As Noah and Jemma returned to Vento City, a wave of happiness surged through the families. To mark Jemma's return and celebrate her homecoming, Ryan organized a lavish party that was the talk of the town. Invitations were extended far and wide, reaching influential and prominent figures within the city.
The evening of the party arrived, and the venue was transformed into a glamorous setting befitting the occasion. The party hall glimmered with twinkling lights and elegant decor. People of influence and status from the city arrived, dressed in their finest attire. As the guests mingled, laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
As the party unfolded, Yohan arrived with Jia, Noah, and Sara, making their entrance into the glamorous event. The atmosphere buzzed with energy and excitement as Ryan and Garcie, the hosts of the celebration, warmly welcomed them at the entrance. Yohan and Sara exchanged smiles as they stepped into the party, accompani
"I want to share some news. My daughter, Jemma, will be staying with me from now on," he announced, glancing affectionately at Jemma, who beamed with joy at the declaration. The room buzzed. But Ryan wasn't done yet. With a loving gaze directed at Gracie, he continued, "And I have something else to share." He paused briefly, taking a deep breath. "Gracie," Ryan addressed her directly, his voice filled with emotion, "You waited for many years. But I won't make you wait any longer. Will you marry me?" The room fell into a moment of stunned silence. Gracie's eyes widened in shock, tears welling up as she processed the unexpected proposal. Jemma's heart swelled with happiness, realizing that this meant people would no longer taunt her about her parents. She looked at Ryan and Gracie, her eyes shining with joy. Gracie nodded, her voice choked with emotion as she whispered her acceptance. Sara, ever the supportive friend, quickly stepped in, "Congratulation
Sara tried to explain, "Miss Hill is my manager. How can I make any decisions without informing her?" Eric persisted, "From now on, you have to call me directly. Miss Hill herself will be coming to tell you this soon." "Alright. Can we meet? I have to show you the work done by my team," Sara suggested. "Okay. Let's meet at Bingo Restaurant tonight. We will have dinner together and discuss," Eric proposed. Sara hesitated, feeling torn. "Um... Eric... I have to return home..." He interrupted a note of insistence in his tone. "If there is a meeting, then it will happen at this time. Otherwise, I would prefer to give this project to some other company." Feeling somewhat pressured, Sara nodded helplessly. "Alright. I'll be there." "See you then," Eric said, ending the call. Sara sighed, contemplating the situation. She knew Noah and Jia would be waiting for her, and she couldn't bear to disappoint them by not making it on ti
Eric glanced at the meal set on the table, then rose from his chair and took out a cigarette to smoke. Exhaling smoke into the air, he shifted his gaze towards Sara's purse. In the washroom, Sara splashed cold water on her face, feeling overwhelmed and uneasy. Looking at herself in the mirror, she panted, feeling a rush of emotions. Everything felt too familiar— the same dishes Kevin had ordered for them in the past, the same restaurant, the same cabin, the same table, and chair. Was it all coincidental? When she returned from the washroom, she found Eric standing near the window, smoking. Attempting to reassure him, she said, "Yes, I am. I am sorry." When Sara came out of the washroom, she found Eric standing by the glass window, smoking. Seeing her back, Eric extinguished the cigarette and turned back to her, asking, "You okay?" She tried to smile and replied, "Yes, I am. I'm sorry." Observing that Eric hadn't eaten yet, she asked, "
Catching sight of Yohan, Sara said to Nisha, "Set the dinner table." "Alright, Madam," Nisha replied. Approaching Yohan, Sara whispered, "Come on, eat." Yohan caressed her cheek and softly asked, "We eat together." Sara hesitated, "I've already eaten. Had to during the client meeting." "So, I eat alone?" "I'll sit with you." "But you won't eat." "Don't be like a kid, Yohan. Let's go." Sara served him and sat nearby, watching him eat. He used to avoid talking while eating, but with time, he'd become a bit chattier. "You could've arranged the client meeting during office hours," Yohan commented. "Tried that. He's leaving for a trip tomorrow and won't be back for days. Had to meet him in the evening," Sara explained. "For dinner?" "No, Yohan. His project's too big for us to pass up." "You should just rejoin Cerate or work for Dixon Group. Don't stick around that average compa
Moving in front of him, she looked into his dark eyes. "Remember when Jia started school and I got bored at home? You suggested I get back to work. I didn't want to return to Cerate Solutions because of my past. You suggested a fresh start at another company. And now, despite knowing all that…" Yohan turned away, placing his glass on the counter. "Isn't it true you miss Kevin every time you see Jimmy, the moon, the sky, the stars?" Sara felt a sudden shock at his words, her senses numbing instantly. He had overheard her talk with Noah. "Yohan..." Sara began, intending to clarify that she was speaking with him in mind. However, Yohan cut her off. "No need to explain. I know you always thought he was a perfect husband," he said tersely before heading straight into the bathroom. Sara stared at his retreating figure, feeling lost and unable to clarify herself. She didn't know why she couldn't explain – whether it was a lack of strength or simply b
Jemma let out a heavy sigh, lowering her head, "I've never felt scared like that before, you know? When they started shouting about taking off my uniform... I saw pure evil in that guy's eyes." Noah’s tone softened as he held her chin, staring into her eyes. "You're strong. I promise, no one touches you. Ever." Jemma gazed into the eyes of the thirteen-year-old boy, finding comfort and security in his gaze. "You won't face anything alone. Always remember that," he assured her. She nodded. He continued, "Now, flash me a confident smile. I don't want you looking like a loser." Jemma managed a bright smile, and he grabbed her wrist, pulling her along, "Let's clean up your uniform." The same evening… In a café… Gracie took a sip of her coffee and asked, "So, work's been a rollercoaster, huh, Sara?" Sara leaned back in her chair, swirling her coffee absentmindedly. "Oh, you bet! The whole nine yards of deadlines, meetings, a
As Yohan stepped out of his car, the chilling night air enveloped him. The flickering blue and red lights of the police vehicles painted an eerie scene around the sealed-off area. He approached the taped-off section, where debris and shards of glass littered the ground. Assistant Nolan hurried alongside Yohan, his face etched with concern and urgency. Yohan's usually composed demeanour was now masked by darkness. The head police officer, Detective Inspector Rawlings, approached Yohan, his expression grave. "Mr. Dixon, there's been an explosion. I'm deeply sorry to inform you, but she was in the vehicle." Yohan's breath caught in his throat. Gracie, Sara’s longtime friend, and Ryan’s life partner, was in that car. His mind reeled, unable to fully comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy. He staggered forward, his eyes fixed on the mangled wreckage of the once-elegant vehicle. The acrid scent of burnt rubber and fuel hung heavy in the air. The car's fram
It was the dead of night, the clock ticking past two in the morning when Yohan guided Ryan into the living room. Ryan's parents, Sara, Jemma, and Noah were already gathered there, their faces etched with concern and shock upon seeing Ryan's tear-stained cheeks, dishevelled appearance, and evident fragility. As Ryan entered, supported by Yohan, a collective gasp escaped from the group. His tear-filled eyes and weakened state sent a wave of distress through the room, causing an eerie silence to descend. Jemma, Ryan's daughter, stood frozen, her expression a mixture of worry and fear. It was the first time she had witnessed her father in such a deteriorated condition, and it struck her deeply, intensifying her distress. "Dad," Jemma's voice trembled as she called out, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and desperate hope. Ryan, his gaze heavy and burdened, slowly lifted his eyes to meet Jemma's, finding her filled with anxious tension for answers that he str