"So, what are you going to do?" Henry asked, his voice laced with concern, as he leaned back in his chair.Knoxville rubbed his temples, his eyes weary. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.Henry's expression turned serious. "I think it's time you told her the reason you divorced her."Knoxville's gaze dropped, his shoulders sagging. "Did you think she'll believe me?" he asked, skepticism etched on his face.Henry's eyes locked onto Knoxville's. "You have to make her believe that," he urged, his tone firm but gentle. "You owe her the truth, Knoxville. You owe yourself the truth."Knoxville's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. Could he really confront the past? Could he face her again?Henry's voice cut through his thoughts. "You've been running from this for too long. It's time to face the consequences of your actions."Knoxville's jaw clenched. He knew Henry was right. The weight of his secrets was crushing him."Okay," Knoxville said finally, his voice firm. "
Wedding announcement Knoxville's eyes blazed with fury as he growled, "How dare you hit me?" His fists clenched, and he launched himself at Maxwell, determined to retaliate. The two brothers clashed, their punches and kicks flying as they engaged in a fierce battle.Electra, caught in the middle, struggled to separate the two combatants. She finally managed to push Knoxville away, her hands firm on his chest. "Stop it, Knoxville!" she exclaimed, her voice firm but worried.As Knoxville stumbled back, Electra turned to Maxwell, her concern etched on her face. "Are you okay, Maxwell? I am very sorry, are you hurt?" She asked, her hands gently checking Maxwell's face and body for any injuries.Knoxville's anger boiled over as he watched Electra fawn over Maxwell. His eyes narrowed, and his face twisted in a scowl. "You're taking his side?" he spat, his voice venomous.Electra's glare was icy as she turned to face Knoxville. "Are you out of your mind?" she asked, her voice incredulous. "
"Are you out of your mind?" Mrs. Scofield thundered, her face purpling with rage as she slapped Electra across the cheek. The sound of the slap echoed through the room, leaving an uncomfortable silence in its wake.Electra's eyes widened in shock as she held her cheek, staring at her mother in disbelief. "What have I done to deserve the slap?" she asked, her voice trembling with hurt and anger.Mrs. Scofield's expression was unforgiving, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you plan to marry Maxwell without informing us?" she thundered, her voice echoing off the walls. "How can his father announce that without our knowledge or consent?"Electra's eyes flashed with defiance, but Mrs. Scofield cut her off before she could speak. "Aish, you're so unbelievable," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "I thought you'd changed. That's how you go ahead and get married to someone you barely know, and then you get divorced within two weeks, eight years ago." Mrs. Scofield's face twisted in
50: Henry walked into the office, his footsteps quiet on the plush carpet. However, his arrival went unnoticed, as Knoxville was deeply lost in thought. His hands were crossed over his chest, and his eyes stared blankly into space, his mind a million miles away."Mr. Jenkins was found dead in his house this morning," Henry said, his voice firm and serious. However, Knoxville didn't flinch, didn't react. He just kept staring into space, his expression unreadable.It wasn't until Henry slammed his hand on the table, making the coffee cups rattle, that Knoxville was jolted back to reality. His eyes snapped into focus, and he looked up at Henry, a hint of surprise on his face."You're so lost in thought," Henry said, his voice laced with concern. "What's going on, Knoxville? You've been distant all week, and now this?" Henry asked, his eyes narrowing slightly as he searched for answers.Knoxville's eyes narrowed, his gaze intensifying as he processed the information. "What did you say?"
