Novels by SHSA

Chapter 474: Finding the Hidden HandThe EMC headquarters stood like a glass monolith against the Emerald Falls skyline, its mirrored surface catching the late afternoon sun in a blaze of gold.Inside his office, James sat behind a polished mahogany desk, his broad shoulders hunched over a stack of financial reports, their edges curling under the weight of his scrutiny.The room was a fortress of modern luxury—sleek black furniture, a panoramic window framing the city, and a faint hum from the servers tucked in a corner. James’ eyes, sharp and unyielding, scanned the pages, his brow furrowed as he pieced together the puzzle that threatened his reclaimed empire.His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, a stray lock he brushed back with a quick, impatient flick of his hand. The man who once scrubbed floors at a grocery store was gone; in his place sat the Wane heir, his jaw tight with resolve.The weight of Gregor’s words from his meeting with Kai at the Starlight Diner clung to J

Chapter 473: Secrets in the SunThe Wane family estate in Emerald Falls sprawled across manicured lawns, its white marble facade gleaming under the late morning sun. The air hummed with the scent of blooming jasmine and the distant buzz of a lawnmower, a serene backdrop to the opulent mansion that whispered wealth and power. Inside, the grand foyer echoed with the soft clink of crystal chandeliers and the faint murmur of staff moving discreetly through the halls.Ellen Princeton stood at the threshold, her designer suitcase resting by her polished heels, her auburn hair catching the light as she adjusted her sunglasses atop her head. Her tailored cream blazer and matching skirt spoke of elegance, but her hazel eyes betrayed a flicker of weariness—her father Jonathan Princeton’s presidential campaign, now on hold, had left her navigating a storm of public scrutiny and private doubts.The heavy oak doors swung open, and Lana Wane swept into the foyer, her long, curly hair bouncing with

Chapter 472: Whispers of BetrayalThe grand hall of Liam Carter’s mansion gleamed under the soft glow of a crystal chandelier, its light bouncing off polished marble floors and dark oak paneling. The air carried the faint scent of leather, a testament to the wealth and power that defined the sprawling estate in the heart of Emerald Falls.Kai Nakamura stood near a towering window, the night sky beyond framing his lean silhouette. His gray suit was slightly rumpled from the day, but his sharp features remained composed, his dark eyes glinting with calculation. In his hand, he clutched the folded paper Gregor had given him at the Starlight Diner hours earlier—Lana Wane’s Greece itinerary, a key to unlocking the Wane family’s secrets. Kai’s mind churned, replaying Gregor’s words about Williams Jesse and Mr. Sterling’s virus scheme. Someone else knew, and that was a problem.The heavy oak door creaked open, and Liam Carter strode in, his tailored navy suit pristine despite the late hour.

Chapter 470: Shadows of DeceptionThe fluorescent lights of the Starlight Diner buzzed faintly, casting a harsh glow over the checkered linoleum floor and worn red booths. The air smelled of greasy burgers, stale coffee, and a hint of cigarette smoke that clung to the walls despite the no-smoking sign.Gregor sat in a corner booth, his broad shoulders hunched over a chipped mug of black coffee, the steam curling upward like a ghost. His hair, neatly combed, glinted under the lights, and his weathered face was set in a mask of calm, though his sharp gray eyes flicked to the diner’s entrance every few seconds. As James Wane’s loyal butler and covert operative, Gregor was no stranger to clandestine meetings, but tonight’s rendezvous with Kai Nakamura felt like walking a tightrope over a pit of vipers.His phone sat on the table, the screen dark but heavy with James’s last text: Give him the itinerary. Push the Sterling-Williams angle. Say you’ve got dirt on their virus scheme. Let’s see

Chapter 470 A Game of Trust (Continued)James glanced at the reports again, his fingers flipping through pages, searching for a clue he might’ve missed. The absence of Kai’s report gnawed at him. “What are you hiding, Nathaniel?” he murmured, his voice barely audible.The door creaked open, and Ana Davies, his secretary, stepped inside, her dark hair pulled into a neat bun, her glasses catching the light. She clutched a tablet, her posture professional but her eyes curious. “Mr. Clarkson, the meeting’s in an hour. Need anything prepped?” Her voice was crisp, but a slight tilt of her head betrayed her interest in his mood.James flashed a disarming smile, masking the storm in his mind. He leaned back, tossing the pen onto the desk with a casual flick. “Just the financials, Ana. And… any word from Patel’s team on the virus cleanup?”Ana crossed the room, her heels clicking softly on the hardwood floor. She stopped at the desk, tapping her tablet to pull up a file. “Nothing official. Mr.

