We pulled up to Grandma Jo's house and relief washed over me like a cool breeze.We were finally away from all of the chaos.However, a small part of me was nagging that Grandma Jo's house might not always be safe. Eventually, reporters would figure out that Shana was staying here.I shook my head, trying to tell myself that I would worry about it when the time came.But as we parked, a knot formed in the pit of my stomach. There was an unfamiliar car in the driveway, and it sent a ripple of unease through me.I exchanged a glance with Shana, her apprehension mirroring my own."Do you know whose car that is?" I asked, my voice low with concern.Shana shook her head, her eyes fixed on the figure emerging from the car. "No... I've never seen it before."As the person stepped closer, I recognized him immediately, though his presence only heightened my sense of unease.It was my cousin, Edwin.God, he couldn't have picked worse timing. I wasn't in the mood to deal with him right now. Any
"We should probably go," James said, glancing at Victoria. "You guys should deal with... whatever is going on."As James and Victoria ordered a ride from them to get home, Lucas and I exchanged a worried glance. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on us."I'm kind of nervous," Lucas admitted, his voice tinged with apprehension. "Edwin is unpredictable, and he wouldn't just say that to scare me. He's done something to my father."A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of what Edwin might have done. Despite all our efforts to be safe, it seemed that danger still lurked dangerously close.Although, I must admit that Kendrick was the last person on my mind."We should go check on Kendrick," I suggested, gently nudging Lucas toward the car. "We need to make sure he's okay."Lucas nodded, his expression grim as he climbed into the driver's seat. With a heavy heart, I settled into the passenger seat, the weight of the unknown pressing down on us was suffocating.As we drove in si
LUCAS POVI stood outside the hospital room, watching over my father's frail, sleeping form.My thoughts were a mix of different emotions.After talking with the police for a few hours, Shana and I finally left to visit my father in the hospital. He had undergone several tests and the doctors worked tirelessly to rid him of the poison in his body.Unfortunately, he was in a state of unconsciousness and the doctors couldn't determine when he would wake again.They managed to remove the poison from his body, but he was severely dehydrated and malnourished. He had a tube connected to him that was providing his body with fluids.It was difficult to see my father like this, so helpless and lifeless. It wasn't like the strong, stern man I knew.A part of it scared me. I knew that life should never be taken for granted.After Shana lost her father so suddenly, I realized that the same could happen to me.My father could die... How would I be able to live with myself if that were to happen?T
EDWIN POVThe past twenty four hours had been a whirlwind.Information was being thrown at me left and right, and it felt like I couldn't get a second to myself.Kendrick had hundreds of people working for him and it seemed like all of them required something from me.I couldn't take all of it. I was sick of answering a phone call or attending a random meeting that I knew nothing about.I escaped to Kendrick's office when nobody was looking and took a seat at his desk. It was much quieter here and I was only surrounded by the grandness of his office.Unease settled over me as I let my thoughts wander.This is it. This is what I had always wanted.I had finally taken control of the Busch empire. Obstacles like my cousin and uncle didn't stand in my way anymore.Yet, as I scanned through the endless stacks of paperwork and reports, I couldn't shake the feeling of overwhelming dread that washed over me.Taking over Kendrick's empire wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.The weight of
LUCAS POVAfter I hung up the phone with Edwin, a heavy sense of responsibility settled over me.Despite my reservations, I couldn't ignore the fact that my father's business empire was now in jeopardy, and I couldn't stand by while it crumbled.With a deep breath, I tried to prepare myself for the challenges ahead.It wasn't just about preserving my father's legacy, there was more to it.It was also about honoring the hard work and dedication of the countless employees who depended on this company for their livelihoods. Without a leader, their jobs were at risk.I made my way to the company headquarters immediately.Leaving my father's side made me a little uncomfortable, but I knew that the doctors would be here for him. There was nothing else that I could do for him.As I drove, my mind raced with thoughts of what needed to be done. I couldn't afford to waste any time.Shana sat beside me, wanting to offer her own support. It meant a lot to me that she was here.I was just worried
I stepped through the shimmering portal that Liam created and a wave of familiarity washed over me.I had grown used to the feeling of traveling through a portal. Thankfully, it only felt like a pinch now.The portal led to the entrance of the Ethereal Palace. The grandness of it never failed to impress me, but today, there was an underlying sense of apprehension gnawing at the edges of my excitement.It had been a while since I'd been back to the palace. With graduation, I had been too busy to attend my usual training sessions.Lucas couldn't accompany me this time. He was swamped with responsibilities, and I couldn't blame him. The weight of his newfound role at Busch Enterprises was immense, and I knew he needed to focus on that.He also needed to remain at home in case his father woke up. There were other things that required his attention, so I couldn't blame him for doing what was best.Still, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease at being separated from him.We had been throug
After I received my shot, Liam instructed me to follow him to the training room.My mind was clouded with a strange fog, a feeling of disorientation that I couldn't shake.The injection Dr. Mills had administered left me feeling off-kilter, like I was moving through molasses.I couldn't help but feel like something was incredibly wrong. Whatever Dr. Mills had injected me with had started to weaken my entire body.Fear ran through me as I thought about what it could mean.Had I been foolish to allow the King to inject me with something? I knew I shouldn't trust him after he had already poisoned me once... but surely he wouldn't do something like that again.I didn't understand what the King gained to achieve by harming me.Liam led me into the room and I was shocked to see Prince Alex there waiting for us. Where was the King? I thought I was supposed to be training with him today since Prince Alex was busy.Just as the thought came into my head, it disappeared due to a wave of dizzines
I blinked away the remnants of sleep.My eyes fluttered open, the warmth of sunlight filtering through the lace curtains greeted me.I found myself lying on the familiar couch in Grandma Jo's living room, the scent of lavender and cinnamon lingering in the air.Confusion clouded my mind as I tried to recall the events that led me here, my memory shrouded in a dense fog.Blinking against the brightness, I attempted to sit up, but a sharp pang shot through my head, causing me to wince. Lucas appeared at my side, his concerned gaze fixed on me."Shana, you're awake!" Lucas's voice cut through the fog of my thoughts, and I turned to see him kneeling beside the couch, his expression etched with concern."Lucas?" I croaked, my voice hoarse and raspy. "What... what happened?"I tried to push myself up, but a dull ache pulsed through my head, grounding me back onto the plush cushions of the couch. Prince Alex stepped closer, his expression a blend of concern and urgency.I frowned, shocked to