The question caught everyone off guard. Mrs. Thompson turned to Grandpa with a cautious, observant look, trying to gauge his mood before responding.“Grandpa, this is her,” Mrs. Thompson said, pointing at Lily with a forced smile.Grandpa Thompson’s sharp, scrutinizing gaze shifted to Lily. His eyes raked over her from head to toe, lingering long enough to make her visibly uncomfortable. Lily froze under his stare, unable to move or even look away. Her wide, fearful eyes mirrored the storm of emotions raging inside her.“You think you can fool me with a substitute?” Grandpa finally snapped, his authoritative tone cutting through the tense atmosphere. “I want to see your wife! Not a stand-in!”Despite his age, his voice carried the same commanding presence it likely had decades ago, and the room seemed to shrink under the weight of his words.Lily clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as her face flushed with anger. I’m not a substitute, she thought bitterly. Lilian is t
This all made sense to them. Marcus clenched his fists as he listened to the ongoing conversation. He had always known that most of the tension in the family stemmed from him—his lack of focus, his inability to meet their expectations. But hearing his mother speak about it openly, and so casually, struck a nerve. It filled him with a silent, simmering fury.“That’s enough,” Mrs. Thompson interjected with a calm but deliberate smile, cutting through the awkward air. “Dad, don’t blame Marcus for this.”Grandpa sighed, his stern expression barely softening. He scanned the room with slow, deliberate movements, as though calculating his next words. Finally, he spoke. “Alright then. Where is Lilian now? Is she in the country?” His voice was tinged with curiosity but layered with something else—something harder to define.Mrs. Thompson and Lily exchanged a quick glance, the kind that carried volumes of unspoken words. Mrs. Thompson hesitated for only a moment before responding. “I’m not sure
Grandpa accepted the gift with feigned reluctance. “What is it?” he asked, his tone gruff as he unwrapped the package. But the sternness in his voice softened when he saw what lay inside—a beautifully crafted vintage pipe, one that matched the collection he cherished. For a fleeting moment, his lips twitched, almost forming a smile.“She’s thoughtful, isn’t she, Grandpa?” Mrs. Thompson asked, a sly smile playing on her lips. She knew her father-in-law well. This was precisely the kind of gift that could soften his otherwise rigid demeanor, especially toward Lily, whom he had been so skeptical about.Grandpa grunted, his pride keeping him from showing too much appreciation. “Just because of this doesn’t mean I’ll accept her,” he muttered, his tone flat. Yet, anyone watching closely could see the subtle shift in his expression. It lacked the harshness he had displayed earlier when Lily had been introduced to him.The room fell into a comfortable silence until the maid entered, her postu
Grandpa was impressed, though he wouldn’t admit it aloud. He had assumed Lily was just another spoiled young woman—a pampered mistress who didn’t know how to do anything useful. But her actions today had proved him wrong.Marcus glanced at his wristwatch, the subtle movement catching Grandpa’s attention.“Do you have work to do?” Grandpa asked, his tone direct.Marcus nodded. “Yes, I need to take care of something at the company,” he replied respectfully.Grandpa raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing him for a moment. Then he gave a curt nod. “You can leave, then,” he said simply.Lily, who had been sitting quietly, felt a wave of relief. She had been eager to leave but didn’t dare voice it. She cast a helpless look at Marcus, silently pleading with him to include her.Mrs. Thompson noticed Lily’s discomfort and decided to intervene. “Lily, you should go with him,” she said, smiling kindly.Lily’s eyes lit up, and she turned to Mrs. Thompson with a grateful smile. “Okay, Mom,” she said quic
Everything had been going smoothly for Lilian. Her brothers had taken charge of all the party preparations, leaving her with only one job: to rest at home. Though she felt restless, wanting to contribute, they were adamant. “Just relax, Lilian,” they insisted. “You’ve been working too hard. Let us handle this.”With no choice but to follow their instructions, Lilian spent her time reading, watching TV, and trying to enjoy the rare chance to slow down. It wasn’t easy for her, though. She loved being hands-on, and sitting idle felt unnatural.That morning, as the sunlight streamed through the curtains, Lilian walked into the living room. The house was quiet except for the faint rustle of leaves outside. She immediately noticed her dad sitting on the couch, a cup of coffee in his hand, his face relaxed and thoughtful.“Good morning, Dad,” Lilian greeted, her voice light and cheerful. A smile spread across her face as she stepped closer.Her dad looked up at her, his expression softening.
