Lilian waved her hand repeatedly, her delicate fingers moving back and forth in a deliberate motion. She waited patiently until the receptionist finally snapped out of her trance.“You…” The receptionist’s voice faltered as her trembling hand pointed at Lilian. Her eyes were wide, brimming with disbelief, as if she had just seen a ghost.“What?” Lilian asked, breaking into a soft laugh. She tilted her head slightly, feigning confusion at the receptionist’s dramatic reaction. Deep down, though, she had anticipated this. After all, such a response was only natural.“You’re really siblings?” the receptionist asked, her voice rising with incredulity. She leaned forward, her gaze darting between Lilian and the elevator as though Moses himself might suddenly reappear to confirm this shocking revelation.Lilian nodded with a small smile, her lips curving just enough to tease. She raised a finger to her lips in a mock secret gesture and whispered, “Secret.”The receptionist blinked rapidly, n
Lily strolled through the opulent shopping mall, her heels clicking against the marble floors. Bright lights reflected off every polished surface, highlighting luxurious store displays adorned with gowns, jewelry, and accessories. The mall bustled with activity: shoppers chattering excitedly, clerks adjusting displays, and the faint hum of a distant piano playing a soft melody. For Lily, this was no ordinary day—this was wedding shopping, the day she’d anticipated ever since she had said “yes” to Marcus.Her two closest friends, Joy and Medusa, accompanied her, their arms laden with shopping bags from previous stops. Joy, ever lively and opinionated, seemed almost as thrilled as Lily herself. Medusa, on the other hand, was quieter, occasionally offering a hesitant smile or a murmured agreement.They arrived at a high-end jewelry store, its entrance marked by shimmering chandeliers and a red carpet runner that hinted at exclusivity. Lily’s eyes immediately scanned the dazzling array of
Medusa smiled politely at Lily, her demeanor calm and composed. “Thank you for your offer, but I don’t think there’s any need for that,” she said, her voice even, though there was a trace of unease behind her words.Lily’s expression hardened instantly. Her perfectly manicured nails drummed against the counter, and her jaw tightened as her eyes bore into Medusa. “Medusa!” she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut through glass. “If you want to attend my wedding, you must get a new dress!” Her voice rose with each word, filled with the kind of authority she had perfected over years of getting her way.Medusa’s polite smile faltered as her brow furrowed. “Why does it matter so much?” she asked, her voice soft but tinged with frustration. She looked at Lily, her shoulders tensing as though bracing herself for the inevitable.Before Lily could launch into what would no doubt be a tirade, Joy interjected with a cheerful laugh that seemed almost out of place. “Of course, she’ll get a new dr
“Huh?” Medusa blinked her eyes innocently, tilting her head slightly as if she didn’t understand why Lily seemed so upset.“You picked a gown worth $550,000?” Lily’s voice was sharp with disbelief, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Medusa.Medusa smiled, not even flinching under Lily’s gaze. “It was the most beautiful and rare piece there,” she said with a touch of smugness. “I couldn’t resist.”Lily scoffed. “Can you afford to pay for it? Do you even have that kind of money in your account?” She crossed her arms, her voice thick with condescension.Before Medusa could respond, Joy quickly jumped in, trying to smooth over the situation. “I think the dresses here are all quite expensive, Lily,” she said, her tone calm and reassuring. “This is actually one of the more affordable options here.”Lily’s expression flickered, her posture stiffening before she forced a smile. “Oh, really?” she asked, her voice still laced with suspicion.Joy nodded, her smile unwavering. “Yes, you can even
“Damn,” Medusa gasped, her eyes wide as she stared at her phone screen.The room fell into silence as everyone turned to look at her.“What’s wrong?” Joy asked, her voice laced with concern.Medusa didn’t take her eyes off the phone. “A friend of mine just sent me some pictures, that’s all,” she replied, her voice calm, though a hint of tension lingered.Joy raised an eyebrow. “What pictures? Let me see them,” she said, stretching her hand out toward Medusa.Medusa hesitated for a moment before handing her phone over to Joy. Joy took it and immediately began scrolling through the images, her expression shifting from curiosity to something darker.Glory leaned in, trying to see the picture as well. She gasped quietly when she recognized what was on the screen, her gaze flickering to Lily.“When was this?” Joy asked, looking at Medusa to confirm that it wasn’t an old picture.Medusa shrugged casually. “She said she met them yesterday at a coffee shop,” she explained, her tone indifferen
Lily drove to Marcus’s office in a fury. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as frustration boiled inside her. She barely slowed down as she swerved into the parking lot, yanking the car into an uneven spot before slamming it into park. She didn’t care how haphazardly she’d parked—she had bigger things on her mind.She threw the door open, her heels clicking furiously on the pavement as she marched toward the office building. The heat of her anger seemed to radiate off her, drawing glances from passersby, but she was too focused to notice.Inside, Marcus’s assistant looked up from his desk with wide eyes as Lily strode toward him. The young man opened his mouth to speak, to stop her maybe, but something about her stormy expression froze him in place.“Ma’am, Mr. Marcus—” he stammered, but Lily ignored him completely.She pushed past his desk, her hand already on the door handle. Without so much as a knock, she shoved the door open and stepped insid
