The warm water cascaded over Lia’s shoulders as she turned to Ray, her lips curving into a small, playful smile. “You know,” she began, her tone teasing, “it’s such a waste to let all this water run just for me. Why don’t you join me? We can save some water… and I can spite Lilly while I’m at it.”Ray raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching with amusement. “Spite Lilly? You do know that you, right?” Why will she want to spite herself, she so weird.Lia shrugged, her wet hair clinging to her back. “Doesn’t mean I can’t annoy myself. Besides, I might need some help. Who better than my darling cutie of a husband to make sure I don’t slip?”He sighed but couldn’t hide the fondness in his eyes as he began unbuttoning his shirt. “You’re impossible, you know that?”“And you love it,” Lia quipped, her voice light despite the lingering tension in the room.Once undressed, Ray stepped into the shower, his presence grounding her instantly. His hands moved with careful precision, helping her rinse
Lia leaned forward, her voice dropping to a cool, calculated whisper as she fixed Dr. Harris with an unwavering gaze. “We’re not done yet, Doctor.”Dr. Harris tensed, his breath catching in his throat. “What… what do you mean?”She tilted her head slightly, her expression deceptively calm. “The story you’re going to tell Ray isn’t good enough yet. He’s not a fool, and you know that. ‘Pregnancy hormones’ won’t cut it. You’ll say it’s mental exhaustion, the aftereffects of trauma from my kidnapping. That’s the narrative he’ll believe—clean and simple.”‘You’re surprisingly smart, dummy head,’ Lilly’s voice echoed in her mind.‘I’m always smart, body thief,’ Lia bragged, inwardly smirking.‘Yeah, right. You’re only smart because my twin created you,’ Lilly teased.Dr. Harris glanced at her oddly but said nothing, his hands trembling as he nodded quickly. “Yes, of course. Mental exhaustion. Trauma. That makes sense.”“Good,” Lia said, her smile widening into something both sweet and sinis
Ray gripped the steering wheel tightly as Jerry’s words echoed through the car speakers. His jaw clenched, his patience running thin. “Do you need helping talking, get on it man I don’t have all day” Ray said coldly?” he snapped, his voice cold.Jerry exhaled sharply on the other end. “Big bro, it’s Grandfather. He’s trying to sabotage Lilly’s company.”Ray frowned, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the road ahead. “What? Why? That doesn’t make any sense. And he knows in the eye of the public I’m in charge of how the company is run right?”“He sees her as a distraction for,” Jerry explained, his tone heavy. “And let’s be honest—she’s drawn a lot of problems to us recently she comes with loads of complications like. But I think it’s more than that. I believe he knows why those kidnappers’ heads blew up. This is his way of creating a distraction while keeping us in the dark.”Ray’s fingers tapped the steering wheel rhythmically, his mind racing. “That doesn’t add up. No one informed h
Chapter 129: Change “The new K branch in China revealed the design of a laptop set to be released next week,” Drake explained, his voice taut with frustration. “Unfortunately, the design looks practically identical to Anderson’s models. It’s like they didn’t even try to make any significant changes.” Ray took a deep breath, his jaw tightening in disappointment. Why would Grandfather do this? Openly declaring war against Lilly’s company and framing Ray in the process—it was a move as cunning as it was cruel. After a long pause, Ray exhaled sharply and ended the call without another word. As soon as Lia arrived at the company, her determined stride carried her into the building with unwavering purpose. Her voice was sharp as she instructed Chloe, “Get the board members ready for an emergency meeting immediately. I want solutions on the table as soon as possible.” Lilly’s voice echoed in her mind, cutting through the tension. ‘The board members are definitely fuming right now.’ ‘Do
“Stupid, you say?” Lia’s voice was a venomous whisper, yet it filled the room with a dangerous energy. Her gaze, cold and unwavering, locked on James. “You seem to have forgotten your place, Father. Or do you need help being reminded?”The sheer force of her words and the bloodlust emanating from her were enough to make James stiffen in his seat. A flicker of fear crossed his face before he masked it with a scowl.The tension in the room was suffocating, but one of the board members, Mr. Hunt, a long-time supporter of James, finally mustered the courage to speak. “President,” he began hesitantly, “it’s important to acknowledge the larger issue here. This situation wouldn’t have escalated if the designs had been handled more discreetly. Some accountability lies with—”Lia’s icy glare snapped to him, cutting him off mid-sentence. “Are you implying that I caused this?” she asked coldly, her voice steady but razor-sharp.“No—no, that’s not what I meant,” Mr. Hunt stammered, but another bo
Ray stopped mid-stride as the word “Get out” rang in the room, his expression flickering briefly with surprise.Lia’s eyes widened slightly, realizing how her words might have been interpreted. In her mind, Lilly’s voice interjected swiftly.“Don’t sabotage this, Lia. Don’t give them more ammunition. Remember, in front of the world, you two are the perfect couple. Change your words—we’re in this together.”Taking a deep breath, Lia forced her emotions under control. Straightening her posture, she corrected herself, her voice sharp yet deliberate. “I meant, get in. Since you’ve decided to grace us with your presence, you might as well contribute to the discussion.”Ray’s surprise faded, replaced by a faint, knowing smile. “Of course,” he said smoothly, walking toward her and taking the seat beside her. His confident presence amplified the already thick tension in the room.Lia turned back to the board, her gaze icy and commanding. “Let’s address the matter at hand. We will not sit idly
