Chapter 31: Desperate MovesThe tension in the poorly lit hideout was suffocating. Rico paced back and forth, his fists clenching and unclenching as Melissa and Justin worked frantically at the table cluttered with papers, laptops, and USB drives. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, reminding them that time was slipping away, only three hours left, and they had nothing concrete.Melissa slammed her laptop shut. "No one’s talking. I’ve contacted every informant, every scared insider I could find, and not one of them is willing to come forward."Rico stopped pacing and turned to face her. "We need something, anything. She killed my sister, Melissa. We can’t let her walk away from this."Justin rubbed his temples, his voice grim. "We’ve got dirt on Evelyn, but it’s not enough to take her down completely. And even if it was, who’s going to stand up to her? The Hawthornes practically own the police and the courts."Melissa’s eyes flickered with determination. "We’re out of time. I’m not a
Chapter 32: Fractures and FearsThe meeting point was an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. The flickering lights barely cut through the shadows, adding to Melissa’s unease. She stood near the entrance, her arms crossed tightly as Rico and Justin waited in the car nearby, ready in case things went south, they also had back up plan Incase Evelyn decide to try to murder her.The heavy clang of metal doors echoed as Evelyn Hawthorne entered. She wasn’t alone. Two men followed her, their expressions blank, but their movements screamed trained professionals, ready to kill on order.Melissa squared her shoulders. “You didn’t come alone, scared of little me?” she said as she giggled dryly.Evelyn smirked. “Did you expect me to? You’re brave, I’ll give you that. But bravery doesn’t mean much when you’re outmatched.”Melissa kept her voice steady. “You’re not out of reach, Evelyn. I have enough to make you fall and me being alive saves you from so much.”Evelyn tilted her head, as t
Chapter 33: Turning TidesThe dim glow of Melissa’s laptop illuminated her face as she scrolled through the encrypted files Vale had sent earlier. Her fingers tapped impatiently against the desk, the weight of Evelyn’s threats still lingering in her mind. Evelyn had rattled her, but Melissa refused to let it show. Not to Rico, not to Justin, and especially not to Evelyn Hawthorne.She replayed their conversation in her head, Evelyn’s taunts cutting deeper than she wanted to admit. The mention of her past, her struggles, her mistakes, was not something Melissa was proud of. But she’d fought her way out of that life, fighting for every opportunity to get where she was. No one, especially not Evelyn, would drag her back.Her phone buzzed.Unknown Number: "Clock’s ticking. Decide where you stand."Melissa slammed the laptop shut and stood. She couldn’t let Evelyn control the narrative. She needed leverage, something Evelyn wouldn’t see coming. And if she had to dig deeper into the Hawthor
Chapter 34: Mirrors and SmokeMelissa pressed her foot harder on the gas pedal, her heart hammering as the headlights behind her grew closer. The narrow alley ahead offered no escape routes, only darkness and desperation. She veered sharply to the right, tires screeching as she slipped into a side street and killed the engine. Her breath came fast, her pulse loud in her ears. She gripped the steering wheel, forcing herself to think.She couldn’t outrun Evelyn, not forever. If she wanted to survive, she had to disappear completely. Not just off the grid, but out of existence.Vale’s words echoed in her head from their last meeting. “If you want to win this war, you have to die first.”She hadn’t understood then, but she did now. Evelyn needed to believe she was gone. Only then could Melissa move without eyes on her every move. She fumbled for her burner phone and typed out one last message.“I can’t fight anymore. I’m sorry. Don’t look for me.” she wrote.She hit send and tossed the ph
Chapter 35: Shadows in MotionMelissa kept her steps measured, her head low, as she slipped into the poorly lit café nestled in the heart of a foreign city. The bustling chatter around her offered a strange comfort, a disguise for an important meeting. Her plain clothes and dyed brown hair transformed her into someone unremarkable, blending seamlessly into the crowd. She scanned the room briefly before settling in a corner booth.When the waiter approached, she barely glanced up. “Black coffee,” she murmured.Minutes later, a figure joined her, sliding into the seat across the table. Vale looked as casual as ever, but the tension in his jaw gave him away.“You’re late,” Melissa said flatly.Vale smirked. “You’re the one who staged your death. I figured you’d appreciate unpredictability.”She frowned. “This isn’t a game, Vale. Evelyn thinks I’m dead, and I need it to stay that way.”Vale leaned forward, his voice lowering. “Do you know how many people want you gone? Evelyn isn’t the on
Chapter 36: Bloodlines and Solidarity.The Blackwood estate was shrouded in the warm glow of dusk, but inside Evelyn’s private study, the air was cold and calculating. The sharp click of her heels echoed as she paced before the wide oak desk. Standing before her were her twin children, Adrian and Alexis, poised and unflinching under their mother’s penetrating gaze.Adrian, tall and sharply dressed in a tailored navy suit, exuded precision and control. His movements were measured, his posture a mirror of his mother’s authority. Beside him stood Alexis, her raven-black hair pulled into a sleek ponytail, her dark eyes gleaming with cunning. Unlike Adrian’s reserved demeanor, Alexis radiated a quiet intensity, her confidence palpable.“I’m giving you both an opportunity,” Evelyn began, her voice low but commanding. “Alex has proven to be a disappointment, and I need someone capable of cleaning up the mess he’s left behind.”Adrian smirked faintly. “Cleaning up after Alex is hardly a chall