“What?” Lilian asked, her face etched with a frown.The female employee misinterpreted her reaction, thinking Lilian was jealous and saw her as competition.“I’m just jealous of you, that’s all,” the employee said with an awkward smile.Lilian raised an eyebrow, confused. “He’s my brother, not my boyfriend!” she clarified, returning the smile.The employee froze, stunned by the revelation. For a few moments, she stood motionless as Lilian turned back to the mirror, inspecting the dress before removing it.When she noticed the employee still staring at her in shock, Lilian tilted her head. “What?” she asked again, her tone light.The employee snapped out of her thoughts and quickly shook her head. “Nothing. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding,” she said, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.Lilian smiled gently. “It’s fine. I understand. No harm done,” she replied reassuringly.“Thank you,” the employee murmured, relieved.Lilian left the changing room and headed toward Noah, who was
Lily came back to her senses as soon as she got home, slamming the door behind her. Her chest heaved with anger and regret. What had she been thinking? She should never have gone to confront Lilian like that. Charging into a public place to cause a scene? It wasn’t like her. Now she was sure people must have recorded her outburst. Videos of her yelling, gesturing, and acting like some crazed, jealous woman were probably circulating online already. The thought made her stomach churn.Clenching her fists tightly, she paced back and forth in her small living room. “What have I done?” she muttered under her breath. Her gaze darted around, searching for her phone. After a moment of frantic searching, she spotted it on the table. She grabbed it with trembling hands and dialed her mother’s number.As soon as the call connected, Lily’s emotions spilled over. “Mom,” she cried, her voice cracking.Her mother’s concerned voice came through the line instantly. “Lily? What’s wrong? Did Marcus do s
Lilian walked into the house that evening, surprised to see her father with an elderly man. They were deep in conversation, as if they had been friends for years. “Dad,” Lilian greeted him. Gabriel looked up and smiled. “You’re back. How was work?” he asked. “It was fine, Dad,” she replied, turning her attention to the elderly man. “Good evening, sir,” she greeted him politely. “How are you doing?” the man asked, his face lighting up with a warm smile. “I’m doing very well, sir. What about you?” Lilian responded, offering him a smile of her own. “I’m doing fine. You look so beautiful,” the old man said, nodding his head approvingly. Lilian blushed at the compliment. “Thank you, sir.” “This is Marcus’ grandfather,” Gabriel introduced. Lilian froze in surprise. She had never met Marcus’ grandfather before. This was her first time meeting him. “Oh! Hello, sir!” she greeted him warmly, now understanding who he was. “We never met when you and Marcus were still together,” the old
The next day, Linda was arrested and charged with attempted murder and kidnapping. Additionally, her history of bullying had led to a young woman’s suicide, further worsening her case. The weight of her crimes was undeniable, and with the overwhelming evidence against her, there was no room for denial.As soon as the police took her into custody, news of her arrest spread quickly. Social media was flooded with posts about the woman who had orchestrated kidnappings, attempted murders, and had driven someone to their death through sheer cruelty.In the cold, gray confines of the prison, Linda sat on a hard bench, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The prison cell smelled of rust and sweat, and the metal bars that caged her in seemed to close in more with each passing second.Then, the sound of approaching footsteps made her stiffen. She looked up, and her expression immediately twisted into one of pure hatred.The man she had once deceived—manipulated into risking his life for her
Marcus sat at his desk, fingers moving swiftly across his laptop keyboard as he reviewed the latest security reports. His office was quiet except for the rhythmic tapping of his fingers. The sunlight streaming through the window cast a soft glow on the room, highlighting the expensive furnishings and the neatly organized stacks of paperwork on his desk.A sudden knock at the door interrupted his focus.“Come in,” he called out without looking up.The door swung open, and when he finally looked up, he was surprised to see Lilian standing there with Matt by her side.His brows lifted slightly, but his expression quickly softened. He hadn’t expected to see them today.Matt, beaming with excitement, didn’t wait for an invitation. He stepped forward, walking straight toward Marcus’s desk.“Good morning!” the boy greeted enthusiastically.Marcus stood from his chair, his gaze shifting between Lilian and Matt. His lips curled into a rare, genuine smile. “Good morning, Matt. How are you?”“I’
