Vanessa couldn't wait for the event to be over so she could go home. The room was filled with chatter, bright lights, and clinking glasses, but she just wanted to be away from it all. She shifted from one foot to another, feeling the ache in her heels. She glanced around the room, trying to distract herself from the uncomfortable feeling that had settled in her chest. Whoever that guy was, she didn’t like the kind of aura she was getting from him. It felt dark, heavy. like a storm brewing on a sunny day.Her eyes darted around, till they fell on Tiffany, she was here at the award ceremony.Did she come here to represent her parents? Vanessa thought.Their eyes met but she quickly diverted her gaze.She suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Riccardo who was standing beside her.It took her a minute to understand that other important Figure who had just received their own award were standing beside her and having small chats.Riccardo kept staring at her, his dark eyes u
LUCAS'S MANSIONLeila walked into the house with her bag and her jacket already opened. Today had been a hectic day for her at work, and Lucas was to busy to come pick her up.She made her way towards the kitchen, opened the fridge and gulped down a bottle of cold water.She trashed the can in the waste bin before walking out of the kitchen.She proceeded to her room. She pushed the door open and walked in, her steps faltering. She threw her bag on the bed and sprinted towards the bathroom.She needed a cold bath. She decided to use the bathtub instead of the shower. Thirty minutes later, she rinsed her body and stood up from the bathtub.She wrapped a towel around her body, before making her way back to her room.She put on a blue night dress with a robe.As she stood in the mirror brushing her hair, her eyes moved down to her neck.The scar from the knife was still visible. Her hands slowly reached for it and she caressed it carefully.How could humans be so Ruthless? She thought.J
ST. MARTINS HOSPITALJuliet sat on her bed, the nurses had just finished giving her some drugs and she wasn't feeling sleepy yet.Her Boss had not come to visit her, she didn't really mind because she knew how busy he was. And he had been with her since the beginning of her accident. So she understood that he needed to face his work.She massaged her ears slowly. It still hurt from the severe bleeding. She sighed as she remembered what the Doctor said about her loosing her memories.How was she supposed to get Revenge and her Father's company back if her Memory is gone?A thought crossed her mind and she stood up from her bed, and went towards the table.There was a Notebook and a pen on it. She quickly settled down on the chair and picked up the notebook and began writing down about herself.The reason she left America, why she came came. The Accident, her Ex-boyfriend, Stepmother and Step Sister, Her Dad and also, her Boss, Mr. Blackwood.She wrote down all the important details, in
Diego looked at Vanessa in shock. "What? You want to visit Spain now?" He asked, raising his eyebrows."It's not a Visit, Diego. This is a serious matter.""I don't want my kids feature to be in jeopardy, because of some old family feud." Vanessa declared, leaving no room for arguments."What about Ethan and Emma?" Diego asked worriedly."I'll be back by tomorrow morning. When they return from School today, let them stay indoors." Vanessa stated.Diego wanted to protest but relented. "I'll go with you." He said."No. Stay with Lily and Emily, and help me take care of my kids." She said rising from the couch.Just then, a knock sounded on the door.Vanessa glanced at Diego. "Help me check if Lily has arrived?" She asked."Okay." "Good. Book the flight. Let me get changed." Vanessa muttered, now walking towards her room.Diego sighed lowly and backed away from the couch, going towards the door. He swung the door open and met an unexpected visitor standing before him."Hey, Xavier." He
ST. MARTINS HOSPITALJuliet had been sleeping in her room since the previous night, not making any attempts to wake up.The Doctors and nurses were begining to get worried, the only thing that reassured them was the continuous rise and fall of her chest.They had already contacted Mr. Blackwood who had brought her to the hospital. She was sleeping like someone who was unconscious and the nurses who were in charge of taking care of her were worried because she had not eaten neither had she taken her drugs."When do you think she'll wake up?" One of the nurses asked another who was seating beside her in Juliet's room."I don't know. I'm scared." The second nurse replied, fiddling with fingers. They were both kept in charge by the Doctor to take care of Juliet."Yeah. I've never met a patient who sleeps like this when she's not unconscious.""Do you think she's in the after world? Maybe seeing a family member who she loved dearly.""What? Do you really believe stuffs like that?""I don't
Vanessa's father stared at her in surprise. "You've met him?" He asked, settling down on his swivel chair opposite Vanessa. "Not really. I saw him at a recent award event. He was staring at me like a creep." Vanessa cringed as she explained to her father. He sighed, his face twisting in pain as he spoke. "Alexander's father... he was my partner. We built this company together. We were like brothers." Vanessa's eyes narrowed. "What happened?" His voice dropped to a whisper. "He stole from us, from me. A lot. I don't know how much. He hid it well. But I knew something was wrong." Vanessa's grip on her chair tightened. "Why didn't you stop him?" She asked, staring at her father. Mr. Rodriguez's eyes flashed with anger. "I trusted him. I thought he was my friend. But he was manipulating me, using me." Vanessa's voice was laced with disgust. "He used you?" Mr. Rodriguez's jaw clenched. "He did. And when I found out... he was gone. Vanished. Left me to pick up the pieces. Left th
