"Diego, do you really think he came back for revenge?" Vanessa asked, a hint of fear in her words."Honestly, I don't know. But, he's the only suspect in my mind." Diego muttered."This just means that we have to be careful." Vanessa whispered to herself.Lily walked out of Damien's office. "Ms. Rodriguez, the cleaners are almost done.""Alright, let's head back." Vanessa said, handing back the files to Diego."So, what was Diego able to get?" Lily asked Vanessa as they made their way back to her office."It's not her, she's currently not in the country." Vanessa informed."Then, who does Diego think it is?" Lily asked slowly.Vanessa steps faltered as she turned to face Lily."Alexander Grey." She whispered."OMG. That creep, how did we forget about him?" Lily asked."I don't know, Lily.""Don't worry, Ms. Rodriguez. Let's get to work, we'll talk about this later." Lily muttered, trying to reassure her."Alright." Vanessa replied, picking up her pace.When she reached the front of he
"The interview is tomorrow. Are you ready for it Leila?" Hayley asked as the two friends walked out of the Company and towards their waiting Car.It had been a long day at work and it was finally time to head home. "As ready as I'll ever be." Leila replied, a small smile dancing across her lips."Good evening, Sir." She greeted the driver as he opened the door for her."Evening Ma'am." The driver replied with a small bow.The two friends settled inside. "This interview will be a great opportunity for your business." Hayley matter-of-factly."Yes, I know. I'll do my very best. I have you by my side." Leila smiled, holding her hands in hers."Alright, let's stop by a Restaurant to grab dinner." Hayley suggested."Sure." Leila agreed readily.Hayley had been staying with Leila ever since Lucas went on his business trip, it's been a week already.They always call each other most of the time, but Leila still misses him and couldn't wait for him to be back."Ms. Rodriguez has finalized the
Vanessa quickly picked up her Jacket that was lying crumpled on the bed and wrapped it around her body. She glanced at her daughter Emily and she still had that innocent look on her face, not understanding anything that was going on.She frowned deeply at her before taking her tablet from her, Riccardo was still on the phone."Good evening." He greeted politely, adjusting his phone in his hands."Evening, you wanted to speak with me?" Vanessa asked, shifting from one foot to another."Yes, How are you doing?" He asked, his face not giving anything away."I'm great." Vanessa replied, grateful that he wasn't saying anything about her earlier outfit, she'd have been more embrassed than she already was.Did he actually see what she wore? She asked herself inwardly. Or was she just thinking to much about it? His face didn't give anything away. So, Vanessa pushed the thoughts aside."I want to ask for your permission. Can I take Ethan and Emma to an amusement park during the weekend?" He as
"I'm Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was heading to." She quickly apologized, picking up the persons goods that fell."It's Okay." Vanessa muttered, taking them from her.When Juliet looked up, she was stunned for a moment. "You look beautiful." She complimented."Thank you." Vanessa smiled, she couldn't help but notice that the young lady had a small resemblance to her.Well, that wasn't important she just shrugged off the feeling as she walked away. Juliet turned around to stare at her retreating figure."She looks like..." She suddenly stopped when she realized that she taking a lot of time in the grocery store.She quickly ran to the counter to pay for the goods she had picked. After that, she walked out of the store and flagged down a cab that took her back to where she stayed with him.She paid the Cab man as she stepped down, she walked into the house and went straight to the kitchen to prepare some deserts that she was craving.When he comes back from work today, she was goi
Hayley walked out of the rest room and made her way outside the Company's building where Leila would be waiting. Outside, she saw their driver standing in front of the car, but she couldn't see Leila anywhere.She quickly approached the driver. "Sir, where is Leila?" Hayley asked."I haven't seen her. Is there any problem?" He asked."No. I asked her to wait for me outside. Don't worry, I'll go search for her." Hayley muttered, her eyes already darting around the area.She made her way back into the Company's building, but suddenly stopped in her track as she heard her name."Hayley." She spurned around to see who had called her, half expecting it to be Leila."Vanessa, you're here." Hayley said, walking towards Vanessa."Yes, where is Leila?" Vanessa asked."I'm searching for her." Hayley said."Searching? Aren't you both supposed to be together?" Vanessa asked."Yes. Yes. I asked her to wait for me outside while I went to the restroom, but I couldn't find her outside. So, I want to
"It's Okay. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Vanessa said softly.Hayley glanced up at her. "Thank you." She whispered quietly. Soon, they heard hurried footsteps approaching them and Hayley quickly looked up, it was Riccardo. She quickly rose from her chair and ran towards him."Riccardo, you're here." "Yes, I drove down here as soon as I got your call." He said, leading her to seat down opposite Vanessa who he had not seen yet.Vanessa on the other hand was surprised to see Riccardo there. Then it hit her like a tidal wave, Riccardo had accompanied these two women the last time she was at the hospital.So, definitely he was their friend."Take a deep breath." He said, trying to calm Hayley."What happened?" He asked.Hayley did as he said, then went ahead to tell him all that had happened."Don't worry, we'll get to the root of all these." He assured her."The doctor hasn't come out yet?" He asked."No." Hayley shooked her head, tears already brimming at the corners
