The clanking of boots against the cold prison floor made Ivy tense. She knew what was coming."Time's up," the guard announced, his voice flat and uninterested.Ivy ignored him, her hands still resting on Harry’s, her fingers tracing the roughness of his knuckles. "I don’t want to go yet," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.Harry exhaled sharply, his eyes burning into hers. "You have to," he said, his jaw tightening. "You’ve done enough, Ivy. Don't wear yourself out for me."Her throat tightened. “You’re behind bars because of them. I’m not stopping till I get you out.”The guard shifted impatiently. “Miss, I said time’s—”Harry’s head snapped toward him, his voice a dangerous growl. “Don’t dare touch her. I don’t care if I’m behind bars.”The guard hesitated, taking a step back.Ivy turned back to Harry, her chest aching. "I’ll be back," she promised.Harry leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers through the bars. “Be careful, Ivy.” His voice was rough, filled with
Ivy slammed her glass down, making the ice rattle. Her patience was running thin."So tell me, Roberto!" she snapped, her eyes burning with frustration. "Why the hell are you so obsessed with destroying your own family?"Roberto exhaled slowly, the smirk on his face fading. He swirled his drink, staring into it as if the answer lay at the bottom of the glass."You want the truth?" he muttered. He leaned back, stretching an arm over the couch, his fingers lazily brushing against the blonde curled up beside him. She didn’t react—probably too drunk or high to care."I was supposed to be him," Roberto said bitterly. "Karl Hendrix. The golden boy. The heir. The one my father groomed to take over the empire." He scoffed, shaking his head. "But Karl? He was perfect. Clean. Calculated. And me?" He chuckled darkly. "Too wild too reckless as they had called me . A disappointment."Ivy watched him, arms crossed, waiting."My father gave Karl everything—everything that should’ve been mine. Power
INTRO Today marked five years since the heir to the billionaire Hendrix family was sent to prison for a crime that shocked the entire nation. A crime so devastating it was buried deep, hidden from the public eye. But today, he was set to be released. The world hadn’t forgotten his name. And neither had those who wanted him to pay. Harry Hendrix, the infamous heir to the billionaire Hendrix family, had spent the last Five years locked away in one of the country’s most secure prisons. Perched uptown, the facility was guarded by three thousand elite policemen—an evidence to the danger he posed to society. Few dared to speak his name, but everyone knew the truth. Harry Hendrix wasn’t just any criminal; he was a force of nature. And today, that force was about to be unleashed. Forty cars lined up outside the guarded prison, engines rumbling in the quiet morning. They weren’t just cars—they were waiting for Harry Hendrix. Five years behind bars, and now, he was about to be fre
Ivy's Pov "You’re probably wondering how a lawyer like me ended up in a place like this ;a mansion I don’t even recognize." "My name is Ivy Smith, and this is where my story takes a turns and twist I never saw coming." "I came to New York hoping for a fresh start, thinking it would be the place where everything finally fell into place and my dream would finally come to life." "Little did I know, I was walking straight into the nightmare I never saw coming." I left my small town, thinking New York would be my chance to finally land a job as a lawyer. I got here, sure. But did I get the job? Nope. And my bank account? Yeah, it's empty. And my useless brother's debt was still hanging over me unpaid. I knew I had to do something. Then I stumbled upon an ad an heir to a wealthy family needed a hired bride for a few months, with huge benefits. It wasn’t a real marriage, just a job. Why not? The pay could cover my brother's debt, and maybe even help me open my own law firm one
A soft knock pulled me out of the little sleep I’d managed to get. Groaning, I shuffled to the door and cracked it open. The mother stood there, perfectly composed, with a maid hovering behind her like a shadow. “Good morning,” she said, her voice brisk. “You do know what today is, don’t you?” I rubbed my eyes, still half-asleep. “The wedding?” “Yes. The wedding. We’re on a tight schedule,” she snapped. “The maid will help you. The dress is ready. Just make sure you smile at the venue.” She didn’t wait for a response, just turned and disappeared down the hall. The maid gave me a curt nod and gestured for me to follow her. When I stepped into the next room, I stopped short. It looked like a tornado had ripped through a high-end boutique. Gowns hung off every available surface, shoes were scattered across the floor, and jewelry spilled out of boxes like an afterthought. “Choose something,” the maid said, her tone as lifeless as her expression. I scanned the chaos, my gaze settli
Harry Hendrix pov: I stood by the window, looking down at the scene unfolding. The rain hit her hard, soaking her from head to toe. I couldn't help but watch as she stood there, clearly furious. It almost made me laugh, but I knew I should save my amusement for later. This was only the beginning. I cracked the window open, the rain pouring harder now. "Are you going to stand there all night like a drenched chicken, or come inside?" I called out, my voice tinged with annoyance, though I couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. She glared up at me, her face scrunched in frustration. "You locked the door. How’d you expect me to get inside?" she yelled, her tone sharp, like she was daring me to argue back. I sighed, then walked away from the window. "You can come in. I think the rain's punished you enough." I could hear her footsteps as she hurried to the door. I peeled off my tuxedo, frustration building up. This whole thing is a fucking mess. I mean, sure, I
