The banquet hall buzzed with elegant conversation and clinking champagne glasses.
Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over tables draped in silk, while waiters glided between guests like well-trained ballet dancers.
Elena's father, Robert, led their family in quietly.
"Keep your voices low," he whispered. "Don't draw any unnecessary attention."
But within seconds, a sharp voice cut through the air like a whip crack.
"Well, well! Look what the cat dragged in!"
Elena's uncle, Richard Howard, strutted over with his daughter Sarah, both wearing smug expressions that could curdle milk.
"Richard," Patricia forced a smile. "How lovely to see you."
"Is it, though?" Sarah snickered. "I'm surprised you had the nerve to show your faces here after Elena's little embezzlement scandal."
"That's not what happened—" Elena began, but Richard cut her off with a dismissive wave.
"Oh please, spare us the sob story, niece. You stole company funds to pay for that street mongrel's mommy's medical bills. What kind of pathetic lapdog betrays her own family for a trash bag?"
"She’s been brainwashed by her crafty husband," Sarah added with a cruel laugh. "What a stupid woman!!"
"Where is your precious husband anyway?" Richard looked around mockingly. "Too embarrassed to bring him? Smart choice—nobody wants to see a rabid stray at a civilized gathering."
Elena's cheeks burned, but she remained silent.
"Since you've contributed absolutely nothing to this family except shame, you can't sit with the actual guests. The workers' table is over there."Richard pointed toward a corner table near the kitHoward. "More appropriate for your... status."
Patricia's face went pale. "Richard, surely you don't mean—"
"I mean exactly what I said," Richard's voice turned cold. "Sit with the help, where you belong."
This is humiliating.
Robert clenched his teeth, but he had no choice. They needed to stay in the family's good graces.
Just as they began their walk of shame toward the corner table, a commanding voice rang out.
"What's all this commotion?"
Everyone turned. Elena's grandmother, Margaret Howard, approached with her regal bearing intact despite her seventy-plus years. Her steel-gray hair was perfectly coiffed, and her emerald dress sparkled with authority.
"Mother!" Patricia's voice cracked with desperation and hope.
"Mother," Richard bowed slightly, suddenly nervous. "I was just... seating everyone appropriately."
Margaret's sharp eyes surveyed the scene. "And you thought my granddaughter and her family belonged with the staff?"
"Well, given their recent... difficulties..."
"Nonsense," Margaret declared, her voice cutting through Richard's stammering. "Elena, dear, come sit at the main table. We need to have a proper family discussion."
This was unexpected, suspicious
Elena frowned. Grandmother never defended them.
Patricia practically bounced with excitement. "Oh, thank you, Mother! “
She turned to Elena, whispered with satisfaction. “This must be all thanks to Vincent's influence!"
As if summoned by his name, Vincent appeared at Elena's side, flashing his most charming smile.
"Mrs. Howard," he bowed elegantly. "You look radiant tonight. Thank you for allowing me to join this wonderful celebration."
Margaret's face lit up. "Vincent! My dear boy, the pleasure is all ours. Richard, apologize to my guests immediately."
Richard's jaw dropped. "But Mother—"
"NOW."
Richard mumbled an apology like a scolded child, while Sarah looked like she'd swallowed a particularly bitter lemon.
As they settled at the main table, Margaret beamed at Vincent. "I must say, Vincent, your ability to secure the entire third floor for tonight's celebration is truly impressive. Even families twice our size have never managed such a feat!"
Vincent waved modestly. "It's nothing, really. When Elena's happiness is at stake, I'd move mountains."
"Such devotion!" Margaret clasped her hands together. "And I hear you're willing to invest in our family business? One hundred million, was it?"
"A small matter," Vincent nodded. "I actually discussed this with Elena before the banquet, though she seemed... hesitant."
Margaret's expression shifted, her eyes turning to Elena with growing coldness. "Hesitant? About what, exactly?"
Elena’s face turned pale. "Grandmother, it's... complicated."
"Uncomplicate it," Margaret's voice turned sharp as a blade.
Elena glanced around the table, seeing all eyes on her. She couldn't say this in front of everyone.
"Vincent didn't just want to discuss business," she said quietly. "He wanted... other things."
"Other things?" Margaret raised an eyebrow.
"He wanted to sleep with me," Elena blurted out, her face burning red.
The table fell silent.
Margaret stared at Elena for a long moment, then burst into incredulous laughter.
"And you refused? Do you realize what a blessing this is?"
Elena's mouth fell open. "Grandmother?"
"Vincent is offering you his affection AND helping our family! Most women would kill for such an opportunity!"
"But I'm married!" Elena protested.
"To a worthless street rat!" Margaret snapped. "Vincent is a real man—successful, powerful, generous!"
Sarah nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! You're being selfish and holier-than-thou, cousin. Put the family first for once!"
"It's disgusting how she puts her own prudish morals above everyone else's welfare," Richard added mockingly.
Elena looked around the table in horror. "Are you all insane? You want me to cheat on my husband?"
Margaret's eyes turned ice-cold. "If you don't agree to Vincent's proposal, you'll repay every cent you embezzled—today. All of it. Or I'll have you arrested for theft."
Elena felt the blood drain from her face.
That money was actually a dividend the company had long owed her, but her grandmother kept delaying the payment under various excuses.
When Karvel’s mother fell critically ill and urgently needed funds, Elena had no choice but to temporarily use that money.
She had planned to repay it as soon as she got through this difficult period—but she never expected her grandmother would use it as leverage to threaten her.
