She couldn’t go to work now, even if she wanted to. The news had turned her life upside down, and the weight of it was too heavy to bear. Sylvia Luke walked back into their bedroom, the familiar surroundings now feeling foreign and oppressive. She lay down on the bed with her laptop, seeking solace in the routine. Opening her browser, she checked the news. Most of the articles that had once flooded the internet were gone, just as Stephan had predicted. A deep sigh escaped her lips. The silence felt ominous, a stark contrast to the chaos that had surrounded them just days before. She closed the tabs, frustration tightening around her like a vice. This wasn’t just about her; it was about Stephan, about the fallout from rumors that seemed to spread like wildfire. Next, she logged into her stock app. The numbers flashed before her eyes, each red digit a painful reminder of the damage that had been done. Stephan’s company shares were plummeting, and her heart sank further. The headline
She scrolled down to the comment section, her heart sinking further as she read the barrage of supportive messages directed at Ruth Slice. The comments flowed in like a tidal wave: “Ruth Slice’s hubby: I know it was that bitch who seduced Mr. Tony. You’re really nice and kind hearted; you even forgive her and call her sister-in-law! That bitch seduces married men!” “Bitchy: Tsk tsk, you are really nice. You gave up easily! I love your courage—thumbs up! You are my role model from now on.” “Ruth Slice’s daddy: she even seduced other people’s men. Watch out for this whore!” “Anonymous: You are so kindhearted; you should not be like that black-hearted bitch. Keep being kind hearted!” Sylvia Luke laughed, amusement mixed with anger as she read the comments. Kind Hearted? she thought bitterly. Although she had no concrete evidence linking Ruth Slice to her earlier troubles, a nagging feeling told her that Ruth Slice had orchestrated much of the chaos in her life. Her instincts h
“Hello?” a man’s voice cut into the conversation. Sylvia Luke’s brow knitted in confusion. “Who are you?” she asked, sensing the shift in tone. “I’m the officer handling Miss Emily Anthony’s case. Are you her workplace friend?” he asked, his voice professional yet firm. “Yes,” she replied, anxiety bubbling in her chest. “Okay, your friend borrowed a sum of one million dollars from a lady over the past two months and has refused to pay. Can you come to our station?” the officer explained. Sylvia Luke’s mind raced. A million dollars? What had Emily Anthony gotten herself into? “Where is your office located?” she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady. “Downhills Local Area,” the officer replied. Sylvia Luke muttered an acknowledgment before hanging up. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever awaited her at the station. She grabbed her jacket and hurried out of the house, her pulse quickening with every step. She didn’t see David, her personal driver, in
Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, the phone in her pocket began to ring, cutting through the chaos like a beacon. The woman, still holding her down, felt the vibrations and yanked the phone out. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to one of disdain as she read the name: “Baby.” “You’re really shameless. Is it one of the men you seduced calling you? Let’s see who else you’ve seduced after my husband,” the woman sneered, holding the phone like a trophy, her expression a mix of triumph and derision. Sylvia Luke’s mind felt blank, a swirling fog taking over as she processed everything. The ringing felt distant, and she could barely comprehend the woman’s words. The humiliation, the anger, the pain—it all melded into a haze. Her consciousness flickered in and out, making it hard to focus on anything but the overwhelming embarrassment. “Answer it! Let’s see who you really are!” the woman demanded, pressing the phone to Sylvia Luke’s ear. Through the haze, S
Stephan Damon dropped to his knees beside Sylvia Luke, his heart aching at the sight of her. She lay still, her chest barely rising and falling, and for a moment He walked closer to her and carried her in his arms not caring about how dirty and haggard she looked. The smell of urine assaulted his nose, but he didn't care about that, he was a clean freak but he didn't even bother about getting dirty. “Sylvia?” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. Sylvia Luke heard the familiar tone, like a lifeline pulling her back from the abyss. She struggled to open her heavy eyelids, each flutter feeling like a monumental effort. Finally, she managed to focus on the face that meant everything to her. “Hubby, you’re finally here,” she said in a low, raspy tone, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. The effort it took to appear cheerful only deepened the ache in Stephan Damon’s heart. His chest tightened painfully as he took in her disheveled appearance. She looked so fra
Minutes turned into hours, and Stephan Damon remained by her side, his resolve hardening. He would do everything in his power to ensure that she felt safe and loved. The darkness that had encroached on their lives would be pushed away, and he would fight for their future together, no matter what it took. He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “Please, come back to me,” he murmured, his voice laced with emotion. “I need you.” Stephan Damon walked out of the ward, needing a moment to collect himself and avoid disturbing Sylvia Luke’s fragile peace. He stepped into the dimly lit corridor and pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed a number. “Hello?” came a cautious voice on the other end. “Boss, the woman is still adamant that Madam seduced her husband. She claims she received some images on her phone,” the bodyguard reported, his voice shaky. Stephan Damon clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white. Anger surged th
