"Why do you look so pale, cousin," Norman taunted, casually leaning against the wall.Shawn froze midway in his step, hands clenching. There was no need for him even to turn around; the smugness of Norman's voice told him all it had to.Henry's jaw clenched as he turned to face Victor and Norman. "If you're here to gloat, save your breath. We're not interested."Victor laughed, far down the corridor. "Come on, Henry. Must I wish my dear brother and nephew luck for good luck? You both need it, after all,”Shawn spun on his heels, his eyes ablaze. "You thief! You stole our work, you" Shawn yelled wildly as if shaking with great wrath.Norman smirked, utterly unconcerned. "Steal? I don't know what you are on about, Shawn. Possibly just careless with your…ah…precious, precious documents.” Before Norman could get the words out, Shawn had already clutched him by the collar, pinning him against the wall. "You think this is a joke?!" Shawn snarled. "You broke into my office! You—""Shawn!" H
"Let's talk about integrity," Richard said, the mere sound of his voice slashing the charged air like a razor. A cold shiver ran up Shawn's spine as the weight of those words made his palms grow damp. He turned to Henry, who sat ramrod-straight in his chair, his jaw clenched like granite. Victor's smirk faltered for a split second before he straightened in his seat, his expression morphing in a flash into one of feigned confidence. "What exactly are you talking about, Richard?" he demanded, his tone sharp. Richard's eyes, cold and unforgiving, settled on Victor. "You know precisely what I am talking about, Victor. The fact that your presentation wasn't originally yours but was stolen." The murmurs started to rise, low at first-like the rumble of thunder in a distance before the storm breaks. Edward Langston leaned back in his chair; his fingers steepled as he watched the chaos brew. "This is inappropriate, Mr. Wadsley," Edward interrupted him. "If you have accusations, I hope
Eva's foot tapped against the cold, sterile floor of the doctor's office as her nerves seemed to wind tighter and tighter until they might snap. The soft hum of the fluorescent lights overhead only added to the sense of unease that had nibbled at her since she had left the hospital.The silence stretched either side, far in excess of what she wanted to bear. "Doctor Clarkson, I need answers. You have been staring at that bottle for ten minutes. Just tell me, what kind of pills are they?"Dr. Clarkson set the bottle down delicately on the counter. The clinking was faint; however, a deepening frown etched her face. "Mrs. Darlington, these pills don't look harmful, they look similar to many other pills. But something seems off."The sound of his voice seemed to make Eva sit back and clasp her abdomen. "What do you mean?”The doctor cleared his throat, trying to word it just so. "The label said a standard vitamin supplement; but these are not pills matching the listed formulation. It is v
Antiseptic air threatened to choke her, but Eva barely noticed."I was never pregnant," Eva spoke, her voice cracking with her declaration. "How can you say I had a miscarriage when I didn't even know I was carrying a child?Dr. Clarkson hedged, a flicker of concern across her professional mask. Her hands folded together, leaning slightly forward. "Mrs Darlington, I know it sounds impossible, but this is a medication specifically for after a miscarriage or abortion. It's possible that…”She trailed off, clearly trying to proceed with caution.Eva's hands clenched against the chair edges. "Possible that what?”“It might be that you were pregnant when you fell down the stairs, and never knew. Your family could keep it away from you out of hand in that the psychological shock was beyond what one could handle. And they were trying to keep you from the emotional damage."The words hit her like a kick in the diaphragm, and suddenly, Eva's breath caught in her throat as her heart started rac
The shrill ringing of the doorbell cut into the silence stretched between Eva and Shawn. Madame Tess sprang from her chair to the door in one fluid movement, the shoes clicking with urgency in quick beats against the marble."I'll get that," she said hastily, but the voice was measured, composed-the feet moved with urgency.Eva did not once remove her eyes from the door as Madam Tess opened it, spoke a few words with the delivery man, and got the envelope from him. The air was thick in that room; with every wait, her chest grew tighter.Madam Tess turned to her with the envelope in her hands, as if it were holding the weight of the world. "Ma'am," she started with caution lacing her tone, "this is-“Hand it over," Eva cut in incisively, rising from the couch.Still slightly apprehensive, Madam Tess went ahead to hold out the envelope; Eva snatched it from her hands, and her fingers slightly trembled as she tore it open."Ava, what's wrong?" Shawn's voice finally broke through-laced wi
“Well Richard, this is a toast to vision, perseverance, and may I say brilliance," Henry Darlington exclaimed triumphantly, raising his glass. The private lounge from the exclusive business club was a place of elegance and secrecy: dark oak panels and low light, a place where multi-million dollar deals were closed over a handshake and a drink."To sealing the deal," returned Richard Wadsley as he clinked his glass against Henry's while the tone was proudly taken by the man who had been a part of pulling that masterstroke. "Edward Langston isn't easily pleased, but you sure do seem to have done just that, Henry."Henry swirled the amber liquid in his glass, watching almost as if it seemed to play with the light-a tangible expression of their success. "I did it because I had the right guys behind me, and should you not have pulled through, Richard, we would not be sitting here in celebration today.”Richard chuckled, jerking his head back: "You are being modest. It wasn't just me; it wa
