Dressed in a long, white coat, with her hair carefully and neatly tucked beneath a surgical cap, while having a white face mask covering half of her face and leaving only her eyes visible, Zoe slipped through the hospital corridors, and sauntered with confidence like any other normal doctors around. With her heart beating in unrest even if she managed to maintain composure, her hand tightened around the clipboard she had picked up to complete her disguise, as she continued to move tactically, with only one place in her mind. With a VIP card that belonged to one of the top doctors that could access the elevator which led to the floor where Audrey was admitted, she was able to scale through successfully without being detected, as she approached the room in her mind.Standing in front of the formidable door at the left row of the long hallway for a few seconds, she pulled herself together as she drew in a short breath, and with a glance down the hall, slipped into the room before closi
Zoe sat on the edge of her bed, her mind troubled with the weight of the news she had just heard at the hospital, and her heart raced erratically, the surfeit thoughts in her head, jarring her from the possibility of sleep. “Audrey is pregnant,” The forbidding words that the nurse revealed to the doctor had been echoing in her mind like two stones blasting heavily against one another.‘Audrey was pregnant? How? Since when?!’ Her stomach churned with anxiety as she paced the length of her room going back and forth.Restlessly, in the suffocating silence of her room, Zoe’s thoughts screamed at her louder than anything, ‘The news was not only a shocking one, but also dangerous as well.’‘The Meyers could never find out! If they did, they would do anything to twist the situation to their advantage if they found out. They might brand Audrey the worst name ever, ruin hers and Marcel’s reputation, and destroy so many plans that had been lying ahead!’ The thought of what they could do sent
Zoe sat across from Marcel in his private suite where they agreed to meet after her successful sneaking into the hospital, and her heart was heavy with guilt as she struggled to meet his gaze. She had a lot to tell him, and nothing much to say at the same time. It was the morning of the next day after she left Aaron at home since she didn't have any work to go to, and it had been weighing heavily on her heart that she just had to see him and give him feedback. She observed the tension that coursed through his body even if he tried to maintain maximum composure, his eyes meandering endlessly across the room even if he had nothing to look at, as if he was waiting for her to speak first. Marcel's desperation to hear something positive from her was palpable, and Zoe could feel it in the way he kept shifting in his seat, as she struggled with how to start the conversation in her head, in a way that would not end up ruining things if she divulged too much. “Were they able to clear the f
Amid the buzzing city in the evening, a piece of jaw-breaking news which took the city in ripples and caused an uproar suddenly stormed from nowhere, with a damning narrative that was so sudden and shocking, taking a swift turn in the most condemning headlines that the media had been weaponizing for weeks. It began with the breaking news at 7:00 PM at the top billboard spot and the media house news channel, as the main anchor’s voice, calm, and collected, captured the attention of everyone. “In a shocking twist this evening, newly uncovered footage from the most memorable birthday party of Irina Meyer has surfaced, revealing key evidence that casts significant doubt on the attempted murder accusations concerning the billionaire heiress of ANCLAIR conglomerate, clearing her of all charges…….”Instantly, tweets and hashtags went online as people began to share the news as fast as they could, and it began to spread like wildfire, the same way the accusatory news that almost destroyed Z
Malcolm sat at the study desk in his room, with his eyes fixed on the screen of the tablet that laid before him, while watching the evening news of the day with a deep sense of simmering satisfaction, and for a moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of vindication. He hadn't realized how badly Zoe's name had been dragged through the mud for too long until he returned to the country, and he was glad that he was able to do something about it, even if it had been too late. Leaning back in his leather chair, his eyes narrowed meaningfully, he contemplated his next move, as his left thumb hovered over the phone in his left hand, with a sense of restlessness filling his entirety.He hadn't spoken to her in weeks ever since she had warned him to stay out of her life, and he had tried so hard to be obedient to her. He had restrained the incite to call her all those while. But, more than ever, Malcolm felt the suffocating and unbearable urge to see her or hear her voice again as he stared at
