Chapter Seventy TwoNolan paces his room, he has his phone in his hand, he clutches it hard, he doesn't know what to do next. He doesn't want to drag Simeon into this, but he knew that he could only do this if he does what Elena wants him to do.This is not the time he will back down, he doesn't know what next Leo is planning and he has to be fast before things go out of hand.Simeon had tried for him and he didn't want to keep pulling him to this, Nolan knew he had to respect his father l.He takes a deep breath and dials Simeon's number. The familiar ringing of the line fills the dead air until, after several rings, a young, clear voice responds. "Hello?"Nolan's voice is soft but unwavering. "Hey, Simeon-it's me."Hello, Dad" Simeon replies; the sound of his voice is suddenly brighter. There is comfort in his voice that warms Nolan, but soon is overwritten by the task ahead."Are you alone?" Nolan asks, cautious. "Is there anyone around you?"Simeon does stop then, his tone seriou
Chapter Seventy ThreeSimeon takes a big breath as he steps out of his room. His heart is pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. He never thought he would be this close to his father, Leo, but he knew it was all for a purpose. Every step he made was calculated; every smile he gave was carefully crafted. Leo and his mother, Marie, feel finally that he's warming up with his father, letting go of the distance he's always kept. They sound so pleased to see the change in him, so needy for him to be "Leo's son." But only Simeon knows the truth.He feels like he's on thin ice inside. He needs proof-something that would help Nolan bring Leo down. He needs to hear Leo incriminate himself with some sentence that shows his manipulative nature, especially where Nolan is concerned. But Leo is smooth, sly as a fox. Simeon knew it was never going to be easy to get him to slip up.Coming down the stairs, he sees Leo in the study, bending over some papers. His heart quickens. Perhaps today will b
Chapter Seventy FourToday, the house seems different, filled with something Simeon can't just shun and ignore. Leo's younger sister Clara was sending them her daughter Rita, who would stay with them for some time. He didn't like that. She had always seemed to him one of those people who would never let go but would keep stirring further. And with her games he did have little patience. But Leo was excited. He spoke so nicely about finally having family around.As he proceeded to the living room, he could hear Clara's chirpy voice no more than Rita's high-pitched laughter. He rolled his eyes at the happenstances that could have freed him from this. Moving into the kitchen, he poured some cold water into a glass."Are you okay, Simeon?" Clara asked, noticing his quietness."Yeah, I'm fine," he replied briefly, avoiding her gaze.Clara shrugs and walks away, her attention already caught by Rita, who was busy unpacking her things. Simeon heaves a deep breath, shaking off the annoyance. He
Chapter Seventy-FiveSimeon stands in the silent room, his heart racing as he watches Rita disappear. She didn't see him send the recording, but he knows she suspects. He has gained a little time with his promise to take her to the amusement park, but he can tell it is not enough. Rita isn't the kind to let things go, and her curiosity is one of those currents he has no easy way to dam. It is as if the weight of her lingering gaze, knowing all she does about him, hangs still in the air around him.The moment she is out of sight, Simeon reaches into his pocket, pulling his phone out to check if the message went through. Relief washes over him as he sees the small "Delivered" mark next to Nolan's name. At least he has managed to send the recording. But now he has another problem on hand: Rita. He knew she would be back, this time wanting answers.Sure enough, soon Rita reappears, leaning casually against the wall as if she has been waiting for him. Her eyes are bright, shining with curi
Chapter Seventy-SixHe paces his living room as images in his head about all that this recording by Simeon has brought forth literally race through his mind. It cannot be debated anymore-some strings being pulled by Simeon's father, cold and calculating, in manners that Nolan could hardly imagine. For years, Nolan thought that he had known struggles with the man, rivalries and small-time power plays that he was navigating. But this recording-evidence of manipulation, deception, and outright control-reveals a whole new level of treachery.A knock on his door brings him out of his reverie, and he walks across the room to open it onto Elena, standing with a look of determination in her expression, a file tucked under her arm."Thanks for coming over, Miss Elena" he says, stepping aside to let her in."Of course," Elena says, stepping inside with a serious expression on her face. "We have much to discuss, and from what Simeon was able to obtain… it is obvious that this is not just some ki
Chapter Seventy SevenNolan sits at his kitchen table in the early morning sunlight streaming through the window. It shines down upon the room as Nolan takes a slow sip of his coffee, trying to make heads and tails of the case he and Elena have built so far against Simeon's father. His mind keeps drifting back to last night. After they had worked late, Elena had stayed over, and he could still feel the serenity that she had let into his house, even in the quiet of the morning.It's the sound of footsteps that pulls him from his reverie. He looks up to find Elena entering the kitchen with her notebook in her hand and that intent looks across her face, a soft smile playing on her lips.Morning," she says, laying her notebook down on the table. "I thought I'd go over everything again before we make our next moves. There's so much to sort through."Nolan nods, grateful for her resolve. "We need to be ready. They'll do everything they can to throw us off course.Elena opens her notebook, l
