Dolled up in her finest attire, Monica readied herself to meet Mason for a personal revelation. Just as she stepped out, a message from an unfamiliar private number disrupted her plans.'Do you even know the bloke with Alice Cooper?'Nah, she's got no clue about the fella, but who gives a hoot? Alice proved the two-timer is the only thing that counts.'Nope, I don't,' Monica responded.'That's why you better steer clear of him; otherwise, you'll end up in a legal mess, and no one can bail you out. He's the infamous businessman Andrew Kingston.'The next message knocked Monica off balance.'Hold up, Andrew Kingston—the infamous figure? Are you sure about that? How did you find out?' Monica typed, her hands trembling."How could I not know him?" The mysterious caller soliloquized and revised her response to Monica. "Yes, I certainly am."Monica raised her hands in gratitude, relieved that she hadn't impulsively shared pictures with the media. She couldn't risk provoking the formidable bu
"Cough, cough." Skylar coughed vigorously and questioned, "What, a dynamic duo?"Alice took the plunge into marriage, and to her disbelief, she discovered herself hitched to none other than the business magnate Andrew Kingston. "Calm down, Skylar...." Alice attempted to soothe her, but Skylar unleashed a barrage of questions. "What's the deal with the secrecy? When was the wedding? Why was I kept in the dark? How did Mr. Kingston become the groom? How long have you two been acquainted? Any hush-hush dating going on? Who else is in on this? Why the silence until now?" "Enough Skylar......." Alice slammed her hand on the table, being pissed by Skylar's series of questions that had her startled. "I tied the knot with Mr. Kingston the day Mason bailed on me.". "What?" Skylar's eyes widened. "He had his reasons for needing a bride, and I chose him as the perfect groom to execute my revenge plan against Mason and Monica," Alice declared straightforwardly, causing Skylar to cough once
"Clap clap......"The sound of mocking applause pierced the air, shattering Andrew and Alice's moment as they turned to see a woman staring at them, hands clapping together in a sarcastic rhythm.'Who is she? How did she break into the highly secured mansion? An intruder or thief?' Alice's stream of thoughts was disrupted by Andrew's forceful voice. "What are you doing here?" he yelled, clearly upset by the unanticipated visitor."Are you familiar with her?" Alice inquired in a baritone, fear evident in her voice as she observed Andrew's red and fierce expression.Andrew redirected his gaze to Alice held in his arms, and his stern demeanor softened. He carefully released her."Would you mind waiting upstairs in my room?" Andrew asked softly.It was evident that he had a complex history with this woman. Giving him some space felt like the considerate thing to do.Alice gauged the situation and nodded. "Sure..."Andrew cradled her face in his right hand, pressing a soft kiss on her foreh
"What? An incident?" Andrew exclaimed, quickly rising to his feet."Where is she at this moment?" He inquired, massaging his temples."Alright, I'll come over." Andrew responded, realizing the gravity of the situation, and started getting ready.It dawned on Alice that the person on the line was a third party, using Bella's phone to share news about her accident."How's she? Was it serious?" Alice inquired, observing him prepare to leave."I'm not sure; I'll find out when I get there.""I'm coming along." Alice hurriedly stated, glancing at herself in the mirror while brushing her hair.Andrew hesitated to refute it, acknowledging the tangled situation and the potential to hurt Alice with his words."Okay," he conceded with a nod.A couple of hours later, after ensuring Bella was safe, Andrew urged Alice to leave. "Bella's fine; let's head back.""Are you sure?"Alice felt a bit awkward departing like this without exchanging formal pleasantries."Indeed. I don't want Bella's troubles t
The next morning, the moment Andrew woke up, he dialed Alice's number, oblivious to the fact that she was back and sleeping in her room."What's wrong, Andrew? Why are you calling me early in the morning?"Alice walked into his room donning a pink-colored Power Puff Girls printed pajama, holding a white velvet panda-print comforter and cutely rubbing her eyes."Home already? When did you arrive?" Andrew marveled at the adorable sight."Last night, an hour after you," Alice said sleepily, making her way to his bed. She cleared a space beside him and lay down."You could have come along," Andrew commented, shifting to accommodate her."I was there, but then her parents showed up, so I left to avoid overcrowding the hospital room," Alice babbled, drifting off to sleep."Why didn't you come to me?""You were sound asleep, so I didn't want to disturb you," her drowsy voice whispered."Are you still sleepy?" Andrew inquired.Alice bobbled her head in slumber."Alright, sleep well." Andrew pl
