Lilian Carson POV

I stepped closer to him, ready to hear the good news he had to share.

"What do you mean?" I asked with confusion and excitement.

"You finally accepted Alexander; it's for your own good. Thank you for signing the marriage paper." My heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. The mixture of confusion and worry swirled within me, leaving me momentarily speechless. When did I sign any papers? My mind raced, desperately trying to recall any memory of signing a marriage paper. Panic started to creep in as I realized the gravity of the situation—something was terribly wrong.

"But I didn't sign any papers, dad." I stammered, my voice trembling with uncertainty. The room fell silent, and a heavy tension hung in the air as my father's expression shifted from excitement to confusion. Then a smile appeared on his face.

"Lilian, stop joking with me. You made the right choice. Alexander would soon announce the wedding date." Dad looked relieved and handed me the papers. I took the paper from my father's outstretched hand, and as I glanced at the papers in disbelief, my heart sank in fear and dread. The words on the document confirmed my worst fears: a marriage contract with Alexander, a man I barely knew. How could my father be so calm when I had no recollection of agreeing to marry Alexander? Doubts and questions flooded my thoughts, leaving me even more uncertain about the future that awaited me.

I am sure I didn't sign that paper, yet the sign on the paper is an exact copy of my signature. My mind raced as I tried to make sense of the situation. The weight of betrayal settled heavily on my shoulders, and I couldn't help but wonder if someone had forged my signature. How could I escape this unwanted union and reclaim control over my own destiny?

"You just saved our family, Lilian," my dad said, breaking down into tears as he hugged me tight. Looking at him, I couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth about the signature, so I kept my mouth shut.    As I held my dad in that emotional embrace, guilt gnawed at me. I knew that revealing the truth would only bring him more pain. I need to do something myself. But how can my family be saved if I marry Alexander? He is the reason we are in trouble. I'll talk to Alexander about this matter later, but for now, I need all the information I can gather.

"Dad, how did mom die?" I finally mustered the courage to ask, my voice trembling slightly. His face turned sombre, and a deep sadness filled his eyes. He took a deep breath before responding, recounting the events that led to my mother's untimely demise.

"Why are you asking this all of a sudden?" He asked.

I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts, before answering. "I've been thinking a lot about our family's past and how it has shaped our present," I replied honestly. "Understanding what happened to Mom is an important part of that."

"You know your mom died in a car accident," he continued, his voice filled with a mix of pain and resignation. "It was a devastating loss for all of us, and it's something that has always been difficult to talk about."

"Was it really an accident or a murder?" The question hung in the air, heavy with suspicion and uncertainty. I could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes. It was a thought that had crossed my mind too, but voicing it felt like opening a Pandora's box of buried secrets and hidden truths. I need to find out if Jace was telling the truth. whether, truly, my mother was killed by Alexander's father or not.

"It was an accident, Lilian; stop with your nonsense," Dad snapped, his voice laced with frustration. I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that there was more to my mother's death than met the eye. I needed answers—not just for closure but to ensure justice was served.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"You are not telling me something, dad. But if you want me to stay happy with Alexander, I need to know everything." I pleaded, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination. Dad sighed heavily, his eyes filled with regret. "Lilian, there are things you don't understand," he finally admitted, his tone softer now. "But I promise you, it's for your own protection."

My protection? Again, with this protection thing, I need protection from Alexander; he is the main villain in my story.

"Your mother wanted a good life for you, but she got involved in something bad. As you might know, Jonathan Agnor has always been the king of underground activities. Once you fall under the eyes of Agnors, you can't leave. But Alexander is not like his father. That's all I can tell you for now." I listened intently, trying to make sense of what he was saying. It seemed like my mother had gotten caught up in some dangerous world, and now I was somehow involved too. As much as I wanted to trust him, I couldn't help but wonder if Alexander was truly different from his father. But this also means Jace was telling the truth. Not only his family but also my family have been affected by the Agnors.

Suddenly, Dad's phone rang, and he looked at me with a mix of concern and love. "Be safe," he said as he answered his call and walked away. That was a new look I saw in my dad's eyes; he never seemed to be concerned about me. I always thought he was distant and uninvolved parent, but in that moment, I realized that he truly cared about my well-being. It made me question if there was more to our family's history with the Agnors than I had previously known. Perhaps there were secrets and hidden connections that were finally coming to light.

I never thought I would have to befriend Jace to use him against the monster known as Alexander Agnor. I don't think Alexander can ever be better than his evil father. Jace also has a reason to help me; he hates Alexander as much as I do. I will have to talk to Jace tomorrow at college.

The funeral was not over yet. I looked over the stage that was created for people to share some good memories of Amaya. As I scanned the crowd, I noticed a mix of emotions on people's faces: sadness, grief, but also curiosity.

