Elowen lingered in her seat, her gaze fixed on Lysander. Her lips curled into a soft smile, one that carried both grace and resolve. “I don’t think I need your help. But thanks for the offer.” She rose with practiced poise, smoothing out the invisible creases on her dress. “If you’re ready to move forward with the wedding planning, you know where to find me.”Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she made her way to the door. Pausing briefly, her hand resting lightly on the handle, she glanced back at Lysander, her voice steady but edged with finality. “Just remember, I have two months here. After that, I’ll have fulfilled my end of the bargain.” Without waiting for a reply, she stepped out, the door clicking softly shut behind her.Her phone vibrated in her bag as she strode toward the elevator. Fishing it out, she read the text with an arched brow:It’s me, Aurelia. If you’re less busy, you can stop by my office.A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. Well, well. Let’s
Elowen checked her watch. The evening sun dipped below the skyline, casting long shadows over Aurelia’s office. She stretched slightly, feeling the day’s wear on her shoulders.“I think I should head out now,” she said, rising from her seat.Aurelia extended a hand, her lips curving into a warm smile. “It’s been amazing spending time with you. I hope we can catch up again soon.”Elowen nodded, returning the smile as she grabbed her bag and headed out.The drive to Mrs. Cassiopeia’s mansion was quiet, the hum of the engine blending with her thoughts. As she pulled up to the grand estate, laughter echoed through the air. Stepping out of the car, her heels clicked against the driveway, but her steps faltered when she spotted the scene before her.Eulalia and Leander were surrounded by a sea of toys, their laughter ringing out like tiny bells. Elowen’s jaw dropped slightly, her eyes sweeping over the lavish setup.“Mummy!” Eulalia’s small voice cut through her shock as the little girl ran
Mrs. Cassiopeia sat in her plush armchair, the DNA test results trembling slightly in her hands. The golden afternoon light filtering through the lace curtains illuminated her lined face as her eyes darted over the document again. She couldn’t believe it. The children were his undeniably her grandson’s.A soft chuckle escaped her lips, though it was laced with disbelief. “So, it’s true,” she whispered to herself. For a moment, she let the enormity of it settle. Then, a sly smile crept onto her face. This wasn’t just news; this was leverage.She rose to her feet, leaning slightly on her ornate walking stick. “Fetch the car,” she ordered one of the household staff. “The best one. It’s going to be a gift.”The servant hesitated. “A gift, ma’am?”“Yes,” she snapped, but not unkindly. “For the mother of my great-grandchildren.”With a sharp inhale, she picked up her phone and dialed her grandson, Lysander. The line clicked, and his voice came through, light and casual. “Granny? What’s the
The faint buzz of Elowen’s phone pulled her from the haze of sleep. Groaning, she reached for the device, squinting at the screen. Seraphina. Her thumb slid across the screen as she stifled a yawn.“You better not tell me you were fast asleep,” Seraphina teased, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.Elowen pushed herself upright, her hair falling over her face. “What if I was? It’s been a long day,” she muttered, rubbing her eyes. “Why are you calling?”“Caspian’s lawyer the one who betrayed your family wants to meet with you,” Seraphina said, her tone now serious.Elowen froze. The weight of that name sent a jolt through her. Her hand clenched the phone tighter. “Andrew? Already? Why would he want to see me now?”“I heard Caspian discarded him. Word is, the G Group Corporation doesn’t need him anymore, and Caspian’s made sure everyone knows he’s irrelevant,” Seraphina explained.Elowen leaned back against the headboard, her eyes narrowing. A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Typical
Elowen leaned back in her seat, her fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. Andrew sat nervously in the passenger seat, his hands clasped tightly together, his eyes darting between her and the dimly lit street ahead. The silence in the car was suffocating until Elowen broke it with a sharp exhale.“I’m going to give you an assignment,” she said, her voice low and deliberate.Andrew swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing visibly. “Anything, ma’am. Just tell me what to do.”She turned her head slightly, her piercing gaze cutting through him. “I want you to find the actors and actresses Caspian discarded. The ones whose careers you helped destroy. They’re still in G Group, aren’t they? Languishing in the shadows, deemed useless?”Andrew flinched. He had heard rumors about Elowen’s determination, but sitting next to her now, he felt the full weight of her presence. “Y-yes, ma’am,” he stammered. “But…why do you need them? They’ve been cast aside for a reason. Their careers are…”
The sun kissed Elowen’s skin as she sat by the pool, her laptop perched on her legs, the light breeze carrying the scent of blooming jasmine from Mrs. Cassiopeia’s meticulously tended garden. Her fingers danced across the keyboard, pausing now and then as her eyes flicked toward the shimmering water.“Good morning, dear,” Mrs. Cassiopeia’s warm voice broke through her concentration. Elowen glanced up to see the older woman approaching, her silver hair catching the sunlight.“Good morning, ma’am,” Elowen replied with a polite smile, closing her laptop slightly.“I’ll be having a visitor today,” Mrs. Cassiopeia said, easing herself onto the lounge chair beside Elowen. She wore her signature floral-print dress, the kind that made her look like she belonged in a painting. “My grandson is finally coming to visit.”Elowen raised a curious eyebrow. “Really? That’s exciting. I can’t wait to meet him.”Mrs. Cassiopeia chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll like him. He’s friendly,