Chapter 37: Echoes of TimeThe soft hum of the ceiling fan stirred the quiet of Grace’s modest home. The house was small but cozy, filled with the scent of freshly baked cupcakes. Grace wiped her hands on her apron as she glanced at the calendar on the wall, the date circled in red: Zira’s Birthday.In the living room, Zira sat cross-legged on the rug, her dark curls framing her cherubic face. She giggled as her plush rabbit danced across the floor, her small hands making it hop toward the toy tea set she had meticulously arranged.“Grandma!” Zira called out, her voice filled with excitement. “Bunny says he’s hungry!”Grace smiled as she walked in, carrying a small plate of cookies. “Well, we can’t let Bunny go hungry, can we?” she said, kneeling beside her granddaughter.Zira beamed up at her, her eyes sparkling with joy. At three years old, Zira had grown into a vibrant, curious child. But as Grace looked at her, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of the years that had passed. It
Chapter 38: Trouble Looming.The faint glow of the desk lamp was fasting a long shadow in Rico’s study as he sat motionless, staring at his phone. The anonymous text seemed to stick to his screen, each word hammering into his mind:“Today is your daughter’s 3rd birthday, but you have abandoned her because you are a baby who listens to everything your parents say…”Rico’s jaw clenched as the words played over and over in his head. He wanted to dismiss it as some cruel joke, but the voice inside him, the one he had silenced for years, whispered otherwise.This was for this best right? He questioned himself.“Rico?” Catherine’s voice broke the stillness, her soft footsteps approaching. He quickly locked the phone and slid it into his pocket, turning to see her leaning against the doorway. She cradled Rosalie in her arms, her delicate features softened by the warm light.“You’ve been in here for a while,” she said gently. “Are you okay?”Rico forced a smile, but it felt like a mask. “Just
Chapter 61: One Good, Two Bad.Rachel sat at the farthest corner of the school library, her fingers flipping through the pages of a thick textbook. The familiar scent of old paper and ink filled the air, a quiet comfort in the otherwise chaotic world of high school.She didn’t mind being alone.It was easier this way.People at St. Augustine’s Academy, one of the city’s most elite private schools weren’t cruel to her, but they weren’t friendly either. She was neither rich enough to be admired nor outgoing enough to be noticed. The other students barely acknowledged her presence, as if she were part of the furniture.Rachel had stopped trying to fit in years ago.“Class, before we begin, I want to acknowledge something,” Mr. Grayson, their economics teacher, said as he entered. He was one of the few teachers who actually noticed her.He turned to face the class. “We had a round of mock exams last week, and the highest scorer as usual where a number of kids but someone had given a large
Chapter 60: New Beginning, Old ShadowsFifteen years had passed, and the world had moved on. The city still played with power, its undercurrents of corruption as strong as ever. The names that ruled it, Blackwood and the Hawthorne had not faded, only grown more ruthless.And among them, hidden in plain sight, was a girl who had no idea she was part of that world.Rachel Smith.Or, as she had once been called Zira.She didn’t remember the name. She didn’t remember much of anything from the life she’d left behind.But some things, even forgotten, never truly disappeared.***The Smith's Household: Two Sisters, Two RealitiesThe Smith's were a good family. At least, that’s what everyone believed.And in some ways, it was true. They weren’t cruel. They didn’t raise their voices, didn’t hit, didn’t mistreat her.But love?That was different.Rachel sat at the dinner table, the warm glow of the chandelier above them casting soft light over the polished mahogany. The smell of roasted chicken
Chapter 59: Before A New Era.The world had shifted, but the game? The game was still the same, power, secrets, and survival. Only this time, the rules were different.Some won. Some lost. And some? They simply waited for their next move, it took years but it never ended.***Evelyn’s Unfinished BusinessEvelyn Hawthorne sat in her dim lit office, her fingers tapping against the polished wood of her desk. The city skyline stretched beyond the floor to ceiling windows, a reminder of everything she had built… and everything she had yet to destroy.Dominic, her right hand, stood by the door, watching her closely. “We have a problem,” he said.She exhaled slowly, swirling the whiskey in her glass. “I don’t like problems, Dominic.”“This one won’t go away.” he saidEvelyn arched a brow. “Alison Roman?”“She disappeared.” he answered Silence."Isn't that suppose to be Alexis and Alex job?" She fired back, staring at him.Evelyn didn’t react right away, but the weight in the room changed. D
