“Dad, it’s not what you think.” Catherine left her husband's embrace, staring at her father-in-law warily. “Ivy framed Jane for stealing a diamond necklace at the mall yesterday,” Catherine explained. Sir Edward's gaze flickered, but he still appeared unconvinced. “And you believe Ivy who I single-handedly raised since childhood would do such a thing?” His tone dripped with disapproval, not believing Ivy was such a person. Reginald, who was observing their word exchange, stepped forward. “Father, we can discuss this later. Let’s not jump to conclusions based on someone's statement.” Taking hold of his father’s hand, Reginald helps him to the sofa in the lounge. “Come on Dad, let’s sit and talk about this.” Sir Edward snorted, pushing Reginald's hand from his grip. “I can walk by myself.” He angrily said as he used his walking stick as support, before walking away. Catherine sighed before following Sir Edward to the lounge room, together with her husband. “Won’t you explain yo
“Honey, you have a call, it’s your son. Reginald called out to his wife. Catherine, who was selecting an outfit shouted from the closet. “Pick up the call, I’m coming.” “Yes Leonard, what’s up?” Reginald said after picking up the call. “Where the hell is mum? Why are you picking up her call?” Leonard's irritated voice sounded from the other end. “Hey young man, watch your language. And why are you calling my wife this early morning? Are you that bored?” Reginald tried easing up the conversation, knowing the reason why Leonard was calling. “Don’t even try your tricks on me, Dad. I knew you knew the reason I was calling. Just give the damn phone to mom.” “Alright, I will pass it to her right away. Oh, here she is.” Reginald passed the phone to his wife after tapping at the speaker, so he could hear from the other end. He shook his head at his wife trying to warn her to mind what she said to Leonard. “Good morning Leonard, how was your night, and how is Jane, I hope she slep
“Aren’t you late for work already?” Leonard heard Jane’s tiny voice say. Disentangling herself from his embrace, which made Leonard frown, Jane pushed his chest slightly, pointing at the wall clock. “You are almost late. Go take a shower and prepare for work.” Leonard's grumpy voice sounded. “I’m the boss, I can go to work anytime I like.” Jane nodded, making Leonard's eyes shine in happiness thinking she agreed with him. The next thing Leonard heard was “You being the boss doesn’t mean to have a bad attitude to work. If the boss is late, the employees will follow suit. You need to set a good example, Leonard,” Jane said, her voice firm but playful. Leonard's grin faltered, surprised by Jane's unexpected lecture. “You're scolding me?” Jane's eyes sparkled with amusement. “Someone has to keep you in check, big boss.” Leonard chuckled, pulling Jane into a gentle hug. “You're the only one who can get away with this, you know that?” Jane smiled, her voice softening. “That's be
Los Angeles. As the Banks couple were enjoying their happy life together, Ted, who had almost gone crazy looking for Jane, his ex-wife, stumbled into the living room, looking drunk. “Ted,” his little sister, Milly, who was sitting in the living room, called out to him, as she walked towards him, supporting his swaying self. “What the hell have you turned yourself to? For a month now, you have been coming home drunk. Are you losing it or what? Milly snapped at her brother, as she guided him to the couch. Ted collapsed onto the cushion, his eyes unfocused. Ted's mother, who heard the commotion, walked out of the lounge room where she was resting earlier. Seeing her son, looking wasted, she gritted her teeth as she walked to him. “What’s the meaning of all this Ted?” His mother's voice sounded as she walked up to them. Ted closed his tired eyes, pretending he was sleeping, not wanting to listen to his mother’s rants. “How did you want Ava to feel, seeing her future husband get
Ted sat down on the sofa, his eyes fixed on the diary as he gently opened it. The pages were filled with Jane's handwriting, and Ted's heart skipped a beat as he saw her words. He had never seen her handwriting before. Since a year they had been together, he wasn’t able to spend time with her, not to talk or see her write anything. As Ted gazed at the pages of the diary, he was struck by the beauty of Jane's handwriting. The letters were elegant and refined, with a subtle flair that seemed to dance across the page. The curves and lines were perfectly balanced, creating a sense of harmony and flow. Ted's eyes lingered on the way Jane's handwriting seemed to capture her personality, the bold strokes and confident flourishes spoke of her strength, while the delicate loops and curls hinted at her softer, more vulnerable side. Ted's fingers gently traced the curves of Jane's handwriting, feeling a deep connection to her. He felt like he was touching a part of her like he was holding a
“Excuse me, but this dress is mine. I saw it before you, and I’m paying for it, sorry.” Lucy glared at the woman. She didn’t think people with this behavior were still roaming about. How would someone be snatching things in broad daylight? The woman's face turned red with anger, but she didn't back down. “I don't care if you saw it first,” she spat. “I want that dress, and I'm going to get it.” The woman was followed by two bodyguards. Seeing Lucy was being stubborn, she called out to them. “What are you standing there for? Strip her.” She commanded. Lucy and Jane were shocked at how arrogant this woman was. Jane felt something was not right. It’s not like they knew her from somewhere, why is it that they were the only ones she wanted to snatch their dress? It’s like there is history between this woman and Lucy, Jane thought. But on second thought, Lucy’s body language didn’t show she knew this woman. What was her agenda? “Are you crazy?” Lucy shouted as the bodyguards walked tow
