Freda was absorbed in the lights below as she leaned against the sleek glass balcony railing. The city spread out in front of her, brilliant and teeming with opportunities. But a heaviness settled in her chest as she watched the world fly by.Williams poured two glasses of whisky behind her. He had been silent, the contemplative quietness that reflected her own taking the place of his normal passion."You’re thinking about Nathaniel, aren’t you?" Freda didn't look back as she requested."Not just him." Williams offered her a glass after sipping from his. "I'm weighing everything we've built—and the sacrifices we've endured to arrive at this moment." Freda took a slow long sip of the drink, enjoying the warmth as it went down her throat. She whispered, "The price of power," and placed the glass on the brink. Williams moved to stand next to her, staring at the skyline. "Power isn't the only factor. It's what we had to give up to obtain it.With Nathaniel's homecoming and the Harringt
Despite the fact that her heartbeat was pounding in her ears, Freda continued to stare at Nathaniel across the conference table. As his offer remained in the air, it was replete with threats that were not expressed.By aligning herself with him, she would be able to keep her dreams alive. If you refused, he would make sure that everything that she and Williams had constructed fell apart before it even had a chance to maintain its stability.On the other hand, there was one thing that Nathaniel did not comprehend.The moment had arrived for Freda Lewis, or more precisely, Freda Harrington, to yield to the desires of those in power. She advanced carefully and intentionally, her eyes locked on Nathaniel's. "I believe you've committed one significant error, Nathaniel." He gave a smirk. "And what’s that?""You assume I’m afraid of losing everything."Just a little bit, Nathaniel's smirk began to waver away.With a tone that was both serene and harsh, Freda stood. For everything that I ha
As she stood in the office with the dim lighting, Freda could feel her heart racing in her chest. At the same time that Williams was walking behind her, his jaw was set in a grim determination. The atmosphere was dense with tension. In spite of the fact that the betrayal of Alex continued to hurt, there was no time to dwell on it. After Nathaniel had taken the initiative, it was now their turn to respond with a counterattack."Are you sure about this?" Williams enquired in a low tone of voice.Unwavering in her gaze, Freda transferred her attention to him. "We end this tonight."He gave a slight nod. "Then let’s make sure he never threatens us again."While enjoying a glass of scotch, Nathaniel Harrington was seated in the private lounge of his home. Power plays were something that he had always enjoyed doing, and tonight he was certain that he had triumphed over his opponent.Alex sat opposite him, his look leaving no room for interpretation.Nathaniel said, "You did well, Alex," as
aAs the sun sank beneath the horizon, the Manhattan skyline was fully bathed in a golden glow. As Freda stood on the balcony of their newly acquired penthouse, she observed how the light shimmered on the buildings beneath. It seemed as though the city had become more peaceful, or perhaps she had at last discovered inner tranquilly.Williams was standing behind her and pouring two glasses of wine. It appeared as if he was signaling the conclusion of an extensive chapter through his movements, which were precise and nearly reverent. As he approached, she spun around, and they exchanged a look that only they could understand. A facade shaped by conflicts faced, treacheries suffered, and a love that withstood it all. "To us," he informed her as he handed her a glass.At that moment, she responded by clinking her glass on his and saying, "To everything we've survived."While they drank in solitude for a brief period of time, the gentle buzz of the city below them served as a soothing lu
Freda was unable to breathe. Not correctly. The ice in her veins was far colder than the nighttime air.On her screen, Williams was shackled and had blood on his face. A masked man with a rifle stood behind him; he didn't have to say anything to convey his point.Sophia grinned as though they were meeting again. "Darling, you are aware that I don't bluff. It's time to decide."Freda's eyes strayed to the file she was still holding in her shaking fingers. Harrington, Jasper. Margaret's son, who was hidden. The real heir. The one nobody was aware of."I need evidence," Freda growled. "You want me to think you've been keeping all of this a secret to gain power? Why didn't you speak up earlier?"Sophia's head cocked. "Because it's all about time. Marcel was impatient. Nathaniel acted carelessly. But me? I work as a surgeon. I wait till the heart is open and the veins are visible. I then made a cut."Dimitri stood next to her, his presence as deadly as it was unsettling, and he revealed no
As Freda stood on the Franklin Tower rooftop, the city throbbed beneath her feet. Even though the horizon was starting to lighten with the first signs of morning, her thoughts were still far in the dark.On the surface, everything appeared to be under control, and the world continued to believe in the Franklin-Harrington unity. But Freda was aware of the reality. Already the fissures had begun to open, and the creatures had began to squirm beneath them.Williams came up behind her, a reminder of his fragility as well as his strength. He had suffered greatly over the past few days, and the lines that were etched on his face were not only the result of physical injuries. Since the kidnapping, his thoughts had been racing constantly.He put a coat over her shoulders and whispered, "You didn't sleep," in a worried tone.Freda's thoughts were more confused than ever as she gazed out at the city without turning around. "Sleep is not an option."Williams said softly, "You're right," as his f
