Within Joan's flat, there was a tempest, although the outside world was quiet.
Joan's knuckles white, she gripped the edge of her kitchen counter. "He was lying to us," she hushed. "All this agony, all this—" She almost wept.
Leaning against the wall, Alex had his hands in his pockets and a tight jaw. His voice was low, menacing; he wanted to rule us
Joan looked at him with fire in her eyes, Then we uncovered him.
Alex's knuckles whipped across. "More easily said than done." Mr. Harris has worked hard for years to establish himself. Going after him means we have to have positive evidence.
Joan let out a swift breath. Starting with my mother. She might be familiar with something.
Alex bobbed his head. And I'm going to face Albert. If he knew the truth, he would belong to this.
Joan experienced a glimmer of hope for the first time in hours. "And we will win."
Alex got up and brushed a strand of hair from her face. " Except.
Their intention was fixed. It was now time to reveal the whole scope of Mr. Harris deception
One Mom's confidentialities
Joan's heart raced later that day when she came to her family's property. The front door of the manor, which radiated energy—energy her father had used ruthlessly—towered ahead.
Harris sits staring thoughtlessly into the fireplace.
"Mom," Joan started softly.
Mrs. Harris looked up, her gaze filled with a weariness Joan had never before seen. " Joan.
Joan sat beside hers. "I have to abscond."
As she set her teacup down, her mother's fingers shook. "What did you say?"
"Alex is my half-brother. That is my father's son?
Mrs. Harris shut her eyes, agony raced over her cheek. "More in line with reality is"
Joan paused and then stated definitively, "That he lied."
Stillness.
At last, Mrs. Harris was talking. "Right is you."
Joan took a deep sharp breath.
Joan asked, "But why?" "Why will he do this?"
Mrs. Harris hesitated and then answered, "Alex's biological father posed a menace to your father's domain.
"Where are you now?
Her mom sighed, eyes fluttering with old memories. "Alex's father was a man your father once regarded as a rival. Whenever Mr. Harris found out Mrs. was your father's love. Swan tried everything in his capacity to rip them to pieces.
Joan's breathing snagged. "Wait—my father loved Alex's mother?"
Mrs. Harris offered a woeful smile. "Certainly. And when she rejected him, he ruined her reputation and coerced her to marry someone else. But he never could have foreseen that she was already pregnant with another man's baby—Alex's biological father.
Joan spun in mind. "And so he said Alex was his to manage him?".
"Exactly."
Joan had her fists tightened. "This manipulative scoundrel.
Mrs. Harris grabbed her daughter's hand. Joan, become cautious. Your father will not allow this to pass easily.
Joan, though, had already settled. "I really couldn't care less." He no longer can manage me.
The Brothers Split
Alex reached Albert's flat in the meantime.
Albert opened the door with a defensive look. " You were expected by me".
Alex steppast him, his body stiff. Then you know why I am here.
Albert exhaled. ran by
Alex cut him off; you knew. And still you let this happen.
Albert wiped his face with his hand. "Alex, it wasn't really that straightforward. Our dad—on his insistence, would swear.
Alex's tone was sharp with betrayal: "So you let him destroy my life?"
Albert snapped, "I was trying to protect you. "And you don't appreciate the level of authority he possesses
Alex shouted, "I don't give a damn about his power!" "He lied to me, Joan, and you followed it."
Albert's face sank. "Fine, I'm sorry, but I had no other options."
Alex's fists clenched. "Your option was always before you.
Albert's eyes grew dark. "And now what are you going to do?remely forthrightly
Another muscle twitches Albert in the jaw. "Then be prepared for war."
Sisters Fighting
Chelsea and Ruth meanwhile sat across town in Mrs. Swan residence tension nearly palpable between them.
Chelsea muttered, 'This is awful. But even if they are not relatives, Alex and Joan cannot be apart. It's too chaotic.
Ruth rolled her eyes. Harris. This is their life. Let them make decisions.
"Ruth, you don't see it. If their opinions clash with Mr. Can't. Harris, there will be consequences.
"So what then?" Ruth snapped. "Alex warrants the truth. And if he wishes to be with Joan I will back him up.
Chelsea crossed her arms. "You are being naive.
Ruth laughed. ; And you're acting as a puppet.
There was a long gap between them.
Chelsea finally sighed. 'You honestly believe they can win?
Ruth's gaze sparkled. And I know they can.
The Point of Break
Joan and Alex two days later stood together, prepared to face the guy who had controlled their life for too much time.
Sitting in his big study, Mr. Harris sipped whiskey unaffected. "I asked when you would return crawling down.
Joan said sharply, "We're not crawling." "We came to halt this."*.
Mr. Harris grinned. "And how exactly would you believe you could act?"
Alex threw a folder on the desk. "Those included every untruth you've uttered and every manipulation you've conducted." Evidence of your forgeries of documents to claim your son from me. Evidence of you trying to wreck my mother's life. Proof of your being a fraud.
Mr. Harris's face grew somber. You have no idea who you are handling.
Joan said as she approached, "Oh, we do." We also no longer fear you."
Mr. Harris arose threateningly, turned. "Can you just tell me off and walk off?"
"Yes," Alex added clearly. Since we're not alone anymore.
Albert and Chelsea entered the room then.
Albert said, arms folded, Your control of the family ends today.
Mr. Harris's face snapped back. "Duplicate
"I should have stopped this sooner," Albert cut in. Still, I won't stand by anymore.
Mr. Harris looked at Chelsea, but she just nodded. 'you're done.
Mr. had real anger flashes for the first time. Harris' eyes are about as wide. "Everybody is fooled."
Joan moved forward with intense eyes. Maybe. But at least we have our freedom. "
Mr. Harris glared at them, clenching his fists. "This isn't over."
For the first time in her life, Joan was not scared.
"Certainly."
She realized they would meet whatever came next as she started to depart with Alex.