The room abuzzed with anticipation and excitement as everyone gathered around, all eyes fixed on Alexander who stood confidently on the podium and spoke through the microphone. With a heartfelt gratitude he began his speech. "I'm thankful to everyone for our coming to celebrate the 30 years anniversary of Thomas Group of companies." He spoke, his words sincere. "The past few days have been difficult for my family and I, marked by the painful loss of my beloved wife." He paused for a minute to recollect his thoughts, his eyes filled with appreciation as he continued. "Still, I am thankful for growth, the name Thomas Groups is a big name spread across various countries. I'm also thankful to my Sons who has helped shape our company into what is it today." He trailed off a bit, overwhelmed with emotions as he let out a little chuckle. "You know, this company would never get to where it is without my Sons." The guest began to applaud and cheer Alexander on but it all dies down as he co
(Three month back) The night club at Los Angeles is filled with energy, the crowd was in full party mode as they danced and laughed together on the crowded floor, it was a masked party. Damian who was on travels, sat in front of the bar desk sipping his drink as he awaited his special guest, Bella. He had seen her just few weeks ago at an event in Danaria but he wasn't able to speak to her, although he was able to get her manager to fill in a word for him and ever since then, they had been chatting online. They were finally going to meet, but not in his Country. The bartender offered him another liquor as Damian's eyes scanned the crowd, watching some hot girls who stood at various corners admist the crowd, staring at him with flirtatious eyes, he wasn't putting on a mask yet, his guest had to recognize him when she comes in. He was a fine handsome young man, he knew that, but he wanted to give his guest the best first impression tonight.Just as he took a sip of his drink, his at
Bella observed both men discreetly as she eavesdroped on their conversation, she had planted a listening device on Damian during their dance. She noticed the man suspiciously handing a phone to Damian, "the furniture Sir, it's currently held by the custom officers. It hasn't landed in Danaria yet, if they investigate it, there will be trouble." The man revealed, panicking. The phone he had given Damian was the one Damian used for his illegal business, Moxi X trafficking. He collected the phone, he intended to place a few calls here and there to get the matter settled. The man nodded as he made his way out of the club leaving just Damian as he made the call.Soon after, Bella noticed Damian's return and swiftly switched off the earpiece, pouring herself and Damian a glass of champagne as she began to sip from her glass."Hey babe, why don't we finish up business, huhh!" He said sniffing his nose on her skin. Bella giggled as raised her glass of champagne for a toast, Damain picked up
Jennifer and Erica stood in between the sleek modern cocktail table as they sipped their wine, engaged in a hush conversation. Erica's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she said. "So that's how you got yourself into this situation." Jennifer nodded, "it's supposed to be confidential, but I don't want to keep anything from you." Erica's eyes widened with surprise to her sister's revelation as she gently touched her sister's hand. "Thank you! If not for you I..." Her words is sudden hushed with Jennifer's finger on her lips. "It was my responsibility Erica, I wouldn't be able to move on with life if something had happened to you, not when I hadn't appreciated our bond all these years. You're my only family, I'd take every difficult path just to make sure you're fine and well." Jennifer replied, her hand cupping Erica's chin with adoration as Erica's stared at her love. They never bonded so well in the past, Jennifer was always about the being a devoted secetary meanwhile Erica was being
Paul and Grace stood admist the guest as they observed Ray and Jennifer from a distance. Grace's eyes rested on them with interest as Ray applied Jennifer first aid over a minor cut. "Hmm, so that's the same girl...not only did she receive favors in father's hands, she's also fortunate to be part of the Thomas family." She said, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of surprise on her face. Paul's expression changed as his mind became calculative trying to process their current predicament. "The tables have turned." He said, his voice low and thoughtful. "With Alexander's speech, everything has changed. Everything!" Grace gaze immediately snapped back at Paul. "It better not!" She said in a fierce tone. "Get your son inlaw in that position by all means, this is no longer about you and your daughter, alot is on the line now." "Gracee!!" Alexander called out after he noticed her from a distance, he approached them. Grace's face broke into a warm smile as she saw him. "Alexander
Damian's eyes blazed with fury as his grip on Bella tightened, not only did she accused him of being in cahoots with his brother to deceive her, she claimed he'd let Ray have it. Yes, he accepted to get married to her because she possessed information that could destroy all he had ever work for. She had told him from the beginning that she wasn't going to use it against him, if only he could love and respect their marriage. So yes, why not marry her and get her to love him, then search for ways to destroy the evidence. She was the granddaughter of the Evans, her dad being the sole heir to the Evans Empire. Ofcourse, he wasn't surprised when she presented those document and audio recordings containing information that could tarnish him. He underestimated her, that was the problem. "Why don't I just have a taste of this hot actress that I've had a crush on?" It was going to be their first and last, it was in a far away country anyways, could probably be the last time they see. Little
