2025-09-11 12:59:45
Previous Chapter
Latest Chapter
Chapter 14
"Adrian Cortez," the butler repeated.The name made Ray’s brows lift slightly, though his expression stayed unreadable. The firelight caught on the edge of his glass as he slowly placed it down. Karl Mercer, seated across from him, exchanged a look that said everything neither man needed to voice."That’s... unexpected," Karl muttered.Ray’s tone was calm, but the command in it made the air heavy. "Bring him in."The butler nodded and disappeared quickly.For a long moment, only silence filled the room. The slow tick of the antique clock and the soft crackle of firewood were the only sounds between them.Karl finally said, "You trust him?"Ray’s eyes didn’t leave the door. "Trust?" His voice was quiet, steady, but sharp. "Adrian fears me. That’s enough."The doors opened again and in stepped Adrian Cortez.His presence carried wealth and polish, the kind of confidence that turned heads in boardrooms but tonight, that confidence had edges. The faint stiffness in his shoulders, the way
CHAPTER 13
“Sir,” the butler’s voice broke the quiet of the study. “There’s a man outside asking to see you. He says his name is Karl Mercer.”Ray looked up from the glass of whiskey in his hand, his brows knitting in surprise. “Karl Mercer?” he repeated slowly, tasting the name as if to make sure he had heard right.“Yes, sir.”For a moment, silence filled the study. The only sound was the ticking of the old clock against the wall. Then Ray’s lips curled into a dry smile.“Bring him in,” he said. His voice was calm, but his eyes sharpened like blades.The butler gave a respectful bow and left quickly.Ray rose to his feet, straightening the cuff of his shirt. Karl Mercer showing up here, unannounced, in the middle of the night? That was not a coincidence. Karl never moved without reason. And if he had come in person… then whatever he carried was heavy.The study doors opened again, and the butler stepped aside to let the visitor in.Karl Mercer walked in like a shadow given flesh. Tall, lean, d
CHAPTER 12
"Leonard," Ray’s voice cut through the silence of his private study, sharp and steady, "Tell me again. Slowly. Word for word. What exactly does that clause say?"Leonard Briggs, his long-time lawyer, adjusted his glasses nervously. He sat across from Ray, a thick folder open on the polished mahogany desk. The firelight behind them threw shadows across the room, flickering against the gold-trimmed shelves."It states," Leonard began carefully, "That you, Raymond Carter, upon signing the divorce agreement, relinquish the right to full custody of Aurora Carter. It further says that until Aurora reaches adulthood, her legal guardian remains Lisa Oakford."Ray’s jaw clenched, but his eyes didn’t waver. He leaned back in his leather chair, tapping his fingers against the armrest.Leonard went on. "In short, Lisa controls Aurora’s education, residence, and... well, almost every decision in her life. You have visiting rights, but only with Lisa’s consent, like I said before"A sharp laugh lef
CHAPTER 11
RAY'S POVThe Bentley moved quietly through the city night after Ray stormed out of Lisa's house, its heavy body gliding past the noise of traffic and the lights of Lagos. Inside, the air was still, broken only by the hum of the engine.Ray sat in the back seat, one hand resting on the armrest, the other tapping against his knee. His eyes were sharp, his jaw tight.Across from him sat Leonard Briggs, his lawyer and oldest ally. A man in his fifties, calm, serious, the type who never wasted words. A thick folder rested on his lap, filled with papers that had once been weapons against Ray.Ray broke the silence first. His voice was low, steady. "Read it again. I want to hear it in your own words. Every line."Leonard adjusted his glasses, opened the folder, and began. His tone was flat, and professional, but the weight of the words was heavy."The divorce agreement states you gave up all rights to the Oakford estate, their assets, their titles. Most importantly...” He paused. "...you ga
Chapter 10
"Lisa," he greeted smoothly, tossing his keys onto the table. "Still awake?"Her eyes narrowed. "It’s past midnight."He shrugged out of his jacket, draping it carelessly over the chair. "You know how it is. Meetings run late. Opportunities don’t wait for daylight."Lisa studied him carefully. His ease, his charm, it was his weapon, one he wielded like a blade. Normally, it calmed her. Tonight, it didn't do much.She folded her arms. "And what kind of opportunity kept you from answering my calls?"Oscar paused for a fraction of a second, barely noticeable, before pouring himself a drink. "Calls? Ah." He sipped, sighing with satisfaction. "My phone died. You know I don’t keep it charged long enough."Lisa’s lips tightened. A simple excuse, too simple."Convenient," she said coolly.Oscar chuckled, setting his glass down. "You sound like my old professor, suspicious of every shadow. Relax, Lisa. I was working. For us."She tilted her head, voice edged with sarcasm. "For us?""Yes." He l
Chapter 9
LISA'S POVLisa’s chest heaved as she leaned against the wall, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. The words Ray had spoken still echoed in her ears, dragging at her nerves like claws."You’ll see soon enough..."Her jaw tightened as she forced herself to stand tall, but the tension in her body betrayed her. She caught the first maid’s eyes and snapped, "Get me my laptop."The maid didn’t dare ask questions. She darted off, slippers whispering against the marble floor, and returned quickly with the sleek silver device. Lisa snatched it from her hands, flipping it open as she stormed to the dining table.Her fingers clicked sharply against the keys, each sound a violent outlet for the storm raging inside her. She opened Oscar’s financial files, his statements, the Oakford investments tied to him. Her gaze swept across numbers, percentages, loans, and shares.Everything looked perfect. Too perfect.The balance sheets gleamed, the charts rose, and the figures carried no flaws.Lisa nar
You may also like
Revenge of the Abandoned Heir
wounded_warrior126.0K viewsThe Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection
Dreamy Fire253.8K viewsThe Rise Of The Unknown Zillionaire Heir
Gem Lynne160.5K viewsTRILLIONAIRE IN DISGUISE
Lyonlee320.0K viewsThe General's Ascension
Pen-Goddess166 viewsIN THE WAKE OF THE SILENT TYCOON
Wednesday Adaire123 viewsThe Rise Of The Live In Son-In-Law
Chrisney D Writes368 viewsThe Billionaire's Hidden Son-in-Law
Bella Grace1.4K views