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
The heavy grand doors of the Meyers mansion swung open with a sharp creak as two security men matched in, with grim faces, walking tall and formidable behind Malcolm. “Get Ivy down here!” He ordered in a very cold and authoritative manner, and it caused the maids who were at his call to shudder in fear as they went to get her from her room instantly. Unaware of what the sudden hubbub of her brother wanting to see her was, Ivy, who had gotten home less than five minutes ago, made her way down the grand stairs that led to her room lazily. For the past few weeks, all she had done was go to clubs to dance and drink with her friends, while spending money lavishly as she pleased. She had been unable to get rid of the anger and pain that her head had been drowning, knowing that she lost her ex to Audrey. It bruised her ego non-stop anytime she thought of it. And since she had been unable to talk to anyone about it, she decided to keep it to herself, considering how messy the family ha
After she was dragged away from the mansion by the security guards into the car they came with, Ivy was taken to a small vacation house that they drove to that night, which was miles away from the mansion after making sure they were not being trailed. The room they made her sit in after they arrived was suffocating as well as trepidatory, and all she could do was bury her eyes on the floor while sitting so stiffly, her heart thumping fast as the men that brought her in, left her with Malcolm. She cowered in fear as she refused to meet the eyes of her brother, who stood miles away from her, his gaze hard and unyielding, with his arms crossed against his chest as if barricading himself against any slightest feeling of compassion for her. For some reason, Ivy had no idea why he had chosen not to believe her when she said that Isla was involved too, which had frustrated her more than ever and made fear sink into her stomach because it looked like no one was coming to save her. Not
Tension fell into the air as soon as Zoe's rigid voice pierced through the atmosphere, and demanded from her grandfather, the question he was not sure he had ever imagined that he would be asked. Francis Sinclair, a little taken aback even if he didn't show it, turned his head to look at her, as if wanting to decipher the reason she asked him that question just by looking at her face. “Why that question?” he responded with a question, and it made Zoe's heart tremble even more with bated breath when she had waited to hear just the truth. “Just answer!” Words slipped out of her lips weaker than she intended, as her voice trembled in the fear that he would say no, “Truthfully,” she whispered, with a silent plea in her eyes. As much as she resented him so much in her heart, she couldn't bear to hear that he wasn't her grandfather. That had manipulated the DNA results to save face, and that she was not his son's daughter. She feared that she would totally be alone in the world withou
Ever since the previous day after the art exhibition ended, Andre Meyer had been restless. He had seen Zoe at the closest distance for the first time, and even if he didn't get to talk to her, he didn't like the aura she radiated. It was almost as overbearing as Malcolm's. Intimidating. Without wasting further time, he had called for his lawyer to see him as soon as possible the next day, and had waited impatiently for him to arrive at his office by canceling almost all his schedules for the day. At the arrival of the lawyer, Andre ushered him to take his seat on one of the leather couches in his huge office, as he sat across from him with signs of desperation and restlessness visibly written on his face. “Concerning what you inquired about last night, Mr. Meyer,” the man began, as he pulled out some files in his briefcase and placed them on the table. “I need to know, Harris,” Andre interrupted almost immediately, “Can I fight for custody of my son and win?” His eyes studied the
The executive team of the ELVA was seated patiently in the conference room awaiting Zoe, who entered just right in time with a sullen expression on her face, as she signaled they would begin the agenda of the meeting without saying much. Each head of the team presented updates on the plan for the launch of their latest jewelry collection in two days, which included detailed market strategies, production timelines, and promotional campaigns that she had demanded of them. But as they each shared their insights and strategies through the hologram before them, her mind was elsewhere. Even if she was staring at everyone as if she were listening, her mind was far away from the room. Her head was melting and floating at the same time. The message she read from the previous night thoroughly shook her bones, that they tightened so hard and painfully with trepidation at the processing of it. Her head expanded with the dire gravity of what she had read. ‘How? How on earth? Just how much did
