YVONNE"Yes, Miss Foster?" I called to let her speak."This is a good idea," she started.I could already hear the but in her statement. She glanced at the papers in her hand. I can feel butterflies in my stomach while waiting for whatever she has to say. And they're not the good kind.The dramatic pause is killing me. I tried to brace myself from the possible blow she would give me."Although, I don't think it's necessary to start another advocacy that is out of line from what we are already doing," she said.I can see some of the members of the board glancing at each other. I don't know what they were thinking right now.Shit. I didn't expect this."LGC Foundation is already known for educational and health causes. I think we should focus on that," Jade said so confidently, that I had the urge to just cower in fear and hide in a corner.But since I couldn't do that, I took a deep breath instead and tried to process her words. I gathered my thoughts while I let her finish her comment
YVONNEOh god. This is it.I gulped. My legs were weakening from standing too long and the passing adrenaline, but I had to keep my stance."Those who are in favor of Project Eve, please raise your hands," Mr. Watson said authoritatively.Damn. This is the moment of truth.I looked down to briefly squeeze my eyes. I was a bit confident after the talk I had with Vlad before the meeting, but Jade made some valid points. And she also has a huge connection to Vladimir.I won't be surprised if the board would be torn about their decision. I took a deep breath before looking up.I sighed in relief when I saw that almost everyone in the conference room raised their hands in favor of the shelter, including Mr. Watson himself. I couldn't help but smile."We have a decision then," Mr. Watson said upon looking around. He then looked back at me and smiled."Congratulations, Mrs. Lewis," he genuinely said while firmly shaking my hand."Thank you," I nodded. I can't believe I made it.I know Vladim
VLADIMIR "We still couldn't track her down, boss," Blaze reported. My fists clenched. "How can an old woman disappear without a trace?" I hissed. "She has no connections! How hard is it to trace her whereabouts?!" my voice boomed inside my office. I was so fucking pissed. My men were turning into useless imbeciles these days! The harder it gets to find her, the more I think somebody's helping her. And I have to find out who it was before they can take any action against me. I'm sure they were using Yvonne's mother in the hopes that they could get to me through her. Well, they thought wrong.Did they? A small voice inside my head seemed to mock me. Hirushi's bloodied form in the basement flashed inside my head. My jaw clenched as I tried to push the image away. I didn't do it for Yvonne. It has nothing to do with her. I just don't like what the ring does in general. I despise people like them. Yes, I run a syndicate too. But I don't prey on the weak. I don't use helpless women
YVONNEI stared at him. Was I too obvious?"What do you mean?" I chuckled awkwardly."I was just... Uhm, I still can't believe they approved the project, that's all," I grinned and tried to sound more enthusiastic.I plastered a smile on my face while he stared at me suspiciously. My upper lip quivered but I didn't dare move until he finally sighed and let the matter go.I sighed internally. I don't know how to tell him about my encounter earlier with Mr. Anderson.Have you ever heard of the Red Ring? His venomous voice still echoes inside my head. He knows.I don't know how. All I am certain is that he knew. He wouldn't dare speak to me about it if he wasn't confident. I'm sure he wouldn't want to provoke Vladimir over hearsay.But how? Was he a client of the ring? I don't know. I'm not sure. I may have had tons of clients but I can't recall any of their faces now.I used to block out everything as much as I could. I didn't want to remember the filthy things they did to me or the dis
YVONNEThe construction of the shelter commenced almost immediately after it was approved. In the end, I chose the site in the suburban area over the one in the countryside.I'd be lying if I'd say Vladimir's past with Riva didn't affect my decision. But I chose it mostly because of the conveniences it offers. It would be more accessible for women seeking refuge compared to the one in the countryside where they have to travel for hours before they could reach.I personally oversee the progress from time to time while working on the foundation. With Dave's help, I am slowly learning the ropes of my job. I'm getting the hang of it. Now I can do a few tasks without his help.I flinched when I almost bumped into someone on the way to my office."Good morning, Yvonne," it turned out to be Mr. Anderson. Everything good in my morning faded at the sight of him.I clenched my jaw. I hadn't seen him in a while. I don't know where he was, but I wish he had just stayed there.I nodded curtly inst
VLADIMIR"Take me to the foundation," I growled as soon as I got into the car.The startled driver nodded when I slammed the door close.Fuck it! I just lost another deal! Fuck. Fuck!I pressed my fingers against my throbbing temple. I'm getting a headache from all of this!At first, I wanted to resort to violence. Noel and Hiroshi are still in the basement. I could let off some steam through them but then I thought of Yvonne. The foundation is closer to where I am now.The thought of her smiling as she did her job lessened my stress. If I could let off some steam in more pleasurable ways, why not?I went straight to her office, not minding the employees I walked past. They all greeted me, but I chose to ignore them.I grabbed her immediately. I nuzzled against her hair, inhaling her sweet, addicting vanilla scent. It must have a calming effect since it almost instantly calmed my nerves down."Uhm... Did something happen?" I heard her ask. I just made up a lousy excuse for wanting to