Alice considered turning him away, but resigned to endure it for the last time. With her impending marriage to Andrew, relief was on the horizon-soon, she wouldn't have to tolerate Mason's presence.In the secluded basement 5, void of onlookers, she glimpsed Mason in the distance. Approaching him, she demanded, "What's the reason for dragging me here? What more do you want?" Mason responded by hurling a phone at her, causing her to flinch, yet she managed to catch it.Examining the screen, she was startled to find a slideshow featuring pictures of her and Andrew. Realization struck: Mason had been surveilling her all along."How could you betray us, Alice, after more than 3 years together?" Alice clenched her fist, rallying herself."Why would you do this? Explain," Mason demanded, seizing her arm and pinning her against his black gypsy. "Speak up.""Mason, you're hurting me," Alice protested, attempting to break free, but Mason's grip only tightened."Am I hurting you, or is it the ot
"I've remained true to myself all along. Neither have I altered my ways, Dad, nor have you. That's precisely why I've made the decision to move out, relinquishing the opportunity for you to witness my life.""No, not at all. The person you used to be never disrespected Dad. This change occurred after you married that actress," Martin raised his voice again. Alice and the doctor stood by, silently overhearing the unfolding conversation."Enough with the cliché in-law behavior, Dad. You both went too far last night," Andrew asserted, and Alice visibly reacted.'How did he learn about last night when I never said a word to him? Ahh, it must be Bella. Why did she have to reveal everything?' Alice fidgeted with her fingers, consumed by nervousness.The young doctor positioned himself beside Alice, scrutinized her, and then gestured towards the closed door with his forefinger. "Are they discussing you?""No, absolutely not," Alice hesitated, fabricating her response."You're not being honest
"You are good for nothing, you idiot. I wasted my money on you."The accomplice of Monica yelled at a guy furiously."Ma'am, I did as you said. The guy replied fawningly."What did you do? I informed you about Alice and Mason's secret meeting in the basement, and you even got late." The caller yelled again."I got late because I was at work, but I still clicked Alice Cooper's intimate pictures with Mason Rex and immediately sent them to Andrew Kingston." The guy retorted. He got annoyed."Was it worth it?" Alice and Andrew exited the hospital hand in hand, heading to their lunch meeting together. The caller clenched her fist in frustration."Andrew trusts his wife; it is not my fault. That was my last assignment, and I am not going to work for you anymore."It was a loathsome assignment, one the individual had no inclination to pursue, but he exonerated himself."You can't get rid of it. You still have many things to do for me and..."The guy didn't listen further and disconnected the
Listening to lawyer Jones's argument, Alice and Vicky held their heads. They were at a dead end when a sudden voice made them jump in surprise."Pardon the interruption, but I have evidence that exposes Mason Rex not only as a bad father but as a genuinely awful person," Andrew declared with a sense of outrage upon entering the courtroom.Alice and Vicky exchanged surprised glances before turning their attention to Andrew, whose expression was stern and his eyes blazed a fierce red. Even Mason and Jones were visibly shaken, captivated by the intensity emanating from his fiery gaze.The judge glared at him and massaged his temples. "What's going on here? Mr. Kingston, maintain order in the court or face removal. Defense counsel, enlighten us on this new development." His irritation heightened with the persistent interruptions.Vicky was completely in the dark about what Andrew was talking about, rendering him dumbfounded. He looked at Andrew and the judge with a zipped mouth, like a de
"I may not have singled out your name, but to the plaintiff's lawyer, your statement carried significant weight."Vicky's remark triggered laughter in the courtroom, leaving Jones feeling offended."Excuse me, we don't need to play a cheap trick when truth is our ally. Mr. Rex is Emma's biological father, and a parent needs no justification to reclaim their daughter.""Your honor, I earnestly implore the court to weigh Mr. Rex's blood relation to the child and render a decision in his favor. Allow an anguished father to reunite with his daughter."Jones, at this moment, had no recourse but to go to court, relying on Mason's biological fatherhood as the sole influential factor in tilting the case in their favor.Vicky sighed and shook his head, accustomed to Jones's theatrical displays and feigned emotions aimed at swaying the court."What if there's a legitimate reason?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow."What?""What if I propose that even a father like Mason may have a rationale fo
In the courtroom, Paul Rex brought to light a new revelation, a piece of knowledge shared among Alice, Andrew, and Vicky. Yet, their challenge lay in the absence of concrete proof to back up the information they possessed."Point duly noted, Your Honor. Mr. Mason Rex professed a profound love for his ex-wife and conveyed regret for the child. However, this revelation unveils a contradiction—indicating he was never genuinely inclined towards marriage or assuming responsibility for the child but was compelled to do so."Vicky's words stirred a reaction from Mason, who hastily stood up to defend himself. In response, Jones gestured for him to exercise caution and avoid actions that could prove unfavorable in the proceedings."What unfolded next, Mr. Rex?" Vicky shifted his focus back to Paul, encouraging him to pick up where he left off."I deeply regret coercing this troublemaker and hoping he would reform for the well-being of his wife and child. Sadly, my choice subjected the poor wom
