Chapter 196 Eva's point of view Camera flashes exploded like lightning as I walked into the conference room. The clicking sounds reminded me of hungry piranhas, all waiting to tear me apart. Josh's steady hand on my back was the only thing keeping me from running. Grandma Helena Sinclair strode
"Speaking of family," a sharp-voiced woman near the front smiled like a shark, "does your husband know? Or did you hide your true identity from Max Graves too?" The question knocked the breath from my lungs. Because there, standing in the doorway like a statue, was Max. His face was unreadable as
Chapter 197 Sara's point of view I can't stop my fingers from digging into the leather armrest as I watch Eva stand at the podium. She looks perfect, she always looks perfect in her expensive designer suit that probably costs more than I make for my modeling gigs. The TV's glow makes my tears loo
Chapter 198 SARA'S POINT OF VIEW "Eva Brown, or Sinclair, or whatever she wants to call herself, she's not as untouchable as she thinks." Mom's lip curls in a way I've rarely seen. "She has weaknesses. Those precious babies, for one." "Max would never let me near them after everything," my voice
Chapter 199 Emily point of view I dig my fingernails into my palms as I stand in front of William's grave. The autumn air is cold, but I barely feel it. All I can feel is the rage that's been burning inside me since the day he brought Sara and me to his mansion. "Do you remember that day, Willia
I stand up straight and brush the dirt off my expensive dress, another gift from his guilty conscience. "Remember how you always told Eva that a father's love was the best protection? Well, you can't protect her anymore. And I'm going to make sure she loses everything you gave her. The company, the
Chapter 200 Emily's point of view The parking garage feels colder than usual tonight. My heels echo against the concrete as I walk to our usual meeting spot. Level B3, far corner, away from the security cameras. I've made this walk so many times over the past months, always meeting him in his mas
Chapter 201 The wind moved through the maple trees outside Harrison Elementary as four matching lunch boxes sat on the cafeteria table. Mia, James, Leo, and Sam sat at their usual table, their matching lunch boxes lined up like always. Dad had helped them with their science projects last weekend,
Max and Eva hurried to the console. Sara's face appeared on screen, her expression tightly controlled. "Sara, what's happening?" Eva asked urgently. "Are the children alright?" "They're fine," Sara assured them. "But we have a situation. Something you need to see." She turned the camera to show a
Max quickly adjusted his radio. "They knew our protocols. Rodriguez gave them everything." "Or someone else did," Eva pointed out. "Remember what he said about not being the only one." The passage sloped downward, leading to another hidden panel. This would put them in the west wing, where they co
The first bullet shattered the front window, sending glass across the marble floor. Max shoved Eva down behind a cabinet just as a second shot punched through where she had stood. "Stay low!" he shouted, drawing his gun while seeking better cover. Jensen's voice crackled over the radio. "Six hosti
For the first time, genuine conflict showed on Rodriguez's face. "I never wanted the children hurt. That wasn't part of the original plan." "Then help us protect them," Eva pleaded. "I can't betray..." "You already have," Max interrupted. "The moment you put our children in danger." Rodriguez st
Rodriguez's jaw tightened, but he remained silent. "We found the envelope in your car," Jensen added. "The one with the burned photos. You brought it in yourself." Max slammed his hand on the table. "My six-year-old daughter has nightmares because of information you provided! My children are in hi
Morning light filled the security office as Jensen spread documents across the table. "These are all communications from the past month. If there's a leak, we'll find it here." Max nodded, rubbing tired eyes. Victoria's warning about a spy within their security team had triggered immediate action.
As Eva and Max walked back to the main house, the night air cool around them, Max kept his voice low. "Are you sure about this? Having her here?" "No," Eva admitted honestly. "But I'm even less sure about sending her away to be hunted by Diana." "She threatened our children, Eva," Max reminded her
Inside, Victoria stood awkwardly in the center of the living room, suddenly seeming unsure of herself. Without the cover of darkness, her scars were starkly visible under the warm lighting, the contrast between her damaged and undamaged sides even more pronounced. "I'll have clothes brought over,"
The convoy of black SUVs cut through the night, headlights carving paths through the fog. Eva sat in the back seat of the lead vehicle, watching rain streak across bulletproof glass. Across from her, Victoria stared out her own window, damaged profile turned away as if to spare Eva the sight of her