All Chapters of Once Downtrodden; Now Divine: Chapter 231
- Chapter 240
278 chapters
Chapter 232
Kayla stood frozen for a moment after Donald’s words sank in. “You can’t stay in my house,” he had said, his expression unreadable, almost cold. Her heart sank in that instant, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. A wave of disappointment washed over her, followed by something sharper—something like indignation, simmering just beneath the surface. In her mind, she pictured Donald as someone wicked, heartless, even cruel, a man capable of turning away a person in desperate need without a second thought.The image formed quickly, vividly, with all the force of her emotions. His smirk twisted into something sinister, eyes cold and calculating, a man who cared for nothing but himself. She almost spoke the words aloud, to call him exactly what she imagined, but she restrained herself. She pressed her lips together, forcing a polite smile that felt tight and unnatural, clinging to the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was still a way her night could be salvaged.Donald, sensing perha
Chapter 233
The violent knock came again—loud, desperate, almost frantic—echoing through the quiet night like a warning bell that refused to be ignored. It shattered the stillness of the compound, cutting through the calm like a blade. Donald froze mid-step, his body going rigid as his mind sharpened instantly, instincts rising to the surface without hesitation. This wasn’t normal. It wasn’t the measured knock of a visitor or the polite announcement of a guest. There was something wrong with it—something urgent, aggressive, almost fearful.He frowned, slowly lowering the glass he had been holding and setting it aside with deliberate care. The faint clink against the table seemed unusually loud in the tense silence that followed. “Who on earth could that be at this hour?” he muttered under his breath, his voice low but edged with suspicion. His gaze shifted toward the door, narrowing slightly as his thoughts raced through possibilities.The knocking didn’t stop. If anything, it grew more forceful,
Chapter 234
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Kayla felt a subtle yet unmistakable shift in the air, as though the space itself had tightened around her presence. A strange mix of relief and tension coiled tightly in her chest, winding together until she could hardly separate one from the other. She had gained access. She was inside Donald’s house.For a brief second, she allowed herself to breathe.The tension that had followed her from the lodge loosened just enough for her lungs to fill properly, but it didn’t disappear. It lingered, heavy and insistent, reminding her that this moment was not one of safety, but of consequence.Donald stood a few steps ahead of her, his back partially turned as he adjusted something on the wall panel. His posture was relaxed, almost casual, but there was an alertness about him that never truly faded. Even in stillness, he carried a presence that was difficult to ignore—controlled, watchful, grounded in a kind of quiet authority that made the room fee
Chapter 235
Kayla’s hands trembled as she stood in the middle of Donald’s house, the weight of the confession she was about to make pressing heavily on her chest. Every step she had taken to reach this moment had been a risk, a careful tightrope walk where one wrong move could mean disaster. She could still feel it in the back of her mind—the gnawing fear that whatever she said now, whatever she admitted, would mark her forever. Donald’s eyes, sharp and unyielding, never left her, and that gaze alone made it impossible to hide anything. Hiding the truth now was no longer an option; the consequences would be far graver than anything she had feared so far.Donald leaned against his desk, his posture casual at first glance, arms crossed over his chest, but there was an unmistakable intensity in the way he held himself. His eyes were focused entirely on her, unblinking, and every inch of his expression conveyed calm authority—a presence that brooked no hesitation. “Who sent you?” he asked again, his
Chapter 236
Kayla stood nervously in front of the camera, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, sweat beading along her forehead. Every nerve in her body felt tense, her muscles rigid with fear and anticipation. The weight of the confession she was about to make pressed down on her chest, heavy and unrelenting. Donald had set everything up carefully—the lighting, the angle, the microphone—all professional, giving the video a polished, almost cinematic look that would make it impossible for anyone to doubt what she said. The air in the room seemed thick, charged with the tension of what was about to unfold. Every heartbeat thundered in her ears, her pulse quickening as she imagined the consequences of the words she was about to speak. She felt her stomach twist into knots, and for a brief moment, she wondered if she could actually go through with it. But the weight of responsibility, the understanding that truth was the only path to safety, pushed her forward.Donald stood nearby, his presenc