51: Knoxville POV As I stood in the comfort of my own home, the sudden ringing of the doorbell shattered the peaceful atmosphere. I felt a surge of trepidation as I made my way towards the door, my heart beating slightly faster with each step. Taking a deep breath, I approached the door and peered through the peephole, my eyes widening slightly as I saw my father standing on the other side.A mixture of emotions swirled within me as I wondered what could have brought him to my doorstep. "What in the world did this old man want?" I thought to myself, a hint of annoyance creeping into my mind. With a sense of resignation, I opened the door, my expression neutral."Why are you here, Dad?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light despite the underlying curiosity. My father chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement, as he replied, "Are you going to keep your old father standing outside?" His words were laced with a hint of playful teasing, and I couldn't help but smile slightly as I stepp
52: Knoxville's phone rang, shrill in the silence. He picked it up, his deep voice answering, On the other end was Henry, his tone laced with a hint of excitement. "Sir, our private investigator just called. He's found Mr. Jenkins' daughter. She's living in a mud house on the outskirts of the city with her son and the man she's been dating."Knoxville's grip on the phone tightened, his mind racing with the implications. "Get the full details, Henry. We need to be there tonight." The call ended, and Knoxville's thoughts turned to the task at hand.As night began to fall, Knoxville and Henry set out in their car, navigating the darkening streets. The GPS led them deeper into the city, the buildings growing increasingly run-down. Knoxville's eyes narrowed, his distaste for the area evident. "This is the part of town I wish didn't exist," he muttered.As they turned onto a particularly rough street, Knoxville's concern shifted to his car. The potholed road threatened to damage the slee
53: Knoxville walked into the hospital ward, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on the woman sitting on the bed with her son. He couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and comfort at the sight of the two of them together. As he approached the bed, the woman looked up and caught his eye, a bright smile spreading across her face."Hey," Knoxville said, his deep voice rumbling through the quiet hospital room. He smiled back at the woman, feeling a sense of familiarity that he couldn't quite place. He tried to remember where he had met her before, but his mind came up blank. He knew he had seen her somewhere, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.As he stood there, frozen in thought, the woman's smile faltered for a moment, and Knoxville could sense a hint of uncertainty behind her eyes. "Knoxville," she called, her voice firm but laced with a hint of caution. As soon as he heard his name, Knoxville's eyes snapped towards her, and he became certain that he knew her. Th
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
Electra stood frozen, her gaze locked on her reflection in the mirror. The stunning wedding gown hugged her curves perfectly, the delicate lace and intricate embroidery sparkling in the soft light of the fashion house. But despite the manager's compliment, Electra's face remained somber, her eyes welling up with tears.The memory of her first wedding dress fitting, seven years ago in Knoxville, came flooding back. She had been young, in love, and full of hope. That marriage had been a beautiful chapter in her life, one she cherished deeply. But now, as she prepared to marry again, she felt trapped and uncertain."Ma'am, shouldn't you be happy you're getting married?" the manager asked, her voice tinged with concern.Electra ignored her, reaching for a tissue to wipe away the tears streaming down her face. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, now seemed dull and haunted. She wasn't mourning her past, but rather, she was resigned to a future she didn't want. Circumstances had forced
Knoxville POV The past few days had been a never-ending nightmare since Gladys's kidnapping. I had exhausted every possible lead, every connection, every resource to find her, but it seemed like a futile effort. The desperation was eating away at me, and I could feel the weight of my failure bearing down on me.I had tried to reason with Electra, to convince her that we could find our daughter without giving in to Maxwell's demands. At first, she had seemed willing to listen, but as the hours ticked by, she had become increasingly agitated, eventually giving in to Maxwell's instructions. Her words still haunted me: "I'll kill myself if anything happens to Gladys."I had called Henry into my office, instructing him to gather all the necessary documents for the company and the house. I was willing to give it all up, to sacrifice everything for the sake of my daughter. I had another option, a backup plan. I could always join my other company, the one mother had left for me, which was in
Helena drove straight to Maxwell's house, her anger and desperation simmering just below the surface. She slammed the car door shut and stormed into the living room, her eyes blazing with fury.Maxwell was sitting comfortably on the couch, watching TV with a calm, detached expression. Helena's anger boiled over at the sight of him relaxing while their son fought for his life.She rushed towards him, her voice trembling with rage. "So you have the nerves to watch movies while your son is fighting for his life?" she demanded, her words dripping with venom.Maxwell scoffed, his expression unrepentant, and he turned back to the TV, dismissing her. "What's the point of getting worked up? It's not like it's going to change anything," he said, his voice cold and detached."I am talking about my son here, our son!" Helena shouted, her voice echoing through the room, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt.Maxwell's expression turned calculating, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. "Don't y
Helena burst out of the doctor's office, her face etched with worry, and hastily grabbed her phone to dial Maxwell's number. Her hands trembled as she waited for him to answer.Maxwell picked up immediately, his voice laced with a mix of annoyance and concern. "Why haven't you been picking up my calls? Don't you know our initial plans?" he asked, but Helena cut him off, her voice shrill with panic."I don't have time for that!" she shouted, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Come to the hospital right away! Your son's been in an accident, and the doctor just said he needs a blood transfusion!" Helena's voice cracked, the fear of losing her son palpable as she struggled to hold back tears."Why now?" Maxwell asked, his tone detached and uncaring.Helena's confusion turned to incredulity. "Why do you mean why now?" she asked, her voice laced with growing anger.Maxwell's response sent Helena's anger boiling over. "Why would you let him get into an accident at a time like this?"
