Marcus's POV
I stood before the crowd, blinded by the flashes of cameras, but their attention did not occupy my mind. It was the woman beside me, Lillian, who captured my focus.Every movement she made, every shift of her weight, revealed her discomfort. Her trembling hands and forced smile displayed her unease with our position. Sensing her discomfort, I instinctively moved away, creating a distance between us.Lillian turned her head towards me, relief evident in her eyes. I gazed intently at her face, but she quickly averted her eyes, focusing on the crowd instead. I let out a deep breath and shifted my gaze away as well, scanning the audience. While everyone celebrated this moment, it was Alexander Montgomery who caught my attention. His dark gaze was fixed on Lillian, but when his eyes met mine, his expression changed. He smiled and nodded, acknowledging my presence, and I reciprocated the gesture."Marcus, come. I will introduce you to Vice President Montgomery," Gabriel said, prompting me to nod and follow him.I trailed behind Gabriel until we reached the vice president's table."Marcus, this is my vice president and friend, Alexander Montgomery. Alexander, my son, Atty. Marcus Sullivan," Gabriel introduced us to each other, and I extended my hand for a quick handshake."Pleasure to meet you, Vice President Montgomery. Congratulations on winning the election," I said.Alexander smiled at me and took my hand."Just as Gabriel mentioned, you are such a polite young man," he said."Do you have any plans to enter politics, Marcus?" Alexander asked."Politics is a complicated field, Vice President. I don't believe it suits me," I replied.Alexander laughed at my statement, finding it entertaining."You are smart, Marcus. You have an impressive record. I am sure you would fit well in politics," Gabriel interjected, and I simply smiled, concealing the disgust I felt toward their conversation.These people, Hawthorne and Montgomery, have been leading this country for decades. Not out of love for the people or a genuine desire to serve, but because politics grants them the two things every greedy person desires: money and power.I sipped my wine, turning my gaze towards the stage where my mother stood, happily answering questions from the media. Then, I shifted my attention to Lillian, who smiled for the camera. But when her eyes met mine, her smile faded. I witnessed her rolling her eyes, and I couldn't help but smile, amused by her annoyance despite my innocence in the matter."You should consider joining politics, Marcus. As Gabriel's son, being part of the Hawthorne household means assuming a significant position in society," Alexander suggested.I turned to him, offering a smile before nodding my head."I will think about it, Mr. Vice President," I politely responded.Alexander smiled, but it soon faded as he looked at me darkly. I chose to ignore it.When the party concluded, the White House fell into silence, interrupted only by the sound of servers cleaning. I was about to leave when Gabriel called me to his office.I knocked on his door and entered upon his invitation. Gabriel sat in his swivel chair, a smile gracing his face."I am glad you came, Marcus," he said.I nodded and stood before his desk."I couldn't reject an invitation from the President," I replied, prompting him to laugh."Please, have a seat, Marcus," he gestured, and I took the chair in front of him.I adjusted my glasses and awaited Gabriel's next words."I am appointing you as my Attorney General, Marcus," he stated, meeting my gaze directly."That is a significant responsibility, Mr. President," I remarked."That's precisely why I am entrusting it to you. I have faith in you, Marcus," he responded, smiling.I observed him intently before nodding my head.Gabriel's smile widened. He extended his hand, and I shook it, expecting a simple handshake. To my surprise, he pulled me into a quick embrace and then looked at my face."Thank you for accepting my offer, and please, call me Dad," he said.I smiled and nodded once again."Okay... Dad," I said. Uttering those words proved difficult, but it was a necessary sacrifice.If Gabriel knew what was transpiring in my mind at that moment, he would likely throw me out. I despised him. I resented my mother for loving a man like him. Out of all the men in the world, why did she choose to love a man who abuses power?I knew the Hawthornes too well. They were willing to commit horrendous acts to maintain their wealth and power. I would make my mother realize that she is marrying an evil man. I would expose Gabriel Hawthorne, no matter what it took."I must take my leave, Mr. President," I said, bowing slightly."You're welcome to stay here, Marcus. We have plenty of rooms," he offered, but I smiled and shook my head."I am content living in my condo unit, Dad," I replied.Gabriel exhaled deeply, nodding his head."Very well, but I hope your mother can persuade you to stay with us. After all, we are family," he said.I smiled at him one last time before departing."Family," I whispered, feeling no comfort, only disgust.As I walked through the hallway, I bumped into Lillian. She smiled at me as she always did."You're leaving?" she asked."Why?" I inquired, looking directly into her eyes.Lillian shrugged, maintaining her smile."I simply thought you would stay here with us," she said.I examined her closely and detected that her words were insincere. A forced smile adorned her face, betraying her true feelings. I took a step closer, but each time I did, she would take a step backwards until her back met the wall.Lillian swallowed hard, visibly nervous."What are you doing?" she stuttered, attempting to resist my gaze.Leaning closer, our faces mere inches apart, I examined her eyes."You have pretty eyes," I commented, allowing my gaze to descend to her lips."You have luscious lips, just as they claimed," I added.Her breathing grew heavy."Get off me," she pleaded, desperation creeping into her voice.I looked into her eyes once again, then smiled."So, this is what it feels like to be near the President's perfect daughter," I remarked.Lillian