“I told you I had nothing to say to you,” Signoral let out, watching the detective as he made her repeat the same words over and over.The small, stark room buzzed with silence, broken only by the faint hum of a ceiling light that flickered now and then.Signoral sat rigidly, her nails tapping an impatient rhythm on the cold metal table as she glared at the blank walls. Her perfectly coiffed hair was slightly disheveled, and her jaw was set with frustration.Two hours. She had been trapped in that interrogation room for two hours. Every tick of the clock reminded her of the humiliation she had suffered at Calista’s hands. Her fingers tightened into fists. God, how she would make her beg for mercy.Just as she felt she might snap, the very annoying detective entered. He settled a file in front of her and flipped it open with a sigh. He looked at her expectantly, attempting again.“So,” he began again, leaning forward. “You really weren’t going to deny your involvement or accept it?”Si
"She was responsible…"The President sat at his desk, his eyes scanning the news on his tablet. He hadn't been surprised to see the reports confirming Signoral's involvement in Mr. MacQuoid's abduction. In a way, he'd anticipated it—observing silently, waiting for the opportune moment to act."Signoral had MacQuoid abducted. She had control of the Sharks," he muttered again, watching how she was being dragged from the stage.Just then, the door opened, and Damian entered with a confident stride, carrying an update he knew the President would find significant."Sir," Damian said, bowing slightly. "I managed to reach Mr. MacQuoid without alerting Ranya or anyone else in his Florida building. After some persuasion, he agreed to meet with you."The President looked up, giving Damian a slight nod of approval, though his expression revealed nothing more. Damian hesitated, curiosity etched on his face. He wanted to know why the President was so intent on this private meeting with MacQuoid.B
"Are you so blinded by wealth that your son's happiness means nothing to you?" Mr. MacQuoid’s voice shook with frustration as he glared at Mr. Lewiston.Mr. Lewiston merely smiled, his gaze cold and unyielding. "Happiness? Tell me, MacQuoid," he drawled, "what do you truly know about happiness?"If this was how the meeting would play out, so be it. With so much at stake, he couldn't risk any missteps—especially given the power Signoral now wielded.Mr. MacQuoid shook his head. "Enough to see that Ranya's happiness doesn’t lie in the world you're forcing upon him," he replied, his voice a mixture of resentment and conviction. "If you'd only seen him with Calista recently, you'd understand. He was... content.""Calista…" Mr. Lewiston raised his head, his gaze piercing. "What’s at stake, MacQuoid, won’t be saved by fleeting emotions or sentiment.""But didn't you let your own emotions dictate your ambitions?" MacQuoid shot back.Mr. Lewiston’s face tightened in anger. "You know nothing a
The tension in Signoral's office was palpable as she leaned back in her chair, her eyes glinting with a mixture of frustration and anger.The recent events had only added fuel to her ambitions, and she knew she needed to stay focused if she intended to regain control over her situation. Her gaze lingered on the news article pinned to her desk—the headline discussed her recent arrest in connection to Mr. MacQuoid's abduction scandal. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to remain composed.Her reverie was interrupted as Penelope strode in, carrying a stack of files and an expression that hinted at more than just business updates. Signoral raised her brows slightly as she straightened, an unspoken invitation for Penelope to speak.Penelope wasted no time. "The company's situation wasn't good, ma'am. The press was relentless, digging into every corner of our operations. With the scandal surrounding Mr. MacQuoid's abduction and your arrest, they were sniffing for anything they could find
Five Years AgoCarolyn Lewiston paced the length of her study, her grip on the phone white-knuckled as she hissed into it. "You can't tell me that, Ben. I won't let you have access to him when you couldn't even carry out your task fully."On the other end, Ben's voice sounded tense. "Carolyn, I did what you asked. I took care of her—Ranya's mother is gone. I even made it look like a suicide, just as you instructed. There's nothing left to—""Nothing?" Carolyn snapped, her voice cold with fury. "Do you really believe that? You were supposed to eliminate both mother and child. I needed them gone so Anthony could have the undivided place he deserves. But no, you left the boy alive. And look where we are now—he's alive, growing more powerful, while I'm left dealing with the consequences of your incompetence!""Carolyn..."Meanwhile, Athena had been cleaning in the bathroom when she entered the study, unaware that someone was already in there. Her movements were silent, careful not to draw
Anthony stared at Signoral, a mix of shock and defiance in his gaze. He couldn’t believe what she was suggesting.“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice tight.Signoral’s eyes narrowed, clearly irritated. “You heard me, Anthony. You said you loved Calista, yet here you are, attempting to let her slip through your fingers.”He shook his head, thinking it over again. “I loved her too much to hurt her, Signoral. Don’t you get it? You were asking me to lure her into bed—and to have it recorded?” He swallowed, the mere thought enough to make him nauseous. “I couldn’t, for anything at all, do that.”Signoral’s face twisted with impatience. “Pathetic,” she sneered. “If your feelings, Anthony, couldn’t give you the reason to man up to the woman who made you smile, then how about the leverage, power, and authority you stood to get from this? If you don’t have the stomach to seduce her, then maybe you aren’t as useful to me as I thought.”“What has what you’re asking me to do to her got to do
