Helena barely had time to gather herself after her disastrous video when she heard the heavy knock on her door. Her heart pounded in her chest, dread creeping up her spine. She knew that knock all too well—it was her father. And he was furious.The door swung open, and James stormed into the room, his face twisted in anger. Matilda followed closely behind, her expression a mix of concern and forced calm. “Helena!” James’s voice boomed, making her flinch. “What in the world were you thinking?”Helena swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure. “Dad, I was just trying to—”“Trying to what?” he interrupted, his eyes narrowing. “Destroy our family’s reputation? You’ve embarrassed us beyond repair! Using the charity ball as an excuse to drug Ray Manchester, of all people? How could you be so reckless? Your naked picture with my business partner is all over the internet, how I’m I to face the world after this?Helena’s heart raced as she stumbled over her words. “I—I didn’t think it
Matilda could hardly believe what she just heard—Lilliana was the mystery girl spotted with Ray Manchester. How was that even possible? “You need to stop joking about this, Helena. There’s no way in hell that piece of wood is with him,” Matilda scoffed. Helena had expected exactly this sort of reaction from her mother because she felt the same way when Ellen first sent her the news. “My thoughts exactly, Mom, because this is unbelievable. Why is that bitch with my hubby? Do you remember the rumors about her at the party?” “Yes, baby. The news was online for five minutes before it was taken down, which I found unbelievable since the Anderson PR team isn’t usually that efficient. They couldn’t even take your news down until the next day.” “Mom, you’re off track—that’s not what I’m talking about,” Helena whined. “Sorry, baby,” Matilda muttered, though she couldn’t help but think about how suspiciously fast the news had been removed. “She was wearing the same outfit as the whore
James frowned. “And how do you propose we do that? Lilliana’s already in the spot link with Helena video “Matilda’s lips curved into a small, calculating smile. “Better. If we can subtly push that connection further, stir up more rumors, it could work in our favor. Let the public focus on Lilliana been alive. If they’re too busy gossiping about her, they’ll forget about Helena.”James considered her suggestion, his anger slowly giving way to reluctant agreement. It was a gamble, but at this point, he didn’t have many options. “And how do we ensure the rumors spread? We can’t be seen as the ones fanning the flames.”Matilda’s mind raced as she considered her options.** “We need Lilliana to make a public appearance,” she said suddenly.James frowned, his anger momentarily subsiding as he tried to understand her angle. “What good would that do?”Matilda’s eyes gleamed with a cunning light. “Think about it. If we can position Lilliana as the center of attention, especially in a positive
Ray’s playful demeanor flickered with a hint of concern as Lilly’s words sank in. He pulled back slightly, his brows knitting together as he searched her eyes for any sign of discomfort. “Nauseous?” he echoed, trying to keep his tone light despite the unease creeping into his chest. “How long has this been going on?” Lilly blinked, her gaze unwavering. “A few weeks,” she replied matter-of-factly. “It’s not constant, just… sporadic. It’s strange.” Ray’s mind raced, the mischievous glint in his eyes replaced with genuine worry. He tried to mask it with a casual grin, but his thoughts were already spinning. *Could it be something serious?* He quickly dismissed the thought, unwilling to jump to conclusions. “And you haven’t mentioned this to anyone? A doctor, maybe?” “No,” Lilly responded simply. “It’s not a priority. Besides, I thought you might have some insight. After all, you claim to know everything about me.” Ray forced a smile, though his heart wasn’t fully in it. “I do,” he
Chapter 69Ray's mind was racing as he made his way back to Lilly. He couldn’t help but replay his conversation with his mother, her words swirling in his thoughts. The possibility of Lilly being pregnant was exhilarating, but he needed to be sure before jumping to conclusions. *What if she's really carrying my child?* The thought filled him with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.When he reached the bedroom door, he paused, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He knew he couldn’t let Lilly see how rattled he was. Whatever happened next, he needed to approach it calmly and with care.Pushing the door open, Ray found Lilly still resting on the bed, looking as serene as ever. Her gaze flickered to him, and he could sense the quiet strength she carried even when she was vulnerable."Hey," he greeted her softly, moving to sit beside her. "Feeling any better?""A bit," she replied, her eyes studying him closely. “I heard talking to someone, who was it?Ray nodded, trying to keep his
Chapter 70“This marriage talk again…” Lilly thought, trying to keep her expression neutral as she glanced at the faint line on the pregnancy test. The possibility of being pregnant had already thrown her mind into a whirlwind, and now Ray was pushing for marriage on top of that. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before speaking. Why did most of their conversations end with talk of marriage? She could see that Ray might genuinely feel love for her, but she was still trying her best to come to terms with that.“Ray,” she began, her voice steady, “pregnancy and marriage are two different things. Just because I might be pregnant doesn’t mean we need to rush into getting married.”Ray’s smile faltered slightly, but he held her gaze, his eyes full of sincerity. “I understand that, Lilly. But I’m not suggesting marriage just because of the baby. I’m suggesting it because I love you. Isn’t that reason enough?”Lilly studied him for a moment, her logical mind trying to process ev
