Adriano is dead, and so are the majority of his top officials and new recruits. The ones who survived are either in the hospital getting treated or are now in jail getting investigated. Me and some of my men are also injured, but our injuries aren’t life threatening. That’s why we only stayed in the hospital for about a day, before being discharged. I pay a visit to the villagers who helped us win our war, and compensate them with a hefty amount of money that I never mentioned to them before. At first, they decline, but I insist. Hence, they eventually accept. When we return to the capital, I immediately ask for Hazel’s psychologist to assist her again just in case she’s experiencing some sort of another mental breakdown. Hazel is grateful about it and cooperates well. I also surrender Vincent back to the police, and file charges against Hazel’s former adoptive family for conspiring with Adriano to force Hazel to kill me. Then there’s dad’s funeral which is attended by the bigge
HAZEL’S POV: Three days and two nights on the Disney Cruise Line isn’t enough. Sammy and Archie wish to extend our stay, but Marius and I have decided to go on another family vacation in a different yet still magical place - Universal Studio. While I’m trying to buy tickets and book our hotel for our next trip, one of the house staff comes into the room. “Ma’am, there are police officers waiting for you in the living area,” she says. It’s probably another interview to collect more details about Adriano and Le Distruzioni’s case. I head to the living area where Marius is already entertaining the police. But there’s something off: Marius’s face is pale and his posture is clenched. “Mrs. Thorne,” one of the police begins. “We’ve found the corpse of Ms. Mei Zhou with the help of your former adoptive brother, Mr. Michael Cassidy. And according to him, you’re the one who killed her.” My body freezes as chills run up and down my spine. I can’t think of anything to say to defend mys
There are others who commit crimes several times, but remain free. Then I committed it once to ensure my survival, and I’m now locked up.I’m transferred to the state’s Correctional Center for Women. Every day Marius visits me, trying his best to uplift my draining hope of ever getting out of jail. He says that he and our lawyer are finding a way to pursue some of the Chinese tycoons to withdraw their support for Mei Zhou’s parents.“Bing and Hao Zhou remain in jail. Their assets also remain inaccessible to them. The only reason why these powerful Chinese are helping them is out of pity towards their fellow Chinese nationals,” Marius says.I know what that means - He’s gonna utilize money or any possible influence he has gained over the last few weeks to turn the tides into our favor. I hope it works, since we’re up against many wealthy and influential people - a more complicated fight than we ever had before.When the visiting hours are over, it’s time for us , the prisoners, to cl
I stir awake, and find myself in a hospital room with a handcuff on one hand that’s clasped on the bed frame. There are two police officers at the bed’s foot-end, and a nurse checking the apparatus beside me. But, there’s no Marius. “Where’s my husband?” I ask. The police officers uncaringly glance at me, then continue chatting with each other. As I piece my fragmented memory of what happened, the most important question emerges in my head. “My baby?” I ask, anxiously. The nurse responds, “The baby is okay now. We barely save its life. You have to be careful next time, since we can’t be sure if we’re still lucky enough to save it.” Though I’m relieved about my baby’s condition, frustration simmers through me. Even if I’m extremely careful, if everyone in jail seems to wanna kill me, my life and my baby’s will remain in jeopardy! As I ponder on what I’ll do so I won’t be sent back to jail, a furious commotion outside erupts. The door flings open with aggression, and stridi
MARIUS’ POV: -[“Mr. Thorne, we got them!”]- Omari’s voice, through the phone, brims with pride as he declares the success of their mission. I immediately share the good news to Hazel, prompting tears of joy to glisten her eyes. “I have to talk to the k.idnappers myself. I’ll leave you in the care of your personal nurse and about twenty of our bodyguards,” I say as I wipe her tears dry. I lean in for a kiss, before leaving the hospital and heading home. There are five k.idnappers tied up and locked up inside the storage room in our backyard. I glare at them so cold, that they shiver in fear. “P-please, Mr. Th-Thorne, don’t kill us,” one of them stutters. “That depends,” I reply. “In a few days, my wife’s hearing in court will begin. I want you to be there to confess your crime and Mei Zhou’s participation in it.” They all glance at each other, hesitation on their faces. “I bet you already know that your protector, Mei Zhou, is dead. And now that I have you, I can do whatever
HAZEL’S POV: I am free, finally! Marius and I withdraw the k.idnapping case we filed against Elmyra and Betty as promised, reasoning to the court that they’re also victims of Mei Zhou’s manipulations. Though I’m half-hearted about it, I'm confident that they’re not going to dare try to ruin me again and waste the freedom they just got. Reeve is also receiving help from Marius. The public has shown sympathy towards him, demanding for his release. And this may pressure the court to also junk Mei Zhou’s r.ape case against him.On the other hand, after Adriano’s death, Marius and I are able to produce all the evidence of his gang’s illegal businesses, including the illegal online casinos where Bing and Hao Zhou are entangled with. That makes them guilty of the crime, which means that they have to serve ten years of jail time.This angers the Association of the Chinese Billionaires even more. We receive a letter from an undeclared sender, written in Chinese. At first, we just wanna
