The weight of Chief Raphael's words hung heavily in the air, a somber silence enveloping the room. Max and Lark exchanged a knowing glance, their minds racing wi
Rose's heart raced as she stepped into Sebastian's room, uncertain of what she might discover. Her mind was filled with a mix of emotions—curiosity, fear, and a lingering sadness that she couldn't shake off. She knew that going through his personal space might feel invasive, but she couldn't resist the urge to understand the man she once felt she knew so well.As she searched the room, gently opening drawers and looking through shelves, she tried to keep her emotions in check. Memories of happier times flooded her mind, reminding her of the closeness they once shared. But those memories were now clouded by the events that had led to their estrangement.Feeling a mix of fear and determination, Rose moved closer to the bed, where she noticed a button slightly hidden beneath the edge of the mattress. Instinctively, she pressed it, not knowing what to expec
As the day drew to a close at the police station, Max couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his gut. The connection between Mr. Wayne, Ivy, and Rose played on his mind like a haunting melody. He knew that something wasn't right, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.Chief Raphael had asked them to continue the investigation the next day, and Max was grateful for the chance to delve deeper into the case. He couldn't rest until he had uncovered the truth behind Ivy's murder and the secrets that seemed to tie her, Rose, and Mr. Wayne together.As the other officers went their separate ways, Max noticed that Lark left before him, seemingly deep in thought. He wondered if Lark was also wrestling with the complexities of the case.Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Max walked towards his car. He opened the do
What are you looking for?" Sebastian asked again, his voice cool and distant, as if he hadn't heard a word of Rose's explanation.Rose felt a pang of frustration but kept her composure. "I thought I might have dropped a piece of jewelry the last time I was in your room," she replied, trying to sound casual. "And when I saw that the door was open, I decided to check if it was still there."Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't respond. Rose couldn't help but notice that his hand was still bandaged, but the hem of his white sleeve was stained with blood. It was a perplexing sight, and she wondered why there was blood on his sleeve if his hand was clean.Ignoring her observation, Sebastian turned away and entered the room, shutting the door behind him. Rose stood outside, her mind racing with questions and suspicion. She couldn't
As Damian was discharged from the hospital, he felt a mix of relief and anxiety. The pain in his hand was now manageable with the bandaged wound, but his mind was preoccupied with the news he had just heard on the radio.He got into his car and turned on the radio, intending to distract himself with some music, but his thoughts were suddenly jolted by the news reporter's announcement."We have breaking news. The body of Ivy Rain, daughter of the renowned CEO of the Rain Group, has been found dead. Authorities are investigating this as a murder case. The circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear."Shock and surprise washed over Damian as he heard the name Ivy Rain. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. He remembered her face, a privileged and familiar aura he had noticed at the hospital. Dread gnawed at him, and he couldn't shake off the feeling t
As Rose woke up from her unsettling dream, she couldn't shake off the lingering feeling of unease. Her mind was still reeling from what Sebastian had said the night before and the shocking discovery of Sebastian's surveillance cameras and secret files. She hadn't even had a chance to speak with her brother, Michael, and her mother, Emily, about the impending visit that Sebastian had planned for them.Just as she was lost in her thoughts, a soft knock on her bedroom door interrupted her reverie. Rose hesitated for a moment, unsure of who it might be. She opened the door cautiously, and to her surprise, it was Prisca, Sebastian's loyal assistant."Good morning, Rose," Prisca greeted her with a warm smile that felt unsettlingly forced. "Sebastian wants you ready and would like you to come to his room when you're done preparing."Rose furrowed her brows, still trying to make sense of everything that had happened. "Why does he want m
