Alexander stood by the entrance in silence as he stared at his wife’s face before moving to Kelsey, his little daughter. The weak-looking child had a tube down her throat and an oxygen mask on her face. She was still attached to a machine to keep her body system functioning.Lola glared at Alexander. “Didn’t you hear me? Why did you take so long? You only went to submit your letter of resignation, didn’t you?”Alexander wondered how Lola knew about his resignation, as he had only told her that he needed to go back to the company to resume his work.Lola noticed the inquisitive expression on Alexander's face. "My coworkers at the office told me." She looked down at her phone in confusion. "Though, they later bombarded my phone with calls, and I would have answered it if my phone didn't suddenly run out of battery."If she had picked up one of those calls, she would have found out about how her closest superior, Edmund Porsche, had been ridiculed by the general manager and forced to bow
Fiona was livid. “How dare that bastard try to sell me a lie this huge? I regret the second I decided to ask him for help.”“Mom, calm down, okay!” Lesley stared at her mother with concern. “Getting worked up over a scumbag like Alexander is not worth it in the least. Let’s just go now; I don’t even like being here.”The two decidedly left the hospital without even bothering to pay a visit to Lola or the sick Kelsey.Meanwhile, Alexander was on his way back to his wife and daughter when he called a number. Luckily, he was alone in the elevator, so he could speak without caution."Young Master Cross, how may I help you this time?" Dorian's voice conveyed his pleasant mood. The old CEO was very happy that the Cross' heir had needed his help more lately.“Dorian, I need you on a very urgent search. Can you handle that for me?” Alexander went straight to the point.“Of course, I believe there’s nothing you need that the Cross family’s name and global influence can’t obtain. Please, state
After Alexander delivered the meal for both him and his wife, they settled in silence as they stared helplessly at the frail state of their unconscious daughter. It was early that evening when Kelsey finally opened her eyes and both parents rushed over with worry. They tried talking to Kelsey but she didn’t say a word, merely glancing around her surroundings until she became unconscious once again. This has long been the cycle of their daughter. She rarely opened her eyes, and it was always brief before she returned to a state of unconsciousness. The doctors claimed that this was a sign of Kelsey's body trying to fight her ailment.Lola decided to speak first. "So, how are you going to make a living now? You've quit your job, and what I earn as a sales manager at Styleon is not enough to feed you and me while trying to save up for the next batch of medications that Kelsey will need once she runs out of the current one.""Don't worry about that." Alexander finally looked up at his wif
It's been two months since Kelsey had her bone marrow transplant. During that time frame, she finally woke up and cried out when she saw her parents. Alexander and Lola were left an emotional wreck as they hugged their daughter. After this, it took two weeks of proper monitoring before the doctors officially discharged Kelsey.The family of three had never been happier when they returned home that day and ate together. Lola had even allowed Alexander to sleep in the bedroom, so they could both snuggle with their daughter.Meanwhile, Lola was getting furious with Alexander. Every time she tells her husband to find a job, Alexander simply claims that he has enough money to take care of all of them. As days turned into weeks, Lola saw that despite the amount of spending that Alexander was indulging in, he had not run out of money even though he was currently jobless. Unfortunately, this only ended up making Lola Blaine even more scared, as she still believed that Alexander had gotten th
Alexander looked at the staff members with surprise and a bit of annoyance. “Why are my daughter and I being forced to return the dress when we clearly picked it up first?”The middle-aged woman glared hatefully at Alexander. “How dare you? Are you accusing my daughter of stealing that dress from your daughter?! The audacity of your deceit!”“You!” The middle-aged man pointed a finger at Alexander. “Do you even have any proof that your daughter picked up the dress first?”Everyone, including the staff members and some other customers who had noticed the commotion going on here, turned their gaze to Alexander. They were waiting for his answer.Alexander raised an eyebrow with a slight smirk. "Of course, I can prove it. Have you forgotten that this establishment has CCTV cameras? I'm sure one of them must have a video. Let's see who's lying between the two of us."The aloof expression on the middle-aged couple's faces crumbled slightly as fear gripped their hearts. In reality, they know
Everyone watched as every single piece of clothes on the aisle was packed up by the boutique’s staff members. Once everything was settled, all the pairs of eyes turned to Alexander.“Well, the clothes have been packed for you.” The middle-aged man raised a skeptical eyebrow at Alexander. “It’s time for you to pay.”Alexander sneered before digging into his jacket pocket only for his hand to touch a space. His smile dropped in place of a confused expression as he turned to his jeans pocket only to find that his card was missing. That was when he recalled that he had left his premium black card at home. He had been so excited to spoil Kelsey for the day that he had actually forgotten to take the one thing he needed."What's the matter, you low-life scum?!" The middle-aged woman glared hatefully at Alexander. "The staff is waiting for you to pay." There was a moment of silence as everyone waited for Alexander to say something. On getting nothing but silence from him, the middle-aged woma