Stephan Damon’s expression darkened at the mention of her name. “She’s with the police. Why do you ask?” His tone was guarded; he didn’t want to believe that Sylvia Luke might feel sympathy for the woman who had wronged her. Sylvia Luke shrugged, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. “I just want to see her, to understand. I feel like she might have been deceived or something,” she said, her voice quieter now. The idea of confronting the woman was daunting, yet she felt a strange pull to learn more, to empathize with someone who seemed to be acting out of pain. Stephan Damon regarded her thoughtfully, his gaze searching her face. He could see the turmoil within her, the struggle between her desire for justice and her instinct to show compassion. “You don’t have to carry her burden too,” he finally said, his voice low but firm. “Focus on your healing first.” Stephan Damon nodded, the weight of the situation hanging between them. “She will tell the police all that. Did you re
Sylvia Luke closed her room door with a soft thud and sank onto the bed, her mind racing. Just then, her phone rang, slicing through her thoughts. Startled, she fished it out of her bag and glanced at the screen. It was Lily, her closest friend. She answered the call, placing the phone to her ear. “Hello?” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “What’s up?” Lily’s voice came through, bright and cheerful. “I’m good. What about you?” Sylvia replied, attempting to mirror her friend’s upbeat tone. “Okay. Are you around?” Lily asked, a hint of excitement in her voice. “Yes, I am,” Sylvia confirmed, feeling a spark of enthusiasm flicker within her. “Let’s meet at Shell Bar then,” Lily suggested. “Okay, I’ll meet you there in a jiffy,” Sylvia said, glad for the distraction. “Sure, waiting for you,” Lily chirped before hanging up. Sylvia placed her phone down and took a deep breath. She needed this—some time with her friend to clear her head. She got up from the bed and walked o
Sylvia Luke nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Lily’s words. It felt like a moment of clarity had settled over her, one that brought a sense of understanding she had been searching for. “Okay, I understand now,” she said, finishing the last drop of her drink. It was refreshing, like a cool breeze on a sweltering day, and she felt a little lighter. Lily, however, had different plans. She poured a generous measure of alcohol into her glass and downed it in one swift motion. The burn felt familiar, a reminder that sometimes the easiest way to dull the ache of longing was to simply forget. She forced a smile, one tinged with bitterness, knowing Sylvia Luke couldn’t see the true emotion behind it. Deep down, she longed for someone like Stephan Damon—someone who would love her unconditionally. “You are a lucky girl,” she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the hum of the bar. It was a statement directed not at Sylvia but at her own unfulfilled desires. “Did you say
Lily Doo nodded, her expression shifting from playful to concerned. “Yes, I am. What about you?” she asked, studying Sylvia closely. Sylvia Luke shrugged, pouring a drink into the empty glass on the table. “I am okay,” she replied, attempting to mask the turmoil beneath her surface. Lily smiled knowingly. “You don’t look like you are alright,” she said, her tone laced with familiarity. “Is it written all over my face?” Sylvia countered, trying to keep her voice light, but the weight of her emotions was hard to hide. “If you want to deceive everyone, you can’t deceive me,” Lily said, her voice firm yet gentle. “I can tell when you’re not really okay. What’s wrong? Are we still best friends? You’ve started keeping things away from me.” Her expression turned sad, and Sylvia felt a pang of guilt. Sylvia sighed, feeling the walls close in on her. “It’s Stephan Damon!” she blurted out. “And I’m sure you’re keeping things from him too. What are you hiding from me?” Lily chuckled, a hin
Sylvia Luke closed her room door with a soft thud and sank onto the bed, her mind racing. Just then, her phone rang, slicing through her thoughts. Startled, she fished it out of her bag and glanced at the screen. It was Lily, her closest friend. She answered the call, placing the phone to her ear. “Hello?” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “What’s up?” Lily’s voice came through, bright and cheerful. “I’m good. What about you?” Sylvia replied, attempting to mirror her friend’s upbeat tone. “Okay. Are you around?” Lily asked, a hint of excitement in her voice. “Yes, I am,” Sylvia confirmed, feeling a spark of enthusiasm flicker within her. “Let’s meet at Shell Bar then,” Lily suggested. “Okay, I’ll meet you there in a jiffy,” Sylvia said, glad for the distraction. “Sure, waiting for you,” Lily chirped before hanging up. Sylvia placed her phone down and took a deep breath. She needed this—some time with her friend to clear her head. She got up from the bed and walked o
