Raymond sat behind his office desk, going through some files when the door creaked open. He looked up at the intruder, who turned out to be Jared. Jared moved closer, his face long and shoulders sagging. Without a word, he sank into the chair opposite Raymond and removed his sunglasses."What's up?" Raymond asked, resuming his work."I thought you said she was a call girl," Jared said, his voice tinged with disappointment as he fixed Raymond with a sharp stare. He had been investigating what Raymond had told him about Melissa after she slapped him for calling her a prostitute."We're supposed to be friends, man. How could you say something like that? And to think I believed you—it makes me an idiot.""What are you talking about?" Raymond asked, his tone calm as he put the files into a drawer. "What did I tell you to do?" He leaned forward, interlacing his fingers on the desk as he met Jared's stern gaze."You told me Melissa was a slut," Jared said, his voice tightening as he struggle
Melissa crouched in the living room, cleaning the center table while humming a song. “I wish I knew how to sing like Eureka," she mocked herself, laughing.“Melissa?" Mrs. Cargill called, entering the living room.“Yes," Melissa replied, turning to face her.“I’m going out. The cook said she won’t be back today either. Can you fix dinner before I return?" Mrs. Cargill asked, adjusting the hem of her dress.“Cook?" Melissa exclaimed, surprised.“Why? You don’t know how to cook?"Melissa looked away, fidgeting. “Um, I… yes, ma’am.”"Yes, you don’t know how to cook?” Mrs. Cargill’s tone made Melissa’s stomach twist."No, that’s not what I mean. I mean I can cook well. What should I cook?” She lied."Fix spaghetti Bolognese. Don’t use red pepper flakes—use black pepper instead. Can you do that?"“Perfectly, Mrs. Cargill," Melissa replied with an awkward smile, scratching the back of her neck.“Alright. See you when I get back," Mrs. Cargill said as she walked out.The moment she left, Mel
The street was dark, lonely, and eerie, but Melissa’s feet carried her far from the house. She didn’t spare a moment to look back; she just kept running, the pain in her abdomen growing worse. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the cold ground, bruising her knee in the process.“I hate my life!” she cried, crawling to the pavement to examine her knee. “What is this? Is this some kind of nightmare? Why am I in this mess? What did I do to deserve this?” Her wailing pierced the quiet night. She curled up, burying her face against her knees. As if nature itself conspired against her, rain began to fall lightly, quickly turning into a downpour. There was no shelter nearby, no place to go.“Fine!” she shouted, her voice lost in the rain. “Punish me all you want. I deserve it anyway. If only I’d listened to my mother and kept my legs closed for that bastard, I wouldn’t be in this situation! And why haven’t I terminated this baby yet? Of what use is a child to me? I can barely take ca
“Wakey, wakey,” Jared said, placing a tray of breakfast on the bed as Melissa stirred awake. “Good morning, sweetheart. Hope you slept well.” He sat on the edge of the bed.“What’s good about the morning, Jared?” she hissed, stretching and yawning. “Anytime I wake up and see your face, I know I should prepare for another awful day. What new surprise should I expect from you today?”“Come on, Mel. Can we move past our differences, please? I hate fighting with you. I want to make up for everything I’ve done. We can go beg your mom to take you back. If she doesn’t, I’ll take care of you. Maybe when you give her a grandchild, her heart will soften toward you,” he explained, hoping to calm her down.Melissa snorted. “Easy for you to say, isn’t it? I was already on thin ice with my mom before you showed up and made me fall into her trap. She’s not just punishing me because I got pregnant, but because it’s with you—her business rival,” she said. “Of all the people in the world, you had to pi
