Mason's POV“You sure took your sweet time coming down. With how long you kept me waiting, I thought I was about to meet the president.” I gestured to the chair. “Come on, Father, have a seat. I even brought your favorite wine. Why don’t we share a drink, talk about old times? Maybe pull out some baby pictures—remind you how adorable and smart I was as a kid.”I poured him a glass of the wine I’d picked out, but he ignored it, reaching for the whiskey instead. I chuckled under my breath. Classic Dad—always too cautious, always paranoid."Don’t tell me you think I’d try to poison you," I said, feigning hurt. "I’m seriously wounded, Father, that you think so little of me. I wouldn’t dream of killing my own father. You’ve taught me too much. Why would I want you dead?”He choked on his drink, coughing as he pushed the glass away. Rubbing his neck, he glared at me, his irritation clear.“If anything, you’d die of natural causes. Maybe you’ll just go to sleep and never wake up, or have a
Maximus POVI couldn’t believe this was happening. Out of all the ridiculous things I’ve done, this one had to take the cake. What was I even thinking, letting Raymond talk me into this? I looked more like a fugitive than a billionaire. People were staring, and honestly, I couldn't blame them. If I were them, I’d be giving myself the same suspicious side-eye. I half-expected security to show up any minute and escort me out.Glancing back, I saw Raymond still in the car, waving like an overexcited child. He flashed me a thumbs-up, to which I responded by flipping him off. He just laughed harder, rolling up the window before revving the engine dramatically. Tires squealed as he sped off, leaving me standing there, wondering why I ever agreed to this nonsense.I let out a heavy sigh.I wiped the sweat from my forehead, feeling increasingly uncomfortable in this ridiculous getup. It was 70 degrees and sunny—what on earth had Raymond been thinking, dressing me like this? My clothes were s
Mr Ben's POVI winced, rubbing my shin as the pain throbbed. For an old guy, his kick packed a surprising punch. He hadn’t even bothered to explain why he was acting so aggressive this early in the morning. I hadn't had my usual morning coffee, and I was already being treated like a punching bag.Sure, I knew he’d be upset that I botched my last mission, but it wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t the one who relocated the family. How was I supposed to know they’d vanish like that?He was acting like this was all on me—typical Ricardo Hemsworth. When things don’t go his way, he always needs someone to blame, and today, I was the easy target.Not that I was upset the family was gone. Honestly, I was relieved when they weren’t there. At least it spared me from doing something terrible. But Ricardo didn’t see it that way. In his mind, I’d betrayed him. As if I’d be foolish enough to cross him, knowing the consequences. I wasn’t that reckless. Betrayal was the one thing the Hemsworth family couldn’
Selene's POVThis was awkward, but I had no choice. I knew Maximus too well—he was stubborn to a fault. Once he set his mind on something, he wouldn't back down. That was one of the traits I had admired about him when we first met, but now it was becoming unbearable. His constant visits were grating on my nerves, especially since I had turned him away time and time again. Banning him from the hospital hadn't deterred him either; he always found a way around it. But I didn’t expect him to stoop so low as to use Avery to his advantage. That was a new low, even for him.I still can't believe my best friend actually helped him with this ridiculous plan.When I first saw Maximus lurking around like a fugitive, I was ready to scream until I noticed Avery standing beside him. He had the nerve to show up at the hospital, clearly ready to wait as long as it took. The last thing I wanted was to drag a billionaire out of my workplace under the watchful eyes of security. Avery, ever the peacemak
Jess POVI felt like I was trapped in a f****** sci-fi movie. How the hell was Selene not dead? She doesn’t have nine lives—this isn’t some movie! Why was it so hard for my father to shoot her? He had one job: put a bullet right between her eyes. I can’t have any peace knowing she’s still out there, in this city, looming over me. Every day, the fear she instilled in me grew stronger. It’s like she’s becoming more powerful, more untouchable.Just last month, her hospital was ranked one of the best, with the most advanced facilities. And I hate that. Everyone keeps praising her for her achievements, even though she never shows up at any conferences. Her colleague always goes in her place, and yet she still gets all the credit. It’s infuriating."Calm down," My mother said, his tone steady, almost mocking my frustration. "We’ll have other chances to kill her. Today just wasn’t meant to be. You’re too hot-headed, Jess. Relax a little. The world isn’t ending today. Even if Selene escapes
Mr Ben's POVWe all stood up once he entered the spacious office. The boss adjusted the mask on his face, his usual Celtic dragon ring with a blue and gold design, having it's band made of onyx stone caught my eyes. He never missed that ring. I wonder if it was a family heirloom. The day I would see him without this ring was yet to come. I don't even think it has ever been separated from his finger ever since I knew him and with that ridiculous mask on his face. I don't even know what he was hiding. I don't understand how we can be partners, yet I don't know the face of the man. I was not even complaining. The more he concealed himself, the better. Who knows, maybe it was a devil hiding under that mask.He glanced around the room. I could feel his cold stare boring down on me. I bowed down so low, hoping he wouldn't spot me. I didn't want his usual insults on me. I don't understand why he always seems to be in a bad mood whenever he lays his eyes on me. I hope I wasn't in trouble. He
