Aside from the slight crackle of the fireplace, the room was silent. Sophia threw the mess into my lap, and I had to sort through everything after Williams left hours ago to go to yet another late-night meeting. With shaky fingertips, I touched the edge of the file, the name Sophia Harrington gazing back at me accusingly.The thought that Sophia might be telling the truth made my chest constrict, even though I couldn't trust her. The tone of the note, which was sarcastic, disturbed me. Someone wanted to play games and was more knowledgeable about my past than I was.I was deep in meditation when there was a strong knock on the door. I didn't think anyone would show up.With caution and a firm voice in spite of the fury roaring inside of me, I said, "Come in."Marcel entered with an unreadable expression as the door creaked open. Tonight, he seemed different, his customary haughtiness subdued by an unidentified factor.Without introducing himself, he stated, "We need to talk."I leaned
The penthouse's curtains let in sunlight, which filled the space with gentle golden tones. I watched the city below come to life as I stood by the window. This moment, a brief respite from the storm, felt oddly serene despite the chaos all around us."Did you get any sleep?" There was silence until Williams spoke.He was leaning against the doorway with his shirt unbuttoned at the collar and his tie undone when I turned around. His typically polished manner gave way to something more human and vulnerable."Not really," I said with my arms crossed. "I'm thinking about too much."He approached me with purposeful strides. "I don't hold you responsible. It was unexpected last night."Unexpected?" I arched an eyebrow. One way to put it is that. Williams, there was a murder in front of us. It's not like you can simply brush that off.He came to a halt next to me, staring at the skyline. "You handled it better than most people would, even though I know it's overwhelming."I couldn't contain
The penthouse's air felt heavier than usual, as though the walls were listening. Williams walked back and forth across the room, his keen eyes darting to the mysterious note on the coffee table. We had discovered it hours earlier, but the caution, "Trust no one," was still gnawing at the back of my mind. You underestimate how close they are.Williams whispered, "Marcel," his voice breaking the stillness.I raised my head. "How about him?""I've always understood that he had personal goals, but this..." He pointed to the note. "His craftsmanship is evident in this."My fingers clenched into fists as I scowled. "What would make Marcel oppose us? He should be preserving the Franklin legacy, right?”Williams's expression darkened as he stopped pacing. "Marcel has always been loyal to himself. He is more concerned with power than with his family. And he won't think twice about joining the Harringtons if it gives him that.”We made the decision to delve further the following day. Williams a
My mind was racing, and the rhythmic sound of the rain beating on the penthouse windows did little to slow it down. With a glass of whisky in his hand and an unreadable face, Williams sat across from me and looked at the picture we had found the previous evening.In a low voice, he finally stated, "We need answers." "And I have finished waiting for them to reach us."Grasping the folded envelope in my lap, I nodded. I kept thinking about the note's dire warning: The enemy is inside. Never put your trust in anyone.I spoke more firmly than I felt when I said, "I think it's time we dig deeper into my adoption." “If the Harringtons are involved, something has never added up.”Williams's dark eyes met mine as he leaned forward. "Then, we didn't realise how long they had been playing this game."We went to see Mr. Graves, a retired lawyer who had handled my adoption, the following morning. His modest house stood in sharp contrast to the wealth and influence I had recently been dealing with
The tense atmosphere in the room was oppressive. Williams was standing by the window, staring at the city skyline with his hands balled into fists at his sides. His words could never have been as unsettling as his silence. I positioned myself close to the door, my arms encircling me as though they would protect me from the impending storm between us."How long?" Finally, his low, piercing voice broke the silence.I scowled. "How long what?"His dark eyes blazed with rage as he turned. "You've been a Harrington for how long? For what duration have you been deceiving me?”The charge was a slap in the face. I moved forward, defending myself with a raised voice. "I had no idea! Do you believe I desired this? Do you think I was interested in discovering that my whole existence was a lie?”He paced like a predator circling its prey and said, "Convenient," with a bitter tone. "You didn't consider bringing up the hints we've been finding? The pictures, the letters? Or did you wish that I woul
It felt oppressive to be in the sterile, cold living room of my adoptive family's home. I sat rigidly on the velvet couch, feeling as though the walls, lined with sterile portraits and antique furniture, were closing in on me. Charles, my adoptive father, was standing across from me, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees and his piercing eyes staring right through me. Evelyn, my adoptive mother, was standing next to him, wearing her usual mask of fake worry."Freda," said Charles, calmly but with a hint of menace, "this is not a request. It is a duty to the family.My knuckles were white as I held onto the couch's edge. "I’m not doing it."Evelyn sighed, as if I were a whiny kid who wouldn't do her chores. "You don't realise how serious this situation is, darling. The Harringtons have the ability to either ensure or ruin our future. You have a special chance to guarantee our family's position among them."Your family," I snapped back. "Not mine."Evelyn flinched, but Ch
