Carbon dioxide?How? That's very dangerous! Grandpa could die!“Let me have a look.” Without wasting a second, I shoved through the crowd of nurses and checked the heart monitor machine. As expected, the old man’s heartbeat was irregular but not so weird as to cause a panic.In fact, his slowed heartbeat was restoring to normal gradually. Still, the need to admit quick medication to dispel the strange gas from his system is vital. He must have inhaled the gas for two or three seconds, otherwise, he wouldn't have survived if the oxygen mask had been on for long.“This is strange. Who could have replaced the actual oxygen with smoke?” Dr. Natasha expressed the same thoughts bothering me. Even the nurses were confused as they all stared at each other with furrowed brows.“Such a thing has never happened before!” “The workers never made such a huge mistake.”“What's happening then?”“Who could have tampered with the oxygen bank?”“Do you think the old man's life is in danger?”“Is s
…Theo's POV I shouldn't have placed my phone on silent last night if I knew I would wake up to so many missed calls from the hospital director. Staring at the thirty missed call notifications, my apprehension knew no bounds.Grandpa…What if? I had no time to make any assumptions. As I got out of the bed, I rushed straight into the bathroom.I washed up immediately, dressed up and hurried out. “Going to work so early? Are you trying to ditch me, Theo?” I came to a halt, almost crashing into the boy on my way downstairs. He was still in his pajamas, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Damn. Why is he out of bed early?I could tell him yes, and he would insist on following me to work.If I told him no, he could bombard me with questions about where I'm going and insist in the end to follow me. “Be good. I'll come back soon.” I reached out and ruffled his hair, but the boy didn't seem to like it as he shoved my hand off. “From the looks of it, you're trying to ditch me. When are you gonna
…Jessica's POV ‘Theo must be on his way to the hospital.’That was the first thought that came to my mind when I saw his car racing out of the Villa. I was on my way there to complete his mother's mission since the woman was so dumb that she couldn't get a single strand of hair from a little boy. She had managed to lure Theo to the mansion and he even went there with that boy,But she subsequently failed in her mission of taking a sample for the DNA test.Theo seems to have left the Villa without the boy which means I would get the chance to be with him alone. But I contemplated whether to enter the Villa or not. In the end, my curiosity got the best of me.The boy could wait, and I had to find out why Theo was in such a hurry.I trailed after him with my car, unable to catch up despite racing, until we got stuck in traffic.Still, Theo arrived at the hospital before me. From the way he was speeding the car, it could only mean one thing. The old man must have died already. Well,
…Theo's POV And here I am racing down the city again like a madman.Could this morning get any worse?How did he fall off the stairs?What was the housekeeper doing?I'm sure the boy wouldn't jump on the stairs railings to play. The stairs were pretty sturdy and large… There was no way he could fall by accident.But I told him to behave. Sigh! With the way my heart keeps racing, maybe I'll end up in the hospital next. My phone beeped constantly with the hospital director's name flashing on the screen.He was calling again. Well, after realizing that my grandfather is fine, I have no interest in answering his calls-Not when the little boy's life might be in danger.Why am I so worried, though?What's this feeling of dread building up in my heart?I'm rarely fazed by disasters. I never panicked easily. My grandfather is the only person who's capable of waking my emotions. Why does the boy get involved? Am I becoming soft? In ten minutes, I was back in the Villa. Now it wasn't o
Right!It doesn't add up. How did Jessica know that he fell off the stairs when she wasn't even here?At first, I thought Jessica followed me to the hospital after coming to the Villa and witnessing the boy fall.She wouldn't have mistaken the housekeeper for a little boy like Dave. By the way, the housekeeper happened to fall off the stairs just as I entered the house. Which meant that before I left the hospital, no accident had happened yet. Indeed, nothing adds up.Sitting up straight, my brows furrowed as I wondered if I was the one thinking in the wrong direction. Could it be…“The one who told you that I fell off the stairs must have planned it. Was that spilled soap meant for me?” Dave pondered. That was a dangerous assumption even for a little boy. But he wasn't completely wrong. Even my mind was telling me the same thing. Jessica wouldn't lie to me, would she?Back then, she came in hastily and dragged me out- Damn, I don't want to recall that kiss… It felt as if somet
…Olivia's POVPhew!That was a close call.A very close one. Removing my face mask, I slumped on the couch as my head spun with so many thoughts…What if?What if Theo had seen me?What if he'd realized I was the one?What if Jessica hadn't barged in and distracted him? What if I hadn't gone there in the first place?What if I'd followed Ethan's advice and just left Grandpa’s care in Dr. Natasha’s hands?But now that Grandpa Victor's condition was becoming complicated, I couldn't trust anyone with his well-being. I don't look down on Dr. Natasha’s skills, but my mind won't be at ease if I'm not nearby to make sure Grandpa Victor is alright.What happened yesterday scared everyone.Although I suspected Theo and expressed my thoughts, I didn't expect Dr. Davison to go ahead and still summon Theo. If I knew Theo was in that ward, I would have hidden somewhere and waited until he left.For the first time, I saw the man I'd wished never to see again. Although I could only look at his
