"Mi-nello Mall has always prided itself on its commitment to quality and authenticity," Mikayla began, her voice carrying the authority of someone who was not to be trifled with. "The baseless accusations made against us are not only false but malicious. We have gathered here today to demonstrate that Mi-nello is built on integrity, and we will not allow just anyone to tarnish that." Anyone.Just anyone.She paused, letting her words sink in before delivering the final blow. "As a result of the defamatory statements made against our brand, Mi-nello will be pursuing legal action against the individual responsible. We will not stand by and allow our reputation to be destroyed by lies and deceit."Alicia’s blood ran cold. Legal action? She had expected some backlash, maybe a public denouncement, but a lawsuit? This was far worse than anything she’d imagined. The implications were staggering. Not only was her newfound career at risk, but her personal life could be dragged through the mud
The morning light filtered through the windows of Lily’s empty home, casting a soft glow on her anxious face. She had not slept for the most part of the night. She moved with purpose and care, all of her actions in wariness of what is in the day for her.Today is crucial, extremely crucial. She needs to prove the truth about her unborn child. She needs to prove that the child really belongs to Price, she hasn't slept with another man, if that is what, and exactly what they are thinking would be the alternative.In a way, she's grateful that she had come on to him that night because if she had not, there won't be any child to prove anything... Also, she mutters a bit of thanks to that woman at the convenience store that had pushed her into finding out about it.She puts on a sundress so it won't be hard for her to go through the right procedures.Lily drove to Archway Hospital, her thoughts racing as she navigated through the city streets. The hospital’s tall building came into view, a
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows in Reese’s office as he reviewed his latest findings. He paced around, looking at the piece of paper on his desk that had a name and an address...Address that has something so important. He checks his wristwatch and he immediately decides to go there, whether or not it has consequences... Damn it all.He picked up the paper in a rush, the name of the school flashing for a mini second.Glades...Soon enough, he takes a leave from work now that his work is not in danger of bankruptcy, he takes his car and drives off to the outskirts of town where the school is located. It's a pretty large school and not completely on the outskirts, just past the many estates that line up the entrance to Brooklyn.The drive is about half an hour and he gets there in twenty five minutes just to meet the closing hour, the perfect time to be on the lookout for some tiny children.If she was pregnant by the time she'd left the city, that means her children will be a
The scent of whatever disinfectant or whatever that smells can be called, hung heavily in the air of the small, sterile room. Detective Grey stood with his back against the wall, his face a mask of resolve as he watched the families gather around. It had been three long weeks since Price Wood's tragic death, and today, the morgue was more crowded than usual. The heavy burden of grief was so heavy that he was almost sure that it he raised his hands, he'll touch it.Grey cleared his throat, his voice breaking the silence that had settled over the room. “The autopsy is complete,” he said, his tone professional. “Price’s body can be released to the family now. You’re free to arrange the funeral.”Lily sat in a plastic chair, her hands trembling as she clutched a crumpled tissue. Her face was pale, eyes red and swollen from endless tears. Her pregnancy has amplified every emotion, every tear, every heartbreak. She sobbed openly now, unable to control herself. Even if she has tried to stop
The rain fell in a steady drizzle, a cold, gray veil over the city, mirroring the heavy hearts of all who gathered. Andrew and Victoria Woods moved swiftly to arrange the funeral for their son, Price, after the body was released. They were efficient, focused, almost mechanical in their grief, pushing through the preparations with a determination that left little room for the involvement of Lily's parents, the Andersons. It wasn’t out of cruelty but a deep-seated belief that they knew best how to honor their son’s memory. For Andrew, well, it was out of hatred. He just didn't like them. And the reason is not all that far fetched anyway. Lily was involved in every step of the process, yet she was more like a shadow moving through the arrangements than a person. Her grief was a living thing, raw and overpowering, exacerbated by the pregnancy she carried. Her face was rarely dry, tears spilling down her cheeks as she tried to navigate her responsibilities. She was able to tell her par
The air in the reception hall was thick with the conversations of mourners and the clinking of glasses. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, mirroring the heavy hearts of those gathered. The funeral was over, but the grief still lingered like an unwelcome guest, a heavy cloud that weighed down each person who entered. The scent of lilies and freshly baked pastries and food mingled with the crisp bite of white wine, alcohol as well, creating a perfect atmosphere where the somberness of the occasion clashed with the familiar comforts of a regular social gathering.Andrew and Victoria Woods, standing by the entrance, greeted each attendee with polite nods and forced smiles. They were exhausted, emotionally and physically drained, yet they held themselves together for the sake of their son’s memory. The loss of Price had left a gaping hole in their lives, one that no amount of condolences or comforting words could ever fill. As each person offered their sympathies, Andrew
Lucas felt a chill run down his spine. He turned to the guard, who had been watching the footage alongside him, his face pale. "Do you know who that is?" Lucas asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "Or have you seen that person before?"The guard shook his head slowly. "I’ve never seen them before. But they knew exactly where to go, didn’t they? Like they’d done it a hundred times."Lucas nodded, his mind racing. "Do you have footage from any other cameras? Maybe one that shows a different angle, or the street outside?"The guard nodded and switched to another camera, this one positioned to capture the road leading up to the house. Lucas watched as the figure darted down the driveway and onto the street, where a car was parked. The figure jumped into the driver's side, and the car sped away, its license plate just barely visible in the dim light."Can you zoom in on that license plate?" Lucas asked urgently.The guard tapped a few keys, and the image zoomed in, but it was still blur
In his study, Lucas plugs the USB with the video into his computer and rewatches the video again and again.And each time, he stops on the car and just can't seem to see more than that original sequence of numbers."4B3..." He muttered over and over again.He rifles in his drawers and finds his book of fellow businessmen and he looks for Woods in it.He doesn't look long before he sees Andrew Woods.He taps the numbers on his phone and dials it. Earnestly hoping that it'll go through and he'll pick up, thankfully, Andrew does."Hello?" His weary voice comes through the receiver."I'm so sorry to be calling this late but I was wondering if Detective Grey is still over there?"He had been seeing the detective around so he knows what's going on, even when they had been at Glades, he had seen him leave but he had not paid much thought to it until he had seen him watching every little interaction at the funeral."Yes... Oh, he just left. Please hold on, he should not be far out.""Thank yo