Chapter 237
Craig Lewis leaned back in his high-backed leather chair, staring at the tablet in his hands. The video replayed again and again, each time striking him with a force he hadn’t anticipated. The words were sharp, precise, and humiliating, cutting deeper than any insult or accusation could. Kayla was confessing. On camera. To the entire world. Every carefully laid plan, every manipulation, every ounce of control he thought he had over her now crumbled before his eyes.“…I was approached by Craig Lewis of the Lewis family. He promised me ten million if I brought Donald Smith’s head to him…”The words hit Craig like a physical blow. He could feel the air leave his lungs, a tight, suffocating pressure that made it hard to breathe. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the tablet tightly, the polished screen digging into his palms. His jaw clenched, teeth grinding as disbelief and rage collided in his chest.“How… how could she betray me like this?” he muttered, his voice taut with fury, a
Chapter 238
“She’s… she’s untouchable now,” Craig muttered under his breath, voice trembling with barely contained fury. “How did Donald…? How did he manage to get her out of my reach?”Craig leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment, trying to collect himself. He felt cornered, trapped, the ground beneath him seeming to vanish. His reputation, the carefully constructed legacy of the Lewis family, was crumbling around him. The city knew his secret now. His hands twitched involuntarily as he imagined the headlines, the gossip, the whispers. “Craig Lewis… criminal. Lewis family… scandal. Betrayal.”He gritted his teeth and leaned forward again. “What do I do next?” he muttered to himself. He knew he couldn’t strike at Kayla directly, not while she was under police protection. Any rash move could lead to further humiliation, further exposure, or even criminal charges for himself.Craig’s mind raced through options, each one more frustrating than the last. Pay someone off? Too late—the public had al
Chapter 239
“This… this is unacceptable!” Craig shouted, voice booming through the room. “Craig Lewis, one of the most respected members of this city, is sitting in a prison cell because of someone else’s interference? I will not allow it! Find out who is behind this. I want names, faces, proof!”The men around him, seasoned members of the Lewis family’s inner circle, nodded cautiously, aware of Joe’s wrath. “Sir, we’re already looking into it,” one said carefully. “We’re tracing the legal filings, the people who filed the complaint, and any digital trails that led to Craig’s arrest.”Joe slammed his fist on the desk. “Enough! I want results. And fast! Whoever dared to humiliate the Lewis family, whoever dared to put Craig behind bars… they will pay!”Minutes later, the first report came in. One of Joe’s aides approached him, bowing slightly. “Sir… it appears that the person responsible is Donald Smith.”Joe froze, a mixture of shock and rage flickering across his face. “Donald Smith?” he said, a
Chapter 240
For weeks, Donald had been gathering intelligence on the Lewis family. He already knew they had stolen from the Harrington family over the years, but the specifics had been elusive. He needed exact details—every property, every asset, every wrongdoing that could be leveraged. And for that, he had found the right man.The man’s name was Samuel Kane, a seasoned investigator known for his skill in tracing hidden assets and uncovering long-forgotten financial trails. Samuel had connections with former employees, accountants, and city officials, and he could dig deeper than anyone else Donald knew.Donald picked up his phone and dialed the number he had been given for Samuel. The line clicked, and a calm, professional voice answered.“Donald,” Samuel said. “I’ve been reviewing the Lewis family’s history, focusing on the Harrington assets they took over the years. I think you’re going to want to hear this.”Donald leaned forward, his fingers gripping the edge of the desk. “Go on. Tell me ev
Chapter 241
The legal battle to reclaim the Harrington estate and the company that the Lewis family had stolen was reaching its climax. For months, Donald had carefully gathered every document, every piece of evidence, and every witness statement necessary to prove the Lewis family’s longstanding crimes. It hadn’t been easy. The Lewis family was notorious for their influence, power, and ruthless methods. They had buried legal records, bribed officials, and manipulated court decisions to hold onto the properties they had taken from the Harringtons. But Donald had been meticulous. He had his top investigator, digging into decades of hidden records, tracing ownership, uncovering false claims, and exposing every loophole the Lewis family had exploited. Now, Donald had everything he needed. The Harrington estate, a sprawling property with historic significance and decades of family heritage, and the family’s original company—a thriving business that had been the Lewis family’s prime prize—were both