Ranya dropped Calista off at her coffee shop, his gaze lingering on her face as he softly reminded her, “Be careful, alright? We don’t know what Signoral has planned.”Calista gave him a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine, Ranya. I promise.” But she couldn’t ignore the concern echoed in his gaze.She couldn’t deny the fact that Signoral was capable of anything to harm her. But then, she wouldn’t sit at home and hide away from her.“If anything happens,” he continued, his voice low and intense, “you call me right away. I mean it.”She nodded, squeezing his hand. “I will.”“You promised?” He asked again, leaning in towards her as she unbuckled the seat belt, feeling his breath against her face.“I promise,” Calista replied, cupping his face with her palm. “I’ll call you straight away!”They shared a lingering kiss, one Calista knew she needed and couldn’t help but feel the kiss might be goodbye. She quickly discarded the thought, letting in his warmth.She pulled back, her smile a bit sad,
Ranya placed the portrait on his desk, a soft smile tugging at his lips as his eyes lingered on the image. The photograph was of a little girl, no older than twelve, her dark curls framing a face filled with innocence and curiosity. A pink dress with lace trim and a pair of shiny shoes completed the picture of childhood simplicity.“She’s so cute,” he murmured, tracing a finger along the glass frame.Calista’s mum had handed it to him when they were in California, while Calista had gone on a walk with Willia.Restless in her absence, he had wandered into the spare room in the house.He marveled at the memories the room held, ranging from trophies and awards Calista and Willia had earned to family portraits and pictures.But one photograph caught his attention: Calista at no more than twelve years old. She looked exceptionally cute, and he couldn’t help but smile at it.He had picked it up, only to be caught off guard by Mrs. MacQuoid’s voice.“That used to be everyone’s favorite pictu
The hospital buzzed with urgency as medics wheeled Calista into the emergency room. Tubes snaked across her fragile body, her face pale and lifeless. The doctor barked orders to his team, his voice sharp with authority.“She’s in critical condition! We need to stabilize her heart!”Ranya stood frozen in the hallway, his hands trembling as they clutched the edges of his blood-streaked jacket. His throat burned from inhaling smoke, but the agony in his chest far outweighed the physical pain. He paced, his eyes darting to the operating room’s red light. Every second felt like an eternity.When the doctor emerged, his face grim, Ranya rushed toward him, gripping his coat. “Save her!” His voice cracked, raw with desperation. “Do whatever it takes. I’ll pay any amount, give up anything—just save her!”The doctor placed a firm hand on Ranya’s shoulder. “We’ll do our best, but her heart is weak. She’s on life support now. The next 24 hours are critical.”Ranya staggered back, the weight of th
Ranya gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white with tension as he pushed the car to its limits. The tires screeched on the asphalt, leaving behind faint trails of smoke as the vehicle hurtled through the deserted road.His heart pounded violently against his ribcage, every beat a painful reminder of the urgency that gripped him. The image of Calista’s face - her laughter, her warmth - flashed before him. He gritted his teeth, muttering to himself.“Hold on, Calista. Hold on for me,” he whispered, his voice a mix of desperation and determination.Lynn’s voice crackled in his earpiece, updating him on the location. “Boss, the building is fully engulfed. Be careful.”“Careful?” Ranya barked back. “She’s in there, Lynn! Do you understand what that means?”Lynn’s silence was answer enough. Ranya’s foot pressed harder on the gas pedal as he weaved through traffic. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Was she alive? Was she trapped, crying out for him? The thought of her s
The whole crowd stirred the moment the old man spoke up, his voice reverberating through the grand hall. Chairman Hamilton, with trembling hands, pointed toward Signoral, his face etched with desperation. “Tell me now!” he rasped, eyes gleaming with unshed tears. “What did you do to my Allen?”Allen had always come to him in dreams, begging him to remember. Yet he would wake up to find his mind a blank slate—unable to recall anything.The guests murmured among themselves; the atmosphere turning electric. Whispers of confusion, disbelief, and anticipation rippled through the sea of faces.Signoral’s face turned pale, but she forced herself to remain composed. Clutching Ranya’s arm, her nails dug into his skin as she hissed under her breath, “Ignore him. Let’s finish this wedding. Now.”Ranya shoved her hands away and turned to her with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Afraid to lose, Signoral?” he asked mockingly, his lips twitching as he pressed a small button on his earpiece. “Ly
