Arlyle leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the files on their mother’s encrypted server. "We’re not done yet," he said firmly, his voice filled with determination. Allie frowned, a hint of worry on her face. “Arlyle, this is serious. If Mommy finds out, she’ll be really mad this time.”Artie, the youngest of the trio, crossed his arms. “Mommy always says the truth is the strongest weapon. We’re just using it to protect her and Daddy.” Arlyle nodded. “Exactly. If we don’t do it, who will? Those witches will just keep hurting Mommy and lying about Daddy.”Using their hacking skills, the triplets had uncovered the first of many shocking truths about Maribel. Though the world saw her as the Queen Consort’s loyal personal aide, the triplets discovered her deeper ties to the royal family of Country S. A dig through confidential adoption records revealed that Maribel had been picked up from an orphanage and raised as the Queen Consort’s goddaughter, her entire life carefully e
Alaric sat quietly in the corner of the apothecary, the faint scent of herbs and incense filling the air. The soft rustling of Elona’s movements in the adjacent room was the only sound, a quiet reminder of her presence. For the first time in years, Alaric felt an unfamiliar peace in his heart. It wasn’t the kind that came from success or wealth, but a calm born from simply being near the woman he had wronged so deeply.He leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes, but the memories of his failures refused to let him rest. His chest tightened as he thought of Elona, who had faced the world alone because of his poor judgmentWhy did I let myself believe those women? he thought bitterly. Maribel, Harley... all their lies, all their schemes. And I fell for them like a fool. Each time, I pushed Elona further away.He remembered the last time he had seen her before their reunion. She had been standing in the rain, holding their triplets, her shoulders squared despite the whisp
The scandal had escalated far beyond what anyone could have anticipated. What had begun as a battle of egos between two conniving women had now turned into a full-blown international conflict? The people of Country M were outraged, not only by the mistreatment of their beloved billionaire, Alaric Royale but also by the revelations that pointed to a calculated effort to exploit and possibly eliminate him.In the streets of Country M, citizens rallied in support of Alaric. Protests erupted outside the embassy of Country S, with signs reading, “Hands off Alaric!” and “Justice for the Royale Family!” Government officials held emergency meetings, while media outlets ran 24/7 coverage of the unfolding chaos.The Government of Country M RespondsIn the capital of Country M, the Prime Minister held a press conference.“We are appalled by the revelations surrounding Mr. Alaric Royale, a respected citizen and a pillar of our nation’s economy,” the Prime Minister declared, her voice firm. “The i
The internet was ablaze once more as the Terrific Trio struck again. This time, their revelations were even more damning, shaking the foundations of the royal palace of Country S and putting diplomatic relations with Country M on the verge of collapse.The triplets, emboldened by their success, uploaded a new set of evidence to their media handle, Terrific Trio Unleashed. This time, it was a detailed video and audio recording that painted Maribel as a master manipulator who had gone to extreme lengths to control Alaric.The uploaded video began with surveillance footage from Alaric’s private suite in a luxury hotel, where he had stayed during a business trip to Country S. The footage, enhanced for clarity, showed Maribel sneaking into the suite, pouring a substance into Alaric’s drink, and then carefully placing the vial back into her purse.The accompanying audio recording, extracted from a tapped phone call between Maribel and the Queen Consort, revealed their chilling conversation:
The apothecary was quiet, save for the soft hum of the herbs boiling on the stove. Alaric sat on a wooden chair by the window, his gaze fixed on the serene garden outside. The peace in the apothecary was a stark contrast to the storm raging inside him.The news of everything that had transpired, the scandals, the evidence, and the truth his children uncovered, had finally reached him. Jimmy had arrived earlier that morning with a briefcase full of reports and a tablet preloaded with videos and articles detailing the chaos. Alaric had barely made it past the first video before the guilt consumed him.Alaric replayed the evidence the triplets had released, his chest tightening with every revelation. “They’re just five years old,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “How could they have done all this?”The thought of his children, barely out of infancy, uncovering truths that had eluded him for years made him feel incompetent. They had protected him, stood up for him, and expos
