Mrs. Rose paced outside Mr. Kendrick’s hospital room, anxiety biting at her. She watched Ivy from a distance, her mind racing with everything that had been spiraling out of control since Ryan’s accident. Bella, of all people, was now claiming to be in charge of the Kendrick empire. She couldn’t believe it. The idea made her stomach churn with disgust.“Ivy,” Mrs. Rose called out softly, gesturing for her daughter to come over.Ivy glanced up from her tablet, hesitating for a moment, then followed her mother into the quiet hallway.“What is it, Mom?” Ivy asked, her tone cautious.Mrs. Rose took a deep breath. “I heard from the staff that Bella is in the company. She’s been acting like she owns the place. Is it true?”Ivy’s face tightened. “Yeah, Mom, it’s true. She’s in Dad’s office as we speak. She and some new faces are practically running things now.”Mrs. Rose’s heart sank. Betrayal burned through her chest. “I knew she was ambitious, but this… this is something else. How could
Mrs. Rose stormed out of the company, her heart racing, palms sweating, as the weight of the situation sank in. Bella had caught her completely off guard at the company earlier, and now Ryan's health state was the final nail in the coffin. "How did Bella know about the affair with Parker?" That thought kept bouncing around her mind. Was it possible she had more dirt on her or was this just the tip of the iceberg? She clenched the steering wheel, driving back to the mansion.Once inside, Mrs. Rose sank into a plush armchair, rubbing her temples, attempting to process everything. The shock of losing control over both her personal and professional life gnawed at her relentlessly. The affair with Parker was meant to be her secret, no one was supposed to find out. And now, everything was slipping out of her hands, and the worst part was that Bella held all the cards.Meanwhile, at the hospital, Ryan stirred once more, slowly opening his eyes to see Ivy standing by his bedside. Confusio
Ryan stared up at her, his expression dazed. “Iris…?”“Yes, it’s me,” Bella cooed, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “We’ve been through so much together, but now we can finally be happy.”Ryan’s brow furrowed as if trying to remember. “What… happened to me?”“You were in a car accident, darling,” Bella replied smoothly. “You were on your way to meet me. I was pregnant, and we were going to start a new life together.”“Pregnant…?” Ryan’s voice was weak, his memory faltering.“Yes, but don’t worry,” Bella said, her tone softening. “We have everything we ever wanted. I’ll take care of you.”As Bella continued to weave her web of lies, Ivy and Mrs. Rose reentered the room, their expressions tense.“Chapter 82Ryan blinked as he lay in the hospital bed, still groggy from the medication and the accident. His head throbbed, and the unfamiliar faces around him seemed like ghosts from another life. The only name that rang clear in his muddled mind was "Iris." It was the name he clung to, the onl
She had overheard enough of the conversation to know what Bella was doing. “What’s going on here?” Ivy asked, her tone sharp as she shot Bella a pointed look. “Bella tensed but didn’t look up. She continued holding Ryan’s hand, her fingers wrapped around his possessively. “We were just talking, Ivy. Ryan’s starting to remember things.”Ivy folded her arms, glaring at Bella. “Remembering what? More of your lies? Ryan, you need to be careful about who you trust right now.”Ryan looked between the two women, his mind spinning. He still felt so lost. “I don’t understand,” he muttered. Bella leaned in closer, whispering in a voice meant only for Ryan. “She’s always had issues with me, Ryan. But I’ve been patient. I know she cares about you, but sometimes she just doesn’t understand how hard it’s been for us.”“Hard for us?” Ivy snapped, stepping closer to the bed. “You mean hard for you, Bella. You’ve always been selfish. Everything is always about you.”Ryan winced at the tension, not
The door to Ivy's suite slammed shut behind her as Bella followed her inside, her eyes glinting with cold determination. Ivy’s heels clicked against the marble floor, her steps quicker than usual, her mind racing with frustration and disbelief at Bella’s audacity. She had barely made it halfway to the living room when Bella’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and mocking.“You’re not going to walk away from this conversation, Ivy,” Bella hissed, her arms crossed over her chest. “We need to talk.”Ivy turned on her heel, fury flashing in her eyes. “There’s nothing to talk about, Bella. I’m done playing your little game.” Her voice was steady, but there was an underlying anger that simmered just beneath the surface.Bella raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “Oh, I think there’s plenty to talk about. You’ll want to hear every word I have to say.”Ivy scoffed, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “You’re delusional if you think I’m going to keep up wit
“So, what now?” Ivy finally asked, her voice laced with resentment.Bella took a step back, her demeanor calming now that she knew she had won. “Now, you play your part. You’re going to keep your mouth shut about Iris, and you’re going to help me maintain this illusion. If you do that, your father’s secrets stay buried, and Kendrick Enterprises remains in the family.”Ivy narrowed her eyes. “And what happens to Iris? The real Iris?”Bella’s smile faded slightly, her eyes hardening. “Iris is gone. She’s not coming back.”Ivy took a step closer, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. “You’re going to make sure of that, aren’t you?”Bella didn’t flinch and didn’t break eye contact. “If I have to,” she said coldly.Ivy felt a chill run down her spine at the finality in Bella’s voice. She had suspected for a while that Bella had something to do with Iris’s disappearance, but now she knew. Bella wasn’t just playing a game—she was willing to go to any lengths to secure her pla