Rose's heart raced as Sebastian attempted to kiss her, but she instinctively turned her head away, refusing to give in to his manipulative advances. His smile only served to make her feel more uneasy, as she knew that his mood could shift unpredictably.Suddenly, his grip tightened around her hands, and he demanded her attention, forcing her to look into his eyes. Tears welled up in Rose's eyes, threatening to ruin her carefully applied makeup, but she blinked them back, determined not to show him any weakness."Listen to me, Rose," Sebastian said, his voice low and commanding. "When your family arrives, you will act as if everything is perfect. You will smile, you will laugh, and you will do exactly as I say. Do you understand?"Rose nodded weakly, feeling trapped and powerless. She knew that she had no choice but to comply with his demands, at least
"He's trying to be good," Rose whispered back, not wanting to say more in front of Sebastian. She glanced at him to see if he had overheard their conversation, but he seemed focused on Prisca, who was setting the table.Sebastian looked up at the sound of Prisca's footsteps, his smile widening as he noticed Rose and Michael whispering. He then looked at Rose, his gaze intense, sending shivers down her spine. It was a smile that made her uncomfortable, as if he knew more than he was letting on."Shall we all sit down?" Sebastian said, breaking the momentary silence. He gestured towards the table with a polite smile, as if everything was perfectly normal.Rose and Michael exchanged a quick glance before following Sebastian's lead, Emily and Maya also. They took their seats at the table, Prisca serving them with practiced efficiency. Rose tried to engage in light conversation, asking her mother and brother about their lives a
As they stepped outside, the cool night air enveloped them, and Rose hugged her family one last time before standing beside Sebastian. Her brother, Michael, spoke up, breaking the silence."Rose, I'll be going back to school soon," Michael said, looking at her with a mix of excitement and longing. "I want you to come home and visit me, help me get settled in, and spend some time together."Rose glanced at Sebastian, unsure of how he would react to her brother's request. She knew that he often controlled their plans, and she felt a twinge of anxiety about going home without him.Sebastian smiled, but there was a hint of a frown on his face. "Of course, Michael, Rose can come and visit you," he replied, his tone amiable yet firm. "You can plan it for tomorrow if that works for both of you."Rose felt relieved that Sebastian didn't outright object to the idea, but she also sensed his underlying reluctance. She knew she had t
Four months later.The car moved steadily along the road, the gentle hum of the engine creating a comforting backdrop to the silence that enveloped the interior. Rose's hand rested on her slightly protruding belly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing invisible patterns on the fabric of her dress. Michael, who sat in the back seat, was gazing out of the window, lost in his own thoughts.Max's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, his gaze alternating between the road ahead and Rose's profile. He could sense the mixture of emotions in the air—grief for Rose's mother, the weight of their recent experiences, and the glimmer of hope for the future.As they approached the cemetery, Rose's grip on her belly tightened slightly. She took a deep breath and turned to Max, her voice soft but determined. "Thank you for being here with me, Max. I know it's not easy."Max offered her a reassuring smile
The tension in the warehouse reached its breaking point, Sebastian moved with deliberate slowness towards the elevated platform where Michael was tied. His demeanor remained cold and calculating, a dangerous calm emanating from him. He retrieved a gun from his pocket, the metallic click as he removed the safety echoing in the hushed air."Rose, drop the gun," Sebastian's voice was ice-cold, the threat underlying every word.Rose's hand trembled as she clung to the gun, her wide eyes locked onto Sebastian's every movement. The gun was her last desperate card, her only means to keep Michael safe, and she clung to it with a fervent desperation.Max, his eyes flickering between Rose and Sebastian, sensed the imminent danger. He moved swiftly, lunging towards Rose in a desperate attempt to disarm her. His hands closed around the gun, and in the struggle, a gunshot rang out, the deafening sound ricocheting through the warehouse.