Ivy's pov I’d only been married to him for a day, and I was already over it. I barely slept, and yet, with the house staff standing around, he had me make his breakfast before storming out of the mansion without a word about where he was going. I couldn’t care less. His absence was the only peace I had. In a few months, I’d be walking out of here a millionaire, and that was all that mattered. A loud knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. I blink, disoriented and irritated. Who could it be now? It’s only been a day. The house guard went to answer the door, but from my room, I could hear the sound of struggling. A loud, familiar voice yelled, “Let me in!” The guard’s voice followed, firm but shaking, “You can’t get in without the master’s permission!” The commotion grew louder, and my skin crawled. What the hell was going on? I rushed down the stairs, my heart pounding, unsure of what I’d find. And then, to my shock, I saw him—my abusive older brother, David, Struggl
My eyes stayed shut, fear pinning me in place. I couldn’t bring myself to open them—I didn’t want to face whatever fate was waiting on the other side of this moment. My breathing was shallow and uneven, as the silence after the shot stretched endlessly. I whispered a shaky prayer under my breath, tears slipping down my cheeks. My chest felt tight, and my hands trembled as I forced myself to open my eyes, dreading what I might see. I opened my eyes, and the bloody scene before me froze me in place. It was like I was back in the past, reliving the nightmare I’d tried so hard to escape—the night my dad was shot right before my eyes. They had both fired. Harry clutched his arm, blood streaming down in a rush, but he stayed standing. My brother, David, lay sprawled on the floor in a pool of blood. I couldn’t tell if he was alive or dead. I moved closer to David, my hands trembles as I shook him gently. “Come on, open your eyes!” I plead, my voice cracking. Even though he had hur
Ivy slammed her glass down, making the ice rattle. Her patience was running thin."So tell me, Roberto!" she snapped, her eyes burning with frustration. "Why the hell are you so obsessed with destroying your own family?"Roberto exhaled slowly, the smirk on his face fading. He swirled his drink, staring into it as if the answer lay at the bottom of the glass."You want the truth?" he muttered. He leaned back, stretching an arm over the couch, his fingers lazily brushing against the blonde curled up beside him. She didn’t react—probably too drunk or high to care."I was supposed to be him," Roberto said bitterly. "Karl Hendrix. The golden boy. The heir. The one my father groomed to take over the empire." He scoffed, shaking his head. "But Karl? He was perfect. Clean. Calculated. And me?" He chuckled darkly. "Too wild too reckless as they had called me . A disappointment."Ivy watched him, arms crossed, waiting."My father gave Karl everything—everything that should’ve been mine. Power
The clanking of boots against the cold prison floor made Ivy tense. She knew what was coming."Time's up," the guard announced, his voice flat and uninterested.Ivy ignored him, her hands still resting on Harry’s, her fingers tracing the roughness of his knuckles. "I don’t want to go yet," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.Harry exhaled sharply, his eyes burning into hers. "You have to," he said, his jaw tightening. "You’ve done enough, Ivy. Don't wear yourself out for me."Her throat tightened. “You’re behind bars because of them. I’m not stopping till I get you out.”The guard shifted impatiently. “Miss, I said time’s—”Harry’s head snapped toward him, his voice a dangerous growl. “Don’t dare touch her. I don’t care if I’m behind bars.”The guard hesitated, taking a step back.Ivy turned back to Harry, her chest aching. "I’ll be back," she promised.Harry leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers through the bars. “Be careful, Ivy.” His voice was rough, filled with
Ivy spent the next twelve hours chasing ghosts.Agent after agent, office after office—each door she knocked on came with the same answer: No.First, it was a stiff-faced woman at the state security office, who barely looked up from her computer as she muttered, “We don’t issue access passes for criminal detainees without higher authorization.”Then, at the Department of Justice, a man with tired eyes and coffee-stained sleeves shook his head. “Sorry, Miss Ivy. Even as his lawyer, you need clearance from someone way above my pay grade.”By the time she reached her fourth contact—a private consultant who claimed he had “connections”—Ivy was already drained. But she still pulled out a thick envelope of cash, sliding it across the table.The man, a greasy-haired official with a nervous smile,eyed the money before exhaling. “Miss Ivy, I like money. But I also like breathing. And granting you this? That’s a one-way ticket to making powerful enemies.”She leaned in, lowering her voice. “I j