“You can’t keep this up, Ma'am,” Madam Tess said, her voice echoing through the grand hallway as she stood outside Eva’s locked bedroom door. “You need to eat something.” Eva sat silent, tucked against the window in her darkened room, with her arms clenched tightly around her knees. That mansion had been a prison unto itself-a gilded cage, slowly strangling her an inch at a time. The words of Madam Tess, innumerable attempts by Shawn to reach out and speak with her. The soft knock broke the silence. "Ava, please," Shawn's voice, laced with desperation, came from the other side. "Talk to me. I can't help if you keep shutting me out."Still, she didn't move, didn't say a word. Her mind replayed the fragments of the revelation that had torn her world asunder-the baby she never knew she carried, now gone.“Ava, I am not leaving until you let me in, Shawn said, his voice cracking yet laced with a determined edge that left Eva gasping for air. “We have been at this for days now, please ta
"You got everything?" Shawn asked, parking the car in front of Wadsley Jewels building. In his voice, there seemed a mix of concern and determination, which she had grown accustomed to in the past few days."Yeah, Shawn. Everything." Eva blew out a heavy sigh and unsnapped her seatbelt. Eva leaned for the door handle, but Shawn leaned over, intercepting her motion."And your medications? Did you pack them?" he pressed on, furrowing his brows."They're in my bag," she said patiently."Good. Don't forget them, no matter what. And for lunch, Ava you have to eat lunch, not just coffee. You've hardly eaten anything lately."She turned to him, her lips twitching as she suppressed a smile. "I promise, I'll eat.""And don't overwork yourself. Take breaks, sit down, hydrate-"Shawn," Eva cut in, firmness riding over the affection in her tone. "I'll be fine."He had ignored that and went on, "If you feel tired, leave early. I can come pick you up. Just call me, okay? And—She silenced him with
“Lets see what you are up to, Ava.” Ryan said under his breath, hands on the steering wheel as his eyes dart merrily between the rearview mirror and the restaurant across the road. The engine of his car idled gently, its low hum hardly noticeable over the thrashing in his chest. Almost an hour had passed since he had been sitting there, his head turned on Ava, who was inside the café stirring her unattended coffee. His phone buzzed on the passenger seat, and he grabbed it quickly. It was a message from Shawn. Shawn: "Keep your eyes on her; we must figure out where she's taking that money to.”Ryan exhaled, his jaw tightened. He thought relentlessly, typing back a brief response. Ryan: "I'm still watching. She hasn't made a move yet." He set the phone down and tapped his fingers nervously on the top of the steering wheel. Two half-million-dollar withdrawals, and she's merely sipping coffee? It didn't seem right. There's something up.Ava rose from the chair moments later, her chai
Shawn's voice was quiet but fraught with stress as he slumped on the mahogany desk, his jaw clenched with each word;"Are you quite certain about this, Ryan? ".His fingers drummed on the polished surface of the table, a perturbed beat that exposed his anxiety as he sat across from him. “I wouldn't have not come to you if I wasn't. Ava is hiding something, I've been investigating and watching her myself.” Shawn's eyebrows furrowed tightly. The poorly lit study gave them privacy, its thick drapes shutting out the rest of the world, but it did little to relax the weight bearing on Shawn. “You're claiming she poisoned Eva, Ryan. I still can't believe Ava would do that. Even Eva doesn't believe it. Because Ava has no reason to do that.” Ryan let out a nasty sigh, anger rippling across him. "I know you both are finding it hard to believe, but according to Eva's testimony, she is our only suspect.Ryan narrowed his eyes at Shawn, who looked disturbed. “Eva told me she overheard Ava's conve
Ava murmured over the phone, voice chilly and indifferent, "I can't come today either."Shawn's exasperated voice came over the speaker to say, "Ava, what's going on? You keep giving excuses not to come home. Talk to me if something is bothering you.”"Shawn, I'm not giving excuses. I have a lot of work to do and my parents' place is the closest, because I've been working late these days. Please try to understand. " Ava hung up without waiting for his response and flung her phone onto her disorganized desk. The setting sun had long gone down, so Wadsleys Jewels were gently aglow from the office lights. Scattered about Ava's desk were financial records and client files, but none of them really had her attention. She was off, trapped in a hurricane of anxiety and stress. Trying to relieve the increasing headache, she rubbed her temples. She didn't bother to check when her phone buzzed again. She already knew it was Shawn.Eva and her mother had also been trying to talk to her, but th
