The evening sun cast long shadows across the quiet streets as Mrs. Aldric hurriedly locked the restaurant door, her hands trembling. Isabelle should have arrived hours ago. Something was wrong. Her gut churned with unease as she practically jogged home, her thoughts racing.
“Please let her be home,” she muttered under her breath, her shoes clicking against the cobblestones.
When she reached the house, she threw the door open, calling out, “Isabelle? Isabelle, are you here?”
The silence that greeted her sent a chill down her spine. She checked the kitchen, the small sitting room, and even upstairs, her worry growing with every empty room. Isabelle’s bag and the ledger were gone, but the house was eerily quiet.
Mrs. Aldric sank onto the sofa, her head in her hands. “Where could she have gone?” she whispered, fear tightening around her chest.
She didn’t sit for long. With a resolve born from years of running her business and protecting the people she cared about, she bolted out the door and ran to the town hall. She quickly rang the town bell hanging near the square—a call that meant urgency to the townsfolk.
---Within minutes, people began to gather. Farmers, shopkeepers, and even tourists moved toward the sound, murmuring with curiosity.
“What’s happened, Mrs. Aldric?” an elderly man asked, leaning on his cane.
“It’s Isabelle,” Mrs. Aldric said, her voice loud and urgent. “She’s missing. She didn't go to restuarant with me and I asked her to bring me my ledger from the house in the afternoon, but she never arrived.”
The crowd buzzed with concern. Clara pushed her way to the front, her expression grave. “Missing? Are you sure she didn’t just stop somewhere?”
Mrs. Aldric shook her head. “She wouldn’t. Isabelle’s not the type to wander off, not with everything she’s been through. She definitely said she was coming immediately during the call. She wouldn't have gone somewhere else first.”
A younger man in the crowd spoke up. “Do you think Dan has anything to do with this? He was sniffing around her and being weird yesterday at the restaurant.”
Mrs. Aldric’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Dan.... I can’t say for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he has anything to do with her disappearance.”
The murmurs grew louder, several people nodding in agreement.
Clara raised her hand, silencing the group of people there. “Everyone, wait a minute! We can’t jump to conclusions like that.” Her tone was firm but measured. “We don’t know for certain that Dan has anything to do with this. Can we also admit that Isabelle is no teenager, she'll probably come back soon. This whole crowd rushing to Dan's place just to accuse him doesn't sit right with me and nobody would accept that.”
A tall woman crossed her arms. “Who else would it be? Dan’s been causing trouble for years.”
Clara’s jaw tightened. “I know his reputation, but we can’t go around accusing people without evidence. Isabelle’s new here—maybe she lost her way or had an accident. She came into this town by herself, who knows? Maybe she already left. Anyway,we should search the town before assuming the worst.”
Mrs. Aldric hesitated, glancing around the group. “Clara’s right. Let’s search first. If we don’t find her, then we’ll go to Dan.”
The townspeople exchanged uneasy glances but eventually nodded in agreement.
“Alright,” said a shopkeeper, adjusting his cap. “Let’s split up. We’ll cover more ground that way.”
Mrs. Aldric sighed in relief. “Thank you. Let’s not waste any time.”
The crowd began to disperse, splitting into groups to comb the town and the surrounding area. Mrs. Aldric joined one group, calling Isabelle’s name as they searched the quieter streets and fields.
But Clara stayed back near the edge of the square as she watched everyone walk away, she pulled her phone out from her pocket. She scrolled through her contacts and tapped a name. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
“Clara?” Dan’s voice was calm, almost amused. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Cut the act,” Clara hissed, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby. “Isabelle’s missing, and everyone’s already suspicious of you.”
There was a long pause on the other end before Dan chuckled softly. “Suspicious, huh? What a shame. I’ve barely done anything. I feel wronged.”
“Dan, I’m warning you,” Clara said through gritted teeth. “They’re planning to come to your place if they don’t find her.”
“Let them come,” Dan said, his tone dripping with confidence. “I’m not afraid of a few nosy villagers.”
