Every member of the Meyer family alighted from the luxurious car in front of their mansion after the party in the same way they went, and they all sauntered into the living room silently with so much silence that was stifled with heavy tension, through the grand double doors of their opulent mansion which swung open.
The family's footsteps echoed on the marble floors with their heels and shoes clicking rhythmically, with the force under their feet evident as they made their way in, each stride a confirmation of the restless anger coursing through their veins."Do you all believe what you just witnessed at that banquet?!" Ivy, who never took her time to speak her mind among everyone in the family, suddenly lashed out as soon as they all got to the living room."Is it even possible for someone to suddenly change within two weeks, and go from being a wretched lady from the countryside to the heiress to the Sinclair wealth?! Can you even comprehend the possibility?!" She continued with a huge frown, as she stormed her feet on the ground and held her temples with her hand, which was a way of coping with the headache that was threatening to split her head open."Malcolm, did you have any idea of this? I thought grandfather said she was his childhood friend's grandchild. How is she suddenly a part of the Sinclair family?" Isla turned to question her brother calmly regardless of repressed fury that was threatening to gnaw her from within, because she knew he was the only one that could have an answer to that question.The shocking revelation that unfolded before them at the banquet hall was too much to not talk about.However, Malcolm didn't answer Isla. He said nothing to his family either. He had a lot on his mind and he was contemplating heavily on what to do next."Did you guys see her dress? It cost millions and it is a limited edition. It is freaking expensive that you have to travel to Italy to purchase it only with connections to the brand owner!" Audrey almost lost herself as she marvelled in awe at the dazzling dress, which was the most stunning part of suddenly seeing Zoe stand before them.However, Ivy's scrutinizing eyes which turned to her direction shut her up instantly as she smiled awkwardly. She was talking out of context in the heat of a serious moment, and it could make everyone more mad than they already were."I mean, she walked past us like she wasn't scrubbing our floors just until recently. She acted pridefully like she didn't know us at all. Am I about to lose my mind here in oblivion to this crazy encounter of Zoe as a heiress?!" Irina, the matriarch of the family who was usually poised and composed, finally lashed out angrily, her gaze burning with an intensity that could scorch the earth. It was hard for her to believe no matter how hard she tried to think of it."Calm down, Mum. You shouldn't stress out yourself too much," Isla cautioned her mother when she noticed that she started coughing after her lash-out, because Irina, was on hypertensive pills and could not afford to have something to stress her out."Maybe that was why she rejected the alimony? I mean, how did someone who grew up with her grandmother suddenly become Sinclair's only granddaughter?" Ivy questioned no one in particular again, as she tapped her feet anxiously on the floor at the recollection of how her eyes met directly with Zoe's at the ball, and how she was brutally murdered by her fiery gaze."I said that it could be some kind of action-packed revenge-related series. Do you think she might come back for us? With her grandfather to punish everyone here for making only her do the chores?" Aaron turned to ask his Mum without minding the rage that was flying in the room at that moment, and the jocular Mum was fast enough to clamp her palm over his mouth. She sent him aggressively to his room instantly.A hush settled into the room as everyone seemed to have lashed out all their might even if they had no one to answer, and were all waiting for Malcolm to say something regarding the case. However, he said nothing, and didn't even meet their faces. He just sauntered out of their sight as soon as he took out his phone to make a call, leaving them to their restlessness and cluelessness. That was all for the day.The night ended with the members of the Meyers privy to the truth behind Zoe's sudden rise in power and wealth, and it left them with bloodshot eyes the next morning which told tales of sleep deprivation that left imprints on their faces.They were antsy all night!