Chapter Two hundred and Thirty: The Shadow and the BloodlineThe office felt eerily quiet after Georgina’s departure, but the tension still lingered in the air like a dark cloud. Chris stood in the middle of the room, staring at the elevator doors that had swallowed his aunt and her biting words. He was so lost in thought that he barely registered the presence of Jack Stone, his most trusted ally and the deadliest member of his shadow cult.Jack had been standing nearby the entire time, listening intently as Georgina tore into Chris with no mercy. His steely eyes glinted with a mixture of anger and loyalty, his jaw clenched as he stepped closer to Chris. The man’s towering figure cast a shadow over the polished floors, exuding an aura that demanded respect."Chris," Jack said quietly, his voice low but firm, "if you want, I can get rid of her."Chris blinked, finally snapping out of his thoughts. He turned to Jack, his brow furrowing slightly. "What?""Her," Jack continued, his vo

Chapter Two hundred and Thirty Two:manager Gareth meets Loretta Manager Gareth stood outside Loreta’s apartment, the evening air heavy with tension. He adjusted his tie one last time before ringing the doorbell, knowing full well that this visit was critical. For days, he had been pushing Loreta to sign the advertising contract with Tether, but every time, she had given him excuses and delays. Tonight, he needed to change that.The door opened slowly, and Loreta stood in the entryway, her expression neutral but her eyes sharp. She was dressed casually, yet there was an undeniable elegance about her—something that always made Gareth feel as though he were about to negotiate with royalty rather than a rising actress.“Gareth,” she greeted him coolly, stepping aside to let him in.“Loreta,” Gareth responded, flashing her a polite smile as he stepped into the sleek, modern apartment. Everything in her home reflected her taste—clean lines, muted colors, and expensive decor, but with a

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty Four; Agreement to sign with Tether Loreta was still fuming as she left the boardroom, her heels clicking sharply against the tiled floors of the building. Her chest tightened with frustration. The audacity of those men from Tether had pushed her beyond her limits, and as much as she wanted to maintain her professional demeanor, their hollow apology and dismissive attitude grated at her.She couldn’t believe Gareth had arranged that meeting without giving her a proper heads-up, though she knew his intentions were good. Still, she wasn’t going to let them bully her into accepting a deal that felt like a trap. Not on her terms. Not when they had treated her so disrespectfully.As she reached the elevator, one of the Tether representatives, Edward, suddenly appeared beside her, his hand reaching out to stop the doors from closing.“Miss Loreta, a word, if you don’t mind?” he said smoothly, his voice trying to maintain its cool, business-like charm, but s

Chapter Two hundred and Thirty Six: A Turn of EventsLoreta’s heart raced as she inched closer to the side door. Something about the scene unsettled her, but she couldn’t turn away. The muffled voices she heard coming from inside were tense, low but heated. She hesitated, unsure whether to continue or retreat, but her curiosity won out. As she reached the slightly ajar door, she peered through the small opening. What she saw made her blood run cold.Inside, a young woman stood cornered by a man, her back against the wall. She looked terrified, her hands pressed against her chest as though trying to shield herself. The man, tall and rough-looking, had an air of entitlement about him, a smug grin on his face as he loomed over her.“Come on, Emma,” the man coaxed, his voice sickly sweet but dripping with malice. “I got you this job, didn’t I? All I’m asking for is a little payback.”The woman shook her head vehemently, her voice trembling as she spoke. “I don’t have any money rig

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty right: A New Better JobLoreta led Emma back to her home, their steps slow as they processed the heavy conversation that had unfolded between them. The cool night air felt fresh, almost like a promise of something new, and for the first time in a long while, Loreta felt a sense of peace begin to settle over her.Inside the house, Loreta motioned for Emma to sit down at the dining table. The room was bathed in a soft, warm glow from the lamp overhead, casting long shadows against the walls. Emma hesitated for a moment before sitting down, still unsure of how to handle the weight of everything that had just happened.“I meant it when I said I want to help,” Loreta began, her voice quiet but resolute. She took a seat across from Emma, folding her hands in her lap. “Not because I feel like I owe you, but because it’s the right thing to do. You’ve been through so much because of something that happened to me, and I can’t just let that go.”Emma rubbed her