“Dammit, Dan, this isn’t one of your stupid games!” Clara snapped. “If you’re involved in this, you better adjust your plans so you don't get caught. I know you're stupid enough to keep her in your house”
Dan’s voice dropped, low and dangerous. “Careful, Clara. Don't talk to me like you ordered me to do anything. For all I know, you could be recording this call, trying to get evidence against me. Also, you’re really starting to sound like you hate this girl. You wouldn’t want me to think you’re taking sides.”
Clara swallowed hard, her knuckles turning white as she gripped her phone. “I'm.... just doing you a favor, Dan, believe it or not. Don’t make things worse for yourself.”
Dan let out a slow, deliberate laugh. “Worse? Oh, Clara, sweetheart, I’m just getting started.”
The line went dead.
Clara lowered her phone, her heart pounding. She knew she had to keep up appearances, but dread twisted in her gut as she turned back to rejoin the search. Deep down she didn't want them to find Isabelle, she wished Dan would take her far away. Clara had been working with Mrs Aldric done she got to the town and Mrs Aldric didn't seem to care about her like she cared about Isabelle who just arrived. To top it all, that were living together. Isabelle just got to the town and she was already famous and loved. Clara got jealous of her.
The suspense built as the groups combed through the town, calling Isabelle’s name into the fading light. But as the minutes ticked by with no sign of her, unease began to settle over the villagers like a heavy fog.
Mrs. Aldric stood at the edge of the woods, her hands trembling as she called out, “Isabelle! Where are you?”
When no response came, she glanced back at the others, her fear mirrored in their eyes. “We’re running out of time,” she said, her voice cracking.
And right there, Dan drove past the troubled crowd, watching them with a wicked smile on his face. He looked back at Isabelle, lying limp at the backseat of the car.
“This is going to be fun.”The air was cool and damp as Dan pulled up to his secret house on the outskirts of the town, the small property cloaked in shadows from the surrounding trees. Isabelle’s unconscious form lay slumped in the passenger seat, her face pale in the faint moonlight. Dan smirked as he stepped out of the car, walking around to lift her limp body into his arms.“She’s lighter than I thought,” he muttered, adjusting her weight.He had just reached the porch steps when he noticed a figure standing near the doorway. The man was tall, dressed in dark clothing, and leaning casually against the doorframe. The dim light from the porch lamp didn’t quite reach his face, leaving it covered in the shadows.Dan tensed, his grip on Isabelle tightening. “Who the hell are you?”The man straightened, his movements slow and deliberate. “Just someone with a lot of interest in the girl you’re carrying,” he said, his voice smooth and low.Dan narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “Is that so? What do you know about
Dan sat comfortably on his worn leather couch, a self-satisfied grin on his face as he sipped whiskey from a crystal glass. Outside his home, the muffled voices of the townspeople grew louder, their determined footsteps heading straight for his door, just like he had expected... or heard from Clara. He barely flinched when the knock came—a loud, insistent pounding that echoed through the small house.With deliberate slowness, Dan rose from his couch and strolled to the door. He opened it just enough to lean against the frame, his smirk widening when he saw Mrs. Aldric standing at the forefront of the group. Her face was lined with worry and anger, a combination that only fueled his amusement.“Well, if it isn’t the town’s matron saint,” Dan uttered, dully. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Aldric? And the others?”Her eyes narrowed. “We’re looking for Isabelle. Where is she?”Dan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Isabelle? You mean your little stray? Haven’t seen her.”“Don’t lie to
Flashback: Hours AgoLiam Anderson leaned back in his chair, the weight of the boardroom’s discussions pressing heavily on him. The sleek conference room was filled with sharply dressed executives, their voices droning on about projections, prices and market trends. Normally, this would be his domain—strategic, controlled, predictable.But today, his mind was elsewhere.The vibration of his phone against the brown polished table snapped him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw the name flash: Marcus.Marcus was his man on the ground, the one he’d hired to keep tabs on Isabelle from the moment he found her in that hospital and left her to go her own way. He didn’t trust the world enough to leave her alone, not with the shadows of her past looming all around her.“Excuse me,” Liam said abruptly, interrupting the executive that was speaking. He stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. The murmurs in the room reduced as all eyes turned to him.“Mr. Anderson, this is a crucial