Melissa sat in the living room, munching on cookies and watching an action movie when the doorbell rang. “Why would Jared knock before entering his own house?” she muttered as a servant went to answer the door. The visitor turned out to be Cassandra.Melissa leaped to her feet, anger surging through her at the sight of Cassandra. “What are you doing here?” Melissa demanded as Cassandra walked in, scanning the room like she owned it.“Is Jared home?” Cassandra asked casually, brushing back her, and moving over to a couch.“Why are you looking for him? You have no right to be here. Leave this house!” Melissa pointed angrily at the door.“Oh, please,” Cassandra said dismissively, sinking into a couch and dropping her handbag beside her. “Tell the maid to get me a drink. I’m thirsty.”“You’ll die of thirst, Cassandra!” Melissa snapped. “Get your despicable self off that couch and leave!”“What are you even doing here?” Cassandra asked, leaning forward on the couch. “The last time I was he
After running a long distance, Melissa’s feet buckled beneath her, tears streaking down her face. She crouched beside a row of trash cans in a small alley, her body trembling from both pain and anger. She didn’t want it to hurt. She understood what Eureka went through, seeing her husband cheat openly, but she never knew it would hurt so much. The voice of Cassandra moaning Jared’s name clouded her mind. It felt as though she was losing her sanity as she clamped her head, wailing. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, drumming in her ears like an incessant beat.“Bloody bastard!” she yelled, punching a trash can with all her force. Her knuckles cracked as blood began to spill. She didn’t care. The pain in her heart was far worse than the throbbing in her hand. “I was a fool to think you loved me! Why does it have to be Cassandra of all the women in Beverly Hills? You don’t have taste, Jared. How can you share that tramp with your best friend?” She tossed her shoes aside, sat on the c
It has been two days since Melissa left Jared’s place. He has searched everywhere he could for her, yet nothing. Currently, he stood in the bar, repeatedly pouring himself a glass of whisky. His expression was downcast as he gulped the drink over and over again.“Why are you so unfortunate, Jared?” he thought. “Why do you have to be so stupid in the first place? You don’t know how to keep women, do you?”“Boss,” one of his servants called, appearing before him. He bore into her with his eyes, making her retreat.“Lunch is ready,” she notified him. He gave her the once-over without a word, then poured another glass of whisky.“Should I serve now?” she repeated.“Get lost, Juliet!” Jared snapped, startling the woman as she scurried away.“That was harsh,” came Cassandra’s intruding voice as she moved toward him. Her arm and face were strapped.“What’s this all about?” she asked with a sneer. “Why haven’t you been taking my calls or replying to my messages? Is that how you treat your wom
Melissa stepped into the living room from the kitchen, holding a cleaning rag to wipe the table. Charlie had many servants, as he had said, but Melissa insisted on helping with the household chores as her way of thanking him for being kind to her. Her tummy was protruding, and she feared Charlie would find out she was pregnant soon, so she wore baggy gowns to hide it.One day, she stepped on her long gown, stumbled, and nearly fell over.“I told you to wear normal clothes," he scolded her as he caught her.There was something about him that made Melissa's heart flutter, something she rarely felt around Jared. She felt safe and at peace with him.In the days she had spent in his house, he had been more than good to her. He treated her like a sister, and even the servants praised their boss for being a kind and wonderful man.“I wish I could marry him," joked one of the servants, a middle-aged woman, causing the others to laugh.“The boss is indeed handsome, but I’m not sure settling wi