Irina stood in the center of her large, luxurious bedroom which had just been turned upside down after it was just scanned minutes ago, as her heart pounded erratically against her ribcage, her eyes fixated on the dreadful horror she was staring at. Her breaths came in sharp, shallow gasps as she stared in disbelief and shock, at the small, insidious devices that had been hidden in every corner of her room without suspicion, all scattered across the floor- the dread that she had been sharing her private space with, longer than she could ever figure out. From underneath her bed frame, the floorboards, her nightstand, and the corner and shelves of her dressing room that had been scanned thoroughly, were where the black beeping devices were discovered. Wiretaps in her room. Everywhere. Just days ago, Irina had unintentionally discovered the spy and tracking app that had been unknowingly installed on her phone when it suddenly fell in pieces, and had to be taken to a phone engineer
“You can wait here,” Zoe instructed Dylan, who had accompanied her to the front of the door that led to her office in the company, as she pushed open the heavy glass doors that led to Zara's office, and she sauntered in after hesitating for a moment. Her eyes meandered across the familiar expansive space of the secretary's office, as she switched the lights on, and then proceeded to enter her own office. Turning on the light to hers, she slowly made her way toward where her large, polished desk was centered, her glass-encrusted nameplate catching her eyes. With a tired sigh escaping her, she ran her fingers over the surface of the nameplate and read the letters that had been encrusted on it under her breath, the coolness of it sending a shiver through her as if she was saying goodbye to more than just the office. Her eyes lingered on the small corner near the panoramic windows where she had strategically placed the last spy camera from weeks ago, and walked over to quickly pluck
Zoe stood in the dimly lit hallway of her luxurious suit, and her eyes were fixed on Dylan, who was standing before her, her voice laced with urgency, “Were you able to get the document of authentication?”Dylan nodded, having confirmed it a few minutes ago just right after they both returned from her office, “It is going as planned, ma'am. The lawyer said the papers will be finalized and confirmed by tomorrow. By then, you will have full authority over her assets and her son’s welfare,” he explained. Zoe nodded in satisfaction even if her heart was racing with some underlying hint of dread, feeling the need to take another step since every charge against her had been dissolved, and there was a new search for the person who had tried to murder Audrey. The first step was to make sure that the Meyers would not be able to take control over Aaron and Audrey anymore through legal means. “Good,” she finally said, while trying not to think too much because of the sudden state of anxiety t
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
The small studio apartment Ivy sat in was dimly lit, because she left the lights off, with only a small table lamp to illuminate the room. The air of the surroundings was heavy and filled with the staleness of days-old dishes in the sink as well as the faint scent of spilled wine on the threadbare carpet. Every surface of the apartment bore the weight of her gloom with stacks of unopened bills, piles of dirty laundry, and empty bottles left lying on the floor which portrayed too many lonely nights. For weeks, she had lived this way. Isolated, enraged, shrouded in bitterness, and sinking in despair, ever since the incident with Isla that made her get on Malcolm's bad side, and Andre's sudden return which she never expected in her life to see coming. And even if she had been so joyful to see her brother who was back from his supposed death, after they had mourned him for years, she could not believe her mother would quickly replace her with Isla, who she had condemned just a few w
“You are around,” the gloomy and almost fading voice mumbled with a heavy heart, as soon as he heard the phone click on the receiver of his call, just a few minutes after dialing. It was at the most unexpected moment when he had tried the same line he had been trying again and again in futility for the past months, that it went through and the owner of the phone answered. It took him willpower to hide his shock. “Yes,” Zoe's voice came out placidly, devoid of any overt emotion as she answered curtly. Malcolm's eyebrows arched so high in astonishment because he had expected a sarcastic reply from her or a brutal hangup, as his brain ran out of the right words to articulate as a response to the answer she gave him. His voice crackled through the line of sullenness, laced with an uncharacteristic mix of vulnerability and hesitation as he said the most random thing that came to mind, “Your things are still in the room as you left them,” he informed her as if she didn't remember. “You
In just a few days of Zoe having her hands so busy with signing deals and contracts after the launching of ZOELVA, it was already becoming the busiest, most-talked-about destination in town.Shockingly, some of the most iconic foreign brands began to set up their flagship stores with massive storefronts and bold displays, their designs extravagant yet tasteful there, as if they had all been waiting all along. Top-tier local designers and retailers held their own space also, blending a cosmopolitan elegance with a touch of local charm. From the management to the customer service desk that began work in just two days, every employee worked with an intensity that matched the mall’s electric energy, and quickly adapted to the pace, which was astonishingly fast given how new everything was.With their unique uniforms and all of their movements conveying confidence, they smoothly guided people, answered questions, and handled endless transactions with ease. Media houses, and top magazines