Banks enterprise. The Banks enterprise was busy as usual. All employees were busy with one thing or the other. Leonard walked out of a meeting room with his assistant, Rachel. “Good day sir,” a different voice from a different angle greeted Leonard as he walked to his private elevator. He nodded at them, a small smile could be seen at the corner of his lips. He entered the elevator with Rachel, going back to his office. As the elevator closed, the employees started gathering together. “Have you noticed that the president has been smiling much lately?” A female employee with a big chest said. “That’s true, his cold face has some warmth on it nowadays. Did you think the president had a girlfriend?” Another female employee asked, her face full of gossip. “That’s impossible, president Banks has never had any scandal of having any girlfriend before, dismiss that thought.” Someone scolded. They all said their opinion before going back to work. “Sir, assistant Rachel's voice sou
“Welcome President Banks.” Mr Robert greeted Leonard with a small smile on his fat face, stretching his hand forward for a handshake. Leonard nodded curtly at Mr. Robert, his expression unreadable as he took his hand. “Please, let's get started. I'm sure we're all busy.” He took his seat at the head of the table, his team and lawyer following suit. Mr. Robert cleared his throat, his voice booming through the room. “Of course, Mr Banks. I appreciate your time. I'm sure you're aware of why I'm here today?” Leonard's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing. “I believe so, Mr. Robert. You're here to discuss the potential collaborations between our companies.” Mr. Robert smiled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Exactly! I believe our companies would be a perfect fit, and I'm willing to make a very generous offer to make it happen.” Leonard leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he regarded Mr. Robert thoughtfully. “I'm listening,” he said, his voice neutr
Teddy groans in pain as Leonard continues hitting him. He wanted to push him away and retaliate, but Leonard didn’t give him the chance.Jane rushed out of the car immediately after she got back her strength. She circled the car and ran towards Leonard. Although she enjoyed how Leonard was teaching Teddy a lesson, she couldn’t stand and watch Leonard kill someone.“Leonard, that’s enough!” Jane yelled at the top of her voice, but it seems like Leonard didn’t hear her at all. He continued his assault on Teddy, whose face was already swollen, with blood trickling down the corner of his mouth.As Jane saw that Leonard wasn’t ready to listen to her, she stepped forward and held his fist which was raised in the air to punch Teddy. “Leonard, that’s okay. You can’t continue hitting him like that.” Jane shook her head at Leonard when she realised that she had his attention. Leonard shut his eyes, trying to control the anger that was still brewing inside of him.“Are you feeling sorry for him
On the highway.“Hmm,” Jane squinted her eyes as she moaned in pain due to how uncomfortable she was feeling. She didn’t know where she was as her brain was yet to register what’s going on.“Dear ex-wife, you are awake.” Teddy voices out behind the wheels immediately he hears Jane’s painful moan. It was then it dawned on Jane that she had been kidnapped. She didn’t know what happened to her earlier that made her lose consciousness. She also noticed that she was in a moving car. She was resting her back on the car backrest with her hands tied behind her.The first thing she did was to check her surroundings. She noticed the car was going downtown, almost making its way out of Manhattan.“Teddy, where the hell are you taking me?” Jane said calmly, not wanting to give her abductor the impression of being scared. She prayed in her mind that someone should have notice her disappearance by now. She regretted why she didn’t call Leonard earlier and inform him about Teddy, who mysteriously b
Lily was the first to notice Jane’s disappearance. The moment she walk out of the company, her gaze subconsciously went to the parking lot, where she saw Jane’s waterproof laptop bag she had helped her pack earlier, lying on the floor without Jane’s presence.She looked around, but she couldn’t find Jane. Her mind went abuzz, dreading the worst thing that might have happened to her boss. “Mrs. Bank? Jane! Where are you?” Lily's voice echoed all over the parking lot, but there was no sign of Jane. It was like she had disappeared from the surface of the earth. Just when she was about to pull out her phone to inform Leonard what just happened, James pulled over in front of her.“Where is Mrs. Bank? Is she still inside?” James asked as he walked up to Lily, whose body was shaking with dread. “I don’t know where she is. She was waiting for you as always. I just went inside to get something, but I couldn't find her. I only saw this bag laying on the floor. I think she might have been kid