The cold, sterile air of the hospital was suffocating. The relentless beeping of machines filled the silence, echoing in the hallways. Mr. Kendrick sat in the waiting area, his eyes fixed on the clock, watching the minutes tick by. He had just received the devastating news. His son, Ryan, had woken up, but something was terribly wrong. Memory loss.The words lingered in his mind like a curse. How could this happen? How could his son wake up from the coma and not remember his father, his own life? It was all too much. The company was crumbling, Bella and her brother were taking over, and now Ryan—his one and only son—was lost in a fog of amnesia.The door to the waiting room creaked open, and Parker stepped in, his expression as grim as ever. He had been Mr. Kendrick’s trusted friend and family doctor for years, but even he couldn't mask the concern etched on his face."Mr. Kendrick, we need to talk," Parker said, his voice low, almost hesitant.Mr. Kendrick didn't respond. His gaze
This company—this empire—belongs to us now."Her brother turned to face her, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "What do you think about Ivy?"Bella shrugged, her smirk widening. "Ivy’s too busy being her naive little self. She might suspect something’s wrong, but she doesn’t have the guts to do anything about it. And as for Mr. Kendrick… well, he’s too focused on his poor son to even notice what’s happening right under his nose.""Good. Then we’re in the clear," her brother said, taking a seat across from her. "But we have to be careful. Luca’s still around, and he’s not as easily fooled."Bella’s eyes darkened at the mention of Luca. She knew he had always been loyal to Ryan, and if anyone were to figure out the truth, it would be him. "Don’t worry about Luca. I’ll handle him."Back at the Hospital...Luca raced through the hospital corridors, his heart pounding in his chest. He had just received the call—Ryan was awake. After weeks of uncertainty, his best friend was finally conscious
Months had passed since Parker waited in vain for Ryan to come to his rescue. As the cold reality set in, the hope that had once flickered inside Parker’s heart dimmed until it was nothing but a distant memory. The prison walls around him felt like they were closing in, suffocating him with the weight of his past mistakes. Every day, he wondered if his son would ever come, but no sign of Ryan emerged. He had gambled on the wrong side of history, and now he was paying for it with every lonely second that ticked by.Meanwhile, Mrs. Rose Kendrick, once a woman of unmatched power and deceit, was locked away in her world of doom. She had seen the writing on the wall long before now. When the truth came to light, when all the lies she had crafted so carefully unraveled before her eyes, she knew no one was coming to save her. The empire she had tried to manipulate for herself and her lover Parker had crumbled. Her final days were filled with silence, the kind that came not from peace but
Ryan paced the length of his father’s study, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. He held the hospital reports tightly in his hand, his knuckles white from the grip. The reports confirmed his worst fears—the man he had called his father for his entire life wasn’t his biological father at all. Dr. Parker was. The revelation had shaken him to the core, and he knew he couldn’t keep this secret any longer. He had to tell Mr. Kendrick.Taking a deep breath, he walked over to where Kendrick sat in his leather chair, his eyes already filled with concern. Kendrick had noticed Ryan’s turmoil the moment he entered the room, but he hadn’t pressed him to speak."Dad," Ryan began, his voice trembling slightly. He rarely ever called him anything but ‘Dad,’ but now, with this new information, it felt like a lie. Still, it was all he had ever known. "I received something today. It’s… complicated, and I don’t know how to explain it."Kendrick raised an eyebrow, worry etching deeper into his
The atmosphere in the house was finally calm, or so it seemed. After everything they had been through—the betrayals, the conspiracies, and the almost impossible escape from danger—Iris, Kendrick, and Jessica were relieved to be back home. The past few days had been nothing short of a nightmare, but now, with Ryan by her side, Iris felt like she could finally breathe again.Ryan had transformed into the kind of husband Iris had always dreamed of. He was attentive, caring, and endlessly devoted, especially when it came to their newborn. Late-night feedings and diaper changes—Ryan was right there with her, helping in every way he could. The chaos and distrust that once clouded their relationship were gone, replaced by a bond forged through hardship and love.One afternoon, as Iris cradled their baby on the living room couch, Ryan returned from the front door, holding a small package. There was no return address, just his name scribbled hastily across the front. He furrowed his brow as