With ivy crawling across crumbling walls and shadows dancing along closed windows, the estate's towering shape looked like a remnant of a long-gone dynasty. Freda's breath became ghosts in the cold air as she exited the black SUV, her heels tapping hard against the stone driveway.Williams stood next to her and looked around. James and Alex stood silently and shrewdly on either side of them. It was like entering a devil-designed chessboard with each step into Jasper's territory.However, the game had already begun. Furthermore, they were unsure of who was in possession of each piece.The doors of the mansion opened across the clearing. With his slicked-back hair, fitted suit, and arrogant look that declared he had already won, Jasper appeared like a ghost from the past. Sophia was standing next to him, glistening in a blood-red gown that hugged her curves like ambition.Then Marcel.Franklin, Marcel. allegedly banished. Presumed to be gone.Rather, he was here, sly, self-assured, a gu
Freda stood motionless, gazing at the woman in the doorway, and everything changed around her. Her biological mother, Charlotte, was alive, as the picture had indicated. It was not feasible. In front of her, a vial containing a dark liquid was held by the woman who had reportedly passed away when Freda was a small girl and whom Freda had thought had been lost to the cruel winds of fate.Freda's body would not move, but her mind was racing. "Charlotte, you." Her throat was dry as she swallowed hard. "Are you still alive?"Something sinister had replaced the warmth that had once filled Charlotte's eyes. A blend of frigid resolve and sorrow. She didn't respond right away; instead, she simply moved farther into the space and clicked the door shut behind her.Charlotte's voice was barely above a whisper as she went on, "I had no other option, Freda." "The reality you know—the one I fashioned for you—is not as you think it is." The heaviness of those words felt like a clamp tightening on F
The assurance of a new beginning and the remnants of history were highlighted in a soft golden glow as dawn broke over the vast estate. Freda situated herself at the brink of the balcony, looking out towards the horizon. Her mind was anchored by the constant noise of the waves hitting the jagged shore beneath. Weeks had gone by since the truth was uncovered to everyone. Despite being held responsible for her family's wrongdoings for several weeks, she continued to feel the weight of their decisions bearing down on her. Nevertheless, the atmosphere has shifted now. An alteration. A breath of optimism. The hush was interrupted by the gentle noise of footsteps trailing her. Williams stood there, both reassuring and authoritative. She was pulled back against his chest as his arms wrapped around her waist. He stated, "You're overthinking it." Smiling, she nestled into his embrace. "I can't prevent it." I constantly have thoughts. Nonetheless, you are right. I've been attempting to fix
The Harrington Estate was burning.From the war room’s shattered windows, Freda could see the inferno crawling across the eastern wing, smoke billowing like a signal to every rival who had ever watched the empire. Firefighters battled the blaze, but they were late—deliberately delayed, most likely by Selene and the faction loyal to Cassian’s legacy.Freda turned from the window, her face streaked with soot and determination.“The vault is waking up,” Grace said from the console. “Whatever Cassian programmed into Protocol Eclipse—it’s already executing.”“What happens if it finishes?” Elias asked, standing beside his sister.Grace’s voice was grim. “Everything Harrington collapses. The companies, the foundations, the inheritance. Our accounts, trusts, holdings—burned to digital ash. You won’t inherit a legacy. You’ll inherit ruin.”Williams reached for Freda’s hand. “There’s still time. If we access the core before the final phase, we can override it—but only if both of you enter the b
The room fell into absolute silence.Freda stood, stunned, unable to form words. Her gaze locked with the stranger at her door—no, not a stranger. Not anymore. His face wasn’t just familiar—it was known. Like a dream half-remembered, engraved deep into the soul.“I—” she started, but her throat tightened.The young man stepped into the room. His movements were careful, calculated, as though afraid the moment would shatter if he moved too quickly. He looked about her age—tall, lean, a quiet intensity behind gray eyes that mirrored Jonathan Harrington’s.“I’m sorry to just... show up like this,” he said quietly. “But my name is Elias Jonathan Harrington. And I think I’m your twin brother.”The name hit her like a hurricane. Elias Jonathan. Named after both their father and grandfather—an ironic twist if it weren’t so heartbreakingly true.“How did you find me?” Freda finally managed.He reached into his coat and pulled out a weathered letter. “This arrived for me on my twenty-third birt
