As Emma pursued Lucas into their dimly lit chamber, she could feel a wave of laughter rising up within her. She discovered him sprawled on the bed, his legs spread out on the bed, his eyes closed with both hands at the back of his head. "You know you look adorable when you're jealous?" Emma's tone was playful as she perched on the edge of the bed, her eyes glittering with a mix of amusement and fondness. She observed him, hoping to witness his stern facade soften. Lucas remained motionless. He sat up gradually, his countenance still etched into a thin, rigid line as he looked at her. "I was conversing with Tina," Emma clarified, her voice attempting to bridge the gap, but his expression remained unmoved. "Why didn't you mention her name or anything during the call?" His tone sounds not convincing, his eyes displaying the hurt of having no idea about what is going on. Emma simply shrugged, the gesture nonchalant but deep down she felt sad seeing Lucas was quick to make assumptions
A surge of fear coursed through her veins, realizing the gravity of her foolish choice. As Emma stepped on the gas, she came to a sudden realization that it was too late. A loud bang rang out as a bullet tore through her tire, causing the car to screech to an abrupt halt. She jerked forward, narrowly avoiding hitting her head. Glancing at the side mirror, she saw a hooded figure approaching her. Panic seized her, knowing she had to act quickly. Emma's hands trembled as she struggled with her seat belt, finally releasing it with a metallic click. She flung open the door and rolled out, hitting the hard pavement with a thud. Pain shot through her shoulder, but she could barely focus over the sound of another gunshot. "Come out, Emma. You were warned, but you chose not to listen," the hooded man's voice was calm, almost taunting. Emma bit her lip, flattening herself against the ground, her breaths shallow and rapid. She could feel the coarse asphalt beneath her palms, the cool air pi
Emma tried to give Lucas a sad smile, attempting to reassure him, "I'm fine Lucas, If I were injured, I would be in the hospital by now" she tone him, sniffing back the tears that's ready to drop from her eyes. Lucas pulled her into another tight embrace, his breath quivering against her ear. "I was so frightened, Emma. My God, I was terrified. I deeply regret walking away from you yesterday," he confessed, his voice breaking. He held her gently, as if afraid she would disappear. She sensed the tension in his muscles, the desperation in his grasp, and it softened her even further. "Did you inform the police of what occurred?" he inquired, pulling back to search her expression. She nodded, her eyes reflecting the gravity of their situation. Her phone suddenly rang, with her hands still trembling from what she had just experienced, she unlocked her device and answered the call. "I didn't reach Emma Callum this time, but I did reach another of the Callum's. Oh, she is quite lovely,"
Before Emma could say a word, Lucas beat her to it, "You just deceived a police officer, Emma!" His voice was a harsh, barely contained. "What are you up to? What if your sibling gets abducted for real?" Emma's gaze met his not liking the way he falred up at her, she knew Lucas had been sensitive about the way she tries not to get in involved in her revenge mission, "The Maddox family has been carrying out heinous acts for years, and what has the law enforcement done about it? Nothing!" Her voice trembled with a mix of fury and despair. "Do you really think they haven't connected the dots by now? They are protecting him! Ethan is not an ordinary man. He has everyone in the police force in this country on his payroll, i can't trust the police." Lucas gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning pale. "Still, all of this... that's why I begged you not to work for him!" His voice cracked with emotion. "Now see what a mess you're in, Emma. Dragging your sibling into it as well!" E
Lucas grinned, lifting his hands in jest. "Yes, ma'am," he replied, his gaze never leaving Emma. He stretched out his hand towards her, and she took it, her fingers warm.Emma shifted slightly, her smile wavering as she considered the expense of the pampering she had just received. "How much do I owe you?" she inquired, her tone hesitant. She shuffled her feet, aware that such luxury came with a price, but grateful that she could finally afford it. Mrs. Sinclair's expression softened as she pulled Emma into a hug. "Consider it a gift for being the new CEO," she said warmly, planting a gentle kiss on Emma's cheek. "I'm so proud of you." Emma's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly blinked them away, determined not to let them spill. Mrs. Sinclair, with her arms crossed and a raised eyebrow, warned Emma not to ruin her makeup or face a punishment. Despite her emotions, Emma managed to laugh, and the others joined in, easing the tension.After exchanging goodbyes, Emma and Lucas h
