GENERAL"We are here!" Donald announced, stepping on the brake. Isabelle stood up and glanced out of the window; a beautiful smile was etched on her lips. The glints of excitement and satisfaction glimmered brightly in her eyes."Wow! The mall is so beautiful," Isabelle muttered, grinning.Lexi and Donald shared stares and chuckled. Lexi knew she would like it, so she wasn't extremely surprised by her reaction."You are yet to marvel. Let's step into the supermarket at the mall first," Donald remarked, opening the side door for the little girl to step out. Excitedly, Isabelle descended from the car and leaped into the mall with her mother.Donald had asked to take Lexi and Isabelle out, and Lexi obliged after a brief hesitation and reluctance. On the other hand, Isabelle refused blatantly because she didn't like him and didn't want to choose a man like him for her mother. But when Donald showed her that he was behind and capable of taking care of her and her mother, she took a liking
GENERALThe little girl blinked and took a step backward, her eyes fixed on the strange man's face. Her body trembled as she clutched her fingers on her dress. She gulped hard."I am sorry, sir. I don't want toy again. My mummy will be upset if she doesn't see me," Isabelle fluently let out, her voice shaky.The man's dark lips curled into a sinister smile, sending chills down Isabelle's spine. Looking at the smile, goosebumps surrounded her and gripped her body tightly."You cannot reject my gift, darling. You just need to wait so I can pick up the money in my car. We are already beside the car, aren't we?" He muttered, grinning. With a horror glare, Isabelle shook her head and planned on taking steps backward. However, as soon as she did that, she hit her back against a strong surface, causing her to tilt her head. "Ah!" She gasped in fear when she saw who was behind her. It was a man who had different scars on his face, and his eyes were as red as fire. He had bad intent as he gla
GENERAL"Are you sure she came to this place?" Ryan questioned with a frown, holding his phone tightly in his right ear."Yes, boss. She went in with her daughter and a man." A masculine voice answered on the other side of the phone.With crinkled brows, Ryan heaved, pinching the space between his brows. "Okay then. Continue to keep watch and let me know as soon as she leaves here." He ordered, and the person at the other side shouted in understanding, "Yes, sir."Ever since the challenge between Ryan and Lexi, he has been trailing her and stalking her. He knew that he had lost the battle, and the only way he could take back all that belonged to him was getting Lexi to forgive him and perhaps fall in love with him again.It wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to give it what it takes. He wanted Lexi's love so that he would be able to get back his company, which she took away from him."You will be in trouble if I do not find her here," Ryan threatened coldly and disconnected the call.
GENERAL"You will be in trouble if you lay your filthy hands on my daughter," Ryan warned, his voice lingering in the air and interrupting the action the man was about to make, causing his hands to hang in the air as he tilted his head in the direction of the voice just to see what was happening.The little Isabelle's eyes widened when she sighted the man from the airport. She heard that he called her his child but never ascribed meaning to it. All she wanted was how to save herself from the dangerous men hovering around her. Just to make the plan go smoothly, she joined in and shouted, "Daddy!" For a few seconds, Ryan was dazed by the name Isabelle called her. Different questions ran through his head. "Does she know that I'm her father? Has Lexi told her already?" He thought. To be honest, he found the name he called her with her tiny little voice satisfying and relaxing. He enjoyed it and wanted more of it. When she was still two, she referred to him as "Dada." Thinking about it no
LEXII knew the way I spoke to Donald was wrong, but I had no choice. He really needs to stop chiming in on my discussion with Ryan. I am the only one who knew the reason I have been acting this way. It was already embarrassing enough that I had misunderstood Ryan and accused him of hurting my daughter when he, in fact, saved her. He shouldn't worsen the situation by rubbing it on my face that I just accused the wrong person.But I don't care. Ryan got what he deserved. He was a bad man and wouldn't be known for good things even if he did them."Mommy, that Mister really didn't do it. He saved me from the bad guys who tried to take me away." Isabelle's voice echoed in my ears, dragging me out of my train of thoughts.Thinking about it now, I couldn't help but be scared. Goosebumps lingered on my body and gripped me tightly as I thought about the whole thing. Some people really tried to kidnap my daughter? But why would they do that? Who would want to kidnap a little but sweet soul lik
LEXI I couldn't keep thinking about what happened during the weekend. My daughter was almost kidnapped by some people, who I knew nothing about. I did my best to hide the news from my parents because I wasn't ready for the drama they would perform when they learned about it. Leaving home the next day, I drove straight to the nick and reported the situation to the cops. They promised to look into the matter, and I hoped they did that soon because I failed to imagine what I would do if anything happened to my daughter. I decided to listen to my favorite music as I drove to work. The morning was bright, and the air was fresh. I felt so at peace like never before. However, just as I got to a U-turn and was about to twirl, a car sped past me and swerved, halting in front of me. "Ah!" I shouted as I roughly rammed my foot on the brake. My head hit the steering many times as I eventually stopped my car from bumping into the car in front of me. It took me two minutes to comprehend the s
