The receptionist, taken aback by the overwhelming support Stella received, sank into her chair, her words failing her as she realized she had no evidence to counter Stella's claims. With confidence, Stella stepped forward at the front of the conference hall, addressing the public. "Now that you all know the truth, that it was my daughter who was truly wronged, I no longer hold the hairstylist accountable for tarnishing her name," she declared, her voice resonating with the pretense of sincerity. The room fell into a hushed silence as Stella's words sank in.As the tension eased, Stella turned her attention to the reporters and journalists, gesturing for them to approach. "I urge you all to write the best articles you can, to shed light on the injustice my daughter faced and the impact it had on her life," she implored, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and vulnerability.The journalists, sensing the weight of the moment, scrambled to gather their thoughts, their pens poised
Nora nodded, understanding the importance of Merrick having all the relevant information at hand. She carefully retrieved the documents, ensuring their completeness and order, before handing them to Merrick.As Merrick rose from his chair, his presence commanded attention. He thanked Nora for her assistance, his voice reflecting a blend of professionalism and gratitude."Thank you, Nora. I appreciate your efficiency. I'll head to the board meeting now."With the documents securely in his possession, Merrick left his office, his strides purposeful and determined. Nora couldn't help but notice a shift in Merrick's behavior towards her. Gone were the days of his harshness and cold demeanor. Instead, she sensed a newfound warmth and kindness emanating from him. This change in their dynamic brought about a wave of pleasant emotions, as Nora had secretly found Merrick attractive all along. However, she had always kept her feelings hidden, knowing that his previous treatment of her made any
After the board meeting concluded in just under an hour, Merrick swiftly made his way to his office on the 17th floor. With purposeful strides, he reached his office door and proceeded to walk inside. As he entered, he spotted Nora, his secretary, rising from her desk."Sir, Mr. William Taylor is here," Nora informed him respectfully.Merrick, wearing a warm smile, replied, "Oh, William! Excellent. You can get back to work, Nora."Nora resumed her seat at the secretary post, engrossed in her tasks. Meanwhile, Merrick advanced further into his office and discovered William reclining comfortably on the couch, engrossed in his phone."What's up, dude?" William greeted, his attention still focused on his device.Merrick reciprocated the casual greeting, saying, "I'm cool," as he approached his desk and placed the files he had been carrying onto it.William leaned forward on the couch, his curiosity piqued. " Merrick, Nora mentioned you had a meeting with the board of directors. What was i
Doubt and insecurity flooded Merrick's thoughts, drowning him in a sea of questions. Did Nora find comfort in William's presence? Had their car ride sparked a connection? The weight of his own hesitation gnawed at him, amplifying his sense of urgency.Merrick's grip tightened around his fork as he forcefully shoveled the food into his mouth. The taste was lost on him, the act reduced to a mechanical motion. Beneath the strained smile, he wore, a storm brewed within, far removed from the facade he attempted to maintain. It became clear to him that the time for idly spoiling their boss-employee relationship had long passed.An internal resolve took hold of Merrick, a decision solidifying in his mind. It was time to take a leap, to make his move on Nora. The feelings he had harbored for her had lingered for far too long, and the fear of losing her to the advancing William became overwhelming.After savoring their meals, the bill was settled, and the companionship of the evening lingered
Slipping into the backseat, Nora met the gaze of the taxi driver through the rearview mirror. With a quick nod, she conveyed the address, her voice tinged with a mix of determination and apprehension. The driver acknowledged her request, and with swift acceleration, the taxi zoomed into the flow of traffic.During the ride, Nora's eyes flickered between the passing scenery and her phone, as if seeking a momentary distraction from the weight of the impending visit. The cityscape blurred outside the window as she silently contemplated the unknown encounter that awaited her at Merrick's mansion.The taxi driver pulled up to the grand entrance, stopping just in front of the imposing gate. As Nora stepped out of the vehicle, her eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the elegance of Merrick's mansion. To her surprise, the gate swung open automatically, revealing a path that beckoned her forward. Unbeknownst to her, Merrick had instructed the security to grant access to any woman fitting
Nora found herself consumed by an unexplainable fear, unable to pinpoint its origin. The prospect of being alone with Merrick in his living room sent shivers down her spine, leaving her unnerved and unsettled.As Nora sat there, her mind raced with apprehensive thoughts. She struggled to understand the root of her unease, questioning why the mere idea of being in close quarters with Merrick evoked such a strong sense of fear within her. It was as if an invisible force whispered cautionary tales and injected doubt into her every thought.The luxurious surroundings of Merrick's house, once an embodiment of style and sophistication, now seemed to close in on Nora. The lavish furniture and decor took on a sinister quality, casting shadows that danced along the walls, heightening Nora's sense of vulnerability.Nora's heart pounded in her chest, the sound echoing in her ears like the beat of a war drum, symbolizing the battle between her fear and her desire to remain composed. Every creak o
