Chapter: CHAPTER 141 PART 3At approximately 11:30 PM, the night staff reported hearing sounds from Pervis's bedroom. When they checked, they assumed he'd finally fallen asleep—there was no movement, no crying, just silence.But Pervis wasn't sleeping. He was gone.Security footage later recovered showed that at 11:47 PM, young Pervis Coleman—four years old, dressed in his pajamas with only a small jacket thrown over them—climbed out his bedroom window using the trellis covered with climbing roses. He landed in the garden and made his way to the estate's perimeter wall.The footage showed him struggling to climb the wall, too small to manage it easily. But eventually, with determination beyond his years, he made it over and disappeared into the night.William felt his throat constricting as he read. Their son—their baby boy—had been so devastated by what had happened, so determined to fix his broken promise, that he'd risked everything to find that dog.The next morning, September 16th, 1999, the Coleman househo
Last Updated: 2026-01-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 141 PART 2September 15th, 1999The day had started normally. Pervis Coleman, then just four years old, had gone to his exclusive preschool as usual, driven by the family's trusted chauffeur, Robert Chen. He'd attended his classes, played with the other children from wealthy families, eaten his organic lunch prepared by the school's chef.But on the way home, something had changed.William and Vanessa read the investigator's reconstruction, based on interviews with witnesses who'd been tracked down after all these years:At approximately 2:30 PM, young Pervis noticed a small dog wandering near the school entrance. The dog was thin, dirty, clearly a stray that had wandered into the upscale neighborhood where the school was located.Pervis, displaying the compassion that would later define his character, insisted on bringing the dog home. Robert Chen, the chauffeur, tried to dissuade him, explaining that Mrs. Coleman likely wouldn't approve of a stray animal in the house.But Pervis was adamant. H
Last Updated: 2026-01-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 141 PART 1The manila folder sat on the coffee table between William and Vanessa Coleman, its contents representing twenty-five years of unanswered questions, agonizing searches, and painful uncertainty. The couple stared at it as if it were Pandora's box—knowing that once opened, the truth inside couldn't be put back, couldn't be unlearned, couldn't be avoided."What if..." Vanessa started, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if the truth is worse than we imagined? What if it's someone we know? Someone we trust? Someone we—""Then we deal with it," William interrupted gently, though his own voice was strained. "Whatever's in there, whoever's responsible, we face it together."But even as he said the words, William felt the weight of doubt pressing down on him. For twenty-five years, he'd been the patriarch of the Coleman family—strong, decisive, in control. But this folder had the power to shatter that control, to reveal vulnerabilities he'd spent decades hiding, to expose truths that might
Last Updated: 2026-01-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 140 PART 3Vanessa reached over and took his hand, holding it tightly. "He knows now. Aria told him the truth—that we never abandoned him, that we've been searching for him all these years. He knows we wanted him, William. He knows.""But does he believe it?" William asked, looking at his wife with anguished eyes. "After twenty-five years of thinking otherwise? After being raised by someone else, building a life without us? Can he really accept that we're his parents? That we love him?""I don't know," Vanessa admitted, her own eyes filling with tears. "I hope so. But I won't blame him if he can't. If he's too angry, too hurt, too damaged by what happened to—""Don't," William said sharply. "Don't say he's damaged. Our son is strong. Resilient. Look at what Aria's told us about him—working hard, helping others, earning respect through character rather than connections. That's not a damaged person. That's someone who survived and thrived despite everything."Vanessa nodded, wiping at her tears. "
Last Updated: 2026-01-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 140 PART 2As they left the emergency department and made their way back toward Mrs. Brennan's room, they fell into easier conversation—discussing work, sharing stories about difficult customers and annoying coworkers, talking about everyday life in ways that felt normal and comfortable after the trauma of the evening.When they reached Mrs. Brennan's room, Alicia paused at the door. "Pervis, I—thank you. For everything. For my mother, for tonight, for just being you.""You're welcome," Pervis said, feeling that familiar awkwardness returning.Before he could react, Alicia rose up on her tiptoes and pressed a soft, quick kiss to his cheek. Just like before, outside the hospital last night—a gentle touch of lips against skin that lasted barely a second but felt like it contained entire conversations."Goodnight, Pervis," Alicia whispered, then turned and fled into her mother's room before he could respond.Pervis stood frozen in the corridor, one hand rising automatically to touch the spot where
Last Updated: 2026-01-28
Chapter: CHAPTER 140 PART 1Alicia's face turned a deep shade of pink at Grace's obvious matchmaking attempt, and she quickly turned away to hide her expression. Pervis simply rolled his eyes at Grace's antics, though his own face was also noticeably flushed.Dawn, watching this entire exchange from her seat beside Mrs. Brennan, raised her eyebrows with obvious interest but wisely kept her commentary to herself. She'd tease Alicia about this later, in private, when there weren't powerful corporate executives around to witness it."Come on," Pervis said to Alicia, his voice slightly strained. "Let's get your neck looked at properly.""Right. Medical attention. Yes," Alicia agreed quickly, grateful for the excuse to escape Grace's knowing looks.They left the room together, walking close but not quite touching, very aware of the awkwardness between them but neither willing to address it directly.Once Pervis and Alicia had disappeared down the corridor, the three Coleman sisters also prepared to leave Mrs. Brennan
