Weeks later Knoxville sat alone in the lavish restaurant, rented by his father for this ill-timed date. Despite his reservations, he had no choice but to be there. The elegant decor and soft lighting did little to ease his apprehension.He checked his wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time, wondering why his mysterious date was running late. To pass the time, he pulled out his phone and began scrolling mindlessly.Suddenly, the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor caught his attention. He didn't bother looking up, indifferent to the woman's arrival.That was, until she sat directly across from him.Knoxville's eyes lingered on his phone for a moment before he took a deep breath, pocketed his device, and raised his gaze.His eyes locked onto the woman's, and his jaw dropped in stunned silence."Electra?" he whispered, incredulous.Electra's smirk was radiant, her piercing green eyes sparkling with amusement."So, it's you, ex-husband," she purred, her voice dripping w
Maxwell settled into the plush couch, his gaze locking onto Electra's. Her piercing green eyes sparkled with curiosity as she wondered why he was giving her that intense look."Electra," Maxwell began, his deep voice filled with sincerity. "I want you to be my girlfriend. Let's date."Electra's laughter burst forth like a sunlit splash, her cheeks flushing pink. "I guess you joke a lot," she said, trying to compose herself.But Maxwell's expression remained serious. "I mean it, Electra. I want us to date, and if possible, get married soon."Electra's eyes widened, surprise etched on her face. "When did you start thinking about this?" she asked, her voice laced with intrigue.Maxwell's eyes softened, his voice vulnerable. "Recently. To be sincere, I don't get drawn to girls easily. They've broken my heart in the past... but something about you is just unique."Electra's lips curled into a gentle smile, her voice tinged with empathy. "I must admit, you're a nice and good-looking guy...
As I sat behind my mahogany desk, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows, memories of Electra flooded my mind. Our chance encounter had reignited a flame I thought was long extinguished. My newfound resolve to make amends was tempered by the knowledge that she now resented me deeply.Henry's entrance broke the spell, his sharp knock on the doorframe announcing his arrival. I swiveled my chair, facing him with an air of anticipation."What did you find out?" I asked, my voice low and urgent.Henry's expression turned skeptical, his eyebrows arching. "I found out five years ago, after you threw her out of the house, she got into an accident. But she narrowly escaped, lucky to be alive." His pause hung in the air like a challenge.I felt a pang of guilt, my conscience pricking.Henry continued, his tone measured. "She moved to England and has only just returned. She and her brother are now handling their parent's company."My curiosity got the better of me. "Is that all you found out?"
Electra strode into the company, her stilettos clicking against the polished marble floor, echoing through the hallway. Her new personal assistant, Joyce, kept pace beside her."What's my schedule for today?" Electra asked, her authoritative voice commanding attention.Joyce consulted her tablet. "After leaving the office, your parents want you to meet them at Mr. Richardo's place. They'll be waiting for you."Electra's steps halted abruptly, and she turned to face Joyce, her piercing gaze scrutinizing. "Why didn't you inform me earlier? What's the occasion?" Her tone dripped with annoyance, her perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowed.Joyce's eyes widened slightly, her voice apologetic. "I'm sorry for not informing you earlier, ma'am. It won't happen again."Electra's expression remained stern. "That's not all that matters now. I'm asking you, why did Mom want me to come there?" Her voice rose, a hint of frustration seeping in.Joyce's eyes darted nervously around the hallway before focus
Mr. Richardo's curiosity got the better of him. "How did you two meet?"Maxwell's eyes never left Electra's. "Dad, this is the girl I was telling you about – the one I plan to marry."Knoxville's face darkened, his anger palpable. "Did you just say the woman you want to marry?" he spat.Maxwell's expression remained nonchalant. "Yes, any problem?"Knoxville's laughter sent a chill through the air. "You're joking, right? That must be a joke." He took a menacing step closer to Maxwell.Electra sprang to her feet, her voice firm. "What are you doing, Knoxville? Want to attack my boyfriend now? Didn't I tell you I'm not interested in you?"The room fell silent, with all eyes on Electra.Mrs. Scofield's eyes widened in shock. "Electra, dear, what's going on?"Mr. Richardo's face turned stern. "Knoxville, calm down. Let's discuss this civilly."Maxwell's gaze locked onto Knoxville's, a silent challenge.Knoxville's fists clenched. "You think you can just swoop in and steal her? She's mine.
