His Forbidden Heiresss

ing to catch a glimpse of the scandal they'd been promised. Helicopters droned overhead, their blades chopping the air, broad

ates. Photographers jostled for position, their lenses glinting in the pale autumn sun. News

muttered, arms crossed

n dark and brooding in the glass. "Th

ching his face.

th determination. "We take control of

Clarissa, entered with a tablet in hand. "The statements are drafted," she said briskly. "But I

ed at Lola.

e whispered her name with scorn. The thought of standing before the world, vulnerable and expo

d quietly. "But I wan

nod. "We'll set it u

gic, but no amount of makeup or careful lighting could hide the exhaustion in Lola's eyes.

them like a wall of unblinking eyes. The hum of generators and e

coming. We won't take much of your time. There's been a lot of speculati

rking together to uncover the truth about what happened between our families. That truth is bigger

with questions, shou

onship a cover

e you after the

ong has this

is is not a scandal. It's two people finding common ground after years of

lace, heart hammering so hard she tho

r wanted to stand in front of the world and defend my heart. But life doesn't always give us wh

e cameras seemed less invasive, the reporter

they were pawns in a game played by men like Victo

s hand finding hers. "That's a

g the reporters to shout after them. The d

eafening after the chaos outside. Lola let o

t was honest. That's more t

instructions to the PR team. She gave them a no

coffee waited. He poured a cup for her, watc

illiant," he

ugh. "I felt like I

t you didn't. You stood up there and told the

flushed.

s part thank you, part promise, and entirely possessive. She melt

star-crossed heirs" and "a new chapter for the Holyster and Gareth legacies." Devon's team worked tirelessly to manage the

found solace in each other's arms. The heat between them burned bri

bed, the city lights glittering beyond the w

ined this," s

ressing a kiss to her

ng him. "What happens when the world moves

"Then we're free

eve that their fragile peace could surviv

was a flee

g the quiet. He answered, voice tense. Lola watche

he asked as soo

"Cavanaugh's lawyers. He's filing suit to block th

cold. "But t

has deep pockets and no shame. He'll drag

blanket around hers

erce. "We fight. We don

suits. Lola was deposed, forced to relive every moment of her fath

es. Former associates crawled out of the woodwork, off

strength. But she saw the toll it took. The dark circles beneath his eyes. The tightnes

and strategy sessions, Lola found him in

laying a hand on his

time, she saw tears in his ey

s, holding him tightly. "Then let's st

in her hair. "And

... maybe there's another way.

arching her face.

. Everything. The documents, the blackmail, the lawsu

It's risky. We cou

she said softly.

of admiration and love. "You real

tly. "Then let's b

a city that never slept, Devon and Lola stood hand in han

ched investigative journalists in the country- a woman known for exposing corruption without fear or favor. Clarissa paced the marble floors ou

is?" Devon asked softl

eyes. "We can't keep r

ver her knuckles. "No matter what happens a

uttering at the raw vul

voice rough. "I tried not to. I tr

s burning at the corner

ce, desperate need. "I don't expect you t

s-by the truth she'd been too afraid to name. But before sh

s ti

hones clipped to their collars. Across from them, journalist Naomi Foster studied th

re ready," the

lyster and Lola Gareth, heirs to two of New York's most storied families-families that have be

serious. "Lola, let's start w

ng eyes-it all fell away as she remembered her father's smile

. They were manipulated by Victor Cavanaugh, who orchestrated their downfall for his own gai

oss the table. Naomi flippe

bshell," Naomi murmure

hard. "He's filed lawsuits, spread false stories to the press, and thr

s glittering. "Some will say th

ered. "Then let them. We're not here to win a p

ed. "And your relationship? How

. "That's the only thing in this mess that's real. We found each

the raw honesty in his face, th

ng their hands. "You've just declared war on one of the mo

p. Emails flooded in. Devon's team moved like soldiers, triaging th

Hashtags like #GarethHolysterTruth and #ExposeCavanaugh trended within hours. Talk shows

rapped around her shoulders. On screen, analysts dissect

t'll be enough?

op of her head.

ed. Just after midnight, Devon's head of security burst into t

ain gate. A black SUV had driven by, windows tinted, slowing just enough for someone to toss something int

OU

us. "Find them," he ordered. "I

ng. Devon turned to Lola, pulling her into

ead. "Running w

he said fiercely. "

im in the sleek cabin, staring out the window as the city lights disappeared beneath them

going?" she

eyes dark. "A family p

hing his face. "What if

ened. "Then we keep

But in the quiet hum of the plane, doubts began to whisper. Woul

peaks, the sky a dazzling tapestry of stars. Inside, it was warm and welcoming: roaring fir

ou'll be safe here," he promised, brushing a kiss

e stepped onto the balcony. The air was crisp and sharp, the world hushed and white.

Devon's voice drif

tpants hanging low on his hips, hair tousled from b

my mind," s

gathering her into

d the mountains gold. The moment felt fragile, suspended

m. International press coverage exploded-Victor's name was everywhere, his reputation shredded as more docu

nting at a news article. "Inte

satisfaction. "Good. Let him fe

servers were attacked. Hackers tried to break into their priva

e the worst

er the speakerphone. "They've taken your

s face. Devon's hand slammed

e room like a caged predator. "He's not just tryin

grabbing his arm. "You

is voice was steel. "I'm

kiss, each touch a promise against the darkness closing in. They moved together in the flickering

ed across his chest, li

survive this,

"We'll survive. And when it's

ead, eyes wide w

rce and unyielding. "You hear

ssed him with everything she had, tas

brought n

essage. He read it, face going ashen.

the chalet's snowy courtyard. Men in black climbe

h caught. "W

d him, eyes blazing

replace, pressing a pistol into her hands. "

ev

r fiercely.

one in the dark, heart pounding