VLADIMIR My jaw clenched after listening to her. I can already imagine making Anderson suffer for it. Should I torture him as well? It wasn't too long ago since I got rid of Rodriguez while Hiroshi was still held captive. Just how many people do I need to get rid of because of her past? The basement would probably be filled to the brim if I kept everyone who hurt her hostage. Honestly, I don't give a damn about it. What happened to her wasn't her fault. She was a victim. "Don't worry," I muttered after a while. "I'll take care of it." She looked pale while looking at me as I spit those words with hatred. I watched her blink and take a deep breath as if trying to collect herself. "You should," she nodded. "That would be your problem anyway." I frowned. How did that become my problem? Well, now that I think about it, I realize she is right. It would probably cause a huge scandal on my part. My enemies and the media will surely feast on it once it's out in the open. But do I re
YVONNE"Vlad!" I squealed when he acted like he couldn't hear someone's knocking.I tried to push him but he only grabbed my hips to hold me in place while he kept going at it! Oh my gosh! I can't believe him!"Did you lock it?" I frantically asked again.Instead of answering, his hands covered my ass to lift me from the table. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist for support."What are you doing?!" I hissed against his ear but he ignored me.I groaned when he started walking with his dick still buried deep inside me. My eyes rolled back when he hit a spot that gave me so much pleasure.Damn it!I glanced at the door, silently wishing that whoever was knocking wouldn't dare open it. I don't know how we could face anyone in this scandalous position.Vladimir was walking while carrying me in his arms. His pants fell down to his hips while I was almost naked. My whole upper body was exposed. My skirt was bunched up on my waist while my panties dangled on my right leg!I squeeze
YVONNE I took a deep breath while the elevator moved up. We were heading to the penthouse. I didn't know what to expect. The anticipation is fucking killing me. What if I just volunteer to leave? I'm sure Vladimir wouldn't mind. I chewed on my bottom lip. He would probably appreciate it. Should I? I gasped when the elevator pinged, signaling we reached the right floor. We're here. I heaved another lungful of air before stepping out of the elevator. The short ride felt suffocating. The bodyguards walked me to the unit. I scanned my index finger and sighed in relief when I realized I still had access to the front door. He's not kicking me out. At least, not just yet. If I thought he would kick me out when my identity was uncovered, now that Riva turned out alive, it felt all too real. I was kind of expecting to see them in the living room, waiting for me, probably with my luggage and the divorce papers in hand. But the unit was too quiet when I stepped in. It was empty.
YVONNEI was beyond dumbfounded. I didn't even realize we had already arrived at the hospital. I can't believe I was kidnapped twice in just a short matter of time."We're here," the driver said.Two men escorted me to the emergency room. I told them I was okay and there was really no need to go here but then I remembered how I was bashed in the head with a gun. That part of my head was still throbbing but the crazy events of the night made me numb.The nurses immediately checked if I had wounds. The area where I was hit was tender and sore but it didn't have an open wound."We still need to check. You could have internal bleeding or concussion," the attending physician said when I told them I wanted to go home already.That sounded over dramatic. I wanted to insist on being discharged, but then I remembered I may not have a house to return to anymore.Riva is back. The thought brought a bitter taste to my tongue. She is Vladimir's real wife. Where will that leave me?"Okay," I weakl
YVONNEHow is this even possible? Am I hallucinating?I know I've only seen her in pictures, but...I glanced at Vladimir. Looking at his shocked and pained expression, I knew I was right. It was Riva standing behind the second-floor railing."Dad, stop this! What else do you want?" she cried, weakly sliding onto the floor. I don't think she noticed Vladimir yet."Hush, mia cara," her father cooed before turning to Vlad who still hadn't recovered from his shock.I couldn't blame him. Even I was left gaping at the scene unfolding right before my very eyes."Did you miss Riva?" her father taunted him.A loud gasp echoed. I looked up to see Riva staring back at Vlad. My heart clenched painfully when I saw the longing in her eyes, which mirrored the same expression in Vlad's. The more I stare at them, the more real it gets. She's alive. Riva is alive. I felt an inexplicable stabbing pain in my chest."V-vlad," she called, her voice sounded pleading.Her father gestured something and the
