Chapter 53Olivia entered and sized up the young woman who was seated on the sofa, before turning to look at Christian. His smile towards her and eyes were very warm, like he was totally in love with her and it made her heart skip a beat. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important,” she said, forcing a lightness into her voice as she stepped inside, the aroma of the deli lunch wafting in behind her.Christian motioned for her to come closer, his smile softening the sharp edges of the office. “Not at all. Just the usual paperwork. But now that you’re here, everything else can wait.” Christian said, standing from his chair. “Let me introduce you two. Liv, this is Mrs. Oxnard’s daughter, Elle. She’s working as an intern in the office of the Chairman. And Elle, this is my wife, Olivia, as you know.“Good afternoon, Mrs. Mason”, Elle stood up to greet her with a handshake.“Just call me Olivia”, she replied as she returned the handshake.“I’ll leave you two and come back later”, Elle
Chapter 54As Olivia and Christian stepped out of the park with a tired Eunice nestled against Olivia’s shoulder, the cool evening air wrapped around them. They made their way to the car in comfortable silence, with Eunice already drifting off to sleep in Olivia’s arms. The day had been a whirlwind of laughter and rare moments that hinted at something deeper between them. But as Olivia glanced at Christian, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he had more on his mind.Once they returned to the mansion, they put Eunice to bed, her sleepy murmurs fading into contented silence. With the house quiet again, Olivia made her way to her room to freshen up, but Christian’s whispered words from earlier replayed in her mind. “Can we talk tonight?"After changing into something more comfortable, she found herself pacing around in her room, half-hoping Christian would stop by. Minutes later, she heard a light on her door.She went to open the door where she found Christian standing. His expression
Chapter 56Christian’s expression shifted as he listened to Pitcher’s hushed report. His jaw clenched slightly, though he kept a steady face, especially with Eunice and Olivia watching. Finally, with a short nod, he dismissed Pitcher, who walked off, his frown lingering as he glanced at Olivia.Christian turned to them, his usual calm restored. “Good timing,” he said with a hint of a smile, reaching down to ruffle Eunice’s hair. “I was just finishing up.”Eunice beamed, her small hand slipping into his. “We got you a treat, Uncle Christian!” She held up the bakery bag with a proud grin.Christian’s expression softened, and he accepted the bag with a warm nod. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Then he glanced at Olivia, a glimmer of something deeper in his eyes. “I could use a break, so this is perfect timing.”As they moved to the lounge area, Christian settled Eunice on the couch with a couple of pastries and a drink, giving her a quiet, engaging task. Once he was sure she was content, he tur
Chapter 56Christian’s expression shifted as he listened to Pitcher’s hushed report. His jaw clenched slightly, though he kept a steady face, especially with Eunice and Olivia watching. Finally, with a short nod, he dismissed Pitcher, who walked off, his frown lingering as he glanced at Olivia.Christian turned to them, his usual calm restored. “Good timing,” he said with a hint of a smile, reaching down to ruffle Eunice’s hair. “I was just finishing up.”Eunice beamed, her small hand slipping into his. “We got you a treat, Uncle Christian!” She held up the bakery bag with a proud grin.Christian’s expression softened, and he accepted the bag with a warm nod. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Then he glanced at Olivia, a glimmer of something deeper in his eyes. “I could use a break, so this is perfect timing.”As they moved to the lounge area, Christian settled Eunice on the couch with a couple of pastries and a drink, giving her a quiet, engaging task. Once he was sure she was content, he tur
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
Epilogue Nine months later. The sun streamed gently through the tall windows of the new Matt & Rose Foundation building, casting a warm glow over rows of seated attendees—executives, students, members of the press, and friends. The air held something rare: hope. Christian stood at the podium in a tailored navy suit, a small white ribbon pinned to his lapel. His gaze swept across the audience, lingering on the front row, where Olivia sat beside Ruth. Ruth wore a floral midi dress and a guarded smile. Next to her sat Roosevelt Lee—a former college buddy of Christian’s, and for the past month, Ruth’s quiet comfort. Eunice sat on Olivia’s lap, her legs swinging under her dress shoes, proudly sporting a glittery badge that read Junior Ambassador. She waved when Christian looked her way. He winked, then returned his attention to the microphone. “Today,” Christian began, his voice carrying with ease, “we honour two people whose kindness shaped who I am. My brother and sister-in-law
Chapter 120 Another four months had passed since Josh’s first court appearance. Today was judgment day.The courtroom felt colder this time—not from the air, but from the finality clinging to the walls like frost. The trial had dragged on for weeks—meticulous testimonies, irrefutable digital evidence, and the haunting voices of those Josh had manipulated or destroyed. Ruth had testified. So had Olivia. And Christian had taken the stand with quiet resolve, walking the court through every calculated step Josh had taken in the shadows.Now, there were no whispers. Just silence. The sentencing.Christian sat in the front row once again, between Ruth and Olivia. His hands rested on his knees, spine straight, jaw tight. Behind them, rows of strangers watched history unfold.Olivia wore a black blouse and slacks, her eyes fixed forward, unreadable. Ruth had opted for navy this time—a subtle, steady colour that matched the calm she was trying to summon.Josh was brought in, flanked by office