Lilian opened the backseat door for Matt, gesturing for him to hop into the car. As he climbed in, his eyes widened in surprise the moment they landed on his grandpa sitting in the front seat.“Grandpa!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. His face immediately broke into a big smile.“Yes, it’s me,” Grandpa replied, turning slightly in his seat to look at Matt. “Are you happy to see me?”Matt nodded enthusiastically, his head bobbing up and down. “Yes, yes!” he said repeatedly, his grin stretching from ear to ear.Lilian couldn’t help but smile at their exchange as she closed the door for Matt. She then made her way to the passenger side, opened the door, and slipped into the seat next to her dad.Her father started the car, a contented smile lingering on his face as he glanced in the rearview mirror at Matt. The car smoothly rolled away from the school parking lot, leaving behind the afternoon buzz of children and parents.“So, young man,” Grandpa said as he adjusted the
Lilian sat comfortably on the couch in the living room, scrolling through her phone with a relaxed expression. The house was peaceful, the soft hum of the air conditioner blending with the quiet sounds of the afternoon. It was one of those rare moments when everything seemed to be in place. Her mind wandered briefly to the events of the day, but the tranquility was broken when she heard the familiar sound of footsteps.It was Matt, her young son, bounding into the room with the energy that only a child could muster. His face was lit with excitement, a wide grin spreading across his features.Lilian raised an eyebrow as she saw him approaching. “You’re done with your school assignment?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and playful suspicion.Matt nodded confidently, his chest puffed out slightly as if he had just accomplished something monumental. “Yes, I’m done,” he said, a smug smile creeping across his face.Lilian couldn’t help but roll her eyes at his display but didn’t hide
Matt held his grandpa’s hand tightly as they strolled through the garden, the sunlight filtering through the trees and casting soft patterns on the ground. Grandpa walked with a steady, deliberate pace, his cane tapping rhythmically against the stone path.As they approached a shaded area with a circle of chairs, a group of elderly men, all Grandpa’s friends, were already seated, chatting animatedly. Their conversations quieted when they noticed Grandpa arriving.The men lit up at the sight of him, their faces brightening with smiles. One of them, a stern-looking man with a surprisingly warm grin, stood up first.“You’re finally here!” he exclaimed, his tone laced with both humor and affection.“Yes, I’m here,” Grandpa replied with a slight nod, his voice calm but laced with authority.“Come, let’s sit down and enjoy ourselves,” the man said, gesturing toward the empty chairs. He led Grandpa to a comfortable spot, and Matt followed closely, sitting down beside his grandfather.As they
Hello, dear readers, This book will soon be marked as complete, and I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for everything—your comments, your votes, and your support from the very beginning to the very end. Last month was my birthday, and it was also a month of fasting, so I wasn’t able to update as often. But you can follow me to stay updated on my new stories! Thank you so much—I love you all! ❤️
“Daddy! Mom is looking for you!” Matt called out, his voice urgent.Marcus immediately stepped into the room and hurried toward Lilian, who sat on the bed, cradling her swollen belly.“Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes scanning her face for any sign of distress.Lilian let out a shaky breath. “I think my water just broke,” she said.Marcus’ eyes widened. He turned to Matt without hesitation.“Go find your uncles and grandma. Tell them your mom is in labor.”Matt didn’t waste a second. He spun around and dashed out of the room, his heart racing with excitement. His baby sister was finally coming!Lilian was rushed to the hospital without delay.Inside the delivery room, Marcus refused to leave her side. He hadn’t been there for Matt’s birth, and he wasn’t about to miss this one.But as he watched Lilian endure contraction after contraction, pain twisting her face, he felt helpless. His fists clenched at his sides. He wished he could take the pain for her.He tightened his grip on her h
Matt’s eyes were fixed on the big screen, his brows furrowed in deep concentration.“Is it impossible to crack?” he asked, turning to Marcus.Marcus shrugged. “Seems like it.”Matt studied him for a moment, then narrowed his eyes at the screen. “I can try,” he said.Marcus stood up, making room for Matt to take his place at the laptop.The moment Matt’s fingers touched the keyboard, they moved with a speed and precision that left Marcus stunned. He had never seen Matt type before, and watching him now was mesmerizing. He did it with such ease, such confidence—it was clear he knew exactly what he was doing.Marcus crossed his arms and nodded in approval, feeling an unexpected surge of pride.“Done!” Matt announced, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.Marcus immediately leaned in, eyes scanning the screen. His breath caught for a second—Matt had actually done it. The code was cracked.“Wow,” Marcus muttered, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Good job.”Without
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