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 65Olivia’s heart raced as she read Christian’s message. Does your car have a dashcam? The question seemed harmless, but she sensed a layer of tension behind it. She quickly typed a response.I think so. Why?The reply came almost instantly.I’ll check it out when I get home. We might have a lead.A lead? She replayed their last few days in her mind, wondering what Christian could be after. Rock Assets? Or perhaps something else connected to the persistent interference that had only escalated recently. Her fingers hovered over her phone, tempted to ask for more details, but she knew he’d tell her in his own time. Instead, she slipped her phone into her bag and turned to Ruth, whose gaze was expectant.“Everything okay?” Ruth asked, glancing at her with curiosity.Olivia nodded, forcing a smile. “It’s just Christian. I think he’s trying to find some lead”. She didn’t want to get too excited and jinx herself, so she wasn’t sure of how much to divulge. Ruth seemed to sense her he
Chapter 66“Mom, please tell me the truth. Are you the one behind the smear campaign on Olivia? Because she’s stopping you from realising your dreams?" the daughter asked her mother tentatively.“Are you sick in the head? Is that how you talk to your mother? And why are you suspecting me?" the woman shouted back at her daughter.“If you’re my mother, you should care about what I want and my happiness. Imagine my boyfriend hears this little scheme of yours, he’ll feel insulted. Why are you doing this to me?” she retorted.The woman’s eyes flashed with indignation, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Your happiness?" When did your happiness start to matter more than your family legacy? I’ve worked far too hard for you to throw it all away because of... Olivia.”The daughter sighed with her head down. “Why are you bringing Olivia into this? You’re clearly the problem here... I never liked Christian, for as long as I can remember, and I know he feels the same about me. Stop disrupting hi
Chapter 67Christian’s grip on his phone tightened as he processed Josh’s message. Troy Carey. The name alone stirred an old bitterness that ran deep, as if his father’s warnings were echoing through time to this very moment. A rival’s involvement, especially one as entrenched in family history as Troy, meant this fight wasn’t just about Olivia’s reputation or even Mason Enterprises. It was personal.Olivia noticed the hard set of Christian’s jaw. “Troy Carey... I’ve heard the name before. But why would he support Rock Assets? What does he have against you, Christian?”He turned to her, exhaling slowly as he searched for the best way to explain the bitter feud between their families. “It’s a long story... one that goes back years, even before Matthew was born.Carey was once close to my father. They started in the industry together, young and ambitious. But Carey... he wasn’t satisfied with sharing success. He wanted it all.”Olivia nodded, listening intently, and he continued.“Carey
Chapter 68Christian woke up before dawn. The silence of the house was both calming and isolating. His mind raced, cataloging every piece of information Josh had uncovered, every move Carey could make, and every possible way to counter him. Yet, amidst all the strategies, it was the faces of Olivia and Eunice that lingered in his thoughts. For years, Christian had built his life around the singular purpose of protecting his family’s legacy. But now, he realised he was fighting not just for the past, but for a future he actually wanted.As light filtered into the room, he rose, preparing for what would be another pivotal day in the unfolding battle. Before he headed out, Christian took a moment to ground himself, glancing over at a picture he’d recently placed on his desk—a candid shot of Olivia and Eunice laughing at something he couldn’t remember. It reminded him that while he was ready to fight, he had more than his reputation on the line this time. He wasn’t going to let Carey or a
Chapter 69"Huh?" Olivia replied, confused about what Christian was implying.“This afternoon, after my meeting with the investors ended”, he began. “A representative of Carey’s arrived”.Not long after the meeting ended, Christian’s office assistant appeared at his office door. Her expression was tentative. “Mr. Mason, someone from Troy Carey’s office is here to see you. He insists it’s urgent.”Christian’s eyes narrowed. The last thing he wanted was another confrontation, but curiosity got the better of him. “Send him in.”The man who entered was tall and polished, every bit the corporate emissary. His smile was thin as he extended a hand. “Mr. Mason, I’m here on behalf of Mr. Carey. He wanted to propose an opportunity.”Christian didn’t return the smile, remaining silent as he gestured for the man to continue.“Mr. Carey feels that this longstanding rivalry between your families is... unnecessary. He believes a partnership, perhaps even a merger, could benefit both parties. After a
