Jessica’s POV “So how did it go?” Bishop asked me as we both walked into the company building. After my meeting with Freddy last night, we were both unable to talk since I appeared to be tired, and with what Freddy and I had discussed. I was exhausted. The man was nothing like I expected him to be. He was straightforward yet soft. I could not help but think if I was making the right choice or mistake. “Well, he agreed on two conditions,” I said, swiping my card across the scanner. We stepped into the elevator and it made some sound. “And what is that?” He asked, worry lacing his tone. “Well, he asked that we should not talk about his late night since it is a sensitive topic and I should be ready for the press attention on me. Which means that my kids would be the talk of the town if they catch any whiff of that.” We soon reached the ninth floor where my office was and stepped out. “Are you both planning to send out a memo on your marriage?” He asked from behind. I paused
Jessica’s POV I walked into my office, hissing and running my hands through my hair. I glanced up at Bishop who also appeared to be troubled like I was. “Who allowed him inside?” I asked. He swallowed hard. “We cannot hold him out for too long, Jess. He is your father’s younger brother so he has the right to come here at any time.” He said. “Well, my father is dead and I am in charge, right? I can—” “You don't get it. Your father actually liked Nelson so much that he gave the order that Nelson was allowed even to the ninth floor.” He told me and I looked at him, shocked. The ninth floor was where our top secrets were kept. My father really trusted Nelson to that extent. “Why?” I found myself asking him. “Well, it was because of the fact he was his only remaining relative so he wanted to shower him with love before he died. Well, I still did not know why he kept you a secret from Nelson though.” He explained. “But… I could do something about that. If he thinks he could
Jessica’s POV Freddy has sent the contract over the email for me to go through. I had put it off since we were busy trying to get the new products ready for release. For times like this, I did not like being distracted. I always made sure I was focused on the goal ahead. Bishop has also stayed off my radar because he knew how jittery I could be. I go to work in the morning and return at night. I knew my kids had missed me and the only time when I got to meet them, they were already asleep. It was not mama's fault. At the last glance at the product, I let out an annoyed hiss. It was like there was something yet to complete it. The color. The texture. I did not know what it was but I felt uneasy. What could be wrong? We would be releasing this product soon and I was the one who was holding them off from doing so. After Nelson had come to the meeting hall the other day, I have been so intent on proving him wrong. There was no way he would stop me from doing this. I have planne
Brian’s POV I flung Angela’s hands off my body as Jessica disconnected the call. The glare I directed at her was enough to freeze her on the spot. Hurut flashed past her eyes as I blew out an exasperated breath. “Really? Did you have to do that?” I questioned her, feeling frustration course through me. Just when I was starting to get into her grace, Angela had to come in and ruin it. “What? Were you on a call with someone?” She asked, her brows creasing with innocence. She must not have known as I had the ear pods fixed in my ears. “Yes, and I was talking to Holly! I was trying to make her see the reason she should accept my proposal.” I explained, running my hands through my hair as I jerked to my feet. Maybe coming to stay here tonight was a wrong choice. “Her? Holly is a female? You are talking to a woman in the middle of the night?” She asked, making me turn to her with a confused look. “Not a female. A business associate. I would have managed to convince had it been yo
Jessica’s POV I walked into the company’s building feeling perhaps. I did not know why I was in such a down mood. Maybe it was because of the video call with Brian last night. Anyway, I didn't want to dwell on it. As usual, Bishop didn't disturb me, he must have sensed my mood. I even rushed the breakfast this morning with the kids. I didn't want to them notice the sour mood I was in. I ignored my secretary as I pushed the door to my office open, paused then turned to her. “I do not want to see anyone this morning. You can re-schedule them for the afternoon but now, I don't want.” I said to her, shaking my head in warning. She gave me a curt nod and I closed to the door to my office as I entered. Settling in my seat, I began to work on the files. My mind carelessly wandered to the image of Brian last night and I paused, closing my eyes briefly, and instead, the images became clearer. I opened my eyes, biting my lower lip in frustration. I should not let him do this to me. We
Jessica’s POV After two days of back and forth with Freddy, we finally agreed on the last content of the contract. He was quite shocked that I was stubborn and we had it my way. I would not allow a man to use me the way Brian did. It was high time I stood up for myself. And to add, I included some conditions for the protection of my kids. I would never put their safety in line and in a few hours, we would release photos. Everyone will know the true heir of the Holly Empire. Usually, people thought it was Bishop because I wanted it that way but Nelson had forced me into a corner and I chose to push back. I know he might be expecting that I stepped down but he would be shocked if he saw that I was married already, ruining his plan. Freddy walked into the studio, his eyes stuck on his phone and his brows furrowed. My brows twitched from where I stood and he looked up, meeting my gaze. We were supposed to have met at 8 AM for our couple photoshoot. Bishop said it was necessary t