Thud! Our bodyguards and house staff jerk in anxiety as I smash the desk in front of me with my clenched fists. “I know that no matter how much we beg or threaten you, you won’t confess your betrayal to us! And now, the trust that Marius and I have to those who are genuinely innocent has been tarnished too!” I growl. If only I can just fire them all and hire new ones, I will! But, who’s to say that the new ones won’t be infiltrated by our enemies’ machineries too?! Plus, I can’t jeopardize the source of income of those who are genuinely loyal to us! Marius gently holds my shoulder to calm me a little. He then motions to our lawyer to give the checks, amounting to one millions dollars each, to the grieving families of the four bodyguards who were killed yesterday. The four bodyguards received proper burials, but the justice on their deaths must wait. We can’t hand the traitor over to the authorities yet. The Association of Chinese Billionaires may demand to kill her while inside
The extravagant prenuptial party of Charles Guo’s son and his fiancee is attended by Hollywood celebrities, well-connected politicians, and of course, their fellow billionaires. Marius and I easily get inside the luxurious venue using our fake invitation cards and IDs. Some attendees are familiar to us, so it’s a little challenging to act as different people around them. While Marius goes to congratulate the couple, I approach Charles Guo. His presence alone reminds me of his attempt to kill me, but I manage to act calmly. “Excuse me. I’ve never met you before. May I know you?” he asks. With a confident smile, I respond, “I’m Crystal Wu, and that’s my husband, Chris Wu. We’re your son’s new investors.” He nods, smiling back. Marius and I did invest in his son’s businesses under our false identities, but his son has never met us nor invited us here. But it seems Marius is doing a good job in making the young Guo not to suspect us. “Actually, “ I begin, stirring up our real mo
Being the world’s richest and powerful couple is an honor, but comes with it the burden of attracting possible new jealous and evil individuals. To prepare for this, Marius and I put the country’s Chief of police and the General of the army on our payroll in exchange for their protection of our family’s well-being. Additionally, we befriend some politicians here and abroad by funding their projects and election campaigns. We also keep our contact with the hacker and the cosmetic artist. Though we’re not yet needing their help again, we’re sending them and their families’ gifts every once in a while - a way to show our appreciation for the skills and to keep them loyal to us. Everything is going well. Except,... My relationships with my former and my current mothers-in-law. They remain adamant in forgetting our pasts. Even so, we maintain our respect for each other unlike before. Plus, they always visit their grandchildren to spend some time with them. “Elmyra,” I begin, trying to
Charles Guo Committed S.uicide Behind Bars! - That’s the headline of every news outlet. I’m shocked that he’d do this to himself. But to make sure that this isn’t just a lie so that he can escape jail, I head to the morgue myself. And there he is - white and cold, with a chain mark on his neck. There’s a little guilt in me, but there’s also a huge relief. Suzy and the others who vouched for him in the courtroom are now in jail for lying, awaiting their trials. The second DNA results of Rain and his grandparents turn out to be positive, and the one Suzy presented to the court is proven to be fabricated. This, hiding Rain’s father’s death from the law, and hiring my former bodyguards to become their spies and kill my family, add to the charges she’ll be facing, making it difficult for her to pose bail. “P-please, Hazel… I’m sorry I chose my husband over you. He threatened me, that’s why I have no choice,” she cries, clutching the bars of her cell.I raise an eyebrow. “You didn’t
My tears continue to cascade from my eyes, as I chase after Marius, who’s on a stretcher and being rushed to the emergency room. “Ma’am, you can’t enter,” the doctor says as she shuts the door in my face. I sink to my knees and clutches my tightening chest. Oh God! Please, save Marius! Don’t take him from me! Hours pass, but the emergency doors remain closed. There’s no update about Marius’ situation so far. Betty has arrived too, panicking and sobbing, which only makes me even more apprehensive. The nurses help her to calm down by giving her some medications. Then I sit beside her, hoping to give and get comfort. But,... “If I lose my son too, I will kill myself, and will blame my death on you,” she says, coldly. I stop myself from responding. This isn’t the right time and place to argue. Finally, the doctor steps out of the emergency room, his expression grave. “The patient is in a coma and will be under monitoring. The bullet has pierced through his left lung, but it’s
