The hospital room was dimly lit, only the soft hum of machines filling the silence. Ryan Kendrick lay in the bed, his face pale but his sharp eyes alert. Luca sat beside him, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, listening closely as Ryan recounted the fragmented memories that had finally started to return to him.“So, you remember everything?” Luca asked, keeping his voice low. His eyes scanned the room, almost as if he expected someone to be listening in. Ryan nodded slowly, his voice rough from disuse. “Almost everything. It’s still fuzzy in parts, but I know enough to understand what’s going on.” He shifted slightly, grimacing from the pain in his side. “I need you to promise me something, Luca.”Luca’s brow furrowed, concerned. “What is it?”Ryan took a deep breath, glancing towards the door before meeting Luca’s gaze. “You can’t tell anyone I’ve regained my memory. Not yet.”Luca blinked, surprised. “Not even Ivy?”Ryan’s expression hardened. “Especially not Ivy.”Luca le
“I have recordings, Ryan. Of Victor and the others. They’re planning to empty the company’s accounts and expose your father’s dirty dealings to ruin his name. They think they’ve already won.”Ryan’s face hardened further, a dark storm brewing in his eyes. “Good. Let them think they’ve won. It’ll make it that much sweeter when we take them down.”There was a pause, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. Luca shifted in his seat, thinking about the gravity of their situation. This wasn’t just about saving Kendrick Enterprises—it was about taking back control from everyone who had betrayed Ryan.“So,” Luca began cautiously, “how do we go about this without tipping anyone off? You know your mother is going to be watching closely. If she senses anything, she’ll act.”Ryan’s eyes narrowed, his mind already working through the details. “We need to make her believe she’s in control. Let her think everything is going according to her plan. Meanwhile, we gather our evidence, quietl
Ivy paced the polished marble floors of the Kendrick mansion, her phone pressed tightly to her ear as her heart raced. The voice on the other end of the line was cold, indifferent, delivering a message that felt like a punch to the gut.“I’m sorry, Ivy, but we have no choice. Effective immediately, you are relieved of your position with the agency. The accusations of stolen designs are serious, and we can’t afford to keep you on under these circumstances.”Ivy’s breath hitched in her throat. “Stolen designs? That’s insane! I’ve been loyal to this company for years. I created those designs myself!” Her voice shook with disbelief, and her hands trembled as she struggled to maintain composure.“Ivy, the evidence is all over the internet. We’ve received multiple complaints from other designers. You’re trending on every major blog and social media platform right now, and it’s not in a good way. Our hands are tied.”The call ended abruptly, leaving Ivy staring blankly at the phone in her h
The call ended, leaving Ivy even more devastated than before. She dropped the phone, her body going numb. Her world was truly falling apart.Luca’s eyes widened as he realized the magnitude of what was happening. “Ivy… we need to find out who’s behind this.”Just as he said that another notification popped up on Ivy’s phone—a headline that made both of them freeze."Bella Kendrick Inherits Major Shares in Kendrick Enterprises. A New Era Begins!"Ivy’s eyes narrowed as a dark realization dawned on her. “Bella…”Luca grabbed her phone and quickly read through the article. “She’s claiming your father left her a substantial part of the company. She’s using this scandal to distract everyone while she takes control.”Ivy’s hands clenched into fists, her anger now boiling over. “That bitch! She’s been plotting this the whole time.”Luca stood up, pacing the room as his mind worked through the possibilities. “It makes sense. Bella’s always wanted power, and now with Ryan out of commission and
Ryan sat on the edge of his hospital bed, still groggy from the effects of his recent injuries, when his phone buzzed on the bedside table. He picked it up, squinting at the bright screen. The notification that greeted him made his stomach churn—"Ivy Kendrick Caught in Stolen Design Scandal!" blared the headline, followed by endless comments tearing his sister apart. He stared at the screen in disbelief, scrolling through post after post that dragged Ivy’s name through the mud.“What the hell…?” Ryan muttered, his heart pounding as he quickly dialed Ivy's number. It rang once, twice, before Ivy’s shaky voice came through. “Hello?”“What the hell is going on, Ivy?” Ryan barked, his voice sharp with concern. “What is this? I’m seeing all over the Internet about you stealing designs. Is this some kind of joke?”Ivy sniffled on the other end, but before she could respond, Ryan cut her off. “I’ll be at the mansion in ten minutes.”He ended the call abruptly, his blood boiling. Shoving his
Bella stepped into the quiet Kendrick mansion, her heels clicking on the marble floor as she surveyed her surroundings. The house seemed unusually still, almost eerily so. She furrowed her brows, half expecting to see Ryan lounging on the couch or flipping through business papers, but the living room was empty.Her curiosity piqued, Bella stopped a passing maid. "Where's Ryan?"The maid looked startled for a moment before she quickly composed herself. "Mr. Ryan left the house earlier today, ma'am. He hasn’t returned yet."Bella’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. "He left? Where did he go?"The maid shook her head. "I’m sorry, ma'am. He didn’t say."Bella waved the maid off, feeling a knot of unease begin to form in her stomach. Ryan leaving without telling her was one thing, but his being gone for hours on end without a word? That was out of character. Especially now. Her mind raced, thinking back to the last few days and the subtle changes she had noticed in him. Ryan had been quiet, unus
The atmosphere inside the dimly lit room was suffocating, almost too quiet for comfort. Iris lay on a small, uncomfortable bed, her hands resting over her swollen belly. She could feel the weight of each breath she took as if the air had become heavy with tension. The room had become her prison for months now, but lately, she could feel a shift—her time was drawing near.She winced slightly as the baby inside her kicked, a reminder that she wasn’t alone, despite the loneliness that consumed her. She was nearing her delivery date, and the nurse who came to check on her regularly had confirmed it during her last visit.“It won’t be long now, Ms. Iris,” the nurse had said softly, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. “You need to rest as much as you can.”But how could Iris rest? She had spent the last month locked up in this room, her fate uncertain, surrounded by enemies who were waiting for the moment she became vulnerable. She knew that once she gave birth, her life would be in even gr
The once vibrant Kendrick mansion, always buzzing with activity, now stood still, suffocating in an air of despair. The echoes of laughter and lively conversations had faded, replaced by heavy silence. Ivy had locked herself in her room for days, refusing to come out, refusing to speak. No one dared to disturb her any longer—not even Mrs. Rose, who had tried relentlessly to get through to her.Inside her room, Ivy sat curled up in a corner, her eyes swollen from crying. Tear-streaked lines ran down her cheeks, her once-perfect appearance now unrecognizable. She had refused to eat, to sleep, or to let anyone in. Her world had crumbled in the blink of an eye, and now she was drowning in her own guilt and shame. Everything she had built—her career, her reputation, her self-worth—was gone.Another knock came at the door, this time softer than before.“Ivy,” Mrs. Rose’s voice filtered through the heavy wooden door, her tone gentle but firm. “Please, sweetheart, you need to eat something.
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