"Aria, what's going on with these photos?" Alexander questioned.Oh no, despite everything, those photos are out, Aria thought sadly, fidgeting with her fingers.This foolish woman, Alexander's thoughts darkened as he watched her reaction. She clearly knows what I'm talking about without even needing to look at the pictures. This might be exactly what that bastard was threatening her with. You were clearly in trouble, yet you couldn’t tell me. You still dare to try and solve it alone? Fine, let’s see how you handle this.He hardened his gaze. "I ask again, are these photos real?”Aria’s heart raced as Alexander continued to look at her, his eyes unyielding, as though waiting for her to either confirm or deny what the photos implied. She felt trapped, every word she thought of swallowed by fear. But she knew she had to speak, to tell the truth, to explain. But faced with his demanding eyes, she fumbled for words. “Alexander… they’re not real,” she managed to say, shaking her head.“She
'When you're dead, let me see how you will stop me and Alexander,' Jessica thought, glancing at her phone with a wicked grin.Just then, the sound of footsteps made her snap out of her dark thoughts. She quickly stashed her phone away as Alexander walked into the room."Alexander," she greeted, her voice instantly shifting to a gentle, vulnerable tone.Alexander’s expression was cold. "Didn't I ask you not to come here anymore?"Jessica forced a slight pout, feigning hurt. "I came in for a physical examination and happened to hear the rumors going around in the hospital. I was only worried about Grandma and came to check up on her. But since Grandma doesn't like me, I won’t come here anymore." She looked down, playing the victim to perfection.Alexander’s eyes narrowed, clearly not buying her act. "I've warned you before—don’t agitate Grandma again," he said sharply, issuing what felt like a final warning as he walked out of the room without another glance.Jessica clenched her fists,
Jessica wasted no time setting her plan into motion. She quickly called the housekeeper, offering a hefty bribe to go through Aria’s belongings, locate the contract, and leave it somewhere Grandma would easily find it. The housekeeper did as instructed, carefully placing the contract between the pages of Grandma’s favorite book.Later, as Grandma settled down to read, the document slipped out, catching her attention. She scanned the pages, and her face paled. Heart pounding, she called out, her voice ringing through the house just as Aria and Alexander returned from the hospital.“Aria! Alexander! Come here, now!” Grandma’s tone was sharp and urgent.Aria rushed to her side, her face creased with worry. “What’s wrong, Grandma? Are you feeling alright?”Grandma’s gaze was icy as she held up the document, her hand trembling. “Aria, why have you conspired with Alexander to deceive me?”Aria froze, completely bewildered. “Grandma, what are you talking about?”Alexander entered the room at
Alexander stirred awake, the gentle morning light slipping through the thick curtains and casting a golden glow across the room. His body felt unusually warm and relaxed, a stark contrast to the rigid nights he usually spent alone. As his eyes fluttered open, the source of that comfort became apparent—Aria was curled against him, her body nestled snugly in his arms.For a moment, he remained still, watching her sleep. Her face, so peaceful and unguarded, was bathed in the soft morning light. The faint curve of her lips, the delicate flutter of her eyelashes against her cheeks, and the subtle rise and fall of her chest were all hypnotic. She looked fragile, as though the slightest movement might wake her and break the spell of serenity surrounding them.A strand of hair had fallen across her cheek, obscuring her face. Unable to resist, Alexander gently brushed it back, his fingers grazing her soft skin. Her scent drifted to him again, stirring something deep within. It wasn’t just her
Alexander suddenly broke the silence. “Let’s go down for breakfast. Grandma should be expecting us by now,” he said, his voice steady and calm.“Yes,” Aria responded quickly, nodding as she pushed back the blanket.Getting out of bed, she froze as she realized this wasn’t her room. Her gaze darted around the unfamiliar space, and her cheeks flushed when she recalled how she ended up there. They needed to freshen up before stepping out, but the thought of sharing the room and perhaps the bathroom with Alexander made her fidget nervously.“Uhm... are you using the bathroom first, or should I?” she asked, flustered, her fingers nervously brushing her hair behind her ear.“You can go first,” Alexander replied, his tone calm as he cleared his throat, his gaze briefly flicking to her flustered expression.Aria nodded, grabbed her toiletries, and practically dashed into the bathroom as though her life depended on it. Alexander watched her retreating form, a smirk tugging at the corners of hi
The city lights blurred into streaks of gold as the car sped through the evening traffic. Aria sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, the soft fabric of her gown smooth beneath her fingertips. She glanced sideways at Alexander, who was scrolling through his phone, his sharp profile illuminated by the screen’s glow. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t entirely easy either. Her mind raced with doubts and questions. Would she fit in tonight? Would the guests see her as an outsider in their high class world ? Alexander, without looking up, said, “You’re worrying. You should stop.” Her head snapped toward him. “I’m not.” “You are,” he countered, finally lowering his phone and fixing her with a steady gaze. “You’ve been tugging at your dress for the last fifteen minutes. What is the problem?” Aria hesitated. She didn’t want to admit how nervous she felt, but the concern in his tone softened her defenses. “I just… I’m not sure I belong at something like this. What if
