Nicholas successfully ordered his men to capture Rudolf based on information from Felix and his informant, Kevin. The arrest went smoothly, with little resistance, and Rudolf was soon taken to the police station under tight security.The next morning, the long-awaited trial began. In the courtroom, the atmosphere was heavy. Bright lights cast shadows on the walls, and the gallery was filled with faces showing hope, anger, and anxiety. At the prosecution table, Nicholas sat with a calm yet focused expression. As the lawyer handling the case, he knew that even the smallest mistake could jeopardize his argument.Rudolf sat in the defendant’s chair, handcuffed, his face blank and without remorse. He seemed indifferent, as if the charges against him were nothing more than a game. However, Nicholas knew the truth—behind that calm demeanor was a dangerous and manipulative man, someone who had destroyed many lives.As the judge opened the session, Nicholas stood and began firmly."Your Honor,
Nicholas met Isabella at the park. She was wearing a white, knee-length dress with open shoulders, making her look elegant yet simple. She smiled as she saw Nicholas approaching, holding two cups of iced coffee. The soft afternoon sun cast a golden glow on the falling maple leaves, making them shimmer."For you," Isabella said, handing Nicholas one of the iced coffees. "I figured you’d need this after such a long day."Nicholas smiled as he took the coffee and sat down next to her on the bench. "Thanks. You’re right, it’s been a tiring day," he replied with a relieved tone.They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the tranquility of the park. Isabella sipped her coffee, then broke the silence with heartfelt sincerity. "I really want to thank you, Nicholas. Without you, I don’t think Rudolf would have received the punishment he deserved."Nicholas nodded slowly, then, with a serious tone, said, "Actually, I can’t take all the credit."Isabella looked at him, puzzled. "Wha
Felix drove with a heavy heart after leaving his office. His brief encounter with Isabella had given him relief and a renewed sense of hope. But there was still something he needed to resolve before he could truly move forward.He knew that Sarah, the woman from his past, needed him more than ever. Instead of heading to a café, Felix stopped in front of a run-down apartment on the outskirts of the city. According to Kevin, his informant, this was where Louis—the man who had ruined Sarah’s life—was hiding.Felix clenched his jaw as he stood at the door. Without hesitation, he knocked hard, gathering all the anger and regret he had held inside for so long.The door opened, and Louis appeared with a smug expression. "Felix," he said mockingly. "What do you—"Before Louis could finish his sentence, Felix’s fist collided with his face. Felix struck him repeatedly, his punches fueled by rage. Louis tried to fight back, but Felix’s vengeful strength left him powerless. With one final blow, L
"She’s growing up so fast. It feels like just yesterday she learned how to roll over." Ben chuckled from his rocking chair, watching Selena with pride. "She’s brought us a joy we never expected. Irene would be so happy to see us all together like this."Isabella fell silent for a moment, reflecting on Irene with mixed emotions. Though the pain of her loss lingered, she felt that life was slowly returning to normal. They had been through so much, and now it was time to move forward.As the room filled with warmth and light-hearted conversation, the sound of a car pulling up in the front yard caught Isabella’s attention. Curious, she stood and peeked out the window. A smile spread across her face—it was Nicholas.Nicholas stepped out of the car, carrying a large box."Hey," he greeted cheerfully as he made his way to the door. "I brought something for Selena."Isabella opened the door and welcomed him with a warm smile. "You really can’t visit without bringing gifts, can you?" she tease
Isabella and Nicholas’s wedding unfolded just as they had envisioned—intimate and serene. The bright blue sky and soft breeze created the perfect atmosphere for their celebration of love.Under the shade of tall trees and surrounded by wildflowers, guests enjoyed food, music, and moments filled with warmth.Isabella stood beside Nicholas, wearing her simple yet elegant wedding gown. From where she stood, she could see their closest friends and family, their smiles lighting up the small garden. Her heart swelled with warmth when her gaze fell on someone she never expected to see.Felix Kingston entered the garden, holding Sarah’s hand tightly. They walked side by side, and a warm smile spread across Felix’s face—a smile unlike any Isabella had seen before.Though Sarah still appeared somewhat fragile, her face showed newfound hope and happiness, as if they had left the darkness of their past behind.Isabella smiled softly as Felix and Sarah waved at her from afar. Seeing Felix truly ha
CHAPTER 1Isabella Swan stared at her reflection in the mirror, her hands shaking slightly as she smoothed her hair. She was dressed in a sleek professional outfit that mirrored the style her sister, Irene, was used to wearing. Her heart was pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. Irene had always been confident, a person who could overcome anything she faced. But now, Irene was missing, and it was up to Isabella to find her."Are you sure about this, Bella?" her best friend, Emily, asked from behind her.Isabella took a deep breath and nodded. "I have no choice. Irene needs me, and this is the only way I can find out what happened to her."It had been two weeks since Irene announced her engagement to Rudolf, a man Isabella knew was bad news. She had seen the bruises on Irene's arms, the fear in her eyes. And then, just like that, Irene disappeared. Phone calls went unanswered, and her apartment was untouched. Desperation led Isabella to make a drastic decision: she would a