The morning light streamed through the apothecary’s windows, casting warm golden rays over Alaric’s face. He had barely slept, his thoughts consumed by the triplets, Elona, and the mess he had created. Sitting at the edge of his bed, he made a decision, it was time to take responsibility.Alaric had insisted on seeing the triplets. Elona hesitated, knowing the children had grown fond of their father but also protective of her. Finally, she relented, and Jimmy arranged for the children to visit.When the triplets entered the apothecary, they were a whirlwind of energy. Allie marched in first, hands on her hips, her fiery personality on full display. Artie followed, his expression serious and calculating, while Arlyle brought up the rear, his quiet demeanor masking the protective glint in his eyes.The moment they saw Alaric, they stopped. For a second, there was silence. Then Allie broke it, her voice sharp. “Are you better now, Daddy? Or are you going to let those bad women trick you
Alaric paced the apothecary late into the night, the memories of Elona’s quiet strength and unwavering determination replaying in his mind. She had endured so much, not only for their children but also for him, a man who had failed her when she needed him most. The gap between them felt like an insurmountable chasm, and the weight of his mistakes bore down on him like a leaden cloak.He paused at the window, staring into the moonlit garden outside. His resolve tightened. Winning Elona back wasn’t just about love. It was about giving her the status, respect, and security she deserved. For her and for the triplets, he had to do better.Meanwhile, Elona sat in her room, reviewing the latest accounts from the Guild of Shadows. Though she had stepped back from active missions since reuniting with the triplet's dad, her sharp mind and strategic prowess were still vital to the guild's operations.Elona had no illusions about her position. She was the mother of Alaric’s children, nothing mor
Alaric sat in the apothecary's library, poring over medical journals he barely understood. It had been weeks since he had made the promise to win Elona back, and every passing day unveiled another facet of her life, a life he had barely scratched the surface of when he sent her away.Elona was nothing like the fragile woman he had envisioned her to be when they first reunited. She was a storm contained in elegance, a blend of intellect and power wrapped in a calm exterior. She had achieved mastery in fields he hadn’t even dreamed of exploring, and yet she carried herself with humility.Today, as he observed her instructing a junior herbalist on the precise preparation of a rare antidote, he realized just how wrong he had been to believe she needed him to survive.Alaric was in actual fact, Rediscovering Elona. Later that evening, Alaric found himself sitting across from Master Fu, who sipped his tea with an amused smile. “You look troubled, young man,” Master Fu remarked, his sharp ey
Five Years Later… The Royale Estate had never been more alive. Lush gardens stretched as far as the eye could see, the scent of blooming roses mingling with the crisp afternoon air. The laughter of children echoed across the grounds, filling the estate with warmth and joy. Elona stood on the grand balcony, watching the scene below unfold with a soft smile on her lips. She leaned against Alaric, his strong arm wrapped protectively around her waist. "Look at them," she murmured, pride evident in her voice. Down in the courtyard, the Terrific Trio, Arlyle, Artie, and Allie, were engrossed in an intense discussion, their expressions far too serious for eleven-year-olds. But then again, they weren’t just any eleven-year-olds. They were national geniuses, their intelligence unmatched by any child their age. Their names graced international forums, scientific journals, an
The grand ballroom of the Royale Estate was transformed into a breathtaking vision of elegance. Cascading chandeliers bathed the space in golden light, while delicate floral arrangements lined the aisle, each petal whispering a tale of love, redemption, and new beginnings. Alaric Royale stood at the altar, dressed in a custom-tailored black tuxedo, his stance confident yet solemn. His heart pounded with anticipation as he awaited the arrival of the woman who had become his world, the woman he had almost lost but fought to reclaim. The billboards across Country M broadcasted the event live, capturing every moment in stunning detail. The entire nation bore witness to the redemption of a man who had once taken love for granted but now vowed to cherish it with his entire being. When Elona finally appeared at the entrance, time seemed to stand still.Dressed in an exquisite white gown
Alaric Royale had always been a man who thrived under pressure. Business deals, billion-dollar investments, and ruthless negotiations had been his expertise for years. But now, he was navigating an entirely different battlefield, one that involved diaper changes, bedtime stories, and earning the love of the family he had once taken for granted. And he was determined not to fail. For him, this was the dawn of a new routine, and one he fully embraced with sincerity. The sun had barely risen when Elona stirred awake, expecting to hear the usual fussing of the twins. But instead, the room was quiet. Too quiet. She sat up, her heart thudding. Had she overslept? Where were the babies?Slipping on her robe, she made her way downstairs, only to pause at the sight before her. Alaric was in the living room, still in his sleepwear, holding one of the twins in his arms while feeding the othe
