Chapter 125: DeathJOHN EVANSThe moment I stepped into the bank, a chill ran down my spine. Today was the day that I decided to do what I had been postponing— filing for the withdrawal of Martha’s safe deposit boxThe teller looked at me with polite indifference as she processed my request. "It should take about thirty minutes, Mr. Evans," she said. I nodded and took a seat, my foot tapping against the floor impatiently. I didn't want to get those documents and put my family in trouble but now, after seeing the documents, the accounts, and the video she left behind, I knew I had to do something about her death and the people behind it.Martha had trusted me to finish what she started. And I wasn’t going to fail her again. Back at my office, I locked the door, spread the documents across my desk, and started going through them one by one. The deeper I dug, the clearer the picture became—Smith Cole wasn’t just involved in shady business; he was the architect of something much big
Chapter 126: Stages of griefMIAFor the first time in weeks, I finally stepped outside without feeling suffocated. My father had reluctantly let me out of the house, and I had gone straight to my gallery. I've missed being here, the familiar scent of fresh paint and polished wood, everything about art just brought joy to me.I walked through the exhibits, my fingers trailing along the edge of a new canvas.I wished I could talk to my dad about my relationship with Ethan and how much Ethan had changed.Maybe if I had approached him differently, if I had convinced him to listen instead of pushing back so hard, things would have been better between us. But he refused to see me as anything other than his little girl, and I refused to be anything less than an adult who could make her own choices. Now that I was finally out, I should have gone to see Ethan, too. I had spent too long keeping my distance, letting my father’s disapproval dictate my every move. But I told myself I would snea
Chapter 127: RevengeGREG EVANSI had never been the responsible one. That was John. He carried the weight of our family, made the tough decisions, and protected everyone. And now, he was gone. Murdered. I sat in my office with a glass of whiskey, staring at nothing. The world hadn’t stopped for him. Cars still moved, people still laughed, businesses still thrived. But for us—for Mia, for Cecilia, for me, our world had turned upside down. I had failed him. I should have been there. I should have done more as the first son. Instead, I spent years being the reckless one, the selfish one, while John carried everything alone. He never asked for help, and I never offered. Now, it was too late. I downed the rest of my drink, slamming the glass on the desk. I couldn’t bring John back. But I could make sure his family—our family, was taken care of and I would make sure whoever did this paid for it in full. I grabbed my coat. There was work to do. The Evans estate felt differ
Chapter 128: NumbMIAThe house was too quiet. It had always been big, always been a little too empty but now, it felt hollow—like a shell of what it used to be. I sat on the couch, staring at the untouched plate of food in front of me. Aunt Cecilia had brought it over, placing it on the table with a look that told me she expected me to eat. But I couldn’t. I hadn’t eaten much since the hospital.Every time I tried, nausea crept up my throat, forcing me to push the plate away. I picked up the glass of whiskey instead, the liquid burning my throat. I'm not someone that drank, but alcohol was the only thing that numbed the ache I felt in my chest. Dad was gone, my love was gone. My entire world had shattered overnight, and I had no idea how to put the pieces back together. I let out a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around the glass. I used to sit here with Dad, curled up beside him while he watched the news. I remembered the way he used to shake his head, muttering under
Chapter 129: I'm going to bury youGREG EVANSI was done waiting, It had been days since my brother’s murder, and the police had done or said nothing. No arrests, no suspects, just empty words and useless sympathy. I wasn’t a fool, I knew how these things worked. If I didn't push, this case would end up in one of their unsolved cases files. I wasn’t about to let that happen. I stormed into the police station, my presence alone enough to turn heads. I didn’t care, let them look, let them whisper. I slammed my hand on the front desk, making the officer behind it jump. "I need to speak to whoever’s in charge of my brother’s murder investigation. Now." The officer stammered, scrambling to find an answer, but I wasn’t in the mood for excuses. "Greg Evans," a voice called. I turned to see the lead detective, a tired-looking man with a coffee-stained shirt and bags under his eyes. "What can I do for you?" "You can start by explaining why my brother’s killers are still walking fre
Chapter 130: The funeralSOPHIEEverywhere felt cold. The air was thick, unmoving, suffocating in its silence. Mia’s dad was being laid to rest, and for those of us who loved him, the world might as well have stopped turning. The funeral was as grand as expected. The media lingered at a respectful distance, cameras flashing as notable figures arrived—politicians, shareholders, business partners. Some were genuinely grieving. Others were here to be seen. But none of them mattered. What mattered was the people that sat on the front row, Mia, Marvin, Cecilia, Greg, Ava. His family and loved ones.Greg stood first. His usual arrogance was gone, replaced by something raw. His hands gripped the podium tightly, his jaw clenched as if holding back the weight of his emotions. "My brother was a complicated man," he began. "Stubborn. Strong-willed. Sometimes impossible to deal with." He exhaled sharply. "But he was also one of the bravest men I knew. He carried burdens we will never unde
