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
Samuel dropped Rose off at the candy shop. As she stepped out of the luxurious black limousine, she couldn't help but notice the subtle aura of mystery surrounding Samuel, the chauffeur. Though he always maintained an air of calm and politeness, there was an enigmatic quality about him that made Rose feel as if she were being quietly observed."Thank you, Samuel. You can go now," Rose said with a warm smile, dismissing him. She had been yearning for some time away from Sebastian and his vast empire, which seemed to encompass everything, including those who served him. Samuel was no exception to this, and though he had always been respectful and kind, Rose couldn't shake the feeling that he held some unspoken secrets."But, Ms. Wayne..." Samuel began to protest, but Rose promptly interjected, cutting him short. "Mr. Wayne knows exactly where I am, so I believe your job here is done," she
Rose cautiously approached Michael, her heart sinking as she sensed his stiffness and the palpable tension in the air. She knew she had let him down by arriving late, and she could see the disappointment in his eyes."Hey, buddy," she said softly, reaching out to hug him from behind. But Michael didn't respond to her embrace; he remained rigid, clearly still upset about her being late."You're late," he said, his voice tinged with frustration, as he took a seat in front of her.Rose sighed, feeling remorseful for her actions. "I'm sorry about that," she apologized, looking into his eyes with sincerity. "Something unexpected came up that kept me longer than I anticipated."His smile was cold, and Rose could tell that her explanation didn't fully appease him. Nonetheless, she tried to maintain a positive look, returning his smile with an ev
Max and Lark carefully combed the crime scene, meticulously examining every inch of the area for any potential evidence. The sun was starting to set, casting long shadows over the scene, but they knew they had to stay focused."Look here, Lark," Max called out, crouching down to point at a small piece of torn fabric near the bushes. "This could be something. Let's bag it for analysis."Lark nodded and took out a evidence bag from his kit, carefully collecting the torn fabric. "Good catch, Max. We'll send it to the lab right away," he replied, appreciating his partner's keen eye.As they continued their search, Lark decided to bring up something that had been on his mind. "Max, you seemed pretty familiar with Ivy Rain's name back at the station. Do you know anything about her or her family?"Max paused for a moment, he
Rose's emotions were in turmoil as she looked away, trying to gather her thoughts. Michael's question about having children had hit a sensitive nerve, but she couldn't bring herself to explain the complexities of her situation just yet."That's a complicated question, you know," Rose replied, her voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and uncertainty.Michael frowned, concerned for his sister's well-being. "But last night, you seemed to agree with what he said," he noted, referring to a conversation they had over dinner. "You really don't want to have any children, sister?"Rose's heart ached at the reminder of that conversation. She remembered how Sebastian had insisted on starting a family, while she had been evasive about the topic. In reality, her feelings about having children were deeply entangled with her complicated relationship with Sebastian."Michael, just give it a rest," Rose pleaded, her voice quivering with
Damian entered the opulent mansion, his heart was pounding in his chest. He knew he had to act normal, but being in Sebastian's presence always made him uneasy. Sebastian greeted him with a warm smile and a pat on the shoulder, just like they did before, when they were old friends meeting for a casual get-together."Hey, Damian! Good to see you. How have you been?" Sebastian asked, his voice smooth and charming.Damian tried to steady his nerves as he replied, "I've been okay, thank you."Sebastian led him to a lavish sitting area, offering him a drink. "Have a seat, make yourself comfortable. I've got some whiskey if you'd like.""No, thank you," Damian said, trying to sound composed. He knew he couldn't let his guard down, not even for a moment.Sebastian poured himself a drink and sat across fr
Sebastian led Damian into a dimly lit room, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Damian could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he asked, his voice trembling, "What do you want to show me?"Sebastian glanced at him, a wicked grin playing on his lips. "Be calm, Damian," he said in a sinister tone. "You need to see the truth."As the images flickered on the screen, Damian's worst fears were confirmed. There, in front of him, were videos and pictures of Ivy Rain, bound and held captive in a dark room. Her eyes were filled with fear and desperation, and the images sent a chill down Damian's spine.His hands shook as he tried to comprehend the horror he was witnessing. Ivy, someone he had known, someone who had been connected to Sebastian, was now a victim of his cruelty. Damian's eyes were teary, and he couldn't bear to look at the screen any longer.
Is everything alright?" Michael asked as Rose approached him inside the candy shop. He was sitting in a chair near the door."Yeah," she replied, taking a seat beside him."Where's the cop?" he inquired, giving her a playful look."Oh, Max? He went to join his colleague," she said while scrolling through her phone.There was a brief silence before Michael spoke again. "He's handsome, you know… why did he want to speak with you? Is he your secret boyfriend?" he teased, flashing a grin. Rose looked at him and smiled, enjoying the moment of her brother's playful banter. Despite growing into a young man, she could still see her little brother in him.He's just a friend," she reassured Michael. However, as she reflected on her recent conversation with Max, she realized she had never truly thought of him as ev