Ellen’s POV

Despite the abundant food, no one had an appetite. I looked up at my father, who awaited my answer.

“All the musicians are pulling out,” I replied, my voice laced with annoyance. “And I can’t control that. No one wants to be associated with our family’s persecution.”

My father remained unmoved, his disappointment hardening into anger. “You had one job, one fucking job, Ellen!” he seethed, his voice dripping with contempt. “All you had to do was marry Ezekiel Reid and stay married to him, but you couldn’t even manage that. You messed everything up with your bratty attitude!”

“Dad!” I cried, shocked and hurt. “Stop talking to me like that!”

“Dad’s actually right, though,” Gabriel said, popping some berries into his mouth.

What is with this good-for-nothing weasel? I thought.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him, but he continued. “You literally ruined our only chance to escape this.”

Before I could respond, my father interrupted. “That would have been the only way. Now, this event—I know how much we’ve spent and invested—and you can’t even handle that.” His eyes were dark with disappointment.

“She’s too busy harassing her workers,” Gabriel sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. “No wonder no one wants to work with her.”

Enraged, I lashed out. “Shut the fuck up, Gabriel!” I spat, my voice trembling with rage. “You’re a useless waste of space! Get a life before talking to me!”

“Can you both just shut the fuck up!” Liz intervened, silencing us with a stern look.

Turning to our parents, she urged us to focus. “Please, Dad, continue. We don’t have all day.”

Our mother finally spoke, her voice calm and weary. “Ellen, you need to win Zeke back,” she pleaded, her words laced with desperation. “Our family’s future depends on it. Get him back, no matter what.”

“Do you think I’m not trying? Do you know what I’ve been through these past few months?” I struggled to articulate my feelings.

“News flash, everyone: Ezekiel Reid has four kids!” The truth exploded from me, bitter and poisonous.

The shock was palpable. My family’s expressions were frozen in disbelief. The silence was deafening.

This wasn't part of the plan.

Unable to bear their stares and the silence, I reached for my purse, fumbling with the clasp to retrieve a photograph. With a deep breath, I showed them the picture—four children. “Three boys, unmistakably Zeke’s. And a girl… I don’t know who the mother is, but they’re definitely his.”

“Where did you get this?” Mother asked, her gaze fixed on the small photograph.

“From Zeke’s room,” I replied, withholding further information.

Confusion clouded their faces. My father was the next to speak, his voice heavy with disbelief. “This can’t be Kamille’s,” he said, grasping for normalcy.

My mother soberly reminded us, “Kamille has been dead for years. Does this mean Zeke was cheating on you?”

“I guess so, Mom,” I admitted. “Dad, I wanted to ask you to have one of your private investigators look into this.”

“Yes. We need to investigate immediately.” He rang a bell.

Within a minute, Mr. Finley arrived—a short, sturdy man, my father’s longtime right-hand man. “Sir,” he bowed.

“Contact our investigator and have him start digging now!” My father handed Mr. Finley the photograph. The urgency was clear.

“What will you do when you find the children?” Liz asked curiously.

Silence descended.

“I’ll make sure they regret ever existing,” I replied, my voice cold and resolute. “They won’t see the light of another day.”

Liz recoiled, feigning fear. “Oh, I’m so scared,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “You should take over from Dad.”

I chuckled. “Of course, Liz. Who else?” I glared at Gabriel.

Angered, Gabriel exclaimed, “What are you saying, Liz? The company belongs to me after Dad. I’m the only male heir.”

“Male heir?” I scoffed. “Stick to the clubhouse and your lowlife ladies. That’s perfect for a useless son like you!”

“What the heck?!” Gabriel yelled, standing. “Mom, Dad, are you just going to let her insult me?”

“Maybe cutting down on your expenses—and the ladies—would give her less to talk about,” Liz said, finally turning to her steak.

“I wish I was bluffing, but some truths can’t be hidden,” I laughed, joining Liz in eating.

Gabriel started to defend himself, but our father silenced him. “All of you, shut up!” he commanded. “We have more important matters to attend to.”

Gabriel sat down, glaring at me, which I returned with a sly grin.

My father addressed me, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If we help you find the children, you will do whatever it takes to get back with Zeke and clean up this mess.”

I nodded. “I’ll do my best. You have my word.”

As the weight of our decision settled, I wondered what the future held. But one thing was certain: justice would be served, our family’s legacy would endure, and Zeke would be mine again.