Chapter 192

“A new leader has finally been installed in the Wyndham family dynasty.”

The voice of the news reporter filled the living room, loud.

“The empire has announced the popular actor, Carl Hompton —now known as Carl Wyndham-as the new CEO of the Wyndham Empire. This comes after Gabriel Wyndham stepped down following the shock and trauma of his missing pregnant wife, Mrs. Isla Wyndham, who has been missing for one month.”

The reporter’s voice continued, but it slowly faded into the background as Diana’s crying grew louder.

Her sobs were broken and painful, like each breath hurt her chest.

Betty quickly picked up the remote and reduced the volume of the television.

“I think you should just switch it off,” Charles muttered, his voice heavy with sadness. “It’s not helping anyone.”

Betty nodded and turned the television off completely.

The room fell into silence, except for Diana’s cries.

Diana leaned weakly against Charles’ chest, her hands clutching his shirt as she sobbed like a woman who had Lost her world. Charles wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her as if she might fall apart if he let go.Sadness had become the Ainsworth family’s daily visitor.

Ever since Isla disappeared, their home had been filled with tears, fear, and unanswered questions. The laughter that once filled the house was gone. Even the air felt heavy.

The entire city ef Richbouph mourned with them.

Isla and Gabriel were not just a couple; they were loved by many. Young people admired their love story, their loyalty, and the way they looked at each other like the world didn’t exist. They were seen as the perfect couple, the future of the Wyndham family.

Isla was carrying the future heir of the Wyndham dynasty.

And that made her life dangerous.

She had narrowly escaped an assassination attempt just a few months earlier. Everyone remembered it clearly. And now, she was missing.

She just Vanished into thin air, and no trace of her.

The loss broke Gabriel Wyndham completely.

He could no longer lead the family empire with a clear mind. The pain was too much. The fear was too deep. So he stepped down, and handed the throne to his younger brother, Carl.

So much had happened to the once-powerful Wyndham family. Ever since the death of Alfred Wyndham, thestrong pillar of the family, nothing seemed to go right anymore.

And the Ainsworth family suffered deeply too.

The news of Isla’s disappearance had hit them like thunder. Diana, especially, never recovered from it. Crying had become her daily routine. Sleep avoided her. Food meant nothing to her anymore.

Their family lived in sorrow.

At the Wyndham Mansion, the story was not much different.

John and Gladys struggled every day to keep the family together. Everything felt like it was falling apart in their hands. Announcing a new leader was not a choice-it was a necessity.

And Gabriel..!

Gabriel had disappeared too. Not because he was kidnapped. No, but because he could not bear the pain of losing his wife.

He needed to breathe. He needed space. And yet, his absence worried everyone deeply.

“When was the last time you heard from him?” John asked Stone, who stood quietly near the fireplace in the family drawing room.Stone straightened slightly. “I spoke to him two nights ago, sir. But his phone has been unreachable since then.”

John sighed deeply and rubbed his temple.

“I understand his pain,

,” John said slowly. “We are all in pain. Isla cannot just disappear like that… but that is our reality.”

His voice cracked.

“We have to accept it. Gabriel has to accept it.”

The room went silent.

No one spoke.

It felt like the good days had ended forever.

***

But inside Wyndham Corporation, the atmosphere was completely different.

The building buzzed with energy. Employees moved quickly, focused on their work. Meetings went on as usual.

Business did not stop for grief, because the new CEO had stepped in.

And though he looked like his brother, he felt very different.

Carl sat in the CEO’s office, seated behind the large desk that once belonged to Gabriel. His posture was straight,his face calm, but inside, his mind was in chaos.

His eyes were fixed on the annual reports spread across his desk, with numbers, charts and figures he couldn’t understand.

He stared at them, trying to make sense of it, but none of it made any sense to him.

He was not trained for this.

This was not his world.

Frustration crept into his chest as he leaned back slightly and exhaled.

How did Gabriel do this every day?

Meetings with directors. Conversations with contractors.

Decisions worth millions and billions. Carl had attended several meetings already, and each one left him more exhausted than the last.

He had agreed to play this role. He knew it was part of the plan. But this part-the work—was real. It was serious and too heavy for him.

Gabriel could not escape this forever. Carl needed his support.

“This is exhausting,” Carl muttered under his breath.

A soft knock sounded on the office door, pulling him out of his thoughts.”Come in,” he said, without lifting his eyes from the report.

The door opened and closed quietly. The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor reached his ears, but he remained focused on the numbers.

Even though everything he was doing was part of a lie, he refused to make mistakes. The numbers in front of him were shocking.

His family was wealthy, yes, he knew that. But this wealthy? It stunned him. No wonder they had enemies everywhere.

“Hey, baby.”

The familiar, seductive voice made his body tense.

He looked up immediately.

Delphine stood in front of his desk.

She looked eyen more beautiful than the last time he saw her. Her white dress hugged her curves perfectly. Her hair fell smoothly over her shoulders. Her lips curved into a confident smile.

Once upon a time, her beauty would have excited him.

Now, it irritates him.

He was not surprised to see her. He had been expecting her. Still, a bitter feeling rose in his chest.This was about his family’s safety. So he would play his role perfectly well.

“Don’t tell me you’re not happy to see me, Carl,” Delphine said teasingly.

Carl leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

“Should I be?” he asked coldly.

Delphine chuckled softly.

She moved closer, swaying her hips slowly as she walked.

She dropped her purse on the desk and stepped into his space.

Carl watched her carefully, she looked calm and controlled.

Her fingers reached up, her well-manicured nails brushing his jaw.

He did not flinch. He did not react.

He only watched her.

Then she parted his legs and sat on his lap.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Carl asked, irritation creeping into his voice.

Delphine smiled confidently.

“I know you’re angry at me,” she said softly. “But first of all, I’m happy for you. You finally found your family.”She leaned closer, her breath warm against his face.

“And congratulations on your promotion.”

Then, without waiting for his response, she pressed her lips against his.

The game had truly begun.