[Chaos]

Shoutout to Mich34 for appreciating my work and showing support with the power stones and golden ticket! Thanks Mich34. And thanks to other readers for adding my book.

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The sun hung high, signalling noon, but the Miller mansion was steeped in chaos. The opulent living room, with its antique furniture and velvet curtains, became a battlefield. Claire sat at the centre of it all, her hands resting calmly on her lap, watching her aunt and uncle argue like vultures circling prey.

"Claire, you don't understand!" her aunt shrieked, pacing the room. "This isn't just about you. It's about the family. We're all connected. Nana wouldn't have wanted you to keep it all to yourself!"

Claire smirked, her voice sharp but measured. "Connected? You mean the same family who abandoned me when Nana passed? Or the one that suddenly remembered my existence when her will came to light?"

Her uncle's face turned red. "You ungrateful brat! Everything we did was for you! We raised you, didn't we?"

"Raised me?" Claire's voice rose. "You shoved me into corners, treated me like an outsider, and only showed up when you needed something. Now you want to act like the victims? I don't buy it."

Claire's lips pressed into a thin line, but her silence only seemed to fuel their anger. Her uncle jabbed a finger toward her. "You think Nana gave this to you because you deserve it? She probably pitied you because your parents left you with her!"

Her composure cracked. "Pitied me?" Her voice was low, but the edge in it silenced the room momentarily. "She gave me this because she trusted me, unlike the two of you who vanished when she needed help. Don't talk about family when you only come around to pick her bones clean."

The words hit hard, but instead of backing down, her aunt's expression twisted in fury. "You ungrateful little—"

Claire's phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it briefly—Cain. Without hesitation, she silenced the call and looked away.

The room erupted again. Her aunt stepped closer, her finger wagging accusingly. "Don't you dare act holier-than-thou. You don't even know what it means to take care of this family!"

The phone buzzed again, the name Cain flashing insistently. Claire ignored it, her attention focused on the argument spiralling out of control. When it rang a third time, her hand trembled as she declined the call.

Cain leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening as the third unanswered call disconnected. He glanced at the tracker on his phone and frowned deeply. The Miller mansion? Why the hell is she there?

His gut churned with unease. Cain wasn't the kind of man to let uncertainty fester. He grabbed his jacket, barking orders into his phone as he strode out of the house.

"Mark, get the car. Now. We're heading to Claire's family's place."

Mark met him outside, the engine already running. Cain slid into the passenger seat, his mind racing. "She's not picking up, and I don't like this. Step on it."

Meanwhile Inside the mansion, the atmosphere had grown darker. Claire, her patience worn thin, finally rose to her feet. "Enough. This isn't about Nana's legacy. This is about your greed."

Her aunt's face contorted in rage. "How dare you—"

"No, how dare you," Claire cut her off, her voice steady but sharp. "You want to stand here and pretend you cared about her when you didn't even visit her in the hospital? All you see now is an opportunity to take what isn't yours. Well, I'm done."

She turned toward the door, but her uncle stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You're not going anywhere, young lady. We're not finished here."

Claire froze, her eyes narrowing. "Move."

Instead of moving, her aunt grabbed Claire's wrist, nails digging into her skin. "You spoiled little brat. Do you think you can talk to us like this?"

The slap came without warning. Claire's head snapped to the side, the sharp sting spreading across her cheek. She stumbled slightly, her wide eyes filling with disbelief.

Her aunt sneered, still gripping her wrist tightly. "You think you're better than us? You're just a greedy—"

The front doors burst open with a loud crash, silencing the room. Cain strode in, his expression thunderous. His sharp gaze immediately landed on Claire, taking in her dishevelled state and the red mark on her cheek.

"What the hell is going on here?" His voice was low and cold, a sharp contrast to the chaos around him.

Everyone froze. Claire's aunt's grip loosened as Cain's towering presence filled the room. Striding toward Claire and pulling her gently to his side. His fingers brushed against her cheek, his touch soft despite the rage simmering beneath. "Who did this?" he demanded, his voice low but deadly.

Claire hesitated, but her aunt's smug expression was an answer to his question. Cain turned to the woman in her mid-forties, his jaw tightening as he raised his hand. The slap he delivered was swift and precise, leaving her stunned.

The room erupted into chaos.

"Cain!" Claire gasped, her eyes wide in disbelief.

But Cain was unyielding. "You think you can lay a hand on her and get away with it? Think again."

He signalled to Mark, who had just entered behind him. "File charges against them for coercion and abuse. I want them dealt with."

The Millers paled, their bravado crumbling. "Wait, you can't—" her uncle stammered.

Cain's glare silenced him. "Try me."

"Let's go Claire." He said. Claire quietly followed him under the murderous gaze of her family.

Cain led Claire out of the mansion, his hand protectively on her back. The tension in the car was thick as they drove back to his house. Neither spoke, but the occasional glance from Cain showed his lingering anger.

Once inside, Cain retrieved an ice pack and pressed it gently against Claire's cheek. His expression was unreadable, a mixture of concern and frustration.

"You should've told me," he said finally, his voice quieter but no less stern.

Claire looked away, guilt mingling with her defiance. "I didn't think it was necessary."

"Not necessary?" Cain snapped. "You're in danger, Claire. And you keep shutting me out. Do you have any idea what I felt when you ignored my calls?"

Her eyes met his, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her tough exterior. "Cain, I'm still trying to figure things out. After everything…. it's not easy to trust."

Cain sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I get it. I've made mistakes. But I'm here now, trying to fix them. You can be angry about the past, but don't shut me out of the present. Or the future."

His voice softened, and he looked at her earnestly. "I'll wait, Claire. However long it takes for you to trust me again. But I won't let you face everything alone."

Claire's heart clenched, but she said nothing. Cain helps her rest and walks out of the room quietly.

The evening was interrupted by a call from Mark. Cain listened silently, his face darkening with each word.

"She's at the rehabilitation centre," Mark said. "She's threatening to call the media if you don't show up."

Cain's fist clenched around his phone. "I'm on my way."

At the rehab centre, Maria stood waiting, her dishevelled appearance a stark contrast to her once-polished demeanour. As soon as Cain entered, she threw herself at him, clinging to his arm.

"You lied to me!" she cried, her voice trembling. "You said you'd come the next day. I waited, Cain. I waited, and you never showed up."

Cain's jaw tightened, but he didn't push her away. "Maria, you're here because of your actions. Don't make this harder than it already is."

Maria's eyes flashed with desperation. "If you don't get me out of here, I'll call your father. He'll listen to me. And the media—"

Cain's patience snapped. He grabbed her arms, forcing her to look at him. "You think threats will work on me? You think dragging my name through the mud will fix what you've done?"

Maria faltered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I just wanted you to care about me, Cain. Like you used to."

Cain's voice was cold. "Whatever happened is the result of your actions, admit it. Maybe that'll help you bail out soon."

"Maria, If you want your reputation and fame back we have to deal with this legally. And it will take sometime. Be patient." Cain rubbed his temples.

Maria stood quietly looking at him, She knew Cain was doing it on purpose. Because Cain was powerful enough to get her out within seconds. But she failed to understand the reason for his ignorance and delay.

"It's almost night time, you better rest well. I'll get back once the things are settled. And yeah! About my father, if you want to call him go ahead. Let him also know how you barged into your company and you violated the rules and harrassed your colleagues. Ah! Not to forget you injured the person from the media, and let me know what he has to say." Cain smirked and left.

Maria stood there, her mind drifting through some evil plans.