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Chapter 94 – Fragments
Last Updated:
2025-01-16 09:07:53
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Ties of a Contract Chapter 95 – Suspicions
OliverIt’s three in the morning when I wake up to the sound of voices coming from downstairs. Noah is fast asleep in the bed beside mine, his dinosaur book still open on his chest. He always tries to stay awake for Mom’s arrival, but never manages to.I get up quietly and walk to the door. The voices are muffled, but I recognize them arguing: Dad and Mom fighting again. Lately, they only talk like this—in angry whispers in the middle of the night, thinking we can’t hear.“You barely got here, and you’re already packing again?” Dad’s voice rises a bit.“It’s just for three days,” Mom replies. “The book fair in Chicago…”“Which, coincidentally, is where James is this week.”The silence that follows is heavy. It’s always that way when someone mentions James’s name.“Don’t start,” Mom finally says.“Why won’t you tell me what’s really going on?”Another pause. Then footsteps on the stairs make me rush back to bed. I pretend to be asleep when the bedroom door opens.“I know you’re awake,”
Last Updated : 2025-01-17Ties of a Contract Chapter 96 – Traps
SophiaThe hotel in Chicago is exactly as James described: luxurious, discreet, and most importantly, empty. The lobby is deserted when I enter, only a sleepy receptionist lifts his eyes from his computer.“Reservation under Sterling Editorial,” I say, repeating the instructions I received by email.“Oh, yes,” he perks up slightly. “Mr. Morrison left specific instructions. Presidential suite, top floor.”Morrison. The supposed editor-in-chief of Sterling whom I’ve never met in person. Who only communicates through James.The elevator ascends silently. My hands tremble as I open my bag, checking once more the small recorder I bought along the way. It’s not much, but it’s some protection.The suite is vast and dark. I turn on the lights, revealing a living room larger than my first apartment.“James?” I call, my voice echoing in the empty space.Nothing.I check my phone: three missed calls from Alex, one unread message. I can’t check now. I can’t falter.A brown envelope rests on the c
Last Updated : 2025-01-18Ties of a Contract Chapter 97 - Playing by Our Own Rules
SophiaMy phone won’t stop vibrating. Alex. The police. Messages I don’t dare read. James’ words still echo in my head: “Sign, and all of this disappears.”But I know that nothing truly disappears. Especially threats like these.I grab my bag and the small recorder. The only evidence I have of everything that happened. It’s not much, but it might be all I have left.The hotel lobby is still deserted as I leave. The receptionist doesn’t even look up. As if nothing happened. As if my life hadn’t just completely fallen apart.My car is in the underground parking lot. I lock all the doors as soon as I get in, checking the mirrors. James’ paranoia about being followed now feels completely justified.Matthew Morrison’s message burns in my memory. “We have unfinished business to resolve.”Five years ago, when my first book was rejected, I never imagined that moment could evolve into something so sinister. A simple “no” from a publisher turning into an elaborate trap years later.My phone ring
Last Updated : 2025-01-19Ties of a Contract Chapter 98 - Alliance
SophiaAlex dials a number on the phone. His conversation is brief, to the point. When he hangs up, he simply says:"She’ll be here in two hours.""Who?" I ask."Claire Bennett. The investigative journalist with more exposés on the publishing world than anyone in the country. If anyone can help us, it’s her."Two hours later, Claire arrives. Tall, with jet-black hair pulled into a severe bun, and eyes that seem to pierce through walls. There are no warm greetings, just a professional handshake."So," she places a folder on the table, "you want to take down Matthew Morrison."It’s not a question. It’s a statement.Alex spreads out the documents. Photos. Spreadsheets. Claire examines them with surgical precision. Her eyebrows arch a few times. A faint smile plays on her lips."Interesting," she murmurs. "Very interesting.""What did you find?" I ask.Claire looks at me, her gaze sharp."Morrison isn’t working alone. He’s just the tip of a much larger network of editorial manipulation. T
