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
Weeks had blurred into months since Ryan Kendrick had been discharged from the hospital. His once-sharp mind was now a haze of doubt and confusion, but the constant presence of Bella, who claimed to be Iris, offered him a semblance of stability. She was always there, smiling, reassuring him that everything would be okay. And though part of him doubted her story, he had no proof, no solid memory to refute her claims. So, he had no choice but to trust her.Bella and her brother had made their way into the heart of Kendrick Enterprises. Under the pretense of investing, during his accident and coma state, they began to manipulate the company from within. Changes were made swiftly, rebranding efforts, restructuring of departments, and new contracts signed with unfamiliar names. The employees whispered about the new leadership, but no one dared to speak up openly. Ryan, the once-vibrant CEO, was a shadow of himself, watching from the sidelines as Bella and her brother ran the show.Ry
Later that evening, the grand hall was buzzing with activity. Journalists and paparazzi crowded around the entrance, flashing their cameras as important guests arrived. Bella and her brother stood by the entrance, greeting the investors and guests as they walked in, all smiles and handshakes.The cameras flashed as Bella posed, the perfect picture of poise and confidence. But as the questions began to fly, she quickly realized the media was not going to be as easy to control as the company had been."Miss Bella, you are a well-known fashion icon. What happened to that career?" one journalist shouted.Bella smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Oh, I’ve simply transitioned into something more aligned with my current priorities. The business world requires just as much creativity as fashion, don’t you think?"Another voice from the crowd jumped in, the question sharp. "Are you married now to Ryan Kendrick?"Bella’s smile faltered for a brief second before she quickly regained composure.
Jessica lay on the cold floor of the dingy room, her breathing shallow and labored. Her body felt weak, every bone aching with the weight of exhaustion and sickness. Days had turned into weeks, and she could feel her health slipping away. But through the fog of pain and fatigue, one terrifying realization had become clear: she knew who had done this to her. Mrs. Rose Kendrick.The name churned in her mind, filling her with a mix of fear and anger. Jessica had once worked closely with the Kendrick family. She had been privy to their secrets, their hidden lives. But never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that Mrs. Rose, the seemingly elegant matriarch of the family, would go so far as to kidnap and try to kill her.Jessica coughed, her throat raw and dry. She tried to sit up, but her body refused to cooperate. The room spun around her as a wave of dizziness crashed over her, leaving her gasping for air. She needed help—urgent medical attention, or she wouldn’t survive much