With polished marble flooring and crystal chandeliers reflecting rainbows of light, the huge ballroom was a vision of wealth. The elite mixed effortlessly, their custom tailored suits and luxury outfits a reflection of their sophisticated taste. Still, Harper's arrival overshadowed the grandeur of the scene. Her beautiful gown shimmered like the moon as she walked across the room, capturing everyone's attention. However, the necklace was the real star of the show. The guests were held spellbound, as the sapphires and diamonds on her neck appeared to come to life.. The necklace truly stole the show as all eyes were on her neck. "That jewel pattern seems so familiar. I have seen it somewhere. Why is my brain failing me now?""That is Mason's jewel pattern. My mom has the a jewel made by him and it is just the same. I can tell even from here that he definitely made that necklace for Harper.""Do you mean the famous jewelry designer, Mason Logan? Gosh!""I heard he has been in seclu
Adriel slumped in his chair, staring blankly at the financial reports in front of him. The numbers swirled together, a jumbled mess of red and black ink. The shares were plummeting, and he had no idea how to stop the free fall."Steven?"He called out to his assistant who was standing before him."When last did our shares drop so much like this? I can say I haven't even witnessed it this way ever since I joined the company, or have you?""No, I haven't sir. The numbers are terrifying.""Have you done what I asked you to do?""Yes, it won't drop further for now but we still have to come up with a counter measure that will stop the fall and increase it back to normal.""What about the press? I can't hold any press conference in this state.""They have been dealt with, sir. You don't have to worry about news flying around."Adriel nodded but he knew he had to do something."There will be an emergency board meeting in two hours and the chairman will be around.""I know about that. I need
"Good morning, sir. I have the updated plans for the Thompson project ready for your review.""Ah, excellent. Let me take a look." He sets his coffee down and took the plans from Alex. "As you will see, we have made some changes to the design to accommodate the client's requests. We've also updated the timeline and budget."Adriel said, scanning the material. "Looks good. What is the status on the materials delivery?""Everything is on schedule. The materials will arrive at the site tomorrow morning.""Great. And what about the labor team? Are they ready to start work?""Yes, sir. The team is assembled and ready to begin construction as soon as the materials arrive."Mr. Thompson: "Excellent work, Alex. Keep me posted on any developments."Alex: "Of course, sir. I will keep you updated.""Sir, about the investigation and reports, I have gathered some things and I found out that it was not just an accident like you said. It was probably all planned by someone to cause chaos.""But I a
As the line went dead, Adriel tried to call the number again but it did not ring or even go through."Something is definitely fishy."Adriel kept on trying. He went as far as trying other of Alex's numbers but it was not going through.He had not spoken to Alex in two days. The last time they spoke, Alex was still gathering evidence on his case as he was Adriel's private investigator."I just hope you are still fine, Alex."Adriel pressed the office button and Steven came in."Steven, I need your help. I can't reach Alex. His phone is dead, and I am getting worried," Adriel said, his concern evident.Steven's expression turned serious. "I will try to track him down, sir. Do you have any idea where he was last or what he was working on?"Adriel thought back to their last conversation. "He was investigating a lead on the case. He mentioned something about following a suspect."Steven nodded. "I will check his last known locations and see if I can trace his movements. I will also reach o
Emma sat in her living room, staring at her phone with a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. She had to tell Adriel about her trip with her master, but she had no idea how to explain it without revealing the truth about her past and her connection to the jewel designing world.Just as she was about to give up, she remembered Harper's offer to help her with anything she needed. Emma took a deep breath and dialed Harper's number."Hey, Harper! How are you doing? I have not heard from you in a few days." Emma said, trying to sound casual."Did you miss me that much? Well, I am fine. I have just been preoccupied with work.""How about you? What's up? Are you okay?"Emma was still finding a way to chip in the reason she called when Harper asked her what was wrong so she decided to go with the flow."No, I am not.""Why no? What's wrong?""Uhmm, I need your help with something.""Of course, Emma! What is going on? Tell me so I can help in my little way." Harper replied, her voice warm and frie
Emma closed the front door behind her, taking a deep breath as she stepped out into the crisp morning air. Adriel's words still lingered in her mind, "Don't forget about me, okay? Come back quickly because I will miss you a lot." She smiled, feeling a mix of guilt and affection.As she walked to her car, Emma glanced back at the house, where Adriel was now standing at the door, watching her leave."When did he come out?" She mumbled to herself as she saw him. She waved, and he returned the gesture before disappearing from view.***At the airport, Emma made her way through security and arrived at the designated meeting point, a small café near the departure gates. She decided to call Harper before she got on board."Hello, darling. I know it's the day of your trip. I wish you a safe trip. Call me when you get there.""Thank you so much, Harper.""Why do you have to keep thanking me continuously? I said it's fine. I should help as a good friend.""How are you going to handle Adriel?
