Atlas ignored Alden's question before he stretched over his phone to Grandma Katherine. “Grandma, you can decide if Alden still deserves to be the CEO of Crawford Group after watching this video.”Alden gritted his teeth as he stared at his grandma, who was carried away with the video she was watching. He knew it was over for him if this video influenced her mindset. Nothing mattered to Grandma Katherine aside from public opinions and company growth. “Is he still capable? What is a capable man without an amazing woman by his side, grandma?” Atlas asked with a sly smile. “Sooner or later, she will influence him and destroy our family by ruining our reputable image,” he added. Grandma Katherine let out a deep sigh at the thought of everything Atlas just said. Maybe now is the time to let Alden prove his capability. “Alden, what your brother said isn't totally wrong. I can't let you make the same mistake your mom did years ago,” she said with tears clustered in her eyes. She hated to
Grandma Katherine walked up to Alden and Atlas, who were too immersed in their conversation to notice her. “Atlas, didn't I warn you several times to stop hurting your brother with the past incident?” She asked, pretending not to hear their conversation. “I am sorry, grandma. He started it,” Alden replied and left with a frown. Left with Alden, she decided to ask him: “Alden, how did you know about Atlas not being your parent's son?”“Uh?” Alden's lips parted, lost for words at his grandma's question. “Alden, there is no need to lie to me. I heard everything you said earlier—”“Grandma, I am sorry. I have an important guest to attend to. He has been waiting for me.” He was quick to cut her off before she could complete her statement.She hesitated before she let him go. “Sure. We will continue our conversation when you get back.”Alden left without saying a word. He got into his car and drove off to his company. It took him two hours before he arrived at the company. He made sur
“No, I don't. Actually, there is nothing about you that I can never like.” Alden's response made Olivia's heart sink. He was the first person to say such words to her. During her high school days, countless boys had asked her out. Not even her first boyfriend could reject her after she confessed her feelings. “What exactly can't you like about me?” She asked, sounding defeated. “Your eyes? The way you talk? Your inconsistent behavior? The fact that I can't figure you out? If I decide to list what I dislike about you, I will end up using a whole day to do so,” he replied with a cunning smile.She bit her lip at his words, unsure whether to be sad or happy. She was supposed to be happy that their personal feelings wouldn't get in the way of achieving their goal. “What if you end up liking me? No, what if I end up liking you?” She asked curiously. He smiled faintly at her words, giving her the facial expression, 'I just remembered something'. “Oh, I almost forgot,” he paused, his h
“Olivia, are you okay?”Alden's voice made her snap out of her thoughts. Unable to face the harsh moment she badly wanted to escape from, she ran out. Alden, who didn't understand what was going on and needed an explanation, followed her. “Olivia, don't you think I need an explanation?” He asked, making her halt. “I am sorry, I owe you no explanation, Alden,” with those words said, she walked out. Alden ruffled his hair, trying to understand what just happened, but couldn't figure it out. He stood there for some minutes before he walked back into the living room. He walked up to his brother before he asked, “Aziel, how did you know Olivia, and why did you call her by that name?”“She was my ex, and everyone knew her as Gabriella during our high school days,” Aziel replied with a sly smile. “Gabriella?” He muttered in a questioning tone, wondering why she changed her name. “I can never forget how she used to look. She is beautiful, inconsistent, and caring,” Aziel said, trying t
“Olivia,” Alden called out after knocking on her door several times. He kept calling her name nonstop until she opened the door and came out. “Olivia, can I come in?” He asked, smiling. “Sure. I also have something to tell you,” she replied, letting him in. Olivia did not allow him to sit down before she began. “Aziel raped me when we were dating. He took advantage of my innocence and love.”“So?” Alden's lips parted. “I am terminating the contract. I can't go on with this marriage. I can't act like your wife when I know Aziel is your brother!” She replied sadly. “Are you terminating the contract because you are trying not to remember what happened or because you are afraid of him?” Alden asked, staring at her. She hesitated before she replied, “Both. I don't want to have anything to do with Aziel or the people around him.”“But I am not him.”She bit her lips, holding back the tears that threatened to pour down. “It doesn't matter. I just want to end everything,” she said, her
“What are you going to do?” Dante began questioning. “What if the main major shareholder ends up being our enemy? What if we end up losing the company to a total stranger?”“That will never happen. Dad, let's be positive. This isn't the time to cry over spilled milk,” Layla replied calmly, as if his words weren't worth worrying about. Dante let go of his suitcase before he walked up to Layla, who was still confident in a moment like this. “Then when is the time?” He asked angrily. “You ruin my big plan, yet you have the audacity to act as if nothing happened?”Layla ruffled her hair frustratingly at his words. “What big plan? Come to think of it, have you ever had a big plan? You were always 'waiting for the right time'!”Unable to contain the anger burning through him, Dante slapped Layla, bruising her lips. “The BOD members are already on my side, and I already have a reason to push Olivia out of the company, but you ruined everything!” Dante yelled at her before he stormed out o
A Week Later…“Olivia, are you going to attend my grandma's birthday party tonight?” Alden's voice made her turn to face him, diverting her attention from the pancakes she was preparing. Her eyes widened at his words, amused by the fact that she wasn't aware of the party. She walked up to Alden with a frown. “Why are you just telling me?” She asked sadly. Alden chuckled at her childish behavior. He leaned closer to stare at her. “What difference will it make? Besides, you were too busy setting up our new home,” he hesitated before he could come up with an excuse. “Busy setting up our new home or living with you?” She asked angrily. “Now that you are just informing me, what am I to do? I can't even think of a birthday present that your grandma will love,” she added worriedly. He lifted his gaze up a bit before he replied. “Why worry when you have me here?”Olivia, who knew this was going to be another season of flirting for Alden, decided to return her attention to her pancakes.
“Sure. I will go to the restaurant of your choice,” Alden replied with a never-ending smile. She chuckled at how he sounded, as if he were allowing her to win this time. Without complaining, she headed into her room and dressed up. After she was done dressing, she walked back to the living room. “Alden, let's go.”Her voice made him take his gaze away from his phone to stare at her. His lips parted, lost for words at how beautiful she looked in the pink sarong gown paired with black strappy heels. “Alden, why are you staring at me? Did I look—”Before she could complete her words, he cut her off. “There isn't time to ask how the dress looks on you. It will be 8:00PM soon; let's have our dinner and go for the gift.”She smiled faintly before nodding her head. She walked out of the mansion with him. After they got into the car, Alden started the car and drove off to the restaurant Olivia wanted. “Honey, I don't think I will like their pizza, why not try having seafood?” She asked