Chapter Seventy EightThis is the day. Elena and Nolan have been working for weeks, gathering every piece of evidence possible to build a tight case against Simeon's father. High tension grips them in Nolan's office, littered with stacks of documents, witness statements, and notes due to sleepless nights and restless effort. Their goal? To be certain that a man who had controlled and manipulated so many lives finally faced justice.It's not only a legal fight, but one for everyone who has been suffering under Simeon's father's influence. Elena paces the room, notebook in hand, reviewing everything one last time in preparation for every possible move Simeon's father could throw at them.He watches her with admiration and gratitude. She had never wavered, and her fervor for the cause had often infected him with strength on days when he felt doubts over whether they could ever succeed against such a formidable adversary.They get down to work on finalizing the last-minute preparations fo
Chapter Seventy NineLeo sat in the living room, enjoying a rare evening with his family. Marie nuzzled next to him, a smile soft on her face. Opposite them, Simeon slouched back in his chair, chatting with his cousin Rita. The atmosphere was relaxed, the comfort of family time thick in the air. That peace, however, was cut when the doorbell rang, and one of the servants stepped into the room, tension etched across his face."Sir, there is somebody at the door"e say it's urgent," says the servant, staring into his master's eyes, oblivious to a sense of hesitation.Leo frowns, irked by the sudden intrusion into his quarters. Who could be brazen enough to disturb him at this time of day? He grumbles as he rises, grumbling silently about how people respect nobody these days. But coming to the door, he finds in formal suit, holding a sealed envelope in his hand and looking very serious."Mr. Leo?" the man asks firmly.Leo narrows his eyes and nods. "Yes?"The man hands him the envelope, h
Chapter 132She balled her fists into the material of her dress as the confrontation's weight settled firmly onto her shoulders. She kept staring at the door, her heart clutched in her chest. The accusations and disdain from Nolan's family reverberated loudly in her ears, louder than the silence that greeted them after their dramatic exit.Nolan's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "Don't let them get to you," he said, his tone softer now, though a residual edge of anger lingered. He stepped closer to her, his hand brushing against her arm, but Elena pulled back instinctively, the tension still too raw."How can I not?" she replied, her voice trembling. "They practically blamed me for everything—for Marie, for Marcus, for… for you not being the son or brother they want anymore.""They don't know what they're talking about," Nolan said firmly, his expression hardening again. "Marie is my past. You're my present. They'll just have to deal with it."Elena shook her head. Her throa
Chapter 131Nolan and Elena share a brief, weighted glance; then he turns to head back to the living room. Elena hesitates, her heart still racing from the tension, but she follows him, her footsteps quieter than usual.As they re-enter the room, Marcus is lounging exactly as they left him, eyes still half-closed as if he's genuinely relaxed, but the edge in his smirk is unmistakable. He's playing a dangerous game, and Nolan's not sure if he's the pawn or the one pulling the strings."Enjoying yourself?" Nolan asks, voice cold and sharp as he stands at the threshold.Marcus raises an eyebrow, makes a languid rise to sitting, tossing the magazine aside. "Just getting comfortable," he says-casually enough, but the challenge in his eyes is undiminished. "Isn't that what guests are supposed to do?"Don't mistake me for one who plays by the rules of hospitality," Nolan responds, not batting an eyelash. He steps closer to him, standing right in front of Marcus. "You're here on borrowed time
Chapter 130“You'll regret it. And trust me, Marcus, I don't make idle threats."The room seems to grow colder as Nolan's words hang in the air. Marcus holds his hands up in mock surrender, though the defiance in his smirk doesn't quite fade. "Alright, alright," he says lightly. "Message received, loud and clear. I'll be on my best behavior, promise."Good," Nolan snaps; there is no room for an argument. He steps back, his body a wall of silent warning, as he moves to stand beside Elena. She shifts uncomfortably under the weight of the tension, her fingers curling around the hem of her sweater.Marcus throws a glance between them, the corners of his lips twitching as if to hold back a comment. Finally, he leans against the couch and picks up the magazine again, an act of pretend indolence. "Three days it is, then," he murmurs, flipping a page. "Should be plenty of time.Nolan narrows his eyes but says nothing, turning to Elena instead. "Let's go," he says softly, his voice low enough
