I looked at the cameras, the men and women all gathered around, each one fishing for a story to sell. The flashes of the cameras were relentless, but I was completely zoned out, my mind storming with thoughts about how the kids must be feeling at school at this moment.A reporter's voice cut through my daze, bringing me back to reality. "Ma'am, do you deny 'Z Real Estate's' fraud allegation charges?"I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Look, everyone," I began, my voice steady despite the chaos around me, "I know you all want a story, but rest assured, my company scamming people and giving them undervalued properties with bad infrastructures that could cause harm isn't one of them."I paused, making sure to meet the eyes of the reporters. "This woman's lawsuit, I am sure, is a misunderstanding. I will make sure the truth prevails."The barrage of questions continued, but I maintained my composure, refusing to be rattled. Inside, my thoughts were still a whirl of worry for Zenith a
SLYVIA'S POV"Alright, cut the bullshit, Alice. The cameras are gone," I snapped as soon as we were away from the reporters.Alice smirked and reached out to straighten my blouse, a mocking gesture since it didn't need fixing. "Oh, sweet child," she cooed, her voice dripping with false sympathy.I pulled away from her touch, anger boiling inside me. "What the hell are you doing here? You know what? I had a feeling you and Jocelia might be behind this."Alice's smirk widened. "Oh, are you going to cry? Darling, I'm just here to show support.""Support my ass. I didn't come all this way to be stopped now.""The only thing coming is the slithering public cunt between your legs," she fired back, her words laced with venom.My hand shot out before I could think, slapping her hard across the face. The sound echoed in the room, and my palm stung from the impact. Alice just laughed, licking a tiny drop of blood from her lip with a twisted grin."I think you should be more worried about your
SLYVIA'S POVI went to the car park where my car and the rest of my team were waiting for me. David, my head of PR, was the first to speak up as I approached."Was that Alice Lockwood?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern."Yes," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady."What the hell does she want, after all the shit she talks about you in the tabloids?" he said, his frustration evident.I remembered what Alice had said about my kids, the veiled threats and the smug look on her face. The anger surged again, but I forced myself to stay calm."Beats me," I replied, my tone casual despite the turmoil inside me.David gave me a skeptical look but didn't press further. Instead, he opened the car door for me, and I slid into the back seat. As we drove away, I couldn't shake the feeling that Alice was planning something far worse than just a smear campaign. The stakes had never been higher, and I had to be ready for whatever came next.David, Lisa, and I drove back to work in tense
GRAYSON'S POVWhile staring out the window, lost in thought, my phone rang. It was Stewart. I picked it up, hoping for some good news."Hey, Stewart. What's up?""Grayson, I've done what you asked," he said, his voice steady. "I've dug into Sylvia's case, and I've found some things that could really help her chances of winning.""Okay, I'm listening," I replied, turning away from the window and focusing on his words."The woman filing the lawsuit claims that one of Sylvia's properties had faulty equipment that fell and almost killed her child. The child was home alone at the time and survived, but his legs were severely damaged and had to be amputated."I felt a pang of sympathy for the child but knew there had to be more to the story. "That sounds awful, but what's your angle, Stewart?""I've seen the pictures of the child's legs, and I have a hunch that the injuries were not caused by Sylvia's property. There are inconsistencies that suggest the accident didn't happen the way they'r
ALICE'S POVAs I drove away from Sylvia's obnoxious press conference, I couldn't help but feel a mix of satisfaction and irritation. I had come there to get in her head, to make her stumble over her words, but she had held her own. I glanced at my rearview mirror, seeing the busted lip Sylvia had given me with that slap. I smiled at her supposed confidence.I wasn't even mad at her for hitting me. In her shoes, I might have done the same. In a way, I admired her tenacity. But admiration didn't change the fact that she was a threat. She had picked the wrong turf to try and conquer—my turf, the Lockwood empire.As I drove through the bustling city streets, my mind wandered to the decades of work I had put into building and maintaining our family empire. If I allowed Sylvia to stay, if I allowed her to gain even a foothold, everything I had worked for could be jeopardized. She wasn't someone I could control, and that made her dangerous.I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, the smil
SLYVIA'S POV Sitting in my chair, I glanced up at the ceiling, lost in thought. Had I made a mistake coming back to New York? Should I have stayed in LA? But I’m helping people here, which is my primary reason for even doing this. Still, doubts crept in. I wished my parents were here. I wished I wasn't an orphan. I wished I still had my mom to talk to. I wished... I wished Grayson was here with me. No, no... no, no, I shouldn’t think about him. I shook my head, trying to banish the thoughts. I wished Raymond was here. I wished my kids wouldn’t have to go through all this. The weight of it all felt crushing, and I couldn’t help but worry about how Zenith and Zendaya were holding up. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The thought of my kids enduring this turmoil made my heart ache. I wondered if they would be okay during all this. Their innocent faces flashed in my mind, and a pang of guilt hit me hard. They didn’t deserve any of this. I had come to New York to make a differen
SLYVIA'S POVAs we drove home, I glanced back at Zenith and Zendaya in the rearview mirror. "So, how was school today?" I asked, hoping to distract myself from the day's stress.The kids immediately launched into excited chatter, their voices overlapping. "Mommy, Ms. Beverly did this amazing science experiment today!" Zendaya exclaimed."Yeah, and we got to make volcanoes!" Zenith added, his eyes wide with excitement.Their joy was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile, my heart swelling with pride and relief. Despite everything happening, they were having a good time and enjoying school. That was all I ever wanted—for them to live a happy, carefree life, something I had wished for myself growing up.A tear slipped down my cheek as I listened to their animated recounting of the day. Zenith noticed it first. "Mommy, are you okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.I quickly wiped the tear away, smiling at them through the mirror. "Yes, sweethearts, I'm okay. These are tears
GRAYSON'S POVMy phone buzzed, and I saw Paul's name flash on the screen. I picked up quickly. "Hey, Paul. What's up?""Sir, my brother's agreed to meet with you about the job," Paul said, sounding relieved."Great. Tell him to bring his résumé and meet me at my office tomorrow," I instructed."Yes, sir. He’s looking forward to it," Paul replied before ending the call.I leaned back in my chair, feeling a mix of anticipation and determination. This was a critical step in ensuring Zenith and Zendaya’s safety. I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that they might still be in danger, and having someone reliable watching over them would bring some peace of mind.SLYVIA'S POVAfter I finished the laundry, I realized it was already getting dark. I headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner, enjoying the brief moment of calm. As I chopped vegetables, my phone rang. Seeing Raymond's name on the screen brought a smile to my face."Hey, Raymond," I answered, feeling a wave of relief wash over me."H
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