*****"This is for you," the guy said, holding the bag in front of Ana's face, adding, "Our special neckpiece has not yet been sold, but our CEO has decided to give it to you as a present first." He conveyed how disappointed he was over what happened in our store, “Since it is impossible to turn back time, he should be happy if you accept this present and give him the impression that you have forgiven him," Landon finished his statements by glancing at Ana, perplexed as to how the staff had assumed she would be impoverished.'I mean, look how stunning she is; even without jewellery, she exudes success. I am sure they were all intoxicated and suffered dearly for the folly they had put in the luck,' Landon reflected.Ana took the jewelry box out of the bag before opening it in the presence of Landon and Sinni, and her eyes were filled with awe because the neckpiece was stunning, with each diamond shining brightly on the pupils gazing at it."It's breathtaking! Are you certain your store
****"She loved the present, but there was not much joy in her expression," George stated, glancing at Richard, who threatened every single soul in the store."The man stated she took the present and noted how beautiful the neckpiece was, but she also believed they were being compelled by someone," George replied lazily, scanning over an email he needed to send a client.He and Richard visited the store's owner last night. Though George earlier made a note that they would not display their extreme face, Richard immediately grabbed that man's collar and pressed the rifle to his forehead. The trauma the man experienced may be something he would never forget. Behind all this, Miss Ana was the driving force, as she impacted Boss' life in a unique way."Hmm, she loves money, but she is really proud. Nonetheless, I found myself loving it!" Richard murmured, drumming his fingers against the table. His comments were not meant for George to hear, but rather for him to contemplate inside."Looks
*****"Concerning, Nah! Last time you missed the dinner party, remember." With a relaxed shoulder on the chair, Jerry remarked, "You are truly making yourself fully out of the family." "That day your mother was going to tell you that she and your sister were taking a trip to Hawaii. Something I will have to make them do or else your mother will spend her time speculating about the possible date of your marriage to Emilia, which I know you are thinking about." Jerry concluded, keeping a close eye on his nephew, however, he was not pleased with what he saw. Richard showed little interest in him once more, which concerned him because Emilia's father had decided to become actively involved in his daughter's life."I think the trip would enable her to divert her focus from my marriage," Richard said nonchalantly, shrugging off the idea of being married to Emilia. He opened his laptop the next second and said, "What can I get you? Drinks or tea! I am about to depart for a meeting with Geor
****A nurse came up to Ana as she was making her way to her cabin, saying, "Miss Ana, you have to toss the flowers today.""Is there something wrong with the flower?" Ana asked as she turned to face the roses in her palm."Actually, our CEO came a few minutes ago and declared that he is allergic to flowers, therefore the flowers in the hospital should be thrown out today," the nurse murmured, casting a glance around her. Everyone in the hospital whispered that the new CEO was nasty, as a result, everyone exercised extreme caution to ensure that no one lost their job due to a simple error."CEO!" Ana repeated, her nostrils flared as her eyes narrowed before mentioning, "I am going to keep them. As long as the CEO does not come to meet with me, I do not believe he will experience an allergic response. Do not worry! You go to your work!"The nurse nodded at Ana and quickly left her side."Jerk! Definitely thinking of tormenting me in the hospital! This is my workplace; he should not do
*****Emilia swallowed nervously when the phone conversation ended. When she contacted Richard in the morning, he had not mentioned going to the hospital, and she could not understand why Ana opted to notify her rather than Richard contacting her and requesting her attendance. "Is Kendell correct in this regard?" Emilia dabbed at her temple. Given that Richard was seeing Ana frequently and that physical contact was a major source of vulnerability for men, she had forewarned her several times that anything may happen in his heart.Emilia called Kendall right away, saying, "Hey, Kendall. Thank you for your wishes! I have a few things to discuss. Could you help me, please!""Yes, sure! Come to my house!" Kendall said from the other end of the phone."Alright! I am soon heading out!" Emilia answered and cut the call.Emilia gripped the phone firmly and made the decision not to visit the hospital because she did not want Richard to think she was insecure, especially after he reassured her
****Ana felt a sense of slowness at the idea of visiting Richard's grandmother, as she neither knew her nor had any compelling reason to do so. Despite this, George's persistent urging left her feeling guilty about ignoring his suggestion. Eventually, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions, she reluctantly decided to go.Ana hesitated before gently rapping on the door, then cautiously pushed it open. Inside, she found Richard engaged in conversation with his grandmother. The sudden appearance of Ana startled them both, each reacting with a mix of surprise and curiosity."Please, don't linger at the door. Come in," Richard implored, his eyes brimming with emotion. "I was