“You know I would never do such a thing. I won’t betray you like that,” Ray said, his voice quiet but firm, laced with an edge of coldness. “You don’t trust me, Lily?”Lia laughed bitterly, her voice hollow and sharp. “Ha… ha… haaaa! Trust? You dare to talk about trust?” Her eyes blazed with fury, her words dripping with disdain. “Why would I trust you? Your bloody company released my creation as theirs, and you dare to speak of trust. Trust you?” She scoffed, shaking her head, the sarcasm in her tone palpable.“Yes, I put you in charge publicly. Yes, the world believes you run this company. But you know what? That’s just a façade. You’re in charge on the surface. You don’t get to steal from me, Ray. Not like this.”“I know you’re frustrated, Lia, but please… turn it down,” Lilly’s voice chimed in her mind, softer this time.But Lia couldn’t hear her—or rather, she chose not to. The rage swirling inside her was too loud, too consuming. And deep down, even Lilly knew stopping her now c
She flinched at his words, her expression wavering as the weight of his sincerity pressed against her walls. But those walls were high, and the years of pain that built them weren’t so easily dismantled. The years of being locked up, the years of being denied blood she craved.“You don’t see me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “No one ever does.”And with that, she crumpled into the nearest chair, her hands covering her face as sobs wracked her body.Lilly just kept mute, because she herself does know much or what Liliana has gone through she has no memories of them.Ray stood there for a moment, helpless and heartbroken. Then, slowly, he knelt beside her, his hand hovering uncertainly before resting gently on her arm.“I do, Lia,” he murmured. “And I’m going to prove it to you. I don’t care how long it takes.”But as she cried, her pain laid bare, he wondered if his words could ever be enough.“Take me home, I’m tired and I promise to return your Lilly back to you, maybe it
She flinched at his words, her expression wavering as the weight of his sincerity pressed against her walls. But those walls were high, and the years of pain that built them weren’t so easily dismantled. The years of being locked up, the years of being denied blood she craved.“You don’t see me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “No one ever does.”And with that, she crumpled into the nearest chair, her hands covering her face as sobs wracked her body.Lilly just kept mute, because she herself does know much or what Liliana has gone through she has no memories of them.Ray stood there for a moment, helpless and heartbroken. Then, slowly, he knelt beside her, his hand hovering uncertainly before resting gently on her arm.“I do, Lia,” he murmured. “And I’m going to prove it to you. I don’t care how long it takes.”But as she cried, her pain laid bare, he wondered if his words could ever be enough.“Take me home, I’m tired and I promise to return your Lilly back to you, maybe it
“You know I would never do such a thing. I won’t betray you like that,” Ray said, his voice quiet but firm, laced with an edge of coldness. “You don’t trust me, Lily?”Lia laughed bitterly, her voice hollow and sharp. “Ha… ha… haaaa! Trust? You dare to talk about trust?” Her eyes blazed with fury, her words dripping with disdain. “Why would I trust you? Your bloody company released my creation as theirs, and you dare to speak of trust. Trust you?” She scoffed, shaking her head, the sarcasm in her tone palpable.“Yes, I put you in charge publicly. Yes, the world believes you run this company. But you know what? That’s just a façade. You’re in charge on the surface. You don’t get to steal from me, Ray. Not like this.”“I know you’re frustrated, Lia, but please… turn it down,” Lilly’s voice chimed in her mind, softer this time.But Lia couldn’t hear her—or rather, she chose not to. The rage swirling inside her was too loud, too consuming. And deep down, even Lilly knew stopping her now c
Ray stopped mid-stride as the word “Get out” rang in the room, his expression flickering briefly with surprise.Lia’s eyes widened slightly, realizing how her words might have been interpreted. In her mind, Lilly’s voice interjected swiftly.“Don’t sabotage this, Lia. Don’t give them more ammunition. Remember, in front of the world, you two are the perfect couple. Change your words—we’re in this together.”Taking a deep breath, Lia forced her emotions under control. Straightening her posture, she corrected herself, her voice sharp yet deliberate. “I meant, get in. Since you’ve decided to grace us with your presence, you might as well contribute to the discussion.”Ray’s surprise faded, replaced by a faint, knowing smile. “Of course,” he said smoothly, walking toward her and taking the seat beside her. His confident presence amplified the already thick tension in the room.Lia turned back to the board, her gaze icy and commanding. “Let’s address the matter at hand. We will not sit idly
