The morning traffic in Blue Cove noised along as usual, with cars weaving through the city’s arteries. Among them was Matthew’s gorgeous white Audi, gliding down the avenue with purpose. Behind the wheel, Matthew wore dark sunglasses, his jaw set in a line of cold determination as he steered with one hand.He pulled up in front of the Elegant Building. It was a well-preserved mid-century structure, its 1950s architecture highlighted by a fresh coat of paint and immaculate upkeep.Inside, the elevator chimed ding and the doors slid open. Matthew stepped out, sliding his sunglasses down to rest on the back of his neck. He walked to the door of the penthouse and pressed the bell.“Just a minute!” Karl’s voice called from the other side.Matthew let out a heavy breath, practically huffing with impatience. His father’s casual tone made it sound as if he weren’t currently the subject of a city-wide disappearance act.The door opened, and Karl froze. His eyes went wide, looking exactly like

The sun beat down on Blue Cove Beach as Matthew strolled along the shoreline, taking in the scenery. Seagulls wheeled through the sky like they were performing in a private air show. Violent waves crashed against the coast, sending plumes of salty spray that nearly reached Matthew’s bare feet.Every now and then, frisky couples emerged from the shade of the chestnut trees, pairs who had clearly been up to no good since the night before. One man was actually carrying his girlfriend in his arms because she seemed to have lost the ability to walk entirely, an evidence to the unbridled passion that had unfolded deep in the vegetation.Matthew looked up and realized he was standing right in front of the Happy Snack Bar. He decided to head inside.Inside the snack bar, the usual staff was busy prepping the place for the evening rush. A waiter was hosing down the floor to wash away sand and stray drops of ketchup, the water nearly soaking Matthew’s toes as he entered.Clayton was nearby and

Walter and Linda strolled through the polished aisles of a high-end boutique in the Blue Sea Mall, surrounded by racks of dresses that seemed to grow more elegant with every step. Nearby, two saleswomen huddled together, whispering with the frantic energy of teenagers spotting a K-Pop idol.“He’s definitely going commando,” Saleswoman #1 whispered, her eyes glued to Walter’s silhouette.“He’s so big,” Saleswoman #2 added, suppressing a giggle. “She probably won’t be able to walk for days!”Walter, unaware of the commentary regarding his anatomy, turned to them with a charming smile. “Ladies! Could you help my girlfriend out, please?”Linda’s eyes went wide. She looked around the opulent store, feeling completely unworthy of the “Princess Day” Walter seemed determined to give her.Sensing her hesitation, Walter leaned in and kissed her cheek with tender affection.“I’m going to go make sure my parents haven’t cut off my credit cards yet,” he whispered.“Good idea,” Linda replied nervou

Jackson descended the stairs shirtless, wearing a pair of loose-fitting board shorts. He looked perfectly relaxed, sporting the mischievous grin of a guy about to get into some trouble. He rubbed the back of his neck, muttering about the stifling heat.“Nobody's home,” he whispered to himself. “I definitely deserve a swim.”He hurried through the hallway toward the exit leading to the pool area, but he came to a dead stop the moment he stepped outside.Over by the rhododendron bushes, the foliage was shaking with a fierce, rhythmic intensity. It didn't take a genius to realize his parents were currently engaged in a bout of wild, ardent lovemaking right there in the garden.Jackson made a face of pure “nope.” Change of plans.Even though he could have probably slipped into the water unnoticed, he had zero desire to overhear the intimate details of his parents' evening. He turned on his heel and retreated back into the house.Just as he stepped back into the foyer, the intercom buzzed.

The grand entrance of the Sterling Mansion hummed with the arrival of Blue Cove’s elite, but the atmosphere shifted the moment the younger generation of the Borges family stepped inside.Jackson, Patricia, and Cindy walked with a level of pomp and glamour that bordered on the cinematic. Had they not already been famous, one might have easily mistaken them for the political candidates the evening was meant to celebrate.Patricia, moving with practiced grace, slid her pink jacket from her shoulders and handed it to Jarbas. Immediately, the room erupted in a strobe light of camera flashes.Cindy, being the professional she is, sensed the commotion and discreetly peeled away. She wasn’t there to be the center of attention; she was there to document it.“Old Master, Old Madam,” Cindy said, greeting the Sterling patriarchs. “Thank you for inviting me.”“No hard feelings, Cindy,” Alice replied, her voice neutral.“Thank you for coming,” Abner added with a gentle nod. “And for bringing Jackso