Chapter 57In the car, Olivia was seated at the back while Eunice slept on her lap while Christian drove. He looked visibly angry, probably because they had to leave the park in a hurry because of Olivia’s quick observation.“I can’t believe they are hiding around just to take a picture of my private time with my family”, he said angrily.“Just calm down, nothing matters as long as Eunice is safe. Besides, you’re a public figure, so I get that they want to take pictures of you, but they should consider cutting it down." Olivia said, caressing Eunice’s head.Christian’s grip on the wheel tightened, his jaw clenching and unclenching with every thought racing through his mind. Olivia could feel the tension coming from him even from her seat in the back, and she knew how much his privacy mattered to him. Since he had taken over Mason Enterprises, the media’s obsession with his every move had only grown, but today they had crossed a line. He wanted Eunice to have a normal day, a rare respi
Chapter 58The day of the parent-child event at Eunice’s kindergarten had finally come. Christian, Olivia and Eunice woke up earlier than usual to see if everything prepared was perfect. After confirming, Olivia took Eunice to school before going back home to dress up.Olivia adjusted the collar of her blouse in the mirror, silently preparing herself for the role she’d be playing that day. It was more than just a school event—this was a chance to be there for Eunice and to stand alongside Christian in public. Their recent decision to give their relationship a real chance brought an unexpected warmth to her heart, one that made today feel more meaningful.She would also be playing the role of Eunice’s mother in front of her peers. She's scared she might fumble on their little family.At that moment, Christian came out of the closet wearing a crisp dress shirt that hinted at his corporate side yet was softened by a small, genuinely warm smile. “Ready?” he asked, his gaze lingering on he
Chapter 59The boss sat back on the leather sofa, his fingers crossed as he surveyed the woman before him. A sinister glint shone in his eyes as he let out a chuckle, full of dark satisfaction. “Look here,” he said, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. “I know you’re in a rush for some miracle to happen, but Christian’s on the lookout for any slight mistake. We can’t let him sniff us out—at least not prematurely.”The woman’s eyes narrowed. Her expression was a blend of resentment and desperation. “I don’t want him anywhere near that woman. She’s nothing, yet she’s already wrapped him around her finger. My daughter should be the one standing beside him, as his wife, in that mansion. Not some nobody who—” She cut herself off with a bitter sigh, shaking her head. "Separate them. Do whatever it takes before that woman traps him with a child.”The boss smiled slyly, enjoying the way her frustration simmered just beneath the surface. “I’ll do what I can,” he replied, tilting his head tho
Chapter 60Christian squinted as he woke up to the first hint of sunlight spilling through the blinds, casting a soft, warm glow over the room. The previous night played back in his mind with an intensity that surprised him. Beside him, Olivia lay sleeping peacefully, her face relaxed, framed by the soft waves of her chestnut brown hair. A calm he hadn’t felt in years settled over him as he watched her. His heart was filled with contentment.For a man who had always lived his life behind walls, allowing very few people to glimpse who he really was, letting Olivia in felt monumental She stirred slightly, and he felt his chest tighten. He’d always thought vulnerability was a weakness, but as he gazed at her, he realised how much strength he drew from her presence.He slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her, and headed to the kitchen to prepare coffee. The gentle clinking of cups and the warm aroma soon filled the air, and he found himself smiling as he poured two mugs, wondering
Chapter 61“What are you talking about?” Olivia asked as she gawked at Ruth. “Looks like I’m the one who’s becoming a godmother soon”.Ruth glared at her for a while. “Will you stop teasing me?”“If you’re not sure, why don’t you take a pregnancy test? That will clear all of your worries at once”, Olivia advised.“That’s it. What if it comes out positive? What do I do? Josh and I just started dating recently”, Ruth rambled on about her worries for minutes.“You know that? What was stopping the two of you from using protection? Or even better post pills?”“I didn’t know what we were thinking. I guess the sex was just too great at some point, so we ditched the protection”.Olivia sighed at Ruth’s response. “You are so...I don’t even know what to say."Ruth sighed in response. “Forget about me. I’ll go to the clinic later. Tell me about Christian and yourself. Have you still not taken your relationship to the next level?”“That’s all you know about in that head of yours. My relationship
Chapter 62When Christian arrived home that evening, Olivia and Eunice lay on the couch with colouring books and crayons scattered between them. Eunice looked up beaming as he entered.“Uncle Christian!” she called, running to him with outstretched arms.He scooped her up, feeling the warmth of her small arms around his neck. “How’s my little artist?” he asked, glancing at the vibrant doodles on the page.Olivia stood, smiling as she watched them. “We’re just having a quiet evening. I figured you’d want to relax after the day you’ve had.”He reached for her hand, pulling her close. “You have no idea how right you are,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.Eunice looked between them, a grin spreading across her face. “Can I show you my drawings, Uncle Christian?”“Of course,” he replied, setting her down and watching as she proudly displayed her creations.Later, after Eunice had gone to bed, he and Olivia lingered on the couch, wrapped in comfortable silence. The event
