Lucas stilled in Leila's embrace for a moment, his arms wrapping around her in a comforting hold.After a few minutes, they both disengaged from the hug, a sense of warmth lingering in the air. Leila couldn't contain her smile, her heart brimming with gratitude."It's late already, we can do it tomorrow." Leila suggested, her voice filled with contentment. Lucas nodded in agreement."I'll see you tomorrow then," he muttered, his voice soft with affection."Goodnight," Leila waved, a smile lighting up her face as she walked out of Lucas' room, closing the door behind her.As soon as she left, Lucas smile widened. He made his way into the bathroom, thoughts swirling with anticipation for the days ahead.Meanwhile, inside her room, Leila dialed Hayley's number, eager to share the good news with her best friend. As she recounted the events of the evening, she couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness at Hayley's enthusiastic response.Their conversation was filled with laughter and exc
"Start the car." Leila instructed the driver, tearing her gaze away from the woman who was now alighting from her car.The driver gave a slight nod, acknowledging her words as he complied, smoothly driving the car out of the parking lot and onto the busy streets."Where are we heading to?" Hayley inquired, her curiosity piqued as she glanced out of the window.Leila's gaze remained fixed ahead as she replied, "To the market. I want to get the ingredients for my products."Hayley nodded in understanding. "Got it," she replied.It didn't take much time before they reached the market. Hayley and Leila swiftly moved through the busy aisles, gathering all the required ingredients and other necessities for their products.Once they were done shopping, Leila pulled out her phone and dialed Lucas's number. "Hello," she greeted warmly as soon as he picked up."How are you doing?" Lucas's voice came through the line, filled with a genuine concern."I'm great, and you?" Leila replied, her smil
Vanessa settled down on the seat opposite where they sat. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she gazed at Louis, who sat confidently on the chair. "What brings you here, Louis?" she asked, her tone neutral. Louis flashed his charming smile. "I'm here to extend an exclusive invitation to you, Vanessa. Our company, Lumina Luxe Cosmetics, is launching a new product, and we're hosting an unveiling ceremony. We'd be honored if you could join us." Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think I'm interested, Louis?" Louis chuckled. "Let's just say I've done my research. Your impeccable style and beauty makes you the perfect fit for our brand. Plus, I think you'll find our products quite... enlightening." Vanessa leaned back in her chair, intrigued despite herself. "Go on." "The ceremony will take place at Luxury Hotel next Friday evening. It'll be a night of glamour, innovation, and revelation. Trust me, Vanessa, you won't want to miss it." Vanessa studied Louis, his enthusiasm and con
Juliet sat on her bed in her room, lost in her own thoughts. Tomorrow was going to be the day that she will fufill her father's last wish, by getting married. She had requested to meet her groom before the day of the wedding but her Step Mother had not still brought him for her. It was as if she didn't have a say in the upcoming wedding.Everything felt so rushed, she didn't even get to plan her own wedding like she had always dreamt of.It was late and she was sure that everyone had gone to bed. But she was feeling restless, so she decided to take a stroll outside the compound.Rising from her bed, she made her way outside, shutting her door behind her quietly. She still found it hard to believe that she was putting up with that Cold and unyielding boss of hers.Working with him had not been fun. It had been extremely stressful, and she did not need a soothsayer to tell her that he was working her to death on purpose.She stood at the beginning of the staircase that led downstairs. B
DAYS LATER As Leila and Hayley made their way to the venue of the unveiling ceremony, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling within them."I can't believe this day is finally here." Hayley exclaimed, her voice filled with so much anticipation.Leila acknowledged her words with a small nod, a smile playing on her lips. "It's feels surreal, doesn't it? But we both have worked hard for this moment, so let's enjoy it to the fullest."Hayley grinned, her eyes filled with pride."You deserve all the success, Leila. You've dedicated your heart and soul for this, and it's finally paying off."Leila's cheeks flushed with warmth at Hayley's words. "Thank you, Hayley. I couldn't have done it without your support every step of the way."As they arrived at the Venue, Leila's heart swelled with Joy at the elegant setup she beheld.The room was filled with industry professionals, investors, and members of the press, all eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Leila's products.Taking
Vanessa stood beside a table in the hall, slowly sipping on her glass of wine. Staring up in front of her, she saw Riccardo approaching her.She rolled her eyes as she twirled the wine inside the glass. He was now standing beside her."Mr. Gonzalez, it seems that your foot doesn't know how to stay away from me?" She asked, glancing up at him."No." Riccardo replied."Why are you here?" She asked, sipping her wine."Have you thought about my proposal?" He asked, his eyes fully focused on her."My PA will send you a message regarding that. Be patient until then." She said, keeping her tone professional.Riccardo searched his pants pocket and brought out a small bottle of Leila's facial product."How did you get it? It's not open for sales yet." Vanessa asked, curiously."I got this from Lucas. Here, you can have it." Riccardo said, stretching it out towards Vanessa.She stared at him, her gaze scrutinizing."Is it Okay?" She asked, raising a brow."Yeah. The owner is aware." Riccardo sh
Leila's surprise grew as the lady stood up from the couch and proceeded to embrace Lucas. Leila's mind raced with different questions, each question adding to the growing sense of confusion swirling within her.When they finally disengaged from the hug, Leila's gaze locked with the lady's. Her eyes widened in surprise as she slowly recognized the lady. She was the generous customer who had purchased hundred products from her stall, back when she was still selling at the market. She remembered that she had mistaken her to be his girlfriend. She now wondered who the lady was to Lucas."I'm Camile." the lady introduced herself, her voice was particularly warm and friendly."I'm Leila." Leila replied, her tone tinged with a mixture of politeness and curiosity."Leila, this is my cousin." Lucas introduced, breaking the silence between them.Leila's breath caught in her throat as she began to fix the pieces of the puzzle. She recalled how she had argued with Hayley at the market, insisting
Monica's heart raced as she stared at the headline and picture that accompanied it, fear and disbelief swirling in her mind. She couldn't shake the image of Leila, the young lady who they had dismissed as inconsequential, staring back at her from the front page of the news. "How could this be?" she murmured to herself, the weight of her husband's ominous words echoing in her mind. She remembered him telling her that Leila had stumbled upon him making a call of their illicit dealings. And he had mentioned taking care of her.A shiver ran down her spine as she realized the gravity of the situation. "How is she still alive?" Monica wondered, her breath catching in her throat. Panic surged through her veins, urging her to take action."Drive faster." She instructed the driver, her voice trembling with urgency."Yes, Ma'am." The driver replied, his foot pressing down on the accelerator. The car surged forward.Minutes felt like hours as they drove towards their mansion, Monica's mind was
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