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
Electra had finally resumed work, and her diligence was evident in the stack of files and documents scattered across her desk. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the gentle chirping of birds outside created a soothing atmosphere.Matthew walked into her office, his footsteps quiet on the plush carpet. He closed the door behind him, his eyes locking onto Electra's as he settled into the chair opposite her desk."Hey, little bro?" Electra said, her voice warm and teasing, as she raised her head from the papers. "Why are you here?"Matthew's expression turned serious, his eyes holding a hint of secrecy. "I came here because I want to tell you something," he said, his voice low and measured.Electra's curiosity was piqued, her eyes sparkling with interest. "What's that?" she asked, her pen hovering over the paperwork.Matthew leaned back in his chair, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. "You must love gossip; see how serious you are," he teased, his voice laced with amusement.E
Knoxville POV I strode into the company, my every step exuding confidence, with Henry walking closely behind me. I maintained a serious expression as I entered the hall, where the shareholders were already seated. Maxwell sat opposite me, his eyes fixed on mine with an air of challenge. I glanced at my father's empty chair, a pang of sadness hitting me. If he weren't in the hospital, this meeting might not be necessary. I took a deep breath, composed myself, and sat down on the right-hand side, beside my father's PA, facing Maxwell. Our eyes locked in a tense stare.With a calm demeanor, I asked, "What's the purpose of this meeting?" My voice was steady, but my eyes never left Maxwell's face. I already knew the reason for the meeting, but I wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth.Maxwell's words hung in the air like a challenge. "The shareholders are talking about the chairman seat. They said it can't be empty." I scoffed, my eyes narrowing in disdain. He's exactly like his mother,
Knoxville sat in the VIP room, his eyes fixed on his father, who lay motionless in the hospital bed. The soft beeping of the life support machines and the gentle hiss of oxygen filled the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil of emotions that churned within Knoxville's chest.As he gazed at his father, a mix of anger, sadness, and regret swirled within him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions, before speaking in a voice that trembled with emotion. "Why haven't you told me all this while?" he asked, his words laced with a deep sense of hurt and betrayal.Knoxville's eyes searched his father's face, seeking answers to the questions that had haunted him for so long. "Why did you make me hate you so much?" he continued, his voice cracking with emotion. "You made my mother misunderstand you, and she hated you till her dying breath."As he spoke, Knoxville's hand reached out, and he gently took his father's hand in his, his touch a poignant contrast to the anger and r
Knoxville POVI sat in my car, waiting for my dad's PA to arrive. The door swung open, and he slipped into the passenger seat beside me. He turned to face me, his expression expectant. "You said you wanted to see me, Knoxville. I'm here now," he said, his voice neutral.I smirked, a hint of amusement dancing on my lips. "I wanted to ask you something very important," I said, my tone measured. The PA nodded, his eyes locked on mine. "What is it?" he asked, his voice encouraging me to continue.I chuckled, a low, throaty sound, and leaned back in my seat. The PA's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression curious. He seemed to sense that whatever I was about to ask was significant, and he was ready to listen.I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto the PA's. "What did you know about Henry?" I asked, my voice low and even. The PA let out a hearty laugh, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I thought it was something serious," he said, chuckling. "Henry is your PA, and you guys have been frien
Knoxville POV As I stepped out of my car and onto the sprawling grounds of the KT company, I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. This was my mother's company, a business empire she had built from scratch, and although I had never worked here, neither have I come here once. I grabbed the folder containing the pictures and CD, and headed towards the company's main building. As I walked through the hallway, I was greeted by my aunt's personal assistant, who was waiting for me with a warm smile. "Welcome, sir," he said, his eyes gleaming with courtesy. "Your aunt is expecting you. Please, follow me."I nodded, falling into step behind him as he led me to my aunt's office. The PA pushed open the door, and I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the spacious room. My aunt was seated behind her massive desk, a look of warmth and concern on her face.. "Hey Knoxville," she called out with a warm smile on her face, her eyes sparkling with affection. The way she said my name, with a ge