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded, his voice sharp. "You've fired the secretary that Mr. Ethan assigned? You've only been here for one day and already you're abusing your power?"Emma leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. A bitter chuckle escaped her lips. "Last time I checked, you were merely Mr. Ethan's PA, not mine. Have I missed something?"Her words lingered in the air, causing the PA to pause for a moment, taken aback. His eyes widened and then narrowed as he processed her defiance. He attempted to retort, but Emma's unwavering gaze stopped him short. "I don't understand. What are you implying?" He scoffed, his face a mixture of confusion and irritation as he glared at Emma.Emma's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement dancing within them. "I simply asked a question. Did I miss something? Weren't you employed as Mr. Ethan's PA?" She rose gracefully from her seat, and made her way around the table, leaning casually against it with her arms c
"Is there something wrong?" queried Tina, her voice gentle yet firm. Emma hesitated, her thoughts racing. Should she divulge this information to Tina?Tina inched closer, closing the door behind her as she crouched in front of Emma. "I can tell something's troubling you, Emma. There's no need to deceive me. We've moved beyond that now. So tell me, what's going on?"Emma let out a hollow chuckle, devoid of any mirth; it was filled with sadness, exhaustion, and frustration. "Where do I even begin?" "Start wherever you feel comfortable, Emma. What happened?" Emma sat up, wiping her face with trembling hands. "I was ambushed this morning. I could have died, Tina. I could have been dead if the unknown couple and police had not come to my aid." Her voice trembled and she broke into sobs, her shoulders heaving.Tina enveloped her in a tight embrace, her eyes brimming with tears. "You're safe now. Don't worry. Your sister is safe too. Stop crying, Emma. We'll get through this."But Emma le
With a deep inhalation, Tina's gaze brimmed with a mix of revulsion and sympathy. "There are photographs and videos of Mr. Ethan with another woman. They were quite... intimate." She paused, as if pondering the weight of her next statements. "The woman happened to be Mrs.Maddox friend. It seems this was not his first act of infidelity, but what truly crushed her was that it was with her own best friend."Emma's shoulders slumped as she absorbed the revelation. She could almost envision the heartbreak etched on Mrs. Maddox face, feel the sting of uncovering such a deep betrayal. It seemed that father and son shared one similarity - their deceitful ways."Mr. Ethan cheats with his wife's best friend," Emma mused in a slow, contemplative tone. "In retaliation, his wife engages in an affair with his coworker and threatens to divorce him. In a desperate attempt to protect himself and his reputation, he manipulates their son into helping him murder his wife."Tina nodded, the gravity of the
Emma clenched her hands in her lap, her knuckles white. She glanced at Lucas, who gave her a reassuring nod. "You can do this," he mouthed.After what felt like an eternity, it was time for the verdict. The judge's voice was firm, unyielding. "Mario Rodriguez, you are sentenced to a total of fifty years in prison for the rape of Kathy Callum, for human trafficking, drug trafficking, money laundering, and aiding murders. You will be eligible for parole after twenty five years."The courtroom buzzed with murmurs, but Emma barely heard them. She was focused on the look of shock and fury on Mr. Mario's face as he was led away in handcuffs. It was over. Truly over.Tears welled in her eyes, but this time they were tears of relief. Lucas squeezed her hand, and she turned to him, a tentative smile breaking through. "It's finally over," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.He nodded, pulling her into a hug. "You were amazing," he said softly. "So strong."Emma leaned into him, feeling
Emma felt the warm trickle of blood running down the side of her face where the gun had struck her. The metallic scent filled her nostrils as she looked up at Mr. Mario. His grip on her face was ironclad, his face mere inches from hers. His breath was hot and reeked of cigarettes as he hissed, “Don’t make me kill you, Emma. Don’t tempt me.”His voice was low and menacing, and Emma could feel the vibration of his words against her skin. She knew she was probably making the worst decision of her life, but it was the only thing she could think of. With a sudden, desperate resolve, she lunged forward and sank her teeth into his nose. She bit down hard, the taste of blood flooding her mouth, and pulled with all her might until she felt the flesh tear awayMr. Mario’s scream pierced the air, raw and filled with agony. Emma could see the shock and pain in his eyes as he clutched his nose, blood streaming through his fingers. Seizing the moment, Emma summoned every ounce of strength and let o
Emma slowly sat back down in a chair. She took a deep breath and opened the file. Inside, she found a set of documents. As she scanned the pages, her eyes landed on the title: "Dissolution of Betrothal Contract." Her heart pounded as she saw Morgan’s signature at the bottom.Her mind reeled. Why had Morgan changed her mind? What had prompted this sudden shift? Emma leaned back, staring at the papers, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. But her relief was unmistakable."What had changed her mind?" Emma whispered to herself, the question lingering as she stepped out of the courtroom.**One month later**Emma stepped out of the hospital with Tina, who had just finished her antenatal check-up. The setting evening sun glinted off the hospital’s glass facade, casting long shadows on the pavement.Emma got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Feeling okay?” she asked as she navigated the car through the parking lot.Tina chuckled, resting a hand on her baby bump.