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AlexInstinctively, I position myself between the door and the two women. The hallway is silent now, but the footsteps continue to draw closer, measured, like a metronome heralding something inevitable. Claire moves with surprising agility, gathering the most important documents and shoving them into a secondary folder.“Emergency exit?” I whisper, already assessing our options. The window is out of the question; we’re on the tenth floor.Claire shakes her head. “Only the main door.”My mind races. I’m an editor – or I was, until a few hours ago. My life revolved around reading manuscripts and drinking coffee. Now, I’m caught in the middle of a conspiracy straight out of the very books I used to edit.The footsteps stop in front of the door. So does my heart.“Miss Bennett?” A male voice calls, followed by three firm knocks.Claire looks at the two of us and, surprisingly, smiles. “It’s Jerry, my security guard,” she whispers, but doesn’t seem relieved. “The problem is, he’s supposed
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Ties of a Contract Chapter 100 - Little Moments
SophiaThe soft morning light filters through the window of the boys' room. Noah is curled up in his dinosaur blanket, while Oliver clutches his pillow as if his life depends on it. I watch them sleep, trying to imprint every detail into my memory: Oliver's long lashes, identical to Alex’s, the way Noah furrows his brow even in his sleep.“Can’t sleep?” Alex whispers behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist.“I just wanted to watch them for a bit,” I reply, leaning back against his chest. “Sometimes I’m afraid I’ll blink and miss something important.”Oliver stirs in his bed, his eyes slowly fluttering open.“Mom?” he murmurs sleepily. “You’re back.”“I’m back, sweetheart,” I say, sitting on the edge of his bed. “And I’m not going anywhere today.”Noah begins to wake up too, probably because of our conversation.“Promise?” he asks, his voice still rough with sleep.“I promise,” I say, kissing his forehead. “Actually, I have an idea. How about we make pancakes?”Their eyes light up
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Claire“Jerry, what a pleasant surprise. And I see you’ve brought company,” I keep my voice calm as I open the door.It’s not Jerry standing there. The man wearing my security guard’s uniform is taller, thinner. Behind him are two men in suits. I recognize one: Robert Walsh, Morrison’s right-hand man.“Miss Bennett,” Walsh smiles, his teeth unnaturally white. “May we come in?”It’s not really a question. I step aside, calculating the odds. The gun in my drawer is too far away. The panic button under the desk is out of reach.“To what do I owe the honor?” I ask, keeping up the act.“Where are they?” Walsh asks bluntly.“They?”The fake Jerry rolls his eyes and begins searching my office.“Sophia Hawthorne and her husband,” Walsh clarifies. “We know they were here.”“A lot of people come through this office,” I reply. “I’m a busy person.”Walsh steps closer. His expensive cologne doesn’t entirely mask the smell of cigarettes.“Don’t test my patience, Claire,” he hisses. “Not after what
Last Updated : 2025-01-23Ties of a Contract Chapter 102 - Consequences - Part II
ClaireHalf an hour after the call with Prosecutor Jenkins, my office feels like a beehive. Investigators are photographing every inch, collecting fingerprints, and documenting the secret passage."Miss Bennett," the prosecutor calls me. "We need more details about Sarah."I take a deep breath. After three years of keeping this information to myself, it feels strange to finally share it."Sarah discovered the first connections in 2020," I begin. "Morrison wasn’t just manipulating the publishing market. He was controlling specific narratives, burying stories that could expose certain... people.""What people?"Before I can respond, my phone vibrates. A message from Alex:"Documents secure. But there’s something odd here. I need to show you in person.""Miss Bennett?" the prosecutor presses."We need protection," I say. "Not just for me. For the Hawthornes too. Especially the children.""We already have agents...""No," I interrupt. "We need more. Morrison has people everywhere. Includi
Last Updated : 2025-01-24
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Ties of a Contract Capter 112 - Heart Codes
