Chapter 21: Dangerous PathsMelissa sat at the edge of the worn out chair, staring at the map spread across her coffee table. The safe house was small, barely enough space to breathe, but it would have to do even though the walls felt too close, but that was better than the alternative, being out in the open.Her phone buzzed again, another message from Emma."Are you sure about this? You’re not even safe there." It readMelissa sighed and typed back quickly."I need time to think, Emma. I can’t keep running blind; I would eventually get myself killed."She set the phone down and traced the red circles on the map. The Hawthornes weren’t just closing in, they were moving faster than she expected. Evelyn wasn’t splaying nice anymore she was sending a message. The men who trailed her last week weren’t random; they were professionals.Melissa pulled out a small flash drive from her pocket, the one thing she got as she risked her life. She hadn’t had time to go through it yet, but the file
Chapter 22: Breaking PointsMelissa leaned against her cracked kitchen counter, her fingers clutched the phone. The line had gone dead moments ago, but her heart still pounded in fear. Emma would deliver the message, she had to. Rico needed to know how close he was to stepping into the same trap Lydia couldn’t escape.But Melissa wasn’t sure if the warning would be enough. Rico has showed that he wasn’t the type to back down.The safe house felt smaller tonight, its shadows stretching longer than usual. She forced herself to breathe, pushing back the weight pressing against her ribs. She couldn’t afford to fall apart now. Not with everything she’d seen in those files.The screen of her laptop blinked again, showing the last transaction, the listed date was only three days earlier, money had exchanged hands, large sums moving through shell companies tied to both the Hawthornes and Alex. Melissa’s name appeared under “liabilities.” Her stomach knotted.A sharp knock at the door snapped
Chapter 23: Shattered TrustMelissa stood at the edge of the abandoned church yard, her pulse increasing as shadows stretched along the cracked pavement. She held unto the pepper spray in her pocket, her nerves tingling. Rico was late.She hated waiting; it gave her too much time to think, too much time to doubt.The old wooden door creaked open, and Rico stepped inside, his physique against the dim light. Melissa’s fingers twitched. He looked too calm, too steady. That only made her more uneasy.“Did you come alone?” she asked, stepping back.“Yes,” Rico said his voice low but steady. “You didn’t give me much choice.”Melissa’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t trust you completely at this point.”“Good,” Rico said, stepping closer. “Because I don’t trust anyone at the moment.”Melissa swallowed hard. His words cut sharper than she expected. She had hoped he’d be softer, desperate for answers. But this Rico, this sharp, calculating version, reminded her too much of the people who had tried to
Chapter 24: More TroubleMelissa stood outside the poorly lit café, her eyes moving around toward the entrance as if expecting trouble. Rico had insisted on meeting her here again, but the longer she waited, the more uneasy she felt. The encounter in the abandoned church had left her shaken, Rico’s grief, his anger, and the undeniable guilt in his eyes still lingered in her mind.The door creaked open, and Melissa tensed up, but it wasn’t Rico who stepped inside.Her breath caught. “Justin” she saidHe looked different, sharper, and older, as if the weight of the world had settled on his shoulders. But the eyes were the same, piercing and unreadable.“Melissa.” His voice was low, steady.She stepped back instinctively. “What are you doing here?” she asked“Relax.” He raised his hands. “I just want to talk.”“How do you know I was supposed to be here?” she asked“I kind of eavesdropped on Rico, I am sorry” he said“I don’t have anything to say to you.” She turned, but he caught her wr
Chapter 25: One Step AheadMelissa leaned against Rico’s car, her arms crossed as Justin paced about in the parking lot. The night air felt heavier than usual, these past few months had taking a toll on her but today felt heavier, she didn’t trust Justin, but for now, she had to tolerate him as she also tried to believe that he means well.“We need answers,” Rico said, breaking the tense silence. “Justin, start talking.”Justin stopped pacing and looked at them. “The Blackwood’s, the Hawthornes, and Alex Montgomery, they’re tangled in this mess deeper than you realize.”Melissa scoffed. “We already know that. Give us something we can actually use.”Justin’s jaw tightened. “I’ve been working for the Blackwood’s for months now, watching their moves, gathering Intel. But what you don’t know is that Evelyn Hawthorne is already planning something bigger. She’s tired of waiting for Alex to clean up his mess.”Melissa’s eyes narrowed. “Bigger? Like what?”Justin hesitated, but Rico stepped f
Chapter 26: SurvivalMelissa’s hand trembled as she tightened her grip on her phone as the ominous text lingered on the screen.“You’re running out of time.”The words kept repeating in her mind, sharp and unrelenting. She looked up at Justin, her pulse quickening.“What aren’t you telling us?” Her voice cut through the silence.Justin opened his mouth, but Rico stepped in front of him, his expression hard. “No more games. Either you talk, or you’re out.” Rico saidJustin’s shoulders tensed. “I didn’t send that text if that’s what you’re thinking, I am here and I haven’t touched my phone.” He said“I know, we are watching you, but something tells me you know who did so who did?” Rico demanded.Melissa’s eyes darted between them, her instincts screaming that this wasn’t random. “It’s a warning,” she said quietly. “And whoever sent it knows more than we do.”Justin exhaled sharply. “It could be one of Evelyn’s people, but if it is, we’re already being watched, maybe they are even outsid
Chapter 27: Point Of No Return.Melissa sat at the edge of the couch, her thoughts spiraling as Justin’s words lingered.“If we don’t act fast, we’re all dead.”The weight of his statement pressed down on her. She studied Justin, searching for cracks in his calm demeanor, but he only stared back, his jaw tight.“Fine,” Melissa said finally, her voice steady. “But this doesn’t mean I trust you.”Justin smirked. “You don’t have to.” he said Rico paced by the window, his sharp gaze flickering toward the street below. “Let’s focus,” he said. “We contact Evelyn, but we need a plan for what comes next. Buying time only works if we use it.”Melissa nodded, her fingers tapping against the phone screen as she began drafting the message. But even as her hands moved, her mind wandered, to Elisa, lost and terrified, and to the shadow that Evelyn has casted over all of them.“We have what you wouldn't want the media to see.”She hesitated before adding the final line.“If we die, the truth comes
Chapter 28: The Clock is TickingMelissa stared at the message glowing on her phone screen.“You have 12 hours.”Her fingers tightened around the device, her pulse racing. The poorly lit room felt and look way smaller now, the walls felt like they where closing in.Justin leaned against the desk, arms crossed. “We need to act now or not, is either now or we wait for the time to elapse.”Rico paced near the window. “Twelve hours isn’t enough time.”Melissa shot him a sharp look. “It has to be, our lives depend on it, Not you though, she wouldn't touch a Blackwood, she still need your family alliance.” She turned to Justin. “What’s Evelyn’s next move? You know her better than anyone.”Justin hesitated, "I have studied her, I don't know her" his usual arrogance dimmed by something closer to fear. “Evelyn doesn’t bluff. If we don’t give her what she wants, she’ll hit us where it hurts.”Melissa swallowed the feeling of fear forming in her throat. “Then we hit first.” she said.Rico stopp
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