"You can consider me an orphan." Alice answered to Marie, which stunned everybody."What?" "An orphan?""How could that be?"A soft tumult broke out."I'm unable to comply with that request. You have cousins; surely, you must have family and relatives. I want to meet them," Marie asserted firmly."They might be somewhere in the world, but I am not interested in knowing their whereabouts, nor am I pleased to talk about it, please." Alice said sternly:Everybody was taken aback. For the first time, they found Alice rude; otherwise, she was always polite, even against Martin and Sophie's many harsh remarks. She didn't blow up."Alice, why are you getting upset at the mention of your own parents?" Bella asked."Don't you have any sour points in your life that you hate to even think about?" Alice said and darted a quite cynical glare at everyone, then resumed eating."Irrespective of the situation, they're still your parents. Even if you've cut ties, I'm sure they weren't thrilled about i
A few minutes later, Alice and Andrew called it a night, she kept the phone, and she crashed, even when Bella was trying to talk to her."Ahh, she slept too fast; what a wasteful moment." Bella mumbled to herself and closed her eyes.When the sun rose, Alice opted for a baby white silk blouse and a striking red pencil skirt. She tied her hair into a chic high ponytail and completed her look with gracefully simple yet sophisticated formal jewelryAs she applied some final touch-ups, Andrew emerged from the dressing room in a sharp navy blue suit. He quietly approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist in a tender back embrace.Alice pouted. "Andrew, let go of me; you will ruin my makeup.""So be it; your bare face looks much prettier." Andrew said and pecked her right cheek.Alice let out an exasperated sigh. "This is making me cringe." She moved away from him and hurriedly finished her makeup."What made you romantic early in the morning?""I am seizing the time I ha
'Do as I said, then hit me up.' She sent a text to the goon and switched off her phone.Alice's eyes darted around with a hint of concern as she tried to speed through this secluded area. But, out of the blue, a rapid suv pulled up in front of her car, forcing her to abruptly hit the brakes. The sudden stop resulted in an unsettling jolt for everyone inside."What the heck..." Bella mumbled and looked out of the window.The six body-bulit guys, with long hair, beards, and tattoos all over their bodies, jumped out and approached them. They seemed like thugs.Bella and Alice were petrified while exchanging a look, but Alice pulled herself together."Don't come out." Alice locked all the doors and was exiting, but Bella held her hand."Alice, don't step out; they don't seem like local hooligans.""Don't sweat it; it's going to be ok. Fortunately, they don't look loaded," Alice assumed, getting out of the car.The ruffians pounded on Bella and her nurse's door, but they paid no attention
"That actress was creating trouble; we held her captivated, but we don't know how she got the help out of the blue."The assailant reported over the call about the reason for failing."I knew that, you idiot. I knew a team of guards had appear all of a sudden and beat you black and blue. So don't tell me the story of your bravado, you f**king bastard. I will cut your balls."Yet another thwarted plot to harm Alice sent her into a fit of rage, and she shouted in frustration.The goon was startled. "I am sorry, ma'am. "You f**king incompetent, get my work done.” She was being driven insane but could do nothing other than yell out her frustration."I am sorry, ma'am, but we are into another trouble.” The goon spoke beseechingly."Spit it out already.""Two of the members...""Of course I knew that already; you fled away, leaving two of your peers behind, and they were held captive. You bloody asshole, why didn't you finish them off?"She threw many things around her to vent her anger."
"Surprise?" Andrew raised his eyebrows."No, you tend to shock me." Alice said, patting her fast-beat heart over her chest."It's a token of appreciation. You nailed it today, and I was busy with foreign delegates all the day to even congratulate you.""Hmm, I am moved." Alice said. She moved the stuff toy to the other side and scooted over to him."What's with the whole power-girl theme?" she inquired, slipping her hands around his arm, resting her head on his shoulder, and giving the toy a playful jab."This reminds me of you, my powerful girl." He pinched her nose and pecked her forehead. "You seemed exhausted; let's call it a day.""Hmm, I am starving." She mumbled, resting on him, feeling solace."Then, let's grab a meal first."Andrew wanted to be alone with Alice and drive himself, but she didn't let him go, resting on him lazily. The driver drove them to the Royman Hotel.Andrew's private diner was decorated beautifully with candlelight. Alice was awestruck."Let's celebrate y
'Who else can know the life of sacrifice better than me?'After reading Alice's message, Andrew became aware that he had inadvertently touched her old scar."I can't believe how thoughtless I've been," Andrew whispered to no one in particular.He got up from the bed and put on slippers to go see Alice and apologize, but stopped receiving the next text.'Don't curse yourself or come down. I am fine. Let's call it a night and sleep tight.'"Hmm, she got to know me too well in a short span of time. No girl can be more perfect than a guy can expect."'Fine, good night.'Alice again smiled faintly and closed the chat window.Seeing Alice's coy smile as they chatted sent a pang through Bella's heart, laying bare the truth. She grappled with a twinge of envy, an emotion she endeavored to quell."You are looking quite teary; is everything ok with Andrew? Is he upset that you're not with him?" Bella asked with curiosity.Though she was trying to get over Andrew, she couldn't help but peek into
A couple of days later, it was Sunday morning, and Andrew carried out his routine regardless of the house he was in.He walked into the kitchen after a workout donning a white skintight vest with black bottoms, looking amazingly dashing with sweat drops on his revealing built-up body."Gosh, he is so hot and dashing.""Ahh, it's dreamy.""Girls, knock it off; he is married now.""Who cares? I still wish he looked at me for once.""Right, I'm glad he moved in; watching him in workout gear is surreal."All the girls on the staff crowded in the kitchen, drooling over him with a shy smile. They were gossiping boldly, oblivious that his keen ears could hear their whisper, and it was irking him.When he was fetching out the ingredients for the breakfast, a few offered him a hand, which got him berserk."Scram...." Andrew said in a low yet stern voice to a girl who stretched her hand and reached to the vegetable basket before him."All of you get the hell out of here." He gave sharp glares t
In surprise, Andrew arched an eyebrow and positioned himself in front of Skylar, his hands slipping into his jeans pockets. "What?"Skylar got back to her senses. "No, you are taking it all wrong." She stuttered.A quick once-over from Andrew and he remarked, "Skylar, your body language tells the truth. Why even bother with the deception?"He stretched his hand to the back of Skylar, and she scooted over hurriedly to see him held the knob of the door behind her. He twisted the knob to open the door and marched in.Skylar displayed a sense of ease, paying little attention to her lie. Nevertheless, the realization that he could disclose it to Alice prompted her to shadow him."Ahem...." She cleared her throat. "Mr. Kingston, are you here for something important?""Sort of....." Andrew replied carelessly and pulled a chair in front of a long table that has three computer screens, screening Alice and her co-star from different angles."What's going on? What's this chamber for?" Skylar ask
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.