For the first time in months, Adrian stepped through the front door of his home feeling lighter than he had in a long time. The weight that had been pressing on his shoulders, the constant burden of betrayal, grief, and responsibility, had finally eased.Grace, who had been sitting on the couch reading a book, looked up the moment she heard him walk in. At first glance, she could tell something was different. There was no stiffness in his posture, no tension in his jaw. Instead, there was a calmness in his eyes, a rare serenity that she hadn’t seen in him for a long time.Setting the book down, she stood up and walked toward him. “You look… happy,” she said softly, tilting her head in curiosity.Adrian let out a deep sigh, one that almost sounded like relief, and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace. “I am.”Grace blinked in surprise. “Did something happen?”Adrian pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes, his lips curving into a small but genuine smile. “
Just as Adrian and Grace were preparing to leave, Harriet, the housekeeper, suddenly stepped forward. Her expression was calm but firm as she cleared her throat."Mrs. Grace, before you go... I wanted to let you know that I’m resigning."Silence fell over the room.Mr. Williams raised an eyebrow. "Resigning? Why so suddenly, Harriet? You've been with this household for years."Harriet glanced at Grace before bowing slightly. "I’ve fulfilled my duty."Adrian’s brows furrowed in confusion. "What duty?"Harriet turned to him, but it was Grace who answered."She was working for me," Grace admitted, her voice calm yet firm.Everyone, including Adrian, stared at her in disbelief."What?" Adrian asked, his eyes widening.Harriet nodded. "Mrs. Grace has been the one ensuring that Margaret and Benson were watched. I was following her instructions all along."Mr. Williams looked between Grace and Harriet, his expression unreadable. "Are you telling me that you were the one keeping tabs on Marga
With the evidence in hand, Adrian wasted no time. He scheduled an emergency board meeting and had all the suspects summoned. The air was thick with tension as they filed into the conference room, their faces masked with uncertainty.Mr. Williams sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. Adrian stood beside him, his cold gaze sweeping over the room."I assume you all know why you're here," Adrian began, placing a stack of documents on the table. "It has come to my attention that there are traitors within this company—people who have been feeding confidential information to outsiders."The room fell silent. A few exchanged nervous glances, but no one dared to speak.Adrian continued, "I've set up traps over the last few days, and those who took the bait have now been exposed. Security, please bring in the evidence."Two security officers entered, handing out printed call logs, leaked financial reports, and screenshots of unauthorized access attempts. Gasps filled the room
Adrian wasted no time. He instructed Richard to set up an internal investigation, discreetly tracking suspicious activities within the company. Meanwhile, he laid a trap—one that would lead Margret right into his hands.He leaked false information about a supposed financial crisis in Williams Corporation, knowing she would rush to share it with Charles Hawk.And just as expected, Margret took the bait.That evening, Margret met Charles Hawk in the same private lounge.“You were right, Charles,” she whispered, sliding a folder across the table. “Williams Corporation is in deeper trouble than we thought. They’re struggling with liquidity issues. Their recent deal in Europe is failing, and Adrian is panicking.”Charles smirked as he opened the folder. “And you’re sure this is accurate?”Margret crossed her legs confidently. “I got this straight from Adrian’s office.”Unbeknownst to her, a small recording device hidden in the centerpiece of the table had captured every word. And on the ot
William sat in his office, staring at the company’s logo that had been his pride and legacy for decades. He knew it was time to step down, to pass the torch to Adrian. But there was a problem—his son had already built something of his own. Adrian was no longer just the heir to Williams Corporation; he was a powerful businessman in his own right.That evening, William invited Adrian to his private study. "Son, it’s time. I’m retiring."Adrian’s eyes narrowed. "I expected that, but what’s your plan?"William leaned back. "I want you to take over Williams Corporation."Adrian sighed. "Dad, I have my own company to run. I can’t just abandon everything I’ve built."William nodded. "I know, and I admire what you’ve done. But this company is your legacy too. I built it for you, for our family. I need to know it’s in safe hands."Adrian hesitated. "I won’t let it fall, but I can’t be at the helm of both companies."William studied his son for a moment before saying, "Then we find another way.