“Don’t move,” the masked figure barked, their gun trained on me. The room fell into a suffocating silence. Evelyn let out a choked gasp, clutching Charles’s arm, while Charles froze, his expression a mix of shock and calculation. My mind raced. The weight of everything—Marcel’s threats, my adoptive parents’ betrayal, and now this—pressed down on me like a vice. Yet, amidst the chaos, a strange calm settled over me. “What do you want?” I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. The intruder’s gaze flicked toward me, their eyes cold behind the mask. “You. You’ve become a complication, Freda. Someone very powerful wants you out of the picture.” My heart pounded, but I forced a smirk. “Is that so? And what’s the plan? Eliminate me here, in front of witnesses? That’s sloppy work for someone hired by the Harringtons.” The figure faltered, just for a second, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. Charles stepped forward, his voice sharp. “If you touch h
The tension in the room was palpable as I sat across from Grace, the soft hum of the city outside a stark contrast to the storm raging inside my mind. She had just delivered the bombshell: Daniel Harrington, Margaret’s estranged son, had returned. “Why haven’t I heard of him before?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. Grace leaned forward, her tone measured. “Because Margaret erased him. He was exiled from the family years ago. Some say it was because of his temper; others say he got involved in things that could ruin the Harrington name. Whatever the reason, he’s back now, and he’s not happy about you.” I frowned, trying to process this new information. “And you’re telling me this because...?” “Because Daniel isn’t like Marcel,” Grace said, her gaze steady. “He’s dangerous in ways you can’t imagine. He doesn’t play games. He destroys it.” Later that night, I ended up at an upscale cocktail bar, taking a cue from Grace. The bar was softly illuminated, its luxury subt
Today there was a change in the air in the magnificent Harrington estate. An anxious expectation had taken the place of the tension that had once choked its corridors. Members of the Harrington and Franklin families, as well as important allies, came together in one room for the first time in years, not as adversaries but in the hopes of healing old wounds.Freda was standing next to Williams, holding his hand and reassuring him quietly. Her biological father, Jonathan Harrington, was seated on the other side of the room with an expression that was hard to interpret. The powerful matriarch Margaret Harrington occupied the head of the table, her eyes revealing an uncommon instance of vulnerability despite her steadfast royal bearing. Alex Harrington, Freda's secret supporter, remained composed on one side, his presence an unspoken promise of assistance. Between them all hung the burden of history.It was Margaret who spoke first. "We've let this family be divided for too long." She sp
Freda, holding Williams' arm, whispered, "She knew we’d come," as they observed Margaret Harrington from the other side of the exclusive club.Williams remained motionless, his body tense but his face unreadable. She desires for us to see her. to be aware that she continues to play this game."Margaret whispered something to the man she was talking to, and he nodded. Then she rose gracefully and vanished through a side door without looking back at them.Freda's heartbeat accelerated. "We need to follow her."Williams put a firm hand on her lower back and let out a sharp exhale. "Yes, we will. But not carelessly.The man who had been watching from the bar, James Whitmore, came over to them. "My men are already pursuing her. We'll be aware of her destination before she even moves in."Freda forced herself to take a deep breath and nodded. She had been reacting for too long. It was time to make a calculated move."Then let’s figure out our next step," she replied.An hour later, Williams
"I didn’t come here to negotiate."As he moved forward, Alex's voice broke the ice. His piercing gaze fell on Victor Langston.He went on, "I came to end this," and placed a thick envelope on the table.Freda crossed her arms. "And what exactly is that?"Alex looked at her knowingly. "Everything's missing pieces. He looked at Margaret and said, "—proof that Victor here has been funnelling company money to dismantle the Harrington empire from within—the last of the offshore accounts, the secret investors pulling the strings, and—"There was silence in the room.Victor's expression grew gloomy. "You don’t know what you’re talking about."Williams bent over. "Oh, I think he does."Picking up the envelope, Elijah looked through the papers. He had a sardonic grin. "This is sufficient to start criminal investigations and compel resignations. You're finished, Victor."Victor balled his fists. His once-unflinching haughtiness wavered with doubt. He looked at Margaret. "This is your doing, isn