The tension in the hospital room hung heavy as Iris took a deep breath and prepared to explain everything. The faces of those around her—Jessica, Ryan, Kendrick, and Ivy—were etched with a mixture of concern, curiosity, and shock. Ryan, especially, seemed anxious, as though every word Iris spoke would shift the very foundation of what he believed to be true.“I found out I was pregnant,” Iris began slowly, her voice steady but filled with emotion, “on the same day that Mrs. Rose asked to see me. She called me out of the blue and said she needed to talk. I thought it was something important about the family, but when I got there…” She paused, her gaze shifting to Ryan before continuing. “She told me to leave you, Ryan. She wanted me gone so you could be with Bella.”Ryan’s jaw clenched at the mention of his mother’s betrayal, but he remained silent, allowing Iris to continue.“I was devastated,” Iris admitted, her voice cracking slightly. “I didn’t know what to do, and on my way back t
The tension in the room had begun to settle after the police escorted Mrs. Rose and Dr. Parker out in handcuffs. The silence that followed felt like the calm after a storm, but there was still an air of unease.Mr. Kendrick stood in the center of the room, his expression heavy with guilt and regret. He turned toward Jessica, who stood with her arms crossed, looking as though she wasn’t quite sure what to make of him yet. Ivy and Iris, standing side by side, had barely spoken a word since everything unfolded.Kendrick cleared his throat, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry,” he began, his eyes filled with sincerity as he faced Jessica and the twins. “Jessica, Iris, Ivy… I know words aren’t enough to make up for the years I’ve spent apart from you all, the lies, and everything else that’s happened. But please believe me when I say that I’ve regretted every single moment I wasn’t with you.”Iris remained silent, her face pale from shock, while Ivy’s gaze flickered between Jessica a
The room was suffocating. Ryan sat up straighter in his hospital bed, his eyes narrowing as Luca entered, his expression grim. The air felt thick with anticipation as everyone waited for the news. Luca cleared his throat and looked directly at Ryan. “The anonymous messenger? It was Sarah—your house help,” he said quietly. Ryan’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Sarah?” He glanced at Ivy, then back at Luca. “What do you mean? She’s just a housemaid. Why would she—" “She’s been traced and caught,” Luca interrupted his voice firm. “We got her while she was trying to flee the country. She’s been feeding information to your enemies, Ryan. She’s been working with Mrs. Rose.”The room went still. Ivy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, and Kendrick’s face drained of color. Mrs. Rose stood frozen, her eyes wide in disbelief as all eyes turned toward her.“What… what are you saying?” Ryan’s voice was low, but it shook with barely restrained anger.“She confessed everything,” Luca continued, h
The silence that followed Mr. Kendrick's confession was deafening. Everyone in the room seemed frozen, processing the weight of his words. Mrs. Rose’s face was a mixture of shock and rage, her hands trembling as she gripped the back of a chair for support. Ryan and Ivy exchanged uneasy glances, while Jessica stood still, her expression unreadable, though her eyes glistened with the pain of memories that had long since scarred her.Kendrick took a deep breath, his voice thick with regret as he continued. "I was in love with Jessica," he admitted, his eyes locked on the floor as if unable to meet anyone’s gaze. "We were both so young, and I couldn't resist her. But I was already married to Rose. There was no way I could marry Jessica. I was the heir to the Kendrick family fortune, and it would have been a scandal—a disgrace—to have an affair and a child out of wedlock."Rose scoffed, her voice laced with venom. "So instead, you chose to keep me in the dark and raise the child of your
The tension in the room was so thick it felt as though it could suffocate them all. Mrs. Rose stood frozen, her heart hammering against her chest as her eyes darted from Jessica to Kendrick and then to her children. Her worst nightmare was unraveling before her eyes, and there was no escape. Kendrick, too, was motionless, his face a mixture of disbelief and confusion. His eyes met Jessica’s, and a flood of memories rushed back—memories he had buried for years. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat."Je… Jessica?" Kendrick’s voice was barely above a whisper, his shock palpable. Ryan, standing by his father’s bedside, turned to Kendrick, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Dad, do you know her?"Jessica stood tall, her eyes blazing with the fire of long-buried resentment. She ignored Ryan’s question and locked eyes with Mrs. Rose, whose face was now dripping with cold sweat. Rose’s hands trembled as she took a step backward, her composure slipping with every second."No…
Mrs. Rose paced anxiously around the hospital room, her heels clicking against the cold tile floor. She glanced at her watch for the hundredth time, her impatience growing by the second. Where were Ivy and Ryan? What were they up to? Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the door open. She turned swiftly, only to see Ryan step into the room, followed closely by Ivy. Relief washed over her for a split second, but it quickly faded as she saw the grim looks on their faces. Something was wrong.“Where have you two been?” Mrs. Rose demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’ve been looking all over for you!”Ryan didn’t respond immediately. His face was hard, his jaw clenched. Ivy, too, seemed distant, her eyes fixed on the floor as if she couldn’t bear to meet her mother’s gaze.Before Mrs. Rose could demand answers, a weak cough sounded from the hospital bed. Her husband, Mr. Kendrick, had woken up. Slowly, he turned his head toward her, his eyes filled with anger and betray