The police station was colder than Isabelle expected, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glow on the tired faces of the officers and suspects alike. Isabelle clutched her arms tightly around herself as she walked in beside Liam, her steps hesitant. She had a lot on her mind at that moment.Dan was being held in a separate room, but Liam had arranged for her to see him once she felt ready. For now, Isabelle sat in the waiting area just outside the room, trying to piece together her scattered emotions and waiting for Liam to come with a police officer escort.She barely noticed the sound of hurried footsteps and people walking about in front of until a familiar voice cut through the air. It was from inside the room where Dan was kept. “I thought you were better than this?” Clara demanded, her voice tight with worry.Isabelle looked up sharply, her breath catching in her throat. She recognized that voice. It was the voice of someone from the town. It was Clara's voice. What was she
The police station was quiet now, the chaos of the evening finally going down. Isabelle sat beside Liam on a bench, her arms wrapped around her body as if trying to shield herself against the cold reality of her life. Mrs. Aldric had insisted on staying until Isabelle was finished giving her statement, but eventually, the older woman had to leave.Before she left, Mrs. Aldric gripped Liam’s arm firmly. “Take care of her,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “And bring her back safely.”“I promise,” Liam replied, his voice steady.When they were alone, Liam turned to Isabelle, the expression on his face, filled with concern. “Are you alright?”“No,” Isabelle said simply, her voice devoid of emotion. “I don’t think I’ll ever be alright again. That man, Richard is so scary. He would go to the length of killing me just to keep his abusive nature under wraps.”He sighed, his expression softening. “I know this feels impossible, but I’m going to make sure Richard never comes nea
Isabelle followed Liam out of his office, she was nervous from the whirlwind of the past few days and the decision she had made that day. It was going to be a long and hard journey, no doubt, but she had Liam and Mrs Aldric on her side now. “Isabelle,” Liam said, gesturing toward a man waiting by the window. “Meet my secretary, Frank Payne.”Frank turned with an exaggerated flourish, his bright smile instantly lighting up the room. He was a tall, lanky, young man with an easy charm, dressed in a sharp suit that somehow still looked casual.“Ah, the infamous Miss Isabelle,” Frank said dramatically, taking her hand and shaking it enthusiastically. “You’re even more beautiful than the pictures I saw you in. I caught Mr Anderson staring at pictures from time to time. Pleasure to meet you!”Isabelle couldn’t help but laugh, her earlier tension easing slightly. “Nice to meet you too, Frank.”“You’re too kind,” Frank said, shooting a grin at Liam. “How did someone as stiff as you convince h
The grand ballroom of the Anderson Companies owned building was transformed into a vision of luxury for the wedding of the year. Glittering chandeliers cast warm light over the elegantly dressed guests, a sea of billionaires, politicians, and socialites filled the space. Outside, the media clamored for any glimpse of the bride and groom, their cameras flashing as black-tie guests arrived in luxury cars.In a private dressing room upstairs, Isabelle sat before a decorated mirror as a team of makeup artists worked on her. The room smelled faintly of perfume and flowers, the hum of whispered compliments filling the air.“You’re so stunning, Miss Isabelle,” one of the artists gushed, stepping back to admire her work. “Liam Anderson is a lucky man. You're so lucky too. Half the country would kill to be in your shoes right now.”Another nodded enthusiastically, adjusting the hem of Isabelle’s white wedding dress. “The most eligible bachelor in the country, and now he’s yours.”Isabelle mana
Isabelle groaned as her eyes fluttered open, her head pounded hard and her body felt heavy like she got hit by a truck. She was back in the bedroom of the home she and Liam shared, the soft, muted tones of the room doing little to ease the ache in her chest. Her gaze landed on Mary Jane sitting beside her, she had a worried expression on her face.“You’re awake,” Mary Jane said softly, relief washing over her face. She handed Isabelle a glass of water. “Here, drink this. You need it.”Isabelle obeyed, the cool water soothing her dry throat. “What happened?” she asked, her voice hoarse.“You fainted at the wedding. We were all worried about you. Mrs Aldric didn't want to leave but Mr Anderson convinced her that you'll be okay so she left after cooking some meals.” Mary Jane said, her voice laced with concern. “Mr Anderson brought you back here. Are you feeling okay? Are you feeling hurt anywhere?”Isabelle set the glass down, her hands trembling. “I’m fine.” But her thoughts were far f