The cold air in the Harrington vault bit at Freda’s skin, but she didn’t flinch. Her pulse thudded in her ears as Elias Harrington’s voice echoed through the speaker embedded in the granite walls.“You found the truth,” Elias said, his tone unreadable. “And now you’ll bleed for it.”Williams placed himself in front of Freda instinctively. “You’ve already taken enough. Let her go.”Alex stepped forward, fire in his voice. “You locked away a legacy—buried it underlies. But this ends here.”A soft buzz interrupted them—the massive vault doors groaned and clicked. They weren’t locked in anymore.Freda’s heart jumped. Was this a trap?The doors creaked open slowly, revealing a dim corridor beyond. At the far end, silhouetted in the light stood Elias Harrington—elegant, tall, cloaked in his signature charcoal suit. He looked like a shadow carved out of legacy and guilt.“You’re brave to come,” Elias said, voice reverberating with age and steel. “But bravery alone doesn’t make you worthy.”F
Freda’s breath caught in her throat as the control room plunged into darkness. The hum of machines died. The only sound was the frantic thump of her heartbeat—and the voice."We’ve only just begun."She reached for Williams instinctively, fingers finding his. His grip tightened, anchoring her. On her other side, Grace clicked a flashlight on, casting a beam through the stale air. Dust particles swirled like ghosts. The control panels flickered—faint static pulses, nothing operational.“What the hell was that?” Grace muttered, scanning the corners of the room. “This wasn’t part of Cassian’s theatrics.”Freda’s spine stiffened. “That voice... it wasn’t him. It was different. Younger. Calculated.”“System override,” a mechanical voice droned from a nearby panel. “Engaged. Level Four lockdown initiated. Harrington protocols activated.”Doors slammed shut around them.Williams cursed. “He’s locked us in.”“No.” Grace crouched by the panel, fingers flying across an auxiliary screen. “This i
The silence in the safe room was too loud. Freda's ears rang with the noise of her heart pounding in her ribcage. The voice had only just stopped, and she remained still, staring at the one who spoke. The words appeared to have gained a life of their own, resonating in her mind. "We've located her."Williams shifted to stand next to her, his stance rigid. "Who is it? "The prototype?" There was an intensity in his voice.With her stomach in knots, Freda nodded slowly. Although she had anticipated this day, the burden of it was nearly too much for her to handle. Her sister, the one born before her, the one designed to be the ideal representation of the Harrington legacy, was here now after her entire life had been a lie. She was coming for what Freda had put so much effort into creating.However, Freda couldn't simply stand by and watch everything happen. Not when she had all she had to fight for at her fingertips. With Williams at her side, no.Grace's clear, concentrated voice cut t
The voice from the other side of the line echoed in Freda's ear, causing her heart to race. The voice was calm and steady as it declared, "I was the initial prototype." "Yes, Freda, I do recall you." She remained perfectly still, the vial tightly gripped in her hand, as the surroundings seemed to fade away. Williams, who had just entered with a serious resolve, observed her complexion fade. "Who was that?" he demanded in a quiet voice.Freda didn't take her eyes from her phone's screen. The words were clear even if the voice was twisted, almost artificial. "Remember me? What do you mean?"Without hesitation, the voice on the other end responded. "I recall every detail. Freda, you and I are not that different. We have the same foundation, the same blood, and, regrettably, the same curse."Freda's fingers dug into the smooth phone as her hold tightened. "What are you discussing? Who are you?"The speaker went on, "I was born first, but you're the heir." The first test was me. The lea
The scream echoed down the marble corridors of the Harrington estate.By the time Freda, Williams, and Alex arrived, security had sealed the hallway. Selene’s door was flung open. Her bodyguard was unconscious. And inside—Selene stood frozen, pale and trembling, her silk robe stained with blood.But it wasn’t hers.A man lay sprawled at her feet, a bullet lodged in his chest, the syringe he’d brought rolling under the dresser.Alex knelt beside him. “Dead,” he confirmed. “A clean shot. Straight through the heart.”“Who fired?” Williams demanded, scanning the room.“I did.” Selene’s voice was hollow. “He was already halfway across the room before I woke. If I’d been a second slower…”She didn’t finish.Freda stepped forward, gripping Selene’s trembling shoulders. “Who was he?”Selene stared at the body. “His name was Darien. He trained with me under Cassian’s program years ago. We were children then. I thought he was dead.”Freda turned to Williams. “That means Cassian’s activated mor
For a moment, Freda couldn’t breathe.Jonathan Harrington—her father, the man she believed had died before she was old enough to remember—stood in the corridor, alive and real. His once-proud frame had thinned, his eyes bloodshot with years of torment, but the commanding presence remained.“Dad…” she whispered.Jonathan didn’t smile. He didn’t reach for her. Instead, he looked over her shoulder, where Williams, Alex, and Grace hovered just behind.“We can’t talk here,” Jonathan said, his voice low, urgent. “There are eyes everywhere.”Freda’s heart pounded, caught between disbelief and instinctive trust. She stepped forward.“Where have you been? Why—why now? And what do you mean Cassian’s not dead?”Jonathan’s gaze hardened.“Because he never died in that fire. It was staged.”Freda sat across from her father in a cold, concrete-walled room beneath one of the original Harrington estates—a place so off-grid it didn’t exist in any legal registry.Williams stood guard at the door, while