However, as their passionate exchange reached its peak, they both recognized the need to pause and catch their breath. Reluctantly, they separated, their lips lingering in the air, still carrying the lingering warmth of their intimate moment. Their eyes locked, the intensity of their gaze reflecting the unspoken desire that hung in the air between them.Nora gazed deeply into Merrick's eyes, her attention gradually shifting to his lips. The lingering sensation of their recent kiss still enveloped her, wrapping her in a comforting warmth. She couldn't help but wonder if the reason it felt so nice and inviting was because it had been years since she had shared such an intimate moment with a man. The longing for more tugged at her, but she fought to restrain herself, cautious of the boundaries that existed between them.Merrick, sensing her internal conflict, moved closer to Nora, his eyes filled with tenderness. With a gentle gesture, he pressed a soft peck on her lips, a subtle yet aff
Curiosity danced in Merrick's eyes as he turned his attention towards Nora. "I'm curious, Nora," he began, his voice filled with genuine interest. "When did you start liking me?"Nora's lips curled into a soft smile, her gaze meeting Merrick's. "It just flowed within me," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of affection. "There wasn't a specific moment. It's been building up gradually."Merrick's eyebrows furrowed slightly, a trace of doubt flickering across his face. "But I thought you liked William Taylor," he admitted, his tone laced with uncertainty.Nora's laughter bubbled up from within her, a melodic sound that filled the room. "Oh, no," she chuckled, shaking her head. "That was a misunderstanding. William simply helped me get home from the company one day when I couldn't find a taxi. It was a kind gesture, nothing more."Relief washed over Merrick's features as he absorbed Nora's explanation. He had been mistaken, allowing his own insecurities to cloud his judgment. He real
Merrick pulled away the bathtub to reveal Nora's radiant beauty.With a tender move, Merrick leaned in, his lips brushing against the delicate curve of Nora's neck. The touch sent an electric surge of pleasure coursing through her body, causing her to quiver. Nora's senses were heightened, every nerve alive and attuned to the sensations that Merrick's gentle caresses evoked.In a dance of desire, Merrick gradually and deliberately joined his body with Nora's, becoming an exquisite of passion and desire. Each thrust from the love making propelled them both to realms of pleasure they had never before experienced.Their bodies moved together, As they embraced the sacred act of love, the room was filled with their pleasure. Nora's moans, sweet and melodious, mingled with Merrick's primal grunts, echoed throughout the space.The memory of their first encounter flooded their minds, adding an extra layer of intensity to the moment. It was as if time had folded upon itself, and they were tra
A week after Nora assumed the position of CEO, the company found itself entangled in a legal battle. A court case was filed against Stella, whose actions had allegedly led to the manipulation of company funds for personal gain. The consequences were severe and far-reaching.In the wake of the investigation, Stella's properties were seized, the tangible reminders of her ill-gotten wealth. These properties, acquired through the misuse of company funds, were now destined to be reclaimed to compensate for the stolen funds. Not only were Stella's properties targeted, but those purchased by Chloe and Austin using company funds also fell under scrutiny. Nora took a bold step and filed a court case against her stepmother, Stella. The legal battle that ensued would determine the rightful ownership of the properties registered under the name of Nora's late father, Albert Gibson.With unwavering determination, Nora fought tirelessly in the courtroom, presenting evidence and advocating for her
Mr. Harris couldn't contain his emotions, his voice ringing out for all to hear. "Oh, my Nora," he exclaimed, his words laced with fondness and nostalgia. He turned to face the bewildered crowd, his voice commanding their attention. "Everyone, this is Nora Gibson, the daughter of Albert Gibson, the true heir of Gibson Corporation, which later got changed to S&C Corporation by Stella Davies after the death of Albert Gibson, the founder of this corporation."A wave of shock rippled through the room, followed by murmurs of disbelief and realization. Old directors, their memories stirred by Mr. Harris's revelation, rose from their seats, drawn to Nora like moths to a flame. They approached her one by one, seeking confirmation, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity. Nora simply nodded and reached into her bag, pulling out her identification card. She held it up for everyone to see, her name clearly printed on it."It's really her!" one of the Directors exclaimed, breaking the stun
