ALEX's P o V
Dread was written all over Jodi's face when she approached us and I know that the same expression showed on my face as well. She hurriedly knelt beside Shantal and took her into her embrace.
"Cuz! Open your eyes. Can you hear me? You have to stay with me, please. You understand?"
I heard the edge of panic in her voice but then out of nowhere, I saw Jodi slapped Shantal's face. I flinched when the resounding sound of a palm connecting to a cheek registered on my ears but I was too startled to even leave a comment.
I understood that it must have been the fastest way that Jodi could come up with in order to let Shantal stay awake. But I am pretty sure that slapped must have hurt; as in a lot. In fact, I could still see the red print left by her hands in Shantal's skin. However, despite her effort, it seemed that it was still all for naught.
It was at this time that Harold arrived at the scene as well. His
JODI's P o V When Harold took Shantal's body from my arms and picked her up, I was caught off guard. He no longer explained to me and started running back to where our car was and I saw Alex ran after him. Naturally, I also ran after them. We all hopped inside the car and make ourselves as small as we could; the car was already cramped with a total of four seats, let alone add another one unconscious body lying like a sack of potato over our lap. However, at this point, no one has the audacity to utter even a single word of complaint as we all knew well enough that we did not hot time for that. There was a life at stake and things escalated up to this point because of our own mistake. It was our collective wrong choice that led us all to this dreadful situation. Now, this was a matter of life and death and so we decided to speed up and drove off to the nearest hospital and it was a good thing that the place was not busy so as soon as we got there, th
Over the course of time that Shantal had fallen unconscious, a lot has to be said on Jodi's side. After Mathilde learned of the situation, she instantly devised a plan that was advantageous to no one but her side. It turned out that Jodi not only told her the reason behind Shantal's current condition, but she also told her mother about the agreement that she had with Harold in exchange for her silence. "I knew it! Finally, our time has come, and as I expected, you are the one who led us to this success. You are such a gem." Mathilde told her daughter while they were in the middle of having their afternoon tea. Likewise, the amusement in her voice was clear for all ears to hear. However, unlike her smiling face, Jodi, on the other hand, was sporting a sullen expression. She pursed her lips into a tight line as she put her cup down the table. "Mom, you know how much I love you, right?" "O
JODI's P o V ~~~ A lot had happened ever since Shantal fell to her coma and when I said, 'a lot' I really mean it. Because there was indeed so much going on around her. The media went crazy as they were eager to cover her story. All of a sudden, everyone wanted a piece of my cousin; the public was basically dying to know more about what happened to Shantal Nordstorme. The sudden news about an heiress of a big conglomerate that suddenly falls sick for no apparent reason took not only the business world but also the entertainment circle by storm and everyone was nothing but curious to know what was the reason behind all of it. Of course, we tried to keep as much information as we could from the public and I must say, we were able to do a good job about it; the damage was mitigated to bear minimum. However, I was not able to escape the prying eyes of my cunning stepmo
JODI's P o V ~~~ As much as I did not want to start hating my stepmom, I could hardly shake the feeling of repulse towards her anymore; especially so when I kept on seeing the lopsided grin that was pasted on her face as she tried to come up with possible outcomes in her mind. I could see just from reading her expression that she was plotting against Shantal and the more she was showing her true nature in front of me, the stronger my aversion gets. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply just to help me calm my nerves. Then after letting out a deep breath, very carefully, I put my own cup of tea atop the glass table. We happened to be having our afternoon tea at a local shop outside so I tried to hide my disgust. The last thing that I would want was to attract unnecessary towards us. "Mom, you know how much I love you, right?" I whispered softly. But when I heard her answer, I was only left
