"Richie, what did you get from Heinz's corporate database?" asked Keenan.The four of them were already in Keenan's office. They were sitting on the round sofa—Mr—Madison, Richie, Keenan, and Sharlynn, who were still listening to their conversation.Sharlynn knitted her eyebrows when Keenan asked Richie. She had never seen her contract man fiddle with the laptop or ask him about the company database. She had almost forgotten about it and had lost hope in Richie."I found a lot of irregularities here." Sharlyn's brow furrowed further at Richie's answer. The man fiddled with his eleven-inch tablet computer device for a few seconds, then showed it to Keenan.Keenan took the sleek, flat object and examined each document Richie had managed to retrieve and secure. Then Keenan showed it to Mr. Madison.The older man looked puzzled; it turned out that the problem was not just embezzlement of company funds."Looking at this, it looks like Heinz doesn't know anything about embezzlement," Richie
"Are you going back to the apartment, or are you staying here?" Richie's figure suddenly appeared in the doorway of Yolanda's room, which was slightly open then.Sharlynn and Yolanda both turned their heads toward the source of the voice. There was an unacceptable look on little Yolanda's face when Richie asked like that."Uncle, don't take Auntie back to the apartment. Let Auntie stay here at the mansion with Yolanda," the little girl begged pleadingly."Auntie has to go back to the apartment first. There's a lot of work to be done as soon as possible. Maybe we can meet again tomorrow or the day after, dear," Sharlynn cajoled, making little Yolanda pursed her lips. "I'll wait downstairs," Richie said as he closed the door and left Yolanda's room. Sharlynn started to close the laptop and put it in her bag. Then she quickly went downstairs, accompanied by Yolanda, who sounded like she wanted the woman to take the time.Yolanda, accompanied by Adriana, escorted Sharlynn out of the man
"Why am I still here?" Sharlynn patted her cheeks. Seeing Richie's cold expression made her consciousness seem to freeze. It had only been two days since the man had begun to warm Sharlynn's heart, and suddenly, just because of a necklace, the man was frozen like a polar iceberg.Deciding to return to the kitchen, Sharlynn removed the fruits and vegetables from the bag and arranged them in the refrigerator. Her hazel eyes glanced at the watch on her left wrist. The time passed so quickly."It took me five minutes just to get to Richie's door. God, I'm such an idiot," Sharlynn cursed as she chopped up five kinds of fruit, deciding to make a fruit salad to fill her small stomach after she glanced at the polar man's door, which seemed to show no sign of life.The bowl of fruit salad was brought to the sofa, and the woman started to open the laptop. She finished her unfinished work. Sharlynn's eyes widened as she opened an e-mail and started to check it."Is this real? The del Vecchio fami
Richie smiled sarcastically at Sharlynn's request. The man moved from his seat, leaving the woman, who seemed to stare at him in surprise."Richie! Aren't you angry?" The question did not make Richie stop or even turn his head."Go to bed, you're tired," Richie said as he went to his room.Sharlynn, not accepting to be ignored, put the rest of the bread on the plate and ran after him, trying to get ahead of him."I'm serious!" Sharlynn stood right in front of Richie, blocking the man again.There was no sign of movement in Richie's expression for a while. The man still looked cold and flat."Whatever!" That was Richie's only reply, his feet taking another step, but after only one step, Sharlynn was still blocking him."I want us to talk nicely, not like this. Are you going to push me down again?" Richie was angry and almost lost his temper. "You asked me to marry you and I did. I asked you to read every point of the prenuptial agreement and you agreed. Now you decide to divorce me?"
