The doors of Dr. Raymond's residence opened, and silence fell across the living room. All eyes turned when Ava, Alice, and Jedidiah stepped inside casually, as though they had always belonged there.
Kate froze mid-sentence, her eyes narrowing. Michael and Michelle exchanged quick glances, sensing the tension rising. A few of the housekeepers bowed slightly, unsure if they should continue moving around or stay rooted in place.
Alice's eyes darted immediately toward the couch—her heart dropped.
"Sophia!" she gasped.
Her sister sat weak and bruised, Kennedith crouched beside her with a bowl of warm water and bandages in hand. The moment was so intimate that for a second Alice couldn't breathe. Kennedith… treating her?
Alice rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside Sophia. "What happened? Who did this to you?" Her voice cracked with worry as she brushed strands of hair from Sophia's face, ignoring the sting in her own chest when her gaze met her ex-husband's steady hands.
Sophia tried to force a smile. "It's nothing… I'll be fine." But her trembling voice betrayed her.
Jedidiah's sharp eyes scanned the room but said nothing, only folded his arms across his chest, watching every reaction. Ava, meanwhile, lingered by the door, her expression unreadable, though her gaze trailed between Alice and Kennedith curiously.
Dr. Raymond finally broke the silence, his deep voice carrying weight. "Jedidiah… you came." His tone was neutral, but his eyes betrayed both surprise and unease. "I… need a word with you. Alone."
Jedidiah gave a faint smirk. "No need. Whatever you have to say, you can say it here. Better yet…" he took a step forward, his presence commanding, "…call a family meeting. Everyone who matters should be there."
The Family Table
Minutes later, the family gathered around the long oak table in the dining room. The air was heavy, charged with unspoken words.
Dr. Raymond sat at the head, his hands clasped, face weary yet determined. To his right, Alice sat with Sophia beside her, refusing to let go of her sister's hand. Jedidiah and Ava took their seats across, calm yet unnervingly composed.
Michael, Michelle, and Jane sat further down, whispering amongst themselves. Kate sat stiffly beside Kennedith, who deliberately angled his body away from her.
Jedidiah was the first to break the silence. His voice was steady, smooth, yet cold enough to slice through the tension.
"Before you begin your talks, let me make something clear. Alice is the reason I am here."
The room erupted with murmurs, eyes darting toward Alice in disbelief.
Jedidiah raised his hand, silencing them. "I am not here to represent any company, nor to play pawn in your endless boardroom politics. I am here to help you—but make no mistake, my help will not come free." His eyes glinted as he leaned forward. "I will be paid."
Kate scoffed bitterly, unable to hold back. "And who gave you the right to decide that? Alice has no—"
"Enough!" Kennedith's voice cut like a whip, slamming into the room with an authority none expected from him. He turned sharply toward Kate, his eyes blazing. "You will not question her, nor him."
The table fell into stunned silence. Even Dr. Raymond blinked in surprise, while Kate's face paled as she shrank back, humiliated by the rare rebuke.
Jedidiah smirked faintly, satisfied with the silence. He continued, "Alice will be working with me—and some others I will choose. If you wish to survive what's coming, you will follow my lead. If not…" He leaned back casually, "…then you may prepare your own graves."
Everyone were shock to hear Alice would be joining the company and working with Jedidiah, The words lingered like smoke in the air, heavy and suffocating.
After the Meeting
When the meeting adjourned, the house felt split in two—half in awe of Jedidiah's dominance, half unsettled by it.
Dr. Raymond, though visibly shaken, went straight to his study. He dialed a number with urgency. "Melissa," he said firmly, "prepare a public meeting. I have an announcement to make to the people. It's time they heard from me directly."
In the living room, Alice gently lifted Sophia to her feet, ignoring her sister's protests. "You're coming with me," she said softly. "You need rest, and I'll make sure you get it."
Sophia's tired eyes softened with gratitude. "Thank you…"
As they stepped out, Alice turned to Kennedith. For a heartbeat, their eyes met—silent, charged with memories they both tried to bury. "Thank you… for helping her," Alice whispered, then quickly looked away, leading her sister toward the waiting car Dr. Raymond had arranged for them.
Kennedith remained rooted, his chest tight, his jaw clenched. He didn't notice Kate approaching until she tugged at his arm. But he pulled away, his cold silence cutting deeper than words ever could.
Ava and Jedidiah departed soon after. Their destination wasn't revealed until they stopped before a modest house. When Jedidiah knocked, the door opened slowly, and a young woman appeared.
Her eyes widened. "Jedidiah?"
Ava froze, recognition sparking instantly. The name slipped from her lips.
"Aquileia…"
Elsewhere
In a small cafeteria across the city, the air smelled of roasted coffee beans and warm bread. Brian sat alone in a corner booth, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. His phone buzzed.
He answered, listening quietly before a slow smile spread across his face. "I understand… Consider it done."
He ended the call and leaned back in his chair, a look of quiet satisfaction on his face.
Something had been set in motion.