CHAPTER 2Isabella Swan sipped her coffee as she looked around the bustling cafe. It was filled with writers and creatives, each engrossed in their own world. Across from her sat Peter, her chatty editor, who was waving his arms excitedly as he discussed the upcoming publication of her novel on an online platform."Isabella, this is going to be great!" Peter exclaimed, his excitement obvious. "Your readers will love the surprises in this new chapter. And the character development? Brilliant!"Isabella smiled, appreciating Peter's enthusiasm despite his tendency to ramble. "Thank you, Peter. I'm glad we can finally finish the editing process."Peter nodded vigorously. "Of course. Now, about next week's launch event-"Isabella's cell phone buzzed, interrupting her. She glanced at the screen, seeing a message from her parents, Ben and Rose. It contained the address of Rudolf, her sister Irene's boyfriend. Her heart tightened. Irene had been missing for days, and this clue was the only le
CHAPTER 3After waiting for fifteen minutes, Rose finally woke up. She tried to calm herself down and saw Isabella and her husband, Ben, sitting waiting for her. Sighing, Rose finally started the conversation."If Irene and Rudolf no longer live in the apartment, where are they now?"Ben and Isabella exchanged glances, neither of them had any idea about Irene's whereabouts who seemed to have disappeared into thin air two weeks after they announced their engagement.Then, Isabella tried to take charge of this situation. "I'll look for Irene, you don't have to think about it too much, Mom."Isabella already knew that her mother had a history of heart disease that could be life-threatening, and at any time could make Rose die. Isabella did not want anything bad to happen to her parents. She looked at Rose, then gently grasped her mother's hand. While nodding her head, Isabella tried to reassure her mother that everything would be fine."I'll find Irene, Mom."Rose smiled a little, she fe
Isabella and Nicholas’s wedding unfolded just as they had envisioned—intimate and serene. The bright blue sky and soft breeze created the perfect atmosphere for their celebration of love.Under the shade of tall trees and surrounded by wildflowers, guests enjoyed food, music, and moments filled with warmth.Isabella stood beside Nicholas, wearing her simple yet elegant wedding gown. From where she stood, she could see their closest friends and family, their smiles lighting up the small garden. Her heart swelled with warmth when her gaze fell on someone she never expected to see.Felix Kingston entered the garden, holding Sarah’s hand tightly. They walked side by side, and a warm smile spread across Felix’s face—a smile unlike any Isabella had seen before.Though Sarah still appeared somewhat fragile, her face showed newfound hope and happiness, as if they had left the darkness of their past behind.Isabella smiled softly as Felix and Sarah waved at her from afar. Seeing Felix truly ha
"She’s growing up so fast. It feels like just yesterday she learned how to roll over." Ben chuckled from his rocking chair, watching Selena with pride. "She’s brought us a joy we never expected. Irene would be so happy to see us all together like this."Isabella fell silent for a moment, reflecting on Irene with mixed emotions. Though the pain of her loss lingered, she felt that life was slowly returning to normal. They had been through so much, and now it was time to move forward.As the room filled with warmth and light-hearted conversation, the sound of a car pulling up in the front yard caught Isabella’s attention. Curious, she stood and peeked out the window. A smile spread across her face—it was Nicholas.Nicholas stepped out of the car, carrying a large box."Hey," he greeted cheerfully as he made his way to the door. "I brought something for Selena."Isabella opened the door and welcomed him with a warm smile. "You really can’t visit without bringing gifts, can you?" she tease
Felix drove with a heavy heart after leaving his office. His brief encounter with Isabella had given him relief and a renewed sense of hope. But there was still something he needed to resolve before he could truly move forward.He knew that Sarah, the woman from his past, needed him more than ever. Instead of heading to a café, Felix stopped in front of a run-down apartment on the outskirts of the city. According to Kevin, his informant, this was where Louis—the man who had ruined Sarah’s life—was hiding.Felix clenched his jaw as he stood at the door. Without hesitation, he knocked hard, gathering all the anger and regret he had held inside for so long.The door opened, and Louis appeared with a smug expression. "Felix," he said mockingly. "What do you—"Before Louis could finish his sentence, Felix’s fist collided with his face. Felix struck him repeatedly, his punches fueled by rage. Louis tried to fight back, but Felix’s vengeful strength left him powerless. With one final blow, L