Marcus shrugged and turned to Moses, pulling out his phone. With a swipe, he brought up a picture of Linda and held it out for him to see.Moses squinted at the image, his brow furrowing. Something about her seemed familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.“She…” he muttered, trying to recall. He knew this woman—he was sure of it. But from where?“She used to work for your company,” Marcus supplied, his tone flat. “She got fired, and after that, she developed a deep hatred for Lilian. She believed Lilian was the reason she lost her job.”Moses clenched his fists. “Damn it.” His jaw tightened as guilt weighed down on him. He should have been keeping an eye on Linda, should have monitored her actions. If he had, maybe Lilian wouldn’t have been dragged into this mess.Marcus exhaled sharply before turning back to the captive man. He crossed his arms and studied him carefully. “Sooo… are you ready?” he asked, his tone casual but laced with authority.The man slowly lifted his head, his ex
Marcus pulled out his phone as he strode into the dimly lit warehouse. His fingers moved swiftly across the screen as he dialed Moses’ number.The call connected after two rings.“Who else did you tell about me taking those men to the warehouse?” Marcus asked, his voice calm but firm.Moses hesitated for a second before answering, “Noah.”Marcus frowned slightly. “Is he a hacker?”“No, he’s not. Why? What’s wrong?” Moses’ voice carried a hint of concern. “Did they escape?”“No, they didn’t.” Marcus’ eyes darkened as he recalled the email Hilary had received. “But my assistant just got an email… and it contains every detail we need.”There was silence on the other end for a moment before Moses spoke again. “Where are you right now?”“I’m on my way to the warehouse,” Marcus replied as he continued walking.“Okay, I’m coming now,” Moses said. Marcus could hear the rustling of movement, as if he was already getting up.“Alright.” Marcus ended the call.The cold, musty air of the warehouse
Lilian woke up to the sound of the door creaking open. A soft shuffle of footsteps followed, and she turned her head in the direction of the noise. The doctor and a nurse walked in, their expressions neutral but observant as they approached.She sat up slowly, rubbing her temples as confusion settled in. Something felt… off. Her eyes widened when she looked down and realized she was lying on the hospital bed.How?She clearly remembered sitting on the chair by Marcus’ bedside. She had rested her head against the mattress for a bit, but she was certain she had never moved. Had someone placed her on the bed while she was asleep? But who?Her gaze flickered toward Marcus, who was still sitting in the chair beside her, watching her with a calm expression.The doctor and nurse also seemed surprised to find her in bed instead of the chair. The doctor hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.“Good morning, sir,” he greeted Marcus respectfully.Marcus gave a curt nod, acknowledging him
Lilian’s gaze dropped to Marcus’s arm, her brows furrowing at the sight of the fresh wounds. His knuckles were red and raw, and there was a thin trickle of blood trailing down his hand.“Are you okay?” she asked softly, concern evident in her tone.Marcus looked at her, his expression unreadable. After a brief silence, he gave a slow nod. “Yes, I’m fine,” he murmured. His voice was rough, as if the weight of his emotions had drained him completely.He took a step forward, intending to close the space between them.Then—A sharp, unmistakable crunch echoed through the room.Marcus winced, his entire body stiffening. His foot had landed directly on the shattered glass strewn across the floor from his earlier outburst. A sharp pain shot up his leg, but he barely reacted.Lilian’s eyes widened. “Marcus—”He groaned, feeling the sting deepen as he shifted his weight.Lilian instinctively moved toward him, her hands reaching out to steady him. But before she could get close, he raised a han
Hilary walked into the office, his heart pounding, his hands clammy. The weight of the situation pressed down on him like a storm cloud. Security had immediately stepped in, and within moments, they were escorting her away. The woman who had deceived them for so many years—Lily—was finally being removed from their lives.Marcus stood motionless, his jaw clenched so tightly it ached. His fists curled at his sides, his entire body rigid with suppressed rage. His mind reeled, struggling to process the truth that had just shattered everything he had ever believed.He had been deceived. Lied to. For years.His whole life had been shaped by a single moment—a memory that had led him down the wrong path, making him believe in something that wasn’t real. And because of that false belief, he had lost the most important person in his life.His wife.The reason he had been so overprotective of Lily all these years wasn’t just because he cared for her—it was because, as a child, he had nearly drow
Marcus returned to the office, his mind still racing from the events of the past few days. The moment he stepped inside, Hilary walked in as well, his usual composed expression in place. He held a tablet in his hand, ready for orders.“Sir.”Marcus barely spared him a glance before speaking. “Investigate the other guy—the one who refused to talk at first. I want to know everything about him and the woman he’s trying to protect.” His voice was sharp, his patience running thin.Hilary immediately nodded, his fingers already moving to jot down the details. “Understood, boss. I’ll get started on it right away.” He turned toward the door, preparing to leave.“Wait,” Marcus said, stopping him in his tracks.Hilary turned back, standing at attention. “Yes, sir?”Marcus hesitated for a brief moment, his fingers twitching slightly as he recalled something that had been gnawing at him. “I saw a scar on Lilian when she was taking care of me in the hospital… and I remember seeing the same scar on