**Chapter 71**Ray picked up his phone and dialed Derek’s number. After a few rings, Derek answered.“Derek, I need you to come over,” Ray said, his voice tense. “It’s important.”Derek could sense the urgency in Ray’s tone. “Alright, I’ll be there shortly. What’s going on?”Ray didn’t elaborate, ending the call with a frown. Derek’s mind began to race. Ray had been calling him frequently, and it was often for something out of the ordinary. First, it was a psychologist; now, he didn’t even explain. Derek concluded that something serious was happening and hurried to see him.A short while later, Derek arrived at the address Ray had sent. He was surprised by the new location. Why wasn’t Ray at home?“You’re late, man,” Ray said instead of welcoming him inside. Really? That was the first thing Ray was going to say to a man who put his work on hold to come see him, Derek thought.“You sounded urgent,” Derek replied.“I need you to confirm if my baby girl is pregnant.”What! I hope I’m not
**Chapter 72**Chloe couldn’t shake the unease bubbling within her. She had always admired her boss’s calm demeanor and sharp mind, but this time, things were different. Her boss was about to step back into the real world after the whole death incident, fully aware of the chaos that awaited her. The upcoming press conference would mark her role model's official return, and Chloe knew the impact would be seismic.As she reviewed the final preparations, Chloe's thoughts wandered. *My boss facing the world again will be epic.* The idea seemed almost surreal. For two months now, her boss had operated from the shadows, controlling everything with an iron grip while remaining out of the public eye. But now, everything was changing. And while Chloe trusted her boss’s judgment, a small part of her couldn’t help but worry about the storm that was sure to follow.Meanwhile, in another part of town, James Anderson sat in his study, brooding over the latest developments. The rumors Helena had pos
Chapter 93“Gosh! My phone has been ringing nonstop, it’s quite frustrating,” Lilly said with her voice sounds like she just yelled, tossing her phone onto the couch in a rare outburst.Ray glanced up from his stack of documents, surprised by her sudden display of anger. He had never seen her showing any emotions, except for the moments when they were intimate. Normally, Lilly was composed, almost detached, but seeing her express real frustration made her seem more human—more relatable. He found it cute and sexy. This was the woman carrying his child, and that realization stirred something deep in him. Their baby was already having an effect on her, and he loved watching her change, becoming more raw and vulnerable."It's Anderson, isn't it?" Ray asked, though he already knew the answer. He set his papers aside and moved closer to her. Lilly sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. “Yes, the press. And board members. Andresin. Everyone’s got something to say, and it’s exhausting.”It had
Chloe stepped into her car, starting the engine as she mentally prepared for the drive to Jerry’s house. She had to deliver some documents and assist with investigating Felix’s Aunt Ava, as ordered by her boss. The past three months had been filled with surprises, but the biggest one was the transformation in her boss. A woman who once didn’t care about any man now seemed entirely enmeshed with a Manchester, practically handing her empire over to him on a silver platter. *What if he betrays her?* Chloe thought, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel. *Men can’t be trusted with power, especially not when they already have plenty of their own.* Still, she had to trust her boss’s judgment. She had never made a wrong business decision before, and Chloe could only hope this wouldn’t be the first. As she checked her G****e Maps, making sure she was heading in the right direction, the thought of seeing Jerry made her grimace. He made her skin crawl with the way he stared at her—like h
In the grand Manchester estate, sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the lavishly decorated sitting room. Mitchell, was seated on a cushion, her eyes glued to the television screen. The news of her son’s marriage to Liliana Anderson had just broken, and Mitchell’s lips curled into a wide, triumphant smile.“I knew it,” she said, turning to her husband,, who was sitting nearby with a newspaper in hand. His gaze shifted from the paper to the screen, where Liliana was coolly conducting an interview. She was elegant, poised, and utterly unapologetic about her recent takeover of Anderson Empire. Mitchell’s heart swelled with pride.“You see that, hubby?” Mitchell’s voice rose with excitement, the usually composed woman unable to contain herself. “That’s *our* son’s wife. She’s a force of nature! Look at her—fearless. She’s not like those other women, all demure and helpless. Liliana knows exactly what she wants, and she’s not afraid to take it. The Andersons d