Elona studied him, searching for any trace of deception, but all she saw was sincerity, painful, soul-deep sincerity. “I don’t know if I can ever fully forgive you,” she admitted quietly. “But… I want to try.” Alaric’s head snapped up, eyes widening slightly. “You do?” Elona sighed. “The truth is, despite everything, a part of me never stopped wanting you. And maybe that’s my own weakness. But I can’t ignore that you’re their father, that we’re still married, and that...” she hesitated, “...that I once loved you.” The admission hung in the air between them, fragile and uncertain. Alaric leaned forward slightly, his voice a gentle plea. “Then let me earn it. Let me show you that I can be the man you deserve. I don’t expect you to trust me overnight, but I’ll spend every day proving it to you.” Elona exhaled. “We’ll take it one step at a time.” A spark of hope ignited in Alaric’s g
“I missed both of your pregnancies. I wasn’t there when you needed me most. I let others dictate my life, let my pride get in the way.” His jaw clenched. “And because of that, I lost the woman who should have been my priority from the beginning.” Elona crossed her arms, her eyes filled with lingering pain. “You don’t just get to regret things now and expect everything to be okay. You should know that by now." “I know,” he admitted. “And I don’t expect forgiveness overnight. But I need you to know, Elona, that I regret it every single day. Every time I look at our children, I think about what I missed. I think about how you went through it all alone because I was too blind to see what truly mattered.” Elona bit her lip, fighting against the emotions rising inside her. It was rare to see Alaric this open, this vulnerable. But bitterness still lingered in her heart. “You always put business first, believed
The battle was won. The threats to Elona were gone. But for Alaric Royale, the war was far from over. As the chaos of the past weeks settled, silence became his enemy. It was in that silence that the heavy burden of his failures pressed down on him. He had conquered enemies, crushed empires, and outmaneuvered some of the most ruthless minds in the world. Yet, when it came to the one thing that truly mattered, his family, he had failed spectacularly. Alaric sat alone in his office, a crystal glass of whiskey untouched on his desk. The city skyline stretched before him, bright and alive, yet he felt nothing but emptiness. His fingers hovered over his phone. He had Elona’s number memorized, yet every time he thought of calling her, he hesitated. What could he say? I’m sorry? I regret everything? Please come back to me? None of it felt enough. He hadn’t just missed a few anniversaries or forgotten a birthday.
After the banquet’s revelations had settled, Alaric, Elona, and Master Fu gathered in the Guild’s war room, a dimly lit chamber filled with ancient scrolls, maps, and strategic plans. The room was filled with the scent of aged parchment and burning incense, a signature of Master Fu’s personal quarters.Seated at the head of the table, Master Fu steepled his fingers, his piercing eyes scanning the duo before him. “We need to discuss Gwen Mason.”Elona exhaled sharply, her expression darkening at the mention of the former queen consort of Country S. “She got away too easily,” she muttered.Alaric leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable but his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. “Even after the ICC took over, the Mason family pulled their strings, and now she walks free on ‘bail.’ It’s a mockery of justice.”Master Fu nodded gravely. “The ICC was never going to hold her accountable. The Mason family has deep connections, and the former king… well, let’s just say he w
Kian stood at the wide-open balcony of his guest bedroom at the Guild headquarters, his fingers curled tightly around the ornate railing. The cool night air did little to ease the storm raging inside him. He had spent his life running, from the truth, from himself, from the consequences of his choices. But tonight, he could no longer hide.Behind him, the grand doors creaked open, and light footsteps approached. Elona. He knew her presence before he even turned. “You wanted to see me?” she asked, her voice calm but distant.Kian inhaled deeply, steeling himself before facing her. She looked as poised as ever, her striking features illuminated by the moonlight, but there was something else, something he had put there. A wound, not of steel or poison, but of betrayal.“Elona…” he hesitated, his throat tightening. “There’s something I need to say. Something I should have said a long time ago.” She crossed her arms, waiting. “I’m listening.”His fingers clenched at his sides before he for
The following evening, the banquet hall of the Guild of Shadows was alive with activity. The grand space had been transformed into an elegant but fortified venue. Guards were positioned at key points, watching for any sign of trouble. Elite members of the guild mingled with the esteemed guests, their presence a reminder that tonight was not just a celebration, it was a test. And Elona was at the center of it all. At the head table sat Master Fu, his keen eyes observing the room, knowing that tonight was not just about celebration, it was about revelation. Elona sat beside him, her face calm and composed, but a storm brewed within. The triplets were at a smaller table nearby, excitedly whispering to one another, while Kian sat to her other side, his expression unreadable.Then, Alaric walked in. Dressed in a sharp black suit, exuding dominance, his icy blue eyes swept the hall before landing on Elona. For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still between them. But before he could tak