His lips curled into a sneer. "I'm going to win my case tomorrow. And when I get out, Emma, I'll make sure you pay. I'll kill you, and before that, I'll have my way with you. Brutally. You'll regret everything. You should have stopped when you had the chance."Emma's smile didn't waver, but inside, a shiver ran down her spine. She steadied herself, refusing to let him see any weakness. She knew the case was too good for him to win it. "We'll see about that, Ethan Maddox. How pitiful it is, the once powerful Maddox, stuck in a jail cell." She stood up, adjusting her coat with deliberate grace.As the guards moved to take him away, Ethan's expression shifted, a malicious glint in his eye. "Watch your back, Emma. Mario is still out there, and he's planning something big."Emma paused, her heart skipping a beat, but she didn't turn around. She walked out of the room, the echo of Ethan's words trailing after her.With Mario still roaming out there, she knew everything was truly far from ov
"Cookies or a sandwich?" Emma asked.Tina picked cookies without hesitation. Emma retrieved a pack from the pantry and placed a few on a plate, setting it on the counter next to where they would soon sit with their hot drinks.The kettle began to whistle, steam escaping from its spout as Emma poured the hot water into two waiting mugs filled with cocoa mix. The rich aroma of chocolate filled the air.They sat down at the kitchen table, the silence heavy between them as they sipped their drinks. The warmth of the hot chocolate seeped through Emma's fingers, temporarily soothing her senses.After they finished their drinks and Tina left, Emma returned to the living room. The fatigue of the day washed over her, and she settled onto the couch, her thoughts wandering to Lucas.Hours later, the sound of the front door opening roused Emma from her doze. She blinked sleepily, glancing at the clock—it was a little past seven. Lucas entered the room.He settled beside her on the couch, leaning o
The lady sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping as she collapsed onto the edge of the bed. "Maybe you weren't convincing enough," she suggested. "You should have worn the other more revealing red dress. And maybe you sounded pushy..."Her words faded into the background as Morgan's anger reached a boiling point. With a sudden, ferocious movement, she stood up and crossed the room in two quick strides. Grabbing the lady by the front of her shirt, she lifted her off the bed and slammed her against the nearby wall. The impact sent a dull thud through the room."If you want to pass blame on me for your stupid plans not working," Morgan hissed through gritted teeth, her face inches from the lady's, "you're not going to like how it ends for you."The lady's eyes widened in shock and fear. Her breath came in shallow, rapid bursts. As Morgan's grip tightened momentarily before letting go, the lady slid down the wall, her legs weak beneath her. She straightened herself slowly, smoothing out her
Upstairs, Lucas leaned back in his leather chair, the phone pressed to his ear. Morgan's voice echoed through the line, breaking the silence."We need to see Lucas. It's urgent," Morgan's tone was urgent.Lucas frowned, his brow furrowing. "See me for what?" he asked, his voice guarded.There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Morgan replied, "About Ethan Maddox. There's been a breakthrough, and I thought you should know."Lucas's grip tightened on the phone. Ethan Maddox. He inhaled sharply."Why are you trying to help me?" Lucas's voice was low, contemplative. "It feels like there's more to this than just the case."A soft chuckle came through the line, warm and unexpectedly genuine. "Yes, Lucas," Morgan admitted, her tone unguarded. "I have my reasons. I want you to warm up to me, and if helping with this case will achieve that, then I'm willing to take the risk. I'm really sorry about yesterday, I shouldn't have done that. It's been years, and I should have allo
"This is one of the disk file you gave to us, we would like to watch it with you," the police officer stated and Mrs Veronica nodded.The screen showed a dimly lit kitchen. Mrs. Maria was gagged and tied on the floor, her eyes wide with fear. Ethan Maddox was pacing around, his face twisted in anger, his mouth moving rapidly as he shouted. Although there was no sound, the rage in his body language was unmistakable. Mrs. Maria seemed to be pleading, shaking her head in desperation.The scene escalated quickly. Ethan Maddox grabbed a knife from the counter and, with a swift, brutal motion, slashed at Mrs. Maria's neck. Blood spurted out in gruesome bursts, staining the floor and walls. Mrs. Veronica's breath caught in her throat, her eyes glued to the screen.The officer quickly shut the laptop, her hands shaking slightly. She took a deep breath, her face pale. "This... this is more than enough evidence," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Emma and Lucas sat in the car, parked
Emma inhaled sharply, not expecting what she had just heard. "Does the phone contain information that could help?" She asked and the woman nodded.Emma glanced at Lucas, whose eyes were distant and unfocused, lost in thought.Lucas suddenly stood up from the worn-out couch, his expression resolute. "This is what we're going to do," he said, his voice steady. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, a sign of the stress they were under.Emma watched as he began to pace. "I'm going to call the police, and you're going to speak to them," he continued, "They'll come here and find everything exactly as it is. But this time, we'll take pictures and leak them to the public. That way, they can't cover anything up, especially with the FBI involved." He glanced at the woman, whose eyes widened slightly, a mix of fear in her gaze."We need to make sure they can't hide this," Lucas explained. "You're going to tell them you've been attacked and that you have information they need. When they're clos