All Chapters of In The Smoke-Filled Room: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The dining room of the West family buzzed with conversation, where Violet had sat quietly with her hands folded in her lap. He had just sprung on her that her future husband's family would visit later in the evening, and it had made Violet agree. But with a knot deep down, her mind kept up with better reasoning that it was her necessary step to enter their family.Across the table, Clyde sat rigidly, his jaw clenched as his gaze remained fixed on Violet. Every word she had spoken earlier about accepting the marriage arrangements echoed in his mind, fueling a wave of anger and pain he could barely suppress.“I’ll do it,” Violet had said earlier, her voice steady but devoid of enthusiasm. “If this is best for the family, I’ll accept the marriage arrangements.”Richard beamed, seemingly pleased. "Excellent, Violet. This will strengthen the West name and see that you are well taken care of."Clyde had barely been able to contain himself at the time. The thought of Violet marrying another

Clyde sat alone in the dimly lit study, the room heavy with the silence that had become his constant companion. His fingers traced the edge of an old photograph, one that had been tucked away in a drawer for years. It was a picture of him and his real sister, the sister he hadn't seen since that fateful day when she disappeared from his life.His heart ached as he stared at the photograph, a haunting reminder of what had been lost. The girl in the picture was so young, her eyes filled with innocence and hope—eyes now lost to him, vanished into the depths of time and circumstance.Clyde could still remember that day with painful clarity. It had been a few months before his mother's death, and the family had been at a turmoil. He had been so wrapped up in his own little world, too focused on his own problems to notice the cracks forming in their home. But his sister, she saw it all-the cracks between their parents, tension in the air, changes creeping in unnoticed by everyone else.Her

The night was still, with the moon reflecting its silvery light upon the West mansion. Violet stood at her room door, her heart pounding against her chest. The air seemed thick with secrets, and her restless mind had been hounded by memories of her childhood. She had to go back-to that very town where she grew up and everything started.She pulled a thin cardigan over her shoulders, grabbed her small purse, and crept out of her room. Her footsteps were light against the polished floors as she tiptoed past the other rooms, careful not to wake anyone. Her breathing was shallow, her nerves taut like a string ready to snap.Unbeknownst to Violet, a pair of sharp eyes had followed her every movement. Eva had grown ever suspicious with the secrecy of her friend and thus had kept tabs on her. She watched as Violet slipped out the side door and disappeared into the cool night.Eva smirked. "What are you up to, little miss perfect?" she whispered low. She took her coat and quietly followed, he

The grand lounge of a high-end hotel was the place where Sharon and Eva had decided to hold their secret meeting. The air was thick with the smell of leather and aged bourbon, and the low hum of conversation lent an air of secrecy to the surroundings. Around a polished table, a group of the company's prominent shareholders sat, each looking curious yet wary.Sharon, in a navy blue suit that commanded respect and oozed authority, stood at the head, with a serene yet scheming smile on her face. Eva sat beside her, composed and sanguine, but inside her heart bubbled with excitement."Thank you all for coming," Sharon began, her voice warm yet calculated. "We're here today because we're concerned about the future of West Enterprises.A silver-haired man at the table, Mr. Langston, leaned forward. "Concerned? What do you mean, Sharon? Richard and Clyde have been running things quite smoothly."Sharon gave a soft, almost pitying smile. "That's the perception, yes. But the truth is far more

The evening air was cool as Violet strolled down the quiet street, lost in thought. Her visit with Olivia earlier had lifted her spirits, but everything else weighed heavily upon her. She decided to take a longer route home, enjoying the solitude and the rare peace it brought her.Unbeknownst to her, there were shadows lurking nearby. Three men, in dark clothes, waited in the alley just ahead. They exchanged glances, their smirks an outward expression of their malicious intentions."Tony said to make it quick," one of them grumbled, adjusting his grip on a length of metal rod.An AmbushShe turned the corner, and the men stepped out, blocking her path. She froze. Her heart pounded as the lead man sneered.Well, look who's all dressed up and fancy," he sneered; the venom in his voice was unmistakable. "Tony sends his regards."Violet's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of her ex-boyfriend. "Tony? What does he want?" she asked, attempting to keep her voice from shaking despite the