LEXI"You wench! How dare you call my daughter a bastard?" I shouted, seething with anger as I dragged Emily's hair aggressively. It caught her by surprise, so it took a few seconds before she retaliated.Yelps escaped her mouth, "Shit! You bitch! Get your filthy hands off me. Ah!" She struggled with me and grabbed my hair. However, before she could pull it, I jammed my forehead against hers, nodding her and forcing her to release her grip on my hair."I don't joke with my princess. Do not call my baby a bastard with that lousy mouth of yours. I tried my best to run away from your trouble, but your mannerless self wouldn't let me be," I screamed as I continued to pull her hair. We had garnered a lot of attention, but I cared less about it. Since Emily was shameless and wanted to roll in the mud, it wouldn't be bad if I rolled in it with her. At least, just this once, so that I could put her in her place. "Ya! Let me go. You are going to pay for this, Lexi. I promise you. I will repa
RYAN "I want to see the President," I told the secretary I met at Lexi's office, but she was reluctant to let me in. "I... Sorry, sir. But the president warned to never let you in. Please, kindly take your leave," Sarah let out with full professionalism, intertwining her hands while keeping a straight countenance. I wasn't shocked either. I expected that after the nuisance I had caused in Lexi's office. However, it was important that I meet her today. I really needed to explain things to her. Isabelle's, our daughter's life is in trouble, and we needed to act smart and fast on it to avoid stories that could hurt us. Darting my eyes over Sarah, I smirked, "Do you know who I am? I'm sure you are mistaken. Lexi will never order you not to grant me entrance to her office." She swayed a suspicious gaze over me and bobbed her head negatively. "I'm sorry, Mr. Middleton, but I cannot let you in. I would have called her on the phone to ask for her permission, but I doubt she will pick up.
RYANLike a madman, I zoomed off to Jasmine's house. Thankfully, it was already dark and safer to break the traffic rules without having to pay any fines. I was able to reduce the journey from fifty minutes to thirty minutes because of the speed I drove the car. I dashed out of the car and stormed toward Jasmine's door without closing the door of the car.Impatiently and angrily, I thumped on her door. I could hear a response from inside, but that wasn't what I wanted. I need to see her horrible face and teach her a lesson she will never forget in a hurry.Again, I punched her door fiercely. Another response came, but harsher this time. Just as I was about to knock on the door one more time, the door opened and an unfamiliar face came into view. Her expression was hard, but it instantly became soft when she saw me.For a reason, I could discern that this person knew who I was because why would her expression change the moment she realized I was at the door? But I didn't even know he
RYANI am tired. I am really tired of the constant trouble I have been fighting with ever since Lexi returned to the country. If it wasn't this, it would be that. There hasn't been a day of resting. Either I am dealing with this or with that.Just when I thought Lexi was warming up to me, dirty news was revealed on the internet about us. My pictures and our pictures have been flying all over the Internet, and Lexi didn't want to believe that I wasn't the one behind them. Yes, I wanted her. Yes, I wanted my company back, but I wouldn't stoop so low to do something as embarrassing as that. She didn't believe it. I could see the disappointment and pain in her eyes as she looked at me. The last time I saw this was four years ago when she signed the divorce papers. I could remember those eyes because they had been engraved in my head ever since. "Whoa! I don't think you can ever win her back," Casper let out, taking the cocktails from the bartender who was standing in front of us and pu
GENERAL"Are you sure this will work?" Jasmine asked, worriedly, glancing at the news headline and reading comments under the blog posts. Emily chuckled, "That shouldn't be a question. I am one hundred percent certain it has worked. My brother must be on a hot seat right now," she let out with a dark smirk."I am just scared. What if they find us out?" Jasmine mumbled, tossing her phone on the couch and settling beside it.Emily was shocked by Jasmine's behavior. The lady she had always wanted for her brother wasn't a coward. What happened? What caused her change? "I didn't know you to be a coward, Jasmine. I have always known you to be brave. How would they even find out that we are behind the pictures flying over the internet? They're not going to know, my dear," she explained, hoping to relieve Jasmine's tension.Despite everything Emily said, Jasmine was still terrified. Her heart beat faster and it almost jumped out of its position. She put her thumb in her mouth and nibbled on