……•••>>>•••……Malcolm didn't allow his confusion to get the best of him in front of his family, and maintained his usual stoic and cold expression as he walked out of their sight without any answers for them. Immediately he entered his room, he phoned Edward instantly to get him moving that night, on finding the information about how Zoe was related to the Sinclairs.By the next morning, he had his answers."Francis Sinclair is her paternal grandfather?" He asked with a loop that suddenly formed an apprehension against his throat, as he mentioned those unimaginable words even if he was questioning no one in particular.Finding out that the only possibility of what happened at the ball party that he thought of all night was actually true, was rather too much to wrap his head around no matter how positively he tried to think of it.'Never in his life had he been caught unguarded by the news before. Never in his entire life had he been in the dark about something so trivial before.''But since he never cared about the wife that he married for business sake, he would not have the need to know anything about her either. Besides, no one knew Emily, Zoe's mother, had a child for the son of such a powerful man like Francis.'"Is this news confirmed and accurate?" He asked his assistant curtly who nodded instantly."Yes sir. She has been seen going on a few trips with him in his private jet, and the news is all over the press this morning to confirm the legitimization of it. Everyone is totally shocked too by the news, and even his board of shareholders. They didn't expect him to have someone like that as his next-generation inheritor," Edward explained everything to his boss in detail, even though he was also taken aback when he realized the new identity of his boss' ex-wife.He knew things were just about to get crazier with the new turn that had switched Zoe's position, after suffering so much physical, mental, and emotional abuse from the Meyers. He wondered what the illustrious billionaire would do next.Malcolm's lips twisted into her smirk as he began to think calculatively and smartly, of what he could do to make things not as hard as it might seem. Though his family had unprecedented power in the economic and political business, working with the Sinclairs would have gained them more power and territory. Especially, if it became known that he was the husband to the new heiress of the corporation.His position would be unmatched!But sadly, they just divorced two weeks ago."Have our divorce papers been registered?" Malcolm asked Edward instantly as soon as the next possible question occurred to him."We were out of the country throughout last week, so I was only chanced to submit it for processing this week," Edward answered instantly, as he stood so rigidly in front of his boss, trying to think of the possible idea that could be going on in his smart brain.'Maybe something absurd?'"Find out immediately, and stop it if it has not been processed. Now!" Malcolm ordered sharply.In the hushed ambiance of the standard luxurious suite where soft rays of blocked sunlight filtered through the deluxe curtains into the room, Zoe lay in a peaceful repose on the plush bed, sprawled tiredly on every part of the bed. The soft sheets cradled her body into a gentle sensation of warmth and comfort, with her head buried into the huge pillows that decorated the bed in an opulent decor. And for hours since dawn, her eyes had been wide open and staring at the white ceiling. She couldn't sleep further no matter how she tried. The distant hum of the air conditioner was the only thing that she could hear in the deep silence that settled in her room, and it wasn't like the way she had lived her life in the past two years with constant buzziness. She tossed endlessly to the other side of her bed and shut her eyes tightly to find some sleep, but nothing was helping matters even if she tried and wished. Her sleeping pattern had become haphazard ever since she got married to Malco
Though Zoe had planned the day to take a peace check and go out to have fun by herself, Francis Sinclair had called unexpectedly and demanded a brief audience from her as soon as she was about to leave the spa. She strode elegantly out of the spa a few minutes after Audrey and Ivy had seen her, leaving them aghast and battered by intense guilt and fear of the most unexpected thing that could happen to them. The feeling of having to see them shocked beyond their bones at the sight of her, made a satisfactory smirk cross her lips as she sat back in the car that drove her away from the building. But first, that was the most basic because it was an encounter she least expected. Dealing with her grandfather, whom she just got to familiarize with for lunch, was another hassle. The old man was too obnoxious and unnecessary. "You are late," Francis pointed out as Zoe sauntered in and took her seat elegantly in the chair opposite him. "I'm sorry for that. My location was quite far when y