Last Updated: 2026-01-27
Chapter: Chapter 7The civil affairs bureau was a sterile, fluorescent-lit building that smelled faintly of cleaning solution and stale coffee. Caden sat stiffly in a plastic chair, a red marriage certificate clutched in his hand, still trying to process what had just happened.Married. He was married.To Vivian Montgomery, who sat three chairs away from him, as far as the waiting area would allow, staring at her own certificate like it was a death sentence written in official government ink.The ride there had been silent. The paperwork had been completed in record time, thanks to the grandfather's connections. The photographs had been awkward—Vivian's smile looked like it had been carved into her face with a knife, while Caden's expression could only be described as shell-shocked.And now they were married."Well," Caden said finally, breaking the oppressive silence. "That was—""Don't." Vivian's voice was ice. "Don't say a word. Not here. Not now. Not ever."She stood abruptly, smoothing down her dre
Last Updated: 2025-12-30
Chapter: Chapter 6The grandfather stood frozen, his face darkening like storm clouds gathering over the ocean. He had not expected his beloved granddaughter to display such willfulness, such blatant disrespect in front of their honored guest."Vivian!" His voice rang out sharp and commanding. "You will mind your manners this instant! Do you have any idea what kind of opportunity you're throwing away? Being able to marry Mr. Pierce is a blessing—a tremendous blessing—for our entire family. You should be grateful, not spoiled and ungrateful!"Vivian's jaw tightened, but she said nothing, her cold eyes fixed somewhere past her grandfather's shoulder."Now go," he continued, waving his hand dismissively. "Call your parents immediately. They need to meet Mr. Pierce and understand the magnitude of this alliance."Without a word, Vivian turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing across the courtyard. She moved with rigid precision, her back straight as a blade, radiating barely contained fury.The grandfat
Last Updated: 2025-12-30
Chapter: Chapter 5The black sedan pulled to a smooth stop outside the Montgomery estate's gates. Caden stared through the window at the imposing iron entrance, beyond which sprawled manicured gardens and a colonial-style mansion that screamed old money."Last chance to reconsider," Sebastian said from the driver's seat. "I could go in with you. Provide moral support. Run interference.""No." Caden reached for the door handle. "I'm here to break off an engagement, not propose marriage. The fewer witnesses to this disaster, the better.""Are you sure? Breaking an engagement isn't exactly—""Sebastian.""Fine, fine." Sebastian held up his hands in surrender. "But you're making a mistake. The Montgomery family's daughters are what half the men in this city dream about. Beautiful, educated, well-connected—""And ice-cold with a talent for making threats," Caden muttered under his breath."What was that?""Nothing."Sebastian sighed. "Look, I'm just saying—settle down before you build your career. At least h
Last Updated: 2025-12-30
Chapter: Chapter 4"Mr. Mitchell, I must object—" Madison Harper began, her voice sharp as she rushed forward.The slap echoed through the marble lobby like a gunshot.Madison's head snapped to the side, her hand flying to her reddening cheek. The entire crowd gasped in unison, some people actually stumbling backward in shock.Sebastian Mitchell's hand was still raised, his face twisted with fury. "You dare speak?""Mr. Mitchell, I—I was only trying to protect—""Silence!" Sebastian's voice cracked like a whip. Then, to everyone's absolute astonishment, he turned toward Caden and bowed deeply at the waist, his arms at his sides in a gesture of profound respect."Mr. Pierce," Sebastian said, his voice thick with emotion. "Please accept my sincerest apologies. This inexcusable treatment—the disrespect you've endured—it's unforgivable. I take full responsibility."Caden waved a hand dismissively. "Handle it however you see fit. I'm going upstairs."Without another word, he walked past Sebastian toward the
Last Updated: 2025-12-30
Chapter: Chapter 3Caden stood on the curb outside the hotel, his hand raised to hail a cab. The morning sun beat down on the city streets, and despite everything that had happened in the past twelve hours, he felt oddly energized. He had work to do.A yellow taxi pulled up, and Caden slid into the back seat."Where to?" the driver asked, glancing at him in the rearview mirror."Marvelous Group headquarters," Caden said. "Downtown."The driver's eyebrows rose slightly as he pulled into traffic. His eyes kept flicking back to the mirror, taking in Caden's worn jeans, his plain t-shirt, his scuffed sneakers."Marvelous Group, huh?" the driver said after a few minutes of silence. "You work there?""Not exactly," Caden replied, watching the city pass by through the window."Got an interview or something? Word of advice, kid—you might want to dress up a bit. That place is full of suits. They're real particular about appearances.""I'm not interviewing."The driver chuckled. "Delivery then? Package drop-off?"
Last Updated: 2025-12-30
Chapter: Chapter 2Consciousness returned slowly, dragging Vivian Montgomery from the darkness like a hand pulling her through thick mud. Her eyelids felt heavy, her head pounded, and every muscle in her body ached with an unfamiliar soreness.She blinked at the ceiling. White. Plain. Unfamiliar.This wasn't her bedroom.Vivian sat up sharply, immediately regretting it as pain lanced through her lower body. She sucked in a breath through her teeth, her hand instinctively moving to her abdomen. The blanket slipped down, and her blood ran cold.She was naked.Her eyes darted around the sparse room—a basic hotel suite, by the looks of it. And there, scattered across the floor like accusatory evidence, lay her torn dress, her underwear, and a man's shirt she didn't recognize."No," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "No, no, no."With trembling hands, she lifted the blanket completely. Her worst fears materialized before her eyes. Bruises in the shape of fingerprints marked her hips. Red marks trailed across
Last Updated: 2025-12-30
