Chapter 55: Risky confrontation Chelsea stood outside her culinary school, a light breeze tugging at her hair. The morning classes had gone smoothly, and for once, she felt like she belonged. The encouraging words from her chef instructor about her pastry skills kept echoing in her head. She adjusted the strap of her bag and began walking to the parking lot.Just as she reached the edge of the lot, three men stepped out from behind a parked car. Their sudden appearance startled her, and she instinctively stopped. They were dressed casually, but their intimidating demeanor made her uneasy.“You’re Chelsea, right?” one of them asked, his voice rough.She glanced around, hoping someone was nearby. “Yes. Who’s asking?”The tallest of the three, with a scar running down his jaw, smirked. “We’ve been sent to deliver a message.”Chelsea’s heart started to pound. “What kind of message?”The man stepped closer, his dark eyes narrowing. “Stay away from Liam. He’s not for someone like you.”Her
Chapter 56: His father's discharge The morning sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the hospital grounds. Adams stood near the reception desk, his mother and Sandra by his side. They were waiting for his father, who was finally being discharged after a grueling week of recovery. Though the air was heavy with mixed emotions, there was relief that he was stable enough to go home.Adams turned to Sandra, who held his hand firmly, her thumb brushing over his knuckles. “You’ve been my rock through this,” he said softly, his voice filled with gratitude.She smiled, her eyes warm. “You don’t have to thank me, Adams. Family is everything, and your father is family.”Adams’ mother cleared her throat, drawing their attention. “Let’s not get too sentimental here. The real challenge starts now—keeping him from overexerting himself.”Adams chuckled lightly, knowing his mother was right. His father, ever the workaholic, would likely struggle with the doctor’s strict instructions for rest
Chapter 57: Purposeful plansThe next day dawned bright and cheerful, and Chelsea decided to take a break from her usual routine. Reese had suggested they grab lunch at a nearby café, and Chelsea happily agreed. The cozy, sunlit restaurant was bustling with activity as they settled at a table by the window, the aroma of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee filling the air.As they dug into their meals, Reese nudged Chelsea with her elbow. “You’ve been smiling a lot lately. Someone’s in love, huh?”Chelsea laughed, shaking her head. “Reese, stop it. I’m just... happy. Things feel like they’re finally falling into place.”“Well, I’ll give credit to your mystery boyfriend for that,” Reese teased, wiggling her eyebrows.Chelsea rolled her eyes. “He’s not a mystery, and he’s not the only reason I’m happy. Starting classes has been great too.”Reese opened her mouth to retort but stopped mid-sentence, her gaze fixed on the restaurant’s entrance. Chelsea turned to see what had caught her a
Chapter 58:A sudden surprise Chelsea walked into her apartment with a spring in her step, a wide smile gracing her lips. The day had been chaotic, but it ended on a surprisingly positive note. Liam’s unwavering support, his protective nature, and his swift action to address the situation at school had left her feeling more valued than she had in years.Dropping her bag on the couch, she sank into the cushions and reached for her phone. Her fingers hovered over the screen momentarily before she pressed the call button, dialing Liam’s number.“Chelsea,” he answered after the first ring, his voice smooth and steady.“Hi,” she said softly, her smile evident even through the phone. “I just wanted to call and thank you.”“For what?” Liam asked, feigning innocence, though his tone betrayed a faint trace of amusement.“For today,” Chelsea explained. “For standing up for me, for making those guys apologize. I know it was you. I don’t know how you did it, but it means a lot to me.”There was a
Chapter 59: Her deceitful scheme Liam sat in his office, the contents of the envelope spread out before him like the pieces of a puzzle. Most of it seemed mundane at first glance—bank statements, legal documents—but it was the handwritten note that caught his attention as it fluttered to the floor.Bending down, he picked it up and read the words written in bold, blocky letters:Do you want to know who Chelsea really is?Liam’s scoff filled the room. The audacity of whoever sent this note amused him. He knew Chelsea well enough—her kindness, her hard work, her resilience. Whatever they thought they could use to shake him wasn’t going to work.Without hesitation, he tore the note in half, then in half again, letting the pieces scatter into the trash can beside his desk. Turning to his right-hand man, Derek, who stood silently nearby, Liam’s tone was cold and commanding.“Find out where this envelope came from. I want the courier’s route, the office it was dispatched from—every detail.