Sharlynn still sat thoughtfully in her seat. Richie's words last night had made her lose her temper.Imperceptibly, the tears that had gathered on her eyelids began to fall. She felt that she had made a foolish decision.Being betrayed by her future fiancé and step-sister, who was also banished and no longer considered a biological child, made Sharlynn cry even harder."Mom, I need you," she whispered between sobs.Sharlynn didn't know where else to turn. She didn't have many friends; most of her comrades-in-arms had scattered to pursue careers in other countries. Luckily, Melanie was still willing to help her, but Sharlynn was not someone who always made things difficult for others. She couldn't possibly keep asking Melanie for help.Sharlynn was startled by the ringing of a message notification on her cell phone, which was lying on the bed beside her. She glanced at it, and the screen lit up, showing a small envelope mark in the upper right corner.The woman grabbed the phone and s
Desperate to find Sharlynn on the street, Richie decided to drive to the Kaufman family mansion.Still in the car, Richie exhaled heavily as he turned off the engine."I hope you're okay, Sharlynn," he muttered as he rubbed his face roughly.Richie, who seemed reluctant to get out of the car, was surprised by the sound of a knock on the car door next to him.The man turned to see the figure of Keenan standing beside his car.Keenan took two steps back so Richie could open the door. Keenan felt strange looking at the man who had been his confidant for three and a half years, like he was having a bad day."What's the matter? Why didn't you answer my call? Is Sharlynn sick?" asked Keenan, who sometimes found it confusing to answer him, especially when it came to Sharlynn. He knew she was Keenan's favourite niece."I'm sorry, sir. We had a little argument..." "When did you become so unprofessional? Sharlynn is spoiled, but that doesn't mean you let her make you forget your responsibilit
Sharlynn seemed reluctant to open the door. Before opening it, she peered through the hole near the door, and Sharlynn staggered back immediately. Her eyes were perfectly round with an irregular heartbeat."Ba-how did he know where I was?" muttered Sharlynn timidly.The woman was still frozen. She was not moving, as if the soles of her feet were sticky. Her head seemed to be filled with evil thoughts."I should call building security and have him evicted." Just as Sharlynn began to move her feet, a threatening voice called out from outside."Sharlynn, come out! I know you're inside. You want me to break down this door!" The baritone voice outside sounded ominous. Sharlynn was utterly gripped by fear. She still stared at the door, not wanting to open it. "Sharlynn! I'm counting from now on!""Go away! I don't want to see you or I'll call the police!" Sharlynn dared to shoo him away. "Before you call the police, I'll drag you out of here!" Sharlynn knew that Richie's threats were never
The car Richie was driving had entered the basement and was looking for a place to park.He glanced at the woman to his right. Sharlynn looked uncomfortable with a blank stare. However, Sharlynn would only see the half-lit white walls inside the basement."We will enter through the door on the fourth floor. Are you ready?" Richie's baritone voice made Sharlynn turn around. His face was smiling, but it was a forced smile. "Are you okay? Are you nervous?""I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous," Sharlynn replied."There's me and Mr. Keenan. No one will dare bother you." Richie started to open the car, followed by Sharlynn. However, just as she lowered her long legs and had no time for the soles of her feet to touch the asphalt, Sharlynn was heard whimpering and remaining in her position.Richie, hearing her, quickly circled the front of the car and saw that Sharlynn was having trouble with her shoes."What's wrong with your feet?" Richie asked."I think because I haven't worn them in a w
“DAMMIT!” cursed Aurora as she slammed the cell phone in her hand until it split and its parts scattered to the floor. Romeo, who was surprised by her impulsive behavior, frowned in surprise and went to her. “Aurora, what happened?” he asked. “We've underestimated that little bitch too much!” she swore as her breath hitched in anger. Romeo narrowed his eyes, not knowing what she meant. “What does she mean?” he asked. Aurora replied that Sharlynn had paralyzed her men. Meanwhile, the car used to take Sharlynn and Andriano was now at the police station. Romeo was completely shocked and couldn't believe it. “We have to leave immediately. Sevariano must have known about this kidnapping. Especially since we dared to kidnap that old fart!” Aurora said frantically.Romeo nodded his head in understanding, “We have to go. Prepare everything, we'll take Danny first and then we'll go escape to a safe place until Sevariano gives up searching.”“I agree,” Aurora said with a small nod.Not wan
Sharlynn, who was still awake in the captivity, tried to wake up Grandpa Andriano. “Grandpa, wake up!” she shouted at the old man beside her three meters away, in the same position as her, both hands tied. Aurora forgot that Sharlynn was clever enough for that. Her unbound legs struggling to move, the woman bent over while her hands were tied to the wooden chair and approached Andriano's grandfather. Sharlynn was forced to step on the old man's foot after getting close to him. Grandpa Andriano was startled and instantly woke up from his stupor, his eyes blinking, trying to figure out what was going on. “Where are we?” grandpa Andriano asked. “Grandpa, we're being held by Aurora. We need to get out of here and contact Richie,” hearing the name Sharlynn mentioned, made Grandpa Andriano's expression instantly furious. “That woman, I knew it,” he said. But as he scanned the two of them, the old man seemed unsure if he could get out of there. Soon, the door creaked and a burly man w
