There wasn’t just one article; there were several, along with videos spread across multiple news outlets, gossip magazines, and social media accounts.Clark was instantly apologetic. “Forgive me, Lassa. I should’ve listened to you when you stopped me the first time. I shouldn’t have tried to kiss you again, especially in such a public place. I promise to have all of this taken down as soon as possible. I’m going to pull every resource I can to—”“Clark... Clark... Clark!” Thalassa called out firmly to cut off his rambling. “It’s okay.”“What? I thought you would be upset with me.”Thalassa pursed her lips. “I’m not. And you don’t have to bother having anything taken down.”“But... you’re not upset that people are saying we have a relationship when it isn’t true?”“I knew the consequences that would come with finally revealing my identity to the world, Clark. I know that the paparazzi are always going to be in my space,” Thalassa said calmly.This wasn’t the first time she’d had pictur
The incessant ringing of his penthouse doorbell jolted Kris out of his sleep. He'd ignored it for a while, hoping it would stop, but the ringing only got worse until he couldn't ignore it anymore.“This building better fucking be on fire," he cursed under his breath as he shot out of bed and made his way out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and to the door.His annoyance grew when he yanked the door open and saw that it was Alden.“Wow, I still can't believe you moved out of your house."Kris gritted his teeth. “And you woke me up this early in the morning just to tell me that?"“Early?" Alden scoffed and pulled out his phone, turning the screen toward Kris.Kris mellowed a bit when he saw that it was already 8 in the morning. He'd spent the night tossing in bed and must've only drifted to sleep around 4 a.m. As such, he felt exhausted.“Come in," he said with a sigh as he stepped aside.“Who said I was asking for your permission?" Alden rolled his eyes as he walked inside, causing Kr
Zeke wasn’t in a very bright mood. No, that was an understatement; he was in a very shitty mood.How could he not be after seeing the trending news about Thalassa and Clark’s supposed relationship?With a grim expression, he made his way into the foyer of TT Fashion Company and headed to one of the elevators. Just as the door was about to close, a young man in a delivery uniform, holding a bouquet of white lilies, rushed in.Zeke didn’t think much of it until he realized the young man hadn’t punched in another floor. His suspicions were confirmed when after they reached the top floor and the elevator's door opened, the young man began stepping out.“Hey,” Zeke called out in a low voice but the guy heard and stopped.“Yes?” The young man replied, looking a bit impatient.“Who are you bringing those flowers to?”The delivery man checked the card tucked into the bouquet. “Thalassa Thompson. It’s from Clark Morgan. Am I on the right floor?”Zeke’s jaw clenched. How long had this been goin
Tempers flared. Tension thrummed through the air. The two men looked like they were ready to pounce on each other. Not wanting that to happen, Thalassa quickly inserted herself between them.“What is going on here?" she demanded, her questioning gaze on Kris.“Why don't you ask that guy?" Kris sneered, waving the bouquet of pink lilies in his hand. “He’s not satisfied with just controlling his sister's life. He also thinks he has the right to make decisions for you."Thalassa was confused. She turned to look at Zeke. “What is he talking about?"Guilt mixed with anger on Zeke's face, but he didn’t say anything.“What? Cat got your tongue?” Kris snickered. “Since you won't tell her, I will. Thalassa, I sent some flowers to be delivered to you, but this bastard sent away the delivery man and even threatened to call security on him, all while claiming that it was by your instructions.”He was so glad he had stayed in his car after sending the delivery man to deliver the flowers.Thalassa
The Fashion Awards show was fast approaching, and the fashion industry and the internet at large were abuzz with anticipation.It was an event that was organized by top fashion gurus every two years. Several designers would be invited to witness the event but only five were selected to be part of the exhibition and stand the chance of winning the ultimate title.Having lead the most successful fashion house in the last year, Thalassa Thompson’s name was easily among the top five along with other designers. This was the first time she was being nominated. Another name that also rang loudly was the name of Linda Miller.Despite the decline in her company’s sales, especially in the last year, Linda Miller had held the title of ‘Queen of Fashion’ four times, two of which were won consecutively. She was still the reigning Queen of Fashion, so it was no surprise that she was also nominated despite all the controversies.It was no secret that the Miller Fashion House had some of the best des
The excitement in the air was palpable as fans and aspiring designers who hadn't been invited lined up behind metal barriers overlooking the red carpet. Cameras flashed, and cheers erupted as luxury cars pulled up, each carrying a famous face from the fashion world. Celebrities stepped out, dressed in plush gowns that flowed with every step they took. Reporters hustled to get interviews.Linda Miller's arrival caused a similar uproar. As expected of the Miller family, almost all the members attended such events together: Kris, Susan, Tyler, and Cynthia. Karen Miller was nowhere in sight.Kris was driving, dressed in a sleek black suit as he got out to open his mother's door. Linda stepped out with her head held high, wearing a stunning emerald green gown. Her fans chanted, "Queen of Fashion!" as Linda and her family made their way down the red carpet.The reporters instantly had their mics ready. One asked, "How are you feeling tonight, Linda? Good, or nervous?"Linda forced a confi