“This is not a threat, Mr. Luke Donald, it’s just advice,” Eureka said. She sat opposite Raymond’s attorney in his office, her eyes boring into his. “What do you say? Should I go ahead and try?”“What has come over you, Miss Bennett?” Mr. Luke snapped. “You have no right to come into my office and ask me not to defend my client. With all due respect, leave.”“I’ll pay you double whatever you’ll earn from Raymond’s case if you don’t defend him. Or I could show the judge what I have on you if you insist on taking the case. Which do you prefer?” she asked, leaning back in her chair.Mr. Luke’s voice softened. “What do you have on me?”“You don’t need to see it. I’ll just show it to the judge and your family. That’s all,” she said.“What do you want from me, Miss Bennett?”“Now you’re talking. I want you to take a break. Go on vacation until Raymond’s case is over. That’s all.”“I can’t leave now. I have too much to do.”“I won’t waste time convincing you
Eureka entered Mr. Mathews’ house, leaving the door open. “Mr. Mathews?” she called out. He didn’t respond. “Mr. Mathews, come down quickly,” she demanded, pacing back and forth in the living room. Mr. Mathews, who had been in the bathroom, stepped onto the balcony, shirtless, with a white towel wrapped around his waist.“Why are you shouting, Miss Bennett? Where are my housekeepers?” he asked.“Is that what you’re worried about now? Come down quickly.”“Give me a minute. Let me change,” he said, turning toward his room.“Don’t, please,” she stopped him. “You look just perfect like that.” Her eyes flickered to the door as Raymond’s car rolled into the compound. She gestured for him to hurry.“What’s the problem?” Mr. Mathews asked as he stepped into the living room.“Just be ready for a punch,” she whispered, pressing her lips to his. “Don’t fight back,” she added before kissing him again. Mr. Mathews didn’t bother asking who was about to punch him. He just kissed her back, his hands
Not long after Tracy left, Geraldine entered, holding a cleaning rag. “Hi, boss,” she greeted warmly. If Raymond had thought Tracy’s outfit was too revealing, he had been mistaken. When he looked at Geraldine, all he saw was an exposed woman standing before him. The short gown she wore barely covered her flawless thighs, her long, wavy hair was tied in a ponytail, and worst of all, the dress was off-the-shoulder.Raymond tried to focus on the papers in front of him, but he couldn’t. “Don’t you girls have uniforms?” he snapped, startling Geraldine, who had her back to him while cleaning the TV.“What, boss?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.Raymond softened his voice, sensing her fear. “Do you girls have uniforms?” he repeated.“Yes, sir. This is it,” she said, pointing at her dress. Raymond narrowed his eyes as he took in her appearance from head to toe.“This is your uniform?”“Yes, boss,” she confirmed.“This is unbelievable,” he muttered. “You know what? Just go change int
Raymond looked between Eureka and the four women standing before him. She had promised to get him new staff, but not temptation. They were young, vibrant, sexy, and curvy—just the way he liked his women.“They come highly recommended,” Eureka began. “I’m sure they won’t leave like your former staff did. This is Tracy, Geraldine, Frances, and Deborah,” she introduced them. “Only Tracy is the cook; the others are housekeepers.”“Um, ladies, meet your boss, Mr. Raymond Blackwood. He likes his house clean and sparkling. And don’t get on his nerves—he can be hot-tempered,” she added.“Nice meeting you, boss,” the women chorused.“Just… just show them around,” Raymond said, standing. “I’ll be upstairs.”“I’ll join you soon,” she told him. “Come on, ladies, let me show you around,” Eureka said, walking towards the kitchen. The women followed her.Some minutes later, Eureka entered the room to find Raymond pacing back and forth. “Babe, what’s wrong?” she asked.“Where did you get those girls?
