“We have to go in now,” Elias said, his voice edged with determination as he gripped the steering wheel. The abandoned Westbrook estate loomed ahead, shrouded in eerie silence. Moonlight glinted off the shattered windows, and the faint rustle of trees added to the tension.I tightened my grip on his arm. "You sure about this? Selene's always three steps ahead.""Not this time," Elias growled. "This ends tonight."My heart pounded in sync with the thrum of adrenaline in my veins. For years, Selene had manipulated and destroyed lives, but now we had the evidence and the courage to bring her down.A voice crackled through the earpiece. "Security’s thin at the east wing," said Mason, Elias’s head of security. "But Selene's got loyalists inside. Be ready."Elias shot me a glance. "Stay behind me. No heroics, Victoria."I narrowed my eyes. "You forget who you're talking to."A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips despite the gravity of the situation. "God help me."We crept toward the side e
“You need to fight back, Elias. They’re waiting for your downfall,” I said, pacing across the living room.Elias sat at the edge of the sofa, his head bowed, hands clenched into fists on his knees. “The board is made up of vultures. They're ready to tear me apart the second they get a chance.” His voice was taut with frustration.I knelt in front of him, placing my hands over his. “Then don’t give them that chance. You’re not just fighting for yourself. You’re fighting for our child and our future.”He lifted his head, his dark eyes glimmering with both torment and resolve. “Do you really think they'll believe me when Selene was my sister? The media already has a field day with that headline alone—‘Westbrook Betrayed by Blood.’”I leaned closer, meeting his gaze. “Then show them what kind of man you are now. Not the one who believed lies. The one who fought for the truth.”Elias exhaled sharply, squeezing my hands. “I just don't want you caught in the crossfire again, Victoria. You’ve
"You're making a mistake," I said, my voice steady but sharp. My gaze swept across the grand boardroom where the Westbrook Industries shareholders sat, their faces a mix of concern, skepticism, and judgment. "Removing me as CEO because of Selene's betrayal doesn't solve anything—it only weakens this company."Elias stood beside me, his jaw clenched in a way that told me he was holding back from saying something much harsher. He had fought to clear my name, and now it was my turn to fight for him."I understand that you're all shaken by the recent events," I continued. "But if there's one thing you should know about Elias Westbrook, it's that he never backs down from a challenge. He's already working tirelessly to repair the damage his sister caused. And trust me—he will succeed."An older man with silver hair and a sharp glare leaned forward. "Mrs. Lancaster, your loyalty is admirable. But loyalty doesn't erase the fact that the company's reputation is in tatters. Investors are pullin
"The server's down again!" one of the IT technicians shouted across the chaotic room.I stood at the center of the Westbrook Tower's emergency operations room, tension tightening every muscle in my body. The red-alert alarms blared on every screen, signaling the company's most critical cybersecurity breach to date."What's the damage?" I barked, my voice sharp as I turned to James, my head of cybersecurity."They’ve accessed employee credentials and encrypted several of our financial databases," James reported grimly. "If we don’t stop this attack soon, they’ll take the entire company offline—and potentially leak sensitive information."Victoria stood next to me, her face pale but composed. Despite the chaos, there was an unmistakable fire in her eyes. "Can you trace their location?" she asked James.He shook his head. "They're using multiple proxy servers across different countries. Every time we get close to pinpointing a source, they reroute."I slammed my fist against the nearest
“Elias, you’re not going in there alone,” Victoria’s voice cut through the tense atmosphere as I stood by the black SUV outside the hacker's lair—a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of the city.“This isn’t your fight,” I said, adjusting the cuffs of my jacket though my hands were clenched into fists. “Stay here. I’ll handle it.”“You think I’m going to sit in the car like some obedient passenger?” Her eyes blazed with defiance. “After everything we’ve been through, I have just as much at stake.”“Victoria—”“No, Elias.” She stepped in front of me, her chin lifted in determination. “We do this together.”I wanted to argue, but there was no time. The hacker had left a breadcrumb trail right to this place, and I wasn’t about to lose the only lead that could dismantle Selene’s schemes once and for all.“Fine,” I relented, pulling open the warehouse door. “But stay close.”The interior was dimly lit, the smell of rust and oil hanging thick in the air. The hum of servers filled the sp
"Are you sure this is it?" Victoria's voice trembled as she stared at the rusted metal door embedded in the stone wall of the old Westbrook estate basement.Elias ran his fingers over the keypad next to the door. "It's the only vault mentioned in the hacker's files," he said grimly. "If Selene has secrets, they’re in here."A shiver ran down my spine. "What if it's booby-trapped or something?"Elias gave me a sidelong glance, half amused. "You're watching too many movies.""I was married to you, remember? My life was a movie."Despite the tension, a flicker of a smile tugged at his lips. "Touché." He pressed a combination of numbers into the keypad.The machine beeped once, and then... nothing."Damn it." He gritted his teeth. "The code must've been changed.""Maybe try her birthday," I suggested, thinking of Selene's flair for dramatics.He hesitated. "Selene would never make it that easy." But he typed it in any way.A heavy click echoed through the basement.I blinked in surprise.