The sound of banging outside the car could still be heard repeatedly. Sharlynn and Andriano's grandfather were getting more and more panicked, the driver of the car still stayed in place without opening the car window. The pounding of the heart inside Sharlynn's chest grew louder as she saw the mysterious men brandishing firearms and shooting at their bulletproof car. “I feel more and more guilty, I shouldn't have forbidden my men from escorting us,” grandfather Andriano said in between his panic. Meanwhile, Sharlynn, who still looked timid, was still trying to contact Richie. The dial tone began to be heard, almost she could contact Richie but something made her even more surprised until her cellphone once again fell when the car from behind deliberately hit the car she was riding in. Sharlynn suddenly screamed, now their car was being pushed forward until it moved. “Tell them we're giving up!” exclaimed Grandpa Andriano who couldn't bear to see Sharlynn so tense and scared. “Bu
During the ride in the car, Sharlynn seemed to be just speechless sitting next to Andriano's grandfather. I remember what Richie said this morning. Her heart began to doubt and falter, she really wanted to usurp her rights as Richie's wife, but she was reminded of the boy's existence. Sharlynn feels like the worst person to separate a child from his father.Sharlynn sat quietly next to grandfather Andriano, her eyes occasionally drifting out the window, staring at the passing scene without a clear focus. His mind continued to drift into unresolved inner struggles.'With Aurora and her son among us, what should I do?'his mind, trying to find answers in the midst of indecision.'Do I have to give up' his inner rage. 'I couldn't have lived apart, Richie would have preferred Aurora and her son.'His hands clasped, reflecting the anxiety that crept into his heart. In his mind, questions and doubts raged against each other, creating a chaotic mess that was difficult to unravel.Grandfather
It was a hot afternoon when Richie entered his headquarters, an old building located on the outskirts of the city, hidden from the crowds and public view. The man looked tense, his jaw set, signaling the importance of the purpose of his arrival this time. With quick, decisive steps, Richie approached one of his men, a stocky man with short hair who looked alert.“Show me where they are,” Richie said in a tone that didn't allow for any rebuttal. The man nodded, understanding that the situation was critical, and led Richie to a room at the back of the headquarters.When the door to the room was opened, the atmosphere was tense. Inside the room, there was a long and tall aquarium in which several venomous snakes were swimming. The hissing sound of the snakes was accompanied by the weak screams of three men who were suspended above the aquarium. Their hands hung above their heads while their feet hung just above the surface of the water, making them look extremely vulnerable to the bit
Sharlynn looked at Richie with sad eyes. It made Richie even more heartbroken by the expression on the woman's face who was in his arms. “Richie, do I hurt all over? What happened last night after we had dinner?” Sharlynn asked innocently. Richie swallowed his saliva roughly, he wanted to explain everything to Sharlynn, but he still decided against it. Richie was sure Sharlynn would be completely shocked by that. He led her into the bathroom and put Sharlynn's body into the bathtub without removing the blanket that was still wrapped around her body. “Richie, why are you silent?” repeated Sharlynn, while Richie was still busy opening the faucet and pouring water into the bath.Richie gently adjusted the temperature of the water, making sure it wasn't too hot or cold, trying to provide comfort for Sharlynn who looked in desperate need. He stole a glance at Sharlynn who looked weak, her sweet eyes holding confusion and fatigue.“Richie, please, I really don't understand what's going
Richie clenched his fists, feeling a deep sense of frustration as he faced Andriano's grandfather who chuckled in a mocking tone. His face showed disappointment and his gaze sharpened.“But it's not like this, Grandpa,” Richie protested in an emphatic tone, clearly rejecting what he felt was unfair treatment.“Everything's already happened, no matter how much you want to protest, Sharlynn is already your wife. You didn't do anything to hurt her, did you?” asked Grandpa Andriano in a tone that seemed to seek justification for his actions.Grandpa Andriano's loud, cynical laugh made the situation even more tense. Richie could only shake his head in disbelief, feeling abused and betrayed by the man who was supposed to protect him.“Grandpa, what you're doing is not right. What happens if Sharlynn or I can't accept this situation? What you're doing is manipulation, not help,” Richie said, his voice filled with unstoppable disappointment and anger.Grandfather Andriano sighed, observing hi
Richie could not stop the uncomfortable feeling in his body. He decided to get out of the bathroom after splashing his body with cold water. He walked past Sharlynn's body lying on the bed writhing. When he arrived at the door of the room, Richie did not waste any time trying to force open the door handle repeatedly. “Shit!” cursed Richie. As he looked confused by his failed attempt to open the door, he heard Sharlynn's hoarse voice. “Richie, why does my body feel weird...hot...I want some water,” Sharlynn whispered, forcing Richie to turn around. Unfortunately, he saw Sharlynn's hips moving so beautifully, bending her knees and her thighs rubbing together. Seeing that very erotic scene, Richie began to feel something arousing. He tried to get closer to Sharlynn, seeing that the dress attached to the woman's body looked even more messy, revealing a long neck and smooth shoulders that looked sweaty. “Sharlynn, what are you feeling?” The stupid question suddenly came out of Richi
That night, the dining room of Andriano's mansion was filled with sparkling crystal chandeliers, creating a warm and luxurious atmosphere in one corner of the mansion. The long dining table was spread with a crisp white tablecloth and tableware neatly arranged, waiting to be used for the dinner that was about to take place.Sharlynn, in her elegant dress, stepped gently into the dining room, a sweet smile gracing her face. “Good evening, Grandpa,” greeted Sharlynn in a soft, warm voice. She gracefully pulled out a chair and sat down, her demeanor full of elegance and politeness.Grandpa Andriano, who was already seated at the end of the table, returned the greeting with a heavy but loving voice. “Good evening, Sharlynn,” he said. His sharp eyes momentarily searched for someone else behind Sharlynn's figure. “Where is Sevariano? I heard his voice on the way to the dining room?”Sharlynn, who was already quite familiar with her grandfather's concern for Richie, gave a wry smile. Her