CHAPTER 103 : The Exquisite Madame Stephanie... ( Beverly Hills, California.) "Tommy, don't bounce on the couch! You're gonna fall and get hurt!" Mom Rose scolded. But the little fox grinned mischievously and jumped on another couch in his Superman pajamas, and resumed his trampoline practice. "Keep that up and you won't get any cookie." She threatened but he ignored her and started kicking the couch pillows everywhere with his 'Super strength' as he bounced. She groaned and put the last touch to Arian's bed. They were in his room, keeping him company after dinner. A couch pillow flew and accidentally knocked over a flower vase. Tommy froze and nervously giggled as his mother returned her glare. "It's time for you to go to bed! Nanny?!" She called out. "Mommy, don't bother. She won't hear you until you run all the way downstairs." He evilly taunted. Just then, Arian came out of the closet after having a shower, pulling on a
CHAPTER 104 : Familiar Voice. ( Beverly Hills, California.) "Daddy, why can't I??" Tommy whined, hanging onto Sir Argent's neck. The aristocratic French laughed as he carried the whining cat downstairs. "Because it'll be boring for kids like you." "I'm not a kid! I'm a big boy." He helplessly argued. "Of course. But it'ld be filled with grownups and there'ld be no kids around for you to play with. And do you know why?" "Why?" He pouted and leaned his head on his dad's shirt collar. "Because they're all gonna be home with their nannies, working on their color books, being obedient good boys and staying out of trouble! So that when mommy and daddy come home, they'll have lots of treats for them." Tommy aggrievedly nodded as they walked into the breakfast patio where Mom Rose was already waiting. "When he makes that cunning face, I know he wants something." She suspiciously zeroed her mint green eyes at them. Richard kissed
CHAPTER 105: The La Croft's Ball! ( Beverly Hills, California. ) Arian froze the second he stepped out of the elevator. The familiar voice echoing down the hallway caught his and his heart skipped a beat! He whipped his head fast enough to break his neck to prove his senses weren't playing a trick on him. Among the busy hallway filled with patients, nurses, doctors and visitors, his hopeful eyes caught a delicate figure running ahead. The sweats confirmed it was a female. But what pumped Arian's curiosity was the brownish blonde hair peeking out of the hoodie she wore over her head. His eyes widened and his heartbeat accelerated out of control as he turned to run after her, but a restraining hand pulled him back. "Arian! Where are you going? We have to sign out, remember? Let's do it quickly. Tommy wants to murder me with his hamburger cravings." Selena breathed, tugging him the opposite direction. Tommy, being the manipulative little fox, faked
CHAPTER 106 : Chaos! ( The Croft's Palace, Los Angeles.) "Where's A..." She started but was cut off by the roaring engine of the latest A-mobiles upgraded sport car pulling into the driveway! The midnight blue color elegantly glowed on the exotic convertible. Arian picked up his phones, left the key in the engine and stepped out of the car. A valet rushed over in seconds. Unlike the average guest who dressed like formal businessmen in tuxedo and bowties, Arian looked like a dazzling movie star who just stepped out of Forbes fashion magazine... if that was possible. He wore a dark blue suit and pants. His inner white shirt hung loose on a frontal part of his waistband. No bowtie, no waistcoat, no belt and definitely no socks. Even his designer shoes were custom made! His long midnight black hair was styled backwards with sculpting gel, making it look shiny. A group of long strands fell to a side of his innocent face, partially covering the diamond ea
CHAPTER 107 : I've Missed You... ( The Croft's Palace, Los Angeles.) "And this is my son, Esmond." Emperor Miller introduced and Natalia turned to the next person. Esmond had been respectfully standing by his parents the entire time. Natalia had a good look at him all thanks to the persistent strange bright light that kept following her around! If she was a fan of gorgeous looking males, she'ld have tripped and easily fallen. But that chapter of her life was closed. "Empress." He bowed a little and placed a light kiss on her knuckle. His voice was soft and enticing and Elva and Naomi almost swooned! "Shall we?" He asked, looking at everyone. The Emperor nodded and he led them back to a special part of the event where a couple of white couches were uniquely placed. Two other Emperors were present and they nodded to each other in acknowledgement. Astheria and La Croft wasn't the only Empires in the world. There were several others scatter
CHAPTER 108: One Night... (The Croft's Palace, Los Angeles.)*** "Are you for real?!" Naomi gasped wide eyed. Elva had just told her about her and Natalia's adventure. Elva casually nodded and picked up a finger sandwich. Naomi blinked repeatedly and sipped her wine in one gulp like it'ld cool her off! "So this party is somewhat filled with people you previously knew?" Elva nodded again. "That's epic!" She gushed. "Tell me more!" "If I keep on talking, it won't be fair to the number of guys hangin' around to ask you for a dance." She teased and Naomi looked around. "And how are you sure they aren't after you?" "If they were, do you really think I'ld be idling around here with you??'' She cocked a wicked brow. Naomi gasped again. But her face turned gloomy all of a sudden. "It's a shame that the only person I want would probably never look my way ever." "Hey! I was only guessing because I'd never seen Jake loo