“Mason Logan?”“How can it be Mason Logan?”"This is ridiculous. Which Mason Logan is she referring to? Is there any other Mason Logan we know than the popular one?"There were whispers all over the hall.“Do you think something is wrong with the announcer?” Someone said in the hall.“Maybe. Mason Logan is already a popular and established jewel designer so what's with the category of emerging designer?”“My bad! Please forgive me. Everyone should please forgive me for my error.” The announcer on the stage spoke.“I made a huge mistake. How can I announce Mason Logan for the emerging designer award? It was a blunt mistake.”“So I would announce the correct name now.”All eyes were focused and the hall became quiet again.“So the winner of the emerging designer award is…”She dragged her speech, looking round the hall as if she would find the person.“Are you all so anxious?” She chuckled, relieving the moment.“Just announce the name already. The suspense is too much. Tell us who the
“Ahh!” Emma felt a pain course through her heart at the same instant when the accident happened.The glass cup she was holding in her hand slipped to the floor, causing it to break in pieces.“Ouch!” She screamed in pain. Some pieces of the glass had cut through her palm.“Are you alright?” Harper, who had just left her alone for a few minutes, rushed back to where she was.“I am fi..ne. I was just careless for a few seconds and it slipped from my hands.”Harper had a look of concern on her face. “Are you sure about that? You should be careful. I think you are still thinking about that stuff. The deed has been done already so just accept it.”Emma remained silent. That was not true. She was not thinking. She only felt a pain in her heart and then the glass slipped from her hands.“Do you think something bad might have happened?”“Oh no, Emma, stop those superstitious beliefs of yours. Nothing bad has happened. You were careless like you said and the glass slipped from your hands.”“Wh
The room went silent and a took a long while before someone may as small as the sound of tapping the finger. “Errm…erm…we don't have to bring that up now.” Mr Carlos coughed, “I am sorry but I had to. I had to bring it up to explain my condition to everyone.” Adriel had a half sinister apologetic look on his face. Darwin's parent mother and stepdad were seated there.“Don't think you can put my son in jail after coming up with some stupid pile of evidence against him.” Maria, Darwin's mother spat out.Adriel had expected this. She was as evil as her son and would not back down easily. But in all, Adriel had the victory. Mr Carlos cleared his throat, making every other whisper in the dinning hall stop. “It is a beautiful evening to enjoy a beautiful dinner so let us enjoy it as a united family should. What has happened has happened. It is already in the past. One has to pay for his crime and bear the weight of the consequence of his actions.” He paused for some kind of effect,
“Don't keep me waiting, Harper. Just tell me now.” Harper grinned mischievously, enjoying the suspense. "Oh, Emma, you're so impatient! Can't you just savor the moment?" Emma rolled her eyes, laughing. "Savor the moment? You're killing me, Harper! Just spill the beans already!" Harper chuckled, taking a seat next to Emma on the couch. "Okay, okay. But first, let me ask you... how's married life treating you?" Emma's face lit up with a radiant smile. "It's amazing! Adriel is an incredible husband. I'm so grateful to have him." Harper's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's so wonderful! I'm thrilled for you both. And speaking of thrilling news..." Emma's eyes narrowed, her voice playful. "Harper, don't tease me! Tell me already!" Harper giggled, stalling for a moment longer. "Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to freak out." Emma's hands flew up in exasperation. "I promise, I promise! Just tell me!" Harper took a deep breath, a sly grin spreading across her face. "I am
“Oops! My bad! I shouldn't be here.” Harper turned around, closing the door slightly. Adriel’s growling voice called her back. “Harper, stop right there.” “What do you want me to do? You shouldn't call me back in, just continue with whatever you were doing.” Emma kept nudging Adriel to stop as she was dying of embarrassment. “You already ruined the moment, Harper. Why did you have to rush in here?” “But it's Emma's room, not yours? I thought she would be the only one in. I didn't expect to see that scene.” The three stood awkwardly in the room. After a moment, Harper coughed, breaking the silence. “Alright, I am sorry about rushing in. I didn't expect to see you in.” “Well, I heard the news that happened in my absence and I rushed over to come see Emma. I haven't seen or spoken to her in a while after my impromptu trip outside the country.” Emma broke free from Adriel and drew Harper into a hug. “Thank you, Adriel.” “For what, Emma?” Harper asked, smiling and embracing he