Stephan Damon’s expression darkened at the mention of her name. “She’s with the police. Why do you ask?” His tone was guarded; he didn’t want to believe that Sylvia Luke might feel sympathy for the woman who had wronged her. Sylvia Luke shrugged, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. “I just want to see her, to understand. I feel like she might have been deceived or something,” she said, her voice quieter now. The idea of confronting the woman was daunting, yet she felt a strange pull to learn more, to empathize with someone who seemed to be acting out of pain. Stephan Damon regarded her thoughtfully, his gaze searching her face. He could see the turmoil within her, the struggle between her desire for justice and her instinct to show compassion. “You don’t have to carry her burden too,” he finally said, his voice low but firm. “Focus on your healing first.” Stephan Damon nodded, the weight of the situation hanging between them. “She will tell the police all that. Did you re
Minutes turned into hours, and Stephan Damon remained by her side, his resolve hardening. He would do everything in his power to ensure that she felt safe and loved. The darkness that had encroached on their lives would be pushed away, and he would fight for their future together, no matter what it took. He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. “Please, come back to me,” he murmured, his voice laced with emotion. “I need you.” Stephan Damon walked out of the ward, needing a moment to collect himself and avoid disturbing Sylvia Luke’s fragile peace. He stepped into the dimly lit corridor and pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he dialed a number. “Hello?” came a cautious voice on the other end. “Boss, the woman is still adamant that Madam seduced her husband. She claims she received some images on her phone,” the bodyguard reported, his voice shaky. Stephan Damon clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white. Anger surged th
Stephan Damon dropped to his knees beside Sylvia Luke, his heart aching at the sight of her. She lay still, her chest barely rising and falling, and for a moment He walked closer to her and carried her in his arms not caring about how dirty and haggard she looked. The smell of urine assaulted his nose, but he didn't care about that, he was a clean freak but he didn't even bother about getting dirty. “Sylvia?” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. Sylvia Luke heard the familiar tone, like a lifeline pulling her back from the abyss. She struggled to open her heavy eyelids, each flutter feeling like a monumental effort. Finally, she managed to focus on the face that meant everything to her. “Hubby, you’re finally here,” she said in a low, raspy tone, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. The effort it took to appear cheerful only deepened the ache in Stephan Damon’s heart. His chest tightened painfully as he took in her disheveled appearance. She looked so fra
Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, the phone in her pocket began to ring, cutting through the chaos like a beacon. The woman, still holding her down, felt the vibrations and yanked the phone out. She glanced at the screen, her expression shifting to one of disdain as she read the name: “Baby.” “You’re really shameless. Is it one of the men you seduced calling you? Let’s see who else you’ve seduced after my husband,” the woman sneered, holding the phone like a trophy, her expression a mix of triumph and derision. Sylvia Luke’s mind felt blank, a swirling fog taking over as she processed everything. The ringing felt distant, and she could barely comprehend the woman’s words. The humiliation, the anger, the pain—it all melded into a haze. Her consciousness flickered in and out, making it hard to focus on anything but the overwhelming embarrassment. “Answer it! Let’s see who you really are!” the woman demanded, pressing the phone to Sylvia Luke’s ear. Through the haze, S
“Hello?” a man’s voice cut into the conversation. Sylvia Luke’s brow knitted in confusion. “Who are you?” she asked, sensing the shift in tone. “I’m the officer handling Miss Emily Anthony’s case. Are you her workplace friend?” he asked, his voice professional yet firm. “Yes,” she replied, anxiety bubbling in her chest. “Okay, your friend borrowed a sum of one million dollars from a lady over the past two months and has refused to pay. Can you come to our station?” the officer explained. Sylvia Luke’s mind raced. A million dollars? What had Emily Anthony gotten herself into? “Where is your office located?” she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady. “Downhills Local Area,” the officer replied. Sylvia Luke muttered an acknowledgment before hanging up. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever awaited her at the station. She grabbed her jacket and hurried out of the house, her pulse quickening with every step. She didn’t see David, her personal driver, in
She scrolled down to the comment section, her heart sinking further as she read the barrage of supportive messages directed at Ruth Slice. The comments flowed in like a tidal wave: “Ruth Slice’s hubby: I know it was that bitch who seduced Mr. Tony. You’re really nice and kind hearted; you even forgive her and call her sister-in-law! That bitch seduces married men!” “Bitchy: Tsk tsk, you are really nice. You gave up easily! I love your courage—thumbs up! You are my role model from now on.” “Ruth Slice’s daddy: she even seduced other people’s men. Watch out for this whore!” “Anonymous: You are so kindhearted; you should not be like that black-hearted bitch. Keep being kind hearted!” Sylvia Luke laughed, amusement mixed with anger as she read the comments. Kind Hearted? she thought bitterly. Although she had no concrete evidence linking Ruth Slice to her earlier troubles, a nagging feeling told her that Ruth Slice had orchestrated much of the chaos in her life. Her instincts h