CHAPTER 109 : Marry Me.( The Croft's Palace, Los Angeles.)*** "In fact, this conversation is over!" Nicky yelled and aggrievedly jerked up but Elva held her back. "Nicky, we never replaced you! No one can equal your badmouth and fiery attitude." "Is that an insult??" She shrieked and bulged her eyes. "No!" Elva hastily breathed. Nicky grudgingly weighed the compliment and decided it was worth accepting. "I never said you could touch me!" She yapped and Elva quickly let go. She slowly sat down back. "Continue!" Elva smiled. "We're sorry for not telling you. We had no choice. Natalia's grandmother ordered us not to." Nicky partially looked at her. "I heard what happened. I'm sorry. How's Natalia doing?" Elva looked gloomy for a while. "She...she's healing slowly but I know she'll survive. She has to." Nicky nodded softly. "You have two more minutes!" She declared and Elva gasped. "Well I just
CHAPTER 110 : Suicidal Tendencies.( Beverly Hills, California. ) Arian lazily stretched out to switch off his alarm with closed eyes. His head was hurting like it'ld explode the next minute! It was the migraine headache that had been haunting him for the past few days. Butler Lee came into the room at that moment and rung his little bell... That little devil! "Good morning, young master Argent. The painkillers are ready and your family are waiting for you downstairs to have breakfast." He placed something on his bedside table and left. Arian twitched his eyes and saw the cup brimming with hot coffee and reached for it. But something... Or rather, someone restricted him. Selena! Mom Rose had seized all the keys to Arian's bedroom because of his suicidal tendencies. She was afraid he'ld try something stupid with his life again. Therefore, he couldn't even have his own privacy! The hot French furrowed his brows in a frown and roughly pulle
CHAPTER 185 : Final Epilogue. ( Beverly Hills, California. ) "What are you doing?!" She bulged her eyes and moved away. "What?" Arian sheepishly groaned. "Don't 'what' me! You know what I mean!" She stated, playing their usual nightly 'what' game.....which usually followed the same pattern. Arian seductively wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. "We have the rest of the night to ourselves." He deliciously bit his lips and swept down to capture hers.But Natalia stepped away. "I need to check if the twins have yanked their heads off already." She tried to escape but Arian blocked her. "You're just coming from the nursery." He sexily pouted and Natalia almost gave in. She shook her head to reject the temptation. "I think it's time for Adrian's milk." She tried again but Arian easily caught her. "Adrian's asleep and his milk isn't until midnight. So..." He kissed her and slowly
CHAPTER 184 : Epilogue (2). ( Beverly Hills, California. ) "By the way, where is Jake?" Elva curiously asked. "He had some work to do and promised to be here this evening." Naomi answered. Natalia had set up a special committee of her most trusted ministers to hold the Empire for a few days. Jake was among the members so he had a little delay. "I really admire you." Naomi continued, taking the attention away from herself. "Being an Empress, a wife, a mother, a philanthropist and also a role model, all in one package!" She dramatised. "It's no wonder you haven't changed much with three kids! On the contrary, it made you hotter. I'm just expecting my second child but I feel like a granny!" Nicky joked and fondly rubbed her huge baby bump. "No! You're not a granny. You're my mommy." Louisa raised her head and pouted.The girls giggled when Nicky blushed. "It's no wonder you don't miss Jeffrey whenever he goes away on b
CHAPTER 183 : Epilogue. ( Beverly Hills, California. ) "How was your night?" Arian kissed Natalia as Adrian rubbed baby drool all over his face. Natalia stretched lazily and closed her eyes. "Stressful." She pouted. "I know, right? This champ is quite a handful at night.'' He tickled Adrian who hung on his neck like King kong. "Da-da! Da-da!!" He squealed happily which echoed arouund the room. "As if you weren't a handful yourself." She scoffed and turned away, pulling the duvet closer around her. It made Natalia a little jealous that Adrian hadn't yet learnt to call her mama. In fact, Dada was the only word he knew! Arian noticed it and chuckled, pulling her back to face him. As usual, he was shirtless wearing only sweatpants. Some habits were just so hard to break! Not that Natalia was complaining though. It made her husband look uncontrollably sexy! Adrian grinned down at his mama in his diapers. Fa