NoahThe silence in the elevator is deafening. Giulia is beside me, still in her blue wedding dress, a small travel bag at her feet. My ring - her father's ring - weighs on my finger, a constant reminder of this new reality."You have a beautiful place," she comments when we reach the penthouse. Her eyes scan the glass panels that reveal Manhattan at night."I never spend much time here," I admit, carrying her bag. "Usually sleep at the office."She smiles, that smile I'm beginning to realize means she's discovered something about me."That's why TechVision's sofas are so comfortable.""Would you... would you like to see the place?" I offer, suddenly aware that this woman now lives with me.The tour is quick. Gourmet kitchen I never use, minimalist living room, office with three monitors."And this," I hesitate at the last door, "is the master bedroom. You can have it, I'll use the guest room.""Noah," she touches my arm lightly. "We don't need to make this stranger than it already is
Ties of a Contract Chapter 111 - Algorithms and Alliances
NoahThe Plaza's presidential suite has transformed into an improvised operations center. Monitors display real-time stock quotes while Oliver coordinates security over the phone. In less than an hour, I'll be married. The idea seems surreal - I, who built my life based on precise calculations, about to marry a woman I met less than 48 hours ago."The stocks have risen 3% since the announcement," Allison reports, tablet in hand. "The market is reacting positively to the 'romance'. Social media is buzzing with the story."The press release was precise: TechVision CEO and technology researcher met during a field test of a new app. Whirlwind romance. Intimate wedding. The kind of modern fairy tale that the public loves to consume."Security has identified three photographers trying to infiltrate," Oliver informs. "And two supposed cleaning staff with fake credentials."My phone vibrates. Morrison: "Congratulations on the wedding. Say hello to the bride for me. Her father also had a rushe
Ties of a Contract Chapter 110 - Arrangements
NoahGiulia's reflection in my office window distracts me while I try to explain the situation to the board. She sits discreetly in the corner of the room, pretending to examine her tablet, but I can notice how her eyes occasionally meet mine in the reflection."Let me see if I understand," Marcus massages his temples. "You're getting married. In a week.""Tomorrow," Giulia softly corrects, without raising her eyes from the screen. "The trust has a temporal clause."Something about the way she pronounces each word with precision fascinates me. It's the same care she showed when debugging the app - methodical, precise, surprising."Tomorrow?" Marcus's voice rises an octave. "This is...""Necessary," Oliver interrupts, entering the room. He carries a folder I recognize: our parents' marriage documents. "And it wouldn't be the first time a Hawthorne marries for convenience."Giulia raises her eyes, finally. The blue of her iris captures the evening light in a way that makes me lose my tr
Ties of a Contract Chapter 109 - Checkmate
NoahThe cafe is emptier than the first time. I choose a table in the back, where I can see both the entrance and the emergency exit - a habit I inherited from our father after everything that happened with Morrison years ago.Allison has already sent three messages about falling stocks. I ignore them all. Right now, I need to focus on something more important: the woman who just walked through the door.Giulia is different. She's traded the periodic table t-shirt for a simple dress, but the colorful glasses remain. She locates me immediately, as if she knew exactly where I would be sitting."So," she says, sitting down. "Noah Hawthorne.""You knew from the beginning?"She takes a flash drive from her pocket, placing it on the table."Not exactly. But when I fixed your app, I recognized some patterns. My father used to say that codes are like fingerprints - each programmer has their signature.""And you recognized his.""The foundation of your system," she confirms. "Which made me res
Ties of a Contract The Algorithm of Destiny
NoahThe reflection in the mirrored glass of my office shows exactly what the board expects to see: impeccable suit, assertive posture, the young CEO who turned data analysis into gold. What they don't see are the disguised dark circles, the result of another sleepless night reviewing codes. From the 45th floor of TechVision, New York seems like a model, a complex data system pulsing beneath my feet.On the main wall, our mission in silver letters: "Transforming Data into Human Solutions". It was mom's idea - she always knew how to transform cold concepts into something closer to people."Mr. Hawthorne," my assistant calls for the third time, her efficiency slightly shaken by my distraction. "The app test is scheduled for this afternoon.""I'm going myself," I respond, ignoring her surprised expression. Allison has worked with me for five years and still gets surprised when I decide to do field work."But sir, the board...""Allison," I gently interrupt, "what's TechVision's first rul