Vicky vented his simmering rage over Mason's intricate web of lies about his relationship, a revelation that outpaced even the awareness of his legal representative."Your Honor, the accused asserts a lack of recollection regarding the breakup with Miss Cooper. Nonetheless, the truth emerges: he terminated the relationship upon her refusal to endorse his company as a brand ambassador. This is what he is not in a position to accept. Subsequent revelations exposed his infidelity during the course of their relationship.""Miss Cooper, left with no recourse, exposed his misconduct, resulting in the loss of his company. In retaliation, he targeted Miss Monica after their marriage, subjecting her to a tumultuous and distressing life."Vicky's statement was left incomplete as Jones abruptly rose and began applauding. Departing from his usual objections, he introduced a surprising and unconventional method of interruption that caught everyone off guard."Lawyer Jones, can you please put words
"Your honor, before we commence today's proceedings, Miss Cooper would like to make a request to the court," Vicky stated after bowing to the judge.Mason and his lawyer exchanged glances, and Jones threw them a look that said they were pulling the same stunt, but he made it clear it's not going to fly in court—different day, same old song.The judge gave a nod of approval, granting permission for the request.Alice sauntered up, taking her spot in front of the judge after shooting a quick nod. Feeling the weight of onlookers' stares, she nervously licked her lips, sensing the heat in the room.The seasoned stage and on-camera pro, unafraid in the limelight, is now grappling with stage fright for the first time. However, driven by her love for her daughter, she pushes through.Alice let out a deep breath, mustered her courage, and started speaking. "Your honor, during the previous session, Attorney Jones claimed I'm unfit as a mother for Emma, and even...""Your honor, objection. What
Alice and Andrew stepped out of the elevator onto the 52nd floor of the Royman Hotel that evening, ready to meet Mason. Thanks to Vicky's setup, the ball was in Mason's court."Sunny, any hunch on why Mason opted for our hotel meet-up instead of his office digs?" Alice queried as they strolled in."The thief thinks everybody steals. I reckon Mason Rex's a bit wary, fearing we might have some tricks up our sleeves for this meeting. So, he's strategically set it in our territory to clear his name if anything fishy happens," Andrew mused with a touch of suspicion.He read Mason's cunning mind like an open book."Hmm, you are right.""Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Kingston."Mason awaited them in Andrew's exclusive waiting lounge; spotting their entry, he rose, extending his hand for a shake. Andrew, a bit iffy, eventually gave it the nod."So spill it, Alice, what's the rush for this impromptu meeting? Worried that the verdict tomorrow will swing my way and your little angel, oops, I mean my darli
"Your honor, it's crucial to acknowledge that Miss Cooper opted to prioritize her public image over the well-being of the infant.""That's wrong......" Alice attempted to protest, but Jones kept firing questions with a booming voice. "Why'd you stroll out with the baby solo without giving a heads-up to your folks or security?""I went with Emma to the restroom, but she bolted unexpectedly while I was washing my hands. Despite my quick commands, being small and flickering, the little baby wouldn't listen, so I had to dash after her urgently, without alerting anyone to the sudden twist of events." Alice spilled the beans without holding back."Your honor, it's worth emphasizing that the defendant isn't just self-centered but also an inattentive mother, incapable of looking after a one-year-old child," Jones remarked, a broader smirk evident on his face.Once again, he slyly targeted Alice, preventing her from defending herself. "Miss Cooper, in the interview, did you really discuss a o
Alice and Andrew were stunned to see the director of Sunshine Orphanage appear as Mason's witness."Your honor, I'd like to point out that this woman is Mrs. Green, the director of Sunshine Orphanage—the entity the defendant manipulated to falsely assert her adoption of baby Emma. Yet, Director Green's statement provides a stark contrast," Mr. Jones explained.The judge peered over his glasses at the individuals before him and declared,
"I'm the poor man whose daughter you've absconded with, masquerading your adoption as a virtuous act. You're the very definition of an opportunist," Mason hissed, an insidious smirk creeping across his face."Your words hold no weight. She's my child, and you're nothing but a loathsome fraud and betrayer. I'll ensure the truth prevails in court."Alice couldn't contain herself when he claimed Emma as his own, but when she tried to object, Mason's unscrupulous grin remained unshaken.