Melinda sat motionless, her hands pressed against her blistering skin, eyes wide with disbelief. “You… You slapped me?” she whispered, her voice trembling as she spoke.“And I’ll slap you again if you push me!” Amelia sneered, her face twisted in rage. With her hands clenched by her sides, she stepped closer, dominating over Melinda.“You truly believe he loves you?! Girl… he feels sorry for you. You really think someone like…you, would be taken seriously by him? A billionaire and CEO of the biggest bank in this country?!”Every single word Amelia spat out pierced Melinda’s soul as tears kept flowing down her cheeks, her gaze locked on Amelia.Amelia wasn't finished, she drew closer to Melinda, and with her voice leaking with contempt, she spat,“Ask him for the picture of his late wife, Jessica. Sis…you don't come close! He has a type and you're at the very bottom! Once he’s done with you, he’ll spit you out like the trash you are!”Amelia adjusted herself, her eyes scanning Melinda
“I-I needed the money!” Karen blurted out, breaking the heavy silence that descended the hall. Everybody's gaze was fixated on her, all filled with cold, accusatory glares.“W-who wouldn't! I was in dire need of money so I took a little…That doesn't automatically mean I have anything to do with it!” She stuttered as her tone increased with every word. “It felt like a miracle, and I was desperate so I took it.” She continued, her words spilling out in a rush, filled with defensiveness.The atmosphere in the room felt tense as everyone’s haze remained locked on her, judging her. To them, her statements sounded like someone who was mentally deranged.Ethan was the first to break the silence. “Mr. Collins, you heard her right? This woman knows about the child trafficking and money laundering cartel. Nobody in their right senses takes money that doesn't belong to them!” Ethan uttered as he leaned in, tapping the table with intention, his gaze firmly fixed on Collins.“We are only just a
Melinda paused, her gaze still on Ryan as she tried to understand what he meant. “What do you mean by he is dangerous?” She muttered, her tone careful.Ryan let out a dark laugh. “Melinda, you have no idea who you're dealing with and honestly I feel sorry for you.” He said as he leaned back a bit, his voice heavy with scorn.“Your husband has been in prison for days and it is now you come to see him,” he continued.“You’re the one to talk! When I was in the hospital due to your constant humiliation, did you come to see me?” Melinda fired back, her time sharp and unexpected.Ryan was taken aback, staring at her momentarily before smirking. “Wow… you're talking back at me now? He must be fucking you good… giving you the audacity to talk back at your husband.” He spoke, his words soaked in sarcasm.Melinda readjusted herself, her grip on the phone tightening. “I’m not sleeping with my boss, Ryan. I Don't know where this is coming from but just stop,” she mumbled.Ryan’s eyes didn't leave
Ryan quickly pulled away, his expression showing some sort of relief to escape her even though he was still consumed with desire.“Hello? Yes…. That's good to hear”, he said stepping out of the bedroom, his backside swaying as he left.Melinda fell onto the bed, her body still deeply aroused but frustrated. As she watched him leave the room, an unsettling feeling wobbled in her mind.Something wasn't right. She remembered Ryan making similar late-night calls for weeks up until his arrest, and now again?Who was the one calling her husband at odd hours of the night? She pondered. Determined to find out who, she got out of bed, and headed for the room door.As she stepped out of the room, Ryan was already returning to the room.“Oh, baby, y-you are back already” she stammered with a subtle chuckle.“Yes,” Ryan responded as he headed for his pajama pants on the bed.“Who was that?” Melinda asked, her face twisted in curiosity.“It was my colleague at the care center, he wanted to find ou
“I’ve waited all week to do this! I’m a psycho right?! I’ll show you what a psycho looks like!” He roared, his eyes blazing with fury that overwhelmed him.Leaning forward, he grabbed Melinda by the hand from the floor and gripped her neck. Melinda felt her life slipping away, her breath stuck in her throat as her hands scratched his, digging into his arms as she kicked and fought in an attempt to free herself but he was too strong. “R-Ryan… Y-you’re hurting me…Please R-Ryan” she pleaded as she struggled to mutter the words.His eyes burned with raw rage as he tightened his grip. Her lungs burned for oxygen, and gradually her vision became blurred as she fought to stay conscious. For a moment, the only sound in the room was her weak desperate gasps as her body drained of oxygen. Then just as he grabbed her, he let her go. She crashed to the floor, gasping for air, coughing desperately, her hands on her throat as she crawled away from him. Ryan towered over her fragile little body
“W-what?! Amelia, can you stop this?!” Ethan stuttered, his hands paused mid-air, his expression filled with confusion on whether to say he loved her or not.Before he could react further, Amelia turned and stormed towards the door, her movements sharp and determined.Ethan’s instinct kicked in and he quickly stepped in her way, blocking her from moving forward.“Alright! I love you Amelia!” he exclaimed. “You do?…” Amelia whispered, her tone filled with a mixture of doubt and hope as her eyes widened. For a brief moment, the tension in the room seemed to ease. She stared deep into Ethan’s eyes as if searching for some sincerity in what he said.“Y-yes I do…” Ethan said, his voice shaky and firm at the same time. “Just don't move from here, let me deal with whoever is at the door.” He quickly turned and walked towards the door.As he opened the door, just enough to glance through, there stood Jane, his assistant, holding onto a stack of files.“Sir, here are the files you asked for,”
