Knoxville POV As we made our way to the mall to oversee the recent sales, my mind drifted into a world of its own, consumed by thoughts and worries. The sound of Henry's voice broke through my reverie, "Sir, you have a call."I turned to him, my expression questioning, my eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. "Who is it?" I demanded, my tone firm and authoritative.Henry's expression remained neutral. "Your dad," he replied, his voice even.I let out a dismissive snort, my lips curling into a scoff. What could my dad possibly want? I grabbed the phone from Henry's outstretched hand, my fingers wrapping around it with a sense of reluctance. I clicked the answer button, my voice firm. "Dad, what now?"The line crackled to life, my dad's voice booming through the speaker, his tone laced with a hint of annoyance. "Why does it take you so long to answer my call?" he asked, his words dripping with expectation.I sighed inwardly, my patience wearing thin. What was the urgency? I demanded, my tone
Electra POV As we strolled through the bustling mall, Gladys's eyes widened with excitement, scanning the vibrant displays and colorful storefronts. She tugged on my hand, her tiny voice filled with eagerness. "Mummy, please can I pick a doll?" she asked, her gaze fixed on the toy section.I took a deep breath, hesitating for a moment as she pointed towards the crowded shelves stacked with an array of dolls. "I don't know how to pick dolls, babe," I admitted, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "Or did you perhaps know how to?" I asked, hoping she might have some insight.Gladys nodded her head negatively, her pigtails bobbing with the motion. Her big brown eyes looked up at me, pleading. "Please, mummy, let's try it out," she begged, her small hands clasped together in anticipation.I couldn't resist her charming smile, so I relented, and we both walked towards the toy section, ready to embark on the adventure of finding the perfect doll together.I inserted the money and attempted to retrie
Knoxville POV Mr. Lionel, our most esteemed and lucrative client, strode into the study where we had been waiting for him, his presence commanding attention. His tall, imposing figure and stern expression exuded an air of superiority, making me feel like a subordinate."I must have kept you waiting, I was busy with something," he said, his deep voice firm and unapologetic, without a hint of remorse or courtesy. His piercing gaze swept the room, as if daring anyone to challenge him.I wasn't surprised by his brusque demeanor; his rudeness was legendary, and I had grown accustomed to tolerating it out of respect for my father and the significant business he brought to our company.I couldn't help but wonder, however, what had forged the strong bond between him and my father, necessitating these personal visits to his opulent study, adorned with lavish artwork and polished mahogany furniture. "Mr. Lionel, hope no problem, it's been a while since you've visited the company, so I decided
Knoxville seethed with indignation as he slid into the car, his anger simmering just below the surface. He couldn't believe the audacity of Mr. Lionel, thinking he was entitled to arrange a marriage between him and his daughter. The very idea that their relationship could go beyond business and into the realm of family ties was laughable. Knoxville's gut twisted with disgust as he thought about it.He wanted to order the driver to take off, to get as far away from the absurd proposal as possible, but he knew he had to wait for his father. So he sat, fuming, his eyes fixed on the door as he waited for his father to emerge.After a few minutes, Mr. Ricardo finally appeared, his guards opening the door for him with a nod. "Why did you walk out like that?" he asked, his voice even but laced with a hint of curiosity.Knoxville scoffed, his expression incredulous. "Because I wasn't interested in that discussion," he replied, his tone dripping with disdain. He couldn't believe his father wa
After trudging along for about 15 minutes, Henry finally spoke up, his voice laced with exasperation. "Aren't we supposed to take a taxi? We can't continue walking like this," he said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.Knoxville chuckled, a low, husky sound, and continued walking without breaking stride. "I told you to let me be, you should have gone with them," he replied, his tone dismissive.Henry's concern deepened as he struggled to keep up with Knoxville's brisk pace. "How many miles are you going to go? You're going to get tired," Henry said, his breathing growing heavier.Knoxville didn't slow down, his eyes fixed on some point ahead. "That's my business. It's all my decision," he said curtly, without waiting up.Henry stood there, mopping the sweat from his brow before taking off after Knoxville. "I need water! I'm thirsty," Henry said, his voice tinged with desperation.Knoxville finally stopped and turned around, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at Henry. "What kind of PA a
Gladys's eyes sparkled with excitement as she tugged on her mother's hand. "Mum, please let's go to the park! I want to see what it looks like. I want to know if it's comparable to the ones we visited in England," she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and enthusiasm.Electra raised an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance flickering across her face. "We can go there some other time, Gladys," she replied, her tone dismissive.But Gladys was insistent. She shook her head negatively, her ponytail bobbing behind her. "No, Mum, please let's go today. You promised me we'd spend quality time together today, and we have plenty of time left. I don't want to go back to the house now," she pleaded, her voice rising with determination.Gladys's eyes locked onto her mother's, her gaze unwavering. She could see the hesitation in Electra's expression and knew she had to persuade her. "Please, Mum? It'll be fun, I promise!" she added, her smile charming and irresistible.Electra's expression softened, he