Knoxville POVAs I stepped into my dad's house, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. I had come here with a singular purpose: to search for clues. Something had been nagging at me, a feeling that there was more to the story of what had happened years ago. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I was determined to uncover the truth.As I looked into my dad's eyes earlier, I had seen something there that gave me pause. It was a flicker of guilt, a hint of trouble that he had been holding back. And yet, despite the anger and resentment I had been harboring towards him, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was more to the story than I had initially thought.I thought back to the fact that my dad had been visiting my mother's grave twice a year. If he had truly wanted to betray her, would he have been so diligent in paying his respects? It didn't add up, and I found myself wondering if I had misjudged him all along.As I began to search the house, I could
Mr. Rodriguez's eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at Maxwell, his voice firm but laced with a hint of curiosity. "You're here, Maxwell?" he asked, his eyes flicking to the closed door behind Maxwell.Maxwell walked closer to the pair, his movements confident and deliberate. Knoxville, on the other hand, looked less than pleased to see Maxwell. He smirked, his eyes glinting with a mixture of annoyance and hostility as he glared at Maxwell. Then, with a dismissive flick of his head, he turned away, his face set in a scowl.Knoxville's voice was laced with irritation as he asked, "You asked what's going on here! What did you hear?" His tone implied that Maxwell had no business being there, and that he was somehow eavesdropping on a private conversation.Maxwell chuckled, a low, smooth sound that seemed to grate on Knoxville's nerves. "Is there something I need to know that you both are hiding from me?" Maxwell asked, his eyes locked on Knoxville's face, his gaze piercing and intense.Kn
Maxwell's face was a picture of fury as he made the call, his anger palpable in the air. He paced back and forth, his eyes blazing with intensity, as he waited for the person on the other end to answer.As the person picked up, Maxwell's voice was low and menacing. He banged his fist on the table in front of him, making the objects on it jump. "You will have to listen to what I have to say, understand?" he growled, his words dripping with malice.But the person on the other end was not intimidated. They bashed back at Maxwell, their voice rising in defiance. "I am done listening to you," they spat. "So you're getting married to her? That's never going to be possible, trust me."Maxwell's face darkened even further, his eyes flashing with anger. He took a deep breath, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "You know the repercussions of not listening to me," he warned. "I wouldn't repeat myself, so you better stay put until I ask you to come." With that, he hung up the call, his chest
Knoxville was sitting in the living room, surrounded by the familiar comforts of the space, when Alice walked in with her son by her side. She looked tired but relieved to be home, and a warm smile spread across her face as she greeted Knoxville."Hey Knoxville," Alice said, her voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and gratitude.Knoxville turned to face her, his expression calm and collected. "I'm fine, thanks," he replied, his deep voice soothing. "I was told your dad's house has been renovated, so you'll be moving out soon."Alice's eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of returning to her childhood home. "Thanks so much for the stay," she said, her tone filled with genuine appreciation. "We really appreciate everything you've done for us."Knoxville took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling beneath his worn T-shirt. "It's my pleasure," he said, his voice low and sincere. He smiled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Alice felt a pang of gratitude towards t
Alice's face was etched with unbearable grief as she listened to the CD recording of her father's heartfelt apology. Tears streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto her lap as she struggled to comprehend the weight of her father's words. His voice, though weak and frail, conveyed the depth of his regret and longing."I'm so sorry, Alice," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm sorry for not being the father I should have been. I wish I could go back in time and make everything right." He paused, taking a labored breath before continuing. "I promise to watch over you from heaven, to guide and protect you always. I've worked tirelessly to provide for you, to give you everything you deserve. And, oh, Alice, I miss you so much."The CD recording fell silent, leaving an oppressive stillness in its wake. Alice felt as though she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. She couldn't bear the thought of living without her father, of never being able to hug him or h