As Rose prepared for the day ahead, the morning sun shed a pleasant glow through the windows of Sebastian's mansion. She'd spent the night in a separate room, the one he had assigned to her, her heart heavy with unfulfilled expectations. Sebastian had unexpectedly gone the previous evening for a rendezvous with her in the garden of his estate leaving Rose feeling even more distant, not knowing what his next step or demand would be and what he might want from it.Rose stood in front of her vanity mirror, her fingers delicately combing through her the flowing curls of her hair as she considered her appearance. She chose an attractive yet modest attire, a dress that showed both professionalism and her own distinct sense of taste. She couldn't help but wonder what was in store for her at Sebastian's office as she dressed herself with discreet trinkets.Meanwhile, Sebastian was standing in his study, fixing his tie with detached care. His gaze was drawn to the grandeur of the chamber, whic
The limousine arrived gently at the magnificent entrance of the WayneWayne Group, the prestigious and powerful business exuded an aura of power and influence. Sebastian's late father, Wayne, built the WayneWayne Group, a massive and important multi-million dollar organization. The organization has a long history that spanned several decades and had developed to become a major participant in a variety of industries.The WayneWayne Group had enormous power and influence in the worldwide corporate environment,but most especially in Chesterfield. With a diverse portfolio spanning finance, technology, manufacturing, and real estate. It had established itself as a powerful force to be reckoned with, its name linked with success and wealth.Yet, underneath the gleaming sheen of success and achievement, there was a darker undertone. The WayneWayne Group was not immune to rumors of dubious activities and brutal business strategies used to preserve its dominance. Rumors circulated about backro
Rose's phone rang, shattering the silence that enveloped the opulent office. Startled, she quickly fumbled through her purse and retrieved the device, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. She glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Emily, her dear friend from college. A flood of nostalgia and longing washed over her, reminding her of simpler times when their lives were filled with laughter, late-night study sessions, and shared dreams.With an unsteady v hand, Rose accepted the call and brought the phone to her ear. "Hello?" she said, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.Rose! Oh my goodness, it's been ages! How are you?" Emily's voice bubbled with enthusiasm, instantly filling the room with a sense of familiarity and warmth.A sense of relief washed over Rose as she heard her friend's familiar tone. "Emily, it's so good to hear your voice," she replied, a mix of joy and vulnerability lacing her words. "I've been... Well, I've been caught up in this
As Rose adjusted herself in the Very comfortable chair, her attention was now more drawn to the soft knock on the office door. Out of reluctance she formed a gentle smile, gesturing for the visitor to enter. The door swung open, revealing a striking woman with an air of efficiency and grace.The lady stood tall, her impeccable posture exuding confidence. Her long, chestnut hair cascaded in loose waves, framing a face adorned with subtle yet elegant makeup. Her piercing blue eyes sparkled with intelligence, and a warm, welcoming smile graced her lips. Dressed in a tailored black suit, she emanated professionalism and sophistication."Hello , please come in," Rose greeted her warmly. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hilda , I was assigned by the boss to be your assistant here at the office."Rose rose from her chair, extending her hand to Hilda with a friendly smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hilda. Thank you for being here to assist me."Hilda returned the gesture, her han
As the day came to a close, Rose had Already started feeling comfortable with Hilda, she was smart and could quickly adapt to people's emotions and reactions. Like when Rose told her to call her just Rose and not Mrs Wayne, she never made the mistake again. She somehow knew that Rose's sudden change in reaction was maybe because she faced some issues with Sebastian. Dealing with people saying all sorts of things about the boss's relationship was enough for anyone to be uncomfortable, especially rose.As they headed down the hallway, through a crowd of employees clearing their desk and rounding up for the day, mostly with an exhausted look on their faces. Rose couldn't help but wonder how much work they were required to do everyday, considering she didn't do much of any work rather than getting to know more about the Wayne group from Hilda. Some of them still stared at Rose with contempt and sneer,some with a subtle look of pity, some acted weirdly when they approached her."Hello Mrs
