The Sins We Inherit - 1

Chapter One: The Witness

Joycine had learned early on that the truth was often buried beneath layers of lies, covered in dust and deceit, waiting for someone reckless enough to dig it out. But this story—this assignment—felt different. It was supposed to be routine. A feature on the D'Ante Corporation and its founder, Demetri D'Ante, the youngest billionaire in the country.

But everything about the D'Ante family screamed danger from the moment she stepped into their world.

It was a cold, gray morning when she first arrived at the D'Ante estate, an imposing mansion perched at the edge of the city’s wealthiest district. The sprawling estate, with its marble columns and manicured gardens, felt like a place where secrets were not just kept—they were buried.

“Ms. Joycine.” The voice that greeted her as she stepped out of her car belonged to a tall, elegant woman dressed in a sharp black suit. She extended a hand, but there was something cold about her smile.

“Welcome to D'Ante Estate. Demetri will be with you shortly.”

Joycine shook her hand, briefly wondering how much of this woman’s politeness was genuine, or if it was merely a mask. She followed the woman through the massive glass doors, the sound of their heels echoing in the cavernous foyer. The opulence of the space was suffocating. Everything was too perfect—too curated.

The woman led her into a private sitting room, its walls lined with dark wood and gleaming silver frames. Photographs of the D'Ante family in expensive suits, posing with politicians and world leaders, adorned the walls. But there was something unsettling about the way they all seemed to look at you. Every pair of eyes in those photographs was intense, predatory, like they knew something you didn’t.

Joycine sat down on the leather sofa, pulling out her notebook and pen. She had done her research on Demetri. On the surface, he was a self-made billionaire, a genius entrepreneur who had built D'Ante Corporation from the ground up. The media adored him. He was charming, cold, calculated—perfect.

But that’s not what intrigued her. What intrigued her was the whispered rumors that surrounded the D'Ante family. Whispers of shady deals, corruption, and a string of disappearances tied to their company. No one seemed to know the truth, but everyone suspected there was more to the D'Ante empire than the public knew.

The door opened, and Demetri D'Ante walked in.

Tall, broad-shouldered, with a jawline so sharp it could cut glass. His eyes—dark, almost black—locked onto hers with an intensity that made her pause. It was unsettling how easily he commanded the room, how everything about him exuded power.

“Ms. Joycine.” His voice was smooth, deliberate. “I hope you’ve found our home comfortable.”

“Quite.” She managed a smile, though her nerves were on edge. This was not what she’d expected. Everything about Demetri screamed control. The air around him seemed to hum with a quiet danger. But it was his smile—charming yet distant—that really unsettled her.

They exchanged pleasantries, and then he gestured for her to follow him.

As they walked down the hall, he spoke casually. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about the D'Ante family. It’s hard to escape gossip when you're as visible as we are.”

Joycine nodded, sensing the deeper meaning behind his words. “People talk.”

He stopped in front of a heavy oak door, looking back at her. “Some truths, Ms. Joycine, are meant to stay hidden. You should be careful what you dig up.”

It was a warning. But she couldn’t back down now. She had made it this far.

He opened the door, revealing a study with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a massive desk. “This is where I conduct most of my work. The world is full of people who think they know everything about me. But they only know what I let them see.”

She stepped into the room, her pulse quickening. “Is that why you agreed to this interview? To set the record straight?”

He looked at her then, the glimmer of something darker flickering in his eyes. “Perhaps. Or perhaps, I just enjoy the game.”

There was a pause. Then he added, “You should also know that you’re not the first reporter to look into the D'Ante family. Many have tried, and many have failed.”

Joycine felt a chill settle into her bones. There was something about his words—something ominous. She forced herself to focus.

“I’m not here to fail, Mr. D'Ante.”

The interview began in earnest, but every answer Demetri gave seemed to lead her deeper into a labyrinth. He spoke about the corporation’s successes, the philanthropy, and the power they wielded in the business world. But when she pressed him on the rumors surrounding his family, he grew noticeably tense.

“I don’t discuss family matters with the press,” he said curtly.

Joycine pressed on. “The disappearances, the mysterious deaths connected to D'Ante Corporation—”

Demetri’s face hardened. The air shifted, and for a brief moment, the warmth of the room seemed to vanish.

“You ask dangerous questions, Ms. Joycine.”

She swallowed, trying to remain composed. This wasn’t the kind of pushback she was used to. But she was determined.

"Sometimes," she said softly, "the truth is more dangerous than the lies."

Demetri stared at her for a long moment, and then a slow, almost predatory smile curled on his lips. "You’re not as naïve as you look. But be warned—some truths are better left buried."

He stood up abruptly, the conversation clearly over. “That will be all for today, Ms. Joycine.”

She rose, but before she could turn to leave, the door swung open.

Another man stepped into the room.

Donovan D'Ante.

He was the younger brother, the younger heir of D'Ante family. And unlike Demetri, there was something raw, untamed about him. His eyes were bright, almost feverish, and when he looked at her, it was as if he could see straight through her.

“Demetri,” Donovan’s voice cut through the tension in the room. “I think she’s digging too deep.”

Demetri’s expression faltered for a brief moment, and that was enough. Joycine’s heart skipped a beat.

Donovan’s gaze lingered on her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t the first time he’d seen her. There was something haunting about his stare.

“Careful, Joycine,” Donovan said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “Some things are meant to remain buried for a reason.”

Joycine froze, the weight of his words sinking in. As the door closed behind them, she realized something she hadn’t noticed before.

She was already in too deep. And now, she couldn’t back out.

Just as she made her way back to the car, a small envelope was there, tucked neatly on the left side of her car's windshield. Inside, was a single piece of paper.

"The truth will cost you more than you’re willing to pay. Keep digging and you’ll wish you hadn’t."

There was no name. No return address.

But Joycine knew—this was only the beginning.

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Hope you all liked reading this chapter.

Don't worry there is a lot to come, believe me I won't disappoint you all.

Next part coming soon!

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