The wedding took place in the sprawling outdoors of a luxurious estate in Texas. Guests from across the globe - politicians, business moguls, and celebrities - graced the event. Despite the short notice, the wedding was a spectacle of grandeur. Ornate decorations, pristine floral arrangements, and the soft hum of a live orchestra created an enchanting ambiance. Ranya stood at the altar, his tailored suit exuding elegance, but beneath the surface, a storm of emotions churned. Worry for Calista tightened his chest with every passing moment. He fought to maintain his stoic facade, yet memories of his promises, and the potential consequences of this union—haunted him. Thoughts of Calista filled his mind: her smile, her trust, and the despair she must have felt. His hands, clasped tightly in front of him, trembled imperceptibly, a stark contrast to the composed image he projected. With every glance toward the arriving guests, the whispers of his conscience grew louder, questioning h
Signoral stood in front of the full-length mirror, her reflection a striking vision of elegance. Her white gown, meticulously crafted with intricate lace and shimmering beads, hugged her figure as though it had been made for her alone. Penelope and a small team of stylists hovered around her, making final adjustments to her veil and train. The air felt stiff, not just from the preparations, but from Signoral's brewing thoughts. She couldn't help but feel something was wrong. But she had made Penelope check over and over for any sign of leakage whatsoever. Charlotte, too, had seemed to be in good health, but she hadn't wanted to take any chances. That was why she had wired a lot of money to her, with stern warnings that she had to disappear for good this time. Her phone buzzed on the vanity table, drawing her attention. She picked it up, glanced at the caller ID, and swiped to answer. Charlotte's voice came through, sharp and accusatory. Talk of the devil. "Signoral," Charlott
The following morning, preparations for the wedding were in full swing. All of America buzzed with shock at the whirlwind announcement of Ranya and Signoral's wedding. Speculations ran wild, and everyone had an opinion about the sudden turn of events. Some believed Ranya was erratic, incapable of making rational decisions. Others celebrated, claiming that Signoral had finally secured her rightful place by his side. Meanwhile, a considerable number expressed disappointment, having grown fond of Calista and rooting for her relationship with Ranya. The media frenzy was unparalleled. Paparazzi and journalists flocked to both the Lewiston Estate and Signoral's residence, hoping for an exclusive statement from either of them. As expected, Signoral basked in the attention, offering vague yet tantalizing comments to reporters. Ranya, however, maintained a strict low profile, refusing to entertain any questions. Five hours before the open-air wedding—the most talked about in America—the
Washington, D.C."Did you do as I instructed?" Mr. Lewiston's voice emerged quietly, his hands working diligently on his laptop as he screened through the files the caller had sent him. "Yes, sir," came the composed reply of a woman from the other end of the call. "I sent you every single detail, including the supplements injected into his system. I had one of my men verify the data—it’s accurate." "And the real heiress?" Mr. Lewiston asked, his tone dropping lower. There was a brief pause before she responded. "She was spotted in China, sir, with your sister," she said, hesitating slightly. "But the authorities were already looking for her. I was about to make provisions to get her out, but they're out already... Mr. Windsor used his jet to take them out. They're on their way to Texas as we speak." "Good work, Rena," he said, leaning back in his chair as he moved his fingers away from the keyboard. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk while he processed the inform
Calista sat in the dimly lit room, her arms wrapped around the chair as the evening deepened into night. Anthony sat across from her, his expression torn between guilt and frustration as they both stared at nothing in silence. Signoral's guards loomed near the door, their presence a constant reminder of her captivity. Calista glanced at Anthony, her annoyance simmering beneath the surface. "Why?" she asked, her voice low and angry. Anthony raised his head and turned to her. Bruises marred his body from the beating. "Why what?" Calista turned away, her chest tightening. She couldn't shake her growing resentment toward Ranya. He hadn't even tried to reach out or threaten Signoral on her behalf. Did he even care if she was okay? He had told her the night before that he couldn’t breathe if she wasn’t near… but he sounded like someone who had enough oxygen to last him forever, even without her by his side. Her mind drifted to Signoral’s earlier words after she had ended Ranya’s
“The wedding wouldn't be held in Washington as I promised. We will have it here." Ranya ended the call with Signoral, his jaw tightening as the anger he had bottled up turned into weariness. The room fell silent for a moment, all eyes on him. Damian, Valerie, Lena, and Lynn exchanged wary glances, their expressions a mixture of concern and disbelief. "You didn't ask if she was doing okay…" Mr. MacQuoid's voice broke the silence. He couldn't help himself. His daughter was being held captive by someone who used to be her best friend. Ranya glanced at Mr. MacQuoid, knowing the man felt guilty and was beating himself up over Calista's kidnapping. Perhaps if he hadn't called her to talk about leaving Ranya, things wouldn't have escalated the way they had. "No," Ranya replied curtly, shoving the anger and worry aside. "Hearing her voice will only make me do nasty things I'd definitely regret." And that was the truth. He wouldn't be able to bear it if her voice betrayed any uneasin