The man’s heart raced. Perhaps he should have confessed when he had the chance. Stephan walked into the dimly lit room, his footsteps echoing off the cold concrete walls. The air was thick with tension as he approached the man bound to the chair. A single flickering light bulb cast eerie shadows on the walls. "Are you ready to confess?" Stephan asked, his voice low and menacing. The man's eyes darted wildly, searching for an escape. He nodded hesitantly. "Good, I'm listening," Stephan said, his tone unreadable. The man took a deep breath before speaking. "I know this sounds ridiculous, but I don't know who sent me." Stephan's expression remained skeptical. He chuckled, sending shivers down the man's spine. "It seems you're not ready to confess," Stephan said, his voice dripping with malice. "Give him another shot, Dave. Let him sleep forever." The man's eyes widened in terror. "No! Please don't! I'll confess, I swear!" Stephan raised an eyebrow. "Say something useful
What had she done to warrant such hostility? Sylvia couldn’t remember any issues between them, and certainly not enough to provoke such a rumor. She suspected it might stem from the incident at the club a few weeks ago, where she had left Emily briefly to handle a personal matter. She had apologized then, but clearly, the forgiveness had not been mutual. As she stood there, her mind raced. Did Emily genuinely believe she was involved with the manager? Sylvia had always tried to maintain a professional distance from him, knowing that such rumors could ruin careers. She had assumed Emily understood that, but perhaps jealousy had clouded her judgment. Sylvia frowned as she overheard Emily’s words lingering in the kitchen. She couldn’t understand why the manager hadn’t mentioned her absence. The thought that he might be scared to address her because she’d revealed James was her father crossed her mind. Was he avoiding her to keep the peace? Little did she know, the rumors brewing in t
The cook remained silent, caught in the middle, while Emily’s eyes dropped to the floor. “I expect better from you, both of you,” Sylvia said, her heart racing. “I came back to work hoping for a fresh start, not to be met with rumors and hostility.” Sylvia looked at Emily with a straight expression, Emily avoided her gaze guiltily when she saw this. They both did not wait before they quickly walked away. Sylvia shook her head and walked back to the restaurant. The manager called her from behind. Sylvia answered and walked towards him. “Sir?” She answered. “Your dad is waiting for you outside” The manager told her. “He came twice last week but he did not meet you” Sylvia raised her head and looked out of the window, she was stunned to see James. Sylvia walked out of the restaurant and went to meet him. “What again?” She asked him with a frown on her face. “Did you gang up on Nicole and beat him up?” James asked her with a serious expression Sylvia frowned when sh
“Yes, I am! We should meet tomorrow,” Lily suggested without missing a beat. “Alright,” Sylvia agreed, feeling a flutter of excitement at the prospect of reconnecting. Their conversation meandered through various topics before they finally said their goodbyes. After hanging up, Sylvia felt a mix of nostalgia and unease. It had been a long time since she had spoken to Lily, and the mention of Nicole stirred emotions she thought she had buried. The next morning, Sylvia woke early, a sense of energy propelling her from bed. The weight of the upcoming exam loomed in her mind, yet she felt oddly optimistic. She glanced around her room, expecting to find him there, but it was empty. Assuming he was in the kitchen, she rose and walked into the bathroom, taking a quick shower. The warm water enveloped her, washing away the remnants of fatigue. Dressed and with her bag in hand, she was ready for the day ahead. As she stepped out of her room, she called out, “Stephan?” The house ech
Sylvia felt a twinge of guilt for leaving her friend hanging. The waiter greeted them with a smile. “Hello, beautiful miss, what would you like to order?” Sylvia glanced at Lily, who quickly placed her order. After Lily had finished, Sylvia relayed her choice, the waiter nodding as he took their requests before walking away. “Okay, I’m all ears,” Lily said, leaning in, her curiosity piqued. “Well…” Sylvia took a deep breath, diving into the story of how everything had unfolded. She explained the whirlwind of events that had started on the wedding day, how she had unexpectedly met Stephan, and how their lives had intertwined since then. “Wow, that jerk!” Lily exclaimed, her fists clenching tightly. “He’s got the balls to treat you like this!” she added, anger etched across her face. Sylvia shrugged, attempting to downplay the past. “It is in the past now,” she said with a soft smile, trying to remain positive. “Spill it—did you guys finally do it?” Lily’s eyes sparkled with
“Young Madam,” the elderly housemaid smiled warmly as she approached Sylvia, handing her a neatly packed bag. “Good afternoon, dear,” Sylvia replied, her own smile brightening at the woman’s kindness. “Sorry to bother you.” “It’s no bother at all,” the old housemaid reassured her, her eyes twinkling with warmth before she turned to leave. Sylvia felt a surge of gratitude for the woman’s cheerful demeanor. It was small interactions like these that made her feel connected to the household, even if she was still adjusting to her new role. David, her driver, opened the car door for her, and she slid into the backseat. He started the engine and pulled out of the driveway, navigating through the bustling streets. The city was alive with energy, but Sylvia felt a mix of excitement and anxiety building within her. Today was significant; she was visiting Stephan’s company for the first time. The drive felt short, and soon they arrived at the imposing glass building that housed Stepha
Fred noticed the stunned expressions on the faces of the employees. He felt a mix of pride and awkwardness. This shift in Stephan’s demeanor was due to Sylvia, the Young Madam, whose influence had started to soften the usually stern atmosphere of the office. Fred smiled awkwardly, knowing that he deserved none of the thanks they were silently offering. “Dismissed!” Stephan ordered, his voice cutting through the murmurs. He stood up and strode out of the conference room with an air of authority. The employees immediately rose from their seats, bowing until the sound of their boss’s footsteps faded into the distance. Once they were certain he was gone, they released the breaths they had been holding, exhaling in unison like a pack of anxious schoolchildren finally released from detention. “Mr. Fred, did something good happen?” one of the employees ventured, stepping forward, curiosity evident in their eyes. The rest of the employees crowded around Fred, eager for any tidbits of in
He lay her down on the bed, before slamming his mouth on hers once again. Sylvia responded to him. He kissed her till she turned breathless, he released her so she could catch her breath. Sylvia suddenly felt something sticky in her thigh, she pushed Stephan away and ran into the bathroom inside the room. She opened her skirt and saw that her monthly visitor was here again. Sylvia opened the bathroom door cautiously, peeking her head out while her body remained inside. She felt a mix of embarrassment and urgency as she met Stephan’s bewildered gaze. His expression was a blend of confusion and concern, clearly not prepared for the awkwardness of the situation. “Uhm… My monthly visitor is here, so uhm… can you help me get that?” Sylvia stuttered, avoiding his eyes. She felt heat rise to her cheeks, an embarrassment that she couldn’t shake off. Talking about such personal matters with him was foreign territory, and she regretted even bringing it up. Stephan raised an eyebr
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