After disconnecting the call, Vanessa tried hard not to think about what her Father just said. She proceeded to her bathroom to freshen up, after that, she went to the Kitchen to Prepare Breakfast for everyone. By the time she was done making breakfast, her kids had already dressed up and gotten ready for school, all thanks so Emily's help.Her kids and Emily had their breakfast before leaving. Xavier was yet to wake up. Vanessa didn't bother to wake him up since she knew that he really needed the rest.Her mind drifted back to job at the office. She was going to be resuming soon because her leave was almost coming to an end.Vanessa washed the dirty dishes, before making her way back to the living room. She was busy reading a magazine when a knock sounded on her door. Thinking that it was Lily and Diego, she quickly rushed to open it. As she swung the door open with a smile, she was greeted with Riccardo's face.She scoffed inwardly. 'What the hell was he doing in front of her door s
Work had been going on smoothly for Leila, Louis and Hayley had been her greatest support as always. She was standing In front of her mirror in her room, getting ready for today's work.She was dressed in a formal lady's pants and a white jacket accompanied it. She brushed her black hair carefully. Letting it fall to her back.Then she went ahead to wear some white earrings, not to exquisite just something simple and soothing. After she was done with everything, she took in a small breath and stared at her reflection in the mirror, a small smile formed on her lips.But as soon as she remembered something, she became nervous. She fidgeted with her hands, bitting her lips anxiously as her eyes darted around the room.She was going to be meeting Lucas's Mom tomorrow and she was feeling scared. She steadied her breath, hoping that nothing would go wrong. She proceeded to carry her bag, and walk out of her room, trying to push the thoughts away.She also had to accompany Hayley to see the
A NEW CHAPTER Three years later. Ethan and Emma were running around, playing tag with Riccardo, who pretended to struggle to keep up with their speed.“Daddy, you’re too slow!” Emma giggled, darting away as Riccardo reached out to catch her.“Oh, I’ll get you!” Riccardo teased, his playful growl making both kids squeal with delight.Vanessa leaned against the doorframe, cradling her six-month old daughter in her arms. The baby cooed softly, her tiny hands grasping at the edge of Vanessa’s blouse.“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Sofia?” Vanessa whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s soft hair.The past three years had been a journey of hope, love, and healing. Vanessa’s diagnosis had been a heavy weight, but with Riccardo’s unwavering support, they’d found the best doctors and treatments. Through hard work and a little luck, her. condition had stabilized.“Mommy, come play!” Ethan called, his dark curls bouncing as he ran toward her.Vanessa smiled, walking over with Sofia in
TWO DAYS LATER Vanessa’s heels echoed on the marble floor of her office as she paced back and forth, her phone pressed to her ear. Her movements were sharp, her mind racing. For weeks, she had been gathering evidence against Alexander Grey.He had done too much harm, kidnapping Ethan and Emma, orchestrating the failed attempt on her life, and lurking in the shadows, ready to strike again. But she wouldn’t let him win.Her phone call ended with a click, and she stared out of the large window overlooking the city. The evidence was solid. It wasn’t just a small victory, it was the beginning of the end for Alexander Grey. She took a deep breath, her hands clenching at her sides.“Ms. Rodriguez?” Diego’s voice interrupted her thoughts. He stepped into the office.She turned to him, her voice calm but firm. “It’s time, Diego. I’ve sent everything to the authorities. The files, the recordings, everything. We’re moving forward.”Diego nodded, his respect for Vanessa clear in his eyes. “They’
ONE MONTH LATERThe sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light through the windows of Vanessa’s office. She sat at her desk, focused on reviewing a stack of reports. The past month had been hectic. Riccardo had recovered, Lucas had been relentless in tightening security, and life was slowly falling back into its usual rhythm. But today felt... different.Vanessa glanced at the calendar on her desk. It was her birthday, but she had no plans to celebrate. Birthdays had never been a big deal for her, especially not now when there was so much work to do. She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she reached for her pen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, expecting Lily or Diego with an update.The door opened, and Emily poked her head in. “Ms. Rodriguez, sorry to bother you, but can I steal you for a moment? There’s a small problem with Ethan and Emma.”Vanessa frowned, setting her pen down. “What’s wrong? When did they get back?"
