Chapter: Chapter 2 5: Protecting the Innocent The safehouse was nothing like our mansion—just a simple two-story home in a quiet suburb, surrounded by normal families living normal lives. But it had something more valuable than marble floors or crystal chandeliers: anonymity. No one would look for Lily here, hidden among tricycles on driveways and basketball hoops in yards. Brandon's security team had swept it three times, installed cameras that covered every angle, and stationed guards who looked like regular neighbors working on their gardens. Lily sat on the living room carpet, coloring in a book Emma had brought. She didn't know why we'd moved so suddenly, only that it was an adventure. Her innocent trust broke my heart. Soon, very soon, I'd have to tell her the truth about her parents' death, about Victoria's role in making her an orphan. But not today. Today, she just needed to be safe. Dr. Sarah Mitchell arrived at noon, carrying a leather bag filled with toys and books instead of medical equipment. She was the best chi
Last Updated: 2025-12-20
Chapter: chapter 24The building loomed before me, dark windows like empty eyes. Somewhere inside, Victoria waited with Lily's mother, playing her final game. But she didn't know what I knew now. She didn't know Robert had confessed, that we had proof of murder, that her entire empire had crumbled while she hid in shadows.I entered through the main doors, following signs to the ICU ward. The hallways were dusty, abandoned equipment covered in sheets like ghosts. My footsteps echoed too loudly, announcing my presence. Victoria wanted me to feel alone, vulnerable. But Brandon's team was outside, Morrison's units surrounded the building, and justice itself stood behind me.Room 314 had light coming from under the door. I pushed it open slowly, finding exactly what I expected. Victoria stood "You came," she said, her voice strange, almost surprised. "I wasn't sure you would.""You can't hide anymore," I said simply. "It's over, Victoria. We know everything. The murders, the stealing, all of it."Victoria l
Last Updated: 2025-12-18
Chapter: Chapter 23: The Shallow GraveMaxwell's hands shook as he set the folder on my desk. I'd never seen him like this—face pale, eyes haunted, looking like he'd discovered something that changed everything. He'd been investigating all night, following paper trails that started with Lily's trust fund and led somewhere neither of us expected."You need to see this," he said quietly, opening the folder to reveal death certificates, police reports, and insurance documents. "Lily's parents didn't just die in an accident. They were murdered."The words hit me like cold water. I stared at the documents, each one telling part of a story I didn't want to believe. James and Sarah Chen, Lily's parents, had died five years ago when their car went off a cliff on Mountain Road. The investigation had ruled it an accident—brake failure on a rainy night. But Maxwell had found something everyone else missed."The insurance payout was three million dollars," Maxwell continued, pointing to highlighted sections. "It went into a trust for
Last Updated: 2025-12-16
Chapter: chapter 23Twenty-three lives. Victoria was willing to commit mass murder to avoid prison. The woman's descent into evil was complete. I immediately texted the information to Detective Morrison, Brandon, and the fire department. They needed to evacuate that building now."There's more," Sophia said, pulling out a folder. "I found these in her safe. I think... I think they're about your mother."My hands froze as I opened the folder. Inside were photographs I'd never seen—my mother when she was young, beautiful, happy. Standing next to her in several photos was a younger Charles Blackwell, my grandfather. They looked in love, completely absorbed in each other. But in the background of one photo, barely visible, was Victoria. Watching. Always watching."She was obsessed with your grandfather," Sophia explained quietly. "She thought if she could get rid of your mother, Charles would choose her. But he chose your mother instead, and Victoria never forgave either of them."The pieces clicked together
Last Updated: 2025-12-15
Chapter: chapter 22: Following the MoneyMaxwell's office looked like a financial crime scene at three in the morning. Papers covered every surface, laptop screens glowed with spreadsheets, and empty coffee cups formed small cities on his desk. He hadn't slept since the kidnapping attempt, and his usually perfect suit was wrinkled, tie loosened. But his eyes were sharp as a blade when he waved me over to his main computer screen."Found it," he said simply, pointing at a transaction history that looked like abstract art. "The kidnappers were paid fifty thousand each, wired from an account in the Cayman Islands yesterday morning."I leaned closer, studying the numbers while Lily slept safely at the estate with Emma watching over her. The screen showed a maze of transfers, each one bouncing through different countries, different banks, designed to hide the source. But Maxwell had followed every thread, untangled every knot."The Cayman account belongs to a shell company called Celestial Holdings," Maxwell continued, pulling up
Last Updated: 2025-12-14
Chapter: chapter 21The second man was younger, nervous. His leg bounced constantly, and sweat beaded on his forehead despite the cool room. He looked like someone who'd made bad choices and knew more were coming. When they asked about Victoria, his eye twitched—just for a second—but he said nothing.I studied them both, these men who'd tried to steal Lily's innocence again. They were tools, weapons aimed by someone else's hand. But tools could sometimes be turned against their users.Brandon stood beside me, his anger radiating like heat. "Give me five minutes alone with them," he muttered."No," I said, though part of me wanted the same thing. "We do this legally. Every step by the book. Victoria's the real enemy, not these hired thugs."Back in the counselor's office, Lily had fallen asleep in the chair, exhausted by trauma and tears. Looking at her peaceful face, I made a decision. The penthouse wasn't safe enough anymore. The security was good, but Victoria had resources we hadn't discovered yet. Sh
Last Updated: 2025-12-13