“You look startled, babe.” Adriel whispered in Emma's ear as they were almost outside the hospital doors. “It is taking a while for me to take in everything that has just happened. It is quite ridiculous, isn't it?” “Do you feel well?” Adriel asked when he saw her scrunch up her nose in disgust. “I am fine, babe. I am just a little tired from all the happenings recently.” She yawned, covering her hand with her palm. “It is all over now and so you don't have to worry.” “Are you saying Darwin is not going to escape again?” “You can't trust me on that, babe. I have got the detective and his men around. He can't escape. Since he is not remorseful or repentant, he has to face the consequences of his actions and the law.” “Are you going to press charges, babe?” “Don't you want me to?” “I do but I just thought when I looked at you, you still have a little feeling for him and hoped he would change.” “Well, he is never going to change. That's the kind of person my brother is and I c
Emma sat on the couch, her eyes fixed on the TV as she flipped through channels. Adriel had been gone for a while, and she was getting anxious. She needed a distraction. Suddenly, a breaking news headline caught her attention: "Breaking News: Carlos's Son Involved in Fatal Accident" Emma's heart skipped a beat as she turned up the volume. "...Details are still coming in, but sources close to the investigation confirm that Darwin, the son of wealthy businessman Carlos, was involved in a severe car accident earlier today," the news anchor said, her voice grave. Emma's eyes widened as she listened, her mind racing with thoughts of Adriel and the danger he might be in. "The accident occurred on Highway 12, where Darwin's car lost control and crashed into a tree. Witnesses report that the car was traveling at high speeds before the accident." Emma felt a chill run down her spine as she watched the footage of the wreckage on TV. It was a miracle anyone had survived. "Darwin is curr
Adriel's fingers traced gentle circles on Emma's bare skin, his touch sending shivers down her spine. They lay together in bed, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow on their relaxed faces. Emma's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Adriel's, and she smiled lazily. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice husky from sleep. Adriel's lips curved into a tender smile. "Good morning, my love." Emma's hand drifted up to his cheek, her fingers tracing the sharp jawline. Adriel's eyes closed, his face tilting into her touch. They lay there for a moment, basking in the warmth of each other's presence. Slowly, Adriel's eyes opened, his gaze burning with intensity. Emma's heart skipped a beat as he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own little bubble of love. As they deepened the kiss, Emma's arms wrapped around Adriel's neck, pulling him cl
“Mom! How can you let dad arrest me alongside that man? I don't know anything about his grudges with dad.” "I don't anything and why he keeps dragging me into all of this. We only met a few times and not to plot anything evil. Please mom, listen to me. Mr Lucas had come to see Maya. She was the only one who was willing to see Maya now. She could not just abandon her as she was the daughter she raised from childhood so it was not easy. She had a pitiful look on her face. “He doesn't want to believe anything you have to say. The fact that he saw you with him was enough to tell him everything. You know how hard your father can be right?” “That is still not enough reason, mom.” She pouted, showing teary eyes. She had been in detention and now it seemed like her stay in the correctional center will be more than just detention now. “Oh, okay! I get it now! It is because I am not his real daughter and neither am I your real daughter. That is why it feels so easy to throw me into the
With newfound determination, he sprang into action.Mr. Lucas called his trusted assistant, Thompson, and instructed him to track down Miguel's whereabouts.Thompson quickly got to work, using his resources to locate Miguel. He soon discovered that Miguel was at a private meeting room in a downtown high-rise, accompanied by Maya.The room was enclosed, with no windows, making it difficult to gather more information without being detected. Mr. Lucas's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications of Miguel and Maya's secret meeting.“He is together with Maya and it is quite a heavily guarded place.”“So what are you waiting for? I want you to storm in there. I don't care if the place is heavily guarded. We have some solid evidence from Maya’s call recording in this house so nothing can go wrong.”“Alright, sir. I will get to work now.”“You had better do so. Don't come back to me without the news of his arrest or detainment.” He said and hung up on the call.Mr Lucas was already
Adriel turned as he watched her walk in.“She is not ready to go down without a fight. I am going to give it to her too.”Adriel's hands moved quickly as he picked his phone to dial a familiar number, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Darwin. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after he left the prison."Lawrence, it's Adriel. I need to see you now," he said, his voice firm and urgent."Adriel, what's wrong? You sound like you've seen a ghost.” his lawyer replied, concern etched in his voice."It's Darwin. I just got back from visiting him in prison, and I am more convinced than ever that he is a menace. I want to press charges, Lawrence. I want to make sure he pays for what he has done."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Lawrence spoke up. "Adriel, we have been over this. We need to be careful. I have my advice as a legal practitioner for us to tread carefully.“Your stepmother, I mean, Darwin's mother is a powerful woman, a