Chapter 267

Serena's POV

The media couldn't get enough of the Harrington family saga these days. With Lucas Harrington's situation dominating headlines, I found myself constantly bombarded with news updates. Every morning brought fresh revelations about the family's troubles, spreading across news channels and social media like wildfire.

The foundation of the Harrington empire was being stripped bare for all to see. I watched helplessly as report after report detailed the deteriorating state of Harrington International Holdings' management issues and the mysterious disappearance of Jace Gillard. The negative press seemed endless.

Online forums buzzed with rumors about Jace's disappearance. Some claimed he'd abandoned ship after discovering the Harrington empire was crumbling, citing his status as an adopted member of the family as proof of his disloyalty. These speculations hurt to read, but the Harringtons maintained their silence, refusing to address any of the circulating rumors.

Two months later, everything changed. The Harrington family officially announced their intention to sell their business interests. The very speculation that had run rampant was becoming reality. The public seemed stunned by this development-how could the mighty Harringtons surrender so quickly? Without Lucas at the helm, had the family truly become rudderless?

The announcement of the sale triggered a frenzy in the business world. The Harringtons' influence touched virtually every major industry sector, and acquiring any piece of their empire meant instant market leadership. Their portfolio was too vast for any single buyer, leading to a fierce competition among potential investors. I found myself among them.

Truth be told, I hadn't initially planned to bid on any Harrington assets. But something kept pulling me back to the idea-I wanted to preserve something for Milo and Stella's future. Perhaps these small pieces could one day serve as the foundation for rebuilding.

Atticus Thorne became my partner in this venture. His keen interest in the Harrington businesses, combined with his financial backing, made him an ideal ally. We spent countless hours strategizing about which assets to target and how to structure our offers.

During one of our strategy sessions, Atticus dropped a bombshell: "Rachel Thorne is announcing her new engagement in a few days."

I frowned at this news. I'd heard from Atticus that his family had quickly arranged a new marriage for Rachel, but the timing seemed incredible. Lucas's trial hadn't even begun, and she was already preparing to marry someone else?

"Who's the groom?" I couldn't help asking. Atticus had been surprisingly tight-lipped about it before, though I knew he generally shared information freely with me, having little reason to keep secrets.

"Kennedy Rowan from Massachusetts," he replied deliberately.

My frown deepened. The match represented a significant step up in social circles, perfectly aligned with the Thorne family's ambitious nature. With Lucas out of the picture, they clearly aimed even higher.

"Doesn't this concern you?" I asked Atticus. His father Clarence had previously focused on building political connections through conventional means, but this marriage would catapult them into an entirely different sphere of influence. Once secured, it would give Clarence tremendous leverage over his brother Silas.

"Of course it does. Haven't you noticed how scarce my visits have become lately?" Atticus admitted frankly that since Rachel's engagement to the Rowan heir became known, their family dynamics had grown increasingly tense.

"Do you have a plan?" I pressed.

"There's some internal maneuvering happening, but it's better if I keep you in the dark about certain details," he replied.

I didn't push further. In these situations, knowing too much could be dangerous, and I had no desire to get caught in the Thorne family's web of intrigue.

"By the way," Atticus added, "Lucas's trial starts in two weeks. Has he found the evidence he needs? With charges this serious, anything less than definitive proof of innocence could mean life imprisonment, if not worse."

I bit my lip gently. Though my visits to Lucas had been limited, each time I saw him, he exuded an inexplicable confidence about his situation. I couldn't understand the source of his certainty, but I chose to trust in it.

"After two months of relative calm, it feels like we're heading into another storm," Atticus observed. "Though I suppose we should be grateful that Rachel is under such close family scrutiny right now. Given her temperament, she might otherwise have caused trouble for you. The family's terrified that any misstep could jeopardize her marriage to Kennedy Rowan."

I've always been wary of Rachel Thorne. The past two months have been suspiciously quiet, which only makes me more anxious. I can't shake the feeling that she's plotting something, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

After hanging up with Atticus Thorne, I felt slightly more at ease. At least until Rachel's wedding, I should be relatively safe. We didn't discuss it further - he's a busy man, after all, and the call ended quickly.

Sitting in my office, I glanced at the clock and made a decision. With the four security guards Atticus had assigned to me, I headed to the detention center. When I saw Lucas, my heart clenched - he'd visibly lost weight. Each day since his imprisonment, he seemed to grow thinner. Though he always greeted me with a smile during my visits, it couldn't mask how poorly he was doing.

"Don't look at me like that," he said with a resigned smile. "I know I'm not exactly looking my best."

He wore the standard-issue uniform, his head freshly shaved - a far cry from his usual polished appearance. I had to look away, not because of his appearance, but because seeing him so gaunt broke my heart. I knew about his chronic stomach condition. When properly managed, it rarely flared up, but without proper care, the pain could become unbearable. I couldn't help but wonder if he ever regretted his choice, knowing the physical toll it would take.

"Your grandfather is liquidating the family's assets," I informed him, watching his reaction carefully.

"I know," he replied, his voice steady. "Before I came here, I discussed it with him. When you're too visible, you become a target. Selling everything now is actually the best way to protect the family. If we truly have nothing left, no one will waste their time coming after us anymore."

"Don't you feel any regret?" I asked, studying his face through the visiting room window.