The door opened and Aria jolted from the spot she was standing. She didn’t think anyone was behind her when she had damn near sprinted to the ladies room. As she looked up startled to see who had entered, it was Jessica.She could never catch a break from Jessica at all, like a bone in her neck. She stood in the doorway, her shimmery dress shined under the bright lights in wealth. She looked at Aria amused and irritated at the same time, she smiled in mockery. “Well, well, well, take a look at the talk of the night.” Jessica said with no approval in her voice. Her stiletto heels clicked dangerously as she slowly approached Aria. “Or should I say the woman of the moment? Seeing as your time in these circles will simply be fleeting…” Aria knew what this was, another show of dominance by Jessica but she was too scared to think about Jessica. If Jessica could get into the ladies room so easily despite the bodyguard then maybe the person who sent the note may be able to as well. Aria tr
Jessica stood rooted to the spot, her hands trembling as she gripped her purse. Her eyes couldn’t have deceived her. Alexander kissed Aria—right there, in front of everyone. This was no longer a simple contract.“That little… I’ll make sure she regrets this,” Jessica hissed under her breath, her voice sharp with venom. Without sparing another glance at the couple, she stormed out of the venue, her mind already racing with schemes for revenge. Behind her, Marilyn Morrison’s grating laugh echoed, only adding fuel to her fury. Aria would pay. She would suffer.Meanwhile, Aria stood frozen, her lips still tingling from the unexpected kiss. She blinked up at Alexander, her heart pounding erratically. The kiss wasn’t just good—it was overwhelming. She hated herself for wanting more, but how could she not? This was Alexander…“I… Alex…” she stammered, her voice barely audible as she tried to gather her thoughts.Alexander’s stormy eyes lingered on her, dark and unreadable. “You don’t need to
“A perfume box is definitely not a gift for Aria,” Alexander’s voice stayed calm but there was a sternness to it. Lucas looked up from the perfume box they had just unwrapped. “What do you mean, Young Master?” Alexander looked at Lucas as he rested his hands on the table in the home office, he pointed to the gift, “Aria doesn’t wear perfume and according to what she told me, she never has.” Lucas frowned at the gift, “So we are a hundred percent sure that this package isn’t for the young mistress?” “As sure as the sun will rise. Aria would not order perfumes.” Alexander said. “Young Master, If it was a store, they’d have a return address so it has to be from someone, someone who doesn’t want to be identified or traced.” Lucas added.“This is meant for Frieda, probably the spray that Hensley sent to her.” Alexander said, taking a seat. “The bastard has guts, he’s trying to supply her with these perfumes right under our noses, to aid her cover.” Lucas said, fuming with rage. “How
Mandy sat in the guest room, looking outside at the pool. Across from her, Janet sat down on the bed, staring at her sister impatiently with her arms crossed. “We need to make fast moves,” Janet said, her voice sharp. “With every moment that Aria is alive, every second she remains as Alexander's wife is a very big problem for us.” Mandy exhaled, folding her hands. “I understand but this isn’t some small backwards town anymore. Janet, we’re in a major metropolis, everything we do leaves a trace.” “And so what? We’ve covered up others so this shouldn’t pose too big a problem.” Janet replied nonchalantly. Mandy shook her head. “Not like this. This is not twenty years ago. People weren’t walking around with mobile cameras. Streets didn’t have traffic cameras and the police weren’t tracking digital footprints the way they’re doing now. We don’t even need to slip up to get caught.” Janet sat forward, “So what’s your great plan? Neck if we can’t erase her completely from the picture, no
Alexander adjusted his cuff links as he got into his black SUV, checking his wrist watch for the time. It was three in the afternoon, Lucas slid into the seat beside him, scrolling through his phone. “We need to make progress today, we need to have something tangible.” Alexander said as the car pulled out of the Sinclair estate. “I agree, Young Master. There’s no time to waste, we’ve been a step behind now it’s time to switch things up.” Lucas said. The driver maneuvered the car smoothly through the city streets to Sinclair Enterprises Headquarters, in the heart of the financial district. Alexander’s security detail had already been alerted by Lucas that he and Alexander were on their way. They opened the doors for them as they stepped out, moving straight to the private elevator that led directly to the high tech security wing of the building otherwise known as the Tech Division. As they entered the wing, a team of data analysts, cyber specialists and intelligence experts straig