The city lights flickered past in a blur as Frank maneuvered the car through the streets. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was tense, filled only with the steady hum of the engine and the faint tapping of Liam’s fingers against his iPad. His gaze was locked onto the screen, scanning through endless articles, reports, and anything remotely connected to the name Marcus Carter.Frank, who had been watching his boss out of the corner of his eye, finally spoke. “Alright, boss, where exactly are we headed?”Liam didn’t respond immediately. His brows furrowed deeper as he scrolled, his jaw tightening.Frank sighed. “And what are you looking at so damn intensely? I swear, you’ve been at it since we left the office. Did we get a project that I don't know about?”Liam let out a slow breath, lowering the device slightly. “I’m going through everything online that has Marcus Carter’s name on it.”Frank frowned. “Marcus Carter?” He repeated the name, searching his memory. “Can’t say it rings a bel
The drive to Westford University was tense. Isabelle gripped the steering wheel firmly, her mind racing through possible ways to handle the situation. Next to her, Selena sat with her arms crossed, tapping her nails against her knee impatiently.“I still don’t see why we have to be nice about this,” Selena muttered, shifting in her seat.Isabelle sighed, keeping her eyes on the road. “Because we need them to trust us. If we go in there guns blazing, they’ll only become more defensive.”Selena scoffed. “That’s assuming they deserve any respect after what they pulled. They didn’t just reject our partnership—they publicly trashed Polaris Tech. If they had doubts, they could’ve kept it internal.”Isabelle nodded. “I agree. What they did was irresponsible. But think about it—did they say anything false?”Selena frowned. “Well—no, but—”“They didn’t outright lie,” Isabelle continued. “They didn’t fabricate anything. They just repeated what they thought was true. And whether we like it or no
By the time Isabelle finally walked through the doors of the house, exhaustion weighed down on her shoulders. The day had been long—Crestview’s success, Westford’s betrayal, and the revelation that Laura and Estella were behind the attack on Polaris Tech.And worse, the growing suspicion that Marcus had been orchestrating this entire thing from the start.She barely had time to gather her thoughts before she heard the deep, familiar voice from across the living room.“You’re late. Again, Isabelle.”She looked up to see Liam standing by the bar, sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, and a glass of whiskey in his hand. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, sharp and unreadable.Isabelle sighed, setting her bag down by the couch. “I know. I'm sorry.”Liam placed his glass down and crossed the room in three long strides. Before she could react, he cupped her face, tilting her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his gaze.“Are you alright?” His voice was low, laced with concern.She swa
The next morning, Isabelle and Selena sat in Isabelle’s office, scanning an email from Professor Langston.Crestview University had officially agreed to host the Polaris AI demonstration next week.Selena grinned as she leaned back in her chair. “We finally got a big one. This could set off a domino effect for other universities.”Isabelle nodded, feeling a rare sense of accomplishment. “If Crestview endorses us, others will follow.”But before they could fully celebrate, another email arrived—one that wiped the smiles off their faces.Westford University, another top university on their list that they visited and pitched their ideas too had rejected their proposal outright. Worse, they had publicly warned students against using Polaris AI, citing “concerns over long-term data privacy.”Selena’s expression darkened as she slammed her hand onto Isabelle’s desk. “This is bad. If one university publicly doubts us, others will hesitate too.”Isabelle scanned the content of the email showi