CHAPTER 182 : The Seal Of Their Love. ( Astheria, Australia. ) Still sitting on the floor, Naomi slowly arranged her things inside a cardboard box. She shivered a bit because she was still wearing her clothes. But Naomi didn't care. There was more important things to be done than caring if she had gotten a cold by wearing her wet clothes for so long that it'd dried still on her. A knock sounded on the door. "Please go away. I'm a little busy." Her hoarse voice sounded. Naomi knew the visitor wasn't on an official business. If the Empress or the royal assistant needed her, they'ld have easily sent an email. And so far, they hadn't. Naomi couldn't blame them though. She felt embarrassed and hated her family's history. And after everything they had done to the Santianas, she couldn't bare to look at anyone anymore. After a while, the knock sounded again and this time, the person walked in without consent. Naomi didn't bother to l
CHAPTER 181 : Where's Naomi? ( Astheria, Somewhere in continent Australia. ) ( Hours Later. ) "She's not in danger but I still recommend a lot of rest. You can see her. Just make it as quick as possible." The aged doctor whispered and walked away. Elva Thompson and Jake Buniz nodded before walking into the Royal study. They found Natalia leaning on her desk, gently running her fingers over her grandmother's diary. Louis had kept it safe like he'd promised. "You should be resting. Doctor's orders." Elva let out a small frown in displeasure. "I'm fine." Natalia curtly said and stood up. The thick sweats she was wearing matched with her pale skin. She returned the diary to one of the drawers and faced them back. "Tell me. The casualty report?" She ordered. "We lost a good number of our men while the rest are being taken care of." Jake reported. "And Max?" Jake lowered his cold eyes in hes
CHAPTER 180 : The Battleground (3). ( In The Carribean Ocean.) The Mob boss snickered which sounded like something made in hell and back hugged Natalia, erotically pulling her closer. Arian fought the impulse to take a step and lunge at him! He was purposely riling him up to draw him into the sensors! "Tsk! Don't make her feel bad!" He clicked his tongue. "You were smart, my love. But sentimentality was all I needed to sneak into your lives.... And you gave it to me." He nuzzled her hair and possessively trailed kisses down her neck. Arian's insides cringed feeling his control slowly snap while Natalia's self hate increased each passing second. "Let her go!" Arian snarled, running out of patience and clenched his fists. "And you expect me to ask 'Or what?'." Leonardo cocked a cocky brow. "Look around you, fool! We ain't in some shitty movie. This is my turf! I run this freaking game!" He viciously barked. "What do you want?" A
CHAPTER 179 : The Battleground (2). ( In The Carribean Ocean.) Meanwhile, the automatic doors trapping Arian De' Argent in the hallway reopened after the lights had suddenly turned off and returned after five seconds. Arian turned to continue the search for his love but stopped when Naomi froze....and then fainted. He hastily caught her before she could crash land. "Hey, hey!" He called seeing her drowsy eyes. "What..." The French heir froze on his interrogation when he saw four darts pierced into her pretty brochette and a fifth one stuck on the skin of her neck. Naomi had thrown herself in front of Arian when she noticed the danger he was in without thinking. Arian pulled them out and tapped her lightly. "Hey, stay with me, okay?" The timid spy tried to nod but the snake venom was working tremendously fast, already at the second stage of the symptoms which was total paralysis. "Hey!" Arian yelled. "What?!" Max yelle
CHAPTER 178 : The battleground (1). ( In The Carribean Ocean.) "Who do you want to go first?" He casually, but deviously asked. The gunshots continued more fiercely and through the cameras, Natalia and the few in the room could see the gory battle going on. As observers seeing the whole battle ground, anyone could bet that Astheria had an upper hand! "The only game we'll be playing is the one you'll be losing." She seethed in confidence. Leonardo coldly smirked which gave her goosebumps for some reason before placing his hand on a screen which scanned his fingerprints. "Good evening, Master. How may I be of service?" The voice of an artificial intelligence echoed from thin air. "Ava, place the fortress on lockdown." He ordered. "As you wish, Master." A moment later, metal doors sprung up trapped everyone in. Those who were fighting outside couldn't get in and those who were in couldn't get out. Natalia's heart skipped a be
CHAPTER 177 : Let's Play A Game, Shall We?... ( In The Carribean.) "Something is wrong." Jake Buniz stated, pacing restlessly around the communication tent. The geniuses among the little battle squad was in the same tent, doing what they did best with the gadgets and devices in there. They were all dressed the same with silent and serious features. "She should've made contact by now." The Captain of the army continued. "Let's think more positively. It could be that Naomi hasn't yet located the Empress.... Even though it's not really a positive thought. However, you above everyone else knows how shady these Kelions are. There's still a few hours till midnight. We should give her a little more time." Max offered, more relaxed than his superior as as he typed away on a computer. "I trust my instincts. And right now, something doesn't feel right." Jake stopped behind him and leaned over with a hand on his chair and the other on the table.