Chapter 58: Shadows and ReckoningsThe night was thick with tension. Evelyn Hawthorne sat in her car, the soft hum of the engine filling the silence. Across the street, the remnants of the burned warehouse still smoldered, sending wisps of smoke curling into the dark sky. Her men were scattered, stationed at vantage points, waiting for movement.And then it came.A black SUV, tinted windows, slow and cautious, pulled up near the alleyway. Someone had come to investigate the aftermath of her destruction. Evelyn smiled coldly.“Finally,” she murmured.Dominic, her enforcer, leaned forward. “Want us to move in?” he askedEvelyn held up a hand. “No. Not yet. Let them think they’re safe, I also want to see who it is.”She watched as a figure stepped out of the SUV, their figure obstructed by shadows. They stood still for a moment, surveying the damage, then pulled out a phone. Whoever they were, they were making a call.Evelyn’s fingers drummed against her armrest. “Find out who they’re ca
Chapter 57: Resilience and Confessions.The night air smelled of smoke and destruction. The fire raged, licking at the sky as the old warehouse collapsed in on itself. Evelyn Hawthorne stood a safe distance away, her face illuminated by the flickering flames, eyes cold and calculating.Her men moved like shadows around her, efficient, ruthless. This was just the beginning. Whoever had taken over Alex Montgomery’s empire had hidden well, but Evelyn wasn’t one to play guessing games. She’d draw them out the old-fashioned way, by making them bleed, This wasn't a fight for her children as she had instructed them to watch and learn how it is done.One of her men, a tall enforcer named Dominic, stepped closer. “The fire will take care of any evidence. We hit three of their locations tonight. Their operation is falling apart Ma.” he aaidEvelyn took a slow breath, the scent of burning metal sharp in the air. “Good,” she murmured then smiled, “Now we wait.” she replied.If the new leader was
Chapter 56: The Edge of TruthEvelyn’s Hunt for the RebelThe air inside the warehouse was thick with the smell of gasoline and old blood. The dim light from the overhead bulb cast long shadows on the concrete floor, where a man knelt, hands tied behind his back, his breathing coming in short gasps.Evelyn Hawthorne sat across from him, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of whiskey in her hand as she took her time mixing the amber liquid, her expression unreadable."You know why you’re here," she said finally. Her voice was soft, almost gentle, but the weight behind it made the man flinch."I ... I don’t know anything," he stammered, shaking his head. Blood trickled from a cut on his cheek, his eye already swelling shut.Evelyn sighed. "That’s disappointing." She tilted her head, watching him like a cat watching a wounded mouse. "You worked for Alex Montgomery. You took his orders, followed his commands and now, someone else is giving those orders in his name, All I want to know
Chapter 55: Shadows and SilenceSophia Pressures ValeThe pain hadn’t faded. Every movement sent a sharp sting through Sophia’s shoulder, but she gritted her teeth and ignored it. She had survived worse.She sat up on the couch, her body stiff from days of rest. The safe house was dim, the faint scent of antiseptic hanging in the air. She had been stitched up, cleaned, and kept breathing.But none of that mattered.Across from her, Vale sat with his legs stretched out, his phone in hand. He was too calm. Too comfortable."You look good for someone who almost died," Vale remarked without looking up.Sophia scowled. "And you look too relaxed for someone who still hasn’t found what I need." She saidVale smirked, finally setting his phone down. "You’re welcome, by the way. I did save your life." He retorted.Sophia ignored the remark. "Tell me what you found please?." She beggedVale stretched his arms over his head, yawning. "You’re not even going to let me enjoy this moment?" He giggle
Chapter 54: A Past That Won’t Stay BuriedSophia Wakes UpThe first thing Sophia felt was pain, sharp, deep, and unforgiving pain. It dragged her up from the heavy darkness, pulling her toward consciousness like a weight pressing against her chest. She let out a slow, shaky breath, feeling her body protest at the slightest movement.Then she heard footsteps.Her eyes fluttered open, and the dim glow of a bedside lamp made her squint her eyes. She wasn’t in the motel anymore. The air smelled sterile, the walls bare. A safe house? A hospital?She shifted, and pain flared through her shoulder, making her suck in a sharp breath."You're awake." He said That voice. She knew it. Calm, unreadable.Sophia turned her head slowly. Vale was standing near the window, arms crossed, his face half hidden in the shadows."You’re lucky I was keeping an eye on you," he said, walking toward her. "Otherwise, you'd be dead."Sophia swallowed, her throat dry. "Where… am I?" She asked."Somewhere safe," Va
Chapter 53: Lost and Not FoundSophia sat on the edge of the motel bed, scrolling mindlessly through her phone. Her hands trembled slightly as she searched for any news about Grace. It had been days, and she hadn’t heard from her mother. That wasn’t like her. Grace always found a way to check in, even if it was just a short message.Her stomach twisted with unease. She typed "Grace Silverton" into the search bar, praying for something, anything, to ease her fears.The first headline made her breath hitch.LOCAL WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN APARTMENT. SUSPECTED FOUL PLAY.Sophia's vision blurred as she clicked on the article."Grace Silverton, 58, was found dead in her apartment late last night. Authorities suspect foul play, though details remain unclear. Sources indicate that Holloway had no known enemies, and investigators are working to determine the cause of the attack."The phone slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a dull thud. Her breath came in short gasps, her chest tightenin