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
Knoxville My dad clapped his hands together, the sharp sound echoing through the room as he stared at me with an expression of genuine admiration. His eyes sparkled, and a wide smile spread across his face."I am so impressed," he exclaimed, his voice filled with warmth and pride. "I can't believe you put those people in their place."I scoffed, feeling a surge of satisfaction knowing I had finally earned his approval. It had been years since I'd seen that look of genuine admiration on his face."Dad, I didn't do much," I said nonchalantly, sinking deeper into the plush sofa, my back resting comfortably against the cushions. "I just let them know their place and when not to discuss business and rivalry."My dad's smile never wavered. "That's exactly what I'm talking about, son," he said, walking closer to me. "You're showing the kind of strength and leadership I knew you were capable of."He paused, his eyes locked onto mine."You're beginning to understand the importance of assertiv
Knoxville POV I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. The sterile hospital room came into focus, and my gaze landed on Henry's worried face beside me. His eyes, red-rimmed showing tiredness, sparkled with relief."Thank God you're awake, sir," Henry exclaimed, his tone filled with concern. He grasped my shoulder, helping me sit up."How many hours have I been here?" I asked, my voice rough from sleep.Henry smiled weakly. "Just four hours."I shot him a wry glance. "Just four hours?" I repeated, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and Henry quickly steadied me."Easy, sir. You should take it slow."I stood up, testing my balance. "Did anyone aside from you know I'm here?" I asked, already knowing the answer.Henry shook his head. "No, sir. I made sure to keep it private.""Great. Don't tell anyone, including my father," I instructed, my voice firm.Henry's brow furrowed. "But, sir—"I raised a hand, silencing him. "No di
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...
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