Chapter 63“Olivia, come see this”, Ruth quickly whispered. Olivia shot herself to Ruth’s side. She gasped in shock as soon as she saw the headline. Her heart started to thump in her chest. This headline is really damaging, especially to Christian, since he was at loggerheads with his company’s board members.“Olivia... this is ridiculous. Who would...?” Ruth’s words faded, also knowing full well the damage a headline like this could do to Christian’s reputation, not to mention Olivia’s.Olivia took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. “I don’t know, Ruth. I... I thought this part of my life was behind me.” Her voice trembled, a raw edge breaking through her calm front.Ruth reached across the table, squeezing her friend’s hand. “This isn’t your fault. Don’t let them get to you. What you should be worried about right now is Christian’s reaction to this."Olivia nodded as she took her phone. She needed to talk to Christian, to hear his voice and know he wasn’t as rattled as she
Chapter 64As Olivia and Eunice left the ice cream parlour, she held tightly to Eunice’s small hand, the child’s chatter easing some of her tension. She forced a smile as they strolled back to the car, though her mind spun with the implications of the scandal and the leverage Rock Assets was trying to gain. Christian had been so resolute and calm, but Olivia knew his drive to protect her could make him vulnerable.By the time they reached home, the sun had started its descent, casting a warm, amber glow across the city. As Olivia and Eunice walked into the living room, the comforting sight of their cozy space brought Olivia a slight sense of relief, a place where they could momentarily shut out the world.Eunice skipped off to her room, excited to arrange her collection of new art toys, leaving Olivia a moment of quiet in the living room. She sank onto the couch, scrolling through her phone and catching glimpses of articles analysing the scandal.It was unbearable—these strangers piec
Chapter 105 The morning sunlight filtered through the heavy curtains of Christian’s office, but the warmth it brought was lost on him. He sat at his desk, his laptop open to a spreadsheet riddled with connections and names. His phone buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts. Pitcher’s name flashed across the screen.“Pitcher,” Christian answered briskly, leaning back in his chair.“Mr. Mason, I have an update,” Pitcher said, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. “We’ve uncovered connections between Josh, Matthew, and Rock Assets Management. It seems that Josh was funnelling information about Mason Enterprises through a series of intermediaries. The link to Rock Assets is indirect, but it’s there.”Christian’s grip tightened on the phone. “Go on.”“One of the shell companies we flagged last year for attempting to sabotage your supply chain received funding from a private account tied to Josh. That same account made regular payments to someone on Matthew’s team about four months befor
Chapter 104 The room was silent except for the faint sound of Olivia pacing, her arms folded tightly across her chest. Christian stood near the window, his gaze distant, his mind replaying Detective Fisher’s words like a haunting refrain.“It’s possible their accident wasn’t just an accident.”Olivia stopped abruptly, turning to face him. “Christian, we need to talk about this,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her eyes.Christian exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “I know,” he said, his voice low. “But I don’t even know where to start. If Josh was involved in this—”“You don’t know that yet,” Olivia interjected, stepping closer to him. “But Fisher’s right. If there’s even a chance that Matthew and Rosemary’s accident wasn’t what it seemed, we can’t ignore it.”Christian turned to her, his jaw tightening. “I trusted Josh. I’ve known him for years. If he’s capable of being part of something like this...” His voice trailed off, the weight of betr
Chapter 103 Christian froze for only a fraction of a second before his instincts kicked in. He gently lowered Eunice into Olivia’s arms, his eyes never leaving Josh, who stood at the edge of the room with a mixture of defiance and regret etched across his face.Christian surged forward, his movements quick and precise. He grabbed Josh by the collar, slamming him against the nearest wall. “What the hell is this, Josh?” Christian’s voice was low, trembling with barely contained rage. “You kidnapped my niece?”Josh didn’t resist. He met Christian’s burning gaze, his jaw clenched, and his hands raised in a half- hearted gesture of surrender. “Christian, stop. This isn’t what you think.”“You have no idea what I think!” Christian roared, his grip tightening. “You were my best friend, Josh. I trusted you! I left her safety in your hands, and all this time, it was you?”Olivia, holding Eunice protectively, edged closer. “Christian, calm down!” she urged, her voice shaky. “We need answers, n