The warm sunlight streamed into Juliet’s room, touching her skin and making her stir. Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking at the brightness filling the space. For a moment, she stayed still, letting the peace of the morning calm her. Then it hit her, like a storm rolling in.She remembered.Her heart began to race as memories came rushing back. She could hear her stepmother’s cold voice, the cruel words that had shattered her world. Juliet had overheard her stepmother plotting to kill her, all for her father’s money and property. The betrayal still burned deep in her chest.Her breathing quickened as more came back to her. The fear. The panic. She could see herself running, her steps fast and desperate as she tried to escape. She had been so scared that she hadn’t noticed the car. She remembered the blinding headlights, the screech of the tires, and the sharp pain when she hit the ground.And then... Romeo.He had been the one to save her. She saw his face in her mind, calm and stro
The quiet hum of the machines filled the room as Vanessa sat by Riccardo’s side, her fingers gently brushing against his cool hand. Each second felt like an eternity as she waited for Lucas. The sound of hurried footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Vanessa glanced up just as the door opened, and Lucas stepped in. His tall frame filled the doorway, his dark eyes scanning the room until they landed on Riccardo. His face, usually composed, twisted with worry and anger.“Vanessa,” Lucas said, his voice low but steady. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, his gaze fixed on Riccardo. “How bad is it?”Vanessa stood, smoothing her hands down her blazer as if it would steady her nerves. “The doctor said he’s stable,” she began, her voice quiet but firm. “The bullet missed his vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood. He hasn’t woken up yet.”Lucas nodded, his jaw tightening. He pulled a chair beside Riccardo’s bed, his hands curling into fists on his lap as he stared at his unconsci
Vanessa paced outside the operating room, her heels clicking softly against the sterile tile floor. She kept her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her fingers gripping the fabric of her blazer like it was the only thing keeping her together. Lily and Emily sat on the nearby bench, their faces pale and somber. Diego stood close by as he watched the hall for any sign of the doctor."I can’t believe this is happening," Vanessa muttered under her breath, her voice thick with emotion. She stopped pacing and turned toward the small group. "He took a bullet meant for me.""Ms. Rodriguez," Lily said gently, her voice trembling. "It’s not your fault."Vanessa shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "How can it not be? If he hadn’t been there..." Her voice broke, and she quickly looked away, blinking back tears.Emily, sitting with her hands folded tightly in her lap, glanced up. "He’ll pull through," she said, though her voice lacked confidence. "He’s strong, isn’t he?"Vanessa n
The faint sound of the ambulance’s siren echoed in the distance, fading as it disappeared around the corner. Vanessa’s heart raced, a knot forming in her stomach as she turned sharply to face Diego. Her voice came out in a breathless whisper, a mixture of fear and urgency."What hospital is the ambulance heading to?"Diego hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her before he quickly checked his phone. The seconds stretched painfully. He didn’t need to ask why. Vanessa’s face was pale, her eyes wide with worry, and she was already halfway to her car."The nearest hospital," Diego finally replied, his voice calm but urgent. "Saint Anthony’s.""Let’s follow them." Vanessa’s voice was steady, though the tightness in her chest made her words feel like they were being dragged from her.Before Diego could protest, she was already inside her car, the engine roaring to life as she slammed the door shut. The sleek black vehicle peeled out of the parking lot, its tires screeching against
The workday finally came to a close, and the sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over the city. Vanessa stood in her office, the final task of the day weighing on her mind. Emily and Lily had just walked into the room, the slight shuffle of their shoes breaking the silence.Vanessa smiled as she looked at Emily. "Emily, dear. You did well today."Emily blinked in surprise, a soft smile crossing her face. "Really? Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez. I’m happy to help with whatever I can."Vanessa’s eyes softened. "I appreciate it, truly."Lily cleared her throat, her expression eager. "Are you ready? Let’s go."Vanessa nodded, the last-minute decision still fresh in her mind. "We won’t be using the same car today," she said, her voice firm but calm.Lily raised an eyebrow, and Emily’s face faltered for just a moment, but they both said nothing."I’ve already told Diego. He’s brought another car for me," Vanessa added.As they made their way to the parking lot, the evening air wra
Vanessa paced her office, the tension in her chest growing heavier with every second. She couldn’t let this drag on. The mole had to be identified before the end of the day. Picking up her phone, she called Damien.“Vanessa,” Damien’s voice was brisk.“Get to my office now,” she said without preamble. “We have a serious problem.” She added.“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he replied and hung up immediately.Few minutes later,“What’s going on?” Damien asked, shutting the door behind him. “We have a mole,” Vanessa said bluntly. “Someone leaked the designs for our new product to Grey Enterprises. They launched it ahead of us this morning.”Damien’s jaw tightened. “Do we have any leads?”“Not yet,” Vanessa admitted. “But we don’t have time to play detective. I want this person caught before the day ends.”Damien nodded. “Alright. Let’s start with the basics."He pulled out his laptop and placed it on Vanessa’s desk. “We’ll need to narrow it down. Vanessa, do you know exactly which files