"You're telling me this forged contract has been floating around for years?" Victoria's voice cracked as she stared at the legal documents spread across the polished conference table.Elias leaned forward, his jaw tight. "Yes, and somehow, Selene managed to keep it hidden from the board and the auditors. It implicates me in an international fraud scheme I had no part in.""Unbelievable," she muttered. "How did she even pull that off?""Connections, lies, and plenty of bribes, I assume," Elias said bitterly. "That's why we're here—to dismantle this entire web she's created." He glanced at the bespectacled attorney seated across from them. "What's our next move, Richard?"Richard Morrison, the firm's sharpest legal mind, folded his hands on the table. "First, we file a motion to have this contract declared fraudulent. But be prepared—Selene has powerful allies, and they're not going to go down without a fight."Elias’s eyes darkened. "Let them come. I’m done playing their games."Victor
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” the bailiff asked, holding the Bible out to Selene Westbrook.Selene placed her perfectly manicured hand on it, her face composed and confident. "I do," she answered, her voice steady.I sat beside Elias, my hands trembling in my lap. The courtroom was packed, journalists scribbling furiously and cameras capturing every flicker of emotion on our faces. Selene was about to testify, and knowing her vindictive nature, I feared the worst.Elias leaned toward me, his voice low. “Stay calm. She won’t win this.”I wanted to believe him, but Selene was cunning, and the prosecution had given her the perfect stage.The judge adjusted his glasses and nodded toward the prosecutor. "You may proceed."The prosecutor, a sharp-eyed man in a tailored suit, approached Selene. "Miss Westbrook, thank you for being here today. Could you please describe your relationship with your brother, Elias Westbrook?"Selene folded her hand
“Are you sure about this?” I asked Elias as I adjusted the elegant satin gown, hugging my body. The grand hall was already filled with the city’s elite, all gathered to celebrate the official resurgence of Westbrook Industries. Chandeliers sparkled above us, and the orchestra played softly in the background.Elias turned to me, his blue eyes intense. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.” His voice was low, but the sincerity hit me deep.I smoothed my dress nervously. “It’s just... after everything we've been through—”He placed his hand over mine, steadying me. “That’s exactly why tonight is important. You’ve always been the heart of this company, Victoria. It’s time the world knows it.”Before I could respond, the announcer’s voice boomed across the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Elias Westbrook and Victoria Lancaster to the stage."The applause was thunderous. My heart raced as Elias led me to the center stage. Cameras flashed, capturing
"I still can’t believe you're doing this," Victoria said, her voice edged with disbelief as we rode the elevator to the top floor of Westbrook Industries. "Announcing a philanthropic initiative in our son's name? Elias, the board won't take this lightly."I straightened my tie, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "They'll take it because it's the right move. And because you're going to help me make them see that."She shook her head with a soft laugh. "You're impossible.""Yet you married me."Her laughter faded, and for a moment, we stood in silence. The weight of everything we’d been through hung between us like a fragile truce. The scars from betrayal and heartbreak hadn’t fully healed, but standing beside her now, I felt stronger—more determined than ever to make things right.When the elevator doors opened, a wave of tension swept over me. The boardroom was already packed. Selene’s former allies sat at the long mahogany table, their faces taut with apprehension and skeptic
"Are you sure about this?" Elias asked as he pulled the car into the long, winding driveway. The towering oak trees on either side seemed to close in on us. "We can turn back if you're not ready."I swallowed the lump in my throat, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap. "No. I need to do this."He reached over, his hand warm and steady on mine. "I'm right here with you."I gave him a grateful smile, though my heart felt like it was doing backflips. The last time I saw my father, we had exchanged harsh words that cut deeper than any wound. Years had passed, and I had told myself I didn't need closure—but now, with a child of my own, everything felt different.Elias parked the car in front of the large, weathered farmhouse. The sight of the familiar porch with its peeling paint and creaky swing tugged at memories I had long buried.The front door opened before we even stepped out of the car. My father stood there, his once-strong frame slightly stooped, but his eyes were still sharp a
“It’s a boy!” the doctor announced with a broad smile as the room filled with the sound of a baby’s strong cry.My breath hitched as tears blurred my vision. Relief, joy, and overwhelming love crashed through me in waves. Elias stood beside me, his hand gripping mine as though it was the only thing grounding him to this earth.“We have a son, Victoria,” he whispered, his voice breaking.I looked up at him, barely able to form words. “He’s here... we did it.”The nurse approached, gently placing the swaddled baby in my arms. His face was red and scrunched, his tiny fingers curled into fists. I couldn't stop staring. He was perfect.“He’s beautiful,” Elias said, his voice thick with emotion.I managed a shaky laugh. “He looks just like you.”Elias let out a breathless chuckle. “Poor kid.”I smiled despite the tears streaming down my face. “He’s lucky, just like I am.”Elias leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. “No, Victoria. I’m the lucky one. You gave me a second chance.
