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CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-01 03:18:22
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SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
Flora's POV I walk back into my small office, shutting the door behind me and leaning against it for a moment. My mind is racing with everything Mr. Rivera said. My hands tremble slightly as I press them against the desk, trying to steady myself.Senator Jones.Stanley’s friend.Why would he want to help me? Why would he offer me a job one that seems too convenient, too calculated?I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair. The more I think about it, the more it feels like Stanley is involved in something far shadier than I ever imagined. Or maybe he isn’t, and he’s just surrounded by the worst kind of people without realizing it.But that would mean he’s blind to the kind of company he keeps.And I don’t know which is worse.I sit down, forcing myself to push the thoughts away. I shouldn't be thinking about him at all. He’s not my problem anymore. We’re separated. Even if the divorce isn’t finalized yet, we’re no longer a couple.I have to focus on myself.My fingers hov
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
Stanley's POV The night air is cool, but it does nothing to soothe the rage burning inside me. My fists clench at my sides as I stride toward the little lab house, my guards making sure no one is following.I don’t know why I even feel nervous. I already know what I’m about to hear, but a small part of me is still clinging to the possibility that maybe—just maybe—I was wrong.Mrs. Eliot is sitting behind her desk when I step into her office. She looks up, takes one glance at my face, and shakes her head."Sit down, Stanley.""I’m not here to sit," I snap. "I’m here for answers."She exhales slowly, folding her hands on the desk. "I know. But you’re not going to like the answer."My stomach tightens. "Just say it.""The DNA doesn’t match," she says, her voice firm but laced with sympathy. "You are not Aurora’s father."For a moment, my entire world tilts.I force out a breath, clenching my jaw so tight it hurts.She keeps talking, her voice softer now. "Stanley, I think it’s ti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
Flora's POV Aurora suckles quietly, her tiny fingers grasping at my shirt, unaware of the storm brewing in my mind. I shift slightly in my chair, adjusting her weight against me as I glance at my mother, who sits across from me with that unreadable expression on her face.Her words from earlier linger like an ominous cloud."Stanley’s days might be numbered."I swallow hard before asking, "Mom, what did you mean by that?"She exhales deeply, folding her hands in her lap. "It’s the dirtiness of politics, Flora. Once you’re in once you’re wrapped up in it,it’s finished. You either play the game, or the game plays you."A shiver runs down my spine. "But there has to be a way out. Right? The senator hired me as his personal assistant, but that doesn’t mean I have to be part of whatever corruption they’re into."My mother shakes her head. "You’re already in, Flora. Even if you think you’re just standing at the edge, you’re not. You’re part of their world now."I tighten my hold on Aur
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-05SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Stanley's POV I watch as Jessica walks back into the room, her expression unreadable, but I know better. That was an important call. The way she left abruptly, the way she kept her voice low she’s hiding something.She catches me staring and tilts her head. "What?"I don’t look away. "Who was that?"She shrugs, walking toward the mirror to adjust her earrings. "No one important. Just business."I narrow my eyes. "Business? At this hour?"Jessica rolls her eyes. "Yes, Stanley. Business doesn’t have a curfew."Before I can push further, my phone rings. My chest tightens as I glance at the screen an unknown number. But I know it’s not just any random call. I answer, pressing the phone to my ear."Mr. Lockwood?"I recognize the voice immediately—one of the officers from the local precinct."We received a report of gunfire at Mrs. Flora Lockwood’s residence. A bullet went through her window. No casualties, but we’re investigating. Just thought you should know."My grip tightens ar
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-06SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Jessica’s POVI lean against the leather seat of my car, tapping my manicured nails on my phone as I wait for Michael. My lips curl into a smirk. He thinks he's using me, but he has no idea who he's dealing with.A few minutes later, he arrives at the dimly lit parking lot, his bike screeching to a stop. He swings his leg over and walks toward me, his usual cocky swagger on full display. I roll my eyes but keep my expression neutral as I step out of the car, a thick envelope in my hand."Finally," he says, reaching for the money.I pull back slightly, just to toy with him. "You did what I asked?"He smirks. "Of course. I scared the hell out of her, and now she’s got a bunch of guards around her house. Guess who probably sent them?"I raise a brow. "Stanley?"He nods. "Who else? I saw them myself, all suited up like some high-level security team."I narrow my eyes, pretending to process the information, but in reality, I expected this. Stanley’s still holding onto his obsession wit
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-07SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN
