Chapter 184
A few days passed, and the estate settled into a tense calm. Carolina remained under heavy guard, but her refusal to speak had made interrogation sessions grueling. While she kept her silence, everyone knew it was only a matter of time before Ariana would strike again. Yet the quiet brought no comfort—only the nagging sense that something was brewing beneath the surface.
Lily, Alexander, and Caleb gathered once again in the study, discussing their next moves. But as they strategized, they couldn’t ignore the shadow that hung over their alliance—Lily’s secret communications with Selene, a fact she hadn’t yet disclosed to Alexander. The weight of it pressed on her, threatening to unravel the trust they’d worked so hard to rebuild.
Just as the meeting wrapped up, Caleb’s phone buzzed, interrupting their thoughts. He glanced at the screen, and his face darkened with a mix of worry and anger. “There’s news,” he announced. “Ariana’s gathered support from some of our old rivals. They’re aligning with her for one final push.”
Alexander’s jaw clenched. “She’s desperate. She’s trying to unite everyone who has a grudge against us.”
Lily, sensing the gravity of the situation, exchanged a quick look with Alexander. “Then we need to divide them before they become a true threat.”
But before they could dive into further planning, a commotion erupted outside the study doors. Maxwell rushed in, his usual calm replaced with a rare urgency. “Alexander, Lily—you need to see this. The news just broke. There’s been a development in Carolina’s case.”
They followed Maxwell into the living room where a large screen broadcasted the latest headline: *ARREST OF UNDERWORLD FIGURE SPARKS CHAOS—NEW ALLIANCES FORM AS ARIANA PLANS HER NEXT MOVE*. The newscaster’s voice carried an edge of urgency. “Reports suggest that Carolina’s capture has not only galvanized Ariana but has drawn in dangerous allies who want to see the downfall of the Kane family.”
Alexander’s expression hardened as the news continued, highlighting new threats to their safety. But then, a surprising twist emerged: a report from an anonymous source claimed that *no human remains were found in the vehicle that burned near the estate*. The implication was clear—Lily had never been inside the car when it crashed.
Alexander turned to Lily, relief washing over his face. “So, you weren’t in the car after all. You survived.” But alongside that relief, a question lingered in his eyes—one Lily dreaded answering. “Why didn’t you tell me about your plan?”
Lily hesitated, her mind racing for a way to explain without revealing her contact with Selene. “I... I wanted to keep you safe. I needed to be sure it would work before I got your hopes up.”
But Alexander wasn’t fully convinced. A shadow of doubt crossed his expression. “I trust you, Lily, but secrets don’t help us now. If we’re going to fight Ariana, we need to be on the same page.”
Before Lily could respond, Caleb interrupted. “We can deal with this later. Right now, Ariana’s out there rallying forces, and we need to be ready. This might be our last chance to catch her off guard.”
***
Meanwhile, across the city in a dimly lit warehouse, Ariana was having a meeting of her own. Her allies—underworld figures, disgruntled former partners of the Kane family, and a few rogue agents—gathered around a large table. Daria sat beside her, studying a map spread out before them, showing the layout of the estate.
Ariana pointed to a side entrance. “This is where we’ll strike. Caleb and his guards will be focused on the front and rear exits—they won’t expect an attack from here.”
One of the men, a grizzled veteran with a scar running down his cheek, leaned forward. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Ariana. If we fail, they’ll hunt us all down.”
Ariana’s eyes narrowed, her voice cold and precise. “If you’re afraid, feel free to leave. But I assure you, when this is over, it will be Alexander, Lily, and their precious Caleb who will be left broken.”
Daria interjected, her tone careful. “We also need to address the matter of your mother, Carolina. The longer she’s in their custody, the more likely it is she’ll break.”
Ariana’s face tightened. “I’ll deal with her when the time comes. Right now, my priority is making sure they don’t see this attack coming.”
But even as she spoke, doubt flickered in her mind. Carolina had always been ruthless, but her mother’s loyalty had limits. If Carolina started to think Ariana’s plan was failing, she might betray her own daughter to save herself. Ariana clenched her fists, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand.
“We move tonight,” she declared, silencing the murmurs of uncertainty around the table. “And when we do, the Kane family won’t know what hit them.”
***
As dusk settled over the city, back at the estate, Lily found a quiet moment to speak with Caleb. They walked through the gardens, the air filled with the hum of crickets and the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze.
Caleb glanced sideways at Lily, his expression softened by concern. “You seem distracted, Lily. You’ve been through a lot, but there’s something more, isn’t there?”
Lily sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I’ve been keeping things from Alexander. I thought I was protecting him, but now... I’m not so sure.”
Caleb nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Secrets have a way of growing between people, especially in times like these. But Alexander needs you—honest and whole, by his side.”
Lily looked down, the weight of her decisions pressing on her. “You’re right, Caleb. I just hope it’s not too late to make things right.”
But before they could continue their conversation, Maxwell appeared at the edge of the garden, his expression serious. “We’ve just intercepted a message from Daria to one of their operatives. It seems Ariana plans to attack tonight.”
Lily and Caleb exchanged a look of alarm. “Then we don’t have much time,” Caleb said, urgency sharpening his voice. “We need to fortify our defenses and prepare for whatever Ariana’s planning.”
***
Night fell, and the estate bristled with activity. Guards took up positions, cameras monitored every angle, and Alexander, Lily, and Caleb reviewed their strategy one last time. Yet as they steeled themselves for the impending assault, another piece of the puzzle came into play—one they hadn’t anticipated.
Selene, Lily’s hidden contact, sent a final message: *Be careful, Ariana has set a trap for you all. She’s not planning to attack directly—she’s after something much closer to home.*
Lily’s eyes widened as the realization hit her. “Alexander, she’s not targeting the estate. She’s after Viola.”
Alexander’s face went pale, and he immediately grabbed his phone to contact the team guarding their daughter. “Get to Viola’s room now! Double the guards and lock down her wing of the house.”
But as he spoke, a faint sound echoed through the halls—a single, sharp crack, like glass shattering in the distance. Caleb’s face turned grim. “They’re already inside.”
Ariana’s plan was in motion, but so was a new twist. The attack on the estate was a diversion. In the shadows of the mansion, the true battle was about to unfold—a fight not for power or revenge, but for the safety of the innocent. And this time, both sides had more to lose than they ever had before.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