Chapter 70“Olivia, are you in there?” The little girl’s voice was barely above a whisper, yet it carried with it the urgency only a child could bring.Olivia exchanged a quick look with Christian, her heart rate quickening. As lovely as the night had been, the morning was a reminder of all their responsibilities. Christian gave her a nod, indicating she should answer.Olivia rose quietly, pulling on a robe as she went to the door. She opened it to find Eunice, her curly hair messy from sleep, clutching a small stuffed animal—a pink unicorn Olivia had gotten her a few weeks ago.“Good morning baby,” Olivia greeted her with a warm smile, kneeling down to her eye level.“Good morning,” Eunice replied, eyes darting behind Olivia and catching sight of Christian, who was now sitting up and grinning at her. She waved excitedly. “Hi, Uncle Christian!”“Hey, munchkin!” Christian replied, his tone softening immediately, his serious, corporate demeanour melting away at the sight of his niece. “
Chapter 71Christian leaned forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over the faces of those assembled in the conference room. The soft hum of the city outside barely penetrated the tension-filled space.“We need to counter Carey’s narrative,” he began, his voice firm yet measured. “If he’s using optics to paint himself as the solution, we’ll present facts that reaffirm our stability and strength. Perception is half the battle, and we have the upper hand with real performance data. Let’s make sure everyone knows about it."Mrs. Badenoch nodded, flipping to the next slide of her presentation. “We’re already preparing a media campaign that highlights Mason Enterprises’ milestones from this quarter—record profits in energy, new patents in tech, and strategic expansions in real estate. We had a meeting with the PR team and they are ready to roll out a series of interviews and articles to solidify our standing.”“Good,” Christian said, his mind racing. “But it can’t just be media buzz. What about
Chapter 95The city buzzed outside Christian’s office as he paced back and forth, his frustration mounting with every passing moment. The images of the child’s shoe and the signs of activity at the warehouse lingered in his mind, but the security team had turned up nothing more. It was a dead end—a cruel tease that brought them no closer to finding Eunice.He stopped by the window, staring out at the skyline, his reflection staring back at him. His face was worn, lines of exhaustion etched deeply around his eyes. But there was no room for rest. He had promised Olivia he would bring Eunice home, and failure wasn’t an option.The sharp ring of his phone broke his thoughts. He snatched it off the desk. “Josh?”“No updates yet,” Josh said, his voice cautious. “We’ve combed through the warehouse and surrounding areas. Whoever was there cleared out fast.”Christian’s grip on the phone tightened. “And the security footage?”“Nothing useful,” Josh admitted. “They avoided cameras, and any reco
Chapter 94The late morning sun cast long shadows over Ruth’s apartment as Christian approached the door. His steps were heavy, the weight of recent events bearing down on him. The tension from his last argument with Olivia loomed large, and he braced himself for an icy reception.Ruth answered the door with a sharp glance, her eyebrow arching as if to say, "What do you want?" She leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed.“Christian,” she said, her tone clipped. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Thought you’d be too busy playing lone wolf to come and actually talk to your wife.”Christian inhaled deeply, already regretting his decision to come in person. “I’m here to see Olivia,” he said evenly.“She’s in the living room,” Ruth replied, stepping aside but not before adding, “Try not to ruin her day any further.”Christian clenched his jaw but said nothing, stepping into the cozy apartment. Olivia was seated on the couch, her back straight, hands clasped in her lap. The moment she
Chapter 93The air in Christian’s study was stifling, the faint smell of leather and old wood doing little to calm his frayed nerves. He paced the room, the phone pressed to his ear.“I can guess you heard about Eunice from your mother, but who told you about Olivia?” Christian demanded, his tone not so cool.“That’s the thing. Why do I know so much about your life?” the caller questioned bitterly. “Don’t play games with me,” Christian retorted.The caller sighed. “I think my mom is involved in the kidnapping of Eunice. I can’t say for sure, but she’s someone who will go miles to get what she wants.”Christian could not believe his ears. He blinked, looking at his screen. “I’m not going to listen to you say rubbish.”“I know,” the caller continued. “I know it’s difficult to believe my mother is capable of something like that, but she is. Haven’t you seen the signs? She always tried to pit you and me together for some sort of marriage alliance, but thankfully your mom never agreed to i
Chapter 92The morning sun struggled to penetrate the heavy fog that hung over the mansion, inside and out. Christian’s world remained shrouded in uncertainty. His usually clean and sharp demeanour was nowhere to be found. His beard had grown, forming a stubble around his jaw. He stood in the operations room, his jaw set as he scanned the large map pinned to the wall. Pushpins marked locations of interest, each representing a lead that had fizzled into nothing.Josh entered, carrying a stack of papers and his laptop. His face was grim, but his eyes held a spark of determination. “The lead we traced last night,” he began, setting the laptop down. “It’s thin, but it’s something.”Christian crossed his arms, leaning against the desk. “What have you got?”Josh tapped at the keyboard, pulling up an email. “We found another account connected to Elise’s network. It’s tied to a property on the outskirts of the city—an old storage facility. I’ve sent a team to check it out, but—”“Don’t say it