Brian’s POV I had heard from Bishop that today was the release of the product and I had been on my laptop to see how the sales would be. Jessica has been really shady about the product, I got the fact that she would not sell her product out to a stranger but I tried to see what exactly was so special about it but she hid it so well. Finally, it was released but the news that came along with it was not what I was expecting. Holly Empire’s Heir is not a male but a female! Well, I figured not everyone would know that since I was also thinking such before I met her. I wondered why she let Bishop take the media attention. Jessica was different, only if I had realized that early before letting her go. Now she was the key to my company’s salvation. I blame myself really. I scrolled past the thousand comments under the post and I nodded, understanding their shock and outburst. My phone vibrated on the desk and I flicked my gaze to it, narrowing it slightly at the brightness
Jessica’s POVI stared at the comments flooding our sites at the launching of the products and that of my relationship with Freddy. I knew it was a good idea to let the world know. They had always thought Bishop was the CEO. Initially, I had done it because I was filled with fear from years back but now… Nelson was making me do things that were against my standards. I had resolved that I didn't want to give up my father’s empire to a cunning person like Nelson. He didn't deserve to own my father’s entire sweat work after everything he had been trying to pull at me. “Are you ready? We are about to start.” Bishop asked, entering into the office. I looked up at him from the iPad in my hands before nodding and clicking the pad off. We had arranged a conference where we invited media outlets where I would talk about the product. I have spent nights over the revision of this and had every word etched in my head as I rose to my feet, exiting the office with him. Dressed in my two-piece wh
The quiet hum of the office enveloped Jessica as she worked diligently at her desk. The papers strewn before her detailed the intricacies of her latest case, but her focus faltered as her mind wandered. The events of the last few days had been overwhelming, to say the least. The precinct was still reeling from the chaos surrounding Angela's arrest, and tension hung in the air like an oppressive fog. Jessica leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as a faint headache began to pulse. She was no stranger to pressure, but something about this situation felt more complex than usual, as though there were pieces to the puzzle she hadn’t yet discovered. A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She straightened her posture, masking her fatigue with a professional demeanor. "Come in," she called, her voice steady. The door creaked open, and Bishop stepped inside. He moved with the calculated confidence of someone who always knew more than he let on. His expres
The quiet hum of the office enveloped Jessica as she worked diligently at her desk. The papers strewn before her detailed the intricacies of her latest case, but her focus faltered as her mind wandered. The events of the last few days had been overwhelming, to say the least. The precinct was still reeling from the chaos surrounding Angela's arrest, and tension hung in the air like an oppressive fog. Jessica leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as a faint headache began to pulse. She was no stranger to pressure, but something about this situation felt more complex than usual, as though there were pieces to the puzzle she hadn’t yet discovered. A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She straightened her posture, masking her fatigue with a professional demeanor. "Come in," she called, her voice steady. The door creaked open, and Bishop stepped inside. He moved with the calculated confidence of someone who always knew more than he let on. His expres
The quiet hum of the office enveloped Jessica as she worked diligently at her desk. The papers strewn before her detailed the intricacies of her latest case, but her focus faltered as her mind wandered. The events of the last few days had been overwhelming, to say the least. The precinct was still reeling from the chaos surrounding Angela's arrest, and tension hung in the air like an oppressive fog. Jessica leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as a faint headache began to pulse. She was no stranger to pressure, but something about this situation felt more complex than usual, as though there were pieces to the puzzle she hadn’t yet discovered. A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She straightened her posture, masking her fatigue with a professional demeanor. "Come in," she called, her voice steady. The door creaked open, and Bishop stepped inside. He moved with the calculated confidence of someone who always knew more than he let on. His expres
