Calista was abruptly awakened by the irritating sound of her phone, pulling her out of a peaceful slumber. She groaned as she fumbled for the device, quickly silencing it with a press of the side button. Letting out a satisfied sigh, she closed her eyes, hoping to return to the blissful embrace of sleep.But the phone rang again, its insistent buzz cutting through the lingering haze of sleep. Calista squinted at the bright screen, the early morning sun filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow across the spacious room. It took her a moment to remember where she was.The room was unfamiliar, and for a few seconds, she felt disoriented. She finally answered the call, barely registering who it was as she brought the phone to her ear.“Get yourself back to California!” her sister Willia’s voice blasted through the speaker, causing Calista to jerk the phone away from her ear.“What’s going on?” she asked, confused by the urgency in Willia’s usually calm voice. She had intended
They took her father.Those words echoed relentlessly in her mind as she struggled to get ready, her hands trembling as she fought to tame her hair into a messy ponytail. She was still in her pajamas, not even close to being properly dressed, but that didn’t matter. They had her father.She thought it was over. It should have been.Ranya watched her with concern, sensing the turmoil boiling beneath her frantic movements.“Where are you going?” he asked gently, careful not to provoke her, but his question only irritated her more.She shot him a withering glare. “You’re not seriously asking me that, are you?”“Cal…”“You’re the reason all of this is happening! You’re the thorn in my flesh, a past I want to erase!" Her voice was sharp, laced with the sting of unresolved pain.If only Ranya had not pursued her, had not shown any interest. She couldn’t help but think this was his father’s doing.“Calista,” he said softly, his tone full of warmth. The tenderness in his voice caught her off
“You posted that video! Why would you do that to your friend?” Anthony yelled, his anger evident in every word. He had just seen the video spreading like wildfire. It wasn’t a regular recording but footage taken without consent—inside the White House, no less. And he knew only Signoral had the power to pull something like that off.Signoral let out a dry laugh, leaning back in the chair on the balcony.Calista must really be a superhero to have two great guys blindly taking her side, Signoral thought. She didn’t care if one of those guys was Anthony; she couldn’t stand watching Ranya bowing at Calista’s feet.Ranya had left her, despite knowing what was at stake. Signoral had only asked for a contract, so she wouldn’t come off as too pushy, but Calista had gone above and beyond, taking Ranya away from her once again.She was never really Calista’s friend. She had stayed close for a reason—to ensure her father had truly dropped his research. If she found out he was still digging, she w
“You really don’t have to be here,” Calista mumbled to Ranya, who sat across from her in the suite. Despite her distress, she felt a comforting warmth from his protective presence.“And yet, here I am,” Ranya replied calmly. “We can’t exactly turn around and fly back just to drop me off.”Calista averted her gaze, trying to piece together who could be behind the current situation. “You can fly back once I get to California. I’m sure the jet can make another trip.”Ranya noticed her sadness and knew it was related to him. While they were heading to the aircraft, he had asked Linn to look into the issue. Someone was causing trouble again, and it could be either his father or Signoral.“Do you think your father could be responsible for this?” Her voice was barely a whisper. “He’s the only one who knew about the sharks. Maybe this is his way of telling you to let me go.”“What makes you think it’s him?” Ranya asked, giving her a long, thoughtful look before finally gazing out of the windo
“I’m extremely sorry, Chairman Hamilton,” Mr. Lewiston pleaded, watching the situation spiral out of control just minutes before the swearing-in ceremony.He had been informed that Ranya had left with Calista. Her name sounded familiar, but her face didn’t strike him as someone he knew—perhaps it was the MacQuoid in her name that rang a bell.Chairman Hamilton had been planning to distance himself from Lewiston until Ranya did the right thing. It was unbearable that Ranya had disrespected him and his granddaughter like this.“I’m sorry too, Ethan. Your son made it very clear that the engagement is off. What do you expect me to do? You know I could do more harm than good to you right now,” the older man said, struggling to keep his composure.Chairman Hamilton could indeed cause a lot of damage, regardless of Lewiston’s current position. The wedding between the two families carried more significance than just tradition and responsibility.He knew it wouldn’t take long before the compan
Four Years Ago“Young Mr. Lewiston,” Athena called, her hands trembling as she approached Anthony, who sat with his legs crossed, exuding an air of detachment. Dread and fear overwhelmed her.Her mother, Lauren, was the head cook at the Lewiston Estate. As the only child of a divorced mother, Athena had no choice but to work alongside her, serving the Lewiston family.It hadn’t been easy. The youngest Lewiston son, Anthony, had taken a lustful interest in her. Despite her attempts to resist, she had fallen into his trap.Anthony glanced at her, his lips twitching in displeasure at the interruption. He didn’t appreciate anyone intruding on his space, especially when he was alone.“What is it, Athena?” he asked quietly, returning his gaze to his phone.Felix had just sent him several pictures of girls. He was planning a yacht party for his twenty-second birthday, and the girls were exactly what he wanted.“I’m sorry, I...” Athena stammered.He furrowed his brow. “Is that why you’re here
“Cal!” Willia called out, rushing toward Calista the moment she spotted her. Calista quickened her steps, meeting her sister halfway and clasping Willia’s trembling hands.“Tell me everything, Willia. Where did they take Father?” Calista’s voice wavered as the tears she’d been holding back during her journey back to California finally spilled over. Seeing her sister so distraught shattered what little composure she had left.“I have no idea, Cal.” Willia’s voice shook as she struggled to hold back her own tears. Her hair was disheveled, a clear sign she had fought hard before they managed to take their father. “Dad was beaten and mishandled. I thought we paid them off already.”Calista’s heart clenched at the revelation. Her father had been harmed. If this situation unraveled, she knew she would never forgive those responsible—not even Signoral.“They didn’t touch you, did they?” Calista asked, her eyes scanning her sister.“No,” Willia replied, gripping her sister’s hands tightly as
“Call,” Ranya ordered, leaning back in his chair as Valerie dialed the number. She handed the phone to him, but he gestured for her to keep it.As the phone rang, tension thickened the air. Ranya quickly texted Linn:‘Calling my father now. Block every location access. He must not know where I am.’Linn responded almost immediately:‘On it, sir.’The call went unanswered after several rings. Calista sighed, her anxiety palpable.“I had a feeling he wouldn’t pick up,” she said, frustration edging her voice.“He’s probably busy. Maybe now isn’t the right time,” Valerie suggested.“If he’s involved, he won’t deny it,” Willia chimed in. Mrs. MacQuoid quietly excused herself to the kitchen, returning with a tray of fruit juice.Calista couldn’t help but admire her mother’s hospitality, even under stress.“Thank you, Mrs. MacQuoid,” Ranya whispered as she handed cups to him and Valerie.Mrs. MacQuoid nodded and retreated upstairs, leaving them alone.“You’re really smart,” Ranya complimente