Chapter 91The house had never felt this still. It wasn’t just quiet—it was suffocating. Christian sat in his study, his hands gripping the edge of his desk as the faint glow of his laptop illuminated the room. It was past midnight, but sleep had become a stranger to him. Each time he closed his eyes, the image of Eunice’s frightened face haunted him.And then there was Olivia.He had replayed their argument in his mind a hundred times, each iteration leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. The anger that had fuelled his words now seemed hollow, replaced by a gnawing ache he couldn’t ignore. He had hurt her—pushed her away when he needed her most.The phone on his desk buzzed, breaking his thoughts. It was a message from Josh: “Team just sent me something. Check your email.”Christian opened the file Josh had forwarded. It was footage from a security camera near the warehouse. A black van had been spotted leaving the area shortly before their team arrived. The license plate was barely vi
Chapter 90The mansion felt emptier than ever, even with everyone inside. Olivia sat in the dimly lit living room, staring at the untouched cup of tea Ruth had placed before her hours ago. Christian hadn’t spoken to her since they returned from the failed rescue attempt at the warehouse. Not a single word, not even a glance in her direction. His silence was louder than any accusation could have been.From across the room, Ruth watched Olivia carefully. Her brows knit with concern. Josh entered, his laptop tucked under his arm. “Any updates?” Ruth asked softly.Josh shook his head, his expression grim. “No leads." The trail went cold after the warehouse. "I've got a few people digging into Elise’s connections, but...” He hesitated, glancing toward Christian, who stood by the window, his back to everyone.Olivia couldn’t take it anymore. She pushed herself up from the couch and crossed the room to meet him. “Christian,” she began, her voice small but steady. “We need to talk.”He didn’t
Chapter 89Olivia and Ruth were pacing around in the in the stifling atmosphere. Olivia sat on the edge of the couch, her hands twisting the scarf that had now become a cruel reminder of Eunice’s abduction. Ruth hovered nearby, her calming presence a balm Olivia desperately clung to. Meanwhile, Christian and Josh were locked in a flurry of activity, coordinating with law enforcement and private investigators. Every phone call, every lead, seemed to come up short.Olivia’s chest felt like it was being crushed under the weight of helplessness. Eunice is out there somewhere. Alone. Frightened. The thought nearly undid her. She forced herself to focus on Christian’s promise. He would move mountains to bring Eunice home. He had to.“We’ve got a lead,” Josh announced, though his tone lacked the confidence she had hoped for. “The car was spotted in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. A team is already on the way.”Olivia bolted to her feet. “I’m coming with you.”Christian’s
Chapter 88There was a long, tense pause before Christian responded, his voice cold and clipped. “I’m on my way. Stay there and don’t let anyone leave until I get there.” Olivia ended the call, her mind racing. Who had taken Eunice, and how had they known enough to impersonate Christian? As fear churned in her chest, she forced herself to stay calm, knowing she needed to keep her head clear.Olivia quickly dialled Josh’s number, her hands trembling. He picked up almost immediately. “Olivia? What’s wrong?” Josh’s normally laid-back tone was laced with alarm. “Eunice... she’s gone,” Olivia said, barely able to keep her voice steady. “The teacher said someone who looked like me picked her up. Christian’s on his way, but I need you and Ruth to check if she somehow made it home.”“What?!” Josh barked, his disbelief evident. In the background, Olivia heard Ruth asking what was happening. “We’re on it,” Josh said firmly. “Stay calm. We’ll call you back as soon as we check the house.” Olivia
Chapter 87The sun rose over the Mason mansion, bathing its grand façade in golden light. Christian stood in the kitchen, dressed in a sharp navy suit, scanning through his emails on his phone while sipping his morning coffee. The distant sound of Eunice’s giggles echoed upstairs, followed by Olivia’s cheerful voice coaxing her to finish her breakfast.The excitement of the day was palpable. It was Parents’ Sports Day at Eunice’s school, and the young girl could barely contain her enthusiasm.“Uncle Christian! Olivia!” Eunice’s voice rang out as she bounded into the kitchen. She wore a bright yellow T-shirt with the school logo and black athletic shorts, her hair tied back in a ponytail that swayed as she moved.Christian smiled, setting down his coffee. “Ready for your big day, champ?”“More than ready!” Eunice grinned, clutching a water bottle and a small towel. “Are you coming with us?”Christian crouched to her level and brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “I’ll drive yo