Helena POV As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit, a sly smile spread across my face. After Maxwell's revelation about kidnapping Gladys, I thought I finally had my chance to seduce Knoxville. With Electra now destined for Maxwell, I was ready to make my move.I slipped on my high heels, feeling confident and determined. My best outfit hugged my curves in all the right places, and I couldn't wait to see the look on Knoxville's face when I arrived at his place.Just as I was about to head out, Gideon's innocent voice stopped me in my tracks. "Mum, where are you going?" he asked, his big brown eyes filled with curiosity.I turned around, flashing him a reassuring smile. "Babe, Mama just wants to go out for a bit. I'll be back soon, okay?" I said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.Gideon nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before grabbing my car keys.Gideon's voice was laced with longing. "When are we going back
Knoxville POVI seethed with anger as I read through the outrageous terms and conditions that Maxwell had laid out. How could he be so audacious? I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Henry's number, my patience wearing thinner by the minute.He picked up immediately, and I demanded, "Did you manage to follow Maxwell? Did you find out where my daughter is?" My voice was laced with a growing sense of urgency.Henry's calm tone was a stark contrast to my own frazzled emotions. "No, Sir. Maxwell hasn't left his house for the past few hours. I think he's giving instructions from home," he replied.I couldn't contain my frustration. "Gosh!" I thundered, slamming my fist on the table. "Don't give up! Make sure you check all the traffic stations and find out where the car that attacked them headed to!" I commanded, my voice firm and resolute.Henry's response was reassuring. "Okay, Sir," he said, before the call came to an abrupt end. Electra's voice trembled with desperation. "It's been ho
Electra's eyes blazed with fury as she walked closer to them. "So, you're the one who kidnapped my daughter?" she asked, her voice low and menacing.Maxwell smiled, his tone dripping with sweetness. "Yes, sweetheart, I did."Electra's face twisted in disgust. "You kidnapped my daughter, and didn't even feel any remorse?"Maxwell scoffed, his expression unrepentant. "Why should I feel remorseful?" He paused, his gaze shifting from Electra to Knoxville, a hint of malice in his eyes. "Did you feel any remorse when you cancelled our wedding to get back with your ex-husband?""How can you be so cruel?" Electra asked, her voice trembling with rage. "She's just a child. How could you involve her in this?"Maxwell's expression turned icy, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Aren't you also cruel when you cancelled our marriage out of the blue?" He sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "My emotions, my reputation... did you know how many invitations had gone out already? How could you do that t
Knoxville and Electra were sitting comfortably in the living room when Gladys' nanny suddenly rushed in, her frantic expression and disheveled appearance immediately grabbing their attention. The nanny's face was etched with worry, and her eyes were wide with fear. She looked like she had been through a traumatic ordeal, her clothes rumpled and her hair askew.As she entered the room, the nanny stumbled and fell to her knees, her body trembling with sobs. "Ma'am...Gladys..." she stammered, her voice shaking uncontrollably.Electra and Knoxville exchanged a concerned glance before quickly rising to their feet. Electra's eyes narrowed with worry as she rushed to the nanny's side. "Can you tell me what's going on?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with concern. "What's wrong with my daughter?" she pressed, her eyes scanning the nanny's distraught face for any sign of what might have happened.The nanny's face was etched with worry and fear as she rushed into the room, her eyes fixed o
Gladys sprinted towards her nanny, her little legs moving swiftly as she flung herself into a warm hug. Her nanny's arms enveloped her, pulling her close as she planted a gentle kiss on Gladys' forehead."Hey baby, how was school today?" her nanny asked, her voice filled with affection.Gladys' tiny voice dripped with sweetness as she replied, "It was fine."Just then, a classmate of Gladys', a boy named Jayden who was around her age, ran up to them. "Hey Gladys!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.Gladys' face flushed with shyness as she mumbled, "Hey Jayden."Her nanny watched the exchange with interest, wondering what was going on.Jayden held out a pencil, saying, "You forgot your pencil. Thanks for lending me yours!"Gladys' face lit up with a bright smile as she accepted the pencil, feeling on top of the world. She covered her face with her palm, her eyes shining with delight as she peeked at Jayden through her fingers.As Jayden ran off, Gladys' nanny couldn't he