The moment Lorenzo's gaze fell on the lifeless body of the little boy sprawled on the floor, a frenzy took over him, and he charged into the sitting room.Mabel was there, beside the still form, tears streaming down her face.As Lorenzo approached and recognized the face of his fifteen-year-old son, he faltered and squatted weakly beside him. Pain etched deep lines across his features. Cradling David’s lifeless body in his arms, he pressed his palm against the boy's face, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage and sorrow, tears threatening to spill.He turned to Mabel, his voice icy, "What happened to my David?"Mabel's face drained of color as she stammered, "I—I don’t know. He was playing on the road when a trailer... it just hit him. I was at the market getting groceries when he came back from school, I—"Lorenzo's grip on the boy loosened as he shot a furious glare at Mabel, his eyes brimming with a lethal intensity. "Mabel, I told you to take care of him! How is he dead now?"Mabel
When a knock echoed at the door, the woman shot Benjamin a wary glance.Despite his suspicions, Benjamin shrugged it off. "Go see who it is," he said, returning to his cigarette. He figured it might be an estate security guard or someone from the waste management team checking in on something.As she approached and opened the door, a gunshot blasted through the air.Startled, Benjamin dropped his cigarette and tumbled off the bed. Panic surged through him as he dashed into the bedroom, narrowly avoiding a bullet that whizzed past him. He slammed the door shut and sprinted toward the window.Meanwhile, Lorenzo stepped over the woman’s lifeless body and strode into the bedroom, his powerful kick shattering the door open.He found Benjamin halfway through the window, stuck and desperate."Don’t shoot! I can pay you! Please don’t kill me!" Benjamin pleaded, his heart racing. He had just made millions and was unwilling to let it all end now.Realizing he had to act fast, he scrambled back
When the driver caught sight of the gun, shock washed over him. The menacing look on Lorenzo's face, coupled with the gun's muzzle pointed directly at him, drained the color from his skin.He had no doubt that Lorenzo would pull the trigger without hesitation.With trembling lips, he stammered, "He’s inside! He told me to lie to you! This has nothing to do with me! Please, don’t hurt me!"Lorenzo, disgusted by the driver's cowardice, scoffed. He never expected to encounter someone so willing to betray a colleague so easily.Turning away from the driver, he took a couple of steps. The driver, now soaked in fear, felt a wave of relief wash over him as Lorenzo spared him—at least for the moment.But then, a memory of Benjamin's betrayal flickered in Lorenzo's mind, and he stopped in his tracks. A sneer curled his lips. "I despise people like you."Without a moment's hesitation, he pulled the trigger three times. The silencer muffled the shots, ensuring no one heard the quiet execution.A
When Tony first heard Lorenzo's idea, he considered it clever. But soon, a look of surprise crossed his face as he tentatively asked, "How do you plan to get past Chris? You know it won't be easy to take that kid right under his nose."Lorenzo shrugged, his voice steady as he replied, "I’m sure Chris will be more than happy to see me take my son away. To him, the boy is just an eyesore."Tony nodded, but suspicion crept into his gaze. "Are you trying to use Ben as bait to get Isabella away with you?"Leaning back in his chair, Lorenzo knew Chris wouldn't tolerate such a move. Yet, he couldn’t dismiss the possibility entirely. He stroked his chin thoughtfully before responding, "I hadn’t considered that, but since you brought it up, it’s not impossible. If the opportunity arises to take her with me, I won’t hesitate. If not, then I won’t worry about it."Tony tensed at this, regretting his words. He hadn't meant to plant that idea in Lorenzo's mind. "Chris would never let you take his
After Chris sent Lewis away, he returned to his study and sank into deep thought, moved by his son-in-law's selfless sacrifice.If he were in Lewis's position, he doubted he could tolerate what Isabella had done. Rubbing his forehead, he grappled with what actions to take as her father.Time passed silently as he remained lost in contemplation, when suddenly the study door creaked open.Startled, he straightened up and turned to see his daughter, Isabella, standing in the doorway. Her face was pale, etched with worry.Noticing her anxious demeanor, Chris frowned but chose to remain silent, waiting for her to approach.To his astonishment, Isabella suddenly fell to her knees before him. He stared, momentarily taken aback by her unexpected gesture."Why are you kneeling?" he asked, bewildered. Though he was disappointed in her, his love for Isabella was unwavering."Please, stand up. If you have something to say, say it—there's no need to kneel," he urged, his tone grave.Isabella hesit
Isabella waited anxiously for Lewis’s arrival, her heart pounding with worry. Suddenly, her phone rang again. She glanced at the screen and saw Lorenzo's name flash before her.Without hesitation, she answered the call, only to be met by her son Ben’s frantic voice. “Help, Mommy! They’re taking me away!”Panic surged through her as she heard the sheer terror in his words. Tears streamed down her face, but before she could respond, the call abruptly ended.Staring at her phone, confusion and fear twisted in her chest. Just then, another message lit up her screen: “Twenty minutes remaining, and you will never see him again.”That was all it took to send her mind spiraling into chaos. She had to act fast. Without thinking, she jumped into her car and sped toward the address Lorenzo had given her.Halfway through the frantic drive, her phone rang again. She glanced down and saw Lewis’s name. “Babe, where are you?”Guilt washed over her as she answered, her voice trembling. “I’m not there
