You were in a terrible accident, and you’ve been recovering since—"Ryan cut her off. "Don’t lie to me, Sarah. I know there’s more to it. I need the truth."There was a long pause before Sarah sighed. "I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know anything else."Ryan clenched his fists in frustration. "Fine. You can go."After hanging up, Ryan stood up, determination burning in his chest. He wasn’t getting answers from anyone, and Bella had made sure to keep him locked inside this gilded cage. But he wouldn’t sit back and accept it anymore. Something was being hidden from him, and he was going to find out what.He began walking through the house, checking each room as if they might hold the secrets to his past. Room after room revealed nothing out of the ordinary. Just as he was about to give up, he found himself in his study. He looked around, and suddenly, blurry flashes began to assault his mind—vague images, memories that were just out of focus.Ryan’s head spun as he staggered to the bookshelves
Ryan’s fingers trembled as he held the delicate lingerie, the silky fabric triggering something deep within him. The scent that lingered on it was hauntingly familiar, stirring a sense of déjà vu so powerful that it sent a shiver down his spine. As he pressed the fabric closer to his face, memories began flooding his mind in disjointed flashes.There was a woman—a stripper. Her face was shadowed by the dim lights of a nightclub, but her eyes sparkled with defiance. "Marry me," he had said to her once. The memory hit him like a punch to the gut, and his breath hitched.Who is she? Ryan’s head began to throb as more images flickered in his mind: a crowded strip club, the scent of perfume mingled with sweat, the sound of music thumping in the background, and then... that woman again, her lips curled in a seductive smile.He could feel her presence, almost tangible, but just as quickly as the memories appeared, they dissolved into nothingness, leaving him with more questions than answer
Luca quietly opened the door to the guest bedroom in his house, his eyes falling on Mrs. Jessica, who was lying on the bed, looking pale but conscious. Her injuries were healing, but the scars of her captivity were evident. She stirred when she heard the door, slowly sitting up as Luca entered the room."How are you feeling today?" Luca asked, pulling up a chair beside the bed."Better, thanks to you," Jessica replied softly. Her voice was hoarse, and her eyes carried the weight of someone who had been through unimaginable pain. "But... Luca, I need to know about my daughter. You promised to tell me more about Iris."Luca sighed, running a hand through his hair. This wasn’t the first time she’d asked about Iris, and he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the whole truth. "Iris is fine, Mrs. Jessica," he assured her, leaning forward. "She can’t come to see you right now because… well, she’s being watched closely. We have to be careful."Jessica’s face was etched with worry. "But I need
How did I end up with her? he thought bitterly, his jaw clenching. The memories of everything she’d done flooded his mind. The lies, the manipulation, the false pregnancy—he now knew it had all been a part of her plan. She had never cared about him. It had always been about power, about taking over the Kendrick Empire.His hands itched with the urge to confront her, to demand answers. But he knew he had to be patient. If he showed his cards too soon, she would only find a way to slip through his fingers again. He couldn’t afford that. Not this time."I haven’t seen my mom or dad in a while," Ryan said, breaking the silence. "I’d like to visit them. I need to check on my dad’s health."Bella paused, glancing over her shoulder at him. "Just call them. You can talk to them on the phone."Ryan shook his head, his voice steady. "I can’t talk to Dad on the phone, remember? He’s not doing well. I need to see him in person."Bella narrowed her eyes, studying him for a moment before sighing. "A
Ryan stared at his phone, the screen lighting up again with Bella’s name flashing. His jaw tightened as he declined the call for the second time. The relentless buzzing in his pocket wouldn’t stop, but he needed to finish his conversation with Luca. If he didn’t handle this right, everything could spiral out of control.“Bella’s on to me,” Ryan muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “She’s calling nonstop.”Luca’s eyes narrowed. “You should get going then. We don’t want her catching on just yet.”Ryan nodded, though his mind was still racing with thoughts of Iris. He had known she was in trouble, but Luca’s revelations hit harder than expected. Months had passed since her abduction, and with every day that passed, the chances of finding her alive dwindled. Yet, somehow, he needed to keep hope alive.“We’ll meet again,” Ryan said, standing straighter. “There’s more to figure out. I won’t let her get away with this.”Luca placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “I’ll keep d
Bella’s eyes softened, but there was still an edge in her voice. “You scared me, Ryan. I didn’t know where you were. You know how important it is to keep me informed, especially now.”Ryan forced a smile. “I know, I’m sorry. It’s just... with Dad’s health and everything, I got distracted.”Is he inside?” Bella asked, her eyes still scanning his face as if trying to detect a lie.“Yeah, I’m about to head in now,” Ryan replied. “We’re going to talk for a bit. I’ll call you after, alright?”Bella hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Just don’t take too long. And remember, I want you home tonight.”“Got it. See you soon.” Ryan ended the call before she could push further, letting out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. His hands were shaking slightly as he lowered the phone. He knew Bella wasn’t buying the story entirely. She was suspicious, but for now, he had bought himself a little more time. Time he needed to figure out the next move with Luca.Inside the Mansion...Rya
Rose paced the dimly lit room, her manicured nails tapping against her phone as she waited for Parker to finish speaking. She could hear the anxiety in his voice as he relayed the latest news about Jessica's sudden disappearance. The air in the room felt heavy with the tension that had been building for weeks."How did they move her before we got there?" Rose hissed, her eyes narrowing. "You said the team was following the plan. What happened?"Parker, seated on the edge of the bed, sighed deeply, running a hand through his graying hair. "They told me they arrived at the location, but she was gone. The only person they found was a nurse who refused to give any information. Whoever’s behind this is sharp, Rose. They're staying one step ahead of us."Rose clenched her jaw, her anger simmering just below the surface. "We need to outsmart them. Whoever is orchestrating this is too fast and too organized. Jessica should have been in our hands by now."Parker nodded, his face drawn in conce
Bella’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "True. It’s only a matter of time before the board starts pressuring him. When the rebrand happens, they’ll see that Vector Empire is stronger, more profitable, and led by a true visionary.""We’ll present the new plan to the board next week," Charles continued. "Once we have their backing, Ryan will be out of the picture for good. The timing is perfect."Bella bit her lip, considering the next steps. "I want to be there when you reveal the new logo and branding. It’s important that I’m seen as the face of this change. Ryan has been too absent and too distracted. The investors need to see that I’m in control now.""You’ll be there," Victor confirmed. "I’ll take care of the details. You just need to keep Ryan distracted until everything is finalized."Bella smirked. "Don’t worry about him. He’s too busy trying to figure out what’s going on. He won’t see this coming."There was a pause on the other end, and then Victor spoke again, his tone more se
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