SLYVIA'S POVAs we drove home, I tried to keep the conversation light, asking about their day and their friends, anything to keep my mind off the looming legal battle. Their innocent chatter and laughter were a balm to my frazzled nerves.Back at home, I set the kids up with a snack and some coloring books before retreating to my home office to make some urgent calls. I needed to get ahead of this lawsuit and figure out what was going on.My phone buzzed with a call from Lisa. "Sylvia, I've calmed everyone down and got them back to work. Do you want to go over the details of the lawsuit now?""Yes, Lisa, thank you. Let's get our legal team on this immediately. I need to know what we're dealing with," I replied, my mind already shifting back into work mode."Will do. I'll set up a call with them right away," she assured me.Hanging up, I leaned back in my chair and took a deep breath. One crisis at a time, I reminded myself. The lawsuit was a hurdle, but I had overcome worse. I looked
GRAYSON'S POVI tried to step into the house, but Slyvia blocked me. Her face was a mix of anger and confusion. "What the hell is this, Slyvia? Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you or the kids?" I said, reaching out to hold her shoulders, but she pushed my hands away."What are you talking about?" I asked, bewildered by the sudden, out-of-context question. "I drove like a madman here to see if you were okay and why you didn't inform me that you were taking Zenith and Zendaya back from school today."Her face twitched at the mention of the kids' names. "Answer the damn question, Grayson. Did you buy out Raymond's Agency?" she spat."Yes, yes, goddamn it, I bought it! But what does that have to do with anything?" I replied, frustration bubbling over."The reason you don't know why that has to do with anything is exactly why I should have set firmer boundaries about our working relationship," she said, her voice trembling with anger."Working relationship? What the fuck are you talking abou
GRAYSON'S POVJust when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the flashing red and blue lights outside the bar told me otherwise. The cops had shown up, probably called by the bartender while we fought. Great. Just what I needed.An officer approached me, his expression stern. "You're coming with us," he said, grabbing my arm."Wait, this is just a misunderstanding," I tried to explain, but it was no use. The other guy was on the ground, nursing a bloody nose, and the bar was a mess. There was no talking my way out of this one.They cuffed me and led me outside, the cold metal biting into my wrists. I could feel the eyes of the onlookers burning into me, their judgment palpable. They shoved me into the back of the squad car, and I slumped against the seat, my head throbbing from the fight and the alcohol.At the station, they booked me, charged me with assault, and threw me into a cell. The clang of the metal door closing behind me was like a final nail in the coffin of this disast
GRAYSON'S POVI stumbled into the mansion, barely aware of my surroundings. The grand entryway, usually a symbol of stability and wealth, felt suffocating. Alice and William were in the living room, their conversation halting abruptly as they caught sight of me. I could feel their eyes on me, taking in my disheveled clothes and the blood still crusted on my face from the bar fight."What the hell happened to you?" Alice's voice was sharp, and honestly I don't have her time.William just stared, his expression a mix of shock and curiosity.I ignored them both, my only focus on getting to my room. The weight of the evening pressed down on me, and I couldn't muster the energy to engage with either of them. Their judgmental glances were the last thing I needed right now."Grayson!" Alice called after me, but I kept walking, my steps heavy and unsteady.I reached my room, shutting the door behind me with a thud that seemed to reverberate through the silence. Leaning against the door for a
JOCELIA'S POVI picked up my phone, a smirk already spreading across my face. Alice, sitting across from me, noticed immediately."Oh oh, you have that smirk again. What are you about to do?" she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and amusement."Hastening the Sylvia breakdown," I replied, dialing my contact in the news. As the phone rang, I could already envision the chaos this would cause for Sylvia. When my contact picked up, I didn’t waste any time."Hello, it's Jocelia," I began, my voice low and conspiratorial. "I have a tip for you. There's a new lawsuit against Sylvia's company—fraud and false advertising. I need you to leak this story, make sure it gets maximum coverage. Destroy her credibility, ruin the reputation of her business."I could hear the excitement in my contact's voice as they agreed. They knew a good story when they heard one, and this one had all the makings of a scandal."Consider it done," my contact said before hanging up.I put my phone down, still smirking
SYLVIA'S POVI drove back home, my mind still spinning from the confrontation with Grayson and the looming lawsuit. I had to pull myself together for the sake of the kids and the business. As I parked the car and walked inside, I mentally prepared myself for the day ahead.Once inside, I headed straight to the bathroom. The warm shower was a brief respite from my thoughts, the water washing away some of the tension. I quickly dried off and picked out a plain blouse and skirt from my wardrobe, something that matched the somber mood I was in. No bright colors today—just the basics.Dressed and ready, I headed back to the car and drove to the office. As I walked in, I was greeted by Lisa, my ever-efficient assistant. "Good morning, Lisa," I said, trying to sound more upbeat than I felt."Good morning, Sylvia," she replied with a warm smile. "Can I get you anything?""Yes, please. Could you bring a coffee to my office?" I asked, grateful for her support."Of course, right away," she said,
SYLVIA'S POVLisa knocked on the door and poked her head in. "Sylvia, have you seen the news?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern."Yes, Lisa. I have. This is a full-blown attack on our reputation," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need you to call an emergency meeting with the PR team immediately. We need to get ahead of this.""On it," she said, disappearing down the hall to make the calls.I took a deep breath and tried to gather my thoughts. This was more than just a legal battle now. It was a fight to protect my integrity and the integrity of my business. I couldn’t let whoever was behind this win.A few minutes later, the PR team filed into my office,"Alright, everyone. You've seen the news. We need to respond quickly and decisively," I began. "First, we need a statement denying these accusations and asserting our commitment to transparency and honesty. We need to show our clients and the public that we stand by our work."One of the PR managers, David, nodded.