Isabelle arrived at Polaris Tech that morning, fully prepared for a long day. The student discount marketing plan was in motion, and she had no room for mistakes. The moment she stepped into her office, a member of the PR team handed her a thick folder filled with reports and updates. She barely had time to flip through it before her phone buzzed with a meeting reminder.Taking a deep breath, she headed toward the conference room. Inside, the marketing and PR teams were already gathered, with Marcus seated at the head of the table. Greg, the head of marketing, was going over the discount structures they had decided on—tiered percentages for students based on their courses and subscription plans.After some final adjustments, Marcus turned to Isabelle and Selena. "Your job is to make sure students actually know about this. Partnerships, ads, outreach—whatever it takes."Selena crossed her arms. "Universities would be the best way to go. If we get academic institutions to endorse Polari
Isabelle took a deep breath before stepping out of her office. It was time for the meeting with the marketing team, and she had already put together a few ideas on how to boost Polaris AI’s public image. As she made her way toward the meeting room, she spotted Selena walking ahead of her, her posture stiff, her steps quick and purposeful."Selena," Isa called out.Selena didn’t stop.Isa frowned but quickened her pace until she caught up and gently grabbed Selena’s arm. The woman turned sharply, her eyes flashing with irritation."What do you want?" Selena asked coldly.Isa let go of her arm and met her gaze with calm confidence. "Look, I know you don’t like me here. You think I’m here to take your position, but you don’t have to worry about that. I have no intention of staying in Polaris Tech permanently."Selena’s expression didn’t change, but there was a flicker of curiosity in her eyes."I’ll be gone in three weeks," Isa continued, her voice steady. "I was brought in temporarily,
The towering glass building of Polaris Technologies loomed before Isabelle as she stepped out of the car. The sleek, modern exterior was almost like Anderson Corp’s, yet there was no sense of familiarity—this wasn’t her first time here. But today, everything was different. Today, she was not a visitor or a negotiator. She was an employee. Even if temporary.With a deep breath, she adjusted her blouse and made her way through the entrance. The moment she stepped inside, the air changed. Whispers rippled through the lobby like a wave, eyes discreetly flicking in her direction. Some employees murmured with excitement, others with skepticism."So that’s Isabelle Rivers? Liam Anderson's wife?""I heard she’s brilliant.""I heard she played a big role in the security breach scandal. She even held a press conference. What’s she doing here?"" Has she been hired permanently by Mr Carter?"Isabelle kept her head high, ignoring the murmurs as she reached the reception desk. The receptionist, a
Isabelle stood in front of the mirror, absently gathering her hair to tie it up. But the moment she lifted it, she froze.Hickeys.Deep, reddish-purple bruises littered the pale skin of her neck and collarbone, evidence of last night’s passion. She inhaled sharply, her fingers grazing over them.Her cheeks flushed.She should be annoyed—it was inconvenient to go around with these marks. But instead, a small, traitorous smile tugged at her lips.Liam was insatiable.She bit her lower lip, caught between amusement and frustration. There was no way she could wear her hair up today.Behind her, the door to the walk-in closet opened, and Liam stepped out, dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit. His hair was neatly styled, and he was adjusting his tie with practiced ease. The sight of him, so effortlessly put together, made last night’s memory even more vivid.Liam glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smirked. “What’s got you so happy this early in the morning?”Isa snapped out of her daze
Isabelle gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white as she maneuvered through the dimly lit streets. She wasn’t supposed to be doing this.Both Allison and Ethan had warned her—stay away.But how could she?The way Vivian had been dragged away, the panic in her eyes, the sheer weight of what had happened—it wouldn’t leave Isa’s mind. And Marcus... she had never trusted him completely. Something about him had always felt off.Now, more than ever, she needed answers.She arrived at the detention center, her heart pounding as she stepped out of the car. It was a grim-looking building, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded heavily. What the hell am I doing? she wondered. But it was too late to turn back now.After going through security and the necessary formalities, she sat in the visitation area, waiting. The fluorescent lights flickered above her, making the dull gray walls feel even colder.The door on the other side of the glass partition buzzed open.Vivian stepped in.I