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,
Maxwell POV I stormed out of his office, my anger boiling over like a cauldron about to spill its contents. The hallway seemed to blur around me as I strode through it, my feet pounding the floor in a rhythmic expression of my fury. I burst into my office, slamming the door shut behind me, and made a beeline for my desk.With a snarl, I slammed my fist onto the polished wood, making the pens and papers jump. I yanked open the top two buttons of my shirt, feeling the constriction of my collar easing as I struggled to contain my rage. "What the fuck!" I exploded, my voice echoing off the walls of my office.All my efforts, all my planning, all my convincing of the shareholders – it had all been for nothing. He still had the audacity to tell me he was ready to fight back for Electra. Did he really think I had come this far, sacrificed this much, just to lose to him? The very idea was an affront, a slap in the face that made my anger burn even hotter.I tried to think, but my mind was a
Knoxville POV I pulled up to the bar, the dimly lit sign reading "The Red Room" in bold letters. Ria had suggested we meet here tonight, and despite knowing I'm allergic to alcohol, I had agreed to go along with her choice. It had been a long time since we'd caught up, and I was looking forward to rekindling our friendship.Even though Ria had broken up with me in the past, I didn't hold any grudges. She had her reasons for ending our relationship, and I respected her decision. I parked my car and stepped out into the crisp evening air, the sound of laughter and music drifting out of the bar.As I walked in, Ria waved at me from a corner table, a bright smile on her face. I smiled back, feeling a sense of warmth and familiarity. I made my way over to her, weaving through the crowded room, and sat down in the chair opposite hers. The table was small, with only a few inches separating us, and I could feel the warmth of her presence.Ria's eyes sparkled as she smiled at me. "You're look
Electra POV As I walked into that company, the aroma of the carefully prepared meal wafted from the container in my hands, filling me with a sense of excitement and nervousness. It had been a while since I'd cooked, and this was the first time I was cooking for Maxwell since we'd agreed to start dating. I couldn't help but think about how far we'd come.Initially, I'd had ulterior motives for getting close to Maxwell. I'd wanted to use him as a distraction, a way to fill the void left by his brother, Knoxville. But as I got to know Maxwell, I realized he was different. He was kind, genuine, and attentive. Despite Knoxville's charming facade, he'd proven to be a cheater, leaving me hurt and vulnerable.But Maxwell had slowly begun to heal those wounds. He'd filled the empty spaces Knoxville had left in my life, and I found myself falling deeply in love with him. I was ready to take our relationship to the next level, to build a life together and fill his life with happiness.As I thou
Knoxville pulled up to the familiar house, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the potentially explosive encounter ahead. As he stepped out of the car, the crunch of gravel beneath his feet seemed to echo through the tense silence.With a sense of trepidation, Knoxville approached the front door, his eyes fixed on the entrance. He pressed the doorbell, the chime ringing out into the stillness. As he waited, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios, the door swung open, revealing a furious Mathew.Mathew's face was a picture of outrage, his eyes blazing with a deep-seated anger. The warmth and admiration he once held for Knoxville, the charismatic TV personality, had curdled into bitter resentment. Now, he saw Knoxville as the man who had broken his sister's heart, abandoned her, and left her to raise their child alone.The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Mathew's glare pinned Knoxville in place. The silence between them was oppre
Electra's car screeched to a halt in the compound, her anger boiling over like a pot left unattended. She slammed the door shut, the sound echoing through the air as she stormed towards the house. Her feet pounded the pavement, her heels clicking out a staccato rhythm that matched the furious beating of her heart.As she approached the door, she jabbed at the keypad with a shaking finger, the password entered with a furious flourish. The door swung open, and she strode inside, her eyes blazing with a fierce inner light.The living room came into view, and Electra's gaze landed on a figure she had never expected to see again. Knoxville. Her anger, already simmering at a rolling boil, threatened to spill over into violence. She could feel her fingers curling into fists, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to contain her rage."How dare you show your face here?" she spat, her voice low and deadly. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her fists clenched at her sides.Kno
Tears poured down Electra's face as she listened, her eyes wide with shock and sadness. She quickly rushed to her room, overwhelmed with emotion. Mrs. Scofield watched her go, taking a deep breath before turning to Knoxville. "You should go after her," she said gently.Knoxville nodded and followed Electra to her room. He stood at the door, hesitant to enter, but Electra's heartbreaking sobs changed his mind. He quietly stepped inside, finding Electra sitting on the bed, her body shaking with tears.Knoxville approached her slowly, his eyes filled with regret. "I am really sorry, Electra. Please forgive me," he pleaded, his voice soft and sincere.Electra stood up, her eyes red and puffy, and threw her arms around Knoxville. She buried her face in his chest, crying uncontrollably as Knoxville held her close, offering comfort and support.Electra's words tumbled out in a sorrowful rush, her voice cracking with emotion as she cried. "Why did you hide such things from me? How could you m
Knoxville and Electra stood vigilantly by Mr. Rodriguez's bedside, their eyes fixed on the fragile form lying before them. The life support machine beeped steadily, its tubes and wires snaking around Mr. Rodriguez's face and body, a stark reminder of the precariousness of his condition.Knoxville's eyes welled up with tears, but he fought to maintain a strong facade, unwilling to give in to his emotions. Electra, sensing his distress, reached out and took his hand in hers. "He's going to be okay," she said softly, her voice a gentle balm to Knoxville's frazzled nerves.Knoxville's voice cracked as he spoke, his words tumbling out in a desperate plea. "I pray he was, I wished a miracle happened. I used to be a doctor, and I know when it gets to this stage, it's always a 70/30 survival rate, but I still don't want to believe it," he cried, his eyes brimming with tears.Electra's grip on his hand tightened, her voice firm but gentle. "Come on, stop saying that," she urged, as if trying t
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