GRAYSON'S POVI woke up with a loud grunt, the hangover from the night before pounding in my head like a jackhammer. My face ached from the bruises I’d gotten in the bar fight. I squinted against the harsh morning light streaming through the window and reached for my phone on the nightstand. The screen lit up, showing five missed calls from Stewart."Great," I muttered, rubbing my temples. I dialed him back, and he picked up on the first ring."Grayson, finally. Have you checked the news?" Stewart's voice was tense."No, I just woke up. What's going on?" I asked, already feeling a knot forming in my stomach."Turn on the TV or check your news app. It's about Sylvia," he said.I groaned and swung my legs out of bed, shuffling over to the TV. I grabbed the remote and switched it on, flipping to a news channel. My heart sank as I saw the headline: "Lawsuit Filed Against Affordable Housing Project. Protesters Claim Fraud."The screen showed footage of a small crowd outside Sylvia’s office
SYLVIA'S POVThe music filled the room, a soft melody that perfectly matched the elegance of the moment. I stood with the crowd, cheering as Raymond and Beverly cut their wedding cake, the sweetness of the day mirrored in the layers of cream and sponge. I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I watched them share a kiss, a symbol of the love they had found in each other. It was a love that had grown stronger despite the odds, and seeing them now, so happy and so in love, filled my heart with an overwhelming sense of joy."Cheers to the newlyweds!" someone called out, raising a glass of champagne. The room erupted into applause and laughter, and I joined in, lifting my own glass before taking a small sip. The bubbles danced on my tongue, but the real celebration was in my heart. Two of the people I cared about the most had just vowed to spend their lives together, and I couldn't be happier for them.I watched as Grayson approached me, his smile wide and warm. He slipped his arms around me
SYLVIA'S POVI pushed my cart to the checkout line, trying to ignore the hum of the supermarket's television broadcasting the latest news. The report was a grim reminder of the chaos that had overtaken my life these past few weeks. Alice had managed to evade capture, despite the police's best efforts, and now her escape was dominating the headlines. The screen showed a grainy image of Alice from a surveillance camera, her face partially obscured as she slipped away. Todd Marlon and his wife, the couple who helped her, were also being sought, but it was clear Alice was the priority.My fingers tapped impatiently on the shopping cart handle as I waited for the cashier to finish scanning my groceries. I could hardly focus on the small talk she tried to make. My mind kept drifting back to the kids—Zenith and Zendaya—and the constant fear that loomed over us. As long as Alice was out there, nothing felt secure. My chest tightened just thinking about it.I paid for the groceries, my movemen
ALICE'S POVI could hear the buzzing of news reporters and paparazzi as my car came to a stop. The flashing cameras and shouted questions were almost deafening. I adjusted my black pantsuit, the fabric feeling too tight and heavy as I prepared for the day ahead. This wasn’t how I had envisioned my court hearing. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of stress and paranoia. I’d been so engrossed in my schemes that I failed to notice the net closing around me.Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself. The reality of the situation was sinking in—I hadn’t managed to cover my tracks as thoroughly as I’d thought. The thought of being caught off-guard was infuriating. My only real ace in the hole was the fact that I technically owned Lockwood; it’s hard to embezzle from a company you own. The charges against me were primarily about being an accomplice in the kidnapping of Zenith and Zendaya. But I was confident there was no solid evidence linking me directly to the crime. Beverly was
GRAYSON'S POVI stood in front of the mirror, struggling to get my tie just right. No matter how many times I adjusted it, it wouldn’t stay in place. The knot seemed to mock my efforts, slipping just out of reach of perfection. As I fumbled with the silk, I felt Sylvia’s presence behind me. Her gentle touch on my shoulders was a comforting contrast to my frustration.“Let me help,” she said softly. Her hands moved with practiced ease, guiding the tie into place. I felt her warmth as she adjusted the fabric, smoothing it down and securing it. When she finished, she gave a reassuring pat on my shoulders. Her eyes, usually so full of confidence, held a hint of worry. I could tell she was anxious about the upcoming meeting, about what this day might bring.“It’ll be okay,” I said, turning to face her. “Everything’s going to be fine.”Sylvia gave me a small, but hopeful smile. Her hands lingered for a moment before she leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. I kissed her back, trying
