Nora was surprised as she furrowed her brow. "Then why did you ask me to bring them? I thought they were important," she said, her tone filled with confusion.Merrick's expression softened, and he reached out to gently caress her cheek. "I asked you to bring them because I wanted to see you," he confessed, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "I was...jealous, Nora. I thought you had a connection with William, and it made me sad."Nora's eyes widened in shock, She hadn't expected this revelation. "Merrick, I didn't realize you felt that way," she whispered, her voice filled with surprise. "I never had any romantic interest in William. My heart has always been with you even though you were really harsh to me then."Merrick's eyes softened, reflecting a profound sense of happiness. "I'm glad to hear that, Nora. When I discovered my jealousy, it made me realize just how much I care about you. I wanted to take a chance, to show you my feelings and make my move."Nora couldn't help
Once his order was ready, Merrick headed to the pharmacy next door. Stepping inside, he walked the aisles since the pharmacy doctor wasn't around only his sales worker, as Merrick searched for the necessary medications to alleviate William's symptoms himself. He carefully read the labels, ensuring he selected the right remedies to offer comfort and relief.With the food and medicine in hand, Merrick headed towards Taylor Corporation. His heart swelled with concern for William, and he hoped that these thoughtful offerings would help alleviate William's discomfort from his illness.*****The night before, Austin had engaged in a serious conversation with his wife, Chloe, about their son Desmond's unfortunate incident involving glue and a chair at school. Both parents agreed that action needed to be taken, and Austin took it upon himself to address the situation. After dropping off Desmond at school, he made his way to the office of the school head, determined to find answers.Entering t
Noticing Mia's discomfort, Austin's expression softened. Unaware of the true cause of her distress, he continued, his tone sympathetic. "I apologize if I startled you. Please know that I mean no harm. I simply wanted to ask for your mom's contact information."Axel, feeling protective of his Mom, interjected, his voice filled with concern. "Why do you need her contact?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.Austin met Axel's gaze, his intentions transparent. "It's been a while since we've seen each other, and I thought it would be nice to reconnect as friends. I assure you, there's no ulterior motive. I just want to stay in touch."Mia, her anxiety slowly ebbing, looked at Austin. She understood the significance of her mother's contact information and the potential connection it could bring with Austin since he said they were friends.Axel, after a brief pause, nodded in understanding, realizing that Austin's intentions were genuine. He turned to Mia, offering silent reassurance with
Finally, William broke the silence, his voice filled with confusion and concern. "When did this happen?" he asked, his words measured. Merrick's expression softened, realizing the impact of his revelation. "It began a few days ago like I said," he answered, his voice gentler. "We connected on a deeper level, and it just felt right."William's shoulders slumped slightly, a tinge of defeat coloring his voice. "So, you beat me to it," he admitted a hint of resignation in his words. Merrick raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "I thought you weren't interested in her," William added his tone surprised with mild disappointment.Merrick leaned back on his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "I was," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "Although I didn't want to admit it to myself. I tried to act tough, but deep down, I realized I had fallen harder than I thought."A flicker of sympathy softened William's features as he absorbed Merrick's confession. He reac
Unbeknownst to her, Merrick had silently entered the room. As he observed Nora's tense posture, he took a moment to compose himself before speaking. He approached her cautiously, careful not to startle her further. "Who was that?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.Startled, Nora quickly turned around to face Merrick, her eyes wide with surprise. She took a deep breath, attempting to collect her scattered emotions. "It was my ex," she replied, her voice laced with weariness and lingering frustration.Merrick nodded understandingly, sensing that Nora wasn't ready to divulge any further information just yet. He had made a silent promise to himself to give her space and allow her to open up at her own pace. He respected her need for privacy, knowing that trust would be built gradually over time.Changing the subject, Nora shifted her focus to something less tumultuous. Concern colored her voice as she inquired, "How is William?"Merrick's expression softened, a gentle smile
As they pulled away, their foreheads touching, a sense of peace enveloped them. The weight of the past seemed to fade into insignificance as they embraced the present, united in their shared understanding and commitment.After their heartfelt exchange and tender goodbye, Nora bid Merrick goodnight and exited the car. She waved to him, a smile still lingering on her lips, as Merrick zoomed off into the night. Nora made her way into the house, the warmth of her home embracing her.Inside, she found Mia and Axel engrossed in watching TV. Their faces lit up as they noticed her presence. "Welcome home, Mom!" they chimed in unison, their voices filled with affection.Returning their greetings with a loving smile, Nora inquired about their Aunt Alice. Axel responded, informing her that Alice was in her room. Grateful for the update, Nora nodded and made her way towards Alice's room.She gently knocked on the door before slowly pushing it open. To her surprise, she found Alice rolling on the
Nora sighed, her gaze fixed on a distant point. "He said he got it from Mia," she replied, her voice tinged with bitterness. "I guess when he dropped off his son, that's when he took the opportunity."Understanding dawned on Alice as she connected the dots. "Oh," she muttered, sympathy and frustration evident in her voice. "That's not right at all from a kid?."Nora's solidified as she spoke her next words. "I don't want him to ever call me again," she declared, her voice firm and resolute.Alice offered a simple solution, her voice filled with practicality. "It's simple. Just block his contact," she advised, her tone comforting yet pragmatic.Nora reached for her phone, her fingers navigating through the settings. As her eyes scanned the screen, she found the option she sought and tapped it decisively, severing the connection that had caused her distress.A sense of relief hit Nora as she completed the task, her shoulders relaxing as if a weight had been lifted. She looked up at Alic
Finally, the long-awaited weekend arrived. Mia and Axel woke up with a spring in their step, ready to embark on an adventure like no other. Their spirits soared as they prepared for the day, their minds already envisioning the vibrant colors and melodious sounds that awaited them. Merrick, too, shared in their contagious excitement, knowing that today would be a day to treasure.As they made their way to the amusement park, the atmosphere was electric. Mia and Axel giggled and chattered in the backseat, their voices blending harmoniously with the hum of the car engine. Merrick couldn't help but feel a surge of joy as he glanced at them through the rearview mirror, their eyes sparkling their laughter filling the air.Upon arrival, the sight before them was nothing short of a wonderland since they had only seen it on TV. The amusement park, with its towering rides and vibrant attractions, seemed to stretch infinitely, beckoning them into a world of enchantment. Mia and Axel's eyes widen
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