Chapter 131: Back from the deadETHANSurprise!🫢 Few weeks ago Pain. That was the first thing I registered. A dull, aching weight pressed against my chest, making every breath feel like a battle. My body felt heavy, my head foggy. The steady beep of machines reached my ears. Hospital. I forced my eyes open, blinking against the bright overhead lights. My vision was blurry at first, but when it cleared, I saw Emily. She was sitting beside my bed, hands clasped tightly together, eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite place. Guilt? Fear? I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my side, forcing a groan out of me. Emily’s head snapped up. "Ethan! You're awake." I ignored the relief in her voice, swallowing the dryness in my throat. "What the hell are you doing here?" My voice was hoarse, weak. She hesitated, then leaned forward slightly. "I... I needed to make sure you were okay." I narrowed my eyes. "What happened? Why are you here?" Emily sighed. "Smith f
Chapter 132: Conspiracy and racketeeringGREG EVANSThe funeral was over, but the fight had just begun. I sat in my office, staring at the wall of documents pinned up like a detective solving a crime. Because that’s exactly what I was doing—solving the crime of my brother’s murder. My anger hadn’t lessened since the day we buried John. If anything, it had grown into something cold. It was no longer just grief, it was revenge.If Smith Cole thought he could get away with this, that he could walk free after having my brother killed. Just because he had a few connections then he had another thing coming.He had no idea what he had just unleashed. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples as I went through another set of documents. These weren’t just business papers—they were evidence. The ones my boys brought in for me.Smith Cole’s entire operation was filth, built on money laundering, blackmail, and human trafficking. His corporation wasn’t just corrupt—it was a damn criminal emp
Chapter 140: With all my heart ETHAN The soft hum of the television filled the living room as I scrolled through my phone absentmindedly. The news anchor’s voice droned on about economic fluctuations, political scandals—nothing that interested me. That was until I heard Smith Cole’s name. I glanced up at the screen. The bold letters at the bottom of the screen made my eyebrows lift. “BREAKING NEWS: BUSINESS TYCOON SMITH COLE FOUND DEAD IN PRISON CELL” I sat up, the remote slipping from my fingers. “According to sources, Smith Cole was found unresponsive in his cell early this morning. While initial reports suggest suicide, investigations are still ongoing.” I grabbed my phone and immediately dialed Greg. He picked up after two rings. “I was wondering how long it’d take you to call.” I didn’t waste time. “Did you hear the news?” Greg chuckled. “I knew the news before the news knew.” I froze. “Damn, don’t tell me you were behind this.” There was a pau
Chapter 139: OliviaMIA A Month Later.Time didn’t erase the grief I felt, but it softened the pain a little. A few months had passed since my dad’s death and Smith Cole’s sentencing, and while the pain still lingered, life had started moving forward. Uncle Greg had stepped up as the CEO of Evans Group, and surprisingly, he was doing a damn good job. It wasn’t just about running the company; it was about maintaining what dad had built. With Marvin by his side, helping in ways none of us had expected, the company was thriving again. His kids, Derrick and Amanda, had finally settled into life in New York. Amanda was adjusting well to her new school, making friends and embracing the city. Derrick became quieter but sharp as ever, and had taken a liking to Marvin. Watching my brother interact with them, laughing and being… normal, gave me hope. Ava moved out of the city after Dad's funeral, she said this city reminded her of him and if she needed to move on, she had to leave.Aunt
Chapter 138: CampingETHANThe drive to the cemetery was silent. Mia stared out the window, her fingers playing with the hem of her sweater. I knew she was deep in thought, maybe even trying to find the right words to say when we got there. I reached over, placing my hand over hers. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." She exhaled, nodding slightly but didn't look at me. When we arrived, she hesitated before stepping out of the car. The cemetery was quiet, the only sound being the rustling of leaves in the wind. I followed behind her, giving her space as she walked up to her father’s grave. She kneeled, tracing the name on the tombstone with her fingers. "Hi, Dad," she whispered. "It's been a while." I stayed back, leaning against the car, letting her have her moment. She wiped her eyes. "We won, you know. We got him. Smith Cole is going to rot in prison for the rest of his miserable life. Uncle Greg made sure of it." She let out a shaky breath. "But it d
