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The next few days had been about me and jack deciding to finally see this resort that Wilma had built.And with Jack’s guidance, we made our way towards the Montefalco resort. It felt surreal as we approached the grand entrance, cloaked by shadows and guarded by staff who, thankfully, didn’t seem to recognize either of us under our carefully chosen attire. We entered through a back pathway that Jack had scouted earlier, careful to avoid the main entrance and any security cameras that could expose our identities. The resort sprawled out before us as we walked further inside. Lush tropical plants framed the entrance, and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disbelief at the grandeur. This place was more than just opulent—it was dripping with wealth and exclusivity. Guests milled about, dressed in designer clothes and exuding that effortless elegance of the elite. Some lounged by the pool, others sipped cocktails on the sun-drenched terrace, while a few sat by the garden in private, sec
After the intense day Jack and I had spent at Wilma’s resort, confronting not only the twisted lies plastered across its walls but also Wilma herself, I knew what needed to be done. My anger had simmered long enough; it was time to take action. I wouldn’t sit idle as Wilma wrapped her tentacles tighter around the remnants of Justin’s estate and rebranded his memory for her own twisted gain. That encounter in the lavish, deceit-ridden walls of her resort had been the final push I needed to put an end to her schemes.Once we’d returned to Jack’s office, I took a steadying breath before voicing the decision that had solidified in my mind. “I’m ready to file a lawsuit, Jack. Wilma has crossed every line imaginable,” I said, my voice sharper than I intended. “She’s using assets, properties, and finances that were never hers to use. And that plaque—dedicating the entire place to Justin? It’s blatant manipulation.”Jack leaned back in his chair, nodding as he mulled over the words. “That’
[LENA’S POV]I glanced at my watch as I headed up the building stairs, my stomach churning with nervous energy. Margarette had asked me to deliver a package to one of her colleagues—nothing fancy, just some gifts she had put together. She said she’d be busy during lunch and needed me to drop them off for her.I didn’t mind helping out; I was grateful Margarette trusted me enough to take care of her little errands. Besides, it gave me an excuse to break from my usual routine.Stepping into the café where we were to meet, I adjusted my blouse, trying to smooth out wrinkles that probably weren’t even there. I told myself this was just a simple drop-off, that I didn’t need to be so anxious, but that never stopped my nerves from twisting.Then, as I scanned the tables, I froze.Jack was sitting there, looking relaxed as he browsed through his phone, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. My heart raced, my mind swirling with confusion. This wasn’t supposed to be a lunch with Jac
[MARGARETTE’S POV]The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window as I spotted Lena stepping through the front door, looking refreshingly radiant and a bit…well, dazed. I stifled a grin, noticing how she lingered at the door a little longer than usual, a tell-tale sign that she was trying to collect herself. Jack’s car had just pulled out of the driveway, and I couldn’t resist the playful urge that bubbled up in me. I took a few steps closer, casually leaning against the doorway with a smile that I knew Lena would recognize as mischief. “So…” I drawled, crossing my arms, my voice just loud enough to snap her out of whatever lingering thoughts Jack might have left her with. “How was your date?”Her eyes widened, cheeks flushing with that unmistakable shade of pink. “It—it wasn’t a date, Margarette,” she stammered, hurrying to set her purse down as if that action alone might distract me from my teasing.“Oh, really?” I raised a brow, leaning a little closer to her. “Because from wh
Yesterday’s laughter with Lena felt like a distant memory as I refocused on why I had come back to Anacortes—to bring justice to everything Justin’s mother had taken from me. The sun had barely risen, casting soft light through my window, when I found myself sitting at my desk, sifting through stacks of documents and revisiting old memories. Jack had just informed me that he’d officially filed the lawsuit against Wilma for her illegal usage of assets, particularly those belonging to Justin and me as conjugal property.The prospect of standing up against Wilma was daunting, to say the least. I’d seen her power, her influence, the way she used people and assets without a second thought. But I knew this was something I couldn’t avoid. Sitting back and letting her rewrite the truth of Justin’s legacy wasn’t an option, not anymore.I barely had time to finish my coffee before my phone rang and saw that it was Jack who called, his voice calm yet urgent on the other end of the line. “Good
The days following the filing of the lawsuit against Wilma passed in a blur of legal discussions and quiet reflection. But amid the whirlwind, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought of grandma, whom was the only person that showed me true kindness during my time at the Montefalco household. She had been a surrogate grandmother to me, offering warmth and wisdom when everything else in that home felt cold and transactional. When I learned about her being left at the retirement home like she was of no use to Wilma anymore, my heart broke and there has not been a day that I didn’t worry what could her condition be like even now as I thought about her.It made me want to look after her but I know it wouldn’t even be easy especially while Wilma was still around to hamper me.I found myself sitting in Jack’s office one afternoon, the faint hum of his coffee machine filling the silence. He was scanning a document, his brow furrowed in concentration. I hesitated for a moment before finally voic
