Damien 74.Robert backed away in fear as I stepped into the cell. I could see the terror in his eyes as he gazed at me with trepidation. He knew that he stood no chance against me."Sit," I told him.He sat defiantly. I remained standing as I looked at him hard and long."It would cost me nothing to put my hands on you but it would bring me no satisfaction. I have thought of everything I could do to hurt you but nothing new comes to mind," I told him gravely.He said nothing as he watched me with caution."So why are you here?" He finally asked."I am a business man, Robert and I come to you with a deal," I told him.He furrowed his brows as he looked at me suspiciously."What could you possibly have that I need?" He told me with a little arrogance."Your freedom," I said in a grave tone. That shut him up."What about it?" He asked me, his voice faltered a little."You are going to trial. I can stop that from happening. I can convince her to drop the charges against you," I told him,
Isabella 75.While I waited for the phone to boot up, I could not take my mind away from Camila's visit. I had no idea what she wanted from me and I was kinda scared of finding out. Ever since Damien cut her out of his company she had been unhinged ever since.The phone vibrated as it flashed to life. I was so sure that Damien had already put his name in the speed dial. An idea was forming in my mind and it was one that Damien could frown upon. If Vito could attack me then he must surely know about my mother.I could not have him hurting my mother just to get to me. Mother, in her condition had to live here with me. I was sure that no one had this new number and I was going to keep it that way. I was tempted to go online but I knew that it was a bad idea.It was depressing enough seeing my face on the news and moreover, the internet was brutal and unforgiving when it comes to trendy topics like mine. It was a rabbit hole I was not interested in ever entering.
Damien 76.With the vow that I made still fresh on my mind, Isabella and I made our way to the living room. I had ordered the security, after a thorough search on Camila to let her in. The kidnap of my Isabella was still fresh on my mind so Camilla better had something good to say.I was a little shocked to see how stressed out she was. Although her dress sense was as hot as ever. She dressed elegantly but I could see the cracks in her confidence. Isabella and I took a seat on the soft couch across from her and waited.Camilla Valdez, public enemy number— one watched Isabella and I in a peculiar manner. I could vividly make out disbelief in her eyes as she watched us."Would you like some wine?" I asked. There was no need to be a hostile host to her."That's funny," Camila replied. "I was turned away from here when I came here the first time," She said, glaring straight at Isabella."Yes, because I have no desire to see you. Besides, Damien was not in the last
Isabella 77."Are you sure about this?" Damien asked me as we made our way to the elevator."I am not going to put my life on pause because of someone like Robert, I will be fine," I told him. He did not seem to be reassured by my claim."Just call me when you need anything," He said and the elevator opened and I walked into my office floor.I gave him a short wave and made my way to the office. There was a work place murmur going on when I stepped into the floor. The buzz died down as soon as all eyes were on me. I felt so self conscious and I was aware that they all knew what I had gone through."It's good to see you back at work, Ms. Moretti," A lady said kindly and I looked over at her."Thank you, it feels good to be back," I told her in a polite manner and smiled.I looked around and I could see friendly smiles and nods directed at me. It made me feel good and I recalled what Damien told me before we left the house."Renaissance is your home, Isabella and the workers are your fa
Damien 78."Board meeting in thirty minutes, boss," Jackson told me as I plopped down on my seat and swivelled to watch the outside world through my windows."I did not say anything about a board meeting," I told Jackson firmly."Well, major shareholders from around the world are on their way, Damien," He told me."That bad?" I asked."Worse, they are getting worried, Damien," Jackson said, the worry in his voice slightly pissing me off."Nothing is going to happen to their shares, Renaissance is that good," I said in a exasperated manner."I don't think is what they are worried about, Damien," Jackson said as he sat down across me."What are they worried about?" I asked."Company image, integrity, and future," He said.I sighed. He was right. The company had been taking some hits and it was showing in the stock prices."Who called the meeting?" I asked, genuinely interested."Someone who is concerned?" He said. He did not know.I got up and headed for the do
Isabella 79.Trouble had literally come to my door step in form of a very formidable woman. Natalia's mother was the last person I had wanted to see here. I was still shocked by her presence and words refused to form."I don't know what to say, Ms. Dumas, your presence here has caught me by surprise," I said to her. I was feeling very uneasy as she gazed at me."It is alright dear, I have that effect on most people," She replied with a polished accent."Still, I am honored by your presence, Ms. Dumas," I said, wondering why she was really here."Please, call me Rose, since we will be seeing much of each other from now on," She told me with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes."I do not understand," I said to her unsure of where this was going.She smiled as she looked at me for a while. "Isabella, I find the whole office life and politics boring, then you came along," She said.I was still unsure of where this was going. "I can tell you now, Ms. Dumas, it w
