Chapter 89: Not divorcedETHANAfter everything that happened with John’s family, I needed a break. I hadn’t seen Aunt Margaret in a while, and if there was anyone who could take my mind off things, it was her. The drive to her house was peaceful. My childhood home sat on the outskirts of town, surrounded by a garden she took too much pride in. As soon as I stepped out of the car, I spotted her—kneeling beside a row of tomato plants, hands covered in dirt. She looked up and grinned. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite nephew.” “I’m your only nephew,” I reminded her, walking over. “And yet, still my favorite,” she teased, wiping her hands on her apron. “You came at the right time. These weeds aren’t going to pull themselves.” “You do know I’m wearing a suit, right?” I said, sighing dramatically.“And whose fault is that? Get down here.” She scoffed, unbothered.After an hour of getting my hands dirty, she finally let me off the hook and invited me inside. She poured us both a glas
Chapter 90: I can’t be with youSOPHIEI can't believe that Liam actually threw me out. I thought as I stood outside his house, blinking at the closed door, my pride hanging by a thread. I turned on my heel and walked away, my fists clenched. I wouldn’t cry. Not for him. Not for this. By the time I got home, my phone started ringing. Dad. Great. Just what I needed. I hesitated before answering. “Hey dad.” “Sophie. Come to the house. Now.” His voice was firm.I let out a slow breath. “But It’s late.” “I don’t care. Come home now. We need to talk.” He said and the line went dead. I groaned, tossing my phone onto the couch. Of course, he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Ten minutes later, I was back in my car, driving toward my family home, mentally preparing for yet another interrogation. Dad was already seated in the living room when I arrived, his expression unreadable. Mom was beside him, looking at me with her brows knitted together, lips pressing into a thin line as she
Chapter 91: You're miserableLIAMI needed to avoid Sophie. At least until I broke things off with Mia. That was the plan. A simple one. I reached my apartment building and tried my key but my key didn’t fit. I frowned, jiggling it harder, still nothing. My blood ran cold. The locks had been changed. I stepped back, staring at my own damn door like it had betrayed me. There was only one person who could’ve done this. My father.Anger bubbled up inside me as I clenched my fists, kicking the door which only caused me pain. I needed to do something and I needed to act fast. I turned on my heel, storming back to my car, and headed straight for the family estate. The moment I stepped into the house, I didn’t wait for pleasantries. I found my father in his study, sipping on his overpriced whiskey like he hadn’t just locked his own son out of his home. “You changed my damn locks?” I growled. Dad barely looked up. “Ah, you’re back.” I slammed my hands onto his desk. “You had
Chapter 92: I won't let him use me againMIAI don't know why but I missed Ethan, I missed the way he looked at me, his touch, the way he cared about me and it hadn't even been up to a week since we last saw each other. Anyways, I decided to go to his house and give him a surprise, I'm sure he'll love it. Immediately, I got dressed and hit the road after telling my dad that I was going to see a friend.I was really thankful for what was going on with my family recently, uncle Greg’s change of character, Marvin and me reconciling, Marvin seeking good professional help. Everything just got me in a really good mood.I stepped into Ethan’s house, my heart light, my mind still replaying our last conversation. He’d promised me that he had changed, that he was done playing games. And I had let myself believe him yet again.But as I walked toward his bedroom, I heard the sound of water running in the shower. I smiled knowing he was taking his bath, I decided to check in on him when a heard a
Chapter 93: Special guestJOHN EVANSWalking into my office felt different today. Maybe it was the weight of everything that had happened recently—the battles fought, the company reclaimed, the damages done—but as I sat in my chair, I felt calm and peaceful.Then, the door opened, and there she was. Ava. She walked in with a confidence that had always drawn me to her. Her dark hair was pinned neatly, her dress hugging her curves just right, and damn it if she looked all professional, all I could see was the woman I recently started a relationship with, the woman who had reignited something in me I thought had died with Martha. “Good morning, Mr. Evans,” she greeted with a smirk, knowing full well I hated the formality. I leaned back in my chair, eyes locked on her. “Ava.” She placed a stack of documents in front of me. “Your schedule for the day. Also, these need your signature.” I barely glanced at them. Instead, I reached out, letting my fingers trail up her arm. “You lo
Chapter 94: Do betterGREG EVANSI stared at my phone, my fingers tightening around it as I read the anonymous text. Another text came in immediately from the same unknown number.“Meet me at the bar downtown, you owe me a lot.” A scoff left my lips. Who the hell did this person think they were? I didn’t owe anyone anything. I deleted the message and locked my phone. I had better things to focus on—like making up for lost time with my kids. The smell of grilled burgers and fresh fries filled the air as I sat across from Derrick and Amanda at a quiet diner. Neither of them looked excited to be here. Derrick leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “You’ve never taken us out before.” “I know,” I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. “I should have, and I regret that.” Amanda raised an eyebrow. “Wait, you regret it?” she repeated, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Am I hearing right?” I exhaled. “I was a terrible father.” Derrick scoffed. “That’s an understatement.” I clen
Chapter 95: FreedomSOPHIELiam sat on my couch, his head in his hands, looking as lost as ever. He had been like this since the night I dragged him out of that restaurant. I watched him for a moment, knowing exactly what he was thinking. “He’s going to keep controlling you as long as you let him,” I said finally. Liam sighed and leaned back, rubbing his face. “You think I don’t know that?” I folded my arms. “Then do something about it.” He scoffed. “Like what? He froze my accounts, changed the locks on my place, and practically cut me off from everything. What am I supposed to do?” I walked over and sat beside him. “Give it all back.” He frowned. “What?” “Give it back,” I repeated. “Everything your dad ever gave you. The car. The credit cards. The status he handed you. Return it all.” Liam stared at me like I had lost my mind. “And then what? Live on the streets?” I rolled my eyes. “You’re staying here for now. And you’re going to get a job. A real job, one that doe
Chapter 96: SeductionETHAN I had to do something about Emily, I couldn't have her ruining everything I've worked so hard to protect. First of all, I need to sort out the divorce. The best person to help me with this is Hilary, the last time we met was a mess because I ended things with her. But I needed her and I had to swallow my pride and go to her.As I sat across from Hilary I noticed the tension she sat, arms crossed, her gaze sharp and detached. I had expected resistance, but not outright hostility. “I need your help,” I said, sliding the divorce papers toward her. She didn’t even look at them. “No.” I frowned. “No?” She leaned back, letting out a humorless laugh. “Ethan, after everything? You actually think I’d jump to help you?” I exhaled slowly. “This isn’t personal.” “Maybe not to you,” she said, eyes narrowing. “But it is to me.” I clenched my jaw. “Hilary, you’re the best at this. I need someone out of my life, quietly and cleanly.” She tilted her head. “
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