2026-04-22 21:12:23
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83
Victoria didn’t just fall; she collapsed, as if something inside her had finally snapped under the weight of years. Her knees hit the floor first, then her hands, trembling, barely holding her up. Tears streamed down her face in uneven lines, her breathing jagged.“I didn’t mean it…” she whispered, voice breaking apart. “That wasn’t my intention, I swear it wasn’t…”Noah stood over her, unmoved at first. His jaw tightened, his eyes dark with something sharper than anger, more like betrayal, confusion, and disbelief, all tangled together.“Then what was your intention?” he shot back, his voice cutting through her sobs. “To kill him? To destroy everything? Because that’s exactly what you did.”Victoria flinched as the words struck her physically. Her shoulders shook harder.“Yes!” she cried out suddenly, her voice rising in a painful confession. “Yes, it’s my fault Anita died! I know that, I know!” She dragged in a breath that refused to steady. “But it wasn’t how it was supposed to hap
82
Zack didn’t even see it coming.The slap landed across his face with a sharp crack, snapping his head to the side and sending him stumbling backward. He barely caught himself before dropping but the second hit came faster.“Have you lost your mind?!” Victoria’s voice shook with raw fury.Zack’s vision blurred for a second as he steadied himself, one hand pressed to his cheek. “Victoria, I can explain.”“Explain?” she cut in, advancing on him. “Explain how Cedric suddenly knows where we are? Go on. I’m listening.”“I didn’t tell him…”Another slap.This time Zack hit the floor.William shot up immediately. “Mom, stop!”Victoria didn’t even glance at him. She stood over Zack, breathing hard, her anger barely contained. “You think I don’t know how this works? You think men like Cedric just wander around hoping to get lucky?”Zack pushed himself up slightly, wincing. “I didn’t give him this place. I swear. I was trying to throw him off..”“By leading him straight to us?” she snapped.“Tha
81
Morning traffic stretched thin across the road, the city only just beginning to wake. Jennifer’s car cut steadily through it, the low hum of the engine blending with the faint rush of wind outside.Inside, the atmosphere was far from calm.Mike sat behind the wheel, focused, both hands steady as he kept a measured distance behind the two black SUVs ahead. Their tinted windows gave nothing away, but everyone in the car knew exactly who was inside.Cedric’s men.Noah leaned back slightly in the rear seat, his gaze fixed past the windshield, sharp and unreadable. Beside him, Jennifer shifted, her arms folded as she glanced between the road and his face.“You’re very sure about this,” she said finally, breaking the silence.Noah didn’t look at her. “I am.”Jennifer studied him for a second longer. “Because right now, all we’re doing is following a lead that could either save them…” she paused slightly, “…or walk us straight into something worse.”Mike let out a quiet breath. “Wouldn’t be
80
As Kyle pushed his chair back slightly, already signaling the close of the discussion, her voice rose again, controlled, but insistent enough to pull him back.“Father,” she said, drawing his attention once more. “Whatever you decide, don't forget what’s at stake.” Mia reminded.Kyle’s eyes shifted to her slowly.“The dignity of the Giles family,” Mia continued, her tone tightening with each word, “is not something we can afford to gamble with. We don’t even know who took that picture or who sent it out. For all we know, more people have seen it already.”Adrian leaned in slightly, reinforcing her stance without interrupting her rhythm. “And once something like that spreads, it’s difficult to contain. Reputation damage isn’t always immediate, but it’s always costly.”Mia nodded. “Exactly. Which is why the fastest and cleanest solution is obvious.” She held Kyle’s gaze. “We remove the problem before it grows.”A pause.Then, more bluntly. “End things with Noah before he stains this fam
79
Morning came quietly over the Giles estate, sunlight spilling through the tall dining room windows in long, golden streaks. The table was already set with polished cutlery, crystal glasses, and plates arranged with the kind of precision that came from years of routine.Breakfast, as always, was elaborate.Fluffy buttermilk pancakes stacked high with maple syrup dripping down the sides. Crispy bacon and sausage links. Scrambled eggs folded with cheese and herbs. Golden hash browns. Freshly baked biscuits with butter and jam. A bowl of cut fruits which was strawberries, blueberries, melon, sat at the center, alongside a jug of orange juice and a silver pot of coffee still steaming.Their personal chef had outdone himself.Yet the atmosphere didn’t match the warmth of the meal.Kyle sat at the head of the table, his presence steady, commanding even in silence. Beside him, Cynthia maintained her usual composed posture, while Adam leaned back in his chair like he had nowhere better to be a
78: the truth
Amelia got home late, late enough that the house had already slipped into that quiet, settled stillness that comes after dinner has been cleared and conversations have died down. The faint scent of food still lingered in the air, but the dining area was empty, and the lights dimmed.Mia was curled up in the living room, half-watching something on TV. She glanced up as Amelia stepped in.“You’re back,” Mia said casually.Amelia forced a small smile. “Yeah. Long day.”She didn’t stop to say more. Her mind was too full, too loud. She headed straight for Aria’s room.She knocked lightly.No response.Amelia hesitated for a second, then pushed the door open anyway.The room was dim, only the bedside lamp casting a soft glow. The bathroom door clicked open just as she stepped in, and Aria walked out, a towel wrapped securely around her waist, damp hair clinging to her shoulders. She looked tired, but still composed.“Oh you’re back,” Aria said, a faint smile forming. “When did you get in?”
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