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The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 215; Homecoming and harmony.
Chapter Two hundred and fifteen: Homecoming and HarmonyAs the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Chris finally returned home after a long day at work. The familiar sight of his house brought a sense of comfort, but as he stepped inside, he was immediately hit by a wave of dust and stillness. It felt as if the house had held its breath for the weekend, waiting for the life and warmth that he and Stephany typically brought into it.“Hey, babe!” Stephany called from the living room, where she was sorting through a pile of magazines that had accumulated over the weekend. “Welcome back! How was your day?”“Busy, as usual,” Chris replied, setting down his bag and running a hand through his hair. “But I got a lot done. How was your day?”“I spent most of it catching up on some reading,” she said, smiling. “But I think this place needs a good cleaning after being empty for so long. I’ll help you out.”“Thanks, but I don’t mind doing it myself,” Chris
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 215, clash of friends
Chapter Two hundred and fifteen: Clash of FriendsThe next morning dawned quietly in Chris and Stephany’s home. The sun cast a warm glow across the room as Stephany tidied up, still thinking about the events of the previous weekend. She and Chris had spent the night together cleaning the house, and though she appreciated their time together, her mind kept drifting to the conversation she was about to have with Sandra. It had been planned for days—a simple chit-chat over coffee to recap the chaotic weekend, but Stephany had an uneasy feeling in her gut. It wasn’t the first time she felt this way around Sandra. Lately, things between them had felt a little off, and Stephany couldn’t quite put her finger on why. It wasn’t like Sandra was doing anything outwardly wrong, but there was an undercurrent of something different in her. Something false.Around mid-morning, Sandra arrived. She breezed through the door wearing a sleek dress and a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on her head.
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 216;Navigating business and tension
Chapter two hundred and sixteen: Navigating Business and Tensions The sun had barely risen over the skyline as Sandra stepped into the sleek, glass building of Steeling Horizons Heritage, the financial institute that was not only her place of work but her entire world. She adjusted the strap of her leather handbag over her shoulder and exhaled deeply, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor of the lobby. The tension from the argument with Stephany the day before still weighed heavily on her mind, but today, she had bigger things to focus on. Despite being the CEO of the institute, Sandra had always been aware that the real power behind the company wasn’t her. Chris Brown, Stephany’s husband, was the true owner and founder of Stealing Horizons Heritage. He had preferred to remain in the shadows, allowing Sandra to be the face of the business. It had been a mutually beneficial arrangement—Sandra handled the public side of things, the meetings, the press, the bo
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 217; Unveiling Secrets of the Shadow ring
Chapter 217: Unveiling the Secrets of the shadow ring After the meeting with Sandra regarding Sterling Heritage Capital, Chris sat in his office, his mind racing. The events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, but nothing had puzzled him more than the strange incident with the ring. It was the one Jack Stone had given him, a simple band that Chris had largely forgotten about, until it began to glow that day in the woods. He hadn’t thought much of it at first, brushing it off as a coincidence. But when Henry had tripped after Chris silently wished it, something deep inside him had stirred. He had felt a surge of power, an unmistakable connection between his thoughts and the ring. After finishing his duties at the company for the day, Chris returned home with the Book of Shadows in his briefcase. It was late, but he needed answers, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to rest until he found them. The book had been with him since his last visit to the Shadows’ Cave, a p
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 218 Curiosity after the Getaway
Chapter two hundred and eighteen: Curiosity After the Getaway The flight back from Australia was filled with chatter and reminiscing. Emily, Connor’s cousin, was particularly excited as she reflected on the weekend getaway. For her, it had been a thrilling experience. Being the youngest among such wealthy and influential people had initially been daunting, but she had managed to blend in well. Not only that, but she had connected with several of them, some even went so far as to exchange numbers with her, which felt like a significant accomplishment. She was practically filled with excitement when she and Connor boarded the plane. The memories from the trip played over and over in her head, and she couldn’t help but recount them enthusiastically to her cousin. “Did you see how quickly Chris fixed the bus? And how he turned down the helicopter ride just to stay with everyone? That was so selfless," Emily exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with admiration. Connor chuckled at he
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 219; The Star girl and the intern
Chapter Two hundred and nineteen: The Star Girl and the InternThe next day, Emily, Connor’s cousin, made her way to the university where she was interning. The campus was buzzing with the usual energy, students rushing to and from classes, chatting about assignments and weekend plans. For Emily, it was just another day, another step toward completing her internship. She didn’t mind the routine; she liked the structure of it, the predictability. But something unusual caught her attention as she entered the building that housed her supervisor’s office.There, right in the middle of the hallway, stood Emily Maxwell. Mrs. Maxwell’s daughter. But today, she wasn’t just Emily. She was “Star Girl.” She had a crowd around her, students gawking as she flipped through her phone, showing off pictures. Pictures that featured her and the famous star Loretta, smiling together like they were the best of friends.“Wow, you really met her!” one of the students gasped, wide-eyed. “You’re so luck
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 220; Connor’s revelation
Chapter Two hundred and twenty: Connor’s RevelationConnor sat on the couch, his mind still lingering on the weekend getaway. The house was quiet now, with Emily back to her university routine and the whirlwind of activities over. For a moment, he relished the peace, the soft hum of the refrigerator the only sound breaking the silence. It was a stark contrast to the past few days, filled with laughter, tension, and the chaotic energy of being around so many people. As he settled in, he remembered the flash drive he had brought back from Australia. It was something he could not forget about, despite the excitement of the journey for it was the main reason why he went to the getaway, leaving his work. The memory stick had been handed to him rather subtly by one of his contacts at the trip and he was sure to get something tangible. But now that he had time, his curiosity piqued. Connor grabbed his laptop from the table, inserted the flash drive, and leaned back as the files loade
The Return Of The Lame Son In Law. 221; A Halted Audit.