"Are you joking now?! I cannot enter here because someone has booked the mall for two hours?!" Dafne Brown raged angrily, as she stood in front of one of the largest malls in the city to be the first to get the limited edition heels that just came in that afternoon. She couldn't believe that she would be treated in that manner, just because of some simpleton that wanted to show off their wealth. 'Who was the person?!'Zoe was still contemplating what to buy amongst the numerous designer heels that she was looking at, when she heard the loud voice raging from the grand door that led to the section. As soon as she was about to turn her eyes away, she watched some tall lady force her way classlessly into the room. "Who are you and what gives you the right to close up this store as you please?!" She frained imperiously, as her eyes shot out lasers of dagger towards Zoe's direction. Zoe turned her eyes to look at the person talking, and it turned out to be the person who humiliated her
On seeing the most unexpected man about to enter the elevator that Zoe was just coming out of, time seemed to slow down as their gazes met, and at that moment, memories both bitter and sweet flooded her mind. Her eyes, which were once filled with love and vulnerability, held a glint of restrained fury, with every fibre of her yearning to unleash the pent-up frustration and resentment in her. But she remained composed with a stoic expression, hiding the tempest of emotions raging within her as confidence surged from nowhere in her body. Not knowing how to react to such an infuriating situation of suddenly seeing him, she decided to ignore him the same way they always did even when they were living together. 'Afterall. They rarely spoke to one another in the past.' "People are looking around desperately to see you make a mistake and put it out for the whole world to see," she remembered Francis' words to her. She didn't even need the words anyway. She already knew that she could n
A black, sleek car glided to a graceful halt in front of the huge ANCLAIR corporation, and the bustling reporters that were hanging around all day for the entrance immediately swarmed around, their cameras flashing brightly in anticipation to capture the sight of the lady they were waiting for. She was nervous about facing such a spotlight which she had never had the chance to ever be in her life. It felt so overwhelming to know that she, who was always someone of no significance to other people, was being sorted by many. Gary had told her that there had been so many emails being sent to the CEO's seat to those that had private email for the CEO's table, ever since her being named the heiress. The chauffeur that had gone to pick her up that morning in a different car, stepped out of the car, and walked up to the right side of the car where Zoe was sitting. He opened the door to prepare her for what was next. "Ready, ma'am?" He asked her, blocking the bright flashes of the camera fro
"Should we just release the news about how she was treated here? Tell the truth that she's been hired by Francis Sinclair and that her family lives in the poor countryside," Ivy blurted out suddenly, the moment she thought of what they could do to have Zoe wrapped around their fingers. They were eating breakfast at their private dining, and it was just the same old lame food they had to manage after hiring numerous chefs in just two weeks. The taste of the food had never been the same, and the service could never be the same either, if they wanted to have breakfast at their usual early hours. Most times, Audrey had to agree to eat the same food as Ivy, while Irina and Isla ate the same meal. Aaron had no choice but to eat whatever he was served too, and had to wear his clothes regardless of how the maids had ironed them. He didn't like the new way of things, and he missed Zoe's way of doing his things so much, even if he could never speak of it. "We would just say she was a maid, no
Zoe was standing on the balcony of her new-storey apartment leaning against the intricately carved railing, as she stared at the beautiful surroundings of her new home. The gentle morning breeze swirled through her flowing gown and her silky hair, as she tilted a cup of sizzling coffee to her lips and drank from it. A mischievous smirk suddenly tugged at the corners of her lips in satisfaction, as she recalled what happened at the party the previous night, and her mind replayed the events like a well-choreographed play while she revelled in the sweet taste of victory."Do I know you?" She asked Sasha, when she demanded what she was doing at the party, to recognize her as the daughter-in-law in the home of Meyers. Realizing that things might go wrong with her lips, she decided to deny her to the extent that she would question her sanity. "What…. What?" Sasha stuttered confusedly at the lady standing before her, wondering if she had too much champagne to drink and had seen the lady sta