Maximus POVHe took a huge bite of his hamburger, humming in delight. I rolled my eyes at his obnoxious way of sipping his drink. I don't even know why he was here in the first place. When he told me that he wanted to have lunch with me, I was not thrilled to have Mason in my place of work. I just wanted summer to arrive soon. I needed Mia home so that Mason could bother her and I could finally get some work done.Mason grinned with his mouth full. I chuckled lowly, shaking my head. He still had his goofy side. Even though he was still clad in his spotless black suit, I saw a glimpse of little Mason who was always running around the mansion with nothing but his underwear.I smiled at the memory."Are you going to keep staring at me all day or are you going to have your lunch as well? I am telling you, this is the best burger in the whole of NYC. The meat is just juicy and tasty and not to talk of how good their fries are. Come on, have a bite. I came all the way here to have lunch wit
Jess POVI pushed down the chair in anger, not caring that I was not at home. I knew that I was throwing a temper tantrum but I didn't care. It was not as if everyone was here to see me. I pushed down the expensive antique vase, screaming at the top of my lungs. I don't care if the entire restaurant heard me, I was in the VIP section of the restaurant and I knew that the owner would be more than angry with me but I didn't care. This was payback for embarrassing me at the fundraising event last month. Does she think that I have forgotten her little stunt and how she was so happy to see my step-sister? How she laughed and made fun of me when Selene compared herself to me. How she enjoyed the fun. Everything was making my head explode. I was having a bad day and stressing myself out so badly for the past few weeks.I can't believe that I had to find out that Maximus, my own husband was having lunch, looking so cozy with his ex-wife to the point of holding her hands.I just hope this pict
Maximus POVIt has been over a day since I found out that I had children with Selene but it still felt like a movie for me. I felt as if I was watching a stage drama and I was the main character. How could it be possible that Selene was pregnant and I didn't know? Could it have been just before I divorced her or weeks before I started treating her so badly?I felt so bad. I felt like a complete jerk. My children were grown up and the same age as Kylie and yet they didn't have the presence of a father in their life.I knew Serene was lying when she told them that so that they would stop worrying so much about me being their father. I missed five years of my children's life. I wasn't there when Selene went to her first ultrasound. I wasn't there with her when she gave birth. I saw how agonizing birth pangs can be. I was there when Jess gave birth to Kylie. I knew how agonizing it was and I let Selene go through that all alone.I now understand where all her hate was coming from. It was
Selene's POVI have been feeling quite overwhelmed ever since Maximus discovered that he had children with me. I know I have been acting differently. I was constantly on edge, wondering when he would barge into my house, demanding me to hand over his children to him, or one day when he would take it to court for child custody. I didn't want to put my children through that trauma. I was certain that Maximus was the one threatening to take my children away from me. The same number that called me when I was looking for Anna and Asher at the mall called Nelly as well.I was convinced that Maximus was doing all this to spook me. There was no other person that knew about my children right now besides Maximus. I was worried that he would tell his family and they would harass my children and me. I didn't want Cecilia Hemsworth anywhere near her grandchildren. She was the one who tormented me every day, calling me barren and that she was a disgrace to the Hemsworth family and couldn't give b
Mr Ben's POVI picked up the golden ring with a dragon and gold-blue design, and an onyx stone embedded in it. I knew it belonged to the boss so what was it doing here? Could it be that one of the Hemsworth family members was the man I was working for? It couldn't be Maximus, he was too uptight for that. And why the hell will he ever want to sabotage his own company? Mason was too much of a coward to even come up with such a brilliant plan. He wasn't really the brightest in the bunch which was why I was surprised he actually graduated from law school and owned a firm. I knew that the ring wasn't sold in jewelry stores, it was customized. My boss has a thing for making his belongings outstanding. He always had a symbol that indicated what was his. He said that's always made him iconic but to me, I thought it was stupid.It was easy to find him with such a symbol. I just needed to know who the ring belonged to, then I could finally know the psychopath who was under the mask and whom I