Isla bolted out of her room almost at the speed of light as soon as her eyes caught the most shocking news of her life while surfing the internet, and getting prepared to leave the house. Her face instantly flashed with an overwhelming shock and a mix of disbelief after she had checked more than ten media outlets to confirm the news, and scrolled endlessly while watching videos from the launching event from the previous night. Her lungs dropped to her heart and her stomach sank with fury and a profound shock that stole her entire breath away, as she charged down the hallway of her room toward her mother’s room while holding her phone tightly in the grasp of her hand as if she was going to crush it. Her thoughts tumbled over each other, each one more impossible than the last, as she tried to process the news that had shattered her world and left her almost insane with hatred. As soon as Isla abruptly parted the grand doors to her mother's room open and left them swinging with a ter
“I am sorry to inform you, but the blood test results of persons A and B did not match. They are not biologically related.” Zoe stepped into her house after the launching party had ended, and somehow the excitement she had in her all night after her grand launch became the talk of the town, died instantly. As she stepped inside her new home, an unexplainable heaviness washed over her.Her phone vibrated just as she sauntered in and slouched upon her favorite chair in her living room, and as she glanced at the screen and picked up, she heard the most confusing words she couldn't even grasp almost immediately. “What did you say?” she pressed the phone closer to her ear to be sure she heard right, her eyes twitching uncontrollably. For a moment, she didn’t breathe.“I am sorry to announce to you that the two people in the results that have been forwarded to your email are not biologically related. Therefore, the bone marrow transplant cannot proceed.” A few weeks ago, when Zoe finally
The golden air at the moment, which held an air ambiance that opened the world of grand luxury and sophistication, filled the nooks and crannies of the new mall where its launching event was being held, whose name had just been announced a few hours ago. ZOELVATop elites began to saunter into ZOELVA mall, where every inch was polished with fine marble, and was designed with mind-blowing architectural expertise that exuded grandeur, designed to leave them thoroughly marveling and awed by the sight that stole breath from their lips. The glass walls had clear panes that were interspersed with opalescent beams that captured and reflected light in all directions, and giant tiers of diamond chandeliers hung in the main atrium, each crystal strand swaying subtly with a familiar melody, while casting the most artistic light pattern on the marble floor below. The huge ballroom for the event was alive with whispers, laughter, and small talk from the elites that were in attendance, ranging fr
It was impossible to miss. The newest, grandest mall which stood in gleaming glass and steel splendor of great luxury and opulence, with its gigantic structure, stretched so wide, and covered an almost unimaginable number of square meters. The intricate details in its architecture whispered of wealth and exclusivity, and every floor was rumored to be filled with unique boutiques, lavish dining experiences, an indoor oasis lined with lush greenery and trickling water fountains, an entertainment area with a cinema of virtual reality lounges, and a rooftop garden overlooking the city below. The construction of the mall had been shrouded in secrecy for months after the redevelopment of the area was instantly announced, and now its opening and launching event was the talk of the town, flooding every news outlet and social media platform. Everywhere, people wondered what conglomerate owned the huge work of art. #Mall of century #Biggest in the city #Magnificent Mall #Top entrepreneu
The grand front door of the Meyer swung open with force and rattled against the wall as Isla stormed into the grand lobby, and then the stairway, her heels striking the marble floors with a force that echoed through the long hallway, revealing the intensity of her anger. Her face was scrunched up in anger and despair, and her voice was loud and quivering with frustration, as it dissipated into the air before anyone had even noticed her arrival, knowing she would definitely find them there. “She is back!” she cried out in frustration, as her fists clenched her sides, and her body quivered with anger, as she strode into the living room where her mother and brother sat, “Zoe is back, mother!” Ever since Andre returned home and the family ended up dividing, the only person who was not shocked by the announcement or new arrangement was Isla. It was as if she had known what had been going on behind the scenes before the plan finally became public, and couldn't help being bothered like