Frieda sat comfortably in the plush leather seat of the private jet, sipping on freshly squeezed juice that had been served to her in a pretty glass. A beautiful air hostess stood nearby, offering her anything she wanted, whether it was another drink or some fruits, anything she needed. This was first class and extra treatment, is this what Aria has been enjoying? I am in Heaven, she thought. Every time she took a look around, there was something else that she hadn’t seen before. This was the only flight she had ever entered with no turbulence, the extravagance was screaming off the roof. What truly amazed her was Alexander himself. He sat across from her, dressed in a nice tailored suit, and was reading off his tablets, some documents from work. He didn’t even look up at her. Frieda frowned slightly. Hensley had told her that he was really close to Aria so she had expected a lot more than he was doing now. She found consolation in the fact that Alexander had been doting on her a
Dr. Hensley stood over Aria, watching her as she lay unconscious. She tapped her fingers on the steel table beside her gurney. Her face was getting paler but there was nothing that he could do about that, he couldn’t let her wake up anytime soon. The intravenous drip that supplied nutrients was basically just to make sure that she was getting enough nutrients to stay alive and healthy to an extent. His phone buzzed on the work counter, he moved to pick it up, it was a text. “Alexander and I arrive tomorrow. Don’t forget the gift.” A smile spread across his lips, things were working out rather well. The only plan left was how to eventually exchange Aria for Frieda when he was done with her. Hensley checked the machines monitoring Aria’s vitals. They showed that she was steady, though she was noticeably weaker than she had been a short while ago. He wasn’t too concerned with her, she could last a little longer and as long as she was stable, he would keep up his work. The only thing
Dr. Hensley stood over Aria, watching her as she lay unconscious. She tapped her fingers on the steel table beside her gurney. Her face was getting paler but there was nothing that he could do about that, he couldn’t let her wake up anytime soon. The intravenous drip that supplied nutrients was basically just to make sure that she was getting enough nutrients to stay alive and healthy to an extent. His phone buzzed on the work counter, he moved to pick it up, it was a text. “Alexander and I arrive tomorrow. Don’t forget the gift.” A smile spread across his lips, things were working out rather well. The only plan left was how to eventually exchange Aria for Frieda when he was done with her. Hensley checked the machines monitoring Aria’s vitals. They showed that she was steady, though she was noticeably weaker than she had been a short while ago. He wasn’t too concerned with her, she could last a little longer and as long as she was stable, he would keep up his work. The only thing
“We’re heading back to the city, she comes with us tomorrow whether she’s on board or not.” Alexander said as they passed through the hallway. As they approached Frieda’s room, Alexander moved his shoulders, masking whatever emotion he was going through before putting on a practiced calm. He felt Lucas’s eyes on him, always watching in case he was needed to come in. When they entered, Frieda was seated by the window of her room, the remnants of her meal on the side table of the bed and the note that Alexander had sent her earlier neatly folded by the tray. She looked up with a smile Alexander knew was too perfect, her eyes lit up at the sight of them. “You’re back,” she said softly, her tone laced with a sweetness that Alexander knew was a lie. “Of course, I told you I’d be back.” Alexander replied, stepping closer to her. “I’m sorry I’m late though.” Lucas stayed in the corner of the hospital room, watching intently but making sure he wasn’t obvious. “So, how are you feeling ri
The case file in his hands, Alexander placed it on his lap not knowing if he should quite go through it in the car or at the apartment. Lucas looked through the mirror at Alexander, noticing the tension, Alexander had looked like he was going to rip through the whole case file just moments ago but now his hands hovered over it, hesitant. “Young Master, do you want to look at it now or wait until we get to the apartment perhaps?” Lucas finally asked, breaking the silence in the car.Alexander didn’t answer immediately, he let go of all the air in his lungs, as he traced the edges of the case file. “I think I’d prefer to look at it when we get to the apartment.” He said in a low tone “I don’t think I can do this in the car.” Lucas nodded, “Drive to the apartment…” he mentioned to the driver. Back at the apartment, Lucas looked on as Alexander sat on the table with the case file, the paper looked crisp. The title on the first page read: “Alexander Sinclair - Missing Child Report, 19
The underground laboratory smelled of sweat and chemicals as Dr. Hensley wiped his brow of sweat. His hands trembled slightly, the paralyzed goon lay slumped on the floor near his workbench. The body of the guy was a dead weight that was becoming more trouble for Hensley. “Damn it! You could have tried to attack me towards that area, that way it would have been easier to move you.” Hensley complained. He gripped the man under the arm and attempted to lift him but the man’s size and bulk made the task almost impossible, but Hensley had no choice but to keep trying. Even though no one would stumble on the body in the laboratory, he liked to be able to move easily around his own side of the laboratory. “You could have just left or better still put a call through. I’d have paid you and moved on but now look at you.” He grumbled to the goon on the floor, he dragged the limp figure toward the corner of the lab. The man’s head lolled left and right as he blinked slowly, the only indicatio