"Thank you for bringing Leila here." He added, tucking his hands into his pants pocket.Vanessa was almost tempted to ask him what his relationship with Leila was, but she swallowed back her words because it wasn't her business and she felt that she wasn't in any position to know."It's not a problem." She shrugged."You should go back in. I have to leave." Vanessa said."Alright, I'll see you during the weekend." Riccardo smiled."Weekend? Why?" Vanessa asked, confused for a moment."You forgot already?" Riccardo asked."Forgot what?""That you agreed that I'd take Ethan and Emma out." He said."Oh, so much on my mind." She muttered to herself.Glancing back at Riccardo, she said. "I didn't forget, it just skipped my mind." With that being said, she turned around and began to walk away, leaving Riccardo to stare at her retreating figure.Outside, as soon as Diego saw her, he opened the car door for her and Vanessa settled in.Diego started the car immediately and drove out of the ho
Riccardo pushed the door open violently to see Leila on the floor and Hayley trying to help her up.With steady steps, he advanced towards them with a worried look. "What happened? Why is she on the floor?" Riccardo asked Hayley."I tripped, I didn't see the bag on the floor." Leila said as Hayley helped her sit on the bed."Wasn't that scream a little bit too dramatic for a fall?" Riccardo asked, rubbing his face."I'm sorry. I guess I was just shocked." Leila apologized quickly."You don't need to apologize." Riccardo said, pulling out a chair to sit.He was glad that it was just a fall. Because for a moment, he actually thought that someone had broken into her room through the window."Are you going to stay here to watch us?" Hayley asked, glancing at Riccardo who sat opposite Leila's bed."Yes, till Lucas comes back." He nodded."Okay." Hayley muttered, moving farther away from Leila's bed. She sat on the couch across from her bed.Leila on the other hand, laid on the bed staring
Vanessa’s OfficeVanessa sat at her sleek glass desk, her fingers tapping softly against the keyboard of her laptop. The hum of the air conditioning filled the room, blending with the faint rustle of papers on her desk. The muted city sounds filtered through the large floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, casting long shadows across her pristine office. Despite the calm around her, Vanessa’s mind was anything but at ease.A sharp knock broke through the quiet. She paused, lifting her head as her dark eyes flickered toward the door.“Come in,” she called, her voice steady.The door creaked open, and Lily stepped inside, her beige blazer slightly wrinkled as if she had rushed up the stairs. Her usually bright demeanor was replaced by something more subdued, her expression careful.“What is it? Any news?” Vanessa asked, her voice clipped and to the point. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest as she studied her assistant’s face.“Yes,” Lily said, hesitating for a
LUCAS’S MANSION: LIVING ROOMLeila sat in the middle of the plush leather couch, her eyes fixed on the large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The headlines flashed in bold letters: ROYALS ARRESTED FOR MULTIPLE CRIMES. The images accompanying the news showed Monica and Robert Royal being led out of their mansion in handcuffs. Their faces, once filled with arrogance and power, were now masks of shock and humiliation.Leila’s face was unreadable, her expression cold and distant. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers loosely intertwined, but her knuckles were slightly white from the pressure she didn’t realize she was applying. The faint hum of the air conditioning filled the silent room, but her mind was elsewhere, consumed by the events unfolding before her.She had expected this moment for a long time, and now that it was here, it brought her no joy. The Royals were getting what they deserved, but she knew this was just the beginning. The evidence leaked online was only a fraction of
ROYALS MANSIONMonica adjusted her blazer in front of the full-length mirror, her polished heels clicking against the marble floor as she paced the room. The quiet hum of the central air conditioning was the only sound as the grand clock on the wall ticked steadily. Her handbag rested on the arm of the plush leather couch, ready for the day ahead.She took a final look around the living room, the modern decor gleaming under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier. Everything about the Royals Mansion screamed wealth and status, from the white marble floors to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.With a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and turned toward her husband, Robert, who sat leisurely on the couch. A steaming cup of coffee rested on the glass table in front of him, untouched, as he scrolled through his tablet with a calm demeanor."I'm heading out now," she said, her voice carrying a hint of nervous energy. “Wish me luck for today.”R