My visit to Madam Victoria had left an ache in my heart, but it had also reignited a fire within me. Seeing her fragile frame and hearing her faint voice as she recognized me had solidified my resolve. Wilma might have left her to languish in that retirement facility, but I would make sure she was cared for and loved.Sitting in Jack’s office once again, I found my mind racing with the events of the past few days.Jack sat across from me, his desk cluttered with papers and files. He sipped his coffee as he skimmed through another document, his usual sharp focus evident. I took a deep breath, deciding it was time to voice the next part of my plan.“Jack,” I began, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions withi
The morning sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, coaxing me awake. I stretched lazily, savoring the rare feeling of calm. It had been a whirlwind of emotions lately—lawsuits, visits to grandma, and planning for her custody. Yet today, something felt lighter, almost hopeful. As I reached for my phone, the familiar chime of an incoming video call made me smile. The caller ID lit up with William’s name, and my heart warmed at the thought of hearing Lucas’s cheerful voice. I propped the phone against a pillow and swiped to answer. The screen filled with the excited face of my little boy, Lucas. His brown eyes sparkled as he waved enthusiastically. “Mommy!” Lucas’s voice was full of joy, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Good morning, sweetheart! How’s my big boy doing today?” “I’m super happy!” he exclaimed. “Daddy William said we’re going to the park today!” His excitement was infectious, and I found myself grinning from ear to ear. “That’s wonderful, Lucas! You’re goi
Darkness swallowed me whole.For a moment, I thought I was dead. The gunshot still rang in my ears, deafening, all-consuming. But then, pain—sharp and searing—bloomed along my side, pulling me back from the abyss. My breath came in ragged gasps as my knees buckled, and I felt myself falling.Strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.“Margarette!” Leon’s voice was raw with panic. His hands pressed against my wound, trying to staunch the bleeding. The warmth of my own blood seeped through my clothes, sticky against my skin. Dorian fired, his shot echoing through the cavernous estate.Elise let out a sharp cry, staggering back. But even as she bled, her cruel smile remained. “Not bad,” she whispered, clutching her shoulder where Dorian’s bullet had struck her. “But not enough.”Leon lifted me, his grip firm but desperate. “We need to move. Now.”“No,” I gritted out, fighting through the pain. “We finish this.”Dorian cursed. “Are you insane? You’re bleeding out!”I forced myself to
Gunfire tore through the air, glass raining down around us as we hit the ground. The sharp sound of bullets striking wood and metal sent my heart into a frantic rhythm. Leon grabbed me, shielding my body as we crawled behind the heavy oak desk.“Dorian?” Leon’s voice was sharp, controlled despite the chaos.“I’m fine,” Dorian called from behind a toppled chair. He moved fast, drawing his gun and firing two precise shots toward the broken windows. A pained grunt told us he had hit his mark.Vincent, the smug bastard, was still in his chair, completely unbothered by the attack.“This is cute,” he mused, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “But you should know by now—I never play fair.”Leon turned his gun on him. “Call them off.”Vincent only smiled.I gritted my teeth. “Damn it, Vincent, this isn’t a game! Who the hell is shooting at us?”The door burst open, and three armed men stormed in.Dorian moved first. He lunged at the closest attacker, his blade flashing in the dim light. The m
The safe house felt suffocating, the air thick with unspoken tension. Every second we wasted gave Vincent more time to prepare. More time to strike.I wasn’t going to let that happen.Leon stood by the table, his hands braced against the surface, muscles tight with frustration. Dorian, despite the pain from his injury, sat nearby, flipping a knife between his fingers—a habit he had when deep in thought.“We need a lead,” Leon finally said, his voice low and controlled. “We can’t storm in blind.”I paced near the window, arms crossed. “We do have a lead. This locket.” I held it up, the metal catching the dim light. “Vincent had it for a reason. He wanted me to see it. Why?”Dorian exhaled sharply. “Because he’s playing with you.”I shook my head. “No. There’s more to it. He wouldn’t go through the trouble of planting something from my past just to taunt me. He wants me to remember something.”Leon’s gaze darkened. “Then let’s start at the beginning. The night of the accident.”My throa