Nicholas met Isabella at the park. She was wearing a white, knee-length dress with open shoulders, making her look elegant yet simple. She smiled as she saw Nicholas approaching, holding two cups of iced coffee. The soft afternoon sun cast a golden glow on the falling maple leaves, making them shimmer."For you," Isabella said, handing Nicholas one of the iced coffees. "I figured you’d need this after such a long day."Nicholas smiled as he took the coffee and sat down next to her on the bench. "Thanks. You’re right, it’s been a tiring day," he replied with a relieved tone.They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the tranquility of the park. Isabella sipped her coffee, then broke the silence with heartfelt sincerity. "I really want to thank you, Nicholas. Without you, I don’t think Rudolf would have received the punishment he deserved."Nicholas nodded slowly, then, with a serious tone, said, "Actually, I can’t take all the credit."Isabella looked at him, puzzled. "Wha
Nicholas successfully ordered his men to capture Rudolf based on information from Felix and his informant, Kevin. The arrest went smoothly, with little resistance, and Rudolf was soon taken to the police station under tight security.The next morning, the long-awaited trial began. In the courtroom, the atmosphere was heavy. Bright lights cast shadows on the walls, and the gallery was filled with faces showing hope, anger, and anxiety. At the prosecution table, Nicholas sat with a calm yet focused expression. As the lawyer handling the case, he knew that even the smallest mistake could jeopardize his argument.Rudolf sat in the defendant’s chair, handcuffed, his face blank and without remorse. He seemed indifferent, as if the charges against him were nothing more than a game. However, Nicholas knew the truth—behind that calm demeanor was a dangerous and manipulative man, someone who had destroyed many lives.As the judge opened the session, Nicholas stood and began firmly."Your Honor,
Isabella was visiting her parents' house and saw Selena, her little niece, cradled in the arms of Ben, her father and Irene’s. She embraced Ben warmly, feeling the unique comfort that only family could provide. Then, she handed over a box of formula she had brought especially for Selena.Ben smiled as he took the box. "Always so thoughtful, aren’t you?" he said warmly.Isabella smiled softly. "Always, for Selena." She looked at the tiny baby, sleeping soundly in Ben’s arms. "I just want to make sure she never lacks anything."They sat together in the living room, where a peaceful atmosphere surrounded them, even though the world outside was in turmoil with scandals and gossip. Isabella could feel Ben’s attentive gaze on her."So, it’s really over?" Ben asked cautiously, as if ensuring that his daughter had made the right decision. "I read about you and Nicholas on social media..."Isabella took a deep breath, feeling ready to answer. "Yes, the scandal got out of hand," she said calmly
The atmosphere in Felix’s office was more tense than usual after he and Nicholas successfully located and captured Rudolf the previous day. Their professional relationship kept bringing them together, forcing them into awkward encounters. Nicholas entered and stood before Felix."I know you want to resign from the office," Felix finally said, breaking the silence with a calm tone. "But you don’t have to do that."Nicholas leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"Felix looked directly at Nicholas, without hesitation. "I’m going to London. There’s business I need to take care of there. And more than that, I’ve decided to end my pursuit of Isabella’s love."Nicholas paused, surprised. "You’re just giving up?"Felix let out a long sigh, as if releasing a burden he had carried for a long time. "It’s not about giving up. It’s about accepting reality." He lowered his gaze briefly before continuing, "Isabella chose you, Nicholas. I have to learn to accept that."Nicho
As he reached the intersection, Felix noticed a black car parked by the roadside. Inside, a man in a leather jacket sat waiting, his expression unreadable. It was Kevin, the informant who had been helping Felix gather information about Rudolf. Felix turned off his engine and stepped out. The cold air immediately stung his skin, but he ignored it. Under the light drizzle, Kevin also exited his car, and they faced each other at the side of the road."Felix," Kevin greeted briefly, pulling up the collar of his jacket against the chilly wind. "I have news."Felix gave a sharp nod. "Tell me."Kevin slid a hand into his jacket pocket, retrieving his phone, and showed Felix a message. "We’ve found Rudolf. We tracked him to the outskirts of town, hiding in an old motel. He’s planning to flee the city tonight."Felix narrowed his eyes, his body tense. "What is he carrying?""Evidence," Kevin replied with a serious expression. "Documents and photos linking him to Irene’s murder. It seems he’s t
"Have you taken him back?" Nicholas asked, his voice low but firm.Isabella shook her head, a faint yet certain smile on her face. "No. It’s all over."Nicholas exhaled deeply, as if a heavy burden on his heart had lifted in an instant. Without saying a word, he clasped Isabella’s hand, finding peace in their shared silence. The engine purred softly, and the car rolled away from Felix’s house, leaving that chapter behind.The next day, Felix walked down the hallway of his family home, preparing himself for a confrontation with his parents. Tension hung in the air, and he knew what awaited him behind the door. As he entered the elegant living room, his mother, Sophia, stood with a furious expression on her face. In the corner of the room, his father, Michael, sat silently, observing with sharp but unreadable eyes."Felix!" Sophia shouted angrily. "You’ve been lying about your marriage to Irene all this time. You’ve brought disgrace to our family!"Felix held his breath for a moment, no