July 23, 2024. 1 Chapter only. I had a few errands. One chapter only today, but I will try to be early tomorrow, okay? Thanks all.
Riley was in deep thought. She was biting her nails at this point. She thought about all the things Renee had told her. Then she shared, "Mom said that she almost died. She probably changed her name because of the threat.""I had tried to look into it, Riley. I couldn't find any information on your mom years before you were born. And as far as I know, Raelyn's last name was a Becket," Adrian revealed. Yet again, Riley fell silent. As she thought about the past, Abner inquired next, "But Ramona only came into the picture years later, right, Adrian?""Yes, Charles discovered that his daughter was rescued during that accident. He searched for his daughter, and Ramona came forward and introduced Leni as his daughter. Technically, she is a total stranger to Charles, only that she raised Leni for ten years," Adrian revealed. "But as far as I know, they went through the process, including DNA testing," Abner said while caressing his chin. "They were able to prove that Leni is Charles' daugh
"Find out which cemetery Raelyn Becket is buried in," Adrian instructed Clint. "Leave some of our men to keep monitoring Fredrick and Tonet, but put more focus on Ramona. Find out why Renee is acting strange. Ask the guys -""I already asked, Sir. Renee did not get any visitors at the hospital," Clint revealed. "But I'll look at the hospital surveillance and see when she started acting strangely.""Someone is making her think that I am using Riley and pushing her in danger, but I would never do that to Riley," Adrian said. "And someone told her about how Riley was nearly kidnapped.""Yes, Sir." Clint hesitated but soon clarified, "So we are going to deal with the Eros first -""We have to. This thing had escalated way too far. Ramona has gone too far. Hire more investigators to look into her and find out the best opportunity to speak to Charles," Adrian added. A hiss left Clint's lips. He remarked, "Uggh. Mr. Eros is upset with you because of the engagement. He won't see you willingly
When Krista entered Adrian's office, her heart skipped a beat. She couldn't help but be in awe of how handsome he looked. Yes, he is in a wheelchair, but it did not reduce his good looks and appeal. He was still a King!Her heart sank when Adrian let out a sigh of irritation, but it did not matter. Krista thought, 'By the time I'm done telling Adrian about Riley, I'll be that person to comfort him.'"What brings you here?" Adrian asked in the most uninterested way."Adrian, you wouldn't believe this, but I have proof that Riley is cheating on you," Krista finally found the courage to say."Cheating on me?" Adrian asked while leaning back on his wheelchair. "Riley would never cheat on me.""But I have proof! I can prove that Riley was kissing another man at the beach!" Krista hurriedly opened her phone and showed Adrian the pictures. She explained, "I was at the beach once and saw Riley. I took as many pictures as I could!"Adrian raised a brow as he scanned the photos. He said, "This i
The weekend came. While Riley was preparing breakfast for her mother, Adrian took the opportunity to speak with Renee. He entered the guest room and asked the nurse to give them a private time. "I don't want to talk to you," Renee said, averting Adrian's gaze. "I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice," Adrian said. There was a brief silence between them, with Renee continuing to look away from Adrian. Finally, Adrian spoke, "I'm not using Riley, Renee. I admit that I initially wanted to do business with Charles Eros, but I would never purposely put Riley's life at risk for that.""But you know what? Why can't Riley have it all? Have a father and have a mother?" Adrian asked. "Your actions left me to believe you are hiding something.""I'm not hiding anything!" Renee spat. "You had asked me to investigate who tried to hurt you, but you refuse to tell me who your enemy is," Adrian pointed out. "And now, you are trying to distance Riley from me.""Haven't you forgotten that I am the o
Renee was afraid to speak. She reached out to Riley and suddenly embraced her. She said, "Trust me, in the long run, I only wanted the best for you and Raelyn. Please, don't hate me, Riley."She initially felt Riley's resistance but eventually gave her a loose hold and begged, "Please, tell me. I can't bear it any longer."Renee pulled away and stared into Riley's eyes. It took everything in her to admit, "I am guilty of working with Calvin Eros." She gulped and revealed, "We had an understanding. I agreed to take Raelyn far away from your father. In exchange, Calvin would leave us alone. He - um. He also paid me to make it happen.""What?" Riley reacted with a frown. But please know, there was a reason I needed money at that time. Let me explain from the very beginning," Renee appealed. Riley looked heartbroken from her initial revelation, but she nodded and said, "I'll listen." She turned to Adrian and added, "We will listen."They all settled in the mausoleum seats. Renee took a
### FLASHBACK CONTINUATION ###"We need to find a way to contact Charles. He has to know," Raelyn proposed. "No!" Renee objected. "He abandoned you, remember?""But I need him, Margaret. This is our child. He at least has the right to know," Raelyn said. "And let his family come down here to Hinesville and bully us?" Renee pointed out. Raelyn cried as a reaction. Renee embraced her sister tightly and said, "I know it's going to be tough, but we can get through this together. We don't need Charles, and we especially don't want to get involved with his family."Renee convinced her sister that they could make it independently, and they did for two months. Now and then, Calvin would call to check on Raelyn, asking if she had attempted to contact Charles, etc. She firmly told Calvin that she ensured her sister did not need Charles. Another month came, and Renee lost her adoptive mother. Renee and Raelyn decided they wanted to leave the pain behind them. They moved to Tiverwall City, whe
“I had minor injuries from the accident, but I had to run. Whoever was inside that car that came after us could wake up from unconsciousness, or maybe there were more of Calvin’s people lurking around,” Renee said before she cried another bucket of tears. “It was so hard for me to do - to leave my sister there, but I was afraid you’d be next, Riley.”Renee was sobbing so intensely that Riley felt compelled to comfort her. Riley did not say anything but simply embraced Renee. She could deeply feel her pain. It was as if Riley was equally taken back in time, watching her real mother die in such a tragic way. Riley and Renee held each other in a long embrace. Meanwhile, across from them, Adrian’s body tensed with anger. Riley could sense that plans were already forming in his head. The look in Adrian’s eyes, focused beyond them, revealed his intent on seeking vengeance.After some time, Renee pulled away and resumed her tale. She said, “I made it back to the apartment that we rented. I p
"Adrian, you said that he visits my mother's grave daily, right? What if he comes here today? We could wait for him," Riley suggested. Adrian sucked in a deep breath. He revealed, "The caretaker said Charles had visited at six am. So he won't be coming later. We are still having trouble getting Charles' schedule, but eventually, I will find out the best way to meet him.""But we could come here again tomorrow," Riley proposed. "It's a weekend, Adrian. If we stay in Dowel City overnight, we can come here earlier.""We can try it, yes," Adrian confirmed. "If that is what you wish, Riley."Adrian turned to Renee and asked, "Before anything else, I want to clarify something. In your story, it seemed like Calvin was interested in Raelyn."Renee nodded. She stared at Raelyn's portrait and answered, "I thought so too. Later, Raelyn also expressed the same suspicion, but at first, we never considered it because he kept saying that my sister was not fit to join their family.""From what I know