MATHILDE's P o V ~~~~~ I fought hard the urge to roll my eyes when Jodi started acting out in front of me. Of all the places, she chose to confront me in public! The audacity of this lass to turn her back on me after all the sacrifices I made for her... HOW UNGRATEFUL! I raised her as though she was my own child! Yet is this how she was going to repay the kindness I had shown her all these times??? From the current looks of it, it seemed that this stepdaughter of mine was willing to go against my words and crossed me for the sake of saving the face of her cousin. Is this why some say blood is thicker than water? "Then allow me to talk to you sincerely just this once as well" I deliberately straightened my back while I was at my seat as I said that. I also make sure to hold her gaze. At t
JODI's P o VFor a moment, I noticed the glow of malice in my stepmom's eyes. I also saw how she balled her hands into a fist, but turned a blind eye on her reaction and instead, I insisted to make myself heard."But mom, I simply can't do it!"I shook my head in a vigorous manner to let know how I was completely against to having anything to do with her ill plan. Then I chewed on my lower lip as I found myself hesitating to say the next words."These things that you are asking me to do...."I trailed off as I tried to think of how I could describe it and made it sound like it was not that bad. However, even after a long contemplation, I was still unable to come up with the right word to say. So rather that sugar coating it, I just went straight to the point." --- they were nothing but treason!"&n
JODI's P o V~~~~I deliberately stopped myself to allow myself to take a deep breath. I was afraid that my emotion will took over my rationality so before anything could even blow out of proportion, I already tried to reign control over myself and stopped myself from speaking another word. As much as I wanted to give my stepmom a piece of my mind, I also did not want to end up hurting her with my words. nThe last thing I would like to happen was to allow my emotions to get the better half of me, because I knew well enough that there was high likely a chance that I would going to regret it after.At this point, I was trying my very best not to show my real emotion with my face. I sported a straight face as I continued with our conversation. However, when I heard the other party's reply, I almost lost all my control. I froze on my seat as I was left clenching my hands int
JODI's P o V "But Shantal is not your friend, sweetie, and will never be." I gasped upon seeing my mom's real nature in plain view. She has never been this honest to me regarding her intention. However, this time around, she made it clear for all eyes to see that never did she intend to make amend with the main family of the Nordstrom clan. I tried to keep a straight face as I talked to my stepmom. However, the quiver in my voice afterward betrayed my purpose and gave me away. "But mom----" It was not my intention to raise my voice against her. But before I knew it, I already blurted out those words and spoke louder than I wanted it to sound. I saw my stepmom widen her eyes in shock when she detected the hint of annoyance in my voice. Meanwhile, when I realized what I have just done, I hurriedly put my hands over my mouth and covered them
"Gosh it's good."Harold said when he got to taste how refreshing the drink was. When he looked at the other two guys, he saw them gesturing to their head but he did not give them much attention."Yes.Sam repeated the same thing with a voice and face devoid of emotion."Something needs fixing."Harold told Sam afterward and so Sam fought back to urge to do and eye roll before replying flatly to him."Okay."This time, Harold noticed that Rico and Michael still keep on doing the same thing so he asked them instead,"What? Is your scalp itchy.""No."The two answered in unison. Jodi on the other hand who was watching all of this farce unfold right before her eyes, could not help but let out a sigh."You sure are made for each other."She said to no one in particular and it was also as seemed she was only talking to herself."Anyway. Michael, I need you to go to Casterly."
"I am right here. Respect my existence."Michael insinuated afterward before he sarcastically added,"Do you guys want be to get you a room instead?""I should not have fallen asleep that night."He muttered to himself as he recalled the night Jodi asked Rico out for a date. He believed that if only he was not asleep that time, then maybe Jodi would also consider dating him.On the other hand, Rico seemed to be out of it and oblivious of him."Lover."The other party mumbled to himself as he observed the tarot card in his hand.'"I did not know this will happen. I feel so lonely."Michael muttered to himself out of despondency and while he was in the middle of self pity. Someone walked into the room.They though the one arrived was some random girl who was in full glam and obviously had just gone to salon for her touch up when it decided to have some coffee."Wow! I told her she would be pretty."
