Chapter 51Olivia wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he could protect her from the storm that was looming over her, but doubts crept into her mind. Could she really depend on him? Would he turn around and blame her again if things went south?Her silence stretched on as the weight of everything settled around them. She glanced at the laptop screen again, the damning reports staring back at her like ghosts from a past she couldn’t escape.Christian sat down beside her, his presence warm and steady. “I’ll start working on clearing your name tomorrow. We’ll get in touch with the right people to make sure the truth comes out. The detectives think they wanted to use you as leverage to get to work with me. So let me deal with them."“Why?” she repeated, almost to herself. “Why are you going this far for me?”Christian exhaled, his jaw clenching momentarily. “Because I can’t just sit back and watch them destroy you, Olivia. You’ve been through enough already, and I don’t want you to
Chapter 52About an hour later, Olivia could hear Christian and Eunice’s uniform breathing, indicating that they were already deeply asleep. She on the other hand, was unable to sleep, turning and tossing around on the bed, clearly remembering his last words to her before he fell asleep.Until recently, she’d been so determined to guard her heart, especially after Christian had rejected her, but now, he was confusing her.As she lay there, Olivia’s mind spun in endless circles, tangled in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions she hadn’t anticipated. His rejection had hurt deeply, and she’d convinced herself that keeping her heart guarded was the safest option. Yet tonight, he’d shown a vulnerability she hadn’t seen before—a warmth that made her question everything she thought she knew about him.She turned over, watching the faint outline of Christian beside her in the dim light. A part of her wanted to reach out, to feel the steady comfort of his presence and assure herself that this
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 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
Chapter 96The night air was heavy with a suffocating stillness as Christian sat in his dimly lit office, phone in hand. The room, usually an emblem of power and control, now felt more like a prison. Every shadow seemed to mock his inability to act fast enough. His mind churned with the latest revelation: Mr. Petty, a man he had trusted implicitly through Margaret, was at the centre of a storm he could barely piece together.But there was no time for hesitation. Christian pressed a number on his phone, his resolve hardening.“Detective Fisher,” came the gruff voice on the other end, tinged with surprise.“It’s Christian Mason,” he began without preamble. “I need your help. My niece, Eunice, has been abducted.”The line was silent for a beat before Fisher responded, his tone shifting to one of professionalism. “When did this happen?”“Five days ago,” Christian admitted, his voice strained. “The trail’s gone cold, and I need someone I can trust to take over the investigation. Your team
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