Chapter:23
1949 Words
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– The Clay-Richmond Garden Patio, That Evening
The post-engagement haze lingered around the estate. Soft lighting twinkled from the hedges, champagne glasses still half full on silver trays. The Clay and Richmond families were scattered around, mingling politely in silk and jewels.
Ava stood alone at the edge of the garden, wearing a velvet emerald dress that clung to her frame like ambition. Her gaze was fixed on Liam, who was leaning against a stone pillar a few feet away, drink in hand, eyes scanning the crowd—but clearly not seeing anyone.
She sauntered over, her heels crunching softly against the gravel.
“You’ve been brooding in that same spot for twenty minutes,” she purred. “Should I be concerned?”
Liam glanced at her, then looked back out at the garden. “I didn’t realize I was being watched.”
“You always are.” Ava sipped her drink, then tilted her head. “Something bothering you? Or someone?”
He didn’t respond, but the flicker in his jaw gave her all the confirmation she needed.
She took a slow step closer. “Let me guess. Lily?”
His silence was an answer in itself.
Ava’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “You know, it’s funny. You were supposed to be my fiancé.”
“I never wanted that,” Liam said, finally turning to her.
“No,” she said coolly. “You wanted her.”
Liam looked away again. “You’re not exactly subtle, Ava.”
Ava laughed, low and sharp. “Neither are you, anymore. You made a move on her today, didn’t you?”
Liam narrowed his eyes. “Were you spying on us?”
“I don’t have to spy. Lily’s face said everything when she came back inside—confused, flushed, emotionally twisted.” She leaned closer. “You kissed her.”
He didn’t confirm it. He didn’t need to.
Ava swirled her drink, voice suddenly lower, more dangerous. “You think she’s going to leave Sky for you? Because of one emotionally-charged moment?”
“I didn’t ask her to leave him,” Liam said. “I just told her the truth.”
A beat.
Then Ava leaned in even closer—close enough that her perfume swirled around him like smoke.
“You want to know a secret, Liam?” she whispered. “Sky’s baby might not be his.”
That stopped him.
He stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
Ava smiled, sly and venomous. “Camila’s been playing games with men far more dangerous than Sky. And if that DNA test comes back negative, guess who Lily will come crying to?”
Liam clenched his jaw.
Ava stepped back, satisfied. “Careful, Liam. You might just get what you want. And when you do?” Her eyes darkened. “You better know how to keep her. Because if you fumble Lily, someone else will catch her—and not all of us play nice.”
She turned and walked away, her silk dress trailing behind like a green flag of war.
Liam stood still, his heart pounding.
Not just because of Lily…
But because Ava never said anything without a reason.
And suddenly, it felt like something much darker was coming.
---
That Evening – The Richmond Estate
The Richmond estate was unusually quiet. The kind of quiet that felt like holding your breath before a storm.
In the grand library, Catherine Richmond sat alone, fingers lightly circling the rim of a crystal wine glass. Her sharp eyes scanned a file folder that had mysteriously arrived at her private office earlier that day—no name, no note, just one word typed on the front:
"Inheritance."
She flipped through it again. Photos. Offshore accounts. Lucas’s name on documents she never signed. A transfer made in her name—but not by her.
Her jaw tightened.
Footsteps sounded at the doorway.
Lily.
“Mother?” Lily stepped in gently, wearing a soft cashmere sweater and concern all over her face. “You okay?”
Catherine set the glass down. “Come in. Sit.”
Lily obeyed.
“I want you to keep your eyes open, Lily,” Catherine said quietly, brushing a page aside. “There’s something wrong. With Lucas.”
Lily frowned. “You noticed it too?”
Catherine nodded. “He’s hiding something. And I think your father sensed it before he left.”
Lily hesitated. “You mean before he went to London?”
Catherine gave a dry smile. “Yes. On ‘business.’ With Sammy Syester, no doubt.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “Wait—you knew?”
“I’ve always known,” Catherine said flatly. “What Raymond doesn’t realize is that hiding truths in this family is like setting fire to silk. It burns quiet, and then all at once.”
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Elsewhere in the Mansion – Lucas's Room
Lucas leaned back in his chair, slowly flipping a silver coin between his fingers. His phone buzzed.
A message from Ava.
> "Mother’s snooping. She knows something. Should I stall her?"
Lucas stared at it, then replied:
> "Let her dig. She’ll only find what I want her to."
He walked to his safe, opened it, and pulled out a velvet box. Inside were old photographs—one of Ethan and Julia as boys, grinning, arms around each other.
Lucas tossed it into the fire.
The flames crackled.
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In the Upstairs Hallway – Julia
Julia watched the smoke from Lucas’s chimney rise from outside. His sharp jaw clenched as he smoked a cigarette by the guest wing window.
“Burning more evidence?” he muttered to himself.
His phone buzzed.
> From: Jasmine
“He knows about Kael. You should’ve killed him when you had the chance.”
Julia stared at it. His fingers hovered over the keyboard. But he didn’t respond.
