Chapter 181
As the rain poured down and lightning flashed across the sky, tensions inside the estate rose to a breaking point. Lily, Alexander, and Caleb huddled over the old letters, trying to piece together a plan before Carolina and her allies could strike again. The sound of the storm outside matched the urgency inside, as if nature itself was reflecting the chaos that had engulfed their lives.
In a dimly lit corner, Lily’s mind raced. She clutched one of the letters tightly, her thoughts shifting to the enemies they now faced. She had once believed Ariana was the real threat, but now Carolina’s power and reach loomed even larger. And while Lily had no love for Ariana, she understood the danger of underestimating Carolina, especially when family ties were tangled in betrayal and hidden secrets.
“Grandfather, you mentioned Silas’s allies—do you think any of them are still loyal?” Lily asked, turning to Caleb.
Caleb’s face tightened with worry. “It’s possible. Silas had connections everywhere. Some of his old allies might see this as a chance to reclaim their influence, but others might side with Carolina if they think she has the upper hand.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “Then we’ll have to find out who’s willing to join us. We’ll reach out to those who might be open to switching sides before Carolina gets to them.”
Maxwell, standing near the window, kept watch over the rain-soaked grounds outside. “We’ll also need to double security around the estate. Carolina will likely strike soon. And Ariana... she’s unpredictable. If she’s desperate, she might try to manipulate anyone she can.”
Lily nodded, her resolve hardening. “Then let’s use that to our advantage. We’ll make contact with anyone we can trust and turn them against Carolina. And if Ariana tries anything, we’ll be ready.”
***
Meanwhile, in a hidden part of the city, Ariana sat with her newfound ally, a shadowy figure who had once been a close associate of Silas. The old man, known only as Gideon, leaned back in his chair, studying Ariana with a shrewd gaze. The dim light revealed the deep lines on his face, each a testament to years of surviving in the city’s underworld.
“You’ve got ambition, Ariana,” Gideon said, his voice gravelly. “But ambition without caution can be dangerous. I’m willing to help you, but I want my share if we manage to take down Caleb and reclaim what’s ours.”
Ariana’s expression remained cold. “You’ll get what you deserve, Gideon, but make no mistake—I’m in charge here. Carolina might think she’s running the show, but she’s forgotten that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win.”
Gideon chuckled, a raspy sound that echoed in the small room. “We’ll see, won’t we? Just remember—if you double-cross me, you’ll regret it.”
Ariana gave him a thin smile, knowing that trust was a luxury she couldn’t afford. She glanced at the map spread out between them, marking key locations near the estate. It was time to outmaneuver Carolina, and if she had to, she would sacrifice anyone who stood in her way.
***
Back at the estate, Caleb received a call from one of his old contacts—a man who had remained neutral for years but now sensed a shift in the balance of power. The man warned him that Carolina had mobilized her forces and was planning to make a direct assault on the estate before dawn. Caleb’s expression grew grim as he relayed the information to Lily, Alexander, and Maxwell.
“She’s coming for us tonight,” Caleb said, his voice steady despite the gravity of the news. “We need to be ready.”
Alexander clenched his fists, the determination in his eyes matching the tension in the air. “We’ve fought off worse before. We’ll fight them off again.”
But just as they were about to finalize their plans, the door to the study burst open, and a young guard rushed in, his face pale with urgency.
“Sir, there’s something on the news—you need to see this.”
Lily grabbed the remote and turned on the television. A live broadcast appeared on the screen, showing a reporter standing near the scene of the car crash from earlier that day. Flames still smoldered in the background, but the reporter’s words struck like a lightning bolt.
“Authorities have just confirmed that no bodies were found inside the burning vehicle, leading to speculation that the occupant may have escaped before the crash. This revelation casts doubt on earlier reports, and the investigation is ongoing.”
Alexander’s heart skipped a beat as relief flooded through him. He turned to Lily, his voice barely a whisper. “She wasn’t in the car... Lily’s alive.”
Lily let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “She outsmarted them,” she murmured, a hint of a smile forming. “That means she’s still out there, planning her next move.”
Caleb’s expression softened, but the gravity of their situation remained. “It’s a small victory, but we can’t let our guard down. Carolina will be furious when she learns that Lily escaped. She’ll come at us even harder now.”
***
Elsewhere, in a dimly lit alleyway, Lily watched the broadcast from a small phone screen, hidden beneath a hooded jacket. The rain poured down around her, but she felt a renewed sense of determination. She had managed to evade the trap, but now she had to make sure Carolina and Ariana would pay for everything they had done.
Taking out another burner phone, she dialed a number and waited for the person on the other end to pick up. A familiar voice answered, rough yet steady. It was someone she hadn’t contacted in a long time—a former ally who owed her a favor.
“It’s me. I need your help.”
The voice on the other end paused, then replied, “What do you need, Lily?”
Lily glanced around, making sure she wasn’t being watched. “I’m taking Carolina and Ariana down. But I need backup. Are you in?”
A chuckle came through the line, followed by a confident response. “I’ve been waiting for this call. Count me in.”
As Lily ended the call, she allowed herself a brief smile. She had a plan, and this time, she wouldn’t let anything stand in her way. Carolina and Ariana might have thought they could trap her, but they were about to find out just how wrong they were.
Back at the estate, Caleb, Alexander, and Maxwell prepared for the coming confrontation, unaware that Lily had already set a new plan in motion. With allies forming on both sides and secrets unraveling at every turn, the storm that raged outside was nothing compared to the one brewing within their world.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