Damien 80.Isabella sat stiffly beside me as the board meeting commenced. Her face a cold angry mask, devoid of warmth. There was a knowing smile etched on the face of Rose St. Dumas. I had no idea what she had told my wife but I was going to find out."Let us begin," Marcus announced as we all settled comfortably on our respective seats.One of the members cleared his throat. He was a delegate from West Asia and he had a permanent angry face with thick rimmed spectacles."We are quite worried about how you conduct your business and we do are not encouraged to further do business with you, Damien San," He gravely said. "My delegates do not wish to be known for associating with criminal entities," He finished.I waited. It was not yet time to respond. This was not my first meeting and surely it would not be my last. As a CEO, talking first was seen as a sign of weakness. The only way to make this meeting successful was to let everyone speak their mind."We wou
Isabella 81.I momentarily forgot that I was angry at Damien when I saw him in action. He exuded so much confidence as he sat beside me in the conference room. I watched him with awe has he sat there without an iota of fear on his eyes.So this was how office politics worked. It was brutal and pitiless the way the man called Al Vegas was dismissed. It felt so surreal to see a once proud man transform into a terrified old man.When Damien had moved for the motion to vote Vegas out after his dirty deeds had been laid bare for all to see. I watched closely has his confidence crumbled to pieces as one hand after the other went up to vote him out. It was so unbelievable."I am an important part of this company, goddammit! I helped built it your back stabbing sons of bitches," He bellowed in a mixture of fear and rage. However, no one would look him in the eyes."It does not justify stealing from us, Al," Damien replied stoically. If an employee yelled at me this wa
Isabella As I lay on the floor, bound and helpless, a whirlwind of emotions swirled within me – fear, uncertainty, and a desperate longing for safety and freedom. But just when it felt like all hope was lost, the door burst open, and there he was – Damien, my husband, my savior.Relief flooded through me as I saw him stride into the room, his presence a beacon of strength and determination amidst the chaos. With him was Jackson, his trusted ally, who had helped orchestrate our rescue. I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards both of them as they quickly moved to untie me and Ava, their movements swift and efficient.As the ropes fell away and I rose to my feet, I couldn't suppress the overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude that washed over me. Damien enveloped me in his arms, holding me close and whispering words of reassurance and comfort as tears of relief streamed down my cheeks.Together, we made our way out of the room, leaving behind the nightmare that had thre
Damien My gaze never wavered from Vito's face as I listened to my arch nemesis. The gravity of the situation got more and more deadlier as the night wore on. The papers were still in Vito's hand as I kept the phone to my hear.My father had an inquisitive look on his face as he watched me closely. The line went dead and I put the phone back into my pocket. I collected the the contract and without breaking eye contact, slowly tore it up right in front of him.Vito's eyes widened in shock and utter disbelief. "What the fuck are you doing?" He yelled maniacally as he knelt on the floor trying in vain to join the piece of paper together in a futile attempt.For the first time in my life, I saw him for what he was. An empty barrel of a man, a pathetic and sorry excuse for a husband to my mother and a fucking dead beat piece of shit of a father. I felt nothing but contempt and disgust as I watched him scrambled across the whole floor."Do you know what you have done?!" He yelled at me as h
Isabella As Ava was pushed into the room, I felt a rush of relief flood through me at the sight of her, mingled with a fresh wave of fear for our uncertain future. She stumbled slightly, her eyes wide with shock and confusion, but when she saw me, her expression softened with a mixture of relief and concern."Isabella, darling, are you alright?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion as she hurried to my side.I reached out to her, my hands shaking as I clutched hers tightly, drawing strength from her presence despite the terror that still gripped me. "I'm scared, Ava," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what's going to happen to us."Ava's eyes filled with tears as she wrapped her arms around me, holding me close in a comforting embrace. "We'll get through this together, sweetheart," she said, her voice choked with emotion. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."But before we could say another word, the door swung open once again, and Camilla e
