It was 8 AM at Tate Industries, and every worker was bustling around, arranging things and getting ready for the day. The air was filled with the hum of conversation and the clatter of office supplies as everyone settled into their routines.Amelia had just stepped into the office, looking absolutely gorgeous in her professional attire. She exuded confidence, her outfit perfectly tailored, highlighting her poised and elegant demeanor. The moment she entered, all eyes were drawn to her, curiosity evident in their glances. It was clear she was new, and her arrival had created quite a stir.In boldness, despite the obvious glances, she walked towards the receptionist and greeted her warmly. The receptionist, a woman with a friendly but professional demeanor, smiled back and asked Amelia to hold on for a short time. She explained that the CEO, Alex Tate, would like to officially introduce her as a new member of the company.As they conversed, the atmosphere in the office seemed to shift.
As the slides began to display on the screen, there was a palpable tension in the room. Alex stepped aside, allowing the coordinator and the judges to carefully review the content. Slide by slide, they compared the materials from Tate Industries to what had just been presented by the other company.Though the PowerPoint designs were different, the contents were exactly the same as those of Tate Industries. The similarities were undeniable.The judges exchanged glances, their expressions growing more serious with each passing moment. The coordinator's face hardened as he saw the evidence before him.He turned back to the audience, raising his hand to get their attention. "It is evident that the presentation given by the first company contains material strikingly similar to that of Tate Industries. This matter will require further investigation."Alex felt a surge of relief and vindication, though the sting of betrayal still lingered. He looked at his team, who were now filled with a mi
Lucy's heart sank. Her mind raced, knowing she was the one who had recorded their initiatives and plans and had given it out. The weight of her actions bore down on her, suffocating her with guilt and fear. She muttered to herself, “What if after this investigation, I'm caught as the traitor?" Panic gripped her, and she stood still, her thoughts spiraling. “Mr. Alex wouldn't hesitate to fire me!” she yelled, the sound echoing in the empty office.She glanced at her wristwatch. It was already 5:10 PM, past the usual closing time of 5 PM. Her pulse quickened. She hurriedly packed her bags, her hands trembling as she arranged her desk. She needed to get out, escape the looming consequences. As she left the office building, she fumbled for her phone and dialed Mr. Vincent's number.“Good day Mr. Vincent," Lucy greeted, trying to sound calm"Greetings to you, Lucy," Mr. Vincent responded"Sir, there's an investigation going on,” she blurted out as soon as he answered. Her voice was shaky,
Alex arrived at the location chosen by the coordinator and sought a place to sit and wait. He settled into a quiet corner, ordered a drink to calm his nerves, and began scrolling through his phone, trying to distract himself from the anticipation.Sooner than expected, the coordinator arrived. Alex quickly stood up, greeted him with a warm handshake, and exchanged pleasantries. He then invited the coordinator to make his order and decide on a drink.Once the coordinator received his drink, they both settled into their seats. Alex took a moment to gather his thoughts, then leaned forward slightly, signaling the start of their conversation.The coordinator took a sip of his drink, then opened up. "The lead team member revealed that it was his boss who gave them the idea."Alex's eyes widened in astonishment. "Did he say who his boss is?""Yes, Mr. Wilson," the coordinator responded, watching Alex's reaction closely.Hearing this, Alex's mind raced. "Oh, now I know where all this is comi
Alex woke up feeling the heavy weight of his stepfather's demands about the company pressing down on him. The concerns that had kept him tossing and turning all night still lingered in his mind.Despite the nagging anxiety, he pushed himself through his morning routine, moving quickly as he got ready for the day ahead.As he hurriedly ate his breakfast, a notification buzzed on his phone. With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, he read the message from the firm handling the ongoing project.As he absorbed the contents, his heart leapt with joy. The message revealed that the accused company had been disqualified after the investigation, and this meant Tate Industries had advanced to the second round of the competition. This news was a huge relief, and a wave of excitement rushed over him.Overwhelmed by the unexpected good news, Alex felt a sense of excitement that he hadn't experienced in a long time. His worries about his stepfather's demands seemed to melt away in an instant.The
Amelia texted back, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to Alex for his generosity. She added a thoughtful request, asking if she could invite Flora to the celebration. Amelia explained that being new to the company, she hadn't yet formed close connections with anyone and would likely feel more comfortable and less bored if she had a familiar face with her at the event.Alex read her message, feeling a warm sense of satisfaction. Without hesitation, he replied, "Of course, Amelia. Flora is welcome to join us."After sending his response, Alex immediately dialed the manager's number. When the manager picked up, Alex's voice was filled with a blend of enthusiasm and authority. "I need you to please arrange for our best collection of drinks for the celebration. Make sure Flora is excluded but have some of the staff available to serve and take orders. Also, ensure we have a variety of edibles to go along with the drinks. I want this to be a memorable event for everyone."As he hung up, Ale
"Cora, are you okay?" Lucy asked, her voice gentle as she held Cora's arm softly, trying to provide some comfort amidst the unfolding chaos.Meanwhile, Alex was finishing his speech, the sound of his voice carrying authority as he addressed the gathered crowd. "Thank you all for coming. Please, enjoy yourselves for the rest of the evening," he concluded, his mind already racing with concern as he noticed the disturbance involving Cora.Without wasting a moment, Alex hurriedly made his way over to where Cora was standing, his footsteps echoing with urgency. As he approached, he gestured to the janitor present at the event, signaling them to clean up the mess that had begun to draw unwanted attention."Cora, what is wrong with you!?" Alex muttered, his voice tinged with frustration as he tried to maintain a semblance of composure. "And