Senator Jones’ POVI lean back in my chair, a smug grin on my face as I swirl the whiskey in my glass. The office is dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the cigar burning slowly between my fingers. The phone is pressed against my ear, and on the other end, the boss chuckles."You should’ve seen the look on Stanley’s face," I say, exhaling a puff of smoke. "He bought it completely. He actually believes Flora is shacking up with some secret lover."The boss laughs a deep, rich sound that holds the weight of power. "Good. That fool has always been easy to manipulate. His ego won’t let him think clearly when it comes to her.""Exactly," I say, taking a sip of my whiskey. "It’s all working perfectly. His anger keeps him distracted. He’s so consumed with proving Flora is unworthy that he won’t see what’s really happening right under his nose."The boss hums in satisfaction before his tone shifts. "Now, about Jessica…"I raise an eyebrow. "What about her?""She’s been play
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-08SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT
Stanley's POV I'm fast asleep in my bed when I'm jolted awake by the sound of a plate breaking. It's loud and close, and I quickly throw off the covers and rush out of my room to see what's happening.As I enter the hallway, I see Jessica standing in the foyer, surrounded by shattered glass and ceramic. She's holding a vase, and with a swift motion, she throws it to the ground, shattering it into a hundred pieces.The maids are standing nearby, looking frazzled and scared. They're holding new vases, and I realize that Jessica must have ordered them to replace the old ones.Just then, my mother comes downstairs, her face pale with shock. "Jessica, what are you doing?" she demands, her voice shrill with anger.But Jessica just scoffs, a look of disdain on her face. She pretends like she can't hear my mother, and instead turns to me."Stanley, these vases are outdated," she says, her voice dripping with condescension. "They need to be changed."I take a deep breath, trying to c
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
Flora’s POVMy footsteps echo against the cold concrete as I climb the last set of stairs leading to the rooftop. My heart pounds with every step, and my fingers grip the rail tightly, as if letting go would send me spiraling into the unknown.When I push open the heavy metal door, the crisp night air greets me, sending a shiver down my spine. The city sprawls beneath me, lights flickering like a million secrets waiting to be uncovered.I step out cautiously, my eyes scanning every corner. There’s no one here.The rooftop is eerily quiet, except for the distant hum of traffic and the occasional gust of wind. The paranoia settles in my bones—I shouldn’t be here. This feels like a setup.I wrap my arms around myself, glancing over my shoulder, expecting someone to emerge from the shadows. But nothing happens.Then, my phone vibrates in my hand.The sharp buzz startles me, and I nearly drop it. My breath hitches as I glance at the screen. Unknown Number.I don’t answer.My hands are
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14
Bab terbaru
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FIFTY ONE
Jessica’s POVVictory is intoxicating. It tastes like the finest champagne, like a sweet melody only I can hear. I have Stanley and his entire pathetic family right where I want them. Their resistance is nothing more than an irritation,a buzzing fly I will swat away when the time comes.I lean back in my chair, swirling the glass of wine in my hand, savoring the moment. Chloe sits across from me, pretending to ignore my presence, but I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way her nails dig into her palm. Good. She should be nervous.“We’ll be visiting the event planner’s office soon,” I announce casually, lifting my gaze to meet hers.Chloe barely reacts, only flicking her eyes toward me before looking away. Stubborn little brat. She thinks ignoring me will make me disappear.I pick up my phone and dial one of the guards. “Bring the documents I had delivered earlier.”Stanley’s mother stiffens at my words, her lips thinning into a hard line. “What documents?” she demands.I
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FIFTY
Flora’s POV I’m almost done packing up for the day when I hear footsteps approaching my office. The air shifts slightly, alerting me to an unwelcome presence before I even look up.The agent stands at the door, arms folded, eyes sharp and observant. She tilts her head, studying me with a smirk that makes my skin crawl.“Are you okay?” she asks, her voice deceptively casual, but I can hear the undertone of something else. Something unreadable.I force a smile, straightening my posture. “I’m perfectly fine.” My voice is even, controlled. But my hands clench slightly around the papers on my desk, betraying the nerves I refuse to show.The agent steps further inside, her smirk widening. “Good,” she says, pausing for effect. “Because you never know what might happen next if you fail in this job.”I stiffen, my patience thinning. I’ve had enough of cryptic warnings and veiled threats.I meet her gaze directly, my tone unwavering. “Don’t threaten me. I’ll do what I want, and no one will
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY NINE
Jessica’s POV Chloe glares at me, her hands clenching into fists, but she doesn’t move. She knows better. I watch as she slowly lowers herself back onto the chair, her shoulders stiff with barely restrained fury. Across from her, Stanley’s mother sits frozen, her lips pressed together in a thin, disapproving line. And then there’s Stanley—silent, unmoving. Exactly how I want him.I let my gaze drift over them before I lean back, crossing my legs as I smirk. "That’s better," I say, my voice smooth, controlled. "Since we’re all here, let’s talk about some changes. If you want to continue enjoying the benefits of this family, you’ll have to start pulling your weight."Chloe scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please. You know nothing about family, so don’t start acting like you’re in charge here."Her mother nods in agreement. "Exactly. You have no right to speak on family matters, Jessica."I tilt my head, feigning amusement. "Oh, but I do. I know what family means. I know what loyalty
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY EIGHT