GENERALLexi's grip on Donald's phone tightened as she read the news on his phone. The news headline says, "Alexandra Lexi and Ryan Middleton set to walk down the aisle as they got engaged yesterday in Korea." There was a picture of them at the hotel when Lexi was drunk and stumbled over Ryan's body. The angle the picture was taken made it seem as though they were in an intimate position. Lexi's eyes darted between the phone and Ryan. Her eyes darkened as inexplicable irritation swirled within her. It was glaring. It didn't need to be investigated. Ryan was the only person who could gain access to the photos because he was the only one who knew about what transpired between them aside from her. She snickered bitterly inwardly. She couldn't believe that he could be this desperate. This was the same man she had a plan of returning his position to when they returned to England. Meanwhile, Donald was brewing with anger where he was seated. Even though he was trying his best to suppress
GeneralKoreaLexi descended from the cab, wired the money to the driver, and scurried into the hotel. She walked fast as though she was chased by some people. Getting into her suite, she locked the door and rested her back against it. Scoffing, her breath became deep and rapid. She couldn't believe what happened at the hospital."Am I a fool?" She asked nobody in particular, her chest hurling up and down. She let go of the door handle, sauntered to the bed, and collapsed onto it, sprawling with her arms widely spread while she faced the ceiling. Staring blankly, she rested a hand on her chest, and she listened to the way her heart was beating rhythmically.Blinking, she asked rhetorically, "What is wrong with me? Do I have a terminal disease? It cannot be that I am still in love with Ryan, right?" Frustrated by her unanswered question, she hissed and punched the air a few times. She blamed herself for allowing her emotions to take over. She blamed herself for going to the hospital
GENERALPresident Alexandra and Madame Alexandra were seated in the living room when Jasmine walked in, with Mr. Ricardo, his PA, beside her. Mr. Ricardo bowed curtly and strolled away when they got to the living room.As soon as Madame Alexandra saw Jasmine, she stood up and closed the gap on her. "And what were you talking about? What was that shit you were clamoring all about?" She asked, swaying an irritable and hateful gape over Jasmine, who was terrified for a moment when she saw the wealthiest man in the country for the first time. That man—she had always seen him on TV. His aura and demeanor were as strong as it was on V; in fact, it would be safe to say that it was stronger. "Cat got your tongue? Don't you have a mouth?" Madame Alexandra yelled, exasperated that Jasmine didn't respond to her question. "Abigail! President Alexandra called his wife's name, which was unusual of him. The woman's body froze, but she knew what he was trying to imply. He just indirectly told her
GENERAL Jasmine glanced at herself in the full portrait mirror and smiled widely, satisfied with the way she had dressed. Her outfit was perfect for her outing. Since it was more like she was going to a war, it was better she dressed like a warrior. Taking her bag, she wandered out of her bedroom and met Gina on the way. "Good morning, ma'am. Breakfast is ready. Should I serve it already?" She asked, darting her gaze over her. She wouldn't be surprised if her boss flared up at the question. She had become used to her mood swings and her bad temperament. As expected, Jasmine didn't find it funny and growled exasperatingly, "And so? Did I tell you that I'm hungry this morning, or is food the only thing you can think of? Is that the only thing your empty skull could install?" Gina dropped her head and mumbled, "I'm sorry, ma'am. Forgive me, ma'am." She knew better than anyone not to argue with her unless she wanted to put herself in deeper trouble. Swaying an irritable gaze over her
GeneralThe kissing started slow and languid, but as they got engrossed in it, the kissing intensified, and it became rough and aggressive. It was as though they had been denied it for years. Or maybe it was true. They nibbled on each other's lips hungrily, their hands roaming all over one another's body.They both knew it was wrong. Lexi knew that she might regret it. Her brain was telling her to stop, but she couldn't. She just didn't find herself stopping what she had started and tasted. Maybe it was because it had been long since she kissed someone; she found herself craving more as the kissing deepened. She wanted more. More than kissing and touching.She stopped thinking about her regrets. She stopped chiding herself to stop. Since it had happened, she could as well enjoy it to the fullest and just pin the blame on Ryan when they were done. At least she would be satisfied.Her hands moved to his chest, and Ryan's body trembled as her fingers rubbed his nipples, tickling him and
GENERAL "What! Jasmine exclaimed, springing up from the couch. She clenched her hand on the phone she was holding in her ear as anger coursed through her like fire on dried leaves."We are sorry, ma'am. A man appeared from nowhere, and he was crashed into instead of our target." The man on the other side of the phone explained to her, but she wasn't having it. She had been thinking about the task she gave the men in Korea. Her instinct had told her something would go wrong, but she decided to clear her doubt by giving them the opportunity, and this happened. Who was the fool who saved Lexi? Why did she keep getting help anytime she tried to attack her?"You are so incompetent. I am such a fool for trusting you guys with such an important task. I want my money back right now. You have five minutes to refund my money back to me, or else you wouldn't like it if I came to that side myself." She threatened, gritting her teeth and seething with anger. She would have pounced on the incomp