Ties of a Contract Chapter 108 - The Algorithm of Destiny
NoahThe reflection in the mirrored glass of my office shows exactly what the board expects to see: impeccable suit, assertive posture, the young CEO who turned data analysis into gold. What they don't see are the disguised dark circles, the result of another sleepless night reviewing codes. From the 45th floor of TechVision, New York seems like a model, a complex data system pulsing beneath my feet.On the main wall, our mission in silver letters: "Transforming Data into Human Solutions". It was mom's idea - she always knew how to transform cold concepts into something closer to people."Mr. Hawthorne," my assistant calls for the third time, her efficiency slightly shaken by my distraction. "The app test is scheduled for this afternoon.""I'm going myself," I respond, ignoring her surprised expression. Allison has worked with me for five years and still gets surprised when I decide to do field work."But sir, the board...""Allison," I gently interrupt, "what's TechVision's first rul
Ties of a Contract Chapter 107 - New Beginnings
AlexanderThe house is quiet. The twins are sleeping soundly after a busy day at the park, and Claire took all the case documents to her office. For the first time in months, it's just Sophia and me.The night is especially beautiful, with a gentle breeze swaying the porch curtains. It's almost surreal to think about how we got here, after everything we've faced. Sophia is on the porch, wrapped in a light blanket, watching the moon. I approach quietly, offering a glass of red wine - the same label we drank the night we made our agreement."What are you thinking about?" I ask, sitting beside her."About how everything has changed," she responds, snuggling into my chest. "Who would have thought that meeting about my father's debts would bring us here?"I smile at the memory. "You walked into my office determined to negotiate. I never imagined you'd leave with a marriage proposal.""An arrangement," she laughs softly, her fingers playing with the wine glass. "You needed to improve your i
Ties of a Contract Chapter 106 - The Price of Truth
"UNMASKED EDITORIAL EMPIRE: Decades-Long Manipulation and Crime Scheme Exposed"• The New York Times"Matthew Morrison and James Cooper Arrested in Federal Police Operation"• Washington Post"Richard Bennett, Editorial Magnate, Found Dead in Bangkok: Suicide or File Destruction?"• The GuardianSophiaThe morning sun streams through the windows of our new home. It has been three months since that night at Sarah’s farm, and I’m still learning not to look over my shoulder every five minutes.Oliver and Noah are playing in the backyard—a fenced and monitored space, but still a place where they can just be children. Alex watches them from the balcony while working on his laptop, occasionally looking up to smile at me.My phone vibrates with a message from Claire:"It’s on TV. Do you want me to record it?"I turn on the television in time to see James being led into court. His last words before accepting the plea deal echo in the headlines: “I was just following orders, but that’s no excu
Ties of a Contract Chapter 105 - Last Refuge
Chapter 103 - Last RefugeSophiaThe rain lessens as I drive down the dirt road. In the back seat, the twins have finally fallen asleep, Noah still clinging to the rain-soaked dinosaur. Through the rearview mirror, I confirm that Alex and Claire are still following us.The headlights illuminate an old building. A farmhouse, isolated and apparently abandoned, except for the small beam of light escaping from one of the windows."This is it, my loves," I whisper, although the boys continue sleeping.Alex parks alongside, and Claire exits first, typing something on her phone."Security system deactivated," she informs. "You can come in."We carry the boys inside. The house is surprisingly cozy inside, with furniture covered by white sheets and an old fireplace."No one knows this place," Claire explains, closing the curtains. "It was my sister's refuge. Where she kept her discoveries.""And where she died," Alex softly completes.Claire nods. "Morrison found her here. Or rather, my father