just considering asking for your company in this room, even though I know you can't offer any assistance." His words carried a sense of ease as if Ana's mere presence brought a sense of comfort to his troubled heart."Who is she, Richi?!" Grandmother asked, her voice tinged with confusion and disbelief, the shock still v
****Ana reluctantly drove her car to the party, it already being underway for hours—an event she felt obliged to attend rather than genuinely excited about. In an effort to blend in and avoid drawing attention to herself, she opted for a casual knee-length outfit and tied her hair up in a high ponytail.She parked her car outside a posh hotel and stepped out carrying a gift bag. Suddenly, the sound of camera clicks nearby caught her off guard, causing her to freeze in her tracks and scan her surroundings apprehensively.Her fingers clenched the bag tightly, her pulse racing as her breath quickened with nervous anticipation. Without a second thought, she hastened towards the venue, instinctively following the unerring guidance of her intuition, since her gut could never be wrong and it was telling her that someone was hiding and looking at her.As Ana stepped into the venue, she collided with a woman, their bodies jolting against each other. "Ow! I'm sorry!" Ana exclaimed with urgency,
"Hey there, birthday queen! You can't spend your time in one person when the whole place is buzzing for you," Kendall's voice echoed from behind Emilia, who spun around with a playful grin. "Well, well, well, look who decided to crash the party!" she exclaimed before whisking Kendall forward. "Allow me to unveil the mystery girl I've been hyping up," Emilia declared, looking at Ana, "the one and only Anastasia!""Oh, hey there! I've heard plenty about you," Kendall remarked, eyeing Ana up and down with keen interest. To her surprise, Emilia's praises were spot on. Despite not wearing any fancy makeup or designer clothes, Ana still managed to stand out like a diamond in the crowd."Hello, a pleasure to meet you, Kendall!" Ana greeted with a polished smile, though she couldn't help but notice Emilia and Kendall's eyes darting behind her, piquing her curiosity. With a raised eyebrow, she turned around to see what had caught their attention, only to be met with an unexpected collision wit
Thank you for reading. Regarding the letters from Mr. Warner: I previously mentioned Richard confiding in Ana about the clot in his brain, revealing that he doesn’t have much time left. Richard's father was aware of this as well. Moreover, he didn’t want to tarnish his mother’s image in Richard’s mind, which is why he wrote those letters and kept them hidden, setting certain conditions. Ana received a letter where her father explained why he accepted the marriage proposal from Richard's father. After being betrayed by Richard's mother, Richard's father feared that if Selena gained control, disaster could befall Richard. To protect his son, Richard's father chose Ana to be Richard’s wife when they were children and conveyed this wish to Richard's grandmother. I didn’t mention the letter Ana received from her father because she never asked Richard for it. She placed complete trust in him and her father's decision for her to marry Richard. She believed that if anything serious were me
****** Ana spotted her mother in the crowd, her heart clenching with a mix of emotions. Despite the hurt and anger she felt towards her mother and those who had wronged her in the past, there was a part of Ana that longed for reconciliation, for a chance to mend the broken relationships. "You're late, the party started long ago," Ana said, her tone tinged with a hint of reproach. Her mother turned to her, her eyes filled with warmth and regret. "I know, Ana, and I'm sorry. But seeing you now, looking so beautiful and radiant, I couldn't help but be filled with pride and joy. You're glowing like a new bride, my dear. I want to give you all my blessings and wishes, and I pray that God, if there is one, will shower you with happiness for the rest of your life." Ana felt a lump form in her throat as her mother enveloped her in a warm embrace. It had been so long since they had shared such a moment, since Ana had felt the comforting embrace of her mother's arms and the familiar scent th
***** The party began with a flurry of guests and media personnel, all abuzz with the shocking revelation that Richard Hill had been secretly married for years. The news was a stark contrast to his highly publicized engagement with Miss Emilia, which turned out to be a complete hoax. "Mr. Hill, this is quite the surprise!" a reporter exclaimed, approaching Richard, who stood among his friends, holding a glass of whiskey. He looked every bit the charismatic figure, exuding an almost godlike presence. Richard smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I suppose I’ve always had a knack for surprises." The reporter leaned in, eager for more details. "I believe there will be many wedding photos you would love to share with us. How did you manage to keep your marriage a secret for so long?" Richard chuckled softly. "It wasn't easy, I assure you. But sometimes, the most important things in life are worth the extra effort to keep private. My wife and I valued our privacy above all
*****One month later; There was a grand celebration at Hill Mansion, where Richard used to live. Grandmother had already arranged the event for Richard and Ana, so they couldn't cancel the party despite their initial plans. Richard had been bedridden for a month, resting. When he finally decided to take a vacation, Grandmother's request delayed their