The mood at the Meyers seemed more vibrant than usual, as they arrived to sit around the dining table to have breakfast at their usual hours. However, rather than the normal full table with different varieties of dishes, the food was served with minimalism according to the breakfast theme which was planned by their newest chef. They seemed to be in a good mood regardless of whatever preference they had in mind, because they had also seen the news that aired early that morning, and how it attacked Zoe as the heiress to ANCLAIR corporation. There was anticipation in the air as they all tried to settle down first, before taking time to tear her into pieces with their words. "I'm so glad! Seems like we are not the only ones trying to pull her down, and bring the truth about her to light," Audrey finally broke the silence as soon as she served Irina's food, which had been her job to do ever since Zoe left. "It was the most shocking news that popped into my notification this morning. Tha
The air in Malcolm's office was filled with so much tension the moment he let his sister, who had come to momentarily disrupt his schedule, in. It had been days since they saw each other, ever since the unfortunate incident that almost cost her life. He had been expecting that she would come to see him after the information he had gotten about what she had been up to for the past few days, and unlike before, he didn't even give her the chance to speak first, before he lashed at her. “Do not come and shout in my office like you have been going around doing!” He warned gravely as soon as she stormed into his office, with all of her entirety quivering uncontrollably. “You know well that I should not keep calm at all!” She glared at him, “You of all people, know that I deserve to rant. At least if you treated me like trash, I should have one thing for myself!” “Why, in the name of everything sane, do you keep running back to fight with them?!” he demanded, his words seething with ange
Malcolm Meyer sat on the plush leather armchair in the living room of his new home in a faraway estate from the city that whispered wealth in every detail, from the vaulted ceilings which held huge modern diamond five-tier chandelier whose lights art reflected on the ebony floors of the huge mansion, to the floor-to-ceiling windows and perfect walls that were lined with first editions arts and rare artifacts.For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he allowed himself to sink into the quiet of his living room right after he returned from work and took a warm bath, instead of retiring to his room as usual. As he swirled the colorless wine in the wine glass he was holding and took a slow sip at each unconsciously calculated rhythm, his thoughts could not help but drift to the one person he had seen by chance earlier that day at a conference meeting. And even though they didn't get the chance to talk, and he just got to watch her from afar, he was relieved that she had risen f
Dressed in a white silk robe that blinked and waved smoothly in the direction of the wind, Irina Meyer lounged on the chaise longue in her private suite at Le AVARSON wellness resort, as she basked in the lights of the sun's rays that seeped in through the wide, floor-to-ceiling windows. On her right was a crystal glass filled with freshly pressed grapefruit juice on the side table, and right before her face was a fashion magazine which she buried her eyes in, as her right hand occasionally flipped to the next page. However, her mind was barely on what she was reading. It was deep in the thoughts of the confrontation with Andre earlier in her room that morning, and the words she hadn't expected that she would say to him. Though she felt a little guilty that she had smacked him hard with the bitter truth, her face scrunched up with the unwillingness to go and appease him as she continued to enjoy the peaceful repose of her environment. Irina was just beginning to let the peace of t
The door to the room slammed open with a crack like thunder, and Andre emerged from his room, his face a storm of furrowed brows and clenched jaws. The sound of his shoes clacked so hard as he strode down the hallway that led to Irina''s room, his breath coming out in uneven huffs, and his hands balling into fists at his sides. There was a wild urgency in his eyes amid a simmering frustration that seemed to radiate off him like heat, as he burst into his mother’s room without knocking. Irina, who was in her dressing room while getting ready to step out for an anniversary event, was visibly startled by the noise of the abrupt entrance in her room, as she rushed out instantly to see what the ruckus was all about. “Mother!” He called sharply, “Who else had been to that room?!” He demanded heavily, his voice heavy with anger and anxiety. “What do you mean?” Irina scrunched her eyebrows up in confusion, as she stared at him with questioning eyes, almost stumbling against the large s