“Stupid, you say?” Lia’s voice was a venomous whisper, yet it filled the room with a dangerous energy. Her gaze, cold and unwavering, locked on James. “You seem to have forgotten your place, Father. Or do you need help being reminded?”The sheer force of her words and the bloodlust emanating from her were enough to make James stiffen in his seat. A flicker of fear crossed his face before he masked it with a scowl.The tension in the room was suffocating, but one of the board members, Mr. Hunt, a long-time supporter of James, finally mustered the courage to speak. “President,” he began hesitantly, “it’s important to acknowledge the larger issue here. This situation wouldn’t have escalated if the designs had been handled more discreetly. Some accountability lies with—”Lia’s icy glare snapped to him, cutting him off mid-sentence. “Are you implying that I caused this?” she asked coldly, her voice steady but razor-sharp.“No—no, that’s not what I meant,” Mr. Hunt stammered, but another bo
Chapter 129: Change “The new K branch in China revealed the design of a laptop set to be released next week,” Drake explained, his voice taut with frustration. “Unfortunately, the design looks practically identical to Anderson’s models. It’s like they didn’t even try to make any significant changes.” Ray took a deep breath, his jaw tightening in disappointment. Why would Grandfather do this? Openly declaring war against Lilly’s company and framing Ray in the process—it was a move as cunning as it was cruel. After a long pause, Ray exhaled sharply and ended the call without another word. As soon as Lia arrived at the company, her determined stride carried her into the building with unwavering purpose. Her voice was sharp as she instructed Chloe, “Get the board members ready for an emergency meeting immediately. I want solutions on the table as soon as possible.” Lilly’s voice echoed in her mind, cutting through the tension. ‘The board members are definitely fuming right now.’ ‘Do
Ray gripped the steering wheel tightly as Jerry’s words echoed through the car speakers. His jaw clenched, his patience running thin. “Do you need helping talking, get on it man I don’t have all day” Ray said coldly?” he snapped, his voice cold.Jerry exhaled sharply on the other end. “Big bro, it’s Grandfather. He’s trying to sabotage Lilly’s company.”Ray frowned, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the road ahead. “What? Why? That doesn’t make any sense. And he knows in the eye of the public I’m in charge of how the company is run right?”“He sees her as a distraction for,” Jerry explained, his tone heavy. “And let’s be honest—she’s drawn a lot of problems to us recently she comes with loads of complications like. But I think it’s more than that. I believe he knows why those kidnappers’ heads blew up. This is his way of creating a distraction while keeping us in the dark.”Ray’s fingers tapped the steering wheel rhythmically, his mind racing. “That doesn’t add up. No one informed h
Lia leaned forward, her voice dropping to a cool, calculated whisper as she fixed Dr. Harris with an unwavering gaze. “We’re not done yet, Doctor.”Dr. Harris tensed, his breath catching in his throat. “What… what do you mean?”She tilted her head slightly, her expression deceptively calm. “The story you’re going to tell Ray isn’t good enough yet. He’s not a fool, and you know that. ‘Pregnancy hormones’ won’t cut it. You’ll say it’s mental exhaustion, the aftereffects of trauma from my kidnapping. That’s the narrative he’ll believe—clean and simple.”‘You’re surprisingly smart, dummy head,’ Lilly’s voice echoed in her mind.‘I’m always smart, body thief,’ Lia bragged, inwardly smirking.‘Yeah, right. You’re only smart because my twin created you,’ Lilly teased.Dr. Harris glanced at her oddly but said nothing, his hands trembling as he nodded quickly. “Yes, of course. Mental exhaustion. Trauma. That makes sense.”“Good,” Lia said, her smile widening into something both sweet and sinis
The warm water cascaded over Lia’s shoulders as she turned to Ray, her lips curving into a small, playful smile. “You know,” she began, her tone teasing, “it’s such a waste to let all this water run just for me. Why don’t you join me? We can save some water… and I can spite Lilly while I’m at it.”Ray raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching with amusement. “Spite Lilly? You do know that you, right?” Why will she want to spite herself, she so weird.Lia shrugged, her wet hair clinging to her back. “Doesn’t mean I can’t annoy myself. Besides, I might need some help. Who better than my darling cutie of a husband to make sure I don’t slip?”He sighed but couldn’t hide the fondness in his eyes as he began unbuttoning his shirt. “You’re impossible, you know that?”“And you love it,” Lia quipped, her voice light despite the lingering tension in the room.Once undressed, Ray stepped into the shower, his presence grounding her instantly. His hands moved with careful precision, helping her rinse
Ray’s heart pounded as Lilly’s unresponsive body slumped further against him. “Lilly!” he called again, his voice trembling with fear. When she didn’t answer, panic surged through him.Without a second thought, he reached for his phone, fumbling as he unlocked it to call Damon. But just as his finger hovered over the call button, Lia’s weak voice cut through his frantic movements.“Ray… stop,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. Her hand trembled as it grasped his wrist, halting him.“You’re not fine,” he argued, his eyes wide with desperation. “I’m calling Damon, and I’m getting the nurse. You’re clearly not okay, and I can’t just sit here while—”“Please,” she interrupted, her voice cracking as she tried to steady her breathing. “I’ll be fine. I just need rest.”Ray hesitated, torn between her pleas and the sheer terror of losing her. “You said that last time, and now this. Lilly, whatever’s happening to you—it’s not normal. I can’t lose you, do you understand?”“You won’t,” she