Chapter 60: Sudden realization Chelsea walked into her apartment later that evening, exhausted but relieved to be home. The day had been overwhelming, with lessons in class pushing her limits, and Reese’s words lingering in her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing behind her back, and Valerie was at the center of it.Dropping her bag by the door, Chelsea grabbed a glass of water and sank into the couch. As she sipped, her phone buzzed. It was Liam.“Hey,” she answered, her voice soft.“Are you home?” His tone was clipped, though he didn’t sound angry.“Yes, I just got in.”“I’ll be there in ten minutes. We need to talk,” he said firmly, and the call ended before she could ask any questions.Chelsea stared at her phone, anxiety creeping in. Liam’s serious tone had unsettled her. Had he found out about Valerie’s mysterious courier delivery? Was this about her?A knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts. She hurried to open it, and there Liam stood, l
Chapter 61: Her cunning planThe evening breeze filtered through the open windows of the grand estate, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming roses from the garden below. Adams sat in a leather armchair in his bedroom, his mother perched gracefully on the edge of the bed. She wore an elegant silk robe, her demeanor as poised and calculated as ever."Adams, darling," she began, her voice low and conspiratorial, "we need to talk about your father’s assets."Adams leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. "Mother, we’ve discussed this before. Let’s not jump to conclusions while he’s still recovering."His mother waved a hand dismissively, her manicured nails catching the light. "Recovering or not, we both know your father isn’t as sharp as he used to be. This... illness only accelerates things.""That doesn’t mean we should act rashly," Adams replied, his tone firm but respectful.She arched an eyebrow, her expression co
Chapter 62: Her deceitful actThe morning sunlight filtered through the massive windows of the luxurious estate as Aria descended the grand staircase. Dressed in a flowing robe, her hand grazed the polished railing as her heels clicked against the marble steps. From the corner of her eye, she saw Valerie standing at the bottom of the stairs, nodding subtly as though everything was in place.Aria’s heart raced—not from fear, but from anticipation. She had rehearsed this moment countless times with Valerie and her trusted doctor. It was a calculated risk, but one she deemed necessary to manipulate Liam further. She didn’t plan for anything extreme, certainly not losing the baby, but she needed to create the perfect storm.Her foot hovered over the next step, her ankle turning deliberately, and before she could catch herself, she plummeted downward. The sound of her body hitting the steps echoed through the house, followed by a sharp cry that seemed to pierce
Chapter 75: Unraveling SecretsAdams sat in his office, his fingers drumming impatiently against the wooden desk. His mind was already occupied with the ongoing company projects when the door swung open. His mother, Olivia Hudson, walked in, her expression unreadable.He leaned back in his chair, watching her as she gracefully took a seat across from him. "To what do I owe this surprise visit, Mother?"Marina folded her arms, her gaze sharp. "I wanted to talk to you about your father’s health."Adams’ fingers stopped moving. He straightened slightly. "His health?"She nodded. "I traced his calls—every single one of them. Ever since you found out he was dying, I became curious."His eyes narrowed. "How long have you known?""A few years," Marina admitted, her voice calm but firm. "Two years before your marriage, to be precise."Adams clenched his jaw, his mind working through the implications. "And who did you trace the calls to?"His mother took a deep breath before speaking. "Liam’s
Chapter 74: Unfamiliar Faces and Unspoken TensionsChelsea sighed as she unlocked the front door to her apartment, exhaustion weighing down her shoulders. It had been a long day at work, and while she had expected to see Liam at the office, he hadn’t shown up. She knew why,he needed time to process what his mother had told him about his father.Dropping her bag onto the couch, she kicked off her heels and stretched, rolling the tension from her shoulders. The silence in the apartment felt strange. Usually, Reese was home by now, but the place was eerily empty.Where could she be?Shrugging, Chelsea made her way to the bedroom to freshen up. She changed into comfortable lounge wear, tying her hair up in a messy bun before heading to the kitchen. As she started gathering ingredients for dinner, the distant hum of an approaching car caught her attention.She hesitated, then walked toward the window, peeking through the curtains. A sleek black car had pulled up outside, and stepping out o
Chapter 73: The Truth Behind the MaskKim stood behind Reese, fastening the last button on her dress as she scrutinized her reflection in the mirror."Are you sure about this?" Kim asked, her voice laced with concern. "Going to meet him alone might not be the best idea. What if he’s dangerous?"Reese let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Kim, I need to do this. I need to know what happened to Jeremy how he survived all these years and why he never reached out."Kim sighed, crossing her arms. "And what if his family doesn’t even know he’s alive?""Then I’ll find out the truth," Reese said firmly. She turned to face Kim. "I totally understand your concern, but I have to give this a shot. If there's even the slightest chance that I can get answers, I have to take it."Kim studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright, but be careful. If anything feels off, call me immediately."Reese smiled. "I promise."A few minutes later, she was stepping into her car, gripping the steering w