A grin spread across Lorenzo's face as he listened to Lewis's tough talk, hardly taking him seriously. To Lorenzo, it was comic relief. He shoved Isabella aside and taunted, "I hope you can fight as tough as you talk!"With a casual flick of his fingers, he beckoned Lewis forward, feigning nonchalance.Lewis wasted no time; he charged in and swung a kick, but Lorenzo effortlessly deflected it with his arm. Undeterred, Lewis bent low and aimed another kick, slicing at Lorenzo's leg. In a flash, Lorenzo leaped up, dodging the blow, surprise flickering across his face. "Looks like you’ve improved a bit since I last wiped the floor with you. Not bad," he remarked.His expression shifted to one of seriousness as he clenched his fists and assumed a fighting stance.Lewis sneered, "You may be old, but you still chase after looks instead of longevity. Shameless, old man."Lorenzo shot back, "What can I say? It’s not my fault you’re so weak you can’t even handle your own wife. If my fading str
Isabella turned abruptly, her heart racing as she saw Lorenzo gripping a gun, its muzzle aimed directly at Lewis. Panic surged through her, and she screamed, "Noooo!" Without thinking, she stepped in front of Lewis, positioning herself as a shield.Lorenzo's gaze darkened at the sight of her defiance. His anger flared, and the killing intent in his eyes was unmistakable. "Please, don’t shoot! I beg you!" Isabella pleaded, her voice trembling with fear.Lewis stood behind her, his lips pressed tightly together. Frustration coursed through him as he realized the danger they were in. If he had anticipated this moment, he might have had a chance to disarm Lorenzo. But now, he felt a mix of admiration and warmth for Isabella's bravery, stepping up to protect him."Isabel, are you going to move aside or not?" Lorenzo's voice was low and menacing, his annoyance palpable at Isabella's protective stance.She shook her head, her resolve unwavering. "Please, don’t do this. If you pull that trig
When Lorenzo heard Chris's response, his white beard bristled with anger. He didn’t need a second to realize that Chris had tricked him yet again. The memory of the money he had burned just to ferry someone else's child to London ignited his fury. He slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Motherfucker, what’s your end game?"Chris remained calm, his demeanor unruffled. "I’m just protecting my grandchild, Lorenzo. You can’t expect me to sit back and let you take her away. I’m a grandfather now. Let me go see my baby girl in the hospital, and we can catch up later."A beeping sound came from the phone’s speaker. Lorenzo stared, dazed, confusion etched on his face. He knew Chris well—his talent lay in screwing people over, but lying wasn’t his style. The realization washed over Lorenzo like a cold wave. "She wasn’t pregnant with my child?" he muttered to himself, disbelief creeping in. After all his plotting, he had failed.In a fit of frustration, he grabbed a chair and smashed it a
Tony watched his boss with trepidation, unsure if it was the crushing defeat that had driven him to madness or the realization that he had nothing left to live for.Months slipped by in silence.Then, a piercing cry shattered the stillness from Isabella and Lewis's bedroom. Lewis, filled with anxiety, gently grasped Isabella's hand. "Babe, don’t be scared. I’ll take you to the hospital."Isabella, wracked with pain, tilted her head and bit down on Lewis's shoulder, her frustration spilling over. "It hurts so much!"Lewis gritted his teeth but remained steadfast, calling for help. The housekeeper and a few other staff members rushed in to help Isabella down the stairs.The commotion drew Ben's attention from his deep sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he emerged from his room, bewildered as he saw a crowd around his mother. By the time he fully registered the scene, Isabella had already been carried outside. He sprinted after them, only to find his father circling the car. "Dad, what’s wrong wi
At that moment, Lewis's dad regretted giving him the freedom to choose his own partner."Dad, I promise I won’t let him win," Lewis said, his voice steady and resolute.His father merely nodded, disappointment etched across his face as he waved him off. He felt let down by his only son."I'm sorry, Dad," Lewis said, his tone apologetic. He turned and walked out, getting into his car and heading home.When he arrived, Ben had already finished dinner and gone to bed, leaving only Isabella in the living room, waiting for him."Babe, welcome back," Isabella said, rising to greet him with a kiss on the cheek.Lewis managed a nod, forcing a smile. "Did you eat?" he asked.Isabella shook her head. "Not yet. I was waiting for you.""Alright, let’s have dinner," Lewis replied, heading to the dining table. They ate in silence, the weight of the day lingering in the air.Afterward, they went upstairs to their bedroom. Isabella didn’t pry into where he had been; she could see the exhaustion in hi