Matilda paced the room, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she frantically dialed Ellen’s number. Her hands were trembling. The sight of Liliana’s betrayal on the television had ignited a storm of rage, but it was Helena who now posed the greatest risk. If Helena saw any of this—if she even *suspected* what had happened—it could unravel everything.The changes in Liliana came as a big shock to her, and her sudden interest in investigating her poisoning was unexpected. What changed? What happened to the old Liliana that does even give a fuck what happens around her. Ellen picked up on the third ring. Her voice, as cool and calculated as always, soothed Matilda’s nerves for a brief moment. "Mrs Anderson, what is it?" she asked right away, she may love Helena but she does give a flying fuck about anyone of her family.“Ellen, I need your help.” Matilda didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “You need to keep Helena away from the news—away from anything to do with Liliana and R
James Anderson stood frozen, the phone pressed to his ear, the board member’s frantic words still echoing in his mind. The Anderson Empire—his empire—no longer belonged to him. The family legacy he had killed for even though Liliana was in charge he still felt in control now belongs to Ray Manchester, how the hell did this happen.“Turn on the news?” James repeated, his voice cold. He could feel the slow burn of rage building inside him. He didn’t need to be told what was happening. He had a feeling that Liliana had just made a public statement that would send shockwaves through the business world.He hung up the phone without another word and strode over to the television. His hands shook as he grabbed the remote and flicked it on. The screen lit up, showing the aftermath of a press conference. Reporters were still in a frenzy, flashing lights illuminating the sleek boardroom where Liliana and Ray Manchester had stood just moments ago. “...in a surprising turn of events, Liliana And
The press conference had barely ended, and the internet was already ablaze. Social media platforms flooded with reactions, memes, and conspiracy theories. News outlets scrambled to publish breaking headlines, and Anderson Empire was trending globally. The public, as always, was quick to react—and even quicker to judge.On Twitter, a trending hashtag had already emerged: **#icequeenLives**. Alongside it, another hashtag was gaining traction: **#AndersonEmpireReborn**. People couldn’t stop talking about Lilly’s dramatic return, her marriage to Ray Manchester, and, of course, the kiss that had set the internet on fire.“**Did anyone else just see that? Liliana Anderson—sorry, Manchester now—literally dropped the mic with that kiss! ICONIC. #icequeenLives**” “**So... poisonings, secret marriages, and now Ray Manchester in charge of Anderson Empire? This is better than any TV drama. #AndersonEmpireReborn**” “**Is it just me, or does anyone else think Ray and Liliana planned this whole
Ray’s entrance seemed to silence the room as if his presence alone commanded a certain reverence. The air crackled with the weight of the moment, every eye locked onto the couple standing before them. Together, they were an undeniable force, and the reporters knew it.Lilly stood with her head held high, her composure never wavering, while Ray exuded quiet strength beside her. It was clear now—this wasn’t just a press conference about Anderson Empire’s financial future. This was a changing of the guard, a public declaration of a new era, and the media could feel it.Ray approached the podium with ease, the room once again stilling. His voice was deep, measured, and commanding. “As my wife mentioned, Anderson Empire is now under my leadership. This isn’t just a transition—it’s a transformation. We’ve spent the last several months restructuring and preparing for the future. You’ll see that reflected in our upcoming projects and initiatives.” Calling ‘my wife’ in front of so many people
The boardroom was buzzing with quiet anticipation. Press conferences like this one were always meticulously organized, with reporters and photographers lining up their equipment, ready to capture the moment that would make the headlines. The Anderson Empire’s recent turmoil had the media’s full attention, and now, everyone was waiting for the bombshell Lilly had alluded to.Lilly stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room adjacent to the boardroom, pulling her blazer tight. She observed her reflection, her expression composed. Every detail was precise—the fit of her suit, the neatness of her hair, and the cold calm she exuded. She had always been calculated, every step planned, but today, there was more at stake.It time she face Liliana demons and over with it already, the world will be certain that she is alive after today and there won’t be anymore doubts on their minds, the Anderson family will be shaken to the core with this move of hers.Ray appeared behind her, adjusting
The first rays of morning light filtered through the bedroom curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. Lilly stirred beneath the covers, her mind slowly coming out of its restful state. For once, she felt a faint sense of exhaustion lingering, something she wasn’t used to. She wasn’t accustomed to waking up tired—her usual mornings were marked by clarity and readiness for whatever tasks lay ahead. But today, her body felt different.She opened her eyes, squinting slightly at the brightness, and realized Ray was still fast asleep next to her. His arm was draped over her waist, his breathing steady and calm. He looked peaceful, his features relaxed in a way that only came when he was deeply at ease.No one would have believed the ball of cuteness beside her made her scream so loud the previous night. Last night intimacy was something else, it was basically mind blowing. She had never cum that had since they got together and the fact that she felt drained afterwards was unexpected, it