Sitting slumped in his high-backed chair, with the city skyline stretching out beyond the window behind him, Andre’s hand rested heavily on the armrests of his chair, his chest rising and falling in shallow, controlled breaths, even if the storm that was brewing inside him was anything but calm.He had gotten yet another rejection. Another blow to his pride. He had poured days into crafting the new proposal, painstakingly aligning every detail with the vision he thought Malcolm wanted for their flagship company. And yet, the same words were delivered to him again. “It doesn’t fit our strategy.”The words rang in his ears, colder than the polished marble of the boardroom where they had been uttered, and he swore he almost punched Malcolm right at that moment in his face. He made him feel like a fool again! He effortlessly dismissed his proposal yet again. “You have to be very cautious. Though Malcolm is sitting back, he is watching you with his might! Do not make mistakes. Just wai
“You want to find out the truth too, don't you?” Zoe stared at the cryptic and blunt sentence that flashed in her eyes as soon as she slipped her phone out of her purse, when it sounded with a soft chime signaling the arrival of a new message. She had just stepped out of her car after they arrived at the underground parking lot of the mall, when she received the message that had her pausing on her tracks. Her heart skipped a beat and a cold shiver traveled down her spine immediately she read it, as her head turned sharply to the left and right, to see if the person who sent the message was somewhere around her. ‘Who could have sent this?’ She wondered, her eyebrows furrowing high in worry, as she tapped the screen on her phone, ready to reply to the message and ask who the person was. However, she restricted the urge to do that, cautioning herself that it was not the time for impulsiveness, as she slipped the phone back into her bag, straightened her blazer, and made her way t
Zoe returned home late in the night after a long day at work, had her bath, and changed clothes, before she went to the most quiet place in her house, which was tucked away in the farthest corner of her house, while carrying a bowl of neatly cut fruit in her hands, shortly after she went over some office papers in her study desk. Though feeling tired and stressed out with her entire body extremely sore, she knew she just had to visit the room to do a review of the last discovery she made. Turning on the light in the room, she moved to the wall by her Eastside, and instantly raised the white veil she had pulled over the series of photographs which were pinned in neat rows and newspaper clippings. Each was marked in red. Some had the letter ‘X’ written on it boldly and definitively, while others had circles drawn around faces in the pictures, and were connected with taut strings of thread that crisscrossed like a chaotic spider’s web.Carefully, Zoe sank onto the plush armchair that
Seated in her new office, which was a masterpiece of modern elegance, was Isla, whose aura of calculated grace radiated strongly in every corner of the room. Rather than the usual custom-made suits she usually donned to the office when she was still the CEO of Hila jewelry, she was wearing a stunning turquoise blue dress, with its off-the-shoulder design this time around, revealing her delicate collarbones which were adorned with a simple but exquisite diamond necklace. However, regardless of how stunning she looked, her face was bunched into a disdainful mark, her left fingers tapping rhythmically on the table and her mind momentarily lost in some other place, as her eyes constantly darted to her phone which was before her. Barely a few minutes later, while still seething uncontrollably, her phone began to ring, and she quickly snatched it from the table. Instantly, her lips, which were painted in rich, pepper-red lipstick, curled into a smirk, as a hint of malice instantly flicke
ZOELVA’s luxurious structure, erected tall, reflected the shining bright lights of the afternoon sun from the east, with its luxurious designs radiating across the core and surroundings far and beyond the huge city. Inside, shoppers went from floor to floor, wandering wide corridors that were lined with top-tier brands, with staff moving around to guide and direct everyone in the most orderly manner. Groups of families made their way to food stands, their laughter and shouts mingling with the savory scents of sizzling burgers, crispy pizza, and sweet, sticky treats. On another side, fashion enthusiasts, elites, and socialites were gathered around numerous designer boutiques, their eyes fixed longingly on the glossy displays of haute couture, while others anticipated getting their hands on the most sophisticated top-notch tech devices. Amid the crowd’s awe and excitement and the hubbub of purchasing endlessly and engaging so many sections in the mall, a moment of stillness fell int