Isabella's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as Lewis's expression darkened. He didn't need to dig deeper; it was clear that Lorenzo had orchestrated this group of reporters.“Mrs. Isabella, how do you feel about cheating on your husband and dragging him into this shameful legal battle?”Another question quickly followed, and Isabella clung to Lewis, lowering her head to avoid the cameras flashing around them.The reporters, undeterred, turned their focus to Lewis, who stood protectively beside her. “Mr. Lewis, it’s impressive that you’re willing to stand by your wife. Not everyone would want to be in your position—having to defend her infidelity in court. Are you against divorce, or do you consider yourself a symbol of a ‘simp’?”The insults stung, igniting fury within Lewis, but he fought to keep his composure. Facing the camera, he replied with a sneer, “Stop judging me or my family. Those commenting on our situation need to understand that Isabella and I love each other, and nothi
After Lewis heard Lorenzo’s taunt, his expression darkened. He glared at Lorenzo, his fists clenching tightly until they crackled with tension. If they weren’t in court, he might have lost control.Lorenzo, noticing Lewis’s reaction, sneered in disdain. “Stop trying to scare me. You don’t look intimidating at all. Just give it a rest.”Lewis felt a twitch at the corners of his lips but took a deep breath, snorting coldly in response. “You can say whatever you want outside this courtroom, but know this: I will never let you get close to Isabella or Ben. They will never be yours.”With that, Lewis turned away and strode out, ignoring Lorenzo’s mocking voice behind him. “Stop thinking too highly of yourself; you can’t stop me!”Lewis walked into the courtroom with his entourage, leaving Lorenzo fuming as he followed suit. Lewis shot Lorenzo a cold glance before averting his eyes. They waited in tense silence until the judge finally entered.“All rise!” the clerk announced as the judge too
When Ben heard the question, confusion washed over him. Ever since his parents had picked him up from school, he’d felt an unsettling tension in the air. His face creased with worry as he looked at them, his anxiety palpable. "No, I want to stay with only you and Daddy," he replied, his voice trembling.Isabella, still unsure, pressed on. "Do you like any uncles? The one who usually visits you at school? Do you like him more than Daddy?"Although Ben appreciated the ice cream the uncle often brought, he didn’t like him in person. He pursed his lips, shook his head, and insisted, "I like only you and Daddy, and no one else."Isabella felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been worried for days, unable to sleep peacefully. Lewis, sensing her tension, remained silent, knowing why she was asking these questions.He gently patted Ben's head and promised, "We will never let anyone take you from us. Don’t be scared."But as soon as Ben heard this, memories of his past kidnapping floode
Lewis exclaimed in frustration, "We still don’t know his true intentions. If he’s after custody of Ben, I think he’ll fail. But if he just wants access, the court will likely grant it."Isabella's expression shifted as she considered the implications. If Lorenzo had regular contact with Ben, he could manipulate him. The thought of the court granting him access filled her with dread, especially given the possibility that he might try to kidnap Ben again."Is there nothing we can do?" Isabella asked anxiously, worry etched on her face.Lewis’s eyes lit up as he replied, "If we can establish a criminal record and present evidence of his past attempts to kidnap Ben and the trauma he caused, the court will likely favor us."Isabella felt a glimmer of hope, but it quickly faded when she realized they had no way of obtaining Lorenzo's criminal records."How do we get his criminal record and evidence of his illegal activities?" she asked, frustration creeping into her voice.Lewis thought for
The court bailiff didn’t linger; after delivering the letter, he left without delay. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension, and Isabella’s face was etched with worry.When Lewis caught sight of her expression, he tried to reassure her, saying earnestly, “Don’t worry. I won’t let him take Ben. I’ll call my attorney to discuss our chances in this case.”Isabella felt a bit of relief at his words, but the worry didn’t fully dissipate. She fell into his arms and whispered, “Babe, I’m so grateful for you. I don’t know what I would do without you. You’ve brought happiness into my life and made it so much more colorful.”Hearing this, Lewis smiled and gently patted her back. “I’ll always be by your side. No matter what storms we face, I won’t let you go. My love for you is stronger than any challenge that lies ahead.”Isabella’s heart warmed at his words, and she leaned forward to kiss his cheek. Lewis then bent down to kiss her forehead.“Now, I should talk to my attorney,” he r
Lorenzo's face darkened, his eyes blazing with anger. He hadn’t anticipated Chris's interference, which was precisely why he had never factored him into his plans. If he had known Chris would step in, he wouldn’t have acted so recklessly, allowing himself to be outmaneuvered. He gritted his teeth, furious at having underestimated Chris’s duplicitous nature."He is my grandson," Chris replied with an unsettling smile, his tone casual and dismissive.Lorenzo was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected such a nonchalant response and stared at Chris, suspicion flickering in his mind. "Chris, stop trying to provoke me. What are you planning to do with Ben? You can't be genuinely nice without an ulterior motive. Are you secretly plotting to kill him later?"Chris blinked in surprise at Lorenzo's wild accusation. He had not expected him to jump to such conclusions."Stop assuming I'm going to harm him. I’m not as ruthless as you; I wouldn’t kill my own blood. Despite being your son, he i