Everyone watched in surprise as the pompous family dropped to their knees with pleading eyes."Sir, please forgive us. It is my fault." The middle-aged man now had an unbelievably miserable expression on his face. "On behalf of my family, I apologize for any trouble we might have caused you. We had no idea we were messing with such a big shot."Alexander walked slowly before stopping right before the three kneeling people; the middle-aged woman had even forced her daughter to kneel beside her. She couldn’t even dare look up at Alexander.Alexander scoffed. “So let me get this straight. You’re telling me that you wouldn’t have felt any remorse for how you treated me and my daughter if my true status hadn’t been revealed.”The middle-aged man began shaking both his hands and head. "No! No! That's not what I meant…"“Then what did you mean exactly?” Alexander cut off the middle-aged man with a stern gaze.The middle-aged couple shut their mouths as they couldn’t find anything reasonable
Alexander had been in a very joyous mood when he arrived home with his daughter. Kelsey had bought an ice cream and she was in a very happy mood. Unfortunately, the loving woman they met at home threatened to ruin the mood.“Hey, my love. How was work?” Alexander got closer to Lola and he was about to place a kiss on his wife’s cheek only for her to push him away.Lola glared at Alexander with anger. “Don’t you dare come near me.”Alexander’s face slowly lost its radiance as he stood in confusion. “My love, what was that for?”Lola simply turned away from Alexander and walked away from him. “It’s nothing.”Alexander sighed. Only a fool would believe that the beautiful woman wasn’t in a terrible mood right now. Even a blind man could easily decipher the truth solely based on her tone.Alexander wasted no time as he followed her to the living room. He sat across from her with a concerned gaze. “Are you hungry? I can order us some of your favorite seafood. You’re gonna…” He didn’t get to
The cryptic phone call hung in the air, a chilling premonition of the storm to come. Jenifer knew Marcus Lee was closing in, and the threat to expose her secret – the truth about the body swap – felt like a loaded gun pointed directly at her heart.The days that followed were filled with a gnawing anxiety. She found herself constantly looking over her shoulder, scrutinizing every interaction, every phone call, every email. The trust she had carefully cultivated felt fragile, threatened by the impending exposure.One evening, while working late in her office, Jenifer received an unexpected visitor: James Beckett. He stood in the doorway, his face a mask of barely controlled rage.“James,” Jenifer said, her voice tight. “What are you doing here?”“I know,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “I know everything.”Jenifer’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you talking about?” she asked, feigning ignorance.“Don’t play coy with me, Isabella,” James snarled. “Or should I say… Jenifer Carlso
The prison walls might have confined Marcus Lee’s physical form, but they couldn’t contain his vengeful spirit. Even from behind bars, he orchestrated a campaign of economic sabotage, a scorched-earth policy aimed at crippling both the Beckett and Romano empires.The first strike hit Beckett Enterprises. A series of damaging leaks, revealing confidential product designs and strategic plans, surfaced online. The company’s stock plummeted, and competitors pounced, eager to exploit the vulnerability.“What the hell is going on?” Emily Beckett, now at the helm of her family’s company, shouted into the phone. Her voice was tight with panic. “Our stock is in freefall! We’re hemorrhaging money!”Jenifer, on the other end of the line, tried to remain calm. “We’re looking into it, Emily. It looks like a coordinated attack. Someone leaked sensitive information.”“Coordinated? Who would do this?” Emily demanded. “We’ve got enemies, sure, but nothing like this. This is… calculated. Surgical.”“We
The Romano Tower hummed with activity, but beneath the polished veneer, a silent war was brewing. James Beckett, fueled by ambition and resentment, had launched his attack.Jenifer, still struggling to navigate the complexities of corporate life, found herself increasingly drawn into the conflict. The board meetings were no longer just confusing; they were tense, filled with veiled threats and subtle power plays."Something's not right," she said to Alexander one evening, pacing in front of the panoramic windows. The city lights seemed to mock her unease.Alexander, engrossed in a stack of documents, barely looked up. "What do you mean?""The numbers," Jenifer said, gesturing vaguely. "They don't add up. There are discrepancies, inconsistencies. It's like someone's deliberately trying to sabotage the company."Alexander finally looked up, his eyes narrowed. "Sabotage? By whom?""I don't know," Jenifer admitted. "But I have a feeling it's connected to your father's death. Someone wants