“Yes!” Kris nearly shouted but managed to control himself. Thalassa had arrived, which meant she was okay.His mood soured a little when he saw Clark Morgan and Zeke Mathews, along with three women, taking the front-row seats reserved for Thalassa and her team.Murmurs erupted among the guests. Some were pleased with the announcement, while others were not as happy.“What? This is unethical! She doesn’t deserve to be allowed to participate after pulling out,” Susan protested loudly, receiving murmurs of agreement from other guests.Linda’s face had turned pale with anger. She clenched her fists tightly, her sharply pointed manicured fingernails digging painfully into her palms.“That stupid lowlife,” she silently fumed.All eyes turned to the stage, waiting for TT Fashion’s exhibition. As a rhythmic song began to play, one by one, stunning models in equally gorgeous dresses sauntered down the runway, each step radiating grace and elegance.The dresses they showcased were breathtaking,
A hush of anticipation fell over the audience as the envelope containing the results was brought to the host. A teasing smile flirted across his lips as he tapped the envelope into his palm while not saying anything for several seconds.The audience began to protests, causing him to let out a chuckle. “Okay, fine. Here it goes.”Painstakingly slowly, he pulled the results card out of the envelope.Linda’s heart was pounding inside her chest. Her grip on the armrest of her chair was so tight that her knuckles turned white.In contrast, Thalassa sat perfectly still, her face exuding nothing but calmness. No one would be able to tell whether or not she was nervous.When the host finally looked down at the card containing the winner, surprise flicked across his face.“Wow, that’s a first.” He muttered to himself before looking at the audience.“Normally, I would announce the Model of the Year first, but today, that won’t be necessary. Because for the first time in the history of the Fashi
The bullet hit Linda square in the shoulder. Linda crumpled to the floor, clutching her arm. She groaned in pain as the blood seeped through her fingers, mixing with the gasoline pooling beneath her. Karen didn’t hesitate. She immediately rushed towards Thalassa’s chair, her movements frantic but determined. “Hold still,” she muttered, her trembling hands fumbling with the ropes binding Thalassa’s wrists. After some seconds, the ropes finally loosened. Thalassa pulled her hands free and immediately bent down to help Karen untie her legs. The knot slipped, and she finally stood, her heart pounding wildly. “We need to leave, Karen,” she said, her voice sharp with urgency. “Yes.” Karen nodded, breathless. “Let’s go.” Neither of them saw Linda reaching into her handbag and pulling out a pistol. Just as they turned to run, a gunshot exploded in the air. Thalassa froze as Karen let out a gasp of pain. “Karen!” she screamed. Karen staggered, her hand clutching her stomach where blood
After spreading one gallon of the gasoline. Linda moved to the next, then the next. And the next.The pungent liquid soaked into the cracks of wooden members, splattered against the cardboard boxes strewn around the room, and puddled near Thalassa’s chair.Thalassa’s heart hammered violently in her chest, but she kept her face a mask of defiance. No. She had to do something. You couldn't die. Not today.She needed to get back to Alex and Kris. They were waiting for her. Alex needed her. But no matter how she wriggled her wrists, the rope refused to loosen.Linda finished pouring the last gallon, letting the empty container clatter to the floor. Straightening up, she brushed her hands against her dress, a twisted smile curling her lips as she turned to face Thalassa.From a nearby chair, she grabbed her handbag and pulled out a somewhat small device. Then she walked back toward Thalassa, holding it up like a trophy.“This,” Linda began, her voice laced with cruel amusement, “is a deto
Thalassa's heart pounded violently in her chest as the thugs came closer and closer.She kept her face hard, her jaw clenched. Every instinct screamed at her to panic because she knew this was no joke, but she refused to give Linda or her thugs the satisfaction."Don't you dare come closer," she spat through gritted teeth, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.One of the thugs threw his head back and laughed. "She's trying to act hard.” His lips curled into a lecherous grin. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll break you in no time. Turn you into a nice, docile little bitch begging for our cocks."Thalassa jerked her chair back as far as it could go, her muscles straining against the ropes that bound her. But one of the thugs circled behind her, his rough hands already reaching for the knots securing her wrists to the chair.She could feel his breath on the back of her neck as he muttered, "Don't make this harder on yourself by resisting.”He had begun untangling the ropes
Kris paced back and forth in the living room like a caged animal, his jaw clenched and his hands tugging through his hair in sheer frustration and desperation.His voice was low, barely above a hiss, as he spoke into his phone. “What do you mean the surveillance ends at that spot? And the car is never seen again? Did it fucking disappear into thin air?”His steps quickened as his anxiety surged. “Listen to me, Smoke. The next time you call me, you better have something useful to tell me.”He ended the call with a sharp tap and flung the phone onto the couch, his breath coming in uneven gasps. Alden and Luisa were sitting on the couch across from him, their expressions tense as they silently watched.Tessa was curled up in Luisa’s arms, her small chest rising and falling as she slept. Luisa stroked her hair absently, her eyes rimmed with exhaustion, but no one said a word.It had been hours since Thalassa’s car was found in the middle of the road with bullet holes and shattered glass.