“And I vow to end Harry.” Valeria’s lips stretched into a slow, wicked smile, her fingers twitching toward the stack of cash. “Now, may I have those?”She flinged her wrist, sending the crisp dollar bills scattering onto the dusty floor. “Knock yourself out,” she muttered, watching as Valeria lunged for the money like a starved dog.Four down.She turned on her heel, stepping over a stray bill as she walked out. There were still nine more names on her list.Her phone rang, breaking the silence. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen.A news notification flashed. She tapped it, and a live broadcast played—in a sleek newsroom, a stern-faced reporter held some stack of papers."Breaking news. The long-anticipated Hendrix trial has officially been scheduled for September 26th. After days of speculation, the court has confirmed the date for what is expected to be one of the most controversial cases in recent history..."Ivy’s grip on her phone tightened. September 26th.The countdown
Ivy let her lips part slightly, eyes lowering as if she were just another woman caught in Vincenzo Moretti’s web. But she wasn’t.She took a slow step forward, letting her fingers trail down the thin strap of her dress. “I heard you like obedience,” she murmured, voice honeyed and sultry. The glow of the chandelier shone against the expensive scotch in his glass.Moretti smirked, his gaze raking over her. “Obedience is good.” He took a sip, eyes darkening. “But submission is better.”She nearly gagged. Instead, she lowered herself onto the armrest of his chair, legs crossed deliberately. The scent of alcohol and cigars clung to him. She picked up his glass, swirling the liquid before pressing it to her lips—just enough to tease.“Tell me something,” she purred, tilting her head. “You’ve been around a long time, haven’t you? Longer than the Hendrix name.”Moretti’s smirk faltered for half a second. He leaned back, swirling his drink as if contemplating her words. Bingo.“You ask dan
Ivy picked up the heavy bottle of whiskey from the table, her fingers wrapping around its cool glass. She poured a generous amount into a glass, then lifted it to Damien’s lips, tilting it just enough for the liquid to slide past his lips.“Tell me, baby…” she whispered, her lips grazing his ear as she leaned in. “I need to know.”Damien chuckled, the deep rumble of his voice tinged with the sluggishness of alcohol settling in his system. He swallowed, his head tipping back against the couch, eyes half-lidded but still sharp. “You’re a dangerous woman,” he murmured. Ivy only smiled, running her nails lightly down his chest, keeping him exactly where she wanted him. “And you’re a man with secrets.”Damien exhaled, tapping his fingers against the glass. The whiskey had loosened his tongue, and Ivy saw the moment his restraint cracked.“Harry Hendrix…” he muttered, rolling the name over his tongue like a curse. His fingers curled tighter around the glass. “That bastard is my stepbrother
"Ivy, I think it’s time you leave," Adrian’s voice cut through the tension as he strode toward them. His eyes bore until hers. "You can’t just come here and boss my wife and I around."Sasha exhaled in relief, using the moment to slip away from Ivy’s piercing questions. She moved toward Adrian, subtly hiding behind him, as if he were her shield.Ivy twisted her jaw, her eyes jerking between the both of them. She already knew she had other things to handle—things more important than wasting time with people who refused to face their own demons.Without another word, she turned on her heels, throwing one last icy glance at Sasha before stepping out of the house.Her next target was Damian Francis—one of the names burned into the Kill Row image Harry had hidden in his basement.There were twelve more on the list, twelve more lives tangled in whatever twisted truth she was uncovering. But Ivy knew better than to rush.One step at a time.With all the evidence she had gathered, Damien Fra
Ivy knelt beside Sasha, her lawyer instincts momentarily giving way to simple human compassion. Sasha's cheek was already turning red from the slap, her eyes wide with shock and unshed tears.Before Ivy could say anything, Adrian grabbed her arm, yanking her to her feet. His grasp was tight and his frustration was obvious."Face your own damn problems, Ivy," he hissed, lowly "Leave my wife and I out of whatever mess you and Harry have created."Ivy squared her shoulders, unfazed by Adrian’s towering presence. “I’m not here for you, Adrian. I need a word with Sasha. Can you move?” She said confidently not minding his daring disgusted eyes.Adrian let out a low chuckle, folding his arms across his chest. “Why won’t you just talk here?” His gaze snapped toward Sasha, whose face was streaked with tears, yet she still forced a weak, practiced smile—one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Or are you scared of something?”Ivy glanced at Sasha, reading the silent plea behind her trembling ma
Adrian’s MansionAdrian lounged on the velvet couch, one arm draped over the side, his fingers lazily tapping against the glass of whiskey in his hand. The glow of the TV flashed across his sharp features as the news played, the voice of the journalist cut through the quiet. "Fugitive billionaire heir Harry Hendrix has finally been captured..."A curled one lip tugged at Adrian’s lips. “About time,” he muttered, swirling the drink.Sasha slipped onto the couch beside him, her manicured nails brushing against his arm as she leaned in to watch. A satisfied smile curled on her lips. “Thank God I broke up with him when I did,” she sighed dramatically. “Can you imagine? If I stayed, maybe I’d be the one in trouble. He could’ve killed me, Adrian. Or worse… you.”Adrian’s grip on the glass tightened. His jaw tensed. Without warning, he turned to her, his eyes dark. “You think you’d be that important to him?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the fake concern in hers.Sasha flinched,