June 12, 2024. Chapter 2-2. Thank you for waiting. Who is this William Barlowe? I guess, we will know more in tomorrow's chapters.
"William, you need to leave," Claire said, holding her ground. "Is this how you repay me, Claire? After everything I've offered you?" William's voice cracked with emotional distress as he forcefully entered the villa. "Why, Claire? Why did you do this to me?"Claire was in a panic. She kept looking past the door and the villa's gate, worried if Brian would turn up. "You - you wouldn't leave your wife!" Claire snapped. "What was I supposed to do, William? Will I be your mistress forever?""Whose house is this?" William's voice filled with disbelief as he scanned the lavish furnishing around the villa. "Does your new man know about us? He must be someone much richer than me and maybe much older!""You are wrong, William! You are wrong! I'm with a better man. He loves me, and I love him too!" Claire kneeled on the floor, begging, "Please, leave me alone, William. Set me free. I am happy now."William nearly pulled his hair out of frustration. He took a full turn and screamed, "But you l
"What's going on with Riley, Brian?" Claire's voice was laced with concern, her eyes searching for answers. She and Brian were in the living room, talking. Brian took a deep breath. He looked sideways and then back again to Claire. In each second that passed, Claire understood that Brian was second-guessing their relationship. They had their first fight just over a week ago, thanks to her little party at the house. Back then, Brian was so mad. He made it a point to remind her that she had no right to invite people without permission. Only after their disagreement did Claire realize she had overstepped her boundaries. After all, Brian had not married her yet."There is a problem with the company, and I don't know if I can handle it without Riley," Brian said. "Our VIP clients are not ordering from our recent limited edition pieces. What if -""Brian, you are not thinking about getting back with Riley, are you?" Claire stood up and walked over to Brian's side. She embraced him and wep
"What?" Zia asked in shock. "Say that again.""We are getting married on Wednesday, and I'm inviting you to our engagement dinner tomorrow and our wedding," Riley repeated. Before heading home that night, Riley dropped by the hospital to check on her mother. At the same time, to formally invite Zia. Zia's mouth rounded. Then, she laughed excitedly and exclaimed, "I knew it! I knew it!"Riley was puzzled at Zia's reaction. Things only became clear to her when Zia finally voiced her inner thoughts, "I knew the Brazilian wax would work wonders, but damn! Marriage? That was still unexpected! I should get a man really quick, get eaten out, and get married ASAP.""Pffft!" Riley could not help but laugh hysterically. She said, "No, actually, it had nothing to do with me getting eaten out. We are in love!""Oh, come on!" Zia made a face that was so amusing that Riley kept on giggling. She said, "I bet it helped a lot. The boss was smitten over your taste!""Haha! I don't know what to do with
"What?" Tonet frowned. She looked around at the empty tables and chairs. "What's going on?""Where is everybody?" Fredrick asked, and even her friend, Lucy, expressed the same. "Tonet! Where have you been?" Anthony's voice cut through the silence on the right side of the ballroom. Tonet's eyes darted to the small gathering and identified Adrian, Riley, Abner, Clint, two board members, and a few unfamiliar faces. "I have been calling you!"Tonet's eyes landed on the used empty plates. When she realized the gathering was over, she asked furiously, "How can the dinner be over?""You were late, stepmother," Adrian curtly said from afar. Tonet knew they were late. That was the plan, but how could everyone be already gone? She expected to humiliate Riley in front of fifty guests, not a mere group of ten people!"The engagement dinner started at five in the afternoon. So, of course, the celebration is over!" Anthony pointed out. "Some guests were asking about your presence, and I said you w
When Anthony arrived with Abner at the engagement venue, he saw prominent figures, not just from Halliport but from other cities too. He had heard from Clint that such guests would be attending, but seeing it with his own eyes astonished him. At five-thirty in the afternoon, Adrian introduced Riley to each notable guest. Of course, Anthony and Abner followed to maintain the image of the Kings. In public events, they will always be united, regardless of their differences. "This is Mr. Cedric Ventura and his wife, Sienna," Adrian greeted the first table. "They are the founders of the Ventura Cancer Foundation of Shenmon City. They are also the owners of Ventura Mining Corp.""Mr. and Mrs. Ventura, this is my fiance, Riley." Adrian held Riley's hand before referring to him and Abner. He said, "And this is my father, Anthony, and my grandfather, Abner.""Riley!" Sienna Ventura, a woman in her mid-fifties, rose from her seat and hugged Riley. "I always love your jewelry pieces. I can't ge
When Adrian discovered his stepmother was plotting to humiliate Riley, he knew he had to come clean about Riley's recent divorce. He could always try to prevent Tonet from telling his father, but Adrian knew the truth would eventually come out. Thus, he had requested the wedding planner to give him and Riley a chance to share their story. "How did our couple meet? Was it love at first sight?" The host asked. "Let's give the floor to our engaged couple, Mister Adrian King and Miss Riley Allen."They were settled at the frontmost table. Riley's nervousness was noticeable. So, Adrian leaned closer and whispered, "It's going to be okay, Riley. They will understand."The couple moved to the center of the ballroom. Adrian, in his wheelchair, stood beside Riley while she shared how they first met. She smiled and said, "I met Adrian seven years ago in marketing class. He -" Riley flushed. She shrugged and revealed, "He challenged me."She told the story about how they ended up doing their ma
Adrian was stunned by his father's reaction. It was rare for Anthony to accept his decision because marrying Riley was the opposite of what his father wanted. After all, he wanted Adrian to marry Leni Eros.'Did my plan work? Did I manage to show him that Riley had the qualities to be my wife?' Adrian pondered, his mind filled with uncertainty. Unfortunately, he didn't have the luxury of time to dwell on these thoughts as Anthony suddenly suggested he was tired. "Let's go home. I want to rest now. You both can eat at the house," Anthony said, referring to Tonet and Fredrick. He glanced at Abner and announced, "Father, we shall leave." As he turned his heel, he said, "Adrian, Riley. We shall go." Anthony did not look at Adrian. It was as if his father was ashamed to have sided with him. However, whether or not it was an isolated case, Adrian saw it as an opportunity. Adrian moved his wheelchair to chase after his father, who had already exited the ballroom. At the lobby, Adrian caug
Earlier, at Anthony's mansion. Anthony couldn't sleep. The truth was, he had been struggling to rest since his confrontation with Adrian the other day. He was dog-tired, but his mind kept recounting his son's words. 'Let's face it. You haven't been a father to me for a very long time.' 'Are you really my father? If my mother were here, she would have shared my happiness. For once, do something a father would do and actually care about what I want.'What bothered him the most was how other people knew Adrian more than he did, yet he was his father!It had been two hours since he had been lying in bed, trying to sleep, but it was hopeless. Anthony got up and, instead, left the room he shared with Tonet. He went to the master bedroom.Anthony had married Tonet, but he protected his departed wife's memories by preserving the master bedroom precisely as Freya had kept it. When the door to the room opened, Anthony smiled. Memories of Freya's beaming face flooded his mind. Anthony did no