Max's suggestion was a slim hope, an attempt to gather any useful information from Sebastian, but as Rose dialed the number again and waited for him to answer, there was a sinking feeling that he was always a step ahead."Sebastian," Rose's voice held a hint of desperation, "tell me where my brother is. I need to know he's safe."Sebastian's chuckle on the other end was infuriating. "Oh, Rose, always trying to assert control. How quaint.""Just tell me!" Rose's voice trembled with a mix of anger and anxiety.Sebastian's tone shifted, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. "I know you're with the cop, Rose. And I'm well aware of the audacious plan you're concocting. But remember this, you have limited time."Rose's grip on the phone tightened as she exchanged a tense glance with Max. "Where is my brother?"Sebastian's voice was like ice. "Meet me at the old warehouse by the docks. You remember it, don
They finally arrived at the boarding school, Rose's heart raced as they rushed into the reception area. She could feel the weight of every decision she had made up until this point pressing down on her. The thought of not being there for Michael when he needed her was like a heavy anchor dragging her down.As they reached the reception desk, a middle-aged woman looked up at them with a smile. "Hello, how can I help you?"Max spoke quickly, his voice firm yet respectful. "We're here to see Michael lugard, Is he currently at the school?"The receptionist checked her computer. "Yes, Michael lugardis a student here. However, visiting hours are usually—"Rose's voice trembled as she interrupted. "Please, it's really important. Can we see him? It's urgent."The receptionist's gaze softened as she recognized the urgency in Rose's voice. "Alright, let me make a quick call to the dormitory to see if he's avail
Rose's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove through the dimly lit streets, her mind racing and her heart pounding. Bloodstained and shaken, she knew she had to find a safe place to gather her thoughts and figure out her next move. Just as panic threatened to engulf her, her phone rang, the sound cutting through the tense silence of the car.Rose sped through the streets, her hands trembling on the steering wheel, her mind was a whirlwind of fear and desperation. The events of the past hours had pushed her to the edge, and the knowledge that she was holding a shard of glass that had wounded another human being weighed heavily on her.Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, her phone rang, the sudden sound causing her to startle. She glanced at the caller ID and saw Max's name flashing on the screen. With a shaky hand, she answered the call."Rose, where are you?" Max's voice, steady and concerned, echo
As Rose watched from her hiding spot, her heart raced as Samuel's footsteps echoed through the mansion. She crouched behind a corner, her breath held, as he slowly made his way into the living room. She could see that he was dressed differently, not in his usual attire. Her mind raced to connect the dots, and then the realization hit her like a bolt of lightning – he wasn't here as a servant."Mrs. Wayne? Are you here?" Samuel's voice echoed through the grand room, his tone tinged with a mix of urgency and concern. He seemed to be searching for someone, and Rose's heart pounded in her chest.The sight of him moving slowly and scanning the room sent shivers down Rose's spine. He was different, something had changed about him. He was no longer the calm and collected Samuel she was used to. His demeanor was tense, almost anxious.As Samuel called out for her, Rose felt a surge of fear. She bit her lip to stifle any so
The two women were locked in a physical battle, their faces inches apart, eyes locked in a fierce contest of wills. Rose could see the fear and desperation in Prisca's eyes, the conflicting emotions that seemed to war within her. It was clear that Prisca was deeply entangled in Sebastian's world, but at the same time, there was something else – a flicker of humanity, a trace of regret."Let go, Rose! You don't know what you're getting into!" Prisca's voice cracked with a mix of emotions, and her grip on the journal tightened, her knuckles turning white. Rose's heart wavered for a moment, torn between her determination to uncover the truth and the urgency in Prisca's pleas.But the weight of everything she had learned, the memory of all the lives that had been shattered, fueled her resolve. With a sudden surge of strength, Rose twisted away from Prisca's grasp, breaking their physical contact. The journal rem
Rose stood up from the bathroom, her face still stained with tears, and took a deep breath to steady herself. She whispered to herself, "Stop crying, Rose," as if trying to muster some strength to face what lay ahead. With determination in her eyes, she left her room and quietly made her way to Sebastian's room, her heart pounding in her chest.As she stood in front of the door to his room, her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the doorknob. She took another deep breath, as if preparing herself for whatever she might find inside. With a hesitant push, the door creaked open, and she slipped inside, her senses immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of Sebastian's space.The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a lamp casting shadows along the walls. Rose's gaze scanned the room, her eyes falling upon Sebastian's large wardrobe. A flicker of determination crossed her features as she walked over to it. She fumbled with the handles of th
Rose stepped into the mansion, her heart still racing from the recent phone call with Sebastian. The weight of the situation was almost suffocating, and all she wanted was a moment to gather her thoughts. She entered her room, her steps silent on the plush carpet. As she closed the door behind her, a sense of isolation settled in.The room felt both familiar and foreign at the same time. It was a place where she should have found comfort, but now it seemed tainted by the secrets that had been unveiled. She looked around, her eyes taking in the elegant furniture, the soft lighting, and the delicate decorations that once held some pleasant memories. Now, everything seemed different.With a deep breath, Rose pulled out her phone and dialed Emily's number. The call rang for a few moments before Emily's voice greeted her on the other end."Hey, Rose! What's up?" Emily's cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the turmoil that R