“Jane, are you alright?” Lily asked immediately after she closed Jane’s office door behind them. She had felt how Jane’s mood had fluctuated the moment the new business partner was introduced. Jane had left the conference room immediately after the meeting ended.Jane walked to her desk in a daze. How she had made it back to her office, she can’t say. She was still in shock after seeing that person. According to her brother, he would become a partner with their company, not only that, Jane would also be attending any of their business dealings.“Jane?” Lily had never seen Jane so lost before. She had called her name thrice after she sat down, but it seems like Jane was in her own world. She didn’t seem to hear her.“What’s wrong with you, Jane? Are you sure you are okay?” Lily was worried about her boss. She felt helpless for not being able to know what was wrong with Jane. With all Lily’s questions, Jane didn’t seem to hear her.“I think I would have to call Mr. Bank and tell me wha
A month later.“Jane, it’s almost time for the annual meeting.” Lily, who was carrying some files in her arms, walked into Jane’s office, closing the door behind her.Jane raised her head up from her laptop for a brief second to glance at Lily, before continuing what she was doing. She saw that she still had almost twenty minutes before the meeting started.“I’m almost done with balancing this account. Let me round up, and we are good to go.” Jane’s fingers ran across the keyboard of her laptop with a fast pace, which was almost invisible to the eyes.Lily walked forward and dropped the files in her arms on Jane’s table, watching her boss with admiration. Jane could feel lily’s hot gaze on her body without even raising her head.“Did you have something to say?” Jane didn’t stop what she was doing as she questioned Lily. For the past few weeks she had been working with Lily, she found her to be a sweet girl. It was almost like the shaky and timid girl she met the first day she resumed
As Jane stepped out of the elevator with Lily trailing behind her, someone called onto her.“Jane!” Hurried footsteps sounded behind her. As she turned around, she was greeted with the smiling face of her brother, Desmond.“Hey brother, how are you?” Jane greeted Desmond, who was studying her. Jane signaled for Lily to leave. She was only there to direct her to the conference room since it was her first time being here.“I’m good, Jane. I don’t need to ask how you are doing. It seems like my brother-in-law took very good care of you during your honeymoon. Look at how your skin is glowing.” Desmond teased, making Jane blush.“Desmond, stop teasing me. Are you also going for the meeting.” Desmond nodded. “Let’s go, or else we will be late.” Jane said with concern. She doesn’t want to be late for her first meeting.“Alright. Let’s go.” Desmond led the way, while Jane followed behind him. A minute later, they were standing in front of a room that had the tag ‘CONFERENCE ROOM’ boldly writt
“Have we met before?” That was the question Jane asked the moment she saw her assistant's face clearly.Lily finally had the courage to look into Jane’s eyes. Shaking her head, she denied ever meeting Jane before. “No, Mrs. Bank, we have never met before.”Jane threw her thought to the back of her mind, not dwelling on whether she had met her assistant before or not. “What’s the matter with you? Is someone bullying you in the office? Or did I look scary?” Jane asked, not understanding why her assistant wouldn’t even look at her in the face.“No…, no Mrs Bank, no one is bullying me.” Lily stammered as she waved her hands. Looking at the way Lily immediately denied her claims, Jane figured out that her guest might be right. Jane doesn’t know why she felt the urge to protect her assistant. Maybe it was because she saw her past self in her.“Come here.” Jane commanded. Lily rushed forward and stood in front of Jane’s desk. “You don’t need to hide anything from me. You and I will be workin
Two weeks later.A flashy red car pulled in front of the Lockwood Cooperation. The back seat door was immediately opened after the driver rushed forward.“We are here, Mrs. Bank.” James informed Jane the moment he opened the car.A pair of legs clad in black heels stepped out of the car, before Jane’s full body stood tall outside the car, her green eyes covered with her dark sunglasses. Jane was putting on a white pants trouser, with a powdered blue blouse. Her black bag which was one of the gifts Leonard had showered her with during their honeymoon, complimented her heels and sunglasses.“Wow, who is that woman? Is she one of the representatives of the Smith’s Group? She is so beautiful.”“I think she looks familiar. Is she some known celebrity?”As the employees of the Lockwood corporation were making their way inside the building, they couldn’t help stopping for a few seconds to admire Jane, while some of them felt like she looked familiar. With the uproar Jane and Leonard's weddin
Leonard woke up to the bright sunlight seeping through the floor to ceiling window into the room. He squinted his eyes slightly before his vision finally got used to the brightness.Turning to his side, he was greeted by the sight of Jane, who was snuggled on his chest. Her soft breath tickled his naked chest. Her lips were slightly opened as her chest rose and fell to the rhythm of her breathing.Leonard took in Jane’s beautiful features like he couldn’t get enough of her. “Good morning, sunshine!” Leonard whispered into her ear, before moving closer to her as he placed an adoring kiss on her forehead.“Good morning, Hubby. How was your night?” Jane's eyes flew open the moment Leonard's lips left her forehead. She gave him a small smile as her big green eyes stared at him lovingly.Leonard's lips curled up as he returned her smile, before his hand wrapped freely on her waist, drawing her closer to himself. Jane’s eyes were smiling as she watched Leonard, whose head immediately bent