GRAYSON'S POV"What up, Raymond?" I shouted, making sure my voice carried across the room. He turned, surprise flashing across his face as he saw me. I could tell he was thrown off by my loud greeting."What... what are you doing here?" he stammered, clearly caught off guard. I draped my arm around his shoulders, steering him closer to where the board members were now standing outside the meeting room, watching the interaction with interest."Hey, for my first assignment," I said loudly, making sure everyone could hear, "I want my friend Raymond here headlining the runway show. I want his face all over the billboards and campaign posters. I want the whole of New York to know there's a new model to look out for."Raymond's confusion deepened. "What is going on?" he murmured, barely loud enough for me to hear.I released my arm from his shoulders and turned to face him directly. "I just bought this company, stupid," I said with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "And I just made you the
SYLVIA'S POVI woke up early to the soft beeping of my alarm, stretching my arms before swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. The house was quiet, still wrapped in the calm of dawn. I slipped on my robe and headed to the kids' room to wake them up."Good morning, sleepyheads," I whispered as I gently shook Zenith and Zendaya awake."Mmm, just a few more minutes," Zenith mumbled, turning over."Come on, it's your first day at the new school. We need to get up and get ready," I said with a smile, giving them both a little more encouragement.Once they were awake, we started with making their beds. Zenith pulled up his comforter, while Zendaya arranged her stuffed animals neatly. With their rooms in order, we headed to the bathroom."Time for a shower," I announced, helping them undress and get into the tub. I made sure the water was just right and lathered up the soap, washing away the remnants of sleep. The bathroom filled with the scent of their favorite bubble bath, a comforting
SYLVIA'S POVI drove the kids to school, enjoying the quiet hum of the car and the morning sunshine filtering through the windshield. The kids chattered excitedly in the backseat about their new school and the friends they hoped to make. When we arrived, I parked and walked them to the entrance, each of them holding one of my hands."Have a great day, you two," I said, giving them each a kiss on the forehead. "Be good and listen to your teachers.""We will, Mom!" they chorused, giving me quick hugs before running off to join their classmates.As I watched them go, a woman approached me with a warm smile. "Hi, you must be Zenith and Zendaya's mom," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Britney, their teacher."I shook her hand, returning her smile. "Yes, I'm Sylvia. It's nice to meet you.""Your kids are wonderful. They're adjusting really well," Britney said, her eyes crinkling at the corners."That's good to hear. They've been looking forward to starting school here," I replied.We chat
GRAYSON'S POVI glanced at my watch. The kids' closing time was approaching, and I knew I needed to be there. A grin played on my lips at the thought of that prick Raymond not showing his face today. I picked up my phone and called Sylvia.“Hi,” she answered, her voice a bit hurried.“Hey,” I replied.“I’m sorry, do you need something? I’m about to pick up the kids,” she said.“That’s why I’m calling. I’m on my way to pick them up,” I said.“Oh, really?” she sounded surprised.“Way to sound surprised,” I teased.“No, it’s just that I didn’t think you still wanted to,” she said.“I told you earlier that it’s something I want to do,” I reminded her.There was a pause on her end before she spoke again. “Look, Grayson, the kids have been through a lot. I have been through a lot. I don’t want someone in their lives that they get attached to who might disappear at a moment’s notice.”“Do you really think that of me? Sylvia, I feel a connection with these kids, and I won’t do that to them,”
GRAYSON'S POVAs we drove, I kept stealing glances at them, my heart aching for Zendaya. I wanted to find a way to connect with her, to let her know that she could trust me and lean on me. I was determined to be there for them, no matter what.We pulled into a small ice cream parlor, and I turned to the backseat. “How about some chocolate fudge sundaes?”Zenith’s eyes lit up a little. “Okay.”Zendaya shrugged again but didn’t protest. I took that as a small victory.Inside the parlor, I let them pick whatever they wanted. Zenith chose a colorful sundae with sprinkles and gummy bears, while Zendaya quietly picked a simple chocolate cone. We sat at a small table by the window, and I watched as they slowly ate their treats.“So, how was school today, besides... what happened?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation to a more positive note.Zenith shrugged. “It was okay, I guess.”Zendaya remained silent, licking her ice cream without much interest. I racked my brain for something to s
SLYVIA POVI was just walking out of my room, having just changed out of my work clothes, when I heard the kids' voices approaching the door. They rang the bell just as I reached it. "Mummy!" they shouted, their faces lighting up when they saw me. I hugged them tightly, feeling their little bodies vibrate with excitement.They rushed inside, laughing and playing with each other as they ran to their room. "Careful not to fall!" I called after them, smiling at their energy. As they disappeared down the hallway, Grayson walked in."Hi," I said, closing the door behind him."Hi," he replied, a warm smile on his face."Thank you for bringing the kids," I said gratefully."Sylvia, I already told you, you don't have to thank me," he said, brushing off my gratitude."Still," I insisted, "I appreciate it."He paused, then said, "Umm, the kids were being picked on today as I was about to bring them home.""Oh God, not again," I groaned, touching my head with my palm. "I really thought this scho
ALICE'S POV"Mr. Marlon, you’ve got to be out of your mind to call me like this without the designated time I gave you. What the hell is this?" I lashed out as I paced back and forth."Sorry, ma'am, but Grayson heard us picking on Zenith and Zendaya," Mr. Marlon said, his voice trembling."You fool, how could you let that happen?" I shouted, opening my room door and quickly closing it behind me to avoid any unwanted ears listening in on my schemes."It was a mistake. We didn’t see him coming," he stammered."Shut up, you idiot. I paid you more money than your poverty-stricken eyes have ever seen in your entire life, rented you an apartment in Manhattan, and paid for your children’s fees to go to that expensive school. I just needed you to do one thing for me: get your kids to make Sylvia's kids' lives a living hell so she'd move back to LA. And you failed, you useless buffoon," I sneered."Ma'am, it won’t happen again, I promise," he pleaded."Of course not. I’m withdrawing every bene
ALICE'S POVAs William stepped out of my room, I heard Jocelia’s voice. "Where's Alice? Is she back yet?""Yeah, she's inside," William replied."Get inside, we have things to discuss," she said, her tone urgent. They both entered my room, and I could see the determination on Jocelia’s face."Alice, we’ve got to talk about how to evict Sylvia," she said without preamble."Have you found out where she's staying?" I asked, sitting up straighter."Yes, I have," Jocelia confirmed. "And I also found out where her company is renting space. I asked around and got the details."I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. "Good. So, what's the plan?"Jocelia sat down on the edge of the bed, pulling out a small notebook. "We need to apply pressure from multiple angles. First, we can start with her lease. If we can convince her landlord that she's a problem tenant, maybe we can get her evicted.""How do we do that?" William asked, leaning against the doorframe."We spread rumors," Joceli
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