[Otis]Since my company's problems were over, I could sleep soundly. Focusing on work kept Cattleya out of my thoughts. Also, I could swim as usual that morning. We met up with Camari at the pool, then I took her to breakfast in my unit.I memorized the words I would say to her to get her to become my assistant. I didn't want to seem desperate. Therefore, I asked her something else before getting to the main topic. I wanted her to accept the job offer.Unexpectedly, Camari was very surprised by my job offer. I thought she would cheer up and accept it gladly. However, she asked for time to think. I needed an answer from her immediately, though. I didn't want to hire Bruce any longer."With the salary you're offering, Miss Gastrell shouldn't refuse. Are you sure she can be your shadow? Miss Gastrell hasn't had any experience as a leader," Jasper said, giving his opinion."She was a supervisor for two years. That's enough to give her an idea of leading people. The difference is that she l
I headed for Father's house. No matter that the security guard wouldn't open the door, I would force my way in. He'd been lying to me for fifteen years. I knew Cattleya died in the same car as Arnold, but he hid her pregnancy.Arnold and Cattleya died on different days. Cattleya passed away on the spot, while Arnold survived for a few hours. That made it easy for Father to manipulate Cattleya's accident. Her family didn't know she was in the same car as Arnold.Cattleya's family accepted the accident as the cause of her death because Father provided the doctor's post-mortem. Cattleya was under the influence of alcohol while driving. It was a nasty accusation, but better than her family knowing Cattleya was Arnold's mistress.I should have been suspicious when the police called the incident a single accident. But I was too grief-stricken to think clearly. After all, I hadn't met Jasper at that point. So, I had no one to ask for help with the investigation.“Sorry, sir. Master isn't home
I couldn't accept that it was only me and Cattleya who bore the shame of the accident. Even though the public didn't know about our relationship, my family didn't stop insulting me and Cattleya. Arnold was considered a dutiful son and a faithful husband until his death. That wasn't fair.I was secretly watching very important people to Father. I had no idea why I was doing that, but I started it on a whim. First one person, then the opportunity opened up and more and more people became involved.Ten people very close to Father's business borrowed a sizable amount of money from my company. I didn't know why they didn't borrow from Haworth Incorporation, and I didn't ask.I was grateful that my playfulness had paid off. I was holding important people I could sway when making big decisions. The fate of Father and Farrell was in my hands. All I had to do was snap my fingers, and everyone turned against them.“Do you mean I need to send an ad to those twenty names?” Jasper confirmed.“Yes.
[Camari]My face was throbbing so I couldn't leave the unit that morning. My left arm was pulsating and slightly painful to move. Jasper must have told his superiors about last night. I didn't want to meet them in this state.Tears fell, I wiped them away quickly. I wouldn't cry for that bastard. That was enough. I had to think of something to prevent them from hurting me again. But I didn't know what to do.Grandpa was the right choice, but I couldn't snitch on them. Moreover, Farrell and I were in the process of divorce. Even though our relationship was still the same, I didn't want to take advantage of that kind-hearted man's affection for me.'Work for me.' That sentence rang in my head.“That was it! Why didn't I think of that? I can ask Otis' help!”I rushed to the bathroom, but my reflection in the mirror reminded me why I didn't go to the pool this morning. I sighed. I couldn't see him today. My eyes heat up. I didn't want anyone to see my imperfect face.I returned to the fron
I didn't know what was in her mind, but I wasn't crazy yet. I still loved Farrell because I couldn't throw away these six years of feelings in one second. But to return to him after he hurt me, that wasn't going to happen.Farrell would regret what he did to me. I'm sure that day would come, but I meant what I said. I wouldn't take him back. His actions in destroying my father's hard work and bringing him close to death were unforgivable.Moreover, after he hurt me on Saturday night and told me to apologize to Bella, the second chance for him was tightly closed.I wouldn't open that door no matter what he did.“I apologize for being prejudiced, nothing more. Farrell and I are divorced. You have to accept reality. We won't reconcile,” I stated.“Camari? Why did you say that?” she gently asked. “Tell me, did my son hurt you? When? I'll have a serious talk with him.”The waiter brought drinks, giving me a chance to think about my answer. I ordered a cup of cold coffee to go while Eleanor
My heart was pounding furiously. Otis Haworth proposed to me to be his wife. The man who owned the fifth best financial company in the country. Even though his name wasn't mentioned daily in the business news, people respected his company.He was right. His idea was better, much better. My parents and I had more protection by being under his protection. Farrell or Bella couldn't touch me again. Anyone else who intended to hurt me would have to go through Otis.“Don't worry. It's only for one year. I won't keep you forever. I know you don't love me. I promise I won't touch you. You just need to accompany me whenever I attend important events,” he added.I looked at him in disbelief. I was officially divorced from Farrell today. I was single so there was no harm in marrying whoever I wanted. Farrell was going to marry Bella, why would I reject the proposal of a man who was better than my ex?“Okay. Let's get married. I'll do whatever you want as long as it doesn't violate the law and con
