They were stunned for a moment before exchanging glances. Their faces paled, and some lowered their heads. A few more looked at me arrogantly but said nothing in response to my question."I hold sixty-five percent of Precious Fund's shares. All of you united against me can’t dethrone me from my position. If you are dissatisfied and fear a loss, I'll buy back your shares at a high price."I built this company from scratch. You invested money here, but that's the extent of your role. You've never made brilliant suggestions or helped when the company was in crisis. I shouldered everything."Then, when news broke about my shortcomings, you questioned my abilities. You haven't answered my question. What do you want?" I urged."That's no way to talk to them, Otis." There was a voice at the door. I turned around and saw Father entering the meeting room. "Let me help you.""Father, what are you doing here?" Camari asked with concern.Father smiled at her. "I'm helping my son, who's having tro
[Camari]I never thought I'd come to this place again. It was a beautiful house with stunning architecture, but it looked cold. After walking out of this house, I vowed never to return.However, Otis fulfilled his nephew's invitation to have dinner together. I felt uneasy going into that house. It was as if we'd walked into a den of villains who'd set up a trap. Farrell and Bella wouldn't turn into good people this quickly."Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Haworth," the butler kindly greeted. He wasn't the same person who had worked here. That man must have resigned. "Come, I'll take you."Of course, Farrell and Bella wouldn't welcome us. They were too arrogant to stand by the door and greet their guests, especially since we were people they didn't like.I felt even worse about the atmosphere of the house."Please come in, sir. Master and Madam are waiting for you inside." The butler opened the door. Otis entered first.We were startled by the flash of light directed at us. The dining room
I shouldn't be selfish. I knew that. However, I wanted to live a happy life without conflict with anyone. I wished Dad and Mom to be healthy and always smiling. I dreamed of Father living a long life and watching Julius grow into a man.I hoped to still be with Farrell and have healthy, active children. I longed to remain friends with Bella, Jasmine, and Emily. Harold Bloom was a good boss, and I was content to be the best employee every month.I imagined that my relationship with Eleanor and Dorothy would remain good. We would have lunch together, shop for the latest collections from their favorite brands, and defend each other when Dad and Farrell picked on one of us.However, all those dreams were shattered. Misfortune after misfortune befell me because of the great secret our family kept. One family destroyed and hurt another for the sake of inheritance. Instead of walking away, I entered this troubled family again.Something cold suddenly slapped my face, snapping me out of my th
After that deafening explosion, the room turned so quiet that my ears were ringing. I felt nothing in my body. Did the bullet lodged in the body numb the wound?I opened my eyes and saw that my lap was clean. There was no blood. Strange. No part of my body felt aches or pains. Did the shooter miss or misfire? I took a deep breath. No part of my body hurt, and I was still alive!"Noooo!!!" Bella shouted, startling me.My heart was beating fast. I turned and saw her running towards me. Oh, God. Did she want to kill me with her hands? I struggled, trying to break free from the bonds on my hands and feet, but it was in vain.Bella didn't approach me but knelt and held something under me. I turned and was surprised to see someone lying on the floor. Bella turned his body so that I could see his face. No way.That selfish man who only loved himself couldn't be lying there. He wouldn't sacrifice himself to save anyone, especially me. Farrell hated me. He only loved Bella. It was impossible.
[Otis]I had never felt so desperate as when I watched my wife being taken away before my eyes. I made the mistake of taking off my seat belt to kiss her cheek. As a result, my body was thrown and fell on the floor after the car hit something.Then, help came. People rescued us, and only then did I find out that our car tires were shot. Therefore, Jasper had difficulty controlling the car. He chose to crash into a shop rather than another vehicle. Fortunately, it saved our lives.We weren't hurt, but it was different with Nicole. They shot her arm, and she fell off her motorcycle. The doctor had to perform surgery as soon as possible to remove the bullet and fix the position of her broken arm and leg."Farrell and Bella have to die," Jasper whispered. He stared at the operating room door with red eyes. "Brad is tracking down Mrs. Haworth. Sorry, I can't concentrate—""Nicole is your girlfriend." I patted the back of his hand. "I understand."It took Brad hours to figure out Camari's w
[Camari]As the weekend passed, we went about our usual activities. Otis and I started the day with exercise. He swam while I practiced martial arts with Jasper. Things had been better since Nicole woke up, and Bella was in custody.I found it hard to concentrate since I was out of danger. I didn't know what was wrong with me. The day went by so fast, but it also felt so slow. I wasn't excited about the day either, even though I forced myself to smile so no one would suspect anything.Otis and Jasper entered the office, so I sat in my chair. My new bodyguard stood guard not far from me. I kept my distance from her to avoid getting emotionally involved. The incidents that happened to Nicole had left me devastated, and I didn't want to go through it again.I didn't know why people closest to me kept getting hurt. I just wanted it to be over. Farrell was gone. Eleanor and Bella were behind bars. Hopefully, no more disasters would befall me or my family."Good morning, ma'am," a security
Otis and I went to separate places after work. He met Carlos to discuss business while I saw my psychologist. I cried my heart out in that room, telling Jennifer everything I'd been through over the past week.I felt so relieved after pouring out my feelings. Jennifer didn't suggest anything. She congratulated me on successfully ending my hatred for the two people who had done me harm.Otis was still talking to Carlos, so I went home with my bodyguard. Looking at the numbers on the elevator, I thought of someone. I pressed the number to my old apartment and smiled. She must be in her apartment.Sure enough. Deborah greeted me with a smile and the delicious cooking aroma inside her unit. She offered me her appetizing lasagna. We enjoyed it while chatting in the dining room."I'm sorry about what happened to your family," she said with concern.I liked the word she chose, family. She didn't mention Farrell as my ex-husband. "Thank you. What an unexpected turn of events. He was young.""
[Otis]I stared at the loser man without blinking. He just lowered his head, not daring to return my gaze. He didn't touch the envelope I placed in front of him. He must have understood the purpose of my visit. And I needed an explanation."Silence won't make me forgive what you and your team did," I stated. "This is the first and last warning. If you dare forge people's signatures again, I'll shut down your law firm. You know I'm capable of that.""Mr. Haworth." He finally opened his mouth. "Neither I nor my team forged anyone's signature. If the client didn't sign, then Farrell did.""The client didn't show up for her divorce papers, and you were not her attorney. Was that Farrell's fault, too?" I asked. "My nephew died doesn't mean you can put all the blame on him. I'm not that stupid."I took the envelope back. "This is my proof of how negligent your law firm is. If you did it again, I wouldn't think twice about destroying you.""Mr. Haworth." The man stood up and followed me.Jas