CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX – ONE LAST STAND

Patrick's gaze hardened, a flicker of defiance igniting within him. "Don't act so high and mighty, Charlotte. You and Julian have dragged us all into this mess with your reckless actions." The accusation stung, and Charlotte felt her own anger flaring to life. "Our actions? We've done nothing but try to protect our family, while you've been stabbing us in the back!" The siblings' voices rose in a crescendo of fury, their words lashing out like whips as years of resentment and buried grievances boiled over. The once-unbreakable bonds of family loyalty frayed and snapped, leaving a gaping chasm of mistrust and betrayal in their wake. As the heated exchange reached its fever pitch, neither of them noticed the shadowy figure lurking in the doorway, a twisted smile playing upon his lips. Heinrich von Becker stepped into the study, his presence an ominous cloud that seemed to suck the very air from the room. "Ah, the Jones family... torn asunder by their own greed and ambition," he purre