Richard Wadsley paced the living room, with his fist clenched and, his voice booming throughout the mansion, "Why isn't there any damn answer yet? " Flush with anger, he glared at the detective who stood uncomfortably.“Mr Wadsley, the CCTV from Wadsleys Jewels was damaged. Both the cameras inside Eva's office and leading to it were turned off. Someone obviously understood what they were doing. " The detective explained.Richard sneered, his jaws clamped tight. “Someone tried to murder my daughter, and we don't have even one hint? " The detective’s eyes went down. “We are trying to look for alternative methods to get the culprit. maybe…” "Get out! " Richard snapped.“Mr Wadsley?’’ The detective was caught off guard.Richard Wadsley glared at him and growled. “I dont want to see you, if you dont have anything tangible. Please leave.” The man gave a curt nod, and said. “We’ll do our best sir.” Before turning to leave. Eva was lying on the couch, with hetr hands resting on her stom
"Miss Wadsley, you must tell us everything you remember. It will be very useful for the investigation.” Detective Harris' voice cut through the heavy tension of the hospital room. Eva moved a little on the hospital bed, and the sterile sheet felt rigid and itchy against her skin. Eleanor Wadsley, her mother, sat on the edge of Evas bed with Eva hand clenched in hers like a lifeline. Richard Wadsley paced like an anguished lion across the room, anger seeping from every powerful stomp crashing across the ceramic floor. Shawn was standing stiffly in the corner beside Ryan, with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes fixed on Eva's pallid face, his jaw was clenched, and the muscles twitched gently. Every moment of her silence only appeared to drive the cyclone building beyond his chilling eyes. Ryan squirmed next to him, rubbing his neck back and forth; his irritation practically evident throughout the questioning. "Miss Wadsley," Detective Harris said with a firm but gentle
Apart from the faint beep of the heart monitor, the hospital room was eerily quiet. Sitting in the chair next Eva's bed, Shawn watched her weak body resting against the white hospital sheets his fingers interlocked. Though the steady rise and fall of her chest comforted him, it did not lighten the suffocating weight of emotions he felt. He had been sitting there for hours, waiting for her to wake up, waiting for a solution. The doctor had told him that she'll regain consciousness soon. Eleanor had left a few moments ago telling him that she had to make food for Eva when she woke up. She thanked him for staying beside her. He was lost in the memories of the past they shared together, the betrayal, lies and the pain of their divorce. The news of her pregnancy was the shock of it all. Resting his elbows on his knees, he sighed deeply and his fingers twitched. Since Ryan laid everything out, his head has been spinning with questions. ‘Why didn't she tell me?’He ought to have realized
Ava's eyes were filled with fury as she walked completely into the apartment; she still couldn't believe what was before her eyes. Startled by the unexpected interruption, Samantha jumped from the sofa. It was irritation rather than fear that swished over her face; she knew Ava would come screaming at her door, sooner or later. Ava took a deep breath. “What is Norman Darlington doing here?” Her eyes returned to Samantha, mock screaming on her like a tidal wave. "Sam, I asked what is going on here?” Crossing her legs and sitting back against the couch, Samantha smirked. "I was wondering how long it would take you to solve it.” She said smoothly.Ava clenches her fists. "You have been working together?” Samantha breathed out deeply, head tilted. “Why else would he be here? Quit asking obvious questions Ava, you look stupid.” A wave of sickness swept Ava. She trusted Samantha. They've been best friends since middle school. Samantha made her believe she was helping her and was the o
Shawn drove behind his parent's car as they drove into the parking space of their mansion. He knew his father was trying to keep his cool and not cause a scene in front of the Wadsleys when they almost lost their daughter. His father went in without waiting for him. Shawn took a deep breath before walking in to face his father. “Shawn, what in the world is happening? What was all that?” Henry Darlington asked with barely contained anger. Shawn tried to speak and calm his father down, but unfortunately, he had no words. He understood what his father felt, but he also felt the same way and didn't understand the mess he just got into. His thoughts replayed the doctor's words and Ryan's words. ‘Eva was truly pregnant, and it was his.And now his father is paranoid and angry about the fact that both twins are pregnant with his child. Shawn shrugged wearily. How exactly was he supposed to deal with this? He thought finding Eva unconscious in her office was worse until the doctor co
With clenched fists, Shawn strolled the space by the window. He wasn't saying much, he just wanted Eva to regain consciousness. She still has a lot to answer for, but the memories of how he found her almost lifeless on the floor made his heart sink. Ava went to sit and was stiff in the chair, hands shaking and rolled into fists in her lap. Ryan stood with his back against the wall, his mask like face dull, but the jaw clenched spoke volumes. Richard Wadsley and Eleanor Wadsley were seated together, their distorted heads twisted with horror and fury. Daine Darlington and Henry Darlington sat quietly, their red eyes flicking every which way. Eleanor shot from the chair, her voice quivering on the razor's ranks, "Doctor, what's the update now. How's my daughter?” Richard's deep voice asked, "Is she awake?" The doctor scanned the room. "Are you all the patient's family?” Shawn glared. "Why does any of this matter? Tell us what happened to her.” The doctor stopped and then gave a no