"Alright," Knoxville said, rising from his seat with a casual air. He strode away, Henry trailing closely behind. The moment they departed, Gladys darted into the vacated spot, her bright eyes shining with excitement."Mum, I love this place!" she squealed in her signature baby tone, bouncing up and down. Electra's gaze lingered on her daughter's joyful face, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Memories of how she had once chosen this very spot with Knoxville resurfaced, flooding her veins with a surge of anger and resentment.Her eyes narrowed, the tension in her body palpable. "Baby, we can't stay here," she said, her voice laced with a forced calm. "Let's find somewhere else. There are plenty of other places to have fun." With a gentle tug, she grasped Gladys's hand, her fingers tightening around her daughter's as she steered her away from the painful reminder.Electra's eyes flashed with a mix of emotions - hurt, anger, and betrayal - as she navigated the crowded space.Gladys's e
Few days later Knoxville stormed into his father's office, his eyes blazing with fury as he took in the scene before him. His father, Mr. Richardo, sat behind his massive mahogany desk, a calm and collected expression on his face. Maxwell sat in one of the leather chairs, a smug look on his face, his arms crossed over his chest."What's going on here?" Knoxville demanded, his deep voice dripping with hostility as he glared at Maxwell. His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw working with suppressed anger."Have a seat, Knoxville," Mr. Richardo instructed, his voice firm but measured, gesturing to the empty chair beside Maxwell.Knoxville's eyes narrowed, his gaze darting between his father and Maxwell. "Why? You know I can't be here with him," he insisted, his voice rising in indignation. "What is he doing here, anyway?""Are you saying I can't talk to my two sons at the same time?" Mr. Richardo asked, his voice rising in surprise, his eyebrows shooting up in incredulity."You should
Knoxville lounged on his plush couch, eyes fixed on the TV as he flipped through channels in his spacious living room. The soft glow of the screen cast a warm light on his chiseled features. Suddenly, his phone rang out loud, shattering the tranquility.He checked the caller ID, his expression shifting from relaxation to curiosity. It was his father's personal assistant. Knoxville's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he wondered what could prompt the call.He clicked the answer button, placing the phone to his ear. "Hello, Knoxville," a deep, professional voice said.Knoxville sat up straight, eyes narrowing. "What's the issue? You don't just call without a reason," he asked, tone firm, face filled with curiosity."Did you know about the case involving your mother and her ex-husband?" the voice asked, its tone neutral but with a hint of underlying significance."Yes, the one I asked you about not quite long ago," Knoxville replied, his curiosity piqued."Yes," the voice confirmed. "What ab
The attorney plugged the flash drive into his work laptop and began to watch the footage, his eyes fixed intently on the screen. His expression remained neutral, a mask of professionalism that betrayed no emotion. Maxwell watched him, his own eyes narrowed in anticipation, as the attorney watched the video from start to finish.As the footage ended, Maxwell couldn't help but ask, "So, what do you think?" He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his eyes locked on the attorney's face.Gomez leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together as he considered his response. "I think you would have had a pretty strong case years ago," he said finally, his voice measured and deliberate. "But unfortunately, not now." His words were like a dash of cold water, and Maxwell's face fell as he realized that the attorney was not as optimistic as he had hoped."What do you mean?" Maxwell asked, his voice laced with concern as he sat up straight, his eyes locked intently on the attorney. He d
The ride to Leo's place to retrieve the videos was surprisingly short, but what followed was an agonizingly long and intense viewing session. Maxwell's eyes were glued to the screen as he watched the incriminating footage, his mind racing with the endless possibilities. He couldn't believe the goldmine he had stumbled upon – this was the ammunition he needed to bring Knoxville down.As the last frames of the video flickered away, Maxwell's face twisted into a sly grin. He felt an overwhelming sense of triumph and vindication. This was it – the key to unlocking his revenge."Thanks, Uncle Leo," Maxwell said, standing up from the worn couch, his voice dripping with sincerity. "I'll be off now." He paused, his eyes locking onto Leo's, a hint of a threat lurking beneath the surface. "Let's keep this little transaction between us, shall we?""Alright, use this to your advantage," Leo cautioned, his voice laced with a mix of concern and encouragement. "Don't do anything stupid," he added, h