Chapter 137: Together, We're strongerMIA"Mia, are you okay?" I heard as I woke up with a gasp, cold water dripping down my face. My heart pounded as my vision adjusted, and I saw Sophie kneeling beside me, her face filled with concern. I blinked rapidly, struggling to make sense of what had just happened. The last thing I remembered was seeing Ethan.Ethan, who was supposed to be dead, was standing in that courtroom. My chest tightened. Was I hallucinating? Was I losing my mind? “Thank goodness you're awake, you scared us Mia.” Aunt Cecilia exclaimed.I ignored her, “Wasn't that Ethan? I need to be sure, let's go back to the courtroom.”I struggled to get up and headed back into the courtroom, aunt Cecilia and Sophie behind me. Then I heard the judge’s voice. “In light of the overwhelming evidence presented to this court, Smith Cole is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.” My head snapped toward the judge’s bench. The courtroom was dead s
Chapter 136: Plea dealAUTHOR POVThe world around Smith Cole was crumbling. Politicians who once shook his hand in private meetings were now scrambling to erase any connection to him. Some fled the country entirely, disappearing into private jets with hastily packed bags, their families already on their way to safe havens overseas. George Ramsey, one of Smith’s closest allies, wiped the sweat off his brow as he rushed through a VIP airport terminal. “Where’s the damn pilot?” he snapped at his assistant, his hands trembling as he checked his watch. “He’s preparing the jet, sir. But…” “No buts! We need to be out of here in ten minutes!” The assistant hesitated. “Sir, the feds are looking into your accounts. If you leave now, it’ll…” “Shut up and do as you’re told!” George Ramsey barked before marching toward the boarding gate. Across the city, others were making similar escapes. Some tried bribing their way out of investigations, while others resigned from their governme
Chapter 135: Walk freeMARVIN EVANSMia wasn’t the same anymore. Since Dad’s funeral, she had withdrawn into herself, barely speaking, barely eating. I saw it in her eyes, the emptiness. She would sit for hours, staring at nothing, lost in a world none of us could reach. Sophie visited often, trying to get her to eat, to talk, to function. Sometimes, Mia responded with a weak smile or a nod, but most times, she just existed in silence. Greg’s kids were around too, trying to lighten the mood, but it was like talking to a ghost. I knew what she was feeling. I felt it too. Dad was gone, Murdered in cold blood and the bastard who did it was still out there. That changed the day Greg walked in. I was sitting in the living room, flipping through TV channels, not really watching, when Greg strode in with a determined look on his face. “I found him,” he announced. I turned off the TV. Sophie looked up from where she sat beside Mia. Even Mia’s blank expression shifted slightly.
Chapter 134: LawsuitSMITH COLEI had underestimated Greg Evans. That was my first mistake. I thought he’d come at me like a street thug, swinging wildly, making it easy for me to shut him down. But no—he was playing smart. Legal. And that was the kind of fight I wasn’t prepared for. One of my boys came running into my room interrupting my thoughts. “Boss, another club’s been shut down.” I glared at Marco, my patience wearing thin. “Which one?” “The one on the east side. The cops raided it last night, they said on suspicion of trafficking, illegal gambling, the whole damn list.” I exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of my desk. “And you’re telling me this now?” He hesitated. “Didn’t want to bring bad news first thing in the morning.” “Marco, you’re about to bring me bad news at your funeral if you don’t fix this.” I growled, staring daggers at him.I waved him off, already feeling the headache creeping in. My businesses were crumbling one after another. First, the cops hit m
Chapter 133: A ghostETHANI stood at the abandoned shipyard, waiting for Greg. The scent of salt and gasoline hitting my nostrils. The place was quiet except for the occasional creak of metal and the distant sound of waves crashing against the dock.I had chosen this spot for a reason, it was neutral ground, away from prying eyes and close to my hideout.The black SUV rolled to a stop a few feet away. The headlights cut through the darkness before shutting off. The door opened, and Greg Evans stepped out, his movements stiff and with caution. He scanned the area before his eyes locked onto me. Then, he froze. His body went rigid, his eyes wide with shock. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out. He took a slow step forward, shaking his head. “No. No, this isn’t possible.” I smirked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Greg’s face twisted in disbelief. “You’re supposed to be dead.” “Yeah, well… I guess I’m not.” His fists clenched at his
Chapter 132: Conspiracy and racketeeringGREG EVANSThe funeral was over, but the fight had just begun. I sat in my office, staring at the wall of documents pinned up like a detective solving a crime. Because that’s exactly what I was doing—solving the crime of my brother’s murder. My anger hadn’t lessened since the day we buried John. If anything, it had grown into something cold. It was no longer just grief, it was revenge.If Smith Cole thought he could get away with this, that he could walk free after having my brother killed. Just because he had a few connections then he had another thing coming.He had no idea what he had just unleashed. I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples as I went through another set of documents. These weren’t just business papers—they were evidence. The ones my boys brought in for me.Smith Cole’s entire operation was filth, built on money laundering, blackmail, and human trafficking. His corporation wasn’t just corrupt—it was a damn criminal emp