[Otis]Jasper laid me down, then returned with the oxygen tank. I refused the medicine he offered. I didn't want to be dependent on that poison. Feeling the fresh air enter my nose, I felt more relieved. I breathed deeply, trying to calm myself.I didn't know why the nightmare had returned. I hadn't thought about Jim and everyone from my old high school in a long time. Although I was bullied in middle school, the worst times were in high school and college, because my friends were like giants around me.My short body might give them the courage to make fun of me. After all, I was an easy target. Father didn't care what happened to me. I came home battered, only Mother cried for me.Father never talked to the school or tried to stop the abuse I was receiving. His silence made the people at school and college even worse. Because the person who attacked me was the son of a prominent person, the school chose to remain silent.Had I hired a bodyguard a long time ago, perhaps my psychologica
Jasper and I met Camari in the elevator. She looked different in her blue formal dress. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, showing off her long neck. She covered up the redness on her cheeks with her makeup perfectly.She looked a few inches taller in her high heels. However, I didn't feel inferior or intimidated by the increase in height. The woman's appearance was enhanced by her sweet smile.“Good morning,” she greeted as she entered the elevator.“Good morning,” Jasper and I replied in unison.“You're gorgeous, Miss Gastrell,” Jasper complimented, making me roll my eyes.“Thank you. You are very handsome, Jasper.” Camari smiled at him.“How does Mr. Haworth look?” Jasper glanced at me. Seriously?Before Camari could answer, the elevator doors opened. A man and a woman entered. Fortunately, they interrupted in time. So, Camari didn't have to awkwardly answer my assistant's stupid question. In a moment, the elevator was full of other residents heading to the parking lot.Jasper and I e
Jasper moved quickly. He picked me up and ran to the car. Otis broke protocol by getting into the same car as me, but I needed him. So, I let him sit beside me.The medical team welcomed us to the hospital. My obstetrician greeted me and checked my condition. My feelings were uncertain when he said the opening wasn't quite there yet. We needed to wait until the time came.Our family arrived, helping me get ready. Otis stayed in the room with me. Whenever I needed him, I turned to him, and he would come closer. Hours passed, but the torment wasn't over yet.I grew more and more frightened as the pain became unbearable. Seeing Otis' pale face, I smiled at him. It must have been hard for him to see me in this state. It made me realize one important thing. There would be no other man like him in this world."Otis," I whispered. He came closer. "I don't know what would happen in the labor room. But I want you to know... I love you. I love you so much."Otis was stunned. His eyes then filled
[Camari]Otis was busy with the two companies he was responsible for. I thought everything was fine. He solved all of Haworth Incorporation's financial problems and replaced some old directors with his confidants.However, I had no idea why he bought shares from certain people in the company. I wasn't with him all the time since my pregnancy made it difficult for me to move around freely. So, he had lunch or dinner with his colleagues without me.He even bought shares in his company from people demanding that he step down from his seat. I wasn't the finance director, so I didn't know the company's financial position. But seeing Jasmine's calm demeanor, I concluded that everything was still under control.Therefore, I was surprised by today's announcement. Precious Fund Corporation and Haworth Incorporation were merging. Precious Fund remained, while Haworth Incorporation ceased to exist. What did Father think of this?The man I was thinking about came in with a cheerful face, making m
Bella had just given birth. Following Father's instructions, we checked the baby and Farrell for a DNA match. The lab technician called to tell us the results were up for collection. Dorothy flew straight from her town to take care of it with me.Camari was twenty-eight weeks pregnant. I didn't want anything to happen to her if she met Bella in prison. She should be in a high-security place. The office had bodyguards and building security. I could rest easy if she were there."Otis!" Dorothy called.I waved the envelope of test results at her. "The results are here.""Come on, open it quickly," she said impatiently.I opened the envelope and took out the paper inside. I sighed when I saw the results. The question that had been bothering us was answered. For safety reasons, Dorothy and I headed to the prison in our respective cars.Ever since Bella attacked my car, I hadn't been in the same car with my family. Camari and I also didn't share a car when we went anywhere. She still drove
Our parents excused themselves from the living room. They ran away and didn't help me to explain the sentence to Camari. I swallowed and saw them smiling meaningfully. Didn't they know I was terrified?After the door closed and it was just the two of us, Camari cleared her throat. "Otis?"I swallowed hard. "Don't worry about the money. I have a personal stash that I've set aside for my wedding. So, I'm not taking the company's operating money."She smiled. "Are you afraid I'll laugh at your feelings?" she cooed. Camari squeezed my hand. "Thank you for loving me, but I can't say the same." She bowed her head."Camari, I—" I muttered, feeling bad."Please don't get me wrong," she cut in. "Give me time. Our marriage was unplanned. The baby came unexpectedly, followed by the blessing and the reception... I didn't have time to digest all the significant events I experienced in quick succession."You are a kind and gentle man. I'll have no trouble loving you. Therefore, I need time. I won't
[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
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.""
[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]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
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.