As the door opened, Ethan stepped out, with Amelia closely behind him. Melinda stepped back in surprise, caught unprepared. “G-Good day, boss,” she stammered nervously.“Good day, Melinda…” Ethan responded, his voice equally unsteady as his eyes widened slightly, surprised to see her. Behind him, Amelia’s expression changed to a mean look as she stared at Melinda with contempt.The three of them walked into the hallway, the tension thickening as they stood. Ethan let out a subtle sigh of relief, thankful that Melinda didn't appear a few minutes earlier.His thoughts raced as guilt engulfed him but he maintained his composure, his professional demeanor firmly placed. For a moment, there was silence, and then Melinda spoke. “I came to update you on the progress I have made concerning tracking where the money that was deposited in Mrs Karen’s account, came from,” she said, her tone direct and professional.She avoided Ethan’s gaze, and her eyes blinked briefly at Amelia before landing
“Where the fuck are you?! Aren't you supposed to be here to make my dinner before I leave for work?!” Ryan’s angry voice echoed through the phone. Melinda’s heart skipped, a familiar knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach. “I’m so sorry baby. I completely lost track of time. I'm on my way home now, just give me a few minutes.” She quickly gathered her things and left the office, hoping Ryan wasn't too upset. Melinda rushed through the front door, apologizing as she slammed the door closed. “Baby please don't get upset, I was so engrossed in work that I completely forgot I had to make you launch before you left for work”, she pleaded as she kept her handbag on the parlor table. The room went silent, the only sound being the voices of people talking on the TV. Ryan was on the couch, staring at the TV screen as he gulped his beer. For a few moments, he remained quiet and still. Then Ryan spoke. “You must think you've made it now huh? You're the first person to get a promotion r
As the door opened, Ethan stepped out, with Amelia closely behind him. Melinda stepped back in surprise, caught unprepared. “G-Good day, boss,” she stammered nervously.“Good day, Melinda…” Ethan responded, his voice equally unsteady as his eyes widened slightly, surprised to see her. Behind him, Amelia’s expression changed to a mean look as she stared at Melinda with contempt.The three of them walked into the hallway, the tension thickening as they stood. Ethan let out a subtle sigh of relief, thankful that Melinda didn't appear a few minutes earlier.His thoughts raced as guilt engulfed him but he maintained his composure, his professional demeanor firmly placed. For a moment, there was silence, and then Melinda spoke. “I came to update you on the progress I have made concerning tracking where the money that was deposited in Mrs Karen’s account, came from,” she said, her tone direct and professional.She avoided Ethan’s gaze, and her eyes blinked briefly at Amelia before landing
“W-what?! Amelia, can you stop this?!” Ethan stuttered, his hands paused mid-air, his expression filled with confusion on whether to say he loved her or not.Before he could react further, Amelia turned and stormed towards the door, her movements sharp and determined.Ethan’s instinct kicked in and he quickly stepped in her way, blocking her from moving forward.“Alright! I love you Amelia!” he exclaimed. “You do?…” Amelia whispered, her tone filled with a mixture of doubt and hope as her eyes widened. For a brief moment, the tension in the room seemed to ease. She stared deep into Ethan’s eyes as if searching for some sincerity in what he said.“Y-yes I do…” Ethan said, his voice shaky and firm at the same time. “Just don't move from here, let me deal with whoever is at the door.” He quickly turned and walked towards the door.As he opened the door, just enough to glance through, there stood Jane, his assistant, holding onto a stack of files.“Sir, here are the files you asked for,”
“I’ve waited all week to do this! I’m a psycho right?! I’ll show you what a psycho looks like!” He roared, his eyes blazing with fury that overwhelmed him.Leaning forward, he grabbed Melinda by the hand from the floor and gripped her neck. Melinda felt her life slipping away, her breath stuck in her throat as her hands scratched his, digging into his arms as she kicked and fought in an attempt to free herself but he was too strong. “R-Ryan… Y-you’re hurting me…Please R-Ryan” she pleaded as she struggled to mutter the words.His eyes burned with raw rage as he tightened his grip. Her lungs burned for oxygen, and gradually her vision became blurred as she fought to stay conscious. For a moment, the only sound in the room was her weak desperate gasps as her body drained of oxygen. Then just as he grabbed her, he let her go. She crashed to the floor, gasping for air, coughing desperately, her hands on her throat as she crawled away from him. Ryan towered over her fragile little body
