n arrived carrying a bouquet of pristine white r

yellowish hue, capturing a woman with a luminous smi

ly. Even in death, she had been denied a resting pla

he afternoon waned into evening, reluc

asn't until Darren emerged that he approached, holding out his phone. "Boss

en's tone hel

ren's preferences well after years of being by h

my attendance, he best arranges it at the

at the gates, waiting anxiously. Verena s

ing the shadows of human nature beneath its grand

for eight, Darren's arrival w

ds for two long hours, the Brig

n as the latter stepped out of t

ight. Had she known he would be here, she

ut. There was an undeniable air of dist

the Briggs family's residence since h

labelled a bastard son by all. His nephews subjected him to degrading tasks

fined him to a strange yard, chaining him up without food for an enti

encounter with a young gir

arge enough for passing food through. For an entire week, th

a mystery, Darren knew sh

sole legacy, carefully tucked within t

's memory and holding the Briggs family accountable for thei

ght sight of Verena outside the thro

y appearance, but her eyes

rren called out, his ha

all eyes turn

Verena approached Dar

brought forth a precious golden box, its

y future niece-in-

terpiece by Spencer Ricardo that fetched a staggering

quiring it then, and no

to retrieve it. "Go and tha

Henry deftly avoided his grasp. "

lue of the contents within and comprehe

revious night; he sought to resol

?" William prompted, a note of im

evise a plan to obtain it from Verena at a

little choice. Besides, Darren's gift was undeniably

ight nod before bei

ared an elaborate dinner,

presence. I've had your room prepared. It would be

ered as his gaze la

resembled more of a cosy abod

red half a month'

ng with a cold resolve. "I must say, that kennel over th

s spine. When Darren was around ten, he had

Darren

s seem rather inviting

on't you spend the night there?" Darren sugg

As the head of the Briggs family, being see

t, Eric interjected wi

up residence there yourself? Who do you think

t day and aggravated by the two-hour wait in the biting wind

dicament and his father's apprehension tow

dn't frig

iam reprimanded