"Hello, who is this?" Alice asked, adopting a calm tone. "I couldn't hear you properly before."Stella, the CEO, repeated her identity, her voice carrying a hint of authority. "As I mentioned earlier, this is Stella Davies, CEO of S&C Corporation," she clarified.Alice pondered for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly. "Hmm, what do I owe this pleasure, ma'am?" she inquired, trying to gauge the purpose behind Stella's reach-out.Stella's voice exuded a sense of urgency as she responded, "The vote for a new CEO will be taking place tomorrow, and I need your vote. I realize I've made mistakes in the past, but I assure you, I won't let that happen again."Alice leaned back, contemplating the weight of her response. "Well, my shares aren't substantial, so I'm not sure if my vote would make a significant difference," she voiced hesitantly.Stella's tone turned persuasive, her words laced with high determination. "Don't underestimate the impact of your shares, my dear. Every single one co
Nora nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "Yes, it's been challenging, to say the least," she replied, her voice quivering with emotion.Merrick tightened his grip on her hand, offering her comfort and support. "I can't imagine how difficult that must be for you," he said sincerely. "But Nora, I want to help you. Do you want everything back, including the company?"Nora's eyes widened with surprise at Merrick's offer. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I do. I have some shares in the company that I bought when the stock prices were low, but it's not much."Merrick smiled warmly at her, his eyes filled with determination. "It doesn't matter how much it is, Nora. We'll work together to make it right. You deserve to have everything that's rightfully yours.""I will help you get back what's rightfully yours, Nora," Merrick declared with determination in his voice. Nora looked at him, surprise and gratitude in her eyes. "How?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.Merric
Merrick's eyes widened as he glanced over at Austin, a familiar face from his past. Thoughts raced through his mind, connecting the dots and revealing a startling realization. "Isn't this the ex-fiancé of Nora?" he pondered silently, caught off guard by the unexpected encounter. However, Merrick swiftly dismissed the thought, reminding himself that Nora and Austin's relationship was now a thing of the past.Turning his attention back to the present moment.One of the shareholders, his voice filled with frustration, spoke up and addressed the dilemma facing them all. "What do you suggest we do now?" he asked, his tone laced with urgency.Another shareholder, his voice firm and determined, offered a suggestion. "We should remove the CEO," he proposed, his words met with murmurs of agreement from some of the attendees.Stella, her voice filled with defiance, interjected immediately. "I'm the CEO of this company," she declared, her tone resolute.Mr. Ford, his eyes locked with Stella's, s
Mrs. Evelyn, her heart brimming with love, reciprocated each embrace with tenderness. "You are always welcome here, my dears. Our time together has been a gift to me, and you all hold a special place in my heart."With a final wave and a lingering gaze, Nora, Merrick, and the Kids stepped out And got into the car.*****Nora's fingers paused on her keyboard as her phone emitted a sudden beep, drawing her attention away from her duties as an Executive Assistant. Curious, she reached for her phone, lifting it from the desk and unlocking the screen. Her eyes scanned the message that had appeared before her, causing a flicker of concern to dance across her face."An issue has surfaced. The shareholders of S&C Corporation will be having a meeting tomorrow. Do well to attend."Nora's brows furrowed as she read the words repeatedly, her mind racing with apprehension. The name Stella and Chloe echoed in her thoughts, reminding her of the unsettling encounter she had with Chloe just a few days
Mrs. Evelyn bent down and spread her arms, Moved by the warmth of the moment, Mia moved close and joined in, wrapping her arms around Mrs. Evelyn in a tight embrace. Axel followed suit, their collective hug forming a beautiful tapestry of love. The room was filled with the echoes of laughter and the gentle rustling of their embrace.After a moment, Mia gently disengaged from the hug, her eyes brimming with confidence. "I'm Mia," she introduced herself, her voice clear and self-assured. Axel, standing beside her, added, "And I'm Axel." Their names hung in the air, resonating with significance and beauty.Mrs. Evelyn's gaze softened as she looked at Mia and Axel, a profound appreciation for their unique identities shining in her eyes. "Axel and Mia, what beautiful names," she remarked, her voice filled with admiration. Merrick stood nearby, his heart swelling with pride as he witnessed the bond between his Kids and his mother. A smile played on his lips, mirroring Nora's own radiant ex
The morning sun bathed Nora's house in a soft golden glow as she and her two kids, Axel and Mia, eagerly prepared for the day ahead. They had carefully arranged a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a vibrant fruit assortment on the living room table, creating a delightful display.Before long, the sound of a car engine echoed outside, and Merrick, their father, arrived in front of the house. He leaned on the car horn, its cheerful honk serving as a signal that he had arrived."Dad is here!" Mia exclaimed, her excitement. Nora's face lit up with a warm smile as she picked up the fruit bouquet, while Mia eagerly grabbed the bouquet of flowers. "Have a nice day, Alice," Nora said to her best friend Alice which made Alice smile and wave, Mia and Nora waved back to Alice.As they stepped out of the house, Nora, Axel, and Mia were greeted by Merrick's beaming smile from inside the car. The windows were rolled down, allowing the fresh morning air to gently tousle their hair. Mia's eyes sparkle