departure by a couple of days."Ana, what is taking you so long to pick a dress for the party?" Phoebe asked, clearly stressed. Ana's indifference and laid-back attitude about the event were getting on her nerves."This dress makes me feel like a billionaire," Ana grumbled, flopping onto the bed. "It's too much. I prefer a low-profile look."Phoebe sighed, exasperated. "Ana, this isn't just any party. Grandmother has called the media to announce your marriage. Can't you make an exception just this once?"Ana looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "I know, Phoebe. I just don't want to stand out too much. But for Richard, I'll
****** "Are you alright?" Sonia asked Mason, who had just undergone surgery to remove a bullet from his arm. Despite his critical condition, no one had come to visit him except for Selena. "I don’t need your sympathy," Mason replied coldly. "Knowing about my health won’t gain you anything. You can leave." Sonia frowned, feeling hurt by his harsh words. "Mason, I’m not here to gain anything. I was with you the entire time, talking to the doctors and making sure you were okay." Mason’s expression softened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a scowl. "Why would you do that? I didn’t ask for your help." Sonia took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "You didn’t have to ask. I care about you, Mason. I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing while you were fighting for your life." Mason looked away, his jaw tightening. "You shouldn’t care. It only makes things more complicated." Sonia stepped closer, her eyes filled with determination. "Why? Why does it have to be complicat
******Ana blushed further, like a young girl who had just felt her heart flutter upon hearing the truth from the man she had taken a liking to."Then who was that girl with you, and why did you let her touch you?" Ana asked, her brow furrowed in displeasure."She was Mr. Warner's daughter," Richard explained gently. "I met with her to discuss the letters from our fathers. Her touching me was accidental. I quickly moved away, worried my body might react again. It wasn't the right time to fall ill," he added with a soft smile."The blood clot in your brain was the reason for this unusual reaction in your body. It was never your disease," Ana revealed the truth to Richard.Richard smiled lightly, causing Ana to raise her eyebrows in confusion. "What’s so funny about what I said?" she asked."Are you hiding something from me?" Ana probed, her voice tinged with concern."No, I'm not hiding anything," Richard replied, his smile fading into a more serious expression. "When I read the letter
******It had been two long days since Richard was staying to the emergency room. Following the surgery, Ana had instructed everyone that he needed ample time to rest and recover, so they had purposefully kept him sedated to aid his healing process.On the morning of the third day, Richard's fingers twitched, signaling the first signs of awakening. Slowly, he opened his eyes, the room coming into soft focus around him. As his vision cleared, he noticed an abundance of flowers surrounding his bed, their vibrant colors filling the room.He sat up with a cold expression, immediately sensing something was amiss. Reaching up, his hand brushed the side of his head, where he discovered a significant chunk of hair missing. Confusion clouded his mind as he tried to piece together what had happened.Just then, a nurse entered the room, her cheerful demeanor contrasting with his bewilderment. "Sir, you're awake! We've been expecting this. How are you feeling?" she asked with a bright smile."Wha
*****"Ana," Phoebe called softly, tugging lightly at Ana's hand as she stepped out in her surgical gown."Are you really sure about this?" Phoebe's voice trembled with concern. "What if Richard doesn't even remember you? Do you want to go through with it so hastily?" Her eyes were filled with worry, her brow furrowed as she stared at Ana's face for reassurance."His life means everything to me," Ana said, taking a deep breath. "Right now, it doesn't matter to me whether he recognizes me when he wakes up or not. I'll accept whatever fate has in store for us."Phoebe looked at her friend, noticing the cold, almost clinical expression on Ana's face. It was a look she'd seen before—one Ana wore whenever she prepared for a major work. Ana believed that feelings and emotions had no place in critical moments, and today was no exception."But Ana," Phoebe pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation, "how can you be so detached about this? This isn't just any operation. This is Richard. Your R
"I had very carefully put Ana to bed last night," Sonia said with confidence. "I'm sure whatever happened must have occurred this morning. At the same time, I messaged Jackson and asked him to send you home," she explained, her voice steady. She had left Ana safely in another room before heading over to Mason's room. However, when she returned to Ana's room in the morning, she didn't find her there, which made her think Ana might have left for home. Phoebe looked puzzled. "So, you're saying Ana was fine when you left her?" "Yes," Sonia confirmed. "I made sure she was safe and asleep. I wouldn't have left her otherwise." Phoebe's voice quivered as she spoke, "I'm sorry if I sound judgmental, but I can't shake this feeling that I should have been more careful last night." Tears welled up in her eyes as she fretted over what could have happened to Ana while she was safe at home. Sonia responded with empathy, "I understand. Right now, all we can do is hope and pray for the best." She r