ROBERT'S POV
The tension in the room was unmistakable and thick enough to cut with a knife. As I glanced around, the weight of the moment pressed heavily on my shoulders. The air seemed to crackle with unspoken anxieties and hidden fears. Ariana’s question hung in the air, echoing in my mind. What if Odette did know? The possibility cast a shadow over everything.
The thought of Odette discovering she was a Vanderbilt added a new layer of complexity to an already precarious situation. How much more driven would she become if she knew she had a legitimate claim to Vanderbilt Holdings? It wasn’t just a business opportunity for her—it could become a birthright, a destiny she felt entitled to seize.
&nbs
ARIANA'S POV As Rob read the note aloud, a trickle of sweat ran down the nape of my neck and into my back. Memories of the horrors I had faced washed over me. Sitting there, I could almost feel the hands clamping over my mouth again and the huge blow to my head. I shivered visibly just thinking of it. The moment when my world had gone black. Waking up alone to find I was covered in my own blood. My stomach churned.“Ariana?” Rob's voice seemed distant, muffled by my rising panic. I opened my eyes without realizing I had closed them.Rob’s concerned face came into focus. “Are you okay?”
ROBERT'S POV The revelation from Ariana's lips left me stunned. I hadn't expected her to tell Odette about her family ties, especially given how worried she'd been about Odette discovering her claim to Vanderbilt Holdings. Odette went silent for several minutes, her face changing from anger to a lost, dazed look. The room seemed to hold its breath as she absorbed the information. Her eyes darted between us, finally settling on Ariana.“Are…you…you joking?” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.Aiana, sensing she now had the upper hand, smiled coyly. “No, Odette. Your father
ARIANA'S POV The trial against Reginald Thornton-Frost, was grueling and relentless. Every day, as I sat in the courtroom, memories of my ordeal washed over me. The press attention was overwhelming, cameras flashing incessantly, and reporters bombarding us with questions as we navigated through the courthouse.Reginald sat at the defense table, his expression a mask of calm confidence, his legal team—a squad of high-powered attorneys—whispering strategies and objections. He was an accomplished billionaire, after all. He could afford the best. But so could I.Our legal team was formidable, led by an unflinching young woman named Rachel Stevens. She had a reputation for dismantling even the most airtight defenses. I watched her now as she grilled Reginald's personal assistant, extracting every incriminating detail from his reluctant testimony.The courtroom was packed. Spectators and journalists filled every seat, their eyes fixed on the proceedings. “Ms. Stevens,” the judge said, his
ROBERT'S POVThe courtroom buzzed with an electric tension as we sat through the final moments of Reginald Thornton-Frost’s trial. Watching him snap “this isn't over” sent a surge of anger through me, and I had to resist the strong urge to punch him in the face. The judge had adjourned the sentencing to the next day, and we could only wait.The next day, the air was thick with anticipation. The judge's gavel fell, and Reginald was sentenced to fifteen years in prison without parole. He was also ordered to compensate our family for all the trouble we had endured. Relief washed over me as I squeezed Ariana’s hand.Outside the courthouse, reporters swarmed us, shouting questions and snapping photos. Our security detail guided us safely to our vehicle. At home, the reality of our victory finally hit us. I pulled Ariana into my arms, kissing her over and over, rejoicing in the success of the trial.Josh, Sylvia, and Barbara soon joined us, bringing with them a sense of normalcy and camarad
ARIANA'S POVThe sharp crack of the gunshot echoed through the courtroom, snapping my head around just in time to see Victor LaSalle slump forward, blood spraying from his head. Odette's scream cut through the chaos, raw and piercing, as Victor's blood splattered across her face and clothes. I stood frozen, horrified, as the scene unfolded before me. My vision blurred, and I felt Robert's arms tighten protectively around me.“Stay down!” he ordered, pulling me closer to him, shielding me with his body.The room erupted into chaos. The masked intruders moved with military precision, throwing smoke canisters that filled the room with a thick, choking cloud. I coughed, trying to se
ROBERT'S POV“Sylvia, what did he want?” I asked, my voice tinged with urgency as I looked at her pale face.“The Baron wants to meet us,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “We have the liberty to choose the place and time.”“Are you serious? That's a terrible idea! It's way too dangerous,” Josh exclaimed, his face contorted with anger.Sylvia’s eyes flashed with defiance. “We should consider it. Meeting him could give us answers and help us understand Odette's origins.”
ARIANA'S POVThe room was silent as the short, burly man entered, a Cuban cigar clamped between his teeth. I exchanged a startled glance with Barbara, her eyes mirroring my shock. This man was the Baron? He was nothing like I had imagined.“I'm the Baron,” he declared, without preamble.We hastily introduced ourselves, but he waved a hand dismissively. “No need wasting time,” he said, his voice a deep rumble that filled the room. “Yes, I controlled Odette, and yes, I’ve been trying to destroy Vanderbilt Holdings.”Sylvia stepped forward, her eyes blazing. “Why didn
ROBERT'S POVThe room was charged with tension. The Baron's anger seemed to swell, filling every corner of the office. His face twisted with rage, and his hand clutched a gun, the metal gleaming ominously in the dim light. Without thinking, I moved into full protective mode, stepping in front of Ariana and the others. Josh quickly joined me, standing firm by my side.“Think about the consequences of your actions,” I said, my voice steady but laced with urgency. “Shooting us won't solve anything.”The room was thick with fear. I could hear Ariana’s breathing, rapid and shallow behind me. I edged closer to her, moving slowly to avoid provoking the Baron. When I r