The worries and confusion followed Luna throughout the night.She barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she heard the woman’s trembling voice.
Your father was the one who threw you out that night…
And then she remembered the way the woman had suddenly stopped talking when Kate and Brian arrived.
There was something they didn’t want her to know.
Luna was certain of it.The following morning, she woke up feeling restless.
After getting dressed, she quietly stepped outside.
Her eyes immediately went toward the neighbor’s house.
The door was closed.The compound was unusually quiet.
Luna stared at it for several seconds.
She knew the woman usually came outside every morning to water the lilies growing near her entrance but today…
Nothing.
No movement,no sound and this made Luna’s uneasiness grew.
Where is she?
Is she still inside?
Or did something happen to her?
“Luna!”
Kate’s voice suddenly pulled her from her thoughts.
Luna turned.Her mother was standing behind her.
Kate walked toward her and gently took her hand.
“I know you’re still recovering from everything that has happened to you,” Kate said softly.
“But I need you to stay calm.”
Luna glanced back at the neighbor’s house.
Kate followed her gaze.
“Please trust your mother.
At least this time.”
She pulled Luna into a warm embrace.
“That woman is dangerous,” Kate whispered.
Luna remained silent.
She wanted to ask what made the woman dangerous but she already knew Kate would give her another excuse.
So she simply nodded.
“Come inside.”
Luna followed her mother back into the house but her mind remained outside.
She couldn’t stop wondering what had happened to the woman after their conversation.
At breakfast, Luna noticed something strange.
Her family was being unusually affectionate.Too affectionate.
Kate placed a cup of coffee in front of her.
“My dear Luna.”
She smiled warmly and gently touched Luna’s face.
“Your mother will always be here for you.”
Luna forced a small smile.
“Thank you, Mom.”
Kate hugged her but Luna noticed something.
Her mother’s arms were tight around her, almost as if she was afraid to let her go.
Brian sat across the table.He said nothing.
His expression remained unreadable then Nicole entered the dining room.
He smiled at Luna.
“After breakfast, we’re going shopping.”
Luna looked at him.
“Shopping?”
“Yes for you.” He pulled out a chair.
“We’re going for shopping.
You can choose whatever you want.”
Luna stared at him, though it was supposed to feel like a kind gesture yet something about it felt unnatural.
Her mother’s affection.
Her father’s silence.
Her brother’s sudden generosity.Everything seemed carefully arranged.
Almost rehearsed.
Luna lowered her eyes.
She wanted desperately to believe that her family wasn’t dangerous.
She wanted to believe that they truly cared about her.
After all, they were her family but deep inside…
Something kept telling her not to trust them.
Back in the city
Thousands of miles away, Harrison Whitmore was facing a different kind of battle.
The moment he entered Whitmore Group that morning, his employees could feel something had changed.
He was colder than usual.
His face remained expressionless, but the anger behind his eyes was impossible to miss.
Even the smallest mistake irritated him.
His female employees, in particular, noticed that he had become unusually harsh whenever they approached him.
Nobody dared question his behavior as everyone simply tried to stay out of his way.
His personal assistant had also noticed the change but Harrison had no time to care about what his employees thought.
His attention was focused entirely on the company and the problems were growing.
His assistant entered his office carrying a folder.
“Mr.
Whitmore.”
Harrison looked up.
“What is it?”
The assistant hesitated.
“It’s about the Stonewell account.”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed.
“The contract?”
“Yes.”
Harrison leaned back.
“What happened?”
The assistant placed the documents on his desk.
“The client has suddenly changed their position.
They’re no longer willing to finalize the agreement.”
Harrison’s expression hardened.
“Why?”
“They gave several reasons, but none of them are convincing.”
Harrison opened the folder.He read through the report.
The more he read, the darker his expression became.
The client had suddenly received information questioning Whitmore Group’s proposed products and business strategy.
Some of the company’s confidential ideas had apparently reached the client through another business.
Harrison’s fingers tightened around the document.
“Who gave them this information?”
“We’re still investigating.”
Harrison looked up.
“Investigate faster.”
His assistant swallowed.
“There is something else.”
“What?”
“The company currently negotiating with the client is owned by Mr.
Stone.”
Harrison’s eyes became cold.
Mr.
Stone.
One of his strongest business opponents.
And, more importantly…A known business associate of Ashley.
Harrison slowly closed the folder as everything suddenly made sense.
Ashley.
She wasn’t only trying to control his personal life.
She was attacking his business.
“She did this.”
His assistant remained silent.
Harrison picked up his phone and immediately called the client.The call rang.
No answer the he called again.
Still nothing.
His jaw tightened.
If the client signed with Stone, the consequences would be serious.
The company wasn’t just losing another ordinary contract.
The client was also a major shareholder in Whitmore Group.
Losing their business and influence could create uncertainty among other shareholders and that could affect Harrison’s plans for the company.
The company was more than just a business to him.
It was part of his promise to his late mother.
Camilla had left Harrison a major stake in Whitmore Group and entrusted him with the responsibility of carrying the company forward.He had promised himself that he would take the company beyond its current limits.
International recognition.
Expansion and a legacy his mother could have been proud of.
And now Ashley was threatening all of it.
Harrison slammed the phone onto the desk.
“She wants to destroy everything I’ve built.”
His assistant stepped forward cautiously.
“Mr.
Whitmore, we can still resolve this.
Our legal team is already investigating the leak, and we can approach the client again”
“Again?” Harrison’s voice thundered through the office.
The assistant froze.
“You think they’ll listen after someone has already fed them confidential information?”
“I didn’t mean”
Harrison slammed his hand against the desk.
“I know exactly what she’s doing.”
His breathing became heavier.
“Ashley isn’t trying to take control of my personal life anymore.”
He stared at the documents.
“She’s trying to take control of my company.”
The assistant remained silent.
Harrison picked up another document.
“Find out exactly how Stone got our confidential proposal.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And find out who inside Whitmore Group gave them access.”
The assistant nodded.
“Immediately.”
He turned to leave.
“Wait.”
The assistant stopped.
Harrison’s eyes were ice-cold.
“Contact the client again.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tell them I’m willing to meet personally.”
The assistant nodded.
“I’ll arrange it.”
When the door finally closed, Harrison remained alone.
His eyes fell on the photograph of his mother sitting on his desk.
For a moment, his expression softened.
“I’m not going to let them take this from me, Mom.”
His hand slowly tightened into a fist.
Ashley had already interfered with his family.
She had manipulated his father.
She had tried to control his choices and now she was coming after the company his mother had entrusted to him.
Harrison stood.His anger had become something colder.Something more controlled.
If Ashley wanted a battle….He was ready to give her one.
But there was one question he still needed answered.
How much of the Whitmore Group had Ashley already infiltrated?
And more importantly…
Who else was working with her from inside the company?