"Choose wisely, dear," Margaret sneered coldly. "Vincent's bed, or a prison cell. What's it going to be?"
Latest Chapter
CHAPTER 305
After Two YearsTwo years had passed Liza sit on a couch, reading an old magazine. Then suddenly, her phone rang.She looked at the screen and saw Elena name Liza quickly picked up the call. “Hello?”Her voice was calm, but inside, she felt nervous.“Hello, please come to Elena’s house. I don’t know what is wrong with her,” Patricia said from the other end. Her voice sounded rushed and worried.Liza’s heart skipped a beat.“Mummy, what’s going on? Just tell me,” Liza said quickly, standing up from the couch.But before she could say another word, the phone went silent. The call had ended.“Hello? Mummy?” Liza spoke again, but there was no answer.Fear rushed through her body.She didn’t waste another second. She grabbed her car keys, picked up her handbag, and rushed outside.Her hands trembled as she unlocked her car. She got in quickly, started the engine, and drove toward Elena’s house.All kinds of thoughts filled her mind.What is wrong with Elena?Why did mother sound so sca
CHAPTER 304
The police surrounded the building. They stood in position, all of them pointing their guns in the same direction. No one spoke. The air was tense, thick with fear and anticipation.Some officers slowly moved inside the building while the rest stayed outside, waiting for any sign of danger. Everyone was alert. One wrong move could cost a life.Gunshots suddenly filled the air.Inside the building, the police shot at most of the thugs they found. The thugs fought back, firing their guns without mercy. The sound of bullets echoed everywhere. Screams, broken glass, and footsteps mixed together.Many of Richard’s bodyguards were shot down. Some tried to escape, but the police were faster. One by one, they fell.Outside, Karvel ran toward the back of the building. He knew Richard would try to escape. He couldn’t let that happen.Karvel spotted Richard running toward the back fence. His heart pounded as he chased after him.“Stop right there!” Karvel shouted. “Surrender yourself to the poli
CHAPTER 303
Morrison slowly placed the laptop on the table. Everyone stood around it, holding their breath. The air felt heavy, as if something dark was about to be revealed.Morrison pressed the power button.The screen lit up.Suddenly, a soft sound came out of the laptop.It was a baby’s voice.The voice began to sing.It was gentle, sweet, and calm—like a lullaby meant to welcome someone. The sound echoed softly in the room, making everyone feel uneasy.Kavel frowned.“That baby voice…” he said slowly. “That means Richard was behind it all.”No one replied. The truth felt sharp and painful.Morrison clicked to open the main folder.The screen changed.What appeared next was not a video. It was not pictures.It was a written record.A confession.The words were neatly typed, date by date, like a diary. A diary filled with blood, lies, and death.Kavel leaned closer to the screen.“Let me read it,” he said.His voice was low, but steady.He began to read out loud.RICHARD’S RECORDFirst EntryI
CHAPTER 302
Two young girls ran through the tall grass, laughing as they chased a small brown rabbit. The rabbit was fast, hopping ahead of them, its white tail flashing as it disappeared and reappeared between bushes.“Little Mara, wait!” one of the girls called out, her voice high and breathless. She was taller, with dark hair tied into two loose braids. She was older by a few years and always felt responsible for the other girl.Mara did not stop. She laughed instead, her short legs moving as fast as they could. “I almost caught it!” she said, her eyes bright with excitement.The rabbit suddenly turned and darted toward an old well hidden behind thick bushes. Without slowing down, it jumped straight into the dark hole.Mara gasped and ran toward the well. “It went in there!” she said, leaning forward to look inside.The older girl rushed after her and grabbed her arm. “Don’t go in there,” she warned, fear clear in her voice. “It might be dangerous.”Mara pulled her arm free. “That’s why I can’
CHAPTER 301
Alex lifted his head slowly and looked at Elena. His eyes searched her face in the dim light. The room was quiet, too quiet, and the smell of dust and metal filled the air. Their hands were tied tightly behind their backs, and thick ropes cut into their skin. Both of them were tied to wooden chairs placed far apart. Alex leaned forward as much as he could and whispered, “Elena.” She did not answer the first time. “Elena,” he whispered again, a little louder. This time, she lifted her head. Her lips trembled, but she managed a weak smile. “I’m here,” she whispered back. She tried to stand, but the rope around her waist and legs was too tight. The chair tipped slightly, then fell back into place. Elena groaned softly in pain. “Don’t move,” Alex whispered urgently. “You’ll hurt yourself.” Elena nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “What do we do now?” she asked in a shaky voice. Alex did not answer right away. He looked around the room carefully. The door was closed, and there wer
CHAPTER 300
The young boy stood in front of his parents. He was already dressed in his school uniform. It was clean but simple, the kind worn by children from middle-class homes. The shirt was white, ironed but a little old. His trousers were dark blue, with soft lines at the knees from being worn too many times. His shoes were polished, yet the soles were thin. He looked ready for school, but his face showed no excitement.His father sat across the room, his posture stiff, his expression hard. He was an old man, with grey hair at his temples and deep lines around his mouth. Those lines had come from years of anger, stress, and control. “How many times did I warn you not to be with those useless boys?” the old man said. His voice was sharp, cutting through the quiet room.The boy did not flinch. He stood still, his hands at his sides. “I’m sorry, Father,” he said. His voice was calm, almost careless, like the words meant nothing to him.That tone angered the old man even more. He leaned forward
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