Not really. This press conference could make or break the company. If I don’t handle this right, we’re done for.”Emily stood and walked over, her confidence
NEXT MORNINGThe shrill ringing of Vanessa’s phone jolted her awake. She groaned softly, rubbing her eyes as she tried to push herself up from the warm cocoon of her bed. Squinting at the screen, she noticed three missed calls from Lily.A quick glance at the clock on her nightstand confirmed it was just six a.m.“Why is Lily calling me so early?” she muttered, her voice heavy with sleep.She sat on the edge of her bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool tiled floor, and dialed Lily back. The phone barely rang twice before Lily picked up.“Good morning, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily greeted, though her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.“Morning, Lily. What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach.“Ms. Rodriguez, you need to check the trending news,” Lily said, her tone sounding more serious than usual.Vanessa frowned. “What news?” She asked calmly, trying to braze herself for whatever Lily had to say.“It’s all over the internet. I think it’s better you see
FEW MINUTES LATERVanessa grabbed her bag and cast one last glance at Riccardo. His face was unreadable, his dark eyes steady as he stood by the doorway."I'm leaving," she said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder."I’ll come back to pick Emily later," she added firmly."Sure," Riccardo replied, his voice calm and steady. "Stay safe."Vanessa gave a small nod, muttered, “I will,” and headed out the door.Outside, the cool evening air greeted her. Diego stood near the car, his posture straight as ever. The moment he saw her, he moved quickly to open the car door."Thank you," she said, stepping inside. The faint scent of leather filled the air as she settled into her seat.Diego climbed into the driver’s seat and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where’s Emily?" he asked."She’s staying at Riccardo’s for now. I’ll pick her up later," Vanessa replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked out the window.Diego nodded silently. After a moment, he asked, “Where to?”
Vanessa pushed open the door to the guest room. The bright overhead bulb illuminated the space, making the white walls appear even more pristine. She expected to see Emily fast asleep, curled up under the neatly folded comforter. Instead, Emily sat cross-legged on the bed, her phone in her hands, scrolling leisurely.Vanessa paused in the doorway, tilting her head. “Why did you say you needed a nap if you’re not even sleeping?”Emily looked up, a playful smile on her lips. “I realized you both needed to talk. So, I gave you privacy.”Vanessa blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her response. She stepped further into the room, closing the door gently behind her. “Wow,” she said after a moment. “That’s... unexpected.”Emily shrugged, setting her phone aside. “It wasn’t a big deal. You both looked like you had things to say.”Vanessa sat down at the edge of the bed, her movements slow as she processed Emily’s words. “Well, thank you. That was thoughtful of you.”“No problem.” Emily’s
Vanessa glanced around the house as Riccardo led Emily toward the living room. She had only been here once before, and that was under far different circumstances, desperate and frantic, begging him to help find her missing kids and Emily. The house still felt foreign, despite its warm lighting and elegant decor. The scent of polished wood and faint cologne lingered in the air, a reminder of Riccardo’s presence everywhere.She followed them into the spacious living room. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves, the shelves neatly filled, and a large painting hung above the stone fireplace. Vanessa took a hesitant seat on the soft gray couch, her posture stiff. Emily, on the other hand, settled in comfortably, running her fingers over the plush throw pillows.“Ms. Rodriguez, this house is so beautiful,” Emily said, turning her head to glance at Vanessa with wide, admiring eyes.“Yes, it is,” Vanessa replied simply, her gaze briefly flickering to Riccardo, who was pouring tea from a s
Two hours later, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she glanced at the time on her laptop screen. It had been a long day, and the weight of it was beginning to settle in. She was just about to shut her laptop when a soft knock came at her door."Ms. Rodriguez, are you done for today?" Emily’s voice came through as she peeked in.Vanessa glanced up with a small smile. "Yes, dear. I’m just about to wrap up."Before she could finish, the door opened wider, and Lily walked in with Emily now standing beside her, both carrying the faint energy of people eager to leave for the day. Vanessa clicked her laptop shut and rose from her swivel chair, picking up her jacket from the back of it. She took a moment to stretch, rolling her shoulders as she approached them.But as she moved, her mind drifted back to Riccardo. She’d been curt with him earlier, perhaps too curt. A twinge of guilt poked at her chest.Was I too harsh? she wondered. He had helped her find her children, a