The Third Twist of Fate

As darkness blankets the sky with the setting sun, Audrey finds herself on the night shift, contemplating what to do with the watch she has found. 

Her friends suggest putting up an online ad and selling it for double the price, while Jax, who continues to stare at the watch, suggests she keep it for herself.

"Why?" Audrey asks, crossing her arms in confusion.

After a while, she walks out of the building and hails a cab to the local pawn shop. 

However, standing outside the shop, she hesitates, wondering if the watch could be worth millions and if she might be fooled by the pawn shop owner into accepting a fake one.

Deciding it would be wise to have it checked at a reputable store, Audrey enters an upscale outlet where she is greeted by a salesperson. 

After exchanging pleasantries, she inquires about customized watches, and the salesperson confirms that they do make such watches.

Audrey then shows him the watch and asks if it was made in their store. The man carefully examines the watch, growing increasingly astonished as he does so.

Finally, he stares at Audrey and is compelled to ask, "Where did you get this watch from?"

Reacting swiftly, Audrey snatches the watch from his hand and demands answers. 

The man sighs deeply before speaking, "There were two sets of this watch made at the same time. The symbol 'A' on this watch refers to the Ashford family, one of the wealthiest families in the city."

Now armed with this new information, Audrey politely excuses herself and hurries away. 

She realizes she is already late for work and, instead of delving further into the watch's origins, she prioritizes reaching her destination on time.

Kalix Ashford, sitting in a bustling nightclub surrounded by important guests, engages in lively conversations and drinks alcohol. 

Meanwhile, Sean, Kalix's right-hand man, receives a call and steps aside to answer it. 

Upon hearing the news, he quickly makes his way over to Kalix, patiently waiting for his boss's attention.

Kalix continues to entertain the clients, sharing details about an upcoming project he plans to launch. However, he notices Sean's presence and signals for him to come closer. 

Sean crouches down to match Kalix's height and whispers something urgently in his ear. Kalix's demeanor instantly shifts, alert and impatient to leave for the store in search of the watch.

"Excuse me, gentlemen. Would you please give me half an hour? I have an emergency. I will just be back," Kalix requests, interrupting the conversation abruptly. He swiftly exits the nightclub, getting into his car as the driver speeds away. 

The urgency in his voice is palpable as he asks Sean, "Are you sure it was my watch, Sean?"

Upon arriving at the store, Kalix scans the surroundings while Sean heads straight to the reception to inquire about the watch. 

The store employee informs him that a girl had indeed brought the watch but left without waiting. Kalix feels anger surge through his veins, running a hand through his hair as he lets out a deep sigh. 

Sean continues to gather details about the girl, and together they step out of the store.

"We were one step closer, Sean," Kalix says, his disappointment evident. He can't help but feel like everything is conspiring against him, adding to the challenges he faces.

Kalix's phone starts ringing, and he glances at the caller's name. Softly uttering, "Hello, uncle?" he answers the call. 

The voice on the other end begins shouting, hurling insults at him. Kalix listens silently, responding softly, "Yes, uncle. I am on my way -"

Meanwhile, Audrey arrives at the nightclub for her shift. As she starts her duties, she approaches Luke and inquires about the guests. 

Luke points towards the left, indicating that the people there are important. Audrey takes note and proceeds to serve lemonades and cocktails to the male guests. Once done, she retreats to a corner, observing the scene unfolding around her.

Kalix Ashford arrives at the Ashford mansion, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. As he enters the living room, he finds it empty and immediately rushes to his room. 

Hoping to avoid facing his uncle, he changes his clothes and takes a quick shower before making his way to the study room.

In the study, Kalix is greeted by the sight of his uncle sitting in a sofa chair, a lit cigar held in his left hand, smoke billowing from his nostrils. 

His uncle looks at Kalix and softly utters, "You're back." Kalix approaches and takes a seat on the opposite sofa, his voice becoming softer as he responds, "Yes, Uncle Richard."

His uncle questions him about why he skipped the business meeting, and Kalix, trying to choose his words carefully, says, "Forgive me, uncle. It was something important." 

Richard's sharp gaze falls upon Kalix as he calmly asks, "What could be more important than handling a business meeting, Kalix?"

Kalix apologizes once again and assures his uncle that it won't happen again. 

Richard then suggests that Kalix have dinner and get a good night's sleep, emphasizing the importance of leaving early for work the next day. "We have an important meeting tomorrow," he adds.

Kalix stands outside his mother's room, taking a deep breath to steady his emotions. He puts on a fake smile, masking the frustration beneath his facade. 

With a light knock on the door, he playfully utters, "Is my mama asleep?"

The door swings open, revealing Miranda Ashford, a fashionable woman with bouncy curls of blonde hair. Surprise flashes in her eyes as she gasps, "Kalix! My son! Come on in!" 

Kalix enters the room, wrapping his arms around his mother in a warm embrace, seeking solace in her presence.

Seated on the edge of the bed, Miranda, dressed in comfortable nightwear, holds a book in her hand. Her touch on Kalix's face is tender, radiating warmth and concern. 

Her voice trembles slightly as she utters, "Kalix..."

Resting his head on her lap, Kalix feels her fingers gently combing through his hair. Her voice carries a mixture of love and vulnerability as she softly says, "I love you, my son." 

An exhausted sigh escapes Kalix as he confesses, "I am exhausted, Mom."

Miranda, a single mother since her husband's untimely demise from a heart attack, relies solely on Kalix. 