"That robot was sometimes human and sometimes a robot for me and that was why others who can't understand my situation mistakes me as someone who hallucinates and believe a robot as a human just because I am treating it just like one. But for my opinion, my situation was no different from those who loves their pets so much, they even considered them as their child and called themselves as furparents.""My emotions were input into that robot and that person. That is how this miracle happened. That fact completely changed the way I view things. This will be yet another scoop for the reporters present. Nordstorme Corp will go from financing mergers and acquisitions to investing in futuristic industries that involved human sensibilities. Just like what Alpha Tec Inc pioneered years ago.""This is your first change in business strategy in 15 years. Do you have anything mapped out?"One of the reporters raised a question just like what a normal press conference should
On the flip side, just like what Shantal assumed, Mr. Takashi with Mathilde's instruction called for an emergency meeting on that afternood. Which happened to coincide to the time when Shantal will hold her press conference.Moreover, since Mathilde would not be able to make it there since she was still held in prison, her secretary presided the meeting."We shall begin the emergency board meeting."Secretary Ye declared loudly and her voice reverberated in the room. Jiro was also there along with other board members."The agenda is the dismissal of Director Shantal Nordstorme and the cause is as you were all informed. An illness."She continued while everyone was silent and anxiously prayed so they could ever this meeting once and for all. On the contrary, Mr. Takashi was nodding his head on the side and though he was anticipating for this day come.Mr. Takashi nodded his head toward Secretary Ye to signal her to start it once and for
In there, Jodi found a list of shares under her name as well as a soft copy of memorandum of renunciation address to Shantal with her name on it and it was then that Jodi realized that her mom had already long planned about it ahead of the time.As it turned out, Mathilde was thinking of using her influence to oust her cousin out of the position.In addition, inside the flash drive she also found an old email account with records of bunch of emails and it took Jodi more than four hours to go through all of them.But by the time she finished reading the exchange of chats Mathilde had with her hitman, Jodi's eyes was bloodshot.It was unsure if this was cause by her prolong exposure to the screen or if it was exhaustion that was doing this thing on her body, but when she get up from her chair, Jodi balled her hands into a fist.She slammed the door shut behind her back as she left the office and on the screen, the last conversation
It was late in the evening when Jodi received a call out from nowhere. When she checked that registered on the caller ID, she was surprised to see Jiro's name.Truth be told, he was the least person he would expect to contact her. After all, the two of them never talked to each other for ages.Jiro used to be a good friend of hers as well. Just like how she and Shantal were cousins, Jiro and and Zorens were first cousins too so naturally all four of them get to know each other and as a child, they eventually became acquaintances in no time.Besides, since Zoren's parents were a family friend of the Nordstorme they often had an opportunity to hang around during their childhood.However, ever since the day Zoren committed suicide due to the incident regarding the Nordstorme controversy, Jiro also stopped communicating with them.So this made Jodi wonder what had come to Jiro to decide and phone her at this time of the night.But
"In other words, she wants me to become director and cover up all his shortcomings?"Mr. Takashi insinuated after his contemplation. He did not exactly declined the offer this time, unlike before. Although he also did not directly implied that he would do it.Nonetheless, Secretary Ye considered his response as a good sign. At least, the other party was no longer adamant at turning them down.So with the same insinuating manner, she answered him back."That would make it easier for you to do your duties once you become a director. All that was left for you now is to leave Ms. Shantal Nordstrome no other choice but to step down and abdicate the position of board directory to your hands.""Ousting her is not enough. He will just come back. We must make sure he loses the will to come back."Out of nowhere, Mr. Takashi declared with conviction and for a second, the secretary was taken aback by this.One moment, he almost drove her a
"You told Jodi about everything?"Mathilde asked her secretary as soon as the two of them were finally allowed to have some private conversation within the prison hall where she was currently detained. Panic was noticeably present on the other party's face when she raised her question. Meanwhile, the secretary remained silence yet that was all enough for Mathilde to guess her response and not long after that, her shoulders dropped on the side when the realization hit her."I guess she was bound to find out about it sooner or later."She muttered under her breath with despondent undertone.An exasperated sigh escaped Mathilde's lips afterward. But then, she suddenly tenses up when she recalled about something else.Leaning towards the other party all the while grabbing a hold to the iron bars, Mathilde looked around her warily first to make sure that no ears were on them.Only when she confirmed for the umpteenth time that no one was listenin
Adelaine Smith's P o V~~~~While Jodi and I were driving down the road looking for any sign of the robot, I received a call and when I checked who it was, I found out that it was Amanda so I accepted the call right away."Ms. Smith, the robot just got on the bus number 707."I heard her voice telling me the moment it picked her call"Great! Thank you for the information."I replied and not long after that, she hung up on her because I reckoned that it would be best if I could relay this news to the other search parties. In this way they would also know where to start looking. Of course, the first one that I tried to call was my lady boss. However, to my dismay, I was only redirected to the voice call feature of the phone.'The number you have dialed is busy at the moment. Please try your call later or leave a message aft