JOCELIA'S POVMy dad yanked my arm with a force that left no room for hesitation. "Get in the car, Jocelia," he demanded, his voice brooking no argument. I resisted briefly, my instincts screaming that this was a bad idea, but I knew better than to push him further. The tension between us was palpable, and I could tell he was in no mood for discussion.As I climbed into the passenger seat, I shot him a look. "Dad, I don't trust Alice. Agreeing to work with her might be a trap," I said, my voice edged with frustration.Konrad didn’t even glance at me. His focus remained on starting the engine and maneuvering out of the parking space. "You worked with Alice before to get Sylvia out of Grayson's life. Remember that?"I sighed, feeling the weight of the past pressing down on me. "That was different. Look how that ended. I got screwed over in the end."Konrad’s face hardened, his eyes narrowing in irritation. "It's no different now. You got screwed over because of your own stupidness and l
GRAYSON'S POVI stood in my sleek, modern bathroom, the morning sun filtering softly through the frosted glass. The space was minimalist perfection: white marble countertops, chrome fixtures, and a glass-enclosed shower. I gingerly stepped into the shower, mindful of the fresh scar on my neck from the recent fall that had left me injured and in need of surgery. The warm water was soothing, but I kept my movements slow and careful, avoiding any direct pressure on the tender area.As I washed away the remnants of sleep and the stress of the past weeks, my mind wandered to Sylvia. Rekindling our relationship had been on my mind ever since the court case wrapped up, and I felt a surge of determination. If I wanted a future with her and the kids, I needed to start by setting things right and securing my position, both personally and professionally.I finished my shower, dried off with a fluffy towel, and dressed in a sharp, tailored suit. My phone buzzed on the vanity, and I glanced at it
GRAYSON'S POVI sat onto my bed, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me as I cradled my phone between my shoulder and ear. My mind had been racing for hours, grappling with how to protect my family from Alice and William’s scheming. Stewart’s voice crackled through the receiver, a steady presence amid my swirling thoughts.“So, have you figured out a strategy?” Stewart’s question cut through my haze of contemplation.I exhaled slowly, trying to find the clarity I needed. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what Alice and William might try next. I’ve decided it’s time to act decisively.”Stewart’s voice was attentive, a steady anchor in the storm. “I’m all ears. What’s the plan?”I glanced at the framed photographs on my bedside table, each one a reminder of what I was fighting for: Zenith and Zendaya. I cleared my throat and began, “I’m going to put 90% of my shares in Lockwood into a trust fund for Zenith and Zendaya. The trust will be set up so that while I’ll control it for
GRAYSON'S POVAs I started to leave my room, a glint of something caught my eye in the mirror. I paused, taking in my reflection. The suit I had on was sharp, tailored to perfection, but too formal for what was supposed to be a casual day. I wasn’t headed to a board meeting or some gala event—I was just going apartment hunting with Sylvia.“This is a bit much, isn’t it?” I muttered to myself.I shook my head, smirking at how easily I could slip into ‘business mode’ without even thinking. With a quick decision, I shrugged off the suit jacket, tossed it on the bed, and started unbuttoning the dress shirt. In its place, I picked out a crisp Armani white shirt and paired it with dark, tailored pants. I finished the look with a pair of dark mirrored sunglasses, feeling more at ease with the balance between casual and polished.As I left the room, I could hear Sylvia’s car pulling into the driveway. I paused at the top of the staircase, listening to the familiar hum of her engine as it came
SYLVIA'S POVI closed the door behind me with a little more force than intended, the echo reverberating through the hallway. The return of Alice and William could only mean one thing: trouble. Their presence in the house always brought a sense of unease, a tension that had grown unbearable over the past few months. The thought of them being around Zenith and Zendaya made my skin crawl. I couldn’t stay here any longer, not with them lurking around, not with my children in the same house.I walked over to the closet and began to strip out of my work clothes, tossing them aside carelessly. My mind was racing with thoughts of escape, of finding a new place where we could all feel safe. The very idea of staying under the same roof as Alice and William filled me with dread. I needed to finish up my plans and secure an apartment as soon as possible. It was imperative.I stepped into the bathroom, the cold tiles beneath my feet sending a shiver up my spine. I turned the faucet, letting the ho
SYLVIA'S POVI made my way downstairs, trying to forget the annoying whispers of Alice and William still in the hallyway. As I reached the living room, I found Grayson seated comfortably on the couch, his gaze focused on something out the window. The moment he heard me approaching, he turned his attention toward me, a warm smile spreading across his face."All done," I greeted him,"Oh alright then," he responded, his voice low and smooth. "You look beautiful today."I felt a flutter in my chest at his words, a warmth that spread across my cheeks. Grayson had always had that effect on me—no matter how many times he complimented me, it never failed to make me feel special."Thank you," I replied, trying to keep my composure even as his intense gaze made my heart skip a beat. "Are you ready to go?"He nodded, standing up and smoothing down his shirt. "Yeah, let's get going. We have a full day ahead of us."We headed towards the garage, where Paul, our usual driver, was already waiting b
SYLVIA'S POVAs Grayson and I outside the penthouse that had just been listed, the grandeur of the place was almost overwhelming. High ceilings, marble floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline—everything about it screamed luxury. Yet, nothing compared to the shock of Konrad standing in front of us, my mind was elsewhere. I could feel the tension radiating from Grayson, his usually calm demeanor replaced with something more intense, almost cold.The Realtor, oblivious to the history between Grayson and Konrad, walked over and greeted Konrad, extending a handshake."Mr. Konrad! What a surprise to see you here," the Realtor said, his voice full of enthusiasm. "This is Mr. Grayson, one of our most esteemed clients. You may have crossed paths before, but just in case, Mr. Konrad here is the one I sold you his penthouse just one block from here."I could sense the Realtor's intention was to introduce Grayson to Konrad, thinking this was just
GRAYSON'S POVAs Konrad spat out his threat, I couldn’t help but chuckle. It wasn’t a lighthearted laugh, but rather the kind that came from a place of deep contempt, a laugh that told him just how much he underestimated me. As the sound of my laughter echoed in the empty street, I watched his face twist in confusion. But in an instant, my expression shifted, hardening into something deadly serious.“Never put Sylvia’s name in your mouth again,” I snapped, my voice low and icy. The air seemed to thicken with tension as I stepped closer to him, my eyes locked onto his. “You know, my father’s greatest mistake was thinking of you as a friend. He trusted you, saw you as an ally. And what did you do? You proved yourself to be nothing more than the leech you’ve always been.”I could see Konrad’s jaw tighten at that, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. But I wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.“He forgave you,” I continued, my voice rising with each word. “He forgave you when you first b