As Maxwell continued to fling everything in his path, Leo walked in, stopping him from breaking anything more. "Stop it," he said firmly, grabbing the lamp from Maxwell's hands and placing it on the stool. "Why are you acting like this? What the hell is going on?" he asked, trying to calm his nephew down.Maxwell's chest heaved with anger and frustration, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. He seemed to be on the verge of exploding, his emotions simmering just below the surface. Leo's calm and authoritative tone seemed to be the only thing holding him back from unleashing his full fury.It seems you meant to say Maxwell instead of Mathew. Here's the revised paragraph:Maxwell was too angry to calm down, so he continued to pace the room, anger clouding his mind and his judgment. He couldn't think. All he felt was rage. Rage for his father, Knoxville, the lawyer, and the PA. The image of Knoxville smiling as the PA spoke ill of his character appeared in his mind, and he began to p
Maxwell's face turned a deep shade of red as he spluttered in outrage, his eyes bulging with indignation. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, his voice rising to a near-shout. "My father would never say such things! This is all just a fabrication, a lie to keep me from my rightful place as chairman!"The PA and lawyer exchanged a sympathetic glance, their expressions softening as they gazed at Maxwell's distraught face. The PA spoke up, his voice gentle but firm. "Your father wishes for you to change your ways and become a better man, Maxwell. He wants you to learn from your mistakes and grow as a person. And if possible, he hopes you can learn to love and live in harmony with your brother."Maxwell's expression turned even more incredulous, his eyes wide with disdain. "Love and live in harmony with him?" he repeated, his voice dripping with scorn. "You expect me to just forgive and forget everything he's done to me?"The lawyer stepped forward, his eyes locked on Maxwell's fac
Maxwell's eyes widened in outrage as he directed his question to his late father's PA, his voice trembling with indignation. "How can this be possible?" he demanded, his face reddening with anger.The PA, a man with a stern expression and a hint of a sympathetic gaze, looked at Maxwell and shrugged, as if he'd been waiting for the opportunity to speak. "Well," he began, his voice measured and calm, "when your father was alive, he was watching the both of you carefully, to see who was competent enough to carry his legacy."Maxwell's face fell, his eyes flashing with anger and hurt, as the PA continued. "And I'm not sure how to put this kindly, but you weren't the chosen one, unfortunately, Mr. Maxwell." The PA's words were like a slap in the face, and Maxwell's expression reflected the shock and pain he felt.The PA's expression turned somber, his voice taking on a serious tone. "According to your father, you proved to be easily bought and incompetent in many ways." The words hung in t
Knoxville POV I turned to face Maxwell, my eyes locked on his, as I delivered the scathing rebuke. "Your hands are dirty, Maxwell," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "That's the only reason you have the people's vote, not because you're competent to be the chairman." I paused, my gaze piercing through his facade. "They know you're an easy target, a puppet they can manipulate to do their bidding. That's all you really are to them, and that's why they'll support your attempt at a coup."Maxwell's face twisted in rage, his eyes bulging with indignation. But I wasn't finished yet. "You're right, I don't have the authority to return their shares," I continued, my voice unwavering. "But I've brought my father's PA, the acting CEO, to set the record straight." I turned to gesture to the acting CEO, who stood beside his lawyer, their faces stern and professional. "Let's hear from them, shall we?" I said, my eyes never leaving Maxwell's face, daring him to challenge me further.He cleared h
Knoxville POV I stood tall, my eyes scanning the room with a piercing gaze, my voice low and even. "Is anyone going to speak?" I asked again, my tone dripping with a hint of annoyance, though my face remained impassive. I was already aware of the dynamics at play, but I pretended otherwise, savoring the discomfort that radiated from the others like a palpable force.The air was thick with tension as I paused, letting the silence hang heavy over the group. I knew they hadn't been expecting me to show up, and that was precisely why I had chosen to make an entrance. The element of surprise was a powerful tool, and I wielded it with precision.As I swept my gaze around the room, my eyes lingered on each face, searching for any sign of weakness or guilt. The others shifted uncomfortably under my scrutiny, their eyes darting towards each other before quickly looking away."Nobody?" I repeated, my voice a little louder, a little sharper. My displeasure simmered just below the surface, waiti
Knoxville I gazed out the window, my mind consumed by the looming threat of Maxwell's power play. "My best guess is because he can," I muttered, my voice laced with frustration. "He knows he has a lot of people that would support him in an instant. They all think he is some kind of saint." Henry's expression was somber, and I knew he shared my concern.Henry nodded in agreement. "Maxwell does have a lot of supporters, sir. And when it comes down to it, he'll probably get the unanimous vote." His words hung in the air like a challenge, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. Maxwell might have the upper hand for now, but I was far from defeated.I turned to face Henry, my eyes narrowing as I considered our next move. "He's that great a pretender," I said, my voice dripping with disdain. Maxwell's ability to manipulate others was impressive, but I knew his facade wouldn't last forever.Just then, Henry's voice broke into my thoughts. "You look worried, sir." I felt a fli