Chapter Two hundred and Twenty one: A Halted AuditThe next morning, Connor arrived at the office with a sense of urgency coursing through his veins. The discoveries he had made on the flash drive left him restless throughout the night, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had uncovered something far larger than he had initially thought. His mind was already racing with ideas, plans to expose City Bank’s shady dealings. But he knew he had to be careful. This was no ordinary financial issue—this was a conspiracy involving high-profile players, and if he wasn’t cautious, it could all come crashing down on him.He sat down at his desk, opened his computer, and pulled up the necessary files to authorize a new audit of City Bank’s operations. He had initiated audits before, but this one would be different. It wouldn’t just be a surface-level review of numbers; it would be a deep dive into their most obscure transactions, looking for the cracks hidden beneath layers of legality.C
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363: The Echoes of Devotion
Chapter 363: The Echoes of Devotion The engine hummed beneath his fingers, but Chris couldn’t move. Not because of the pressure from the unseen force in the car, but because just before he shifted the gear, he heard it—faint, fragile… yet deeply familiar. “Master…” It wasn’t a voice. It was many. “Please, don’t leave us.”He was sure that was Jack stone’s voice. But it was so faint and strained among many others. “You showed us the way.” “They’ll find us, and we’ll die.” Their cries wrapped around his mind like tendrils of smoke—voices from the shadows, the ones he had liberated in the hidden planes, broken from slavery, given direction and hope. They were calling him. Not Connor. Not the council. Not the Ultimate. Him. And they were in pain. Chris gritted his teeth, hands frozen over the wheel. Whoever sat beside him, whoever had locked his body in place, didn’t speak again. It was as if this puppet master knew he was no longer the one in control. Chris’s
362; The Summoning
Chapter 362; The Summoning The roads blurred as Chris obeyed, his hands firm on the wheel though they no longer felt like his own. Each turn he took felt pre-determined, like the very city had been carved for this detour—a route pulled out of time and logic. Street signs began to fade into smoke. The sky above blackened, even though it was early evening. Then, the GPS on the dashboard flickered, glitched, then shut off entirely. His heart beat slower. Time seemed to still. Chris wasn’t just driving anymore. He was being summoned. The tires came to a halt in front of a crumbling cathedral at the edge of the old city—one that didn’t exist on any map. Stone gargoyles lined the archway, all facing forward except one. That one turned its head. Chris watched. Didn’t flinch. He stepped out of the car. The moment his foot touched the ground, the pressure vanished. His limbs were free, but the weight of what waited inside bore down on him heavier than ever. A cloaked figure sto
361: The Breaking Point.
