Chapter 3:The Hayes Family

If the Bennet Family stood at the peak of power, then the Hayes Family stood directly beneath them.

Once, they had been equals.

Now, they were second.

At the head of the Hayes Clan sat Magnus Hayes, 76 years old. He was a cunning and greedy man whose ambition knew no limits. Many believed that if there was profit to be gained, Magnus would pursue it regardless of the consequences. Under his leadership, the Hayes Family had expanded into banking, mining, real estate, and international trade. Yet his greed had also planted the seeds of division within the clan.

His late wife was Lillian Hayes, who had passed away in her early fifties. Gentle, kind-hearted, and compassionate, she had been the only person capable of bringing warmth into the cold Hayes Mansion. Being born outside the elite circles, she was never fully accepted by the clan. Years of internal conflicts and pressure eventually destroyed her health, leading to her untimely death.

Magnus and Lillian had four children.

The eldest was Vanessa Hayes, 48 years old. Proud, arrogant, and obsessed with status, she viewed everyone around her as either useful or insignificant.

Her husband was Adrian Cross, 50 years old, a famous actor and media personality. Although successful in his own right, he spent most of his time with the Hayes Family, relying on their influence to maintain his fame and social standing.

Together they had one son.

Evan Cross-Hayes, 20 years old, was a quiet young man who inherited much of his grandmother's kindness. Unfortunately, years of emotional neglect and constant comparison left him deeply insecure. Rarely involved in family affairs, he was almost invisible within the clan.

The second child was Nathaniel Hayes, 46 years old. Rational and calculating, he excelled at analyzing situations. Unfortunately, his greed often clouded his judgment, making him too similar to his father. Failed investments and poor alliances gradually weakened his influence within the family.

His wife was Sophia Cross Hayes, 43 years old, a former actress and the younger sister of Adrian Cross. The siblings had carefully entered the Hayes Family together, seeking wealth and power through marriage.

They had one daughter.

Clara Hayes, 19 years old, rejected her mother's schemes and manipulations. Tired of the endless power struggles, she moved away from the family estate and pursued a peaceful life as an environmental researcher.

The third child was Grace Hayes, 42 years old. Gentle, kind, and trusting, she resembled her late mother more than anyone else in the family. Having spent most of her youth studying abroad under Lillian's care, she remained innocent to the darker side of the clan.

Her husband was Damian Reed, 45 years old, a narcissistic entrepreneur who quickly took advantage of Grace's trusting nature. Through his marriage, he gained easy access to the Hayes Family's influence and resources.

The couple had no children. Grace's fragile health prevented her from conceiving, a fact that brought her great sadness throughout her marriage.

The youngest child was Vincent Hayes, 40 years old.

Unlike his older siblings, Vincent was adaptable and clever. He knew when to advance and when to retreat, making him one of the most dangerous members of the family. While greed motivated him, patience guided his actions. He controlled much of the family's banking and international finance operations.

His wife was Valerie Hayes, 38 years old. Strong, ambitious, and empowering, she had built her own reputation in corporate law before joining the Hayes Family. Her personality often clashed with Vincent's, creating constant tension within their marriage.

Together they had one son.

Lucian Hayes, 10 years old.

Unlike the noisy and ambitious members of his family, Lucian rarely spoke. Years of witnessing his parents' arguments and being ignored by those around him had turned him silent and distant.

Most people mistook his quietness for weakness.

They were wrong.

Behind his calm eyes hid intelligence that surpassed every member of the Hayes Clan. He understood their schemes, recognized their greed, and could predict their actions before they made them. If he wished, he possessed enough knowledge to expose every secret and drag the entire family into ruin.

Yet Lucian never acted.

Instead, he watched.

Like a silent observer sitting in the shadows, he patiently witnessed just how far his family was willing to descend.

Ironically, while the Hayes Clan often forgot his existence, the Bennet Family remembered him well.

The two families frequently crossed paths through politics, finance, international business, and government projects. Their relationship was complicated—partnership, competition, and rivalry all at once.

And among all those connections, no one expected that the lonely boy named Lucian Hayes and the treasured little princess of the Bennet Family, Elara Bennet, would one day become the center of a story neither family could control.

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