Freda stood with her fingers clenched into her hand at the edge of the Harrington estate's grand hall. She felt the weight of history, the ghosts of the past whispering inside the elaborate walls. Regardless of the outcome, the fight for supremacy ended tonight. Williams' face was unintelligible as he tinkled with his cufflinks across the room. He had supported her through the chaos, but now they were walking into a fire neither of them could fully predict. Margaret sat at the long table, her bearing dignified despite a storm raging beneath her placid face. Her instincts for survival were sharper than ever, and she was a trapped woman. She went pale when she saw the proof Elijah had provided, but she quickly recovered her composure. Margaret said, "You expect me to betray the Council," in a smooth but tense voice.Freda looked directly into her eyes. "You have no other option. They will first destroy you if you don't."Margaret's mouth twisted. "And what makes you think I won’t jus
Freda stared at the small drive in Williams’ hand. The weight of James’ words settled heavily between them.The Harrington Council. A hidden force controlling everything from the shadows.Williams exhaled sharply, slipping the drive into his pocket. “If what James says is true, we’re fighting something much bigger than Margaret.”Alex crossed his arms. “Then we need to be smart. They’ve controlled things for decades. If we make one wrong move, they’ll wipe us out before we know what hit us.”Freda nodded. “We can’t let fear stop us. If they’ve been manipulating the Harrington empire all along, we need to dismantle them—completely.”Williams glanced at James. “And you? What’s your next move?”James hesitated. “I can’t stay.” He looked at Freda. “They’ll come for me first. If I disappear, they’ll assume I’m dead. That’ll buy you time.”Williams clenched his jaw. “You’re running.”James didn’t deny it. “I’ve done enough damage. This is the only way I can fix it.” He turned to Freda. “Use
"What we need is here."Alex's remarks made Freda gasp for air. Her fingers were shaking a little as she held the flash drive he had put in her palm. This tiny gadget could totally ruin Margaret's schemes.Williams's eyes were keen as he leaned closer. "Are you certain this is all there is to it?"Alex gave a nod. "Jonathan's ledger. Every transaction. Every secret deal. It confirms everything we suspected—and more.”Freda took a swallow. “So, what do we do now?”Williams exchanged a look with Alex before turning to her. “We expose her.”Freda felt sick to her stomach. Exposing Margaret meant more than just stopping her schemes—it meant bringing down the last remnant of the Harrington power structure.They met in a private suite at one of Williams’ properties—neutral ground. Margaret sat across from them, her expression unreadable, a glint of amusement in her eyes.“You’ve been busy,” she murmured, sipping her tea. “But tell me, Freda, what exactly do you think you’ve won?”Freda sli
Beyond the glass walls of Freda and Williams' new office, the metropolitan skyline glittered in the night air, which was thick with the smell of rain. Every square inch of it was theirs. A tribute to their perseverance and fortitude. Their future.But the claws of the past were still there.Freda flipped through legal documents as seated behind a gorgeous wooden desk. She no longer identified with the Harrington name, but it was more difficult than she had thought to rid it of its perversion. With his hands in his pockets and his piercing eyes focused on the city below, Williams stood by the window.He whispered to her, "They won't let us walk away that easily."Freda let out a breath. "I understand. However, we don't require their consent."Williams grinned. "I adore that about you."The intercom buzzed before Freda could answer. Grace's voice came through with a crack."Someone has come to visit you. He claims that it is urgent.Freda scowled. "Who is it?"A pause occurred. Then "Al
Like an indestructible storm cloud, the weight of Jonathan's remarks continued to hang in the atmosphere. Williams silently let Freda know she wasn't alone by tightening his hold around her waist. But the truth was oppressive—a new, dark force threatened their tranquility just when they believed they were free.Freda straightened her shoulders and looked directly into Jonathan's eyes. "Then tell me all about it. Who are they?"Jonathan's fingers clenched into fists as he paused. The Harringtons are what they are now because of them. Strong, invincible, and merciless. They erased me as I attempted to leave. But you—" his eyes darkened, his voice wavered. "There was no reason for you to exist. They view you as a threat now that you have taken control of the empire, even though your mother concealed you to keep you safe."Williams gave a chilly laugh. They do, of course. And I take it that these are the ones that supported Sophia?Jonathan gave a nod. "Like the rest of us, she was a pawn
As they crouched there in the darkened hiding place, Freda gripped Williams' hand tighter. They had a plan. Everything would change in the next 24 hours, including Sophia's demise, her father's fate, and their own future. But fear tore at her from the inside out. Williams had always been shrewd and prepared to risk everything for the people he cared about. The stakes were different this time, though. This was a personal matter, not merely a matter of business or retaliation. With her words hardly audible above a whisper, Freda acknowledged, "I still don't like this." Williams faced her, his eyes fixed on hers. "I understand. However, it's the only option. "He was right, and she detested it. While Sophia held Jonathan Harrington, James and Alex stood by the monitors, studying the facility's security layout. Alex stated, "She'll be anticipating backup." "We have to make sure she thinks you're alone when you walk in." James nodded. "We have an insider connection. Someone w