A week has lapsed,...And finally, the judgment day has arrived! Will fate back us up? Or will it vouch for Charles instead? Inside the courtroom, Charles looks calm, a complete turnaround from how he was when he’s in our basement. Sitting on the bench behind him is Amber, Rain and Suzy. I saw those three earlier, arriving separately. The media were all over them, throwing questions about the scandal surrounding their family’s odd relationships. They ignored them. And just like Charles, they all look calmer than how I was expecting them to be. When the trial begins, the first case that’s discussed is the m.urder of Rain’s biological father. Rain’s grandparents get on the witness stand. Their emotions rise as they state how they remember their son when he was still alive. “He just suddenly came home one day with groceries and shopping bags that we knew he can’t afford, given the salary he’s getting in Mr. Guo’s factory,” the father says. “Soon, he brought us a brand new house
HAZEL’S POV: It’s proven that Amber Stark can’t be trusted. But, what about Suzy and Rain Guo, will they side with me and Marius? Marius and I, disguised as Crystal and Chris, meet Suzy and Rain in a high-end cafe. “Give us the list of Charles’ illegal businesses, and we promise that all of his wealth will be yours,” I say. Suzy responds, “Believe it or not, my husband doesn’t have any illegal businesses, so there’s no way you can lawfully freeze his access to his wealth.” It seems like we can’t trust these two as well. If only our hacker can find these pieces of information, then we won’t need to bargain with them. But our hacker has limitations too. Suddenly, Suzy’s aura shifts! “However, I can give you the identity of Rain’s biological father. You can use his death against Charles,” she says. That’s a help, but that's not enough to freeze Charles’ assets. Charles may still be able to utilize his wealth to manipulate the authorities. After giving us the details of Rain’s
AMBER’S POV: Crystal Wu’s offer is tempting, but she and her husband can’t be trusted. Plus, Charles won’t be defeated that easily. I call Charles through my phone since he hasn’t come back home yet. When he picks up, he sounds a little more enthusiastic than usual. Even when he’s celebrating something huge, he isn’t like this. “Weird,” I murmur, then continue with a clearer voice. “Be careful. Crystal Wu is planning to destroy your finances, and she’s trying to use me against you.” His enthusiasm doesn’t falter. -[“I’ll be careful. Thanks for letting me know.”]- He then drops the call, and I can’t reconnect with him when I try to call him again. Frustrated, I send her a text message: -[Where are you anyway? I need s.ex!]- But, there’s no reply. I meet Rain and Suzy, who are having their lunch in the dining area. Then I tell them about Crystal Wu’s scheme. “She wants me to know all Charles’ illegal businesses, so the government can freeze all of his wealth just like what hap
HAZEL’S POV: It’s not easy to harden our hearts, but Marius and I must do it if we don’t want our enemies to get the better of us again. We already got access to our bodyguards’ and house staff’s past and current call and text message logs, and we identified five Guo’s spies in total. To stop them from continuously betraying us, we target their weaknesses - their loved ones. We gathered the traitors inside the study, and took their phones and their weapons. At first they’re confused until we explained why.“You’re spies of Charles Guo and you’ll pay for that big time,” Marius said coldly.Stunned, their faces paled and their bodies clenched. But none dared to deny it.“We have your family members, hidden in a place where you can’t contact or see them. If you want them to stay safe, you must follow every single thing we’ll demand from you,” I added with equal coldness.Alarmed, they tremble. One of them even kneeled down and begged,“Please, my family has nothing to do with my bet
“Take off all the CCTVs now!” I roar. Frantically, the maids and the bodyguards uninstall all the CCTVs in every corner of my estate. It may lessen the safety of my home, but I can’t risk giving my enemies more of our privacy! Once they’re done, I turn to Suzy and clutches her shoulders furiously.“I didn’t realize that there’s CCTV in that hospital room!” Suzy explains, trembling in fear. “Regardless! You shouldn’t have told the Thornes about our family’s affair!” I hiss, before pushing her onto the sofa. Then I turn to Amber, who’s fearfully hiding behind Rain. I wanna lash out at her too, but I stop myself. Even I didn't think that the CCTVs in my home used for our safety would be hacked to shove us into danger.Over the next few days, the mainstream and social media explode with news about our unconventional family relationships. We have become the laughing stock of the entire country. I can’t get out of my estate out of humiliation, can’t even accept an interview or a new
CHARLES’ POV: There’s nothing! Crystal and Chris Wu’s cellphones can’t provide anything that’ll connect them to Marius and Hazel Thorne! I turn to Rain and ask, “Are you sure you don’t know them?” Rain replies, “They invested one billion dollars to my new business venture, but I don’t know them personally. And I also don’t remember ever inviting them to my prenuptial party.” Irritation courses through me. “You’re so s.tupid to not meet your investors in person! I’m not gonna be surprised why until now you can’t build connections on your own!” “And now we can’t be sure if we can trust those two or not!” Rain shrugs, unbothered in showing his disinterest. I can’t believe that I’m squandering so much wealth for this d.umbass! If only I’m able to produce my own son, I would never let him exist! Amber approaches me and seductively rubs her palms across my chest area. “Honey, I’m scared. Everybody is talking about us now. Shall we just confess our affair?” she asks without any hin