VANESSA'S OFFICE : NINE A.MVanessa paced the length of her office, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she held her phone to her ear. Her reflection in the large window showed her furrowed brow and the way her fingers tugged at the hem of her blazer.“Lily, make sure everything is set up. I don’t want any surprises at this press conference,” Vanessa said sharply, the tension in her voice was unmistakable.“Understood, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily replied on the other end of the line. “The venue is ready, and the media has been briefed. You just need to arrive.”Vanessa let out a breath, nodding to herself. “Good. Thank you.” She ended the call and set the phone down on her desk.Emily, who had been sitting on the couch, looked up from her phone. “You okay?”Vanessa paused, her hands resting on the back of her chair. “Not really. This press conference could make or break the company. If I don’t handle this right, we’re done for.”Emily stood and walked over, her confidence
NEXT MORNINGThe shrill ringing of Vanessa’s phone jolted her awake. She groaned softly, rubbing her eyes as she tried to push herself up from the warm cocoon of her bed. Squinting at the screen, she noticed three missed calls from Lily.A quick glance at the clock on her nightstand confirmed it was just six a.m.“Why is Lily calling me so early?” she muttered, her voice heavy with sleep.She sat on the edge of her bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool tiled floor, and dialed Lily back. The phone barely rang twice before Lily picked up.“Good morning, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily greeted, though her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.“Morning, Lily. What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach.“Ms. Rodriguez, you need to check the trending news,” Lily said, her tone sounding more serious than usual.Vanessa frowned. “What news?” She asked calmly, trying to braze herself for whatever Lily had to say.“It’s all over the internet. I think it’s better you see
FEW MINUTES LATERVanessa grabbed her bag and cast one last glance at Riccardo. His face was unreadable, his dark eyes steady as he stood by the doorway."I'm leaving," she said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder."I’ll come back to pick Emily later," she added firmly."Sure," Riccardo replied, his voice calm and steady. "Stay safe."Vanessa gave a small nod, muttered, “I will,” and headed out the door.Outside, the cool evening air greeted her. Diego stood near the car, his posture straight as ever. The moment he saw her, he moved quickly to open the car door."Thank you," she said, stepping inside. The faint scent of leather filled the air as she settled into her seat.Diego climbed into the driver’s seat and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where’s Emily?" he asked."She’s staying at Riccardo’s for now. I’ll pick her up later," Vanessa replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked out the window.Diego nodded silently. After a moment, he asked, “Where to?”
Vanessa pushed open the door to the guest room. The bright overhead bulb illuminated the space, making the white walls appear even more pristine. She expected to see Emily fast asleep, curled up under the neatly folded comforter. Instead, Emily sat cross-legged on the bed, her phone in her hands, scrolling leisurely.Vanessa paused in the doorway, tilting her head. “Why did you say you needed a nap if you’re not even sleeping?”Emily looked up, a playful smile on her lips. “I realized you both needed to talk. So, I gave you privacy.”Vanessa blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her response. She stepped further into the room, closing the door gently behind her. “Wow,” she said after a moment. “That’s... unexpected.”Emily shrugged, setting her phone aside. “It wasn’t a big deal. You both looked like you had things to say.”Vanessa sat down at the edge of the bed, her movements slow as she processed Emily’s words. “Well, thank you. That was thoughtful of you.”“No problem.” Emily’s
Vanessa glanced around the house as Riccardo led Emily toward the living room. She had only been here once before, and that was under far different circumstances, desperate and frantic, begging him to help find her missing kids and Emily. The house still felt foreign, despite its warm lighting and elegant decor. The scent of polished wood and faint cologne lingered in the air, a reminder of Riccardo’s presence everywhere.She followed them into the spacious living room. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves, the shelves neatly filled, and a large painting hung above the stone fireplace. Vanessa took a hesitant seat on the soft gray couch, her posture stiff. Emily, on the other hand, settled in comfortably, running her fingers over the plush throw pillows.“Ms. Rodriguez, this house is so beautiful,” Emily said, turning her head to glance at Vanessa with wide, admiring eyes.“Yes, it is,” Vanessa replied simply, her gaze briefly flickering to Riccardo, who was pouring tea from a s
Two hours later, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she glanced at the time on her laptop screen. It had been a long day, and the weight of it was beginning to settle in. She was just about to shut her laptop when a soft knock came at her door."Ms. Rodriguez, are you done for today?" Emily’s voice came through as she peeked in.Vanessa glanced up with a small smile. "Yes, dear. I’m just about to wrap up."Before she could finish, the door opened wider, and Lily walked in with Emily now standing beside her, both carrying the faint energy of people eager to leave for the day. Vanessa clicked her laptop shut and rose from her swivel chair, picking up her jacket from the back of it. She took a moment to stretch, rolling her shoulders as she approached them.But as she moved, her mind drifted back to Riccardo. She’d been curt with him earlier, perhaps too curt. A twinge of guilt poked at her chest.Was I too harsh? she wondered. He had helped her find her children, a