GRAYSON'S POVStepping off the private jet, the crisp New York air hit me with its familiar bite. I inhaled deeply, a mix of relief and anticipation washing over me. My eyes wandered to the tarmac where Sylvia and the kids were just stepping down the jet’s stairs. Zenith and Zendaya, holding onto their mother’s hands, looked up at me with wide, curious eyes.Paul and Stewart stood nearby, their faces lighting up as they saw me approaching. I broke into a smile and headed towards them. Paul extended his arms in a welcoming gesture, and I embraced him warmly. “Good to see you, Paul,” I said, giving him a firm pat on the back. I turned to Stewart, giving him a friendly hug as well. “And you, Stewart. It’s been too long.”As we pulled apart, Stewart nodded. “We have much to discuss. I’m glad you’re back.”Paul and Stewart greeted Sylvia next, and Paul’s eyes softened as he looked at the kids. “Look at you two! You’ve grown so much,” he said, making Zenith and Zendaya giggle and smile shyl
ALICE'S POVI sat at my desk, staring at the email on my desktop screen. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. This was a game-changer, a lifeline that I desperately needed. Another company, completely out of the blue, was willing to buy 72% of the shares in Lockwood Corporation. Lockwood’s value had been steadily climbing, and at present, those shares were worth around 96 billion dollars. My heart pounded with excitement and fear. This was my chance, my way out. The risks were enormous, but so were the rewards.The document of ownership for Lockwood Corporation was a ticking time bomb. I knew that. It was only a matter of time before it was contested. Taking Lockwood public was out of the question, not with the shadows looming over its ownership. But with this offer, I wouldn’t need to go public. I wouldn’t need to worry about the document anymore. Once the sale went through, I could embezzle the money, and by the time anyone realized what had happened, William and I would be long go
SYLVIA'S POVThe night sky was a canvas of flickering lights as I stood there, taking in the beauty of it all. The warm, balmy air of Rio wrapped around me like a comforting blanket, and the sound of music and laughter filled the air. It was a perfect night, a celebration of everything we had worked so hard to achieve. The lighters—thousands of them—filled the sky, their soft glow reflecting the joy and camaraderie that had blossomed within this community.I spotted Grayson on the dance floor, moving with a rhythm and grace that made me smile. He was in his element, completely at ease with the people around him, people who had once been strangers but had now become like family to us. I watched him for a moment, content to observe, to bask in the happiness that radiated from him.But then, as if sensing my gaze, Grayson turned and caught my eye. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he began to make his way toward me. I knew what was coming before he even reached me."No, no, no
ALICE'S POVAs I leaned back in my office chair, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction as I signed off on yet another large sum of money being transferred to one of my offshore accounts. It had become a routine by now—a safety net I’d meticulously built over the past year, in case things ever went south. With each transfer, I felt a little more secure, a little more prepared for any surprises that might arise.It had been over a year since anyone had seen or heard from Grayson, Sylvia, or her children. They had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a wake of speculation and rumors. I had my theories about what happened, of course. Perhaps they were hiding, licking their wounds after the disaster that was Sylvia’s trial. Or maybe, just maybe, they were plotting their return, waiting for the perfect moment to strike back. That last thought always sent a chill down my spine, but I quickly dismissed it. They had been gone too long, and I had taken too many precautions to wor
SYLVIA'S POVI stood in the living room, my eyes locked on the bags Grayson had packed for us. They just sat there, lifeless and heavy, like the weight pressing down on my heart. This wasn’t how I imagined our lives would turn out—sneaking away in the dead of night as if we were fugitives. But this wasn’t about starting fresh anymore; it was about survival, about protecting my children from Alice and Konrad. Grayson had made it clear: we had to leave, and we had to leave now.I paced back and forth, anxiety gnawing at me with every passing second. Where were my children? They should have been here by now. My mind raced, pushing away the worst-case scenarios that kept creeping in. What if something had gone wrong? What if we were already too late?A hand touched my shoulder, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. I turned to see Raymond standing there, his expression calm, yet concerned. “They’ll be fine,” he said, his voice steady, trying to reassure me.I nodded, even though I wasn’t