“Granny, can I speak to her alone?” Lysander asked, his voice low, almost cautious, as if he feared the answer.Mrs. Cassiopeia studied him briefly before nodding. Without another word, Lysander stepped away from her, his gaze fixed on Elowen as she strode toward the mansion.“Elowen,” he called out, quickening his steps to catch up.She stopped just before reaching the grand entrance, her back stiffening. Slowly, she turned, her eyes narrowing as they met his. “Why are you following me?” Her tone was sharp, defensive.Lysander opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, she crossed her arms and tilted her head with a mocking smile. “I never knew the great Lysander was such a creep,” she added, stepping closer until they were almost eye to eye. Her presence crackled with defiance, her words laced with venom.Lysander flinched inwardly but kept his expression calm. He watched her, the fiery determination in her eyes, the curve of her lips twisted in disdain. She was a far cry fro
Elowen pushed open the door to her room, the cool air greeting her flushed cheeks. She tossed her laptop onto the plush comforter, the device landing with a muted thud. Letting out a low groan, she dropped onto the bed, running her fingers through her blonde hair in frustration. Her thoughts raced, tangling like the strands slipping through her fingers. "What did that guy mean? Why is he so interested in the father of my son?" The question lingered, heavy and unwanted. It gnawed at her resolve, pulling her back to a night she had tried to bury. She pressed the heels of her palms into her temples as if she could block the memory from resurfacing. That night her guard down, alcohol clouding her judgment, and the fleeting heat of a stranger’s touch was a scar she couldn’t erase. The shame stung anew as her mind replayed the sequence of mistakes. How could I have been so careless? she thought bitterly. Her gaze flicked to the small jewelry box perched on her dresser. Inside was the o
Elowen turned slowly, her expression unreadable, but her eyes burned with a fire that dared anyone to look away. Caspian stood before her, arms crossed, the trademark smirk on his lips as smug and infuriating as she remembered.“It’s an honor to meet you again, Caspian,” Elowen said, her voice calm but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut. The deadly smile she gave him sent a flicker of uncertainty across his features, though he masked it quickly.For a moment, his gaze lingered on her face, the realization of seeing it uncovered for the first time sinking in. “You look beautiful without that mask,” he said, his voice softer than she expected.Elowen raised a brow, a smirk playing at her lips. “So I didn’t look beautiful with it?”“No, you’ve always been beautiful,” he said, his words almost stumbling as he tried to recover. “It’s just that today... you look different.”“Thank you,” she replied coolly, her smirk widening ever so slightly.Caspian’s eyes narrowed, studying her. Somethi
Caspian stormed into his office, his footsteps heavy and sharp against the polished marble floor. His face was a thundercloud of anger, and his assistant practically shrank under his furious gaze.“What did you just say?” Caspian growled, his voice low but laced with unmistakable menace.The assistant hesitated, visibly uncomfortable. He cleared his throat, fumbling with the tablet in his hands. “S-Sir, the old tech department,” he began cautiously, “the one you, uh… sidelined. They’ve all resigned. It happened about a week after Andrew left.”For a moment, there was silence, thick and suffocating. Then Caspian grabbed the nearest book off his desk and hurled it across the room. It struck the wall with a resounding thud, making the assistant flinch violently.Caspian’s fists clenched at his sides as his thoughts raced. He knew exactly how skilled the old tech team was. He’d forced them to step down, not because they weren’t good enough, but because he wanted to remind them and everyon
Elowen sat at the head of the long, polished conference table, her nails drumming a deliberate rhythm on the surface. Around her, her team exchanged nervous glances, their laptops open, phones buzzing with notifications, the hum of tension thick in the room. A large flat-screen on the wall displayed a live feed of comments pouring in across multiple social media platforms. The room smelled faintly of coffee and the lingering stress of overworked employees.One comment stood out, bold and cutting: “I heard Lucy is joining the live broadcast. Is that true? What a disgrace!”Another followed almost instantly: “There’s no way. G Group isn’t stupid enough to let a murderer represent them. She should be in jail!”The screen refreshed, bringing in another flood of venom.“She’s only free because G Group protects their own. It’s disgusting.”“She murdered her colleague, and now she’s getting a platform? What message are we sending society?”Lucy sat at the far end of the table, her phone trem
Elowen’s lips curled into a sly, dangerous smile, the kind of smile that promised trouble. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and something darker—determination. “Oh, you’ll see,” she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of mystery.Lysander, standing by the door, watched her with a cautious gaze. His mind raced as he tried to figure out just who Elowen really was. “Really, but I want to be of help,” he said, his voice almost pleading, the sincerity in his tone at odds with his usual cold demeanor.Elowen smirked at him, her gaze sharp and knowing. She took a slow step forward, her heels clicking on the polished floor. “For now, I can handle it. When I need your help, I’ll let you know,” she said, her words laced with both confidence and finality. She turned on her heel, heading towards the hallway. “Can you show me my room for tonight? I’m exhausted, and I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow,” she added, almost casually, as if the weight of her plans didn’t even faze her.