Instead, he turned and looked back toward the house.
Toward Ethan.
Toward war.
---
In Her Room – Ava
Ava, in her silk robe and glass of sparkling water, listened quietly through the intercom that connected to the library. She’d had the house bugged months ago—an old trick taught by her manipulative ex.
She listened to Catherine and Lily’s conversation with a smirk.
“Mother’s finally catching on,” she whispered.
Then, a flash of discomfort crossed her face.
Because the next voice she heard… was Ethan’s.
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Ethan (in the library):
“There’s more. Lucas didn’t just arrange to kill me. He used Julia to do it. Lied to him. Told him I was the traitor.”
Catherine’s voice was cold steel: “And now Julia hates you.”
“Yes,” Ethan replied. “But it’s not just Julia. Ava… might be involved too.”
Ava’s hand trembled slightly as she turned the intercom off.
“Son of a bitch.”
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Meanwhile – London
At a luxurious penthouse suite overlooking the River Thames, Raymond Richmond stood by the window, phone in hand, while Sammy Syester poured champagne behind him.
“Still no calls from home?” Sammy asked with a soft smile.
Raymond didn’t answer immediately. His eyes were on a message he had just received.
From: Unknown Number
> “Lucas has crossed a line. You need to come home. Before it’s too late.”
He exhaled slowly, then looked back at Sammy. “I think I overstayed this trip.”
Sammy tilted her head. “Trouble?”
Raymond downed the last of his drink. “In the Richmond family? There’s always trouble.”
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The Richmond Estate, Late Afternoon
The air outside the estate was humid and charged—like it knew something big was about to happen.
In the main hall, Lily was arranging white roses in a glass vase when the grand front doors creaked open. She turned, expecting a servant. Instead—
Raymond Richmond stood there, luggage in hand, eyes scanning the house like he hadn’t been gone a month.
Lily’s breath caught. “Dad?”
Raymond gave a tired smile. “Hello, darling.”
She rushed to him, hugging him tight. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming home today?”
“I didn’t want a welcome party,” he said, stepping inside, his voice cool. “I wanted the truth.”
As he handed off his coat to the butler, he looked up the staircase—and his eyes narrowed at the sight of Lucas, leaning casually on the rail, smirking.
“Welcome back, Father,” Lucas said. “Unexpected, but... timely.”
Raymond didn’t return the smile. “We’ll see.”
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Ava’s Room, 20 Minutes Later
Ethan was halfway down the corridor when Ava grabbed his arm and yanked him into her room, slamming the door shut.
“Don’t ever say my name like that again,” she hissed. “What were you doing in the library with Mother?”
Ethan yanked his arm free. “We were discussing Lucas. And the attack.”
“You think I was in on it?” Her eyes glinted. “That I wanted my own brother dead?”
“You were quiet when I went missing. Suspiciously quiet,” Ethan said. “And you’ve always protected Lucas, no matter how far he went.”
Ava’s lips twisted. “I’m ambitious, Ethan—not stupid. I would never kill my own blood. Lucas is using everyone, even me.”
“Then help us stop him,” Ethan said.
Ava hesitated.
“I heard what you said through the walls,” she admitted. “If Julia ever finds out that Lucas lied to him, he’ll burn this house down.”
“Maybe he should,” Ethan muttered.
Ava stared. “Then we better prepare for flames.”
---
Julia’s Quarters, That Night
Julia sat alone in his room, the walls lit only by the glow of his laptop screen. He was replaying security footage that one of his men secretly pulled from airport CCTV—the night Ethan was attacked.
Zoom.
Pause.
Enhance.
The shooter had a tattoo on his neck. A serpent.
Julia blinked. He had seen that tattoo before… on one of Lucas’s private guards.
His hands shook.
He stood quickly, knocked over a chair, and stormed out. His heart was pounding. Lucas lied to him. Set him up. Turned him into a pawn.
He moved down the hallway like a shadow, his rage barely held together.
---
The Study, That Same Night
Raymond stood in the study, swirling a brandy, deep in thought. The door opened behind him.
Lucas stepped in, calm as ever. “I see business didn’t keep you away long.”
Raymond turned slowly. “I’m not here about business.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“I know about the offshore accounts. The forged documents. The hit.”
Lucas’s smile didn’t falter. “That’s a serious accusation.”
Raymond stepped closer. “You should’ve done your research better. Sammy’s son works in financial crimes. He flagged the transfers.”
Lucas’s mask slipped for just a second.
Raymond’s voice dropped. “You crossed the line, Lucas. This time, you won’t get away with it.”
Lucas's smile returned, slower. “You think this family still listens to you, old man?”
From the shadows behind the bookshelf, Ethan, Ava, and Julia stepped forward—one by one.
Lucas turned, startled for once.
Julia stared him down. “You used me.”
Lucas looked at him. “I gave you purpose.”
“You gave me poison,” Julia snarled.
Raymond nodded to Ethan.
“Lucas Richmond,” Ethan said, voice even, “you’re done.”
---
- Writer