Margret wasted no time putting her plan into motion. She met with a few key board members who were still loyal to her, promising them wealth and power if they helped her destabilize Williams Corporation. Some were hesitant, afraid of Adrian’s influence, but others—those who had benefited from her schemes in the past—were willing to take the risk.She sat in a luxurious private lounge with two senior executives, Mr. Conrad and Mr. Liu, both of whom had worked under Williams for years."You’ve seen what’s happening," Margret said smoothly, sipping her wine. "Adrian is reshaping the company, getting rid of anyone he deems untrustworthy. It’s only a matter of time before you two are next."Mr. Conrad frowned. "What exactly are you suggesting?"Margret leaned in. "I’m offering you a way out—before Adrian tightens his grip. If we create enough instability, the shareholders will panic, and Adrian will struggle to keep control."Mr. Liu shifted uncomfortably. "You mean sabotage?"Margret smir
Benson sat in his office, gripping the edge of his desk as he replayed the recent events in his mind. His mother’s plans had failed miserably, and Adrian had outmaneuvered her once again. He had warned her, but she never listened. Now, the company was slipping further from their grasp.Just then, Derrick walked in, his face unreadable. “I told you your mother is reckless,” he said, shutting the door behind him.Benson clenched his jaw. “And you think you’re any better? You abandoned me and now suddenly want to act like a father?”Derrick sighed. “I didn’t abandon you, Benson. I made choices that kept you safe, even if you don’t see it that way.”Benson scoffed. “Safe? You left me to grow up thinking I was another man’s son, fighting for an inheritance that was never mine to begin with!”Derrick stepped closer. “And if I had told you the truth? You think William would have let you stay in his house? He would have thrown you and your mother out in an instant.”Benson fell silent. He hat
Benson hesitated before finally making his way to Margret’s house. When he arrived, he found her pacing back and forth in the dimly lit living room.“What’s so urgent, Mother?” he asked, arms crossed.Margret turned to face him, her eyes filled with desperation. “We have to act now, Benson. William is getting closer to retiring, and if we don’t take control before he officially hands everything to Adrian, we’ll lose everything.”Benson sighed. “And what exactly do you want me to do?”Margret stepped closer, lowering her voice. “We have to remove Adrian from the equation… permanently.”Benson’s heart skipped a beat. He stared at her in shock. “You want to kill him?”Margret huffed. “If that’s what it takes! We’ve come too far to let everything slip through our fingers now.”Benson felt a knot in his stomach. He had done a lot of questionable things, but this? This was crossing the line.“I can’t do that,” he said firmly.Margret’s expression darkened. “You’re weak, just like William al
The Williams estate had never looked so magnificent. Golden lanterns lined the garden pathways, casting a warm glow as the grand celebration unfolded. A cool evening breeze carried the scent of fresh roses and jasmine, blending with the melodies of a live orchestra playing in the background. Guests dressed in the finest attire mingled, their glasses clinking in joyous toasts.This was a night of celebration—not just for wealth and success, but for truth, redemption, and love.At the heart of the event, Mr. William stood beside Grace, his eyes gleaming with pride as he raised a glass to address the guests.“Tonight, we honor not just a lost daughter, but a strong woman who fought for her place in this family. Grace, my child, welcome home.”Applause erupted. Grace swallowed the lump in her throat, overwhelmed by the acceptance she had craved all her life. She glanced at Adrian, who gave her an encouraging nod, his hand firmly holding hers.She stepped forward, her voice steady but emot
As the night continued, laughter and celebration filled the air. Grace basked in the warmth of her newfound family, unaware of the danger lurking just outside the estate.Diana stood in the shadows, her eyes never leaving Grace. She held the USB drive tightly in her palm, her mind racing through her plan. She had spent weeks gathering fabricated evidence, working with her accomplice to create a scandal that would ruin Grace’s image before she could fully settle into her new life.Beside her, the mysterious man smirked. “Are you sure you want to do this now? She’s got a lot of support.”Diana’s lips curled into a sinister grin. “That’s exactly why we have to do it now. The higher she climbs, the harder she’ll fall.”Inside the grand ballroom, Grace felt a vibration against her palm. She glanced down at her phone and saw an unknown number flashing on the screen.Frowning, she excused herself from the crowd and stepped onto the balcony, pressing the phone to her ear.“Hello?”A deep voic
The night was eerily silent as Adrian and Grace arrived at the old estate. The grand mansion, once filled with warmth and laughter, now stood as a dark shadow of its past. The wind howled through the broken windows, sending an unsettling chill down Grace’s spine.Adrian squeezed her hand. “Stay close to me. If anything seems off, we leave.”Grace nodded, her heart pounding. She had spent so long uncovering the truth, and now, she was moments away from facing the woman who had tormented her family.They pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside. The grand hall was dimly lit by flickering chandeliers, their light barely piercing the darkness. At the far end, a lone figure stood—Margret.She turned slowly, a wicked smile playing on her lips. “You actually came. I knew you would.”Adrian took a step forward, his eyes locked on her. “Cut the games, Margret. You wanted us here. Now talk.”Margret let out a low chuckle, her eyes gleaming with malice. “You think you’ve won, don’t