The salty night air carried the hum of distant ship engines and the occasional murmur of dock workers. But this wasn’t just a routine shipment—this was a calculated exchange of power, a moment that could unravel everything Elise’s father had hidden for years.I crouched behind a stack of shipping containers with Leon beside me. Dorian’s team was spread out, positioned along the pier, watching, waiting. A dark van was parked near the edge of the dock, its back doors open. Men in suits moved between the van and the cargo, transferring crates that likely held more than just money.Leon’s voice was low in my ear. “Four men on the ground, two near the van. More could be inside.”I nodded, my gaze locked on the crates. “That’s not just cash, Leon. That’s leverage. He wouldn’t move it unless he was running scared.”Dorian’s voice crackled through our earpieces. “We take them now, we risk losing the files. We wait too long, we risk backup showing up.”I made the decision before anyone else co
Dorian smirked. “Relax, lover boy. I’m not saying she’s defenseless—I’m saying we need to be smart about this.”Leon’s glare didn’t waver, but he didn’t argue either. He knew Dorian was right.I exhaled, my fingers tightening around the locket that had started all of this. “So what do we do?”Dorian sighed. “You have two choices: disappear and hope they forget about you… or go after them first.”Leon tensed beside me. “You’re suggesting we take the fight to them?”Dorian shrugged. “Elise’s father had powerful connections. Some of them might scatter now that he’s locked up, but the smart ones? They’ll wait. Watch. See what you do next.”I swallowed hard. “Then we don’t give them time to plan.”Leon turned to me, his expression dark. “You’re sure about this?”I met his gaze. “I didn’t come this far just to hide.”Dorian grinned. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”Alexa shifted uncomfortably. “I wish I had your courage.”I reached for her hand. “You have more than you think.”She gave
The night before our departure, I barely slept. The weight of the locket pressed against my collarbone, a silent reminder that my past was no longer buried—it was clawing its way back to the surface.Leon must have sensed my restlessness because he found me in the kitchen before dawn, staring into my untouched cup of coffee.“You’re thinking too much.”I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head. “You always say that.”“Because it’s always true.” He leaned against the counter, arms crossed. “Second thoughts?”“No,” I said. “Just… doubts. What if I don’t find the answers I’m looking for? What if I’m just chasing ghosts?”Leon studied me for a long moment before stepping closer, his fingers grazing the locket at my neck. “Then we chase them together.”My chest tightened at the quiet intensity in his voice.Before I could respond, Dorian’s voice cut through the stillness. “Time to go.”The drive to the estate was long and silent. Alexa had insisted on coming, despite her injuries. She
The moment Elise’s father whistled, chaos erupted. Gunfire cracked through the air, sending dock workers scattering. Shadows moved between the containers—his men, heavily armed and ready.Leon pulled me behind a stack of crates as bullets ricocheted off the metal. “Dorian, how many?”Dorian’s voice came sharp through the earpiece. “At least eight. They were waiting for you.”I clenched my teeth. Of course, he knew we’d come.Leon checked his ammo. “We need to take them out before he reaches the cargo ship.”I exhaled, steadying my grip on my gun. “Then let’s end this.”Leon moved first, stepping out just long enough to fire three quick shots. A grunt of pain echoed through the night. One down.Dorian’s rifle cracked, taking out another.I kept close to the containers, listening—waiting. A figure rushed toward me. I ducked just as he swung a knife, feeling the blade slice the air above my head.Without hesitation, I drove my elbow into his ribs, twisting his wrist until the knife clatt
The weight of the file in my hands was suffocating. The words blurred together, but the truth was undeniable—my father hadn’t just been a scientist. He had been a test subject. And Elise’s father had orchestrated it all.Leon took the file from me carefully, his jaw tight as he read through the documents. “This wasn’t just research. They were experimenting on people.”Dorian exhaled sharply. “And your father was one of them.”I clenched my fists. “But why? What were they trying to do?”Leon flipped to the last page, scanning the details. His eyes darkened. “Something about genetic resilience. Accelerated healing. They were looking for ways to manipulate biological responses to trauma.”My stomach churned. “You mean… like making people stronger?”“Stronger, faster, immune to certain injuries.” Leon met my gaze, his voice heavy. “Margarette, they weren’t just studying human endurance. They were creating something.”A chill ran down my spine. “Creating what?”Dorian shifted uncomfortably
The room felt heavier now, as if the ghosts of the past had never truly left. My father’s study had once been a place of quiet authority, filled with the scent of polished wood and old books. Now, it was chaos—a graveyard of secrets waiting to be unearthed.Leon and Dorian moved swiftly, sifting through papers, searching for anything that might explain my father’s connection to Elise’s father. But my hands trembled as I flipped through the documents.My father’s handwriting stared back at me in sharp, deliberate strokes.Project Haven—Initiated 20 years agoI frowned. “Project Haven?”Leon peered over my shoulder. “That name mean anything to you?”I shook my head, but something about it felt... familiar. Like a memory I had brushed against in passing but never grasped fully.Dorian pulled a dust-covered filing box from beneath the desk. “We’ve got more.” He popped the latch and revealed stacks of old documents, some stamped with red ink.CONFIDENTIAL.I swallowed hard as I pulled out