“Mom?” Desmond called, entering his mother’s room. She was seated on the bed, taking her medicine. “Have you seen Kaiden? He’s not in his room.”“He went out,” his mother replied curtly.“What? Why would you let him go out?”“What do you mean? He said he wanted some fresh air. You don’t think I can stop him, do you?”“I’m going to find him,” Desmond said and stormed out.He tried calling Kaiden several times on the way, but each time, Kaiden rejected the calls. “Damn it, Kaiden. Where the hell are you?” Desmond muttered, scanning the street as he walked, his heart racing. “What will I tell your mom? She’s going to kill me for sure,” he whined and dialed his number again, but it was busy. He thought Kaiden was calling him back, but no.“Kaiden?” Desmond called, spotting Kaiden loitering on the street, his eyes fixed on the house they had visited a few days ago. “What are you doing here?”“I should be asking you,” Kaiden retorted, not sparing Desmond a glance.“Why did you leave the hou
“We’ve arrived safely, ma’am,” Desmond told Eureka over the phone.She was seated behind her polished desk in the office. Two middle-aged men sat opposite her, waiting patiently.“I’m glad. You know what? You two don’t have to come back so soon. Take care of your mom until she’s stable, and please let me know when you’d like to return,” she said.“Is there a problem?”“Not at all. Try spending two weeks there. Keep Kaiden busy—maybe he’ll get over her better in a new environment.”“As you wish, ma’am. Thank you.”She hung up. “Sorry about the intrusion, gentlemen. Family first. So, have you decided on our deal?” Eureka asked, refocusing on her visitors.“I’ll sell my shares,” one of them said. “I’ve invested in a lot of other companies anyway.”“I can’t easily sell my shares without the Blackwood’s consent. It’s unconventional for an investor to sell without informing the other party involved. There are complications,” the other man said.“What complications, Mr. Thompson? You’re the
“What happened?” Eureka asked as she received a call from Desmond. She was seated on the bed in Raymond’s room, her back relaxed against the headboard. Raymond was in the bathroom, freshening up. She had spent the night at his place.“Is he fine?” she added.“He’s alright, ma’am, but there’s a problem,” Desmond responded. “My mom is sick, and I’m her only child. I need to go see her, but Kaiden is insisting on going with me instead of going back to your place,” he said.“I’m sorry about your mom. Where’s Kaiden now? Can you put him on the phone?” she asked.“Just a minute, ma’am.”There was a brief silence as Eureka waited patiently. She could hear Desmond’s footsteps, confirming he was heading to Kaiden’s place.“Kaiden, your mom’s on the phone,” Desmond said. “Your mom, Kaiden,” he repeated.“Can you stop bugging me?” Kaiden snapped. Eureka could feel his irritation over the phone. “How many times do I have to tell you I’m an orphan?”His words cut through her heart like a sharp kni
Eureka sat opposite Mr. David Mathews in a hotel room, sipping from a glass of red wine, their eyes locked onto each other.“I’ll do anything just to get what I’m seeing,” Mr. Mathews spoke first, putting down his glass. “What do you want, Miss Bennett?”“What can you offer, Mr. Mathews?” she retorted.“Anything a woman deserves: money, influence, and fame. Which do you need?” he asked, and a soft smile appeared on Eureka's face.“I have all,” she said. “Tell me something interesting.”“What more does a classy woman like you need?” he asked, his eyes narrowing on her.“Hmm… revenge?” she suggested.“Tell me it’s on another woman, and I’ll support you.”“Do you hate women?”“No man in their right mind would wrong a woman like you, so I don’t believe your revenge can be on a man; it definitely has to be on a woman,” he said.“You’re interesting, Mr. Mathews,” she smirked. “There are lots of men in this world who would do many things to hurt women like me, so your belief is unconventiona
“No, I don’t want that,” Eureka said as Raymond held out a dress for her. They had gone shopping together over the weekend.“But it’s red. It’ll suit you perfectly,” he argued, pressing the dress against her body. “Isn’t this lovely?”“You clearly don’t know my size. I’d barely be able to breathe if I wore that,” she said, walking away.“Is that so?” He returned the dress to the shelf and followed her. “You seem to be getting even more…”“Are you saying I’m gaining weight?” She spun to face him. “What the hell, Raymond? I go to the gym once a week, sometimes diet, and—”“You’re getting me wrong, babe,” Raymond cut her off, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer. “That’s not what I meant.” He pressed his lips to hers briefly. “You’re just perfect. I was only referring to your…” He trailed off, squeezing her ass cheek. She gasped.“You’re so naughty,” she pulled away from him. “What if someone sees you doing that?” Her eyes scanned their surroundings.“Do I care?” He s