The quiet hum of the office enveloped Jessica as she worked diligently at her desk. The papers strewn before her detailed the intricacies of her latest case, but her focus faltered as her mind wandered. The events of the last few days had been overwhelming, to say the least. The precinct was still reeling from the chaos surrounding Angela's arrest, and tension hung in the air like an oppressive fog. Jessica leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as a faint headache began to pulse. She was no stranger to pressure, but something about this situation felt more complex than usual, as though there were pieces to the puzzle she hadn’t yet discovered. A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She straightened her posture, masking her fatigue with a professional demeanor. "Come in," she called, her voice steady. The door creaked open, and Bishop stepped inside. He moved with the calculated confidence of someone who always knew more than he let on. His expres
The quiet hum of the office enveloped Jessica as she worked diligently at her desk. The papers strewn before her detailed the intricacies of her latest case, but her focus faltered as her mind wandered. The events of the last few days had been overwhelming, to say the least. The precinct was still reeling from the chaos surrounding Angela's arrest, and tension hung in the air like an oppressive fog. Jessica leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as a faint headache began to pulse. She was no stranger to pressure, but something about this situation felt more complex than usual, as though there were pieces to the puzzle she hadn’t yet discovered. A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She straightened her posture, masking her fatigue with a professional demeanor. "Come in," she called, her voice steady. The door creaked open, and Bishop stepped inside. He moved with the calculated confidence of someone who always knew more than he let on. His expression
The quiet hum of the office enveloped Jessica as she worked diligently at her desk. The papers strewn before her detailed the intricacies of her latest case, but her focus faltered as her mind wandered. The events of the last few days had been overwhelming, to say the least. The precinct was still reeling from the chaos surrounding Angela's arrest, and tension hung in the air like an oppressive fog. Jessica leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as a faint headache began to pulse. She was no stranger to pressure, but something about this situation felt more complex than usual, as though there were pieces to the puzzle she hadn’t yet discovered. A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She straightened her posture, masking her fatigue with a professional demeanor. "Come in," she called, her voice steady. The door creaked open, and Bishop stepped inside. He moved with the calculated confidence of someone who always knew more than he let on. His expression w
BRIAN’S POV I stared at my phone, tapping my fingers against the desk as the ringtone droned on for the third time. No answer. Grey wasn’t exactly the most reliable guy when it came to picking up calls, but this felt different. The longer the silence stretched, the tighter the knot in my stomach became. He should’ve answered by now. Something wasn’t right. I hung up and dialed again, muttering under my breath. “Come on, Grey. Pick up.” Still nothing. Before I could decide whether to leave another message, my phone buzzed in my hand. An unknown number lit up the screen. For a second, I debated ignoring it, but instinct told me to answer. “This is Brian,” I said sharply. “Brian, this is Officer Carter from the precinct.” The name took a second to register. Carter. I’d spoken to him before—back when Angela first got arrested. His tone wasn’t urgent, but it wasn’t casual, either. “What’s going on?” I asked, already bracing myself for bad news. There was a pause
**Angela’s POV** The metallic clang of the prison gate echoed behind me, a sound I thought I’d never hear again. For three long months, those gates had been my reality—cold, unyielding, and suffocating. Now, they were shutting behind me, leaving a hollow sense of disbelief in their wake. I took a hesitant step forward, my heart pounding in my chest as I squinted into the sunlight. Freedom felt foreign, as though I’d stepped into someone else’s life. A black car idled by the curb, sleek and polished, standing out against the drab prison exterior. I had no idea who was responsible for my release. The last time I’d heard from anyone, it was Brian's failed attempt to see me, blocked by the guards. I thought about him for a brief moment, then quickly shoved the thought away. The driver exited the car and opened the back door, gesturing for me to enter. I hesitated until I saw her. Sophia White. My mother. She stepped out of the car with the grace of someone who always command
**Chapter: Nelson’s Fake Proof** Jessica sat at the head of the conference table, addressing the shareholders with calm confidence. Her words were measured, her gaze steady. Every eye in the room was fixed on her, a blend of respect and cautious curiosity. She was building momentum, solidifying their trust in her leadership, when her phone vibrated on the table. She glanced at the screen: her lawyer, Mr. Hendricks. “Excuse me for a moment,” she said, giving the shareholders a polite smile before stepping out of the room. “Mr. Hendricks?” she said, pressing the phone to her ear. “Ms. Holly, I need you to come to my office immediately,” his voice was tight, laced with urgency. Jessica frowned. “What’s wrong?” “It’s about Nelson. He claims to have evidence that may affect your position. I think it’s best we address this in person.” Jessica’s stomach sank. Nelson was like a thorn that refused to be removed, always scheming, always waiting for an opportunity to strik