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
Mrs. Scofield's gentle voice cut through the tension. "Why are you raising your voice, Electra?"Electra's response was laced with anguish, her anger palpable. "Why wouldn't I raise my voice, Mum?" she asked, her words trembling.Her eyes, brimming with unshed tears, locked onto her mother's. "You're planning an arranged marriage for me without consulting me first, knowing what I endured in my previous marriage."The pain Electra had thought was long buried rose to the surface, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions.Just then, Mr. Scofield re-entered the study, his brow furrowed in concern. "What's going on here? Are you both fighting again?" he asked, his deep voice a calming presence.The room seemed to pause, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Electra's shoulders sagged, her body language screaming defiance and hurt.Mrs. Scofield's expression transformed, her voice dripping with venom. "You're talking about what you passed through? Was it my fault?" she spat, her
Electra POV From my stool at the bar, I gazed into my drink, my mind reeling with the impossible decision my parents had just presented. Marriage to a complete stranger? The thought sent my heart racing, and my palms grew slick with sweat.I knew better than to argue with my mother; her resolve was unshakeable once she'd made up her mind. And I couldn't bear the thought of my parents fighting because of me.As I scanned the dimly lit bar, the sounds of clinking glasses and muted conversations blurred into the background. My anxiety spiked, making my chest feel tight.Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the crowd, and a wave of relief washed over me. I smiled, my tension easing."Sorry I'm late, I was a bit busy," Maxwell said, sliding onto the stool beside me, his apologetic eyes crinkling at the corners."I actually didn't think you'd come," I admitted, my smile widening as I took in his disheveled hair and worn jeans.Maxwell's presence was a comforting anchor, a reminder tha
Knoxville POV I lounged on the plush couch in my villa, immersed in the latest episode of my favorite show. The soft glow of the TV illuminated the dimly lit room, casting a cozy ambiance. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Henry walked in, shattering the tranquility.I pretended not to notice him, hoping he'd take the hint and leave. But Henry was relentless. He cleared his throat, and when I still didn't acknowledge him, he scoffed.I finally turned to face him, frustration etched on my features. "What again?" I exclaimed, tossing the remote control onto the coffee table. "Today's a weekend, and I told you to go home and rest."Henry shrugged, his nonchalant demeanor igniting my irritation."Well, I don't have a home," he said, his voice laced with a hint of mischief.My growl was low and warning. "You have a house, Henry. This is my home. Go to your house and leave me alone." I spoke in a measured tone, striving to maintain calm.But Henry wasn't deterred. "I know today was suppos
Knoxville stepped out of the sleek, black luxury car, his tailored tuxedo accentuating his chiseled physique. He cleared his throat, adjusting his cufflinks with a confident flourish. His personal assistant, Henry, smiled warmly."You're looking handsome already, sir," Henry said.As they walked into the grand hall, Knoxville's presence commanded attention. The room fell silent, with all eyes drawn to his refined appearance. The ladies couldn't help but admire his charismatic charm."They're all staring at you, sir," Henry whispered, his voice laced with amusement.Knoxville chuckled, his eyes sparkling."Let them continue staring," he said. "That's what the Richardos do, and what my father expects. I need to regain his trust."His lips curled into a determined smile."I am happy you're ready to do what it takes to make your father proud," Henry said.Knoxville's gaze turned resolute."I'll do whatever it takes to get what's mine"As they walked deeper into the hall, the owner of the
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
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