Uninvited GuestNolan and Elena back into the living room, their hands briefly touching, as if for reassurance. The tension between them in the air is palpable, but the look smoldering in Nolan's eyes indicates that he wasn't done with this just yet.Marcus is sprawled out on the couch, crossing his legs, an arm cast indolently over the back of the couch as he seems to exude superiority. He looks up; the smirk widens across his face, for all intents and purposes, he has just won some silent battle.Nolan's jaw clenches, but then, in one swift movement, a sly spreads across his face. He strides forward, his voice dripping with mock politeness. "Ah, my in-law," he says, articulating the words as if Elena's eyes must roll out of her head. "I hope you're feeling right at home?"Marcus' eyebrow lifts, partially taken aback by Nolan's tone, still smug, nonetheless. "I'm doing just fine, thanks."Nolan nods, pacing languidly in front of the couch. "That's great. My in-law, can I get you some
Chapter 128: Uninvited GuestMorning sun peeks through the apartment, casting a golden glimmer in the cozy living room as Elena and Nolan sat with the rare peace that finally rested between them. For the first time in weeks, the air felt light, the tension that had once gripped them now a distant memory. Nolan leans in, a playful smile on his face, and steals a kiss from Elena, who laughs softly and dodges, teasing him with a mischievous look."You missed," she teases, her voice lilting with false arrogance.Nolan chuckles, tugging her closer. "Did I? Let me try again."Their lips meet this time in a long, languorous kiss, and for a moment, everything is just right with the world. The world outside doesn't matter.Elena pulls back an inch, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "I missed this," she whispers. "Us. Without all the chaos."Nolan brushes a strand of hair from her face, his gaze tender. "It's not over yet, but I promise you-nothing will ever come between us again.They
Chapter 127 :The Breaking PointThere is an almost palpable sense of tension in the apartment. Nolan sits at the dining table, his head in his hands, while Marie stands across the room, watching him like a predator stalking its prey. A knowing smile curls her lips, as if she's already won.Marie steps closer, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. "You can't keep ignoring me forever, Nolan," she says softly, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "We both know you still have a soft spot for me. Why else would you let me stay here?Nolan's head jerks up, his jaw clenched. "Don't flatter yourself, Marie. You're only here because my mother forced this on me. If it were up to me, you'd already be gone."Marie pouts dramatically, her eyes shimmering with crocodile tears. "Oh, Nolan. Is it really that hard for you to admit that we had something special? Something worth saving?Nolan bangs his fist onto the table and jolts her. "We had something, Marie. Past tense. You destroyed it
Chapter 126The soft creak of the front door echoes faintly through the quiet house, signaling Elena's return. She had only been gone an hour, a quick trip to pick up groceries. As she steps into the hallway, the faint murmur of voices carries to her ears and stops her in her tracks. She recognizes Nolan's voice, low and steady, but there's another one, softer and pleading-Marie.Elena's heart clutches. What could they be talking about now? She sets the grocery bags on the kitchen counter and pads silently down the hall, the carpet muffling her footsteps.In the living room, Marie stiffens at the faint noise of the door opening. Her ears perk up, and her sharp gaze darts to Nolan, who is seated a few feet away from her on the couch, his expression unreadable. Instinct takes over. She rises swiftly and moves toward him, feigning vulnerability as she practically throws herself onto the couch beside him.Her hands claw at his arm, and she presses herself close, her voice shaking. "Nolan,
Chapter 125: A Plea for the PastThe door latched shut behind Elena and, with that, everything seemed to come to rest in a pool of discomfort. Nolan stood by the window and watched her figure descend the street. The strain didn't let go of his shoulders even after she turned and vanished out of his line of vision into quiet suburban anonymity.He turned around, ready to plunge into something—anything—that would take his mind off the growing unease in the house. But he couldn't escape it. Marie was leaning against the counter, her arms folded across her chest, standing in the kitchen with an unreadable expression on her face."Nolan," she said softly, breaking the silence. The edge was off her voice, and for a moment, he almost didn't recognize it.He stiffened, already sensing the direction this conversation might take. "What is it, Marie?" he asked, his tone curt as he walked past her toward the dining table."I want to talk," she replied, stepping away from the counter.Nolan sighed
Chapter 124As Nolan's mother and sister leave, Nolan and Elena are left standing in the living room, looking at each other in shock."Well, that was fun," Elena says sarcastically, breaking the silence.Nolan shakes his head. "I'm so sorry, Elena. I had no idea they were going to do that."Elena takes a step closer to him. "It's not your fault, Nolan. We'll figure this out together."Nolan nods, feeling a surge of gratitude towards Elena. "We will. I promise."As they hug, Nolan can't help but feel a sense of unease. He knows that his family is not going to give up easily, and he's worried about what they might do next.But for now, he's just grateful to have Elena by his side."What do you say we order some pizza and try to forget about this for a while?" Nolan suggests.Elena smiles. "Sounds like a plan to me."As they sit down on the couch, Nolan can't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they can make this work.But as they're waiting for the pizza to arrive, Nolan's