pushed me away as footsteps approached."Please, let me go," she begged, but I maintained my position.I saw tears forming in the corners of her eyes."Lillian," Gabriel's voice called out after a while.Her face turned pale, and I couldn't help but smile, revelling in her fear."I wonder what lies behind your mask," I said, then stepped away.I released her and walked in the opposite direction.Glancing back in her direction, I saw her fleeing down the hallway.I couldn't help but feel intrigued by that woman.Lillian had never been involved in any scandals. Her records were clean, and all I heard were praises about her. People love her for her efforts to help poor communities. The public perceived her as the epitome of perfection, a saint incapable of making mistakes. However, I doubted that. She is a Hawthorne, and I am certain she has a skeleton in her closet, just like her father.I knew what lay behind that perfect facade; her true identity was concealed.When Lillian vanished from my sight, I made my way to the parking lot and drove off.I received a text from Dylan, my best friend, informing me that he is at Neon, a newly opened bar. I headed there and, upon entering, I am greeted by a loud crowd.The air was filled with the scent of cigarettes and alcohol."Marcus!" Dylan called out, and I searched for him in the crowd. I spotted him sitting on a couch with two women."How does it feel to be the President's son?" he teased, a mischievous smile on his face.I tossed a lemon at him, which he deflected with his hand, and then grabbed a drink from his table.Leaning back against the couch, I closed my eyes for a moment.When I opened them again, Dylan was sitting beside me, leaving his female companions."I can picture the disgust on your face as you spoke with those newly elected corrupt officials," he remarked, draping his arm over my shoulder and leaning closer."But being the President's stepson has its advantages," he continued, a teasing smile on his lips.I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at Dylan."You have a hot stepsister," he said, and upon hearing those words, I couldn't help but laugh."A perfect, hot stepsister," he added.I shook my head and took a sip of my drink."She seems rather ordinary to me, man," I stated, but Dylan laughed as if I had said something amusing."You're just saying that because you hate the Hawthornes. But without her name, Marcus, what do you truly think of Lillian?" he asked, looking directly into my eyes.I pondered his question, imagining Lillian's appearance.Her movements were always calculated. She wore a perpetual smile, but upon closer inspection, one could discern its falseness. Lillian possessed an angelic beauty that captivated everyone's attention effortlessly, but those qualities were insufficient for me to be drawn to her. I knew that behind her angelic facade lurked something dark."She's average," I responded firmly in my answer.Dylan looked at me in disbelief, but I remained resolute."I know you'll eat your words sooner or later," he said, gazing at me with a meaningful expression as if he could foresee the future.Lillian's POVStepping out of my room, I noticed Victoria walking in the hallway. When she saw me, she greeted me with a sweet smile."Good morning, Lillian," she said.Returning her smile, I replied, "Good morning, Victoria."We hadn't had a proper conversation the previous night, as we were both busy entertaining guests."Just call me Mom, Lillian," she suggested. I shook my head, disguising my true feelings towards her with a warm smile."I'd rather call you by your name. You're not yet married to my dad, so I don't see any reason to call you Mom," I politely responded. However, she seemed offended upon hearing my words.Her smile disappeared, and she muttered, "I'm sorry."I maintained my smile and walked away, heading towards the kitchen, leaving her bewildered in the hallway.Entering the kitchen, I saw my father at the dining table, engrossed in reading a newspaper, oblivious to my presence.Approaching him, I kissed him on the cheek."Good morning, Dad," I greeted him.He glan
Marcus's POVI saw fear in her eyes, the glimmer of terror reflecting at me.Tears cascaded down her face, each droplet a testament to her anguish.She stood frozen in place, lost and disoriented amidst the chaos.As I approached her, her eyes remained fixated on mine, searching for answers or perhaps seeking solace.Kneeling on one knee, I gently held her chin, studying her face intently, trying to decipher the turmoil within."Why are you crying?" I asked, a hint of amusement dancing in my eyes as if I found her distress somewhat entertaining.Lillian swallowed hard, her gaze never wavering from my face."Are you going to tell Dad?" she asked, her voice filled with fear as if her entire fate depended on my response.A chuckle escaped my lips, amused by the desperation in her voice.Lillian hung onto my every word, as if it were a lifeline, desperately hoping I would spare her from her father's wrath.Using my thumb, I brushed away the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks, momentari
Lillian's POVI sat alone in my room, staring at the blank canvas before me. Tears streamed down my face, not out of sadness, but from a deep sense of frustration. I felt a rage building inside me, unable to voice my thoughts because I grew up that way.Dad forced me to be like that. To please people and simply agree to everything they have to say because that is the only way for them to like me...to love me.Ever since I was a child I was silenced keeping my opinion to myself.I always have this urge to speak up but fear always consumed me. I am afraid that if I revealed the real me they won't like me, especially my father.I want him to see me as a perfect daughter because he loves me that way. He will only love me if I am a perfect daughter.While drunk in self-pity, my phone lit up, and upon checking I saw a message from Alexander.From: AlexanderI'm sorry about what happened, Lillian. I hope it won't change anything between us.I stared at the message, unsure of how to respond.
