"Ezra Bennett in critical condition!"The headlines had barely hit the airwaves before they spread across New York like dry leaves catching fire. Every major news station, every gossip blog, even business analysts began whispering predictions.Bennett Industries might never remain the same again.Back at the mansion, the atmosphere was far from sorrowful. Esther Bennett sat on the arm of the grand leather chair in the sitting room, sipping freshly brewed tea. Her eyes didn’t show worry. In fact, they glistened with something clearly as an opportunity for her.She tried to keep her expression flat for Zoe’s sake, but her mind was already travelling fast; bank accounts, properties, the shares in Ezra’s name. Her heartbeat quickened not from concern, but from excitement. With Ezra finally out of the way, she would step in fully as the matriarch. His absence meant space—space to seize control, space to get her hands on everything he’d once shielded from her.She took another sip and allow

The moment Jordan stepped through the front doors of the Bennett estate, the atmosphere hit him like a cold slap. The silence was loud, too loud.Something felt off.Then he saw her.Zoe stood in the middle of the sitting room, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, eyes cold and unreadable.Beside her, just by the side of the marble centre table, stood David - a man Jordan had only seen once at the company office, about a month ago. That day, he’d walked past a glass-walled conference room and seen Zoe and this same man laughing together. Their heads leaned close, like people who shared secrets.He had assumed the man was a business partner.Now he knew better.Zoe didn’t say a word. She simply picked up a brown file and tossed it onto the table in front of Jordan. The sound echoed through the quiet room.He stared at the file for a few seconds. Then, slowly, he bent down and opened it.His hands stilled.They were divorce papers.“I want i

The room was quiet—too quiet.A heavy silence hung in the air as Jordan knelt beside Ezra’s bed, holding the old man’s fragile hand. The sunlight creeping in through the window cast a pale glow across Ezra’s tired face. His breaths were faint, uneven.His time was drawing close.Jordan’s heart beat wildly in his chest. He could feel it, this was the final moment.Ezra opened his eyes slowly. With trembling fingers, he motioned for Jordan to come closer.Jordan leaned in, trying to catch whatever words Ezra had left.“That mark on your neck…” Ezra whispered, his voice barely more than a breath, “…is called the mark of Onyx.”Jordan froze.Ezra coughed violently, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. Jordan’s eyes widened in panic, but Ezra gripped his wrist tightly.After the day he found Jordan, Ezra had tried to find out about the mark on his neck, seeing how strange it looked. But surprisingly, there was no information on that online.He didn’t give up. He continued searching

The venue, Roar Hub, glowed with wealth and splendor in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Jenkins Industries.CEOs of various business enterprises, politicians and billionaires filled the hall, laughter and wine flowing as camera lights flashed across the walls.Jordan was chatting with two foreign investors when his phone rang. He excused himself politely and stepped outside to take the call.Just as he was about returning to the hall, he paused, turning face to face with a nightmare he thought he had left behind.There stood Zoe Bennett, his ex-wife, and her mother Esther.Zoe folded her arms, her lips curled in a smirk. “What are you doing here, Jordan? Did you follow us here? Are you stalking us now?”Esther scoffed. “This is an elite event, not a street corner. Who even let you in?”Jordan was quiet. He didn’t expect kindness from them, but the bitterness in their tone still pierced deep into his soul.“You tried to kill me, Esther,” Jordan said, staring angrily at Zoe’s

"Yes, I’m about leaving the house now. Will be there shortly," Zoe Bennett said into her phone as she adjusted her heels and glanced at the mirror one last time. Her expression was calm, but her heart wasn't.Today was the day.The day her name would be stamped on a contract that could change everything for her and for Bennett Industries.It had been a full week since that horrible night at Roar Hub.A week since she’d watched the man she once called husband walk past her like she was just one more shadow in a world he no longer belonged to. Jordan Jefferson. Or as the elites now addressed him—Lord Jefferson.The shame still burned quietly beneath her skin, but she pushed it aside. Today had nothing to do with Jordan.Today was her moment.In the living room, Esther sat gracefully on the couch, a glass of red wine in hand as she watched her daughter descend the staircase. A smile slowly spread across her face.“My baby girl, you look absolutely breathtaking,” Esther said, swirling the