…Theo's POV No time to focus or work.I wouldn't have come to the company if my attention wasn't urgently needed at the meeting between the managers today.Clearly, a conflict broke out between the manager of the finance department and the HR department. Not only that, the employees were in disagreement with each other. The higher-ups are restless for a new chairman to be chosen.The junior employees are contending with each other, and some of them even disappointed one of our major customers yesterday. The company is falling apart.Grandpa's health isn't getting any better. When I answered the hospital director’s call later on yesterday and he told me what was happening, imagine my disbelief.Someone is out there trying to get rid of Grandpa. That person could be anyone; One of the board of directors, our business rivals, or someone else who's powerful and gutsy enough to do such a thing. “Theo, thinking too much will kill your brain cells. Do you think that'll solve the compan
…Olivia's POV Yesterday was like a stormy day with dark clouds and lightning. I was terrified out of my skin.I was confused, hopeless, and devastated.But today seemed to be the opposite, I guess. Ever since I woke up this morning, my heart felt light, the heavy emotions were nowhere to be found.Am I supposed to feel this?Am I supposed to feel so empty all of a sudden?I'm supposed to be worried about Dave's situation. I should still be anxious that he hadn't been found yet.Why did I believe the Nanny's words?What if she was making that up only to calm me down? But the Nanny wouldn't do such a thing, would she?She could, but she couldn't fake Dave's voice.For the first time after so many days, I heard my son's voice again. Maybe that's the source of my relief.Or maybe the source of my relief is the words he told me.Who knew how Dave got those kidnappers’ phone again? The fact that he's alright is what matters the most. And the desire to listen to his voice again and agai
…Geneva, Switzerland.Olivia's POV This time I have to get it right.I won't give up trying until my son becomes perfectly innocent and less dangerous to himself or the people around him.Even if it involves bringing in a child's psychology. “Dr. Lawton, what you complained about is rare among kids his age. But it's not something new,” She explained to me. “Could it be that one of his parents was like this when they were young?”Theo sure definitely was. “There's a way to reverse it, right?” I asked, hoping her answer would be positive. If there could at least be a single way. The technology is advanced. Genetics could definitely be altered.“We can reverse it. But we wouldn't wanna tamper with the little boy's brain.” Dr. Sara chuckled. “Come on, Dr. Olivia. You might be a bit worried as the kid's mother, but Dave is perfectly fine. Many parents would give anything to have a kid as smart as him.”“My advice is…” she continued. “Let him mingle with his agemates and engage in kid
…Theo's POV Standing in front of the mirror as the stylist put the finishing touches to my tuxedo, I glanced at my wristwatch.It's almost time!Why did that word sound like a death sentence?Why am I being anxious?I thought I could calm down eventually.I thought those were just the wedding jitters happening to me in these past few days. Am I ready?In the next thirty minutes, Jessica and I will officially be husband and wife. There'll be no going back after that. Is this what I really want? “Almost done, Mr. Wellington. Oh, you look so perfect!” The stylish smiled. “Ma’am Jessica is the luckiest bride ever. You're both perfect for each other.”I couldn't even force a smile at her compliment.Not that I planned to.I glanced at the window, my gaze traveling to the decorations and the streams of people flooding into the Estate.It's like the whole U.S. citizens have come to witness our wedding day. If it was up to me, I wouldn't have invited so many guests.Not only did Jessica
…Jessica's POV Finally! It's better late than never, they'd say. I'd always hated that phrase with all my heart, but now it seemed to work in my favor.Today, I'll finally get what I've always wanted.Too good to be true, too realistic that my excitement knew no bounds. At the Golden Pearls Estate, the vast area of land was decorated with my favorite flowers, roses. Every wall, every lamppost, and every roofing wasn't left out. The altar, down to the aisle was decorated to perfection.It's such a spectacular view that would take everyone's breath away. Never have I felt this kind of joy in my whole life. Never have I felt so satisfied, seeing the jealous looks on my friends’ faces and some of my family members.Well, they're not actually my real family. Mum and Dad adopted me from an orphanage when I was six. A middle-class family wasn't something I would have gone for if I had a choice, but now, everything's gonna change.Today, I'll become Mrs. Wellington, Theo's wife. As