Selene's POV"Just look at how happy they are. I can't believe they didn't want a party, that is so unlike them. Do you remember their last birthday?"Nelly chuckled beside me and I glanced at her. She was smiling widely while staring at Anna and Asher. I was glad she loved my kids as much as I did."How could I forget? They almost gave Mom a heart attack. When they were bouncing off the trampoline, I thought Mom would have passed out in fear," Nelly and I chuckled as we reminisced.She smiled, walking away with my children towards the toy section. The ringing of my phone made me stop in my tracks. I furrowed my brows at the unknown number.I swiped to answer but the person kept quiet, only their loud breathing was what I could hear."Selene Norman, leaving your kids unattended was a mistake. Now watch me take them away from you. They are mine to keep. I can do whatever I want with them. Time is ticking. Can you save them or would you forever not see them again? You choose. Your count
Jess POVWhat was taking her so long? Doesn't she have any idea how cold the weather is? I can't believe I have to leave the comfort of my bed to come out in this stormy weather. The rain was just too much. I should be back at home, watching Netflix. Instead, I'm out here, brainstorming ideas on how to bring down Selene and I know the only person who could help me do that. I couldn't hurt her directly myself anymore, not with Mason breathing down my neck and watching me like a hawk. I was making sure to keep my end of the bargain. I couldn't hurt Selene even though I was itching to do so. I wanted to inflict so much pain on her.When I saw her a few days ago, she was looking nice and healthy, no longer limping. I am tempted to hire heavy artillery or even a sniper just to put a bullet through her head, but that will be an easy death. I want Selene to look at me as she takes her last breath. That would be the most satisfying. So that she will know that even in her miserable life, even
Selene's POVFor the fifth time, I rejected the call, deciding to switch off my phone. Mason has been blowing up my phone with calls and text messages. I don't even know what to tell him. This is so awkward. He is my best friend, he cannot be my lover. I did not see him that way. I never even pictured in my mind that I would date Mason and he would take care of me.Mason was handsome, don't get me wrong and any woman will be lucky to have him. I know that he would love and care for me if I gave him a chance but I just didn't view him that way. I only saw him as a brother and a best friend. I don't understand why he is pushing it so much with me to date him. I don't have any romantic feelings towards him.What was he hoping for? He couldn't give me a good reason why he wanted to date me. He didn't tell me what he saw in me either. The only reason he told me was that he was in love with me. I don't know why I found that very hard to believe. And he wasn't even thinking about how awkward
Maximus POVMason kept on staring at me, looking confused. Things had been weird between us for the past few weeks, especially since I found out about the little stunt he pulled with Selene. I knew he was avoiding me as if I had a deadly disease on me. I have no idea what kind of game Mason was playing but I was not interested in finding out. I specifically told him that Selene was off-limits. I didn't know when Mason became so daring. I know he didn't propose to her but with the sly gestures he made in those videos and pictures, a lot of people have been misunderstanding the whole situation and it annoyed me every single time to see everyone talking about that.I wonder how Selene was taking all this. Was she happy? She has never been someone who loved public attention."Both of you have been staring at each other for a while now and there is too much male testosterone right now in this room. Maximus, if you have anything to say to Mason, now is a time to do so.” Raymond uttered, ma
Selene's POV"I can't believe that this is the beginning of summer. We are going to have so much fun. Avery, you don't look too excited. You always say this is your favorite holiday, so why the gloomy face? Don't tell me you are missing me too much. It is just a one week conference and besides, you are the one who volunteered to go instead. Who knows, maybe you will make new friends there. Just try to make the best out of it and don't be so stuck up b****, okay?"Avery opened her mouth in disbelief then she covered the camera with her palm.I stifled my laughter when I heard her screaming into her pillow in the background."I am not a b****! People just don't know when someone is polite and jovial. Those are two different things, Selene, come on. I wish you were here with me. Dr. Riley is no fun. She has had her head buried in books ever since we arrived at this conference. Why did this have to be for a week? When I get back, I'm going to spend my three days at the beach, sunbathing a
Maximus POV"Is there a reason why my daughter is staying with your parents for more than a week? It's been a while and I haven't seen Kylie. Why did you take her out? Are you trying to separate my daughter from me, Maximus? What is next? Are you going to give her to Selene, your ex-wife or are you going to also make me look like the bad guy again? What is it going to be this time? Come on, tell me! She should be with us right now, having breakfast like a normal family should but instead, you shipped her off to her grandparents. Do you expect me to be okay with that?"Jess complained, fussed, and questioned all at once.It was too early for her to start her whining. I had enough problems on my mind and I don't need her adding to it."I don't need to make you look like a bad guy. You are already evil. And besides, your daughter is the one who suggested that she wants to take a little holiday at her grandparent's house. Since when do you treat Kylie like your own child? She is constantly