The waves crashed violently against the jagged rocks as the tide rose higher, the salty wind howling through the night. The eerie silence of the shore was interrupted by a frantic voice.

"Master! Come quickly!"

The urgency in the man’s voice sent a cold shiver through Lucian Grey as he shot up from his desk. His sharp eyes locked onto his panicked servant, who stood breathless in the doorway.

"What is it?" Lucian demanded, his deep voice slicing through the tension.

"A body! A body was seen floating near the rocks by the east side!" the man blurted out.

Lucian stiffened. "What are you waiting for? Retrieve it!"

"The tide is too high, Master," the man hesitated. "The east side is dangerous, full of sharp rocks where the body has drifted. It’s impossible to reach from here."

Lucian clenched his jaw. He thought for a moment—there was a kayak stored nearby, but that would be too slow in these rough waters.

"Show me where," he ordered, already moving past his servant. His long strides were filled with urgency as he made his way toward the cliffs.

The roar of the waves below was deafening as he peered over the edge, eyes scanning the black waters. A flash of white caught his eye—a piece of torn fabric floating near the rocks. His heart pounded as his gaze traveled further.

There.

A girl.

Lying motionless, her ragged clothes soaked and torn. Her body half-submerged against the jagged stones.

Lucian swore under his breath as he quickly began unbuttoning his shirt.

"Master! It’s too dangerous!" one of his men called out, but Lucian ignored them.

With one last glance, he took a deep breath and leapt from the cliff, slicing through the cold water upon impact.

The icy waves pulled at him, but Lucian was strong, his strokes precise as he cut through the tide. He reached the rocks, carefully pulling himself up, his muscles straining against the force of the sea.

His breath caught when he got a closer look at her.

Her face was pale, lips slightly parted, her dark lashes resting against her damp cheeks. Long, tangled strands of her hair stuck to her skin. Despite the bruises and cuts, she was hauntingly beautiful.

Lucian reached down, brushing aside the strands of hair covering her face. For a split second, his chest tightened with something unfamiliar.

She was alive. Barely.

Cursing again, he shrugged off his shirt and draped it over her shivering form. Without another word, he lifted her into his arms and carried her away from the treacherous rocks.

He didn’t know who she was or what had happened to her.

But one thing was certain—she wouldn’t die tonight.

An Hour Later—The Greys' Private Villa

The rhythmic beeping of machines echoed softly in the sterile hospital-like room, accompanied by the hurried footsteps of a nurse tending to the unconscious girl. The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air.

Standing near the doorway, Georgia Grey observed the scene with quiet concern, her usually composed expression showing a hint of unease.

"Doctor, will she be alright?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with genuine worry.

The doctor, a middle-aged man with sharp features, sighed as he checked the monitors. "She’s in critical condition. Frankly, I’m surprised she managed to stay alive in those waters. She must have a strong will to live."

Georgia’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Do whatever it takes to save her. Money is not an issue."

The doctor nodded. "Understood, Mrs. Grey. We will do our best."

As the doctor left, Georgia remained rooted in place, her gaze fixed on the unconscious girl.

"Lucian!" she called out suddenly, her voice carrying through the villa.

Footsteps echoed in response, and moments later, a tall man with striking features entered the room. His sharp gaze fell upon his mother before flickering to the hospital bed.

"Stop shouting, Mother," Lucian sighed, irritation evident in his voice. He held a stack of documents in one hand, followed by his younger brother, Felix, who looked equally exasperated.

"Did you get the information I asked for?" Georgia asked, ignoring her son's complaint.

Lucian sat across from her, tossing the papers onto the table with a slight frown.

Felix took over, flipping through the documents as he spoke. "Her name is April Winter. Just turned twenty. She's the eldest daughter of the Winter family. Rich, but known for having a spoiled attitude. Yesterday, she was publicly exposed for ruining her sister's wedding. According to reports, she got into an argument with her sister and fell from the ship they were on."

Georgia absorbed the information, her expression unreadable. "Interesting background," she murmured.

Lucian leaned back, his arms crossed. "I did some digging. The entire situation was planned. She was set up."

Georgia’s gaze sharpened. "Set up?"

Lucian nodded. "Everything that happened to her—it was all orchestrated."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Felix hesitated before speaking. "Should we notify her family?"

Georgia considered the question before shaking her head. "Not yet. Let her recover first. Once she wakes up, we’ll see where she stands."

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "And how long do you plan to stay, Mother?"

Georgia raised an eyebrow at her eldest son. "Until she’s well."

Lucian exhaled sharply. "We were only supposed to be here for the weekend."

"Then leave," Georgia said nonchalantly, folding her arms. "Go handle your business elsewhere."

Lucian glared at her before standing up. "Fine." Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked out.

Felix sighed as he watched his brother storm off. "Honestly, Mother, I kind of agree with him."

Georgia simply smiled. "You two worry too much. This girl’s fate is far more interesting than any business deal."

Felix rolled his eyes but held his tongue.

Georgia turned her attention back to the fragile girl lying in the bed, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from April’s face.

"You poor thing," she whispered.

Little did she know, the moment April Winter opened her eyes, the tides of fate would shift once again.