"Ma'am, ma'am" . Rose shifted, she could no longer hear the sounds of the streets and the honking of cars and shouting of drivers. Instead it was silent, cool, too quiet. "Ma'am", she kept hearing as she struggled to open her eyes. It was Jim, his head out of the car now, and the door was opened. She had been asleep. She wondered how long she had been asley as she looked around and immediately recognized the lush and serenity of the Wayne I residence. They were already home. She looked again and Jim was stariy at her, now with a slightly questioning and funny look,as if to say aren't you coming out. She didn't realize when she dozzed of, or for how long she had been asleep for. She crouched and moved as she came out of the car, Jim holding her hands as she balanced her foot on the ground."Thank you" she muttered. "Thank you ma'am" Jim said, not looking into her face. She turned and smiled at him, "you're supposed to say you're welcome". Jim turned and looked at her, appreciatin
Rose felt good that her brother was calling her when she wanted to do the same. It felt like she was thinking about him the same time he was about her. But as she smiled at her phone and attempted to pick up the call l, the call went dead. It had only rang for few seconds.Rose tried to call back but there was no answerShe tries until she had to stop herself from trying. Maybe he changed his mind she thought. Or maybe it was a mistake, a butt dial probably.She laid down on her bed, reaching out to her foreheads, remembering the pain that had lodged there for the past few hours. Rose looked at the time and it was almost midnight. She could tell Sebastian wasn't home yet. She pondered on the kind of relationship they had, and the one she would actually want. She sighed as she went through her thoughts.Since she knew him they had never spoken through the phone. He always sent someone to deliver his messages or gifts when he had any for her. She had his number,but calling Sebastian w
Jim opened the door with a smile on his face, his face wasn't as straight as it was the previous day. "Good morning Mrs Wayne" he said his voice sounded like he was getting comfortable. That was one of Rose's attributes, she had the ability to make people feel at ease, regardless of the position they held. Rose was wearing a grey dress, one adorned with small and countless glittering beads..She seemed more glamorous thanks to the outfit, which glitterd with each step she took displaying its countless tiny, sparkling beads. She could not help but feel a reassuring sense of peace encompassing her as she walked because the outfit enhanced her inherent beauty. It wasn't an all look dress but it was definitely just alright for Rose.As they moved through the main areas of Chesterfield which was gradually getting busier as people hurried to their business for the day. She had decided to leave the house earlier than usual. She had a plan of getting breakfast at a not so popular place.
Four months later.The car moved steadily along the road, the gentle hum of the engine creating a comforting backdrop to the silence that enveloped the interior. Rose's hand rested on her slightly protruding belly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing invisible patterns on the fabric of her dress. Michael, who sat in the back seat, was gazing out of the window, lost in his own thoughts.Max's fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, his gaze alternating between the road ahead and Rose's profile. He could sense the mixture of emotions in the air—grief for Rose's mother, the weight of their recent experiences, and the glimmer of hope for the future.As they approached the cemetery, Rose's grip on her belly tightened slightly. She took a deep breath and turned to Max, her voice soft but determined. "Thank you for being here with me, Max. I know it's not easy."Max offered her a reassuring smile
The tension in the warehouse reached its breaking point, Sebastian moved with deliberate slowness towards the elevated platform where Michael was tied. His demeanor remained cold and calculating, a dangerous calm emanating from him. He retrieved a gun from his pocket, the metallic click as he removed the safety echoing in the hushed air."Rose, drop the gun," Sebastian's voice was ice-cold, the threat underlying every word.Rose's hand trembled as she clung to the gun, her wide eyes locked onto Sebastian's every movement. The gun was her last desperate card, her only means to keep Michael safe, and she clung to it with a fervent desperation.Max, his eyes flickering between Rose and Sebastian, sensed the imminent danger. He moved swiftly, lunging towards Rose in a desperate attempt to disarm her. His hands closed around the gun, and in the struggle, a gunshot rang out, the deafening sound ricocheting through the warehouse.
