Chapter 36 The dinner party wrapped up. Evan appeared sober—his eyes sharp, his steps steady. But the moment he handed the room key to Zach to settle the bill, we…

Chapter 50  Inside the Duncan residence, tension filled the air as Silas arrived with a warning. Lloyd’s heart sank the moment he heard Lenore’s name. szc He knew thats the elusive big shot, always shrouded in mystery, wasn’t the type to mingle with high school kids. But there she was, the very Lenore he knew, and he couldn’t fathom how she’d become Troy’s daughter.  Lloyd’s thoughts whirled. With a hushed voice, he summoned the butler and ordered, “Get me the scoop on Lenore and Troy’s connection.”  Afternoon classes called, and Silas drove Lenore to school in a heavy silence. Lenore, with her slender, unyielding stride, radiated defiance and abandon. Silas watched her until she vanished from sight.  With one hand on his earring, Wayne leaned back in, deep in thought. “Silas, this whole thing’s fishy. Don’t you think?”  Even the formidable Duncan family’s head showed nothing but deference to the Faulkner family’s heir, yet today, he groveled before Lenore as if fearing she could dismantle the Duncan family’s legacy with a word. This wasn’t about them; it was about her.  Silas‘ gaze was distant, his fingers tapping a rhythm on his knee. “He’s terrified of Lenore.”  Few could rattle Lloyd like this. Silas sensed Lenore was more than just wild; she was a vault of secrets.  As the hallway buzzed with pre–class energy, Lenore’s return was met with eager relief. Kyle and the others, who had been anxiously waiting, brightened and hurried toward her. …

Chapter 49 Lloyd’s voice trembled with a mix of respect and nerves, though beneath his words, fear was palpable. He was from the prestigious Duncan family of Jinslenburg, a major…

Chapter 48 Troy stepped into the Duncan family’s living room, a place unfamiliar to him. This moment should have been filled with pride, but under the weight of the day’s…

Chapter 47 The halls were buzzing, everyone anticipating Lenore’s downfall from Greenvine High School and the Duncan family’s retaliation. But the morning dragged on without incident. The bell for lunch…

Chapter 46 “Kyle’s got her back. What’s she worried about?” one student whispered. “Well, if Lenore’s really Kyle’s aunt, I’ll eat my math book!” another scoffed, clearly not buying the…

Chapter 45 Lloyd’s focus zeroed in on Silas when the chat veered toward his grandson. Dressed in a sleek black silk shirt, Silas lounged on the couch with one leg…

Chapter 44 Lenore rolled her eyes, her phone inching away from her ear as she sneered, “Who he is doesn’t mean anything to me. If his own dad won’t slap…

Chapter 43 Esther hung back in the shadows, her eyes burning with anger as she bit her lip so hard that it drew blood. Ever since Lenore had shown up…

Chapter 42 Since he was a kid, Carlos had been the apple of everyone’s eye, and at Jinslenburg, he was the kingpin. People doffed their caps to him as Mr….