"Did you hear that?" Victoria whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she peered through the window.I tensed, my eyes scanning the dark expanse of our estate's perimeter. The security lights glowed faintly, but the eerie stillness sent a chill down my spine. "No," I said, keeping my tone calm. "But stay here. I’ll check the monitors."She grabbed my arm. "Elias, don’t go out there alone.""I’m just checking the surveillance feeds," I assured her. "We have security guards patrolling."Reluctantly, she let go, but the worry in her eyes lingered.I made my way to the security room, my footsteps echoing in the long corridor. The monitors displayed multiple camera angles around the estate. I scanned each one carefully. Nothing seemed out of place—until I spotted a flicker of movement near the back gate."Zoom in," I commanded the guard seated at the control panel.The image sharpened, revealing a shadowy figure lurking near the fence. My jaw clenched. "Have the team sweep that area imm
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Elias muttered, leaning over his laptop as the screen filled with endless rows of red transaction flags. His jaw clenched, and I could hear the tension in his voice even from across the room.I walked over and rested a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”“Millions—gone,” he said through gritted teeth. “These aren't just small discrepancies. Someone siphoned off a fortune from my accounts.”My stomach twisted. After everything we’d gone through, it felt like the universe had a twisted sense of humor. “How is that even possible? Your security is supposed to be impenetrable.”“That’s what I thought,” he said bitterly, tapping on the keyboard. “But whoever did this knew what they were doing. The transactions are buried under legitimate expenses, spread across multiple shell companies. It’s sophisticated.”I pulled up a chair beside him. “Let me see.”He hesitated, his brows furrowing. “You don’t have to get involved—”“Elias, I ran my own business for year
"You can't be serious about this," Victoria hissed, tugging on the collar of her black coat as we crouched near the shadowed entrance of the abandoned warehouse. "This whole setup screams a bad idea.""I've made worse decisions," I muttered, my gaze locked on the steel doors across the empty lot. "But tonight, we end this. Whoever's behind the shell company is meeting here, and I need answers."She exhaled sharply. "And you thought it was a good idea to bring me along?""You insisted," I reminded her."Correction—you begged," she shot back.Before I could respond, headlights cut through the darkness as a sleek black SUV pulled up. My pulse quickened. A man in a tailored gray suit stepped out, his face partially hidden by the brim of a hat. Two other figures followed, their movements brisk and purposeful.Victoria's hand tightened on my arm. "Is that Selene's associate, Howard Greaves?""It looks like him," I confirmed, anger bubbling in my chest. "He's the key to everything. If we can
"Faster, Elias! He’s gaining on us!" I clutched the edge of my seat, my heart thundering in my chest as the dark SUV loomed closer in the rearview mirror.Elias's knuckles whitened around the steering wheel. "I see him. Hold on." He jerked the car hard to the left, the tires screeching in protest as we veered onto a narrow dirt road cutting through the dense forest. Dust and gravel flew in our wake.The SUV roared behind us, relentless."Do you even know where this road leads?" I demanded, my voice trembling."Does it matter?" Elias shot back, his jaw clenched. "Our priority is getting out of his line of sight."Branches scraped against the car’s sides like clawing fingers. The narrow path twisted and turned, and each curve felt like a gamble between escape and disaster.A sudden jolt rattled the car as we hit a pothole. I gritted my teeth, my body lurching forward. "We can't keep this up. The terrain’s too rough."Elias's gaze flickered to the mirror. "He's not backing down.""Then w
"Did you hear that?" Victoria whispered, her voice taut with fear.I tightened my grip around her hand, my eyes scanning the dim cabin. The creaking floorboards had me on edge, and the oppressive silence outside was deafening. "Stay close to me."The flickering lantern light cast long shadows across the room. We’d stumbled upon the cabin purely by luck—or maybe fate. Either way, it wasn’t empty. A half-filled coffee cup sat on the weathered wooden table, and scattered documents littered the floor. Someone had left in a hurry.Victoria knelt, picking up a crumpled sheet of paper. Her face paled as she read. "Elias, this has Selene’s signature on it."I snatched the paper from her hand and scanned it. It was a financial ledger detailing hidden transfers between offshore accounts. My blood ran cold. "This proves everything. She’s been funneling money out of the company for years."Victoria's breath hitched. "This could clear my name once and for all.""And bring Selene down," I added gri
“We have to move—now,” Elias whispered urgently, his hand gripping mine as the distant sound of footsteps and barking dogs grew louder.“Do you even know where we’re going?” I gasped, my breath catching from both fear and exertion.“There’s a hidden passage beneath the floor,” he said, guiding me to the far side of the cabin. “It’s our only way out.”I stared at him in disbelief. “A secret passage? Seriously?”“Do you want to argue or survive?” His sharp tone cut through the panic, clouding my mind.Without another word, he yanked back the rug, revealing a narrow trapdoor. The wooden panel creaked as he pulled it open, revealing a dark, musty tunnel beneath.“Get in,” Elias commanded, his voice low but firm.I hesitated for only a moment before climbing down into the darkness. The smell of damp earth filled my nose as I landed on the cold, uneven floor. Elias followed, pulling the trapdoor shut above us just as the cabin door burst open with a deafening crash.Heavy boots stomped acro
"Are you telling me someone inside your own security team planted the tracker?" I demanded, my voice low but sharp. My heart raced as the implications sank in.Elias paced the length of the safe house’s dimly lit living room, his jaw clenched. "It has to be someone with access to our private belongings. No outsider could've slipped a device past my team without raising suspicion."I crossed my arms, frustration bubbling under my skin. "Then we have a serious problem, Elias. Your people are supposed to protect us, not betray us."He stopped pacing and faced me. "I'm aware of that, Victoria. Trust me, heads will roll once I figure out who did this." His voice was ice, but beneath it, I could hear the crackle of barely contained fury.The weight of the situation pressed down on me. We were supposed to be safe here, hidden from Selene's grasp and whoever else was working against us. Instead, danger had followed us, slithering in like a snake in the grass.Elias pulled out his phone, his f
"How bad is it?" I demanded, pacing the floor of Elias's office. The tense air practically buzzed with the sound of incoming alerts and frantic voices from outside the glass walls.Elias clenched his jaw, his eyes fixed on the tablet in his hand. "They're hitting us from every angle—stocks, media leaks, even internal sabotage." He looked up, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "Selene’s fingerprints are all over this."A chill ran down my spine. "But she's in custody. How could she—""Money buys loyalty, Victoria," Elias cut in. "And Selene always had a knack for finding people willing to do her dirty work for the right price." He tapped the screen. "Our IT team just isolated the breach, but the financial damage is mounting. We have minutes, not hours."I inhaled sharply. "What can I do to help?"He paused, his eyes softening for just a moment. "You already are. Just being here... it keeps me grounded."Before I could respond, the office door burst open. Marcus, Elias's head of security, s
“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