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
Ryan sat at the head of his father’s old mahogany desk, tapping a pen absently on the table. The fire crackling in the nearby fireplace did little to ease the chill in his veins. The room felt colder, darker, ever since his father had fallen ill and Bella had begun tightening her grip on the Kendrick empire. Victor Empire now, he thought bitterly. The name change had been swift, too swift for his liking. He knew Bella and her brother, Victor, had plans of their own, but something about their rise to power, their sudden control, didn’t sit right with him. Ryan wasn’t blind—he had seen the signs and heard the whispers within the company. Bella and Victor were playing a dangerous game, and he intended to find out exactly what that game was. His phone buzzed on the desk, pulling him out of his thoughts. It was Luca. Luca: “I have something. Meet me in 30 minutes. ”Ryan stared at the message for a moment, feeling his heart rate spike. Luca had been helping him dig into Bella’s past f
She looked calm, almost too calm, as if she had everything under control. But Ryan knew better now."Bella," he said as he entered the room. She looked up, smiling softly. "Ryan, you’re home late. Everything okay?"Ryan sat across from her, his gaze steady, searching. "We need to talk."Bella’s smile faltered just slightly, but she maintained her composure. "What’s on your mind?"Ryan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "You’ve been busy lately. I haven’t seen much of you since the rebranding." Bella took a sip of her wine, her expression unreadable. "There’s been a lot to manage with the company. You know that. I’m just trying to make sure everything runs smoothly." Ryan nodded slowly. Bella’s phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced at it, and a sinister smile spread across her face. But something was different today. As she busied herself, Ryan noticed her occasionally glance toward a particular drawer in the hallway. A look of uncertainty flickered across her face eve
The house was eerily quiet as Ryan sat in the sunlit living room. The rays filtered through the curtains, but their warmth did little to lift the fog that clouded his mind. He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated. It had been weeks of the same routine. Bella left early for the office, and he was confined to the house. The walls seemed to close in on him more and more each day. "Rest," she kept saying. "You need to rest and fully heal."But he felt fine. His body was stronger. His mind? That was another story. He couldn't shake the flashes, those brief moments of clarity when another version of his life danced before his eyes, only to vanish like smoke. His thoughts were interrupted by the creak of the front door. Bella stepped inside, dressed immaculately as always, her high heels clicking against the marble floor. She smiled when she saw him, but there was something behind her eyes. Something he couldn’t quite place." Ryan, love," she called, setting her bag on the counte
“You’re lying,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “This can’t be true.” “I wish I was lying,” Luca said softly, his voice filled with regret. “But it’s the truth, Ivy. And now that you know, you’re in danger too.”Ivy shook her head, refusing to believe what she was hearing. “No,” she said, her voice rising. “This can’t be happening. My mother… she wouldn’t…” “She would,” Luca said firmly, cutting her off. “She’s done worse. And she won’t hesitate to get rid of anyone who stands as a threat to her if she thinks you’re a threat.” Ivy’s legs felt like they were going to give out beneath her. She stumbled back, collapsing into one of the armchairs, her mind racing. “Why are you telling me this?” she asked, her voice barely audible.“Because I care about you, Ivy,” Luca said, stepping closer. “I couldn’t stand by and watch as you were kept in the dark. You deserve to know the truth—so you can protect yourself.” Ivy looked up at Luca, her vision blurred by tears. “What do I do