It had been so long since he sat open in the serenity and basked in its beauty, that he had even forgotten how to do that. He had forgotten how it felt to sit comfortably in the repose of his mind, without having to think of anything at that moment. The sounds of rustling leaves, the distanced chirping of birds, the beauty of flying fireflies, the buzzing of distant insects, and the humming of a cold evening breeze all created a beautiful backdrop that seemed to catch Malcolm's attention, as he sat back on the reclining chair in his garden, his right hand wrapped around a half-empty glass that contained the scotch whiskey he was drinking. As he stared at the swaying of the beautiful flowers in his garden, with their branches fluttering with soothing sounds, he wished he had heard sooner. It had taken him years to sit in this peace, and finally understand the bondage he had been plunged into. He couldn't understand why he had spent so long living in a mansion he was barely at peace
“Excuse me,” Zoe walked away from the company of those that she found herself in at the moment, “Will be back in a jiffy,” she informed with a smile. She sauntered away elegantly and made her way into the nearest ladies’ bathroom as she entered the place. Sticking her hand under the faucet which detected her presence immediately, she watched her hands delicately in water for a few seconds. Right in the moment, the air around suddenly became heavy as someone made their way inside behind her, and instantly scanned through the entire bathroom to be sure no one was there. Standing rigid, Isla's arms crossed tightly against her dress, her voice dripping with contempt, “What the hell are you doing here?!” she demanded, her gaze burning with a fierce intensity that could scorch Zoe on the spot. Zoe paused as a smile curled her crimson-painted lips, while staring at Isla through the mirror that was facing her, as her eyes danced with amusement, “How are you, Isla?” “I asked what yo
Meanwhile, Isla, who was the last to catch sight of what was going on as she was too engrossed in her explanation, froze momentarily the moment her eyes came in contact with Zoe. Instantly, the bright smile on her lips died and her eyes widened in bewilderment. She never in her entire life would have expected to see Zoe attend her art exhibition, since the last time they met was the day she took over her company through Mason's help. The memories of their past encounters, rivalries, and deep-stemming hatred flared in her mind as her heart skipped so hard. ‘What was this bitch doing here?! Why was she here?!’ Isla almost lost it on the spot as her entire body began to shake uncontrollably, while her fists clenched hard in anger the more she stared at Zoe from where she stood. As their eyes locked for a few seconds, Zoe paused, just long enough for Isla to savor the effect of her presence, with amusement dancing in her gaze, before she tore her gaze away and channeled her attention
It was RINASHONE’s first art exhibition of the year, and the halls of the grand hall of the huge art gallery which was shining with the beautiful lights that radiated from the crystal chandeliers off the polished marble floors, were abuzz, and filled with A-list socialites that had been invited for the grand event. All perfect preparations had been made in the space of a few weeks after Isla became the new director, and all that was left for the art exhibition was to be a wonderful and satisfying one where both the host's and guests' needs would be met. The walls of the huge art hall were lined with bold splashes of abstract colors, still life paintings, and realistic portraits of serene landscapes by renowned popular artists, which garnered attention from the guests. They were amazed by the beauty of each wonderful painting, while muttering a few words to one another and exchanging pleasantries, only to be interrupted by the host of the exhibition, who had a big smile on her face.
Unable to sleep the entire night, Zoe ran through her whole schedule for the day and the ones for the next few days, as she worked tirelessly with a virtual assistant she also hired remotely. The next morning, Dylan was already waiting outside the house for her together with the chauffeur this time, and they barely said anything to each other except exchange pleasantries. “Thank you, Dylan,” Zoe finally remembered as she sat back in the car, while going through her schedule for the day which Zara had forwarded already. It was almost like she hadn't gone through a mental breakdown the previous day. “For yesterday,” she added after pausing for a few seconds, as if trying to process the remainder of the information she wanted to pass across to him even if she knew what she wanted to say. “It is my pleasure, ma'am,” Dylan answered, unsure if he should be appreciated for that. It wasn't an obligation. He just wanted to do it. “It is Zoe. Just Zoe,” she corrected for the nth time, even
Nothing made sense even more after the curiosity that took Zoe back to her home led her to hear new information, and she had to confirm using whatever unnoticeable means she could to get information about the two legendary friends. Her mother, Emily, and her friend, Jasmine. ‘Was Jasmine really pregnant as rumored then?’ She wondered, ‘But the other aged people she asked said Jasmine returned to the countryside after the rumor and lived there for about three more years, but they saw no child with her? What then happened?’ She was restless in her thoughts. Dylan drove the car while she sat at the back, silent and still, her heart aching with even more confusion. She sat back against the car seat and stared blankly outside the car, unable to even think properly if she wanted to. More than anything, she felt so lonely. She felt like she had no family or anyone to turn to. As much as she thrived and was happy at her magnanimous success in the eyes of others, her heart felt no warm