Chapter 469: A Game of TrustThe late afternoon sun filtered through the tinted windows of James’ office, casting long shadows across his polished mahogany desk.The room was a blend of modern elegance and understated power—sleek monitors, neatly stacked files, and a single framed photo of his parents, a reminder of the legacy he was fighting for.James leaned back in his leather chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. His sharp blue eyes, usually calm, flickered with unease as he stared at the muted TV screen mounted on the wall. The news ticker blazed: “EMC VIRUS NEUTRALIZED: COMPANY RESTORED TO FULL OPERATIONS.”James’s jaw tightened. Yesterday’s headlines had been a whirlwind of relief for EMC—customers flooding back, stock prices climbing, and employees celebrating. But to James, it felt too neat, too sudden. He’d long suspected Williams Jesse, the cunning tech manager, and Mr. Sterling, the manipulative head of the board, was behind the virus that had crippled EMC’s systems

Chapter 426: Kate’s Visit to SkyCareKate Carl decided to visit skycare and see if Williams could help even in his hospital bed. He has always helped them in the past, and she thought he would this time around too.She arrived at SkyCare Medical Center, stepping out of her black luxury sedan with a deep breath. The hospital’s glass facade gleamed under the afternoon sun, giving it an air of sterility and wealth. Inside, the lobby was spacious, the scent of antiseptic hanging in the air as nurses moved briskly from one station to another. The soft hum of conversations between patients, doctors, and visitors created a low, almost soothing background noise.Kate, dressed elegantly in a beige coat over a fitted dress, approached the reception desk with her usual poised demeanor. The receptionist, a young woman in a crisp uniform, looked up with a professional smile.“Good afternoon. How may I help you?”“I’m here to see Williams Jesse,” Kate said smoothly.The receptionist glanced at her

Chapter 34In the dark hallway, Valentina pressed her back against the cold stone wall, her heart pounding in her chest. The deep silence of the mansion surrounded her, broken only by the muffled sounds of the conversation coming from Diego’s study. She had been in the bedroom when the men entered, and unable to resist, she had tiptoed silently to the door to listen in.Though she hadn’t heard much of the conversation—her position had been precarious and the voices low—the part that had caught her off guard made her blood run cold. Javier had suggested hiring the best hackers in the world to break into Alejandro’s casino since the fire attack wasn’t successful, and Valentina’s mind had skipped at the thought.She didn’t know Alejandro personally, but from the little she’d gathered, he seemed like a young, innocent man who luckily won her husband’s scam lottery.Yet here was Diego, her husband, plotting to destroy him piece by piece. She couldn’t stand the thought of Diego manipulating

Chapter 33The night was cloaked in a veil of restless clouds, the soft hum of distant crickets the only sound outside Diego’s sprawling mansion. Inside, the warm glow of chandeliers illuminated a room thick with tension. The mahogany table in Diego’s private study bore marks of age and power, much like the man who sat at its head.The thick smell of cigars mingled with the faint tang of spilled whiskey, curling through the opulent study like a specter of power. A half-empty wine bottle stood forgotten on the table, next to a silver tray dusted with the remnants of cocaine. The grand chandelier above cast flickering light, illuminating the tension etched into every corner of the room.Diego lounged in his leather armchair, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers. His dark eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, bore into the men seated before him. On the table, a glass of Malbec swirled lazily in his other hand, the deep red liquid glinting in the light. He didn’t need to speak; the silence was s

Chapter 32Later That AfternoonThe golden rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the large windows of Alejandro’s mansion as the doorbell echoed throughout the luxurious halls. James, the butler, shuffled to the entrance, opening the door to reveal two women—Amy Johnson and Judy Miller.Amy wore a simple floral dress that flattered her petite frame, while Judy was dressed in bold designer clothing, her oversized sunglasses perched arrogantly on her head.“Welcome, ladies,” Mr. James said with a polite nod, stepping aside to let them in.Amy gasped, her eyes widening as she took in the grandeur of the mansion's new interior that Sophia had had made. “Oh my gosh, Judy, look at this place! It’s like something out of a movie!” she whispered excitedly.Judy rolled her eyes, stepping inside with a smirk. “Calm down, Amy. It’s not like you’re moving in. You’ll embarrass yourself, as usual.”Amy flushed but ignored the jab, too enamored by the sparkling chandeliers and marble floors to c

Chapter 31He left the gym and headed straight for Theo’s office. Pushing open the door, he found Theo reviewing the updated security plans.“Got a minute?” Miguel asked, shutting the door behind him.“Sure,” Theo said, leaning back in his chair. “What’s up?”Miguel crossed his arms, pacing slightly. “It’s about Sophia and that so-called gym instructor of hers, Oscar.”Theo raised an eyebrow. “What about them?”“I just saw them in the gym. The way they were interacting—too close, too familiar. He told her he missed her after the ‘kidnapping.’ It’s odd, Theo. He’s supposed to be her trainer, not her confidant.”Theo frowned. “You think there’s something going on between them?”Miguel stopped pacing, his expression serious. “I don’t just think it—I know it. And we need to keep a closer eye on them. There’s something about Oscar that doesn’t add up. He’s disrespectful to staff, acts entitled, and now he’s cozying up to Sophia.”Theo nodded thoughtfully. “Do you want me to escalate this?

Chapter 30The next day was a Sunday. It was a bright morning, and the mansion grounds were bustling with activity. The new gardener was trimming hedges, while a few maids hurried about their chores. At the gate, Martin, the elderly gateman, was performing his usual duties, meticulously inspecting everyone entering and leaving.A sleek, black car pulled up at the gate, and Oscar stepped out. Dressed in an expensive tracksuit and sunglasses, he looked around with a smug expression. He gestured impatiently at Martin, his tone sharp.“Hurry up, old man! Do you want me to stand here all day?” Oscar snapped, leaning against the car. “Open the gate already!”Martin, used to dealing with difficult people, remained calm but couldn’t hide the slight frown forming on his face. “I’m just doing my job, sir. Could you please confirm your identity?”Oscar scoffed, pulling off his sunglasses. “I’m Sophia’s gym instructor. She’s expecting me. Now stop wasting my time and open the gate!”Martin nodded