Chapter 102Christian’s hand hovered over his phone, his jaw tightening as the cryptic text replayed in his mind:“Stop digging. This isn’t a warning—it’s a promise.”He dialled Lois’s number again, his pulse quickening with each ring. Still no answer. “She’s not picking up,” he said to Olivia, his tone grim.Olivia, seated across from him at Lois’s desk, sifted through the papers Lois had left behind. “Do you think the text is connected to her disappearance?”Christian leaned against the desk, running a hand through his hair. “It has to be. Someone knows she was close to uncovering something.”“She’s smart, Christian,” Olivia said, her voice steady but laced with concern. “If she sensed danger, she might’ve gone off the grid to protect herself.”“Or someone made sure she couldn’t,” Christian countered, his frustration evident.Olivia paused, holding up a document. “I think I found something. This file—it’s a map of the Springfield Apartments. Lois highlighted specific units, but look
Chapter 101Christian’s mind raced as Lois’s words hung in the air. Annette Fournier wasn’t just a name tied to his family’s history—it was tied to Josh’s as well. The pieces of the puzzle were shifting again, and the picture they were forming was even more complex than he’d anticipated.“Christian?” Lois’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Are you still there?”“I’m here,” Christian said, gripping the edge of his desk. “You’re saying the Sprungfield apartments—all of them—are on land owned by Annette Fournier?”“Exactly,” Lois confirmed. “And the property hasn’t left the Fournier name. The shell companies tied to the buildings are, in one way or another, still connected to her descendants. Josh’s family.”Christian pinched the bridge of his nose, his thoughts tumbling over one another. Josh had no idea about Lois or the investigation, and Christian wasn’t sure how to approach the subject without breaking the fragile trust between them.“I need you to dig further,” Christian said fin
Chapter 100 Christian was on his second cup of coffee when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen: Lois Parker. He swiped to answer immediately, his tone sharp.“Lois,” he greeted, his tone brisk. “What do you have?”“I pulled everything I could on the Springfield property,” Lois began, her voice steady. “The ownership history is clean—no red flags. But the tenant records are... unusual. There are no actual tenants. Instead, the building’s leases are tied to several shell companies, just like the others. The common thread is one name: Annette Fournier.”Christian leaned forward, his jaw tightening. “She’s involved again.”“Yes,” Lois confirmed. “And it gets stranger. I cross-referenced her name with historical property transactions, and I found something odd. ‘Annette Fournier’ first appeared decades ago. Either we’re dealing with someone using an inherited identity, or this name is part of a deeper family connection.”Christian frowned. “Deeper how?”“Well,” Lois continued, “I t
Chapter 99The morning sun barely filtered through the blinds of Christian’s office when his phone buzzed. Lois Parker’s name flashed on the screen. Christian snatched it up, his tone clipped.“What did you find?”Lois’s voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of urgency. “Christian, I’ve been digging into those offshore accounts. It’s bigger than I initially thought.”Christian leaned forward, gripping the edge of his desk. “How big?”“Matthew wasn’t just funnelling money. He was purchasing property under an alias—several apartment buildings across the city, all under the name ‘Marie Claremont’.”“Marie Claremont?” Christian repeated, his jaw tightening. “Why would Matthew need an alias to buy property? Mason Enterprises could acquire anything without a second glance.”“That’s not all,” Lois added. “The purchases were made in partnership with someone named Annette Fournier. Her name shows up on all the documents, but so far, I haven’t been able to track her down. No official recor
Chapter 98Inside his car, Christian stared out the window, the city lights blurring as the vehicle sped through the streets. Patricia’s words swirled in his mind, intertwining with fragmented memories of Matthew.The older brother, who had always seemed so confident and composed, now felt like a stranger cloaked in mysteries Christian hadn’t dared to explore. He just drove home, consumed by anger.Christian leaned back in his chair, staring out the wide glass window of his office. The city skyline stretched before him, glittering against the darkening evening sky. Normally, the view grounded him, a symbol of the empire his family had built, but today, it offered no solace. Patricia Oxnard’s words from earlier echoed in his mind, gnawing at the foundations of everything he believed about his brother.“Matthew wasn’t the saint you believed him to be... He had secrets.”Christian clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. The accusation felt like a betrayal—not just against Matthew’s memor
Chapter 97Christian stood outside the holding cell, the fluorescent lights above casting harsh shadows on the stark walls. Detective Fisher’s voice echoed in his mind, reminding him to tread carefully. But Christian had no intention of being careful.Inside the cell, Mrs. Patricia Oxnard sat stiffly on the metal bench, her hands folded in her lap. Despite her disheveled appearance, she carried herself with a dignity that belied her situation. When she noticed Christian, her face flickered with hope, though her eyes remained wary.“Christian,” she began, standing slowly. “Thank God you’re here. I knew you’d realise this was all a mistake.”Christian forced a small, tight smile, stepping closer to the bars. “Mrs. Oxnard, I want to believe it’s a mistake,” he said, his tone measured, almost warm. “You’ve been a trusted figure in my life for so long. I couldn’t just stand by while you were dragged into this mess.”Her eyes softened, and for a moment, she looked like the woman who had onc