As the night of celebration came to an end, Grace and Adrian returned home, unaware of the dark clouds gathering around them. Grace, exhausted from the whirlwind of emotions, settled into Adrian’s arms."Tonight was perfect," she murmured, running her fingers through his hair.Adrian smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "It was, but we both know peace never lasts long with people like Benson and Margret lurking around."Grace sighed. "I just wish, for once, they’d let us live our lives."Adrian tightened his hold around her. "Whatever they’re planning, we’ll face it together."Meanwhile, Benson was far from done. He stormed into Margret’s suite, his jaw tight with frustration."What the hell were you thinking, siding with those men? Do you even realize the mess you’re dragging me into?"Margret remained calm, sipping her wine. "I know exactly what I’m doing, Benson. You’re the one who doesn’t understand the game."Benson’s eyes darkened. "You still think you can outsmart Adrian an
That evening, Grace arrived at the dimly lit café where Brenda had asked to meet her. The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, but Grace had no appetite for it—her instincts screamed that something was off.Brenda was already seated in a corner booth, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea. When she saw Grace, her lips curled into a smile, but her eyes held something unreadable."You actually came," Brenda murmured, gesturing for Grace to sit.Grace slid into the seat, keeping her posture guarded. "You said you had something to tell me."Brenda sighed dramatically. "Oh, Grace, you have no idea what’s been happening behind your back. Your so-called family? They were never looking for you. They were looking for someone they could control. That’s why I—"She stopped abruptly, catching herself.Grace narrowed her eyes. "You what, Brenda?"Brenda leaned forward, her expression suddenly desperate. "I was supposed to be the one. I was supposed to be their daughter, Grace. Bu
As the glamorous gala continued, the hall was filled with laughter, music, and celebration. Grace had finally found her true place—with a family that cherished her, a husband who adored her, and a life free of the deception that had tried to tear her down.But not everyone was happy.From the far end of the hall, a pair of eyes burned with resentment, watching Grace bask in her newfound happiness.The woman who had pretended to be the lost Lennox daughter—Clara—had been exposed, humiliated, and dragged away by the police just days before. However, her hatred for Grace had only intensified behind bars.And she wasn't the only one.At the back of the estate, where the celebration lights barely reached, a black car was parked discreetly. Inside, a figure sat in the driver's seat, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel impatiently."She’s glowing like a damn queen," he muttered, watching Grace through a pair of binoculars. His face twisted with hatred. "That should have been Clara
The Lennox estate was no longer a place of peace—it had become a battlefield. Isabella wasted no time asserting herself as the "rightful" heir, basking in the attention and respect she believed she deserved. She walked through the grand halls like a queen, flashing a smug smile whenever she passed Grace.Eleanor, unable to accept this sudden revelation, grew withdrawn. She barely ate, and the sorrow in her eyes broke Alexander’s heart. Adrian, on the other hand, was restless. His gut told him something was wrong, and he wasn’t going to let Isabella’s smug face fool him.One evening, as Adrian sat in his office combing through the DNA reports again, something caught his eye."This doesn’t make sense," he murmured.The report bore the name of a reputable lab, but something about the formatting felt… off. He compared it to an old DNA report from the same lab and noticed slight inconsistencies in the font, structure, and signature placement.His heart pounded. Could Isabella have forged t
The room fell into an unbearable silence as Grace’s mind reeled with the truth. Her pulse was racing, her hands trembling. She looked at Eleanor, the woman claiming to be her mother, then at Alexander, who had a commanding presence that reminded her so much of Adrian’s father.“I don’t know what to say,” Grace admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.Eleanor took a cautious step forward, her eyes desperate and hopeful. “I don’t expect you to accept this immediately, my love. I just want a chance. A chance to prove to you that I never stopped loving you.”Grace’s jaw clenched. “If you loved me so much, why didn’t you fight for me? Why did you let my grandmother raise me all these years while I struggled, thinking I had no one but her?”Eleanor’s tears spilled over. “I tried, Grace. Believe me, I tried. I searched for you for years, but your grandmother ensured that every trace of you was erased. She made sure that you would never find out about me, and by the time I discovered where
As Adrian left the prison, Margret slammed her fists against the table, seething with rage. She had counted on Adrian’s fear—his desperation to protect his family—to make him surrender. But now, she was trapped.Derrick entered, shaking his head. “You should have kept your mouth shut, Margret.”She shot him a glare. “I’m not done yet. There’s always another way.”Derrick sighed. “Not this time. Adrian already countered your blackmail. The legal team got ahead of the story, and William’s company released a statement proving all the shady deals were your doing, not Adrian’s.”Margret’s blood ran cold. “That’s impossible.”Derrick smirked. “William knew you’d try something like this. He had a contingency plan. Every illegal deal was traced back to you. You’re the only one facing charges.”Margret’s body slumped in the chair. “No… No, this isn’t how it was supposed to end.”Derrick leaned in, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “Oh, but it is, Margret. You finally played your last card—