Lysander opened the door, his sharp features tightening when he saw Calista standing there. Her blonde hair cascaded in loose waves over her bare shoulders, her silky robe barely covering her curves. The sultry smile on her red-painted lips made her intentions clear as she leaned closer, her perfume—a heavy, intoxicating scent—filling the air.Without hesitation, he raised a hand, keeping her at arm’s length. “What are you doing here?” His voice was cold, sharp as glass.Calista pouted, feigning innocence. “Can’t a woman come to see her man?” She stepped forward, her hand brushing against his chest, but Lysander sidestepped her effortlessly, forcing her to stumble inside.Her eyes immediately landed on Elowen, who sat calmly on the plush sofa, her posture as regal as a queen’s. The soft glow from the lamp highlighted Elowen’s dark hair, tied neatly into a bun, and her piercing eyes that barely flicked toward Calista.“What’s she doing here?” Calista’s voice turned venomous, her earlie
Elowen gripped the steering wheel of Mrs. Williams’ sleek Lamborghini, the hum of the engine a soothing backdrop to her thoughts. The kids were quiet in the back, Eulalia humming softly while Leander stared out the window, his little face set in a familiar scowl.When they reached Lysander’s mansion, its towering gates and pristine exterior gleaming in the evening light, Elowen pressed the doorbell. A faint chime echoed inside, and moments later, Lysander appeared at the door.He smiled warmly, stepping aside to let them in. “Please, come in.”Eulalia’s eyes lit up as she hopped out of the car and ran toward him. “Hi!” she said brightly, throwing her arms up.Lysander bent down, scooping her up effortlessly. “Hello, little one.”Behind her, Leander trudged forward, hands shoved deep into his pockets. His steps were deliberate, almost too slow, his small figure radiating defiance.“Leander,” Elowen called, her voice firm as she crouched to meet his eye level. “What have I told you abou
Elowen watched as Lysander opened the door to his sleek black car. The soft purr of the engine cut through the quiet night, but something about his demeanor made her pause. His movements were fluid, confident, like someone who never second-guessed a single decision.“Lysander,” she called, her voice firm.He paused, his hand on the car door, and turned to her. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, the kind of smile that could both charm and infuriate.She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the pavement. “I’ve thought about it,” she said, her chin tilted upward. “Let’s make it a deal.”His gaze dipped to her outstretched hand, and the smirk deepened. “A deal, then,” he said, clasping her hand in his. His grip was warm, steady, but his eyes held that perpetual glint of amusement.“So,” she asked, pulling her hand back, “what’s the plan?”Lysander leaned casually against the car, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. “Calista’s been cheating on me for a while now. I’ve got eviden
Andrew stepped into the old tech department, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit room. It was a sorry sight—dust-covered desks, idle screens, and staff sprawled in various states of disinterest. A couple of them were dozing, heads resting on crossed arms, while others lazily scrolled through their phones. The place reeked of wasted potential.He cleared his throat, loud and sharp. The sound jolted a few of them upright, but the lethargy in the air was unmistakable. “Where’s Peter?” he asked, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.One of the staff, a young man who looked more awake than the rest, pointed toward a glass-walled office in the corner. “He’s inside,” he mumbled.Andrew didn’t wait for an invitation. He strode to the office, knocked once, and pushed the door open. Sure enough, Peter was slouched in his chair, arms folded over his chest, his head tilted back in what looked like a deep sleep. The sight made Andrew’s jaw tighten.He took a seat across from Peter
Caspian stared at his screen, his eyes narrowing as the notification blinked at him. Lucy, Emily, Vivian, and Daniel had all paid the termination fees. They were free no longer tied to G Group, no longer under his control. His grip on the mouse tightened, and with a roar of frustration, he hurled it across the room. It smashed into the wall, leaving a dent before clattering to the floor.His chest heaved as he ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, disheveling it. The polished mahogany desk in front of him bore the brunt of his fury next files and papers sent flying in a single sweep of his arm.“Unbelievable!” he spat, pacing the length of his spacious office. The view of the city skyline behind him was lost on his rage-clouded mind.He snatched the phone off its cradle, his finger jabbing the intercom button. “Get Jeremy in here. Now.”“Yes, sir,” came the clipped response.Caspian resumed pacing, his leather shoes thudding against the tiled floor. The weight of the silence i