"Sharlynn," Heinz murmured with a smile. It was as if the man was eagerly awaiting his daughter's arrival.Everyone seemed to welcome Richie and Sharlynn's arrival. Except for one person who was still dumbfounded by the couple's existence. Odette, staring in disbelief. Even though Julian didn't like the fact of Sharlynn and Richie, at least he still controlled himself.Meanwhile, Odette did not divert her gaze from Sharlynn's figure, who looked so beautiful, and there was not a single wound on her body.With her ambition, Odette tried to attract Richie's attention with her sharp and meaningful gaze. Aware of Odette's presence, Richie chose to ignore her with a cold and unaffected attitude. He remained focused on the meeting agenda, showing his dedication and professionalism without being distracted by the drama Odette might want to create. This disappointed the woman.In frustration, Odette clenched her hands tightly under the table until her fingers turned white from the pressure.
"I'm sorry about this unpleasant incident." Sharlynn's voice tried to calm down the noisy members of the meeting."We didn't expect that it was Julian and Miss Odette who caused the company's revenue to plummet," said one of the members in the meeting room.In an instant, the meeting room that had been filled with tension calmed down. Sharlynn stared with a relieved expression as the two cursed couples were finally cornered and exposed. However, the relief was short-lived, as Sharlynn's purpose for organizing the meeting that day was far greater than just exposing the embezzlement committed by Julian and Odette.In a few moments of silence, Sharlynn let her breath out in relief. Her eyes, which had briefly radiated determination and resoluteness, now conveyed a sense of satisfaction at the accomplishment that had just been achieved. However, behind that victory, there was an even greater burden of duty awaiting.The meeting that day wasn't just about exposing the cruel couple's misde
Dante held the cell phone in his hand shakily, knowing the gravity of the news he was about to deliver. The end of the tenth floor of Sharlynn's corporate building seemed to constrict and crush Dante's body, its walls filled with images of the consequences of the conversation that was about to take place. With steady breaths, he pressed the call button, waiting for the line connecting him to Andriano Del Vecchio, the feared but respected patriarch of the Del Vecchio family.Andriano's voice rang out on the other end, heavy and authoritative, ["Dante, what is it? Is there something important?"].In a voice that tried to remain calm and respectful, Dante began his sentence, "Mr. Andriano, I am calling with news that you should know immediately. It's about young Mr. Richie..."["Speak up, Dante, don't waste time."] interrupted Mr. Andrino with a voice that sounded increasingly stern.Dante deeply breathed, "Mr Richie and Miss Sharlynn... they have married, sir. Secretly. And without th
Heinz smiled with relief when he heard the apology that slipped from his only daughter's lips. "Thank you, son," he said with teary eyes, "Daddy is so embarrassed. You really are like your late mommy. A very gentle and forgiving woman." Sharlynn smiled, a warm feeling filling her chest as she heard her father's praise for her late mother. In her heart, Sharlynn felt relieved to get recognition from her father. Actually, it was not vindictiveness that Sharlynn had; she just wanted to stay away from Odette and Rolanda, who had ruined her happiness. 'Will I ever be able to forget all that? I want to feel at peace,' she muttered to herself. "Daddy hopes you and Richie are always happy," Heinz continued while patting Sharlynn's shoulder. Hearing those words, Sharlynn's heart raced. 'Can I still be happy with Richie after all that has happened?' Sharlynn smiled wryly, her face showing pain. An expectation of happiness after marriage had always been in her mind. However, the harsh re
After the conversation with her father, Sharlynn's anxiety and confusion continued to haunt her mind even though she was already in the car. Sharlynn, who was usually cheerful and talkative, was silent this time. She decided to escape her gaze out the window, enjoying the view of the city that passed by. Richie, who was used to Sharlynn's babble, clearly felt the strangeness. He turned around, looking at the woman with concern. "What were you talking about earlier?" asked Richie in his baritone voice. Hearing Richie's voice made Sharlynn blink, but she was still unable to look at him. "Just a request, sorry," Sharlynn replied briefly, turning her attention back to the view outside the window. Richie still looked at her seriously, then said, "Apparently, Heinz has realized that he's been cheated by his wife and stepson." That last sentence made Sharlynn unable to contain herself anymore. She looked at Richie who seemed to be busy turning the wheel, trying to figure out what was
A tense atmosphere began to set inside his modest room, making the room even more claustrophobic. Richie spontaneously rose from his chair, standing upright and facing the large window overlooking the back garden. He was seemingly lost in his thoughts, with his cell phone still attached to his ear. "Dante, are you sure it's my son?" Richie finally broke the silence, his voice calm but firm. "Did you hear me?" Richie snapped loudly when he didn't hear Dante's voice on the other side.[Dante] "Yes, Sir. For that matter, I can't answer anything. But I think it would be best if we confirm it with a DNA test."] Dante replied at last.Richie spontaneously massaged his forehead, and it instantly felt throbbing. "DNA test, huh?" he said quietly, pondering. "Do it!"However, after giving the order, Richie seemed to walk back and forth several times as if facing an inner battle. Dante, who had worked with him for many years, could sense his hesitation.[Dante] "Sir, if I may ask... Why didn't
After travelling for almost two hours from Berlin's Brandenburg International Airport, the atmosphere at Milan Malpensa International Airport was very different for Sharlynn. The two lovebirds who had spent time together on the long flight were now walking side by side in the arrivals terminal. The bright lights of the airport and the hustle and bustle of people busy with their respective journeys form a contrasting backdrop to the mood of the two of them.As they approached the exit, Richie suddenly stopped his steps, forcing Sharlynn to stop as well. The man looked at Sharlynn intently, his sharp eyes hiding a deep sense of regret. There was something in the way he looked at Sharlynn as if every detail of her face he wanted to capture in memory."We have to part ways here," Richie said in a firm yet heavy-sounding voice, as if every word he spoke required great effort.Sharlynn, though surprised by this sudden change, could only nod. Her knotty smile, which had been a source of w
Richie looked at his grandfather with an annoyed look, but at the same time, he also felt a deep longing. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. You're the one who wanted me to go back to Milan; can't you be more gentle with me?" his voice was soft, trying to penetrate the hardness of his grandfather's heart as he felt hurt by his foolish actions. However, despite his resentment, Richie couldn't deny that he missed his grandfather.Andriano Del Vecchio, the family patriarch who was usually stern and unwavering, had a glimmer of tenderness in his eyes this time. As Richie approached and hugged him, Andriano was surprised but immediately returned the hug tightly. Tears of sadness and relief mixed, seeping from those old eyes as they were both lost in a profoundly emotional moment.After what seemed like an eternity, Andriano broke the embrace. The older man looked at Richie with a loving expression, like looking back at the little boy who used to run around the mansion, seeking his grandfather's embrac