Chapter 72: A Shocking RevelationLiam arrived at his mother’s estate, the familiar grand mansion standing tall against the morning sky. He hadn’t been here in months, avoiding unnecessary family drama as much as possible. However, after last night’s call, he knew he couldn’t ignore his mother forever.As he stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants filled the air. His mother, Eleanor, sat at the dining table, gracefully sipping her tea, while his grandmother, Beatrice, flipped through a newspaper.Eleanor looked up and smiled. “Liam, you came.”He sighed, taking a seat. “You asked me to.”“Join us for breakfast,” she said, pushing a plate of food toward him.Liam hesitated for a moment but eventually picked up his fork. He wasn’t particularly hungry, but if this was a way to get the conversation going, so be it.His grandmother eyed him over her glasses. “You look tired.”“I’m fine,” he muttered.Eleanor set her cup down, looking at him intently. “Liam, I
Chapter 71: A Taste of HurtThe next morning, Reese stretched as she got out of bed, reaching for her phone. She scrolled through her notifications and saw a text from Chelsea that had been sent late last night.Chelsea: Hey, Reese. Just wanted to let you know I’ll be spending the night at Liam’s place. Don’t wait up for me.Reese sighed, placing her phone on the nightstand. She wasn’t surprised things had been heating up between Chelsea and Liam, but something about the entire situation felt… off. Shaking the thought away, she decided to focus on something else.She picked up her phone again and dialed Kim. As soon as she answered, Reese said, “Come over. We’re going to find out who Gerald Hudson really is.”Kim hesitated for a second. “Are you sure about this? What if it’s dangerous?”Reese smirked. “That’s why you’re coming with me.”After hanging up, she moved to the kitchen, brewing herself a strong cup of coffee. She made herself a light breakfast but barely ate, her mind occupi
Chapter 70: A promise of love Charles arrived within minutes, his face dark with anger as he stepped into the penthouse. Aria, who had been standing frozen after Liam’s harsh words, turned toward her father in shock.“Dad?” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.Charles gave her a once-over before turning his gaze to Liam. “What the hell is going on here?”Liam stood his ground, arms crossed over his chest. “You’re here to take your daughter home.”Aria’s shock morphed into rage as she turned back to Liam. “You’re really throwing me out like this? After everything? I should be here, well taken care of, but instead, you’re treating me like I mean nothing to you?”Liam’s expression didn’t waver. “That’s because you don’t mean anything to me, Aria.”She gasped, her eyes filling with tears. “You don’t mean that…”“I do,” Liam replied coldly. “And you shouldn’t bother coming back here because I’ll make sure the guards know you’re no longer welcome.”Aria clenched her fists. “You
Chapter 69: A Distasteful SurpriseKim walked into Reese’s office with a stack of printed papers and placed them on the table. Reese, who had been staring at her computer screen in deep thought, glanced up and reached for the documents.“I did a deep search for the name Gerald Hudson,” Kim began. “But I found nothing. No records, no background, nothing that could link him to any existing family. The only thing that came close was a Hudson family that used to live in France.”Reese frowned as she skimmed through the documents. “Hudson family?”Kim nodded. “Yeah, but their only son supposedly died in a car accident twenty years ago.”Reese’s heart skipped a beat. She immediately dropped the papers and looked at Kim with a sharp intensity. “The Hudsons… I know that family. They were friends with my parents.”Kim blinked in surprise. “You do?”“Yes,” Reese said firmly. “I even knew their son—the one who supposedly died. His name was Jeremy. Except… if this Gerald Hudson is linked to them,
Chapter 68: Getting Fed UpAria lay in her hospital bed, her fingers clutching the blanket in frustration. The walls of the hospital room felt suffocating, and she was sick of lying here, feeling weak and helpless. Her father, Charles, sat beside her, his face full of concern.“Aria,” he said gently, “you just lost a child. You shouldn’t be stressing yourself over anything right now. You need to rest.”Aria’s eyes burned with anger. “I don’t have time to rest, Dad. If I don’t act fast, Chelsea will take Liam away from me, and I can’t let that happen.”Charles sighed. “Liam is still around, isn’t he? He’s been checking up on you.”She scoffed. “That means nothing. He’s only here out of obligation, not love. I need to make sure I have him in my hold. I need to remind him why he belongs with me.”Charles frowned. “Aria, listen to me. You need to recover first. Rushing into anything will only make things worse.”“I don’t care,” she snapped. “I won’t sit back and let that girl take what’s
Chapter 67: The best presentation The next morning, Chelsea dressed up quickly, adjusting her dress before stepping out of her bedroom. Today was another busy day at culinary school, and she was determined to make the most of it.As she walked toward the kitchen, she was surprised to find Reese already there, setting the table. The delicious aroma of eggs and toast filled the air.“Morning,” Chelsea greeted, raising an eyebrow. “You’re up early.”Reese flashed her a small smile. “I thought I’d make breakfast before we both head out. Figured we could use a good meal before the day starts.”Chelsea chuckled and took a seat at the counter. “That’s sweet. I could get used to this.”Reese poured her a glass of juice before sitting down across from her. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about something… and I’d love to talk to you about it.”Chelsea raised an eyebrow. “I’m all ears. What’s up?”Reese hesitated for a moment, tapping her fingers on the table. “So, last night, I was scrolling thr