Jennifer sat alone at the bar in her waitress outfit lost in her own thoughts. Her eyes welled up with tears as she tried to hold them back. She ordered for a bottle a beer, all she wanted was to drown herself and forget it all, she didn't care about anything else. Just as the bartender served her drink, she quickly poured herself a full glass and downed it in one gulp. As she poured herself another glass, her head dropped to the counter as she began to sob softly. Why did he have to stay with her for so long only to deceive her? How dare he refer to her as a toy?Two men approached her as they sat beside her as soon as they noticed her distress state. "Heyyy, you good?" One of them asked, Jennifer looked up, gulping her second glass of beer as she ordered for more. Both guys stared at each other with a mischievous smile on their face. Jennifer poured herself another glass from the second bottle, she had just drank a bit before the other guy suggested. "Let dance hey, you know, ligh
Ray's hands remained wrapped around her waist, his eyes locked with hers, he leaned closer, his face inches away from hers, his eyes searching hers like he was searching for answers, he wanted her to speak more. "And?" He asked, his face drawn closer as he anticipated her reply. Jennifer's voice was barely above a whisper. "Then why do you treat me some certain way? Why get me into this and propose that I'm bound by your contract." "That was the only way." Ray responded, his voice fierce. "I'm not going to lose you to my brother once again." Jennifer could feel his hot yet seductive breath the smell of liquor on her skin as he spoke, she felt her tummy twirl in a funny way for the first time in a long time, but she still had questions. Her heart began to beat faster as she stared into his eyes. "For a year? You needed me for just a year!" Jennifer asked, her eyes filled with curiosity, it didn't seem like a reasonable explanation. Ray's words dripped with sincerity as he spoke
As Paul, Grace, and Bella exited the hospital, they were followed by bodyguards. A whole lot of reporters quickly gathered around them, cameras and microphones being waved around as the reporters began firing off questions. Just as the family stood still for a moment, the repoerter calmed down a bit before one asked, "What evidence does the police have that led them to suspect Morris in the chairman's murder?" Another reporter chimed in, "What could be Morris' motive for killing the chairman?" Grace placed a calming hand on Paul's shoulder as he stood soberly, surrounded by the intense media attention. Paul's voice was calm, yet firm, as he addressed the reporters, "You'll find out everything in court." He pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose, already frustrated. Bella stood behind him, her expression unreadable and bare. A reporter pressed on, "Why have you guys settled back in Denaria? Is it concerning the succession of Evans Group?" The question sparked anger in Paul's ey
Ray stepped out of the bathroom in a pair of shorts, his chest bare, as the gentle morning light dawned a warm glow on their bedroom. He moved slowly to Jennifer's side, where she laid under the duvet. With a tender touch, he kissed her neck, his eyes gazing her face as he gently stroke her hair. Jennifer's eyes fluttered open as she gazed up at Ray, her eyes soft and sleepy. Ray's eyes, filled with love and adoration, met hers, and he whispered, "Good morning, sweetheart." Jennifer's cheeks blushed as she smiled. But as she gazed up at Ray, her expression shifted, and a look of embarrassment crossed her face as she covered her face with hands a bit. "I'm so sorry, so sorry about yesterday," she apologized, her voice soft and smooth. "I slept right in the middle of our moment." Her eyes dropped, and she looked away, her cheeks growing even warmer. Ray's expression softened, and he reached out to her. "It's alright," he said, his voice gentle as he continued stroking her hair. "The
Ray and Jennifer sat side by side on the swing chair just by the beach shore, her head rested on his shoulders as they laughed and talked about the days in college. "I can't believe you never noticed me." He said, his tone filled with amusement as he squeezed her shoulders gentle but tightly. His eyes dawned on her face as he noticed a faint smile run across her lip, he cupped her face in his hand before pushing her hair to the side. "I'm sorry Jennifer, he got involved with you just to spite me ... it's all my fault." He said, his voice filled with regret. Jennifer's eyes searched his for reassurance, he had told her everything, how it all started and why it got to this certain point. "Why do you apologize? It's not a crime to love, is it?" She said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ray's face softened, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips. "It's crazy you know, the outspoken freshman girl I was crazy about in college, here we are after all these years. I thought I had lost y