The board meeting had been a blur of jargon and power plays, leaving Jenifer feeling more lost than ever. Back in the penthouse, the city lights twinkled, mocking her confusion. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong with Charles Romano’s death. The official story – a sudden heart attack – felt too neat, too convenient.“You’re quiet,” Alexander said, entering the living room. He carried a glass of amber liquid, the same one he always seemed to have in his hand after a long day.“Just… processing,” Jenifer replied, staring out the window. “That board meeting was like another language.”“You’ll learn,” Alexander said, taking a sip of his drink. “Or you can just look pretty and nod. Works either way.”Jenifer shot him a look. “I’d rather learn. But I’m also trying to figure out what happened to your father.”Alexander’s expression darkened. “The police are handling it.”“Are they?” Jenifer turned to face him. “Or are they just accepting the easy answer? A sudden
The penthouse suite at the Romano Tower was less a home and more a gilded cage. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panorama of New York City, but Jenifer, trapped within Isabella’s body, felt more like a display piece than a resident.She stood awkwardly amidst the minimalist décor, a stark contrast to the cozy, cluttered apartment she'd once shared with Kain. The silence was deafening, broken only by the distant hum of the city below.Alexander entered, loosening his tie. “You seem… lost.”Jenifer bristled. “Lost? I’m standing in the middle of a room the size of my old apartment. How could I be lost?”He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “A figure of speech, Isabella. Are you settling in?”“Settling in? I have a walk-in closet bigger than my first job. What do you think?” She crossed her arms, the silk of her borrowed dress feeling foreign against her skin.“I take it that’s a no.” Alexander walked towards the bar, pouring himself a drink. "Y
THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V.The limousine rolled through the streets of North Central New York, one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Philadelphia. Sterling and James are on their way to the "la fonte" hotel. This was the location where Sterling and James were told to meet Ferdinand the assassin. Sterling had contacted Ross Robert, one of the best contractors in the underworld, to help him get in contact with Ferdinand.The plan was simple; they would hire Ferdinand Giucerro, aka kill shot, to carry out the assassination of Vincenzo at the most public event the Romano family holds, the October 10th ball. Sterling aims to end Vincenzo publicly, therefore eliminating any possible trace of his death to either him or James. Since they will both be present at the ball as well.Sterling settled back into the plush leather seat of the limousine, his expression pensive as James shifted beside him. "So, partner," James began, his brow furrowed in thought, "you mentioned this 'Kill Shot' guy – t
"Veronica responded cautiously, indicating a possibility." Both individuals must participate in the ritual by being present, holding the necklace's two halves, and reciting a particular incantation. "Do you have the incantation?" Jennifer asked eagerly.Veronica nodded, pointing to the diary. "It's written here," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. "But there's a warning. The ritual is powerful, and if performed incorrectly, it could have... unforeseen consequences.""What kind of consequences?" Jennifer asked, a shiver running down her spine."The diary doesn't specify," Veronica admitted, her voice grim. "But it emphasizes the importance of precision and understanding the full implications of the ritual.""We need to find Isabella," Jennifer said, her voice determined. "We need to try this.""I agree," Veronica said, her eyes filled with resolve. "But we need to be careful, Jennifer. We don't know what we're dealing with. This magic...
Final Act: Present Day The gala gleamed with luxury. Chandeliers emit a warm golden glow throughout the room, reflecting off the crystal goblets and shiny marble floors. It was a festivity of victory, not only for Ashlyn Bennett but for a legacy revived. The tables were filled with the elite of the business world. Conversations hummed with curiosity, admiration, and whispers of awe over the events of the International Business Summit. The Ashlyn Bennett Foundation’s launch was the talk of the night, and at the center of it all stood Ashlyn herself, poised but undeniably powerful.Richard Knight rested against the bar's edge, swirling his drink. His gaze remained fixed on Ashlyn, who was engaged in a conversation with a distinguished man dressed in a pinstriped suit. “She’s something, isn’t she?” Steven White remarked, sidling up beside him. His voice carried a mix of pride and regret. Richard smirked. “Something? She’s everything. Hard to believe she pulled all of this off in one l
Veronica sat opposite Isabella, a serious expression on her face. "So," she began, her voice low. "Tell me everything."Isabella hesitated, her fingers nervously tracing the outline of the Gemini Heart pendant resting against her chest. "It's... complicated," she began, her voice hesitant."I've dealt with complicated things before," Veronica replied, her eyes steady. "Try me."Isabella took a deep breath. "My name isn't Isabella," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's Jennifer. Jennifer Clarke."Veronica raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Jennifer?" she echoed. "But... you look exactly like Isabella.""That's because... we switched bodies," Jennifer explained, her voice trembling slightly. "Our souls... they swapped."Veronica stared at her, a mixture of disbelief and curiosity in her eyes. "Switched bodies?" she repeated. "How is that even possible?""It's the necklace," Jennifer said, touching the Gemini Heart. "It happened wh