Not A Small-Town Girl

Danielle’s eyes sparkled as she dug in. David’s gaze softened as he watched her eat-so content, so unguarded.

"Sweetheart, next month is Giancarlo’s eightieth birthday. Want to come with me?" David asked, his tone casual yet affectionate.

Danielle, her cheeks stuffed with food, nodded. "Sure. Training should be over by then, and I won’t have anything else going on."

"Good girl." David leaned in and planted a kiss on her cheek, leaving her flushed and muttering under her breath.

Nathan sighed inwardly. ’Not again. Do these two think I’m invisible? Next time, I’m letting Patrick drive-I need a break from all this sugar.

"Can the servants at Joshua’s house be found? Do you have time to go check it out later?"

Danielle glanced at her watch, noting that there was still plenty of time before the school closed for the day. She nodded and replied, "Sure." Elsewhere, the Hill family had officially declared bankruptcy. Their properties were seized, and the once-proud family now found themselves crammed into a dingy motel room.

"She’s still not answering?" Alexis barked, his bloodshot eyes glaring at his phone.

Hope slumped in a corner, her disheveled hair a far cry from her once-polished image. "She blocked my number."

"Keep trying. Use different numbers. Tell her if she doesn’t respond, we’ll march into the Darling estate and make a scene. We’ve got nothing left to lose," Alexis growled.

Tina, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement, her face twisted with rage. "It’s all her fault. She used my daughter as a pawn, and now look at us. I won’t rest until she pays for this."

At the Barnes Estate, the butler greeted them at the door, bowing respectfully. "Mr. Charrington, Miss Darling, this way, please." David held Danielle’s hand as they were led into the estate. The butler escorted them down to the basement.

He said, "Mr. Charrington, Miss Darling, Mr. Barnes is inside."

As soon as they stepped inside, the metallic tang of blood hit their noses. Danielle’s gaze sharpened as she took in the scene before her.

A woman lay on the floor, her body battered and bloodied. Her limbs were grotesquely twisted, her tendons cut to ensure she couldn’t escape. The room reeked of despair. Joshua rose from his chair, greeting them with a faint smile. "David, Miss Darling. You’re here."

"Has she confessed yet?" David’s tone was low and commanding.

Joshua shook his head, his casual demeanor masking the grim nature of the situation. "Not a word. Tough as nails, this one. Took down several of my men before we subdued her."