"Stay with me, Victoria!" Elias's voice cracked as he clutched my hand, his knuckles white with tension.The pain was relentless, like waves crashing through me, each stronger than the last. My breath came in shallow gasps as the paramedics maneuvered the stretcher down the hallway toward the ambulance. Everything was a blur—the flashing red lights, the wail of the siren, and Elias’s voice, fierce and determined, cutting through the chaos."I can't—" I choked, unable to finish as a sharp contraction gripped me."You can," Elias urged, his eyes wild with fear. "You're the strongest person I know. Just hold on."The ambulance doors slammed shut, sealing us inside. The paramedics worked quickly, their voices urgent but steady."Blood pressure's dropping," one of them announced. "We need to stabilize her."Elias's grip on my hand tightened. "Do whatever it takes. Just save them—both of them."I squeezed his hand weakly, trying to reassure him, though I wasn’t sure if I was reassuring myse
"Open it already, Elias," I urged, unable to mask the tension in my voice.Elias’s fingers trembled as he tore open the mysterious envelope that had been left at our doorstep. The elegant black seal on the back hinted at something sinister, and my instincts screamed that whatever was inside would only bring chaos.He pulled out a neatly folded letter. As he read silently, his face darkened, his jaw clenching so tightly I thought he might snap."What does it say?" I demanded.His voice was low, filled with disbelief. "It’s from Selene."I froze. "Selene? What could she possibly have to say after everything she did?"Elias's knuckles turned white as he gripped the letter. "She claims there’s another conspiracy brewing within Westbrook Industries—something even bigger than her betrayal."My heart raced. "Bigger? How is that possible?"He handed me the letter, and I scanned the words quickly. Selene's handwriting was precise, almost too neat for the venomous confession she had penned."El
"Do you think we made the right move?" Elias’s voice was low, almost uncertain—a rare sound coming from a man who always exuded confidence.I glanced at him, my fingers trembling slightly as I adjusted the microphone in front of me. The press conference room was filled with journalists, cameras clicking furiously as they captured every expression on our faces. The Westbrook family name was plastered all over the headlines, and not in a flattering way."You know we had no choice," I said firmly. "Transparency is the only way out of this mess."Elias’s jaw clenched as he scanned the restless crowd. "I just don't want you dragged through this chaos again, Victoria. You've been through enough because of me."I met his gaze, holding it steady. "I'm not going anywhere, Elias. We face this together."Before he could respond, the moderator signaled that it was time to start. Elias nodded, his shoulders squaring as he stood beside me."Ladies and gentlemen," Elias began, his deep voice cutting
"Selene, think this through!" I shouted, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to stay calm. The papers in her hand fluttered as she paced near the fireplace, her eyes wild with desperation. "Burning those documents won't fix anything."Her lips curled into a twisted smile. "You think I care about fixing this mess, Victoria? All I want is to make sure no one wins if I can't have it all."Elias stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding. "Selene, drop the papers. We can fix this without anyone else getting hurt."Selene laughed bitterly, waving the documents in the air like a victory flag. "Oh, brother, always the hero. But you're too late." Her gaze flickered between us, calculating. "You've already ruined me by siding with her."I clenched my fists. "This isn't about sides—it's about the truth. You've manipulated Elias, destroyed our marriage, and nearly took down Westbrook Industries. Enough is enough."Her expression darkened. "You don't know the half of it." She jabbed
"Stay close to me," Elias whispered, his voice low and urgent as we crept through the dimly lit hallway. The faint scent of damp concrete clung to the air, and the tension was palpable. Armed security agents moved ahead of us, their steps swift and calculated. My heart raced, the adrenaline making every sound sharper, every shadow more ominous."I'm not going anywhere without you," I whispered back, gripping his hand tightly. The thought of losing him in this chaos was unbearable.We reached the main door to the vast underground lair Selene had been using to conduct her schemes. The lead agent gave a silent signal, and two men moved to flank the entrance. The rest of us stood ready, nerves stretched taut.Elias's jaw was clenched, his eyes cold and focused. "We end this tonight."The door burst open with a deafening crash. Chaos erupted as armed men on Selene's side fired shots. We ducked behind a thick metal barrier as bullets ricocheted off the walls."Stay down!" Elias ordered, shi