Chapter 361: The Breaking PointThe had passed in slow motion.Stephany hd been a mess, for the past three days, she refused to eat, sleep or take a bath.She had been thinking about the turn out of events Chris didn’t show up on the news again. He didn’t call. Didn’t send messages. And yet Stephany knew he was watching. Somewhere in the corners of her solitude, she could feel his presence. She’d booked the hotel suite in a moment of desperation, barely hearing the receptionist confirm her room as she kept her dark shades on to hide the tears. She wasn’t crying anymore, though. She was empty. The whole world felt like a staged lie. Her father had manipulated her. Her mother had pushed her toward a man she didn’t know. Her best friend, Sandra, had stood by Chris’s side all this time, lying by omission. And Chris… Chris, the man she married thinking he needed saving, had never needed her at all. He was the storm in the shadows. And she was just… collateral. The wh
360; The Breaking Point
Chapter 360: The Breaking Point It’s the next day after Chris presented himself to the world in his full glory, the media has carried the news both far and near and the Preston’s were still in shock of the revelation. The Preston boardroom was unusually quiet that morning. Sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows, casting golden stripes across the dark mahogany table. The chairs were all filled—executives, advisors, partners from subsidiaries. But one seat at the head of the table remained empty. Stephany’s seat. Eleanor sat in her usual place, fingers steepled, a slight crease in her brow. She glanced at her watch again. Still no word. Still no daughter. Still no leadership. It had been two days since the gala. Two days since the world discovered that Chris Brown—the quiet son-in-law they mocked—was actually the president of MTD and the force behind Sterling Heritage. Two days since Stephany had vanished. “She’s taking time to think,” Eleanor said qui
359: Stephany’s Spiral
Chapter 359: Stephany’s Spiral Stephnay stepped our. And Chris followed her. The air outside the ballroom was colder than it should’ve been. Stephany’s heels clicked furiously against the marble as she stormed down the corridor, the silk of her gown swishing violently behind her. Her breath came in shallow bursts, not from exertion, but from the ache building in her chest, from the burn in her throat she couldn’t swallow. Everyone had lied to her. Everyone. Her father… who paraded around like he was the reason for the deal, when he was nothing more than a shadow. Her mother… who, for all her sharpness, had encouraged her to chase a stranger, unaware he was already sleeping in her daughter’s bed. Sandra… her friend, her confidante, who had stood by and said nothing while Stephany wept and doubted and begged. And Chris. Chris. The man she insulted. Defended. Hated. Loved. The man who, it turned out, had been ten steps ahead of her the entire time. She pushed
358; after the lights
Chapter 359: After the Lights The ballroom lights dimmed slowly, the last echoes of applause fading into the glittering hush of evening elegance. The crowd had dispersed into small clusters some lingering around the champagne bar, others whispering in stunned awe near the media walls. The air was thick with disbelief, admiration… and a new respect that hadn’t been there before. Chris Brown stepped off the stage like a man who had just laid his past to rest. His face was composed. His shoulders straight. But inside? A storm raged. He didn’t look for her in the crowd. He didn’t need to. He felt her. Stephany. And she was coming. Each step she took echoed like a countdown. He turned slowly to face her, meeting her eyes across the polished marble floor, under chandeliers that suddenly seemed too bright. Her heels clicked to a stop three feet in front of him. She didn’t speak at first. Didn’t blink. She just looked at him like she was seeing a ghost. No… like she was seei
357 the speech
Chapter 358: The Speech The ballroom, moments before electric with noise, now pulsed with stunned silence. The man everyone had ignored, mocked, and dismissed… stood before them. No longer in the shadows. No longer “just a son-in-law.” Chris Brown. The President of MTD Enterprises.If not because Sandra herself introduced him, no one would believe he was the owner of Sterling, the one calling the shots. The man who had, without the Preston name, without favors or inheritance, built a corporate empire that now stood at the helm of Preston Holdings’ salvation. He stepped up to the stage, his black tux catching the soft gold light of the chandeliers above. Calm, composed, magnetic. He didn’t need a grand entrance. He was the moment. The microphone felt cool in his hand as he brought it close. “Good evening,” he began, his voice smooth, quiet, but undeniably strong. The crowd leaned in. “I’ll keep this brief,” he continued. “I know the wine is flowing, and so
356; president on a bike
Chapter 356: The President on a Bike The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered with opulence. Glittering chandeliers hung like frozen stars above the gold-accented floor. Guests milled about in tuxedos and flowing gowns, laughter and polite applause filling the space as media crews tried to capture every angle. Business moguls, celebrities, and dignitaries gathered, sipping champagne and posing for press photos beneath the towering banners that read: “The New Preston Empire – Gala of Legacy and Innovation.” Charles Preston stood front and center, basking in the glow of attention. His tailored white suit gleamed under the lights, and he wore a practiced smile that hadn’t wavered since the event began. Every reporter, every business associate—he greeted them all with open arms and exaggerated humility. “I just did what any visionary would do,” Charles said during an interview, brushing invisible lint off his shoulder. “The expansion was necessary. And thanks to our trusted par
355; a night of glass And gold
Chapter 355: A night of glass and gold. Add her mother pushes her to welcome him The Grand New York Ballroom shimmered like a crown jewel in the heart of Manhattan. Crystal chandeliers dripped light onto mirrored floors, casting glittering illusions across a sea of tuxedos and couture gowns. The air was thick with cologne, champagne, and the sharp undercurrent of ambition. It was a night carved out for legends. And Charles Preston was ready to claim it. "Smile, Mr. Preston!" "Over here, Charles!" "The face behind Preston’s comeback!" Charles grinned wide, adjusting his cufflinks as camera flashes burst in succession. Reporters flanked the red carpet, microphones stretched forward like spears as he paused just long enough for the spotlight to settle comfortably on him. “Yes,” he said with polished ease, “we’re very proud of the progress Preston Holdings has made this year. Tonight is about celebrating that growth—and the vision that brought us here.”