As few of the staff members surrounded the board meeting table in a discussion at Evans group, Jennifer was rather lost in this discussion as she couldn't help but smile and rethink the events of last night. Unknowingly, she blushed with a soft giggle until Daniel calls out to her. "Are you with us, Jennifer?" He asked, his face stern and curious as to why she was absent minded. Jennifer's attention is brought back to reality as nodded her head immediately, "Yes, yes, please do continue." Daniel wrapped up the meeting as he announced that the Chairman would be taking temporarily leave, making Paul Evans set to fill in until everything returned back to normal. Just as the meeting was adjourned, Jennifer reached out to Daniel on her concern as the staff members are about to leave. "Dan...uhm, manager, I'd like to have a conversation with you in private please." She asked politely as the others exit the room, leaving just both of them. "Please tell me honestly, what's the current s
Ray sat in the office lost in thought as his mind replayed back to the event of last night, a faint smile ran across the lips, his eyes fixed on the table, staring at nothing in particular. Richard who had been standing for a while now, coughed, breaking the silence and bringing back Ray to reality. "You called me, Sir." Richard said, his tone serious and professional. Ray's gaze drifted to Richard as he just seemed to notice his presence at that point. "Uhhh, Richard...Are you married?" Ray asked casually, his question caught Richard off-guard as he stared at his boss with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Sir? Uhm ... I have a fiancee, we got engaged last year." Richard replied, his expression remained puzzled to Ray's sudden question. Ray's surprised by Richard's reply, he had been working for him for the past four years and he had no idea about it. "Congratulations man! She's obviously treating you well." Ray exclaimed with a warm smile on his face as Richard chuckled a bit.
Ray's hands remained wrapped around her waist, his eyes locked with hers, he leaned closer, his face inches away from hers, his eyes searching hers like he was searching for answers, he wanted her to speak more. "And?" He asked, his face drawn closer as he anticipated her reply. Jennifer's voice was barely above a whisper. "Then why do you treat me some certain way? Why get me into this and propose that I'm bound by your contract." "That was the only way." Ray responded, his voice fierce. "I'm not going to lose you to my brother once again." Jennifer could feel his hot yet seductive breath the smell of liquor on her skin as he spoke, she felt her tummy twirl in a funny way for the first time in a long time, but she still had questions. Her heart began to beat faster as she stared into his eyes. "For a year? You needed me for just a year!" Jennifer asked, her eyes filled with curiosity, it didn't seem like a reasonable explanation. Ray's words dripped with sincerity as he spoke
Jennifer sat alone at the bar in her waitress outfit lost in her own thoughts. Her eyes welled up with tears as she tried to hold them back. She ordered for a bottle a beer, all she wanted was to drown herself and forget it all, she didn't care about anything else. Just as the bartender served her drink, she quickly poured herself a full glass and downed it in one gulp. As she poured herself another glass, her head dropped to the counter as she began to sob softly. Why did he have to stay with her for so long only to deceive her? How dare he refer to her as a toy?Two men approached her as they sat beside her as soon as they noticed her distress state. "Heyyy, you good?" One of them asked, Jennifer looked up, gulping her second glass of beer as she ordered for more. Both guys stared at each other with a mischievous smile on their face. Jennifer poured herself another glass from the second bottle, she had just drank a bit before the other guy suggested. "Let dance hey, you know, ligh
Damian's eyes blazed with fury as his grip on Bella tightened, not only did she accused him of being in cahoots with his brother to deceive her, she claimed he'd let Ray have it. Yes, he accepted to get married to her because she possessed information that could destroy all he had ever work for. She had told him from the beginning that she wasn't going to use it against him, if only he could love and respect their marriage. So yes, why not marry her and get her to love him, then search for ways to destroy the evidence. She was the granddaughter of the Evans, her dad being the sole heir to the Evans Empire. Ofcourse, he wasn't surprised when she presented those document and audio recordings containing information that could tarnish him. He underestimated her, that was the problem. "Why don't I just have a taste of this hot actress that I've had a crush on?" It was going to be their first and last, it was in a far away country anyways, could probably be the last time they see. Little
Paul and Grace stood admist the guest as they observed Ray and Jennifer from a distance. Grace's eyes rested on them with interest as Ray applied Jennifer first aid over a minor cut. "Hmm, so that's the same girl...not only did she receive favors in father's hands, she's also fortunate to be part of the Thomas family." She said, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of surprise on her face. Paul's expression changed as his mind became calculative trying to process their current predicament. "The tables have turned." He said, his voice low and thoughtful. "With Alexander's speech, everything has changed. Everything!" Grace gaze immediately snapped back at Paul. "It better not!" She said in a fierce tone. "Get your son inlaw in that position by all means, this is no longer about you and your daughter, alot is on the line now." "Gracee!!" Alexander called out after he noticed her from a distance, he approached them. Grace's face broke into a warm smile as she saw him. "Alexander