I saw Titus walking up to the microphone and clearing his throat. He began to speak, his voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Amaya was like family to me. As some of you might know, I was once the caretaker of this house. I used to take care of both Alexander and Amaya. They made me feel like one of their own. I watched them grow up together. Amaya was full of life and brought so much joy to everyone around her. It's heartbreaking to think that she's no longer with us," he said, his words resonating with the crowd. "And we will not let her death be in vain. We will find justice for her, no matter what it takes." The crowd nodded in agreement, their expressions shifting from curiosity to determination.

They were united in their resolve to seek justice for Amaya and bring closure to her untimely demise. As the speaker's voice grew stronger, the crowd's determination mirrored his own, fueling their collective commitment to ensuring that Amaya's memory would live on through the pursuit of justice.

So, Titus used to be a caretaker. No wonder he knows everything about Alexander; he practically saw him growing up. That means I need to get rid of him first if I want to get closer to Alexander and earn his trust. Alexander would never trust me if he already had a trusted person, and Titus would never let go of his place. Titus's unwavering loyalty to Alexander posed a formidable obstacle in my quest to gain his trust. I knew that removing Titus from the equation would require careful planning and a strategic approach, but I was determined to do whatever it took to achieve my goal.

As soon as I saw my dad leaving, I decided to leave as well. I should think about my next step. I called the guards and told them to bring out the car. My body was sore from the long hours of waiting and plotting, but my mind remained sharp and focused. I knew that time was of the essence, and I couldn't afford any missteps. As I settled into the backseat of the car, I pondered over the various ways I could exploit Titus's unwavering loyalty to my advantage. Perhaps a carefully crafted lie or an unexpected alliance with Jace could be the key to finally gaining Alexander's trust.

Soon I was back at Alexander's house. I walk back to my room and close the door behind me. I change into something comfortable and lay down on the bed. The events of the day had left me mentally and physically exhausted. As I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, my mind raced with possibilities. It was clear that my plan had to be flawless if I wanted to succeed in gaining Alexander's trust.

I pondered the idea of buying a small camera and discreetly placing it in Alexander's room. Perhaps if I could capture any suspicious activity, it would help me gain his trust. However, the thought of invading his privacy made me hesitate. I knew that trust couldn't be built on deceit, and I needed to find another way to prove my loyalty. I have to keep an eye on him somehow.

After an hour, there was a knock on my door. I didn't realize how much time had passed. I opened the door and saw one of the workers. "Miss Lilian, master wants you to join him in the living room," said the worker, then he left. Curiosity piqued, I hastily made my way to the living room, hoping that Alexander had a task for me that would give me the opportunity to keep a closer watch on him. As I entered the room, my eyes instantly fell on Alexander, lounging on his favorite armchair, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. With a knowing glint in his eyes, he motioned for me to sit beside him, and I couldn't help but wonder what ulterior motive he had for wanting my company.

Everyone was present. All the workers, bodyguards, and Titus as well. It's something serious, maybe. I took my place next to Alexander, feeling a sense of anticipation bubbling inside me. The room fell into silence as Alexander cleared his throat and addressed the gathered crowd. His voice carried an air of authority, and I couldn't help but be drawn into his words. It was clear that whatever task he had in mind, it would be crucial and impactful. My curiosity grew, and I eagerly awaited his instructions, eager to prove my worth and unravel the mystery behind his enigmatic smile.

Alexander gets up from his seat; his face was as usual calm, and he kind of looked angry. As he stood, his piercing gaze swept across the room, causing a ripple of unease among the crowd. The tension in the air was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder what had caused his sudden change in demeanor. However, I remained determined to stay focused and determined, ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead.

"I found the mole; that's why you all are here," said Alexander with a devious smile. Who could it be? My hands turned cold. My mind raced with possibilities as I glanced around at the faces in the room. Each person seemed to be on edge, their eyes darting nervously from one another to Alexander. The atmosphere thickened with suspicion and fear as we all awaited Alexander's revelation. The mole had infiltrated our tight-knit group, betraying his trust, and now it was up to Alexander to expose them.

I saw Alexander reload his gun with focused determination. The metallic click of the bullets sliding into place echoed through the room, intensifying the already nerve-wracking atmosphere. Every click felt like a countdown, each one bringing us closer to the moment of truth. The room fell into a hush as we held our breath, waiting for Alexander to name the mole. Time seemed to stretch, with seconds feeling like eternity. Finally, with a steely gaze, Alexander spoke, "The mole is..."

Alexander points the gun at Titus. Is he serious? My eyes widen, and even Titus looks shocked. The tension in the room reaches its peak as Alexander's finger tightens around the trigger. The deafening silence is broken only by the sound of our racing hearts, unsure of what will happen next.

"It's you, Titus Davidson," said Alexander, and soon the sound of a gunshot echoed through the room.