Damien As I waited anxiously for Camilla's instructions, every second felt like an eternity. My mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more frantic than the last. Where was she keeping Isabella and Ava? What did she want from me? And most importantly, how could I save them from whatever danger they were in?The minutes ticked by agonizingly slow, the silence of the room weighing heavily on my shoulders. I felt a surge of frustration building within me, the urge to take action and do something, anything, to rescue my wife and mother from the clutches of their captors.Finally, the sound of my phone buzzing broke the silence, and I quickly grabbed it, my heart pounding in my chest. It was Camilla, her name flashing on the screen, and I answered it without hesitation."Damien," her voice came through the line, smooth and composed as ever. "I trust you've had some time to think about our situation."I clenched my jaw, my grip on the phone tightening with barely contained anger. "W
Isabella As consciousness slowly seeped back into my mind, I found myself engulfed in darkness. Panic surged through me as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings, the weight of my own fear pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket.My heart thundered in my chest as I became aware of the rough bindings cutting into my wrists and ankles, the coarse fibers digging painfully into my skin. Panic tightened its grip around my throat as I realized the full extent of my helplessness, the stark reality of my captivity crashing down on me with brutal force.Frantic thoughts raced through my mind as I struggled against my restraints, the panic threatening to consume me whole. Where was I? How had I ended up here? And most importantly, where was Ava?A wave of despair washed over me as I realized that I was completely at the mercy of my captors, whoever they were. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I imagined the worst, my mind conjuring up horrifying scenarios of what fate awa
Damien As I strode through the familiar corridors of the office building, my mind raced with thoughts and plans. Natalia's brazen attempts to undermine me only fueled my determination. I had come too far to let her or anyone else stand in my way.But it wasn't just about me anymore. My family – Isabella, Ava, our unborn child – they were my driving force. I would do whatever it took to protect them, to ensure their safety and security. And that meant taking down anyone who dared to threaten what was mine.And now, as I sat there, surrounded by the trappings of power, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. I wouldn't rest until the Founder's Association was dismantled until my family was safe until Renaissance was secure.With a steely resolve, I reached for my phone and began to formulate my next move. There was no turning back now. The game was on, and I intended to win. Immersed in the intricate details of my plan, my phone suddenly rang, jolting me out of my focused s
Isabella Chopping vegetables for the lasagna, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort wash over me. Cooking had always been a soothing activity for me, a way to channel my thoughts and focus on something tangible amidst the chaos of life.Ava, my ever-supportive mother-in-law, stood beside me, offering gentle guidance as we prepared dinner for Damien. "Now, Isabella, remember to slice the vegetables thinly for the lasagna layers," she instructed, her voice warm and reassuring.I nodded, taking her advice to heart as I carefully wielded the knife. "Like this?" I asked, holding up a perfectly sliced zucchini for her inspection.Ava smiled approvingly. "Just like that, dear. You're a natural," she praised, her encouragement filling me with a sense of pride.As we worked side by side, Ava shared her secrets for creating the perfect steak marinade, imparting her culinary wisdom with the patience of a seasoned chef. "The key is to let the meat marinate for at least an hour," she expla
Damien I was watchful during the conference meeting. I took my time to really look at the board members sitting at the table to see if I could see a member of the Founder's Association but none were seated at this conference. Even Rose St Dumas was not present. Maybe she was preparing her cronies of corrupt businessmen and women for the final show down.Camilla Valdez was also not present but Natalia was. I could not tell what was going on in her head as she gazed at me. If her mother was one of them, did that not make her automatically part of tht fold? Was I over reaching? If the plan with the detective worked, it meant that a lot of people will inevitably get hurt. "What is the profit margin for today?" I asked as I got down to business. "Eight percent since last year," Natalia said in a professional manner. "That's lower than last two years," I said with a frown. "That was due to the Al Vegas controversy," One of the board members said. "You mean the embezzlement," I replied
Damien Returning to the office after the recent turmoil felt like stepping into a minefield, each step fraught with the risk of detonating hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface. As I walked through the familiar halls of Renaissance, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gripped me like a vice, a constant reminder of the precarious balancing act I was now forced to perform.Every interaction, every word spoken, had to be carefully calculated and measured, lest I inadvertently reveal the truth lurking beneath the facade of normalcy I presented to the world. I couldn't afford to let slip even the slightest hint of my alliance with Michael, for fear of the consequences it could bring crashing down upon us both.My colleagues greeted me with smiles and nods as I made my way to my office, their cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil raging within me. Behind their friendly facades, I couldn't help but wonder who among them could be trusted, and who might be secretly wo