She had transferred all her shares to his name, making him a shared owner alongside his uncle, Richard.

"You didn't listen to me when I said we could..." Miranda's voice trails off, her words fading into a whisper, "Run away." 

Kalix leans back, meeting his mother's gaze, holding both her hands firmly. He musters strength in his voice as he responds, "Running is not a solution, Mom."

Noticing the visible strain on Kalix's face, Miranda's concern deepens. She feels compelled to ask, her voice filled with empathy, "Is that stress I see on your face, my son?" 

Kalix takes a deep breath, contemplating whether to share his burden with his mother. Ultimately, he decides to confide in her, knowing her unwavering support.

"Mom, I lost... I lost the watch," Kalix admits, his voice tinged with regret and apprehension. Miranda gasps, astonishment spreading across her features. 

Before she can respond, Kalix continues, urgency lacing his words, "And Paul knows about it."

Miranda's mind races, trying to devise a plan to mitigate the situation. She inquires if Richard, their influential family member, is aware of the truth. 

Kalix shakes his head, indicating Richard remains unaware of the missing watch.

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Miranda speaks with determination, her voice hushed but resolute, "Okay, we will figure something out. But you mustn't admit that you've lost it. Do you understand?" Kalix nods, his eyes reflecting gratitude and determination.

Kalix and Miranda lower their voices, engaging in a silent conversation. They are acutely aware of the possibility that someone may be listening in, their words carrying weight and consequence. 

Bound by their unbreakable bond, they silently strategize their love and shared resolve guiding them through the challenges that lie ahead.

Audrey works tirelessly throughout the night in the bustling nightclub, weaving through the crowd as she serves drinks to patrons. 

The pulsating music fills the air, adding to the energetic atmosphere. However, her mind is divided, preoccupied with thoughts of the watch's owner and the mysterious Ashford family.

Feeling a sense of urgency, Audrey grabs her phone during a brief lull in her duties. She quickly searches for information about the Ashford family, her fingertips tapping on the screen. 

As she delves into her research, her curiosity intensifies, fueling her determination to uncover the truth behind the watch.

Before Audrey can delve deeper into her investigation, Luke, a co-worker, interrupts her. 

He approaches her with an assertive tone, requesting her focus on her job. "Stop with the texting, Audrey," he admonishes. 

Realizing her distraction, she promptly shoves her phone into her pocket and refocuses on serving the drinks.

The night stretches on, seemingly endless, as Audrey tirelessly attends to the needs of the club's patrons. Fatigue gradually seeps into her bones, her body yearning for rest. However, she knows she has unfinished business to attend to—the search for the Ashford family and their connection to the missing watch.

As Audrey's shift finally comes to an end, exhaustion weighs heavily upon her. 

She takes a moment to catch her breath, contemplating her next steps. With a determined resolve, she reaches for her phone once again, this time searching for the address of the Ashford Corporation.

With a sense of purpose, Audrey quickly changes out of her waitress uniform and into her ordinary attire, shedding the remnants of her workday. 

She gathers her belongings, ready to embark on her quest for answers. 

The weariness in her bones is momentarily forgotten as she steels herself for what lies ahead, driven by her relentless pursuit of the truth.

The grand Ashford mansion exudes an air of opulence as Kalix and Miranda descend the staircase together, making their way directly to the breakfast table. However, their arrival is met with a taunting remark from Samantha, Richard Ashford's cunning wife. 

With a sly smile, she jeers, "Miranda, you finally decided to leave your room."

Richard, seated in the head chair at the table, commands attention with his authoritative presence. Kalix's thoughts drift to his father, who once occupied that seat before Richard took over everything that rightfully belonged to Kalix's father.

Sitting next to Kalix is Rio, his younger cousin, who possesses a kind and gentle nature that sets him apart from the rest of the family members.

 Their shared presence at the table offers a glimmer of solace amidst the tension.

As breakfast comes to an end, Kalix is reminded by Richard that he needs to arrive early at the corporations. 

He reluctantly makes his way towards his car, hoping to escape the brewing animosity. However, his path is intercepted by his fierce cousin, Paul.

Kalix's annoyance from the earlier discussions at the breakfast table, particularly between Samantha and his mother, lingers within him. 

Samantha, in her relentless manner, continues to taunt Miranda despite Miranda's higher position within the family hierarchy. 

The bitter reality remains that Richard and Samantha have successfully claimed dominance over the family.

Paul takes pleasure in taunting Kalix, his words dripping with disdain. "Leaving early to work like a dog, aren't we?" he sneers. 

Kalix's fists clench as he attempts to control his anger, but Paul's next words strike a nerve. "How does it feel to be treated as a nobody?"

Unable to contain his frustration any longer, Kalix's restraint snaps, and he throws a punch in Paul's direction. 

The blow connects, causing Paul to stumble and fall to the ground. "That's how it feels like," Kalix retorts defiantly before quickly retreating to his car.

As the engine roars to life, the driver pulls away, leaving behind a lingering tension in the wake of Kalix's actions.

Paul, his face marred with blood and an expression of annoyance, quickly regains his footing after being struck by Kalix's punch. 

He spits out the blood that fills his mouth, his anger simmering beneath the surface. 

With a determined stride, he rushes back into the grandeur of the mansion, urgently calling out to his father.

"Dad! Dad!" Paul's voice echoes through the halls, carrying both frustration and a sense of urgency.