Electra POV I stood frozen, my mind reeling from the shocking revelation. Knoxville and Maxwell, brothers? I never saw that coming. Their contrasting personalities baffled me - Maxwell's calm demeanor versus Knoxville's explosive temper.Memories flooded my thoughts. When I first met Knoxville, he seemed just like Maxwell - composed, charming. But that facade crumbled, revealing a manipulative, cheating heart. He used me, betrayed me with my friend, and discarded me like trash.A chill ran down my spine. Their family's history painted a disturbing picture. Knoxville's father, a philandering man who cheated on his mother with his secretary, spawning Maxwell. Was this toxic behavior ingrained in their DNA?"I made a mistake calling him my boyfriend," I muttered.My lips trembled, bitten hard to stem the emotions.I had lied, of course. Knoxville was my ex-husband, a secret I dared not reveal. Better to keep it hidden, avoid the messy truth.My eyes wandered, lost in thought. Had I esca
Knoxville POV I paced around my room, my mind racing with unsettling thoughts. My suspicions had been aroused since Henry revealed Maxwell's investment in Electra's company. But the notion that they might be romantically involved? Unthinkable. How did they even cross paths?The possibility still lingered, refusing to dissipate. My patience was wearing thin, and the mere thought of Electra with my half-brother, my arch-nemesis, ignited a fire within me.Determined to uncover the truth, I had tasked Henry with digging deeper. But the silence since then had been deafening.Just as I was lost in thought, Henry burst into my room, his expression a mix of urgency and revelation."Did you find anything?" I asked, my voice laced with anticipation.Henry nodded, taking a seat in the chair facing me. "They've known each other for five years now," he revealed, his words dropping like a bombshell.I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Five years? How could this have gone undetected?"What els
Author POV Knoxville's determination drove him to seek out Electra, and Henry obligingly chauffeured him to her company. As they arrived, Knoxville parked his car in the garage and stepped out, Henry following closely behind. Knoxville's heart raced as he pushed through the revolving door, Henry at his side.Upon entering, they were greeted by the receptionist's warm smile. "Welcome, gentlemen. How may I assist you?""I'm here to see Electra," Knoxville announced, his voice firm.The receptionist's expression turned apologetic. "I'm afraid she's currently in a meeting with her team. Would you mind waiting?"Knoxville nodded curtly, and they made their way to the waiting room. Plush leather sofas and polished wood accents enveloped them in comfort.As they sat, Henry turned to Knoxville, concern etched on his face. "Are you sure she's not going to be upset seeing you here?"Knoxville scoffed, his jaw set. "I have to face her, no matter what. This can't be avoided."Henry raised an ey
Maxwell's fingers moved swiftly over the keypad of his phone as he dialed Helena's number. The phone rang only once before Helena's voice came on the line, clear and crisp. "Let's meet at my place immediately," Maxwell said, his tone urgent and commanding. He didn't give Helena a chance to respond, hanging up the call before she could utter a word.An hour passed quickly, and soon Helena was standing at Maxwell's doorstep, her expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. She was ushered into the living room, where Maxwell was pacing back and forth, his eyes fixed on the floor."Why have you called me here?" Helena asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of apprehension. She took a seat on the couch, her eyes never leaving Maxwell's face.Maxwell stopped pacing and turned to face Helena, his eyes blazing with frustration. "I called because I am tired of our plans failing," he said, his voice low and menacing. "We've been at this for months, and yet we're no closer to achieving ou
Maxwell had exhausted all avenues, seeking out one lawyer after another, but the response was always the same: the case couldn't be reopened. Frustration etched on his face, he sat across from yet another lawyer, his eyes pleading for a glimmer of hope."Sir, did you mean nothing can be done?" Maxwell asked, his voice laced with desperation.The lawyer's expression was sympathetic, but his words were resolute. He nodded negatively, his head shaking slowly from side to side.Maxwell's eyes narrowed, skepticism written across his face. "I doubt it," he muttered, his voice low and even. "This case can't be reopened?"The lawyer's response was firm, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'm afraid not, Mr. Maxwell. I think it's time to let it go."Maxwell's face darkened, anger simmering just below the surface. He rose from his seat, his movements abrupt, and made his way out of the lawyer's office, the weight of defeat settling heavy on his shoulders.Maxwell trudged towards his car, f
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