Stanley’s POV The cold space beside me is the first thing I notice when I wake up. Jessica is gone. A deep breath leaves my chest, and for a brief moment, I savor the peace that her absence brings. But that relief is short-lived. If Jessica isn’t in bed, then she’s somewhere else in this house, plotting something.I run a hand down my face, pushing off the last remnants of sleep before heading to the bathroom. A splash of cold water does nothing to shake the unease settling in my stomach. I brush my teeth quickly and throw on a shirt before making my way downstairs, bracing myself for whatever chaos awaits.As I step into the dining room, I find Chloe and my mother already seated. They’re not eating. Instead, they’re both looking at me with smug, almost expectant expressions. It’s unsettling.“What?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.“Everything,” my mother replies without missing a beat. “Everything is wrong.”I exhale slowly, already tired of this conversation before it even begins. “A
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY SEVEN
Flora's POV I push open the door to our house, the familiar scent doing nothing to calm my racing heart. My mother steps inside first, still holding Aurora close to her chest as if afraid someone might snatch her away again.The second she sets foot inside, she whirls around to face me.“Flora,” she says, her voice sharp with worry. “Why were we taken? Who did this?”I open my mouth but close it again. How do I even begin to explain?She places Aurora gently on the couch before taking a step toward me. “Flora, answer me.”I shake my head, forcing myself to look away. “It’s over now, Mom. Just… let it go.”Her frown deepens. “Let it go?” she repeats, disbelief lacing her voice. “Flora, I know something is wrong. I saw the fear in your eyes when you found us. I heard the desperation in your voice when you held Aurora. Don’t lie to me.”I swallow the lump forming in my throat. My mother has always been able to read me too well.“I can’t talk about this,” I whisper, my hands clench
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY SIX
Flora’s POVMy phone vibrates in my hand, and for a moment, I hesitate. I’m afraid of what I might see. With shaky fingers, I unlock the screen and open the message.A cold wave of fear crashes over me.It’s a picture.My mother and Aurora. Tied up. Their eyes wide with terror. A dark room surrounds them, shadows creeping along the walls.I gasp, a strangled sound escaping my throat. My heart pounds so loudly I can barely hear myself think. My breathing becomes shallow as I stare at the image, my mind scrambling for a way out of this nightmare.Then another message appears."Your move. No police. No games. You should’ve come to the party. Actions have consequences."My fingers tighten around the phone. I have to do something. I can’t lose them. I can’t let them suffer because of me.There’s only one person I know who has the power to help me.Senator Jones.I rush out of the offic
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY FIVE
Flora’s POV The morning air is crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth from last night’s rain. I’m feeding Aurora in the kitchen, watching her chubby fingers clutch at her bottle, when my mother’s voice calls out from outside. “Flora!” There’s an edge to her tone, something unsettled. I glance toward the door, then back at Aurora, who’s peacefully drinking. “What is it, Mom?” She steps inside, wiping her hands on her apron. “The guards… they’re gone.” I blink, confusion settling in. “Gone?” She nods, glancing around as if expecting someone to appear. “Not a single one in sight. They were there last night, but now… nothing.” I let out a slow breath, forcing a reassuring smile. “Maybe they were reassigned. I’ll handle it, Mom. Don’t worry.” Her face is tight with concern, but she doesn’t push further. I hand her Aurora and head upstairs to get dressed, determin
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY FOUR
Jessica’s POVThe night feels suffocating. The chandeliers cast their golden glow over the grand hall, laughter and chatter filling the air, but I hear none of it. I see none of it. The people around me are dressed in opulence, their masked faces barely hiding the judgment in their eyes.I force a smile as I sip my champagne, but I can still feel their whispers slicing through me like knives. She’s not Flora. She doesn’t belong here. Stanley made a mistake.No matter how much I tell myself it doesn’t matter, that they’ll all come around eventually, it still stings. They don’t know me. They don’t know what I’m capable of.I glance around the room, searching for Stanley. I need him by my side. If they see us together, maybe they’ll take me seriously. But he’s nowhere in sight.A flicker of movement by the balcony catches my attention. My heart skips a beat. Stanley is standing outside, leaning against the railing, his back turned to the party, his entire posture tense. Something
SHADOWED DECEPTION: Unraveling The Truth CHAPTER FOURTY THREE
Jessica’s POVThe night I have been waiting for is finally here, and I couldn't be more excited. I stand in front of the mirror, admiring my reflection as I slip into a deep red gown that hugs my curves perfectly. The silky fabric cascades down to the floor, pooling slightly at my feet. Power. Elegance. Class. That’s exactly what I want to exude tonight.I apply my makeup carefully, making sure every stroke is flawless. My lips are painted a bold crimson, and my hair is styled in sleek waves that fall over my shoulders. Once I’m satisfied, I pick up a delicate diamond necklace, turning to where Stanley is sitting, his eyes distant as usual.“Put this on me,” I say, holding the necklace out to him.He glances up at me, hesitation flickering in his eyes. I don’t give him a choice—I step closer, draping the necklace over my neck. “Come on, Stanley,” I murmur sweetly. “It’ll make me feel special.”With a resigned sigh, he takes the clasp and fastens it around my neck. His fingers graze