Ryan quickly pulled away, his expression showing some sort of relief to escape her even though he was still consumed with desire.“Hello? Yes…. That's good to hear”, he said stepping out of the bedroom, his backside swaying as he left.Melinda fell onto the bed, her body still deeply aroused but frustrated. As she watched him leave the room, an unsettling feeling wobbled in her mind.Something wasn't right. She remembered Ryan making similar late-night calls for weeks up until his arrest, and now again?Who was the one calling her husband at odd hours of the night? She pondered. Determined to find out who, she got out of bed, and headed for the room door.As she stepped out of the room, Ryan was already returning to the room.“Oh, baby, y-you are back already” she stammered with a subtle chuckle.“Yes,” Ryan responded as he headed for his pajama pants on the bed.“Who was that?” Melinda asked, her face twisted in curiosity.“It was my colleague at the care center, he wanted to find ou
Melinda paused, her gaze still on Ryan as she tried to understand what he meant. “What do you mean by he is dangerous?” She muttered, her tone careful.Ryan let out a dark laugh. “Melinda, you have no idea who you're dealing with and honestly I feel sorry for you.” He said as he leaned back a bit, his voice heavy with scorn.“Your husband has been in prison for days and it is now you come to see him,” he continued.“You’re the one to talk! When I was in the hospital due to your constant humiliation, did you come to see me?” Melinda fired back, her time sharp and unexpected.Ryan was taken aback, staring at her momentarily before smirking. “Wow… you're talking back at me now? He must be fucking you good… giving you the audacity to talk back at your husband.” He spoke, his words soaked in sarcasm.Melinda readjusted herself, her grip on the phone tightening. “I’m not sleeping with my boss, Ryan. I Don't know where this is coming from but just stop,” she mumbled.Ryan’s eyes didn't leave
“I-I needed the money!” Karen blurted out, breaking the heavy silence that descended the hall. Everybody's gaze was fixated on her, all filled with cold, accusatory glares.“W-who wouldn't! I was in dire need of money so I took a little…That doesn't automatically mean I have anything to do with it!” She stuttered as her tone increased with every word. “It felt like a miracle, and I was desperate so I took it.” She continued, her words spilling out in a rush, filled with defensiveness.The atmosphere in the room felt tense as everyone’s haze remained locked on her, judging her. To them, her statements sounded like someone who was mentally deranged.Ethan was the first to break the silence. “Mr. Collins, you heard her right? This woman knows about the child trafficking and money laundering cartel. Nobody in their right senses takes money that doesn't belong to them!” Ethan uttered as he leaned in, tapping the table with intention, his gaze firmly fixed on Collins.“We are only just a
Melinda sat motionless, her hands pressed against her blistering skin, eyes wide with disbelief. “You… You slapped me?” she whispered, her voice trembling as she spoke.“And I’ll slap you again if you push me!” Amelia sneered, her face twisted in rage. With her hands clenched by her sides, she stepped closer, dominating over Melinda.“You truly believe he loves you?! Girl… he feels sorry for you. You really think someone like…you, would be taken seriously by him? A billionaire and CEO of the biggest bank in this country?!”Every single word Amelia spat out pierced Melinda’s soul as tears kept flowing down her cheeks, her gaze locked on Amelia.Amelia wasn't finished, she drew closer to Melinda, and with her voice leaking with contempt, she spat,“Ask him for the picture of his late wife, Jessica. Sis…you don't come close! He has a type and you're at the very bottom! Once he’s done with you, he’ll spit you out like the trash you are!”Amelia adjusted herself, her eyes scanning Melinda
The atmosphere became heavy with unease, the silence suffocating. Everyone in the hall stared at Ethan, their gaze sharp and crammed with rage beneath, waiting to erupt depending on what he said next.Ethan’s eyes fiercely locked on Amelia’s mother as he broke the silence, his voice cold and firm. “Mrs Deborah,” he growled…“I am not marrying your daughter and you need to get that into your head!”The calm in the room immediately erupted into chaos with Amelia’s brother, Robert, and her father, Dash, jumping on their feet almost at once, their faces distorted in severe rage. Their voices echoed loudly, engulfing the hall with their outrage. “How dare you speak to my mother like that?! Are you mad?!” Robert yelled, his fists tightening at his sides.“Do you even know whose wife you're disrespecting?!” Mr Dash roared, his voice soaked in venom as he trembled with rage.Ethan stood tall, unfazed, and unbothered. He didn't flinch or move, he just stood there, his eyes blazing red with a
Melinda sensed Ethan’s body tense up, his focus abruptly shifting away from her. She quickly halted as her gaze followed Ethan’s to the door entrance. On seeing Amelia, her eyes widened in disbelief as she quickly stood up, her cheeks blushing in shame.Amelia regained herself, her chest heavy with the weight of what she had just seen. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she took a step back. Without saying a word, she turned and ran away, her high-pitched cries echoing through the hotel corridors.——The soft, tingling sound of a spoon striking a glass broke through the low murmur of conversations, drawing everyone’s attention to the head of the table. Mr. Silas Blackwood cleared his throat, his presence commanding the room. “Thank you all for coming, I’m honored,” He started, his tone smooth and composed, carrying an aura of quiet authority.“Today’s my sixty-fifth birthday, and I couldn’t be more grateful to celebrate this milestone with every one of you… my family.”He paused, his