…Geneva, Switzerland Olivia's POV Hope Ethan is right this time.I can't help but get anxious after our phone call last night. His friend, who was supposed to do the transaction for us, suddenly decided to back out when he found out we were sending the money to Theo's account.As it turned out, Theo's influence doesn't only stop in the United States and nobody would dare mess with him. This shady transaction is definitely risky, and not even Ethan's loyal friend is willing to help us. “We'll find another way. I'm very sure of it,” Ethan assured me but my mind is still restless.Dave doesn't realize how much trouble he'd gotten us into as he still insists we use that money. “How about this, Mommy? I want to attend the best astronaut school in the world and you might not be able to afford it. Can we keep the money and use it later as my tuition fees?”“No!” I tried to remain calm, yet I still ended up pulling my air and groaning loudly. “Theo might come for us. Don't you underst
Did I hear the old man correctly?Why?How?“But, Master…” The Butler looked confused. “What about the Young Master’s future family? Jessica will surely give birth to an heir.”“That's my dumb grandson's business and not mine.” Grandpa Victor dismissed the Butler's name. And then he turned to the lawyer and continued, “This mansion… I, Victor Wellington, hereby declare that its ownership should be written in David Lawson’s name. He'll be the future patriarch of this family and not Theo Wellington.”Why is Grandpa doing this?It appears the old man is already writing his Will. Did he favor Olivia and her son that much? Would he disregard his own family members for them?Dave…David Lawson…Wait… why does that surname sound familiar?Lawson.Dr. Lawson.“Also write this down,” Grandpa Victor continued… “Olivia's son should inherit the Wellingtons' Group of Companies. Unless he chooses a different career path in the future, ensure that he becomes the Chairman of the Group in the future
Funny how I could not reply to the question.I'd finally resigned to my fate, to marry Jessica. The whole world is aware that our wedding is happening. She'd hyped it up so much that everyone believed I was madly in love with her. What's more better than acting along?Besides, my mother is right. I'm not getting any younger.And Grandpa's desire for an heir is still strong.I couldn't clearly state what I saw in Jessica. I couldn't form a lie either. “Dude, we're waiting….”All their eyes were on me, eager to hear my response. “Come on, Buddy.” Xander grinned. “Don't say she makes you speechless. It can be crazy when you're in love, but at least there has to be one or two things that got you attached.”“Don't tell me it's only because of her beauty,” Ryan exclaimed. “That's impossible. By the way, I'd heard about her obsession with plastic surgery-”“Hey, that's a lie! Is Theo Wellington blind to go for a plastic doll?” Mike stepped in to defend me.However, Ryan was right. Jess
I didn't just stop at the living room.Grabbing my car keys, I took the most low-key car and left the Villa.Nobody would be able to recognize me and no paparazzi would even take notice.I drove aimlessly around the city for several minutes, wishing it could somehow help calm my thoughts.My heart is unsettled, and so is my mind and I couldn't help but compare the past and the present.Jessica would always follow my instructions, but now she seemed to be forcing things to go her way.With my mother's backing, she does everything she wants.But, my mother has always supported her, and she was always obedient.Is this caused by Grandpa's approval?Why can't she take things slowly? After driving for hours, I pulled over in front of a place I'd promised never to come back to.But I could do with any kind of distraction at the moment. All I want is to just get rid of these frustrating thoughts.Luckily it was already evening and the sky was dark.Nobody would see me enter or exit the bar.
…Los Angeles, USA.Theo's POV Locking myself up in the Villa, and switching off my phone was all I needed to get myself back together.No need to see a Doctor to cure the constant headaches,Or a therapist to end the constant distraction. Yet, it turned out that the thing I was running from would always hunt me. Even now as I sat in the living room, every news channel I switched to was airing the same event.The charity gala and the interview. I could surf the Internet to kill time if only my walls weren't bombarded by Jessica's fans’ comments. Mountains of gifts were piled up in front of the Villa and I heard it's the same at Jessica's residence.There were one or two Paparazzi always lurking outside my home. The more the days approached, the more overwhelmingly suffocating things got. I need to breathe.I just want this to be over with as soon as possible. I turned off the TV and tossed the remote aside. I should probably be in my study room.So I stood up to go upstairs. B
…Geneva, Switzerland.Olivia's POV First things first. To avoid a storm, one has to change the direction of the boat. Dave must be lacking the basic things kids do at their age, and that must be the reason why he's acting more than his age. His school teacher reported that he rarely made any friends and did not engage in any fun activities.He'd mostly preferred to hang out in the computer room. And the Nanny told me that he never played with the toys I bought him, which was more disturbing. Dave is a smart kid, however, that was dangerous. Not only did he get himself into trouble, but also us. So to prevent the same thing from ever occurring again, I must start finding ways to make him act his age. While Ethan helped us install the new TV in the living room with an expert, I went to find Dave in his room.Ever since I told him that we're not using Theo’s money, he'd been grumpy. Even now, we're looking for safe ways to transfer the money back without alerting anyone.Of co