Chapter 119 Four Months LaterThe car ride to the courthouse was silent and tense. Christian drove, while Ruth and Olivia sat quietly in the back.The Massachusetts Criminal Courthouse loomed ahead, grim beneath a brooding sky. The winter air cut through even the thickest coats. News vans lined the perimeter like vultures, antennas raised like mechanical spines. Cameramen and reporters crowded the steps, lenses trained on the entrance, waiting for the man at the center of a storm no one had seen coming.Inside, the courtroom buzzed with restrained energy. Whispered conversations rose and fell like waves. Every seat was filled—press, family members, curious onlookers. The case of State vs. Joshua Smith had gripped the city: betrayal, murder, power, secrets.Christian sat at the front beside Olivia and Ruth, his expression carved from stone, but his eyes— his eyes burned. He hadn’t slept well in days, not since the indictment was finalised. The time between discovery and justice had fe
Chapter 118 Detective Harris shone his flashlight into the dark cavity beneath the floorboards, brushing aside layers of dust and cobwebs. “There’s definitely something down here.”Christian knelt beside the hole, squinting into the shadows. “What do you see?”“Some kind of box.” Harris reached down carefully and pulled out a dusty metal tin, about the size of a shoebox. It clanked faintly as he set it beside him. “It was wedged under one of the boards.”Detective Fisher stepped forward, gloved hands steady, and popped the lid. Everyone leaned in.Inside, nestled between scraps of old cloth, were two flash drives, a sealed plastic sleeve containing a small memory card—and, folded neatly at the bottom—a shirt.Fisher’s brow furrowed as he lifted the drives. “Bag these,” he instructed, handing them to another officer. “Handle with care. They could be encrypted.”Christian’s gaze narrowed. “What kind of shirt is that?”Fisher gently unfolded the fabric. It was a large-sized, worn men’s
Chapter 117 Olivia grabbed his arm before he could finish.“Christian.”He stopped and sank into the nearest sofa, the tension radiating from his frame.“Sweetheart,” he said gently, “come here. Let Uncle ask you something.”Eunice nodded and skipped forward. Christian crouched in front of her, his hands resting lightly on her small shoulders. His expression was calm, but there was an intensity in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.“Eunice,” he said softly, “what do you mean by a secret room?”Eunice beamed, clearly delighted to finally share her secret.“The one behind the big bookshelf in the living room! Daddy and Uncle Josh used to go there all the time. I saw them!” She puffed out her chest proudly. “They thought I didn’t know, but I did.”Christian’s grip tightened slightly. Olivia noticed the tick in his jaw.“When did you see them, sweetheart?” she asked gently, kneeling beside them. “Was it a long time ago?”Eunice nodded, her little hands tugging at the hem of Olivia’s
Chapter 116 The Mason mansion was quiet that night—the kind of stillness that carries the weight of things unsaid.Ruth sat curled on the plush living room couch, a blanket draped around her shoulders. But the warmth did nothing to ease the chill in her chest. The day’s events played on a loop in her mind— every word, every lie, every trace of Josh’s deception. She had spent months loving a man who never truly existed. Now all that remained was the rubble of a future that had never been real.Olivia sat beside her, close enough to offer support, but not suffocating.“Are you sure you don’t want to go upstairs and try to sleep?” she asked gently.Ruth let out a scoff and shook her head. “Sleep? Not a chance. Every time I close my eyes, I hear his voice. I see that smug smile he gave me—like he still had me wrapped around his finger.” Her voice cracked, raw with disbelief. “God, he really believed I was still his.”Olivia reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “He’
Chapter 115 Ruth tightened her grip on the steering wheel as she pulled into the detention center's parking lot. The morning sun glared off the pavement, but its warmth couldn’t touch the cold knot twisting in her stomach. She exhaled slowly, bracing herself. This wasn’t a visit for closure. It wasn’t to ask for explanations.She needed to see the manipulative monster Josh truly was—again.For the past twenty-four hours, she had replayed every moment: every conversation, every touch, every whispered promise. All lies. Carefully crafted. Skilfully delivered. And she had believed them —believed him—because she thought he loved her the way she had loved him.She stepped out of the car, her heels clicking sharply against the asphalt as she walked toward the entrance. The moment she passed through security, the weight of the situation settled squarely on her shoulders. Cold fluorescent lights hummed overhead as officers led her down sterile hallways. And then, at last, she was there—facin
Chapter 114 The rhythmic clicking of Christian’s pen against his desk was the only sound in the vast office as he sat, deep in thought. The morning had started like any other, with reports to review and meetings to prepare for, but the weight of last night’s revelation pressed down on him like a storm cloud.Josh.He had spent quite some time going over every detail from the journal Ruth had found. The words scrawled across the pages painted a picture of a man who had been living a double life—outwardly charming, supportive, and loyal, yet seething with resentment beneath the surface.A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. “Come in,” he called.The door opened, and Secretary Pitcher stepped inside, his expression neutral but professional. “Detective Fisher is here to see you, sir.”Christian straightened, nodding. “Send him in.”A moment later, Detective Fisher strode into the office. He was a middle-aged man with graying temples, sharp eyes that missed nothing, and an air
Chapter 113 "Make sure you have all these files assessed by the necessary departments and submitted to me by noon tomorrow," Christian said in a commanding tone."Yes, sir," Pitcher replied."As for what I told you about, continue directing them and see what they have to do about it. Also, reschedule my appointment with Mr. Manchester—I have to go pick up Eunice from sch—"Christian was interrupted by the buzzing phone on his desk. He quickly picked up the call as soon as he saw the caller ID.Olivia’s voice had been tight with urgency when she told him to come home. The undercurrent of alarm in her tone was enough to send his pulse spiking.By the time he strode into the Mason mansion, Olivia and Ruth were waiting for him in the living room, their faces pale.He was surprised to see Ruth with Olivia. Hadn't they just had a huge argument days before? Before he could ask anything, he noticed the thick, black journal sitting on the coffee table between them."What’s going on?" Christia