Max's suggestion was a slim hope, an attempt to gather any useful information from Sebastian, but as Rose dialed the number again and waited for him to answer, there was a sinking feeling that he was always a step ahead."Sebastian," Rose's voice held a hint of desperation, "tell me where my brother is. I need to know he's safe."Sebastian's chuckle on the other end was infuriating. "Oh, Rose, always trying to assert control. How quaint.""Just tell me!" Rose's voice trembled with a mix of anger and anxiety.Sebastian's tone shifted, his voice dropping to a chilling calm. "I know you're with the cop, Rose. And I'm well aware of the audacious plan you're concocting. But remember this, you have limited time."Rose's grip on the phone tightened as she exchanged a tense glance with Max. "Where is my brother?"Sebastian's voice was like ice. "Meet me at the old warehouse by the docks. You remember it, don
They finally arrived at the boarding school, Rose's heart raced as they rushed into the reception area. She could feel the weight of every decision she had made up until this point pressing down on her. The thought of not being there for Michael when he needed her was like a heavy anchor dragging her down.As they reached the reception desk, a middle-aged woman looked up at them with a smile. "Hello, how can I help you?"Max spoke quickly, his voice firm yet respectful. "We're here to see Michael lugard, Is he currently at the school?"The receptionist checked her computer. "Yes, Michael lugardis a student here. However, visiting hours are usually—"Rose's voice trembled as she interrupted. "Please, it's really important. Can we see him? It's urgent."The receptionist's gaze softened as she recognized the urgency in Rose's voice. "Alright, let me make a quick call to the dormitory to see if he's avail
Rose's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove through the dimly lit streets, her mind racing and her heart pounding. Bloodstained and shaken, she knew she had to find a safe place to gather her thoughts and figure out her next move. Just as panic threatened to engulf her, her phone rang, the sound cutting through the tense silence of the car.Rose sped through the streets, her hands trembling on the steering wheel, her mind was a whirlwind of fear and desperation. The events of the past hours had pushed her to the edge, and the knowledge that she was holding a shard of glass that had wounded another human being weighed heavily on her.Just as panic threatened to overwhelm her, her phone rang, the sudden sound causing her to startle. She glanced at the caller ID and saw Max's name flashing on the screen. With a shaky hand, she answered the call."Rose, where are you?" Max's voice, steady and concerned, echo
As Rose watched from her hiding spot, her heart raced as Samuel's footsteps echoed through the mansion. She crouched behind a corner, her breath held, as he slowly made his way into the living room. She could see that he was dressed differently, not in his usual attire. Her mind raced to connect the dots, and then the realization hit her like a bolt of lightning – he wasn't here as a servant."Mrs. Wayne? Are you here?" Samuel's voice echoed through the grand room, his tone tinged with a mix of urgency and concern. He seemed to be searching for someone, and Rose's heart pounded in her chest.The sight of him moving slowly and scanning the room sent shivers down Rose's spine. He was different, something had changed about him. He was no longer the calm and collected Samuel she was used to. His demeanor was tense, almost anxious.As Samuel called out for her, Rose felt a surge of fear. She bit her lip to stifle any so
The two women were locked in a physical battle, their faces inches apart, eyes locked in a fierce contest of wills. Rose could see the fear and desperation in Prisca's eyes, the conflicting emotions that seemed to war within her. It was clear that Prisca was deeply entangled in Sebastian's world, but at the same time, there was something else – a flicker of humanity, a trace of regret."Let go, Rose! You don't know what you're getting into!" Prisca's voice cracked with a mix of emotions, and her grip on the journal tightened, her knuckles turning white. Rose's heart wavered for a moment, torn between her determination to uncover the truth and the urgency in Prisca's pleas.But the weight of everything she had learned, the memory of all the lives that had been shattered, fueled her resolve. With a sudden surge of strength, Rose twisted away from Prisca's grasp, breaking their physical contact. The journal rem
Rose stood up from the bathroom, her face still stained with tears, and took a deep breath to steady herself. She whispered to herself, "Stop crying, Rose," as if trying to muster some strength to face what lay ahead. With determination in her eyes, she left her room and quietly made her way to Sebastian's room, her heart pounding in her chest.As she stood in front of the door to his room, her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the doorknob. She took another deep breath, as if preparing herself for whatever she might find inside. With a hesitant push, the door creaked open, and she slipped inside, her senses immediately enveloped by the familiar scent of Sebastian's space.The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a lamp casting shadows along the walls. Rose's gaze scanned the room, her eyes falling upon Sebastian's large wardrobe. A flicker of determination crossed her features as she walked over to it. She fumbled with the handles of th
Rose stepped into the mansion, her heart still racing from the recent phone call with Sebastian. The weight of the situation was almost suffocating, and all she wanted was a moment to gather her thoughts. She entered her room, her steps silent on the plush carpet. As she closed the door behind her, a sense of isolation settled in.The room felt both familiar and foreign at the same time. It was a place where she should have found comfort, but now it seemed tainted by the secrets that had been unveiled. She looked around, her eyes taking in the elegant furniture, the soft lighting, and the delicate decorations that once held some pleasant memories. Now, everything seemed different.With a deep breath, Rose pulled out her phone and dialed Emily's number. The call rang for a few moments before Emily's voice greeted her on the other end."Hey, Rose! What's up?" Emily's cheerful tone was a stark contrast to the turmoil that R