Tedmond had expected that something weird had happened, but he had no idea it was going to turn out to be Kyle being held up as a hostage.He wondered if the main reason Kyle had called him was that Otis had made him do it, or Kyle had been so scared that he had to do it, or Kyle had initially had something to show him that had nothing to do with Otis.Tedmond couldn’t be sure which one it was, and now Kyle was tied up by Otis and didn’t even look like he wanted to be there.With his gaze holding Kyle’s, Tedmond tilted his head as if asking a question, making sure his expression was clear enough for Kyle to understand. Kyle shook his head, acknowledging that he understood what Tedmond was trying to ask, then looked away toward Otis.Tedmond shifted slightly, placing Persis behind him with one smooth move, his hand brushing her arm. It was a silent instruction.‘Stay back.’Then he turned fully toward Otis, who still sat where they had seen him earlier, arms folded, watching them lik

The three men stared at Tedmond, disbelief etched across their faces. They did not expect him to be able to tell their fighting styles just from them beating him up.They had done their best to beat him, yet he was still standing, looking at them as if their blows had no effect.“Outboxing? In-boxing? And he’s just… standing there?” one scoffed, shaking his head. “You really think this guy can take all of us?”Otis let out a cruel laugh, clapping slowly. “Oh, he’s gonna die. I paid good money for you boys, and I expect results.”They all laughed, leaning in, mocking him with exaggerated movements and voices.“Look at that stance!” one of the men said suddenly, eyes narrowing. “Is he—wait—is he going to use kickboxing?”Tedmond’s eyes flicked to him, calm, almost bored. “And what exactly does that have to do with you?”The question was sharp and cold. The words cut deeper than any punch.The moment stretched.Then, all at once, the three men lunged.Tedmond moved.Not quickly, not fra

Tedmond had never heard such a stupid excuse in his life. He couldn’t believe that Otis had hated him for something so trivial.And he could tell that his mother might not have even been interested in Otis’s father, despite the way Otis made it seem. If there had been any real attraction, Harold wouldn’t have gone after his mother.Tedmond’s jaw tightened, his dark eyes narrowing as he stepped slightly closer.“And what made you think she was ever interested in Gerald?” His voice was low, probing, sharp.Otis’s scowl deepened, his grip on the knife tightening as if Tedmond’s question were a personal attack.“It doesn’t matter,” he snapped. “After all… a maid is just a maid. She should have been grateful she was going to marry into the Griffin family. But no… she had to choose… to be a mistress.”Tedmond’s eyes flared. “She wasn’t a mistress, Otis. Not her. From everything I’ve gathered… she never consented. She tried to tell Evelyn, tried to make her understand what was happening, bu

The words landed like a thunderclap.Melody froze, her hand suspended mid‑air as her wide eyes locked onto his. Her lips parted, but nothing came out.The warmth she had felt seconds ago vanished, replaced by shock so sharp it almost stole her breath.Mrs. Karishin blinked, her hand flying to her mouth.“Engaged?” she whispered, disbelief trembling in her voice.Kyle’s eyes went huge, his mouth hanging open. He whipped his gaze between Tedmond and Melody like he needed someone to confirm what he just heard.Even Persis, still in the car, stiffened. Her fingers tightened around the doorframe, her chest rising as jealousy and surprise hit her at the same time.Melody’s knees gave way, and she dropped to the floor. Her whole body shook as her heartbeat thundered and panic crawled up her throat.Tedmond bent slightly, steadying Kyle with one hand, but his eyes never left Melody.“I told you,” he said, calm and firm. “That behavior is not appropriate. I am engaged. My fiancée deserves res

The living room had been rearranged slightly for a more formal seating, a long table placed in the center with chairs around it.Tedmond, Persis, and Neil were seated, and the female version of Neil sat close to him, her posture casual yet poised.A maid moved quietly behind them, carefully pouring glasses of wine, the soft clink of the crystal breaking the low hum of conversation.Tedmond’s gaze flicked from Neil to his twin again, and again.It was uncanny—one face, two bodies.The resemblance was so exact that it almost hurt his eyes to distinguish them. The only difference was that Neil would look exactly like her if he were wearing makeup.Persis, seated beside him, was just as stunned, her wine glass trembling slightly as she tried to process what she was seeing.Before she could react further, her hand jerked slightly, and a splash of wine spilled onto the table and her dress.“Persis!” Tedmond exclaimed, immediately leaning over to help her, grabbing a napkin and dabbing at th