Chapter 18
Queens Estate London
The chandeliers in the main sitting room cost more than most houses. But tonight, they only made the shadows longer.
Victor Queens sat on the edge of the Italian leather sofa, knuckles white around a crystal tumbler. He hadn't touched the scotch. Not since the investigator's call 20 minutes ago.
Nina Queens paced the Persian rug, barefoot, still in her charity gala gown. Diamonds. Silk. And terror in her eyes that money couldn't fix.
"Have the investigator got any clue yet?" Nina asked. Her voice was steady. Her hands weren't. She kept twisting the sapphire ring — the one that matched the three missing ones in the family vault.
Victor exhaled. Slow. Controlled. The way he did before firing CEOs. "No. He hasn't."
Nina stopped pacing. "What do you mean, no?"
"He hasn't gotten any clue. He… he is still investigating." Victor finally looked at her. At 45, Victor Queens had buried competitors, governments, and his own parents. But he couldn't bury the look in his wife's eyes. "Don't worry, Nina. We will find them soon."
Nina laughed. It was a broken sound. "Soon? Victor, it's been fifteen years. Sixteen years since the fire. Fifteen years since our babies" Her voice cracked.
Victor was across the room in two steps. He grabbed her shoulders. "Hey. Hey, look at me. Tyson and I tore this world apart looking for them. We found the person who messed with the breaks and he's still being tortured cus he's not ready to confess."
"That won't bring back our daughters, Victor." Nina gripped his shirt. His shirt. The same way their youngest used to when she had nightmares. "Please. Find my kitten's quick. I am worried. Every day they're out there, not knowing who they are, who we are
The word kids kittens made Victor flinch. That's what Nina called them. Her little kitten's. Hazel, Isa, Rosa.
"I swear on Dad's grave," Victor said, forehead to hers. "I will bring our girls home. Even if I have to burn London to the ground..
Star High College
Lecture Hall
"What?!" Hazel, Emory, and Zinnia exclaimed in unison. Emory had just finished recounting everything that happened between her and Levi.
Hazel let out a low whistle. "You really went through it with him, Em."
Zinnia leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Honestly? I wish I had a boyfriend that obsessed."
Emory shot her a look. "Didn't you say love was a distraction? That chasing wealth mattered more than chasing feelings?"
Hazel waved a hand dismissively. "I was joking. Don't take everything so seriously."
"Then explain why you were so irritated when Aubrey got touchy with Kenzie," Zinnia pressed.
Hazel scoffed. "Because I hate public displays. It has nothing to do with Kenzie."
"Really?" Zinnia raised a brow. "Then why did you lie to Aubrey about your relationship with him?"
"Because you were trying to get under her skin," Emory added. "Admit it."
"Both of you need to drop it," Hazel muttered.
"Hazel," Emory said, her tone shifting.
"What?"
"Stay away from Duke. He's dangerous."
"I know what I'm doing," Hazel replied. "I'm just playing along for now."
"I don't like the way he looks at you," Zinnia said quietly. "It's not right."
"He's a textbook playboy," Emory agreed. "He charms girls, uses them, then discards them without a second thought."
Hazel's jaw tightened. "He's a pig. I know."
The dorm room debate was cut short when the lecture hall doors swung open.
Mrs. Adeline walked in, her usual stack of sheet music tucked under one arm. The chatter died instantly.
"Good morning, class," she said, setting her things down. "I'll keep this brief."
Hazel, Emory, and Zinnia exchanged glances. Mrs. Adeline never kept anything brief.
"As some of you know, I'm expecting," Mrs. Adeline continued, a hand resting lightly on her stomach. "Which means I'll be starting my maternity leave at the end of this week."
A few gasps rippled through the hall. Emory's pen stopped mid-doodle.
"Don't panic," Mrs. Adeline smiled. "The department has already arranged a substitute music teacher to take over my classes. He's… very experienced."
"You'll meet him on Monday," Mrs. Adeline said. "I expect you all to give him the same respect you've given me."
She clapped her hands. "Now, let's get through today's lecture. Turn to page forty-seven in your harmony textbooks."
After Mrs. Adeline left the lecture hall, more lecturers came in for their classes.
When the bell for break rang, students poured out of the lecture hall. Hazel and her two elder sisters, Emory and Zinnia, headed to the cafeteria for break.
Once Hazel, Emory, and Zinnia settled down at a table, Duke appeared. Before he could sit down beside Hazel, Kenzie showed up and pushed him back.
Then Levi and Kilian arrived.
"When did you get to this school," Levi said to Duke, "and you're already continuing your old habits?"
Kilian crossed his arms. "Seriously, man."
Duke scoffed. "Mind your own business."
He ignored them, walked over, and tried to sit beside Zinnia. Zinnia didn't leave any space for him.
Hazel glanced up. "Sit beside me," she told Duke.
Kenzie frowned. "Why?"
Hazel didn't look at him. "Mind your own business, Kenzie.
Kenzie's jaw ticked. "Like hell I will."
Duke smirked and slid into the seat beside Hazel. "Thanks, princess."
Hazel didn't react. She just picked up her fork and stabbed at her salad.
Levi grabbed Duke by the collar. "You've got five seconds to get up before I make you."
"Touch me and you'll regret it," Duke said, voice low. "Daddy's money won't save you this time, Callahan."
"Try me," Levi growled.
"Enough!" Zinnia slammed her hand on the table. The whole cafeteria went quiet. "All of you. Sit down or get out. You're making a scene."
Kilian was the first to back off. He pulled Levi away. "Not worth it, man. Not here."
Kenzie didn't move. His eyes were locked on Hazel. "Why him, little fox?"
Hazel finally looked at him. Cold. Blank. "Because you're not the one I'm playing right now."
That hit. Kenzie flinched like she'd slapped him, not knowing why he is pained by her words.
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the cafeteria.
Emory let out a breath. "Well. That was weird."
Duke chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Relax. I'm just enjoying lunch with my girls."
"We're not your girls," Zinnia snapped. "And you're on thin ice."
The bell rang, signaling the end of break.
Hazel stood, grabbed her bag. "Let's go. We've got Chemistry next."
As they walked out, Emory fell into step beside her. "You okay?"
Hazel kept her eyes forward. "I don't know."
And Zinnia, walking behind them, glanced back at Duke one last time. Her expression unreadable.
Because something about the way he said my girls made her stomach turn.