The soft hum of a private jet vibrated through the plush cabin as Alaric leaned back in his seat, his mind a storm of frustration and resolve. His emerald eyes, usually calm and commanding, now glinted with a hardened edge. The name Gwen Mason tasted bitter on his tongue.The Royale Group had weathered many storms, but the recent attacks, unprecedented sanctions, false allegations, and covert sabotage, had stretched even his legendary patience. The shadowy hand behind it all led to one person: Queen Consort Gwen Mason of Country S.~~Two Weeks Earlier~~Alaric had been in his office at Royale Tower when his assistant, Jimmy, walked in with an urgent report. “Sir, another contract has been pulled. This time, the banks are citing ‘political instability’ in Country S.”Alaric’s jaw tightened. “Political instability my foot. Who’s the client?”“Callahan Group.”The name made Alaric pause. Edward Callahan was one of the few CEOs he respected, a man who valued integrity as much as profit. “
Alaric’s hands trembled as he dragged himself from the bed, his mind spinning with disbelief and revulsion. The silky sheets that had once signified luxury now felt suffocating, clinging to him like a trap. His eyes darted to Maribel, who sat with the practiced serenity of a woman who knew she had won.The room was unfamiliar, its decor far more feminine than his taste. As his eyes adjusted to the morning light streaming through the windows, he realized with a jolt that he was not alone.Beside him, Maribel lay draped in silk sheets, her bare shoulders peeking out. Her dark hair was spread across the pillow, and she looked every bit the picture of innocence.“What the hell?” Alaric muttered, sitting up too quickly. The motion sent a wave of dizziness crashing over him.Maribel stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She feigned a startled gasp, clutching the sheet to her chest. “Alaric! You’re awake…”“What is this?” he demanded, his voice hoarse. “What happened?”Her lower lip trembled as
As the days turned into weeks, Elona settled into life at Edward’s villa. The triplets adored their newfound uncle, and Edward’s patience and warmth were a balm to Elona’s wounded heart.One afternoon, as they sat in the garden watching the children play, Edward turned to her. “Elona,” he began carefully, “have you thought about what comes next?”She sighed, her gaze distant. “I don’t know. Every time I think I’ve moved past the pain, something reminds me of him.”Edward hesitated before speaking again. “You deserve to be happy, Elona. And if you ever need more than just a place to stay… you have me.”Her eyes met his, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. For the first time in weeks, Elona allowed herself to smile.Elsewhere, the whispers in the halls of the Royale Mansion were louder than ever. Servants exchanged glances, the senior advisors muttered behind closed doors, and Alaric could feel the weight of every disapproving gaze.He was a man under siege, but the on
The air in the grand hall of the Royale Mansion was heavy with tension as Master Fu strode in, his presence commanding yet calm. Julio and Leonardo stood at the far end, their voices raised in frustration as they debated their next move. Master Fu’s quiet authority, however, was like a balm to the escalating situation.“Master Fu,” Julio said, his tone a mix of relief and exasperation. “We’ve been trying to find Elona, but she left without a word. She’s taken the triplets, and we’re at a loss.” Master Fu raised a hand, silencing Julio. “Panicking will not bring her back. I need to speak with Senior Royale.”Senior Royale sat in his study, a glass of aged whiskey in his hand. He looked up as Master Fu entered, his expression betraying the weight of years and secrets. “You’ve come,” Senior Royale said, gesturing to the seat opposite him.Master Fu took the offered seat but wasted no time. “I need answers, Senior. How can you be so certain that Maribel’s child isn’t Alaric’s? The scandal
The sprawling Callahan villa in the heart of the capital was a sanctuary of opulence and security, a place where Elona and her triplets could find refuge from the storm. Yet, despite the lavish surroundings and the cheerful laughter of her children, Elona’s heart remained a battlefield of emotions.Each morning began with determination, a quiet resolve to forge a new path for herself and her children. But that resolve faltered as the headlines intruded on her carefully built walls. Images of Alaric and Maribel’s engagement plastered across newspapers and magazines were impossible to escape. Maribel, her growing belly a constant reminder of the perceived betrayal, beamed alongside Alaric in every picture.Elona’s chest tightened each time she saw those images, but she refused to let them break her.One evening, she sat alone in the sunlit courtyard, watching her children play. Arlyle darted across the lawn, chasing Allie and Artie as their laughter echoed through the open space. Their
The Callahan villa brimmed with anticipation as the triplets’ fifth birthday drew near. Arlyle, Artie, and Allie buzzed with excitement, their energy filling every corner of the sprawling estate.“Mama, I want a rocket cake! One that blasts off!” Artie declared, bouncing on his toes as he tugged on Elona’s sleeve. Allie chimed in, spinning dramatically with her toy wand in hand. “No! A princess cake with glitter and a crown!”Arlyle, the eldest by a mere three minutes but ever the diplomat, grinned at his siblings. “We can have both, right, Mama?”Elona knelt to their level, wrapping them all in a warm embrace. “Of course. Anything for my stars,” she said, her voice soft but tinged with a wistfulness that even she couldn’t hide.As the children ran off, their laughter ringing in the air, Elona felt a pang deep in her chest. This birthday was not only a celebration of their growth but also a stark reminder of the fractured relationship she had with their father, Alaric.That evening, t