YVONNEWhat the hell is going on?!I tried to call for help but the car made a sharp turn, causing my head to hit on the door.Damn it! I groaned in pain as I felt the car going faster. The speed and the hit on my head made me a little dizzy. Despite that, I still tried to look outside to see where we were heading but couldn't see anything clearly.It was dark and we were going so fast. I grabbed onto the door handle when the man suddenly hit the brake. I almost slammed into the back of the shotgun seat. "Where are we going?" I asked while looking at the man who had taken me. He was wearing a ski mask, making it impossible for me to recognize him.Is this Raoul, Riva's brother?"Who are you? Why are you doing this?!" I cried but he didn't bother to respond. He just kept on driving as if he were in a race.Memories from the last time I was kidnapped replayed in my head like a broken record. No. I won't let it happen again. I looked for something I could use in the backseat. My eyes wi
VLADIMIR"Which of your wives are you looking for?" he smirked. The daunting smile on his crooked lips told me he knew something I didn't."What the hell are you talking about?" I grunted impatiently. I looked around, hoping to see Yvonne, but she was not anywhere in sight. What is he planning to do to her?"Oh," he clutched his chest as if he was in pain. "Have you already forgotten about my daughter? You're hurting my feelings, Vladimir," he chuckled.I frowned. Why is he acting like this? Is he taking his daughter's death lightly or is he mocking me?Fuck him."Let Yvonne go," I growled. "She should be out of this. Whatever happened in the past has nothing to do with her!""Do you think I didn't know that?" he chuckled humorlessly. "But you are in no position to give me orders. You are in my territory. I can get you killed in a snap of a finger."Well, that's what he thinks."Tell me, did you really forget about my precious daughter?" he asked. "Don't you think it's insulting that
VLADIMIRI wanted to be with her. Today, a press conference will be held to address the issue of Yvonne's past and real identity. It had been a hot topic in the business world and started to affect the value of our stocks in the market.Yvonne wanted to speak the truth about the issue. I was advised by the company's public relations director against it, but I still went on with my decision. I know this is a big deal for her and I wanted to be by her side.Unfortunately, I couldn't.Blaze just called me. They already knew where Leon Vitelli was hiding. We needed to quickly devise a plan to take him down. I have to be there to ensure he will be caught."He was spotted going into a warehouse near the bay this afternoon," Blaze pointed at the large map on the screen."We already planted a mole inside," he added."Good," I calmly nodded even though the gears in my head were turning rapidly.We talked about how we were going to capture Leon and his son, Raoul. I clenched my teeth when Riva's
YVONNEI covered my ears with my hands. I can feel the car shaking with the force of the gunshots coming from high-caliber guns. I know Vladimir's cars were all bulletproofed. But would it really last from this kind of attack? It felt like the glass was being hammered by the raining bullets. "What's happening?!" I asked no one in particular. My voice trembled with fear. Aside from Matias who sits with me on the backseat, we have a driver and another member of the security team riding shotgun.It didn't do anything to make me feel safer though. I know they are all capable and well-trained but this scene seemed to be straight out of a damn action movie!"We're getting ambushed," Matias hissed.I tried to peek outside despite the paralyzing fear taking over my body. I immediately saw three black vans parked in front of us, blocking us from driving forward! Most of the shots were coming from them.I shrieked and ducked when a louder noise came up. Shit! I feel like the windshield is goin
YVONNEI breathe heavily, taking in a lungful of air hoping it would somehow calm the brewing storm inside me. I am sitting backstage waiting for my cue to come out.I fidgeted my fingers on my lap. My palms were cold and sweating. I had taken a peek earlier and saw how many people were eagerly waiting outside. I took another breath."You can do this," I whispered.Vladimir agreed to my request. The company's PR team arranged a press conference to address the issue. I am given a chance to tell my side of the story. I can speak out my truth.I don't know how it would turn out in the end, but that doesn't matter now. This is me taking back the reins of my life. This is me taking the first step to get my freedom back.I know not everyone will understand. Speaking up will not magically turn the situation around. I know that. I have prepared myself for that. ,q1My heart thumped wildly inside my chest. This is gonna cause too much trouble. Vlad might hand me the divorce papers after this.
YVONNE I love you... The realization hit me like a bullet train. Damn it! The euphoric feeling from the mind-blowing orgasm he gave me quickly dissipated into the air.You're so stupid, Yvonne! I bit my tongue as I cursed myself internally. I almost said it out loud at the height of my emotions. I am still gasping for air while he gently rolled off me.He put his arm under my head, then pulled me closer. I looked at him. His eyes were closed while catching his breath. There were beads of sweat on his forehead due to the strenuous activity we just finished. He must be running for the hills now if he heard me say those words.I wouldn't blame him if that happened. Even I find it ridiculous! I wanted to laugh even though I didn't find it funny. But do I mean it? Do I really love him? I thought while staring at him.Love. It sounded foreign. I didn't know it was part of my dictionary until now. I don't think I ever felt it. Nobody ever loved me. I never loved anyone either. Love was