Marcus's POVThe entire table fell silent, anticipation filling the air as everyone awaited Lillian's response. I noticed Lillian purposely avoiding my gaze, her eyes fixed on her plate. "What do you mean by that, Marcus?" Gabriel asked, breaking the silence.I glanced at Gabriel, offering him a smile. "Nothing, Dad. I just never expected Vice President Montgomery to be so closely connected to your family," I replied, trying to downplay the situation."Our family, Marcus," he corrected me, and I simply nodded my head in agreement.We continued eating breakfast, and once I finished, I decided it was time to leave. "Marcus, I need you to review the profiles of the qualified candidates for judicial nomination," Gabriel uttered just as I was about to exit."Sure, just send me the file," I responded."I have to go," Gabriel acknowledged with a nod, while Mom smiled at me. Lillian didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence.I left the White House and made my way to my car. Driving t
Lillian's POVMarcus trailed behind me as I entered Luis Vuitton.He settled on a couch while I headed to the counter, searching for jewellery when a wristwatch caught my eye.Nicole, my shopper, immediately approached me with a smile. "Hi Lillian, looking for something?" she asked."Can I take a look at this watch?" I pointed to a black and gold wristwatch.Nicole retrieved it from the glass case and handed it to me. "A gift?" she inquired."Yeah," I responded, then glanced at Marcus, who was engrossed in conversation with a store staff offering him a drink.Returning my attention to the watch, I heard Nicole ask, "Is he your boyfriend?"I shook my head. "He's my brother," I replied, causing her eyes to widen."Atty. Marcus Sullivan?" she asked, and I nodded."He looks even more handsome in person. I saw him on the news and thought he was a celebrity," Nicole said, her gaze fixed on Marcus."Is he single, Lillian?" Nicole asked, turning her attention back to me, awaiting my respon
Marcus's POVI returned to the A&M law firm and found Alice waiting for me in my office, arms crossed and eyebrows raised."Where have you been?" she asked, her tone demanding.I walked towards my desk and sat down, deciding to check my computer for the profiles of the candidates for judicial nomination."Lillian had an accident," I replied, my eyes fixed on the monitor.Alice gasped, and when I glanced at her, her eyes widened in shock."Is she okay?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.I nodded and focused my attention back on the monitor."It was just a minor accident. We had to pay for the damages," I said, scanning through the candidates' profiles."Thank God," Alice said, relief washing over her."The way you ran earlier, I thought someone had died. Your face showed genuine concern, even though you claim to hate Lillian. Your actions contradict your words, Marcus," she teased me once again.I furrowed my brow and scoffed at her comment."Shut up, Alice. Don't you have work to
Lillian's POVcould feel my hands growing cold as Marcus stared at me intently.With each step I took towards him, his gaze remained fixed on me.Leaning against his car, he played with his car keys in his right hand. When I finally stood just a few steps away from him, he stood straight and opened the car door for me."Where's Daddy's driver?" I asked before getting into the car."Busy," he replied curtly, and as I stepped inside, he closed the door and walked around to the other side.Sliding into the driver's seat, he started the engine."So, are you two together now?" he blurted out, causing my forehead to crease."It's none of your business, Marcus," I firmly replied, turning my head to look out the window.We settled into silence, but it was soon broken by the sound of his ringing phone.He answered the call, putting it on loudspeaker since he is driving.I don't want to eavesdrop but I can't help but listen to their conversation.I caught a glimpse of the caller's name, Alice,
Marcus's POVMy heart pounded loudly in my chest as I looked at Lillian.Taking the opportunity, I held her hand and led her out of the crowd, pulling her along with me.Once we were out of the crowd, we walked back to our table, and I guided her to sit on the couch.She appeared extremely intoxicated, and annoyance washed over me as I watched her.She closed her eyes, leaning back against the couch."Drunk?" Dylan asked, looking at Lillian.I nodded and let out a deep breath."Let's do body shots, guys!" Alice suddenly appeared, holding a cocktail as she walked toward our table."Enough, Alice, you're drunk too," I said firmly, but she just smiled at me and approached Lillian.Taking a seat beside Lillian, she started tapping her face."Hey, babe, let's do body shots," Alice said, attempting to wake Lillian.Lillian groaned, then after a while, she opened her eyes and upon seeing Alice, a wide smile spread across her lips."Alice," Lillian called, wrapping her arms around Alice's wai