Alaric sat in his private office, staring at the medical report in his hands. The results from the amniocentesis he had arranged without Maribel's knowledge were glaringly clear. "Paternal DNA Match: Negative." The paper trembled in his grip as fury and disbelief coursed through him.For months, he had been trapped in a web of lies, sacrificing his reputation, his freedom, and, most painfully, his connection to Elona and the triplets. And all for a child that wasn't his."Maribel," he growled, his voice cold and venomous. "You'll pay for this." His assistant, Jimmy, knocked on the door hesitantly. "Sir, the board meeting is starting."Alaric raised his gaze, his icy demeanor startling him. "Cancel it. I have more important matters to attend to." Jimmy nodded quickly and left, sensing the storm brewing in his boss.Later that evening, Alaric called his grandfather, Senior Royale. The older man listened quietly as Alaric revealed the truth about the pregnancy."I knew it," Senior Royale
The moonlight spilled through the tall windows of the Royale penthouse, illuminating the sleek modern decor that screamed wealth and power. Alaric Royale leaned against the marble bar, a crystal glass of bourbon in his hand. His expression was unreadable, his sharp jawline set as he swirled the amber liquid absentmindedly.Across the room, Maribel sat on a leather chaise lounge, her crimson silk dress clinging to her figure as she sipped wine. Her perfectly painted lips curved into a coy smile as she tilted her head, watching Alaric like a predator assessing prey.“You’ve been quiet tonight,” she remarked, her voice honeyed but with an edge that prickled Alaric’s already fraying patience.He didn’t bother to look at her. “I’ve been busy.”“Too busy for the mother of your child?” she countered, resting a hand on her stomach. The gesture was calculated, her fingers lightly brushing over the slight curve of her abdomen.Alaric’s gaze flickered to her stomach briefly before returning to h
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 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 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
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
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
In Emerald Hill, Harley paced her luxurious bedroom, her face twisted in frustration. She had received news that Elona and her children were back in Alaric’s life. How dare she? Harley thought. After all these years, she still thinks she has a claim on him?Her anger boiled over as she scrolled through social media, where Maribel’s calculated posts flaunting her connection to Alaric had gained traction. Harley knew she couldn’t remain silent. She had waited too long for this moment to let another woman steal what she believed was hers.Determined, she called in favors and paid an influential media outlet to release the photos and videos she had kept in reserve. The images showed her and Alaric in a jewelry store, him slipping an engagement ring on her finger, and his public announcement of their engagement. The media platform spun the narrative to her advantage: “Alaric Royale’s True Fiancee Revealed: Harley Carter Takes a Stand!”The internet exploded. Harley painted herself as the s
The family reunion was heartwarming but Elona was not as happy as she should have been. Alaric was poisoned and she was scared. Master Fu did not want to get rid of the toxins in Alaric's body at once. He would rather take a roundabout way to treat him.Elona sighed and mentally chided herself for being too indecisive when it came to Alaric. She could only comfort herself by saying that she was only concerned because he was her children's father. Even she felt silly at her post excuse for her care. "Actually, I didn't know that I was adopted until recently." Elona was snapped out of her reverie when she heard Edward's statement. She perked up her ears and momentarily set aside her worries about Alaric. Master Fu was tending to him and she knew that he would not die. That was comforting enough for her."My cousins were the ones who started bringing out how much I didn't resemble either of my parents or anyone in the Callahan family when my father was critically ill. They wanted to ous
Esmeralda sank into the armchair, her hands trembling as she recalled the harrowing days of her youth. The truth of what might have happened was dawning on her, and it left her breathless.“When I gave birth to Elona,” she began softly, her voice barely steady, “I was just a scared girl, exiled from my home, hiding from the Queen Consort’s spies. I didn’t have the luxury of a reputable hospital. The doctor who delivered Elona… he was someone I found in desperation.”Julio clenched his fists, his expression darkening with fury. “And you think that man.....”Esmeralda nodded, her eyes misty. “If I was carrying twins and didn’t know... it would have been easy for him to take one of the babies. I never suspected. I thought Elona was my only child.”Edward listened in stunned silence, his mind racing. Could it really be true? Could this woman, this elegant and regal figure, truly be his mother? And Elona, the woman he’d worked alongside for a while, his sister?Leonardo broke the silence,
Elona sent a message to Edward Callahan telling her that something had come up and she would entrust Arlyle, Artie, and Allie to him. She would only return the next day. Edward Callahan immediately called her. The moment she answered Edward was a little too excited. He rambled on about meeting the famous artist from country S Julio and how they resembled each other like looking in the mirror. Julio had just come for the triplets' birthday as their grandfather. Elona was surprised and suddenly thought back to how people in the capital kept saying that Elona and Edward looked more like brother and sister than a couple. Could it be Julio had Edward with another woman, and they were half-siblings?Elona frowned as Edward’s voice bubbled with excitement through the receiver. "Elona, you won’t believe it," Edward gushed. "I just met the Julio! The artist from Country S. He came for the triplets’ birthday, can you believe it? And here’s the crazy part, we look like we’re cut from the same