Karen hesitated in front of the door, her hand hovering over the knob. Her breathing was shallow, her chest aching. She was in front of the door to her mother's room.It was the first time she’d stood here since her mother’s death. No, not just her death. It had been years since she’d stepped into this room. Her fingers tightened around the knob, turning it slowly. The door creaked open, and Karen stepped inside. Everything was exactly as her mother had left it: spotless, warm, yet eerily silent. Her eyes scanned the familiar space, and a wave of nostalgia washed over her, nearly knocking her off her feet.She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, taking in the faint scent of lavender that still lingered in the air.Her throat tightened as memories came rushing back. She remembered when she was eight years old and her father’s death was plastered across the news. He'd died while cruising on the sea.She hadn’t understood it at the time, but the image of the wrecked yacht
Thalassa groaned as consciousness crept back to her. Her head felt heavy, like a storm had taken up residence in her skull. She blinked her eyes open, and she was greeted by nearly pitch-black darkness.The air was cold and stale, tinged with the metallic scent of rust and dampness. She was sitting in a chair, and it didn't take long for her to realize that her wrists and ankles were bound tightly to the chair.She wriggled her wrists, trying to see if she could free her hands from the ropes, but they only dug painfully into her skin. The knots didn’t budge.The sound of footsteps broke the silence, sharp and deliberate against the concrete floor. Then the voice of the woman she hated more than anything in the world echoed through the space.“Don’t bother, darling. You’re only wasting your time.”Thalassa froze, her breath catching in her throat. The dim light overhead flickered on, falling on the woman in front of her.Linda.She was standing a few feet away, a satisfied smirk on her
The engine’s steady hum filled the car as Thalassa leaned back against the plush leather seat, her phone pressed tightly to her ear.She barely registered the bodyguards seated in the front, their voices muffled as they exchanged words about security measures. Her focus was solely on the call.She'd been dialing Betty's number since Kris left a few minutes ago, but the other woman wasn't picking up. Finally, the tone of the call being answered came through.“Thank God you finally picked up, Betty,” Thalassa said, her voice trembling just enough to betray her nerves.“Thalassa?” Betty’s warm, familiar voice came through the line. "Oh, sorry, I was in the shower. Is something wrong? You sound... tense.”Thalassa closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Please,” she begged, her words rushed. “Tell me my son is safe.”There was a short pause before Betty chuckled lightly. “You called to ask that an hour ago. Alex is fine, I promise. Safe and sound. He’s having the time of his life with tha
Kris groaned, the dull ache in the back of his head pulling him from the haze of unconsciousness. His vision blurred as he blinked rapidly, trying to focus. A small, trembling voice broke through the fog.“Daddy, please wake up,” Tessa sobbed, her tiny hands clutching at his arm. She was hunched over his body, tears streaming down her cheeks, her whole frame shaking.Kris forced himself upright, wincing as his fingers pressed against the throbbing lump on his head. His heart clenched at the sight of his daughter’s tear-streaked face.“Tessa,” he rasped, pulling her into his arms. “I’m okay, baby. I’m here. Don’t cry.”He cradled her against his chest, rocking her gently, ignoring the sharp pain in his skull. Her sobs slowly subsided as he murmured soothing words, stroking her hair.After a moment, Kris pulled back to look at her. “Are you hurt? Did they do anything to you?”Tessa shook her head, her lip quivering. “No… but I was so scared, Daddy. They had guns.”Kris swallowed hard, h
Kris’s fingers tightened around the phone, his knuckles white against the smooth surface. For a moment, the world around him seemed to freeze, his mind struggling to process Karen’s words. Tessa. Taken. His breath caught in his throat. Then, the cold reality slammed into him like a freight train.“What do you mean they took her?!” Kris hissed, his voice sharp and rising in panic.Karen’s voice came through the speaker again, shaky and tearful. “They— they shot the guard, Kris. They came into the house with guns. They said they’d hurt me if I didn’t give them Tessa.”His stomach churned, dread twisting his insides. “And you did?” he bit out, his voice breaking with a mix of anger and desperation. “I didn’t have a choice!” Karen cried. “I tried to stop them, but they hit me—I couldn’t—” Her words dissolved into sobs.Kris raked a hand through his hair, feeling like he was going crazy. “I told you! I told you to let me take her!” His voice cracked with raw emotion, his anger barely mas