GRAYSON'S POVPaul pulled the car up to the driveway, and I stepped out, the gravel crunching under my shoes. As I walked towards the house, my mind was still on the events of the day. That encounter with the Marlons had left a bad taste in my mouth, and I wasn’t going to let it slide.I reached for my phone and dialed Stewart’s number as I made my way to my room. He picked up on the second ring.“Grayson,” he answered, his voice crisp and professional.“Stewart, I need you to look into a family. The Marlons. They just enrolled their kids at Zenith and Zendaya’s school. I want everything you can find on them. Financials, legal issues, personal details—everything. And I need it fast.”“Understood,” Stewart replied without missing a beat. “I’ll get on it right away and report back as soon as I have something.”“Thanks, Stewart.” I ended the call, feeling a bit more at ease knowing Stewart was on the case.I pushed open the door to my room, the familiar space bringing a momentary sense o
GRAYSON’S POVI glanced at her briefly, nodding in acknowledgment, but didn't say anything. My thoughts were elsewhere."You seem distracted," she continued, her tone probing."I'm just thinking about some work stuff," I replied, turning back to the TV.Alice sighed and took a seat at the table across from me. "You know, Grayson, you should really take some time to relax. All this stress isn't good for you."I gave a noncommittal grunt, my attention still on the news ticker scrolling across the screen. Alice's attempts at small talk were as transparent as glass. She had her own agenda, and I wasn't in the mood to play along.Maria placed a steaming plate of food in front of me. "Here you go, Mr. Grayson. I hope you enjoy it.""Thanks, Maria," I said, giving her a genuine smile. The food looked delicious, but my appetite was dulled by the weight of my concerns.As I took a bite, my phone buzzed on the table. I picked it up, hoping it was Stewart with some news. But it was just a notifi
SLYVIA'S POVI eyed the young lady sitting on my living room sofa. She seemed nervous, but she was trying her best to appear confident. I had to be thorough; this was about my children, after all."Have you any criminal record?" I asked, watching her closely."Criminal record?" She looked a bit startled."Yes, DUI charges, battery, theft, you know what I mean," I clarified."No, ma'am, I don't," she replied firmly."And you say you are good with children?" I continued."Yes, ma'am. Children absolutely adore me, and I have never had any bad reviews from my past clients. Their numbers are right there on my résumé," she said, handing over a neatly typed sheet.I glanced over it. Her references seemed solid, but I needed to know more. "So what made you apply for the job?" I asked."I go to NYU on a scholarship, and I figured babysitting would help me with enough money to stay afloat because the scholarship is certainly not enough in this economy. I don't want to take a student loan and en
WILLIAM'S POVIt had proven difficult to find the Marlons. They must have figured out that someone might be looking for them and gone into hiding. The school was my last hope; maybe they could offer some information on where the Marlons went. I needed to tie up this loose end before Grayson’s wrath came looking.I parked my car and walked into the school, trying to look as casual as possible. The hallways were starting to empty out as parents picked up their kids. I approached the front desk where a tired-looking receptionist was typing away at her computer.It had proven difficult to find the Marlons. They must have figured out that someone might be looking for them and gone into hiding. The school was my last hope; maybe they could offer some information on where the Marlons went. I needed to tie up this loose end before Grayson’s wrath came looking.I parked my car and walked into the school, trying to look as casual as possible. The hallways were starting to empty out as parents p
WILLIAM'S POVI drove to the school, hoping to catch the Marlons before they took their kids home. The address the receptionist had given me was in the south side of the city, a rougher part of town. As I navigated through the streets, the scenery shifted drastically. The polished buildings and manicured lawns of the upper city gave way to dilapidated houses and graffiti-covered walls."Guess the Marlons have gone back to their all too familiar abode," I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel tighter. The streets were filled with shady characters, street boys hiding guns under their shirts and dealing drugs openly. The air was thick with tension and the unmistakable scent of desperation.As I approached the school, a small, rundown building with barred windows, I parked my car a few blocks away and walked the rest of the distance. I didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to myself. The school's entrance was crowded with kids and parents, all looking worn and wary.I sc
SLYVIA'S POVI arrived home with the kids, but my mind was still stuck on the image of William entering the school. What was he doing there? Seeing him again after all these years stirred up so many conflicting emotions. When I first saw Jocelia at the restaurant with the kids and Grayson, I didn't feel like this because I never considered her a friend. But with William, it was different. I had confided in him when Grayson and I were having problems, welcomed him as an in-law and a friend, and he ended up lying to me and betraying me in the worst way possible. The hurt still ran deep within my soul."Mum, is everything alright?" Zendaya asked, looking up at me. I realized I had been standing there, lost in thought, without unlocking the door."Oh, sorry. Just thinking about grown-up stuff," I said, shaking off the memories. I unlocked the door, and we all entered the apartment. "Take off your uniforms first," I instructed the kids.I dropped my purse on the counter, trying to push awa
As I was about to step out the door, I heard another knock. I paused, turning back toward the living room."Is someone else coming?" Jessie asked, looking a bit confused."I don't think so," I said, heading back to the door. I opened it to find Raymond standing there, looking as handsome as ever in a crisp shirt and dark jeans. His smile widened when he saw me."Hey, beautiful," he said, his eyes twinkling with admiration. "Ready for our date?""Hey, Raymond," I replied, feeling my heart flutter. "Perfect timing. I was just heading out.""Good evening, Mr. Raymond," Jessie said politely from behind me.Jessie’s voice coming from the living room. “Wow, you both look amazing together,” she said, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Raymond and me.“Yeah, Mom, you look like a princess!” Zendaya chimed in, grinning widely. Zenith nodded in agreement, his eyes full of admiration.I laughed, feeling a little bashful under their praise. “Thanks, guys. You’re making me feel like I’m going to p
GRAYSON'S POVI was hunched over my desk, papers spread out in front of me and my laptop glowing in the dim light of my room. Jocelia was fast asleep on the bed behind me, her breathing steady and soft. The clock on the wall showed it was well past midnight, but sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford right now. The stakes were too high.My phone buzzed on the desk, breaking the silence. I glanced at the screen and saw Stewart's name. I picked it up quickly, my eyes darting to Jocelia to make sure the noise hadn't disturbed her. She shifted slightly but remained asleep. Deciding it was best to avoid any chance of waking her, I slipped out of the room and stepped into the hallway."Yeah, Stewart, you got anything for me?" I asked, keeping my voice low."Grayson, I found the Marlon family," Stewart said, his tone grave. "But there's a problem.""What kind of problem?" I pressed, my gut tightening with a sense of foreboding."They were killed a few hours ago, before I could get to them. The
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