Chapter 1
Chapter 1
In the eastern part of Bane Springs stood a brick–and–tile courtyard house, the kind that looked cozy on the outside. But tucked away in one corner was a run–down annex with mud–brick walls, making it look completely out of place.
Inside, the air was thick, damp, and stuffy. Every spring, water droplets would form on the walls, and the wooden furniture -like the bedposts and chairs–slowly rotted away.
At her desk sat a slim young girl, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed out lines of code. The door suddenly slammed open, and in walked a middle–aged woman, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the musty air.
“Danielle, Lucy Granger snapped, her voice sharp. “I’ve set up a marriage for you with the town supervisor’s son. Marry him, and you’ll have it made. I worked my ass off to make this happen for you.”
In Lucy’s mind, the deal was already done. Once this ungrateful brat gets married, we’ll get a fat bride price. Then I can buy my precious son a nice apartment in town.”
Danielle didn’t even look up from her screen as she said flatly. “No.”
Lucy’s face flushed with rage. “You little shit!” she screamed. “After everything I’ve done for you–feeding you, giving you a roof over your head for over ten years–you should be thanking your lucky stars the supervisor’s son even wants to marry you.
“This is the best deal you’ll ever get, and you better realize it.”
“The wedding’s set for the 18th, Lucy continued, her voice dripping with finality. “You’re getting married, whether you
not.” She shot her daughter one last glare and stormed out.
A few moments later, Robbie Granger walked in, a smug grin on his face. “So, what did that little bitch say? She agreed, right?”
Lucy sneered. “Don’t worry, we’ll drag her there if we have to. She’s marrying him–no excuses
Meanwhile, at the Darling residence in Soufield.
“Any news on my sister yet?” Joseph Darling, CEO of Darling Group, asked, his voice cool but tense.
like it
“We’ve sent out search teams, Mr. Darling,” Ivan Moore, the family butler, reported. “But every lead goes cold. We’ve tried everything, but…your sister is probably-
“She’s alive. Dont even think about giving up. Keep searching, or else.” His Joseph cut him off, his voice low and menacing tone left no room for argument, and everyone in the room instantly straightened up.
“Sorry, sir,” Ivan quickly apologized, swallowing his nervousness I’ll dispatch more teams immediately.” Though the other Darling boys were approachable, the eldest always set him on edge.
From a shadowy corner by the stairwell, Audrey Darling overheard the conversation. Her fingers clenched into fists, her freshly manicured nails digging into her palms as she glared at the two men with icy–hatred.
After Lucy left, Danielle sat in silence, memories flooding back. Before she turned five, her adoptive parents had treated her with genuine affection.
08.13
Chapter 1
For a while, she had known what it was like to be loved and cared for. But everything changed when Lucy gave birth to Robbie. That’s when the warmth disappeared, like someone had burned off a light.
Every morning, she woke up before dawn to chop wood and cook for the family. She ate whatever scraps were left after they’d eaten–if there were any. Most nights, she went to bed hungry, with nothing but an empty stomach and a bitter sense of abandonment.
The phone rang, yanking Danielle out of her dark thoughts.
“Danielle, big job in Soufield. You in?” Emery Parker’s voice cam through, full of energy.
Danielle kept typing, barely glancing at the screen. “What’s the job?”
“The Darling family’s looking for their missing daughter. Latest intel says she’s in Okina City. Should be a piece of cake for you. They’re offering ten million,” Emery said.
Danielle rolled her neck, feeling the stiffness. “Nah. Not interested.”
“Hold on a sec!” Emery’s voice shifted, eager now. “I got another one that’ll catch your eye. A big shot’s offering thirty million just to track someone down.”
Danielle’s eyebrows lifted. “Thirty million? Spill it.”
“It’s the Charrington family.–Mr. Logan Charrington’s heart’s failing, and if you don’t step in, he won’t make it through surgery. They’ll give you anything you ask for within reason,” Emery added, practically bursting with excitement.
“They’re that desperate? Danielle said, her interest piqued. “Send me the details.”
“You got it, Danielle. I knew this would get your attention,” Emery replied, almost grinning through the phone.
The email hit her inbox almost immediately. The Charrington family had switched from politics to business under Logan Charrington’s leadership, skyrocketing the company to the top.
They were now a global powerhouse, dominating wealth rankings year after year.
Danielle skimmed the file with a sharp eye. “Alright, I’ll take it. Give me a week,” she said, her tone steady and cool.
“Danielle, you’re finally getting out of that backwater!” Emery sounded almost giddy. “I’ll pick you up from the airport.” Danielle responded with a calm, indifferent “Mm.”
Just then, Julian Reed, Joseph’s assistant, burst in with a stack of papers. “Mr. Darling, we’ve got a lead on Miss Darling. She’s been spotted in a village in Okina City. The informant’s sure it’s her
The normally unflappable Joseph shot to his feet,gut instinct screaming that they’d finally found her.
“Should we alert your father?” Julian asked.
“No. Wait for confirmation first, but keep it quiet. We can’t tell anyone,” Joseph said, voice calm but firm. He’d long suspected foul play in his sister’s disappearance, but eighteen years of searching had turned up nothing concrete. Now, it felt like they were finally getting close.
“Get ready. We’re heading to Okina City,” Joseph ordered, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions brewing inside him.
5 08:13 Thu, Jan 10
Chapter 1
At dawn. Danielle was up, doing her usual chores–prepping for another day in the village.
Around the same time, a convoy of luxury cars, led by a Rolls–Royce, cruised into Bane Springs, the smell of breakfast starting to fill the air.
“Goddamn it! What time is it? Breakfast still isn’t ready? You trying to starve us? Lucy’s angry voice rang courtyard. The neighbors didn’t even blink anymore, used to the daily shouting.
out across the
The sight of the luxury cars, parked outside the Granger family’s home, was enough to turn every head in the village. They’d only ever seen this kind of wealth on TV.
A tall, well–dressed man stepped out of the Rolls–Royce. His sharp features and commanding presence made it clear he was someone important. His tailored suit, paired with a handful of intimidating bodyguards, spoke volumes about his status.
Joseph walked toward the Granger family’s courtyard, a cold fury simmering inside him. His bodyguards flanked him, their presence enough to send a chill through the air.
He’d read the files before coming. The Grangers hadn’t exactly treated his sister well. The thought of what she’d gone through made his stomach turn.
Joseph stopped in front of Danielle, locking eyes with her. In that instant, there was no doubt. She was the sister he’d spent eighteen years searching for.
She looked just like their mother, especially those eyes–those damn eyes that held so many untold stories.
Seeing her so frail, in torn clothes, still cooking for the people who’d mistreated her, nearly broke him. She was supposed to be the Darling family’s most prized treasure, but instead, she’d been reduced to this.
Joseph’s voice cracked as he stepped forward. “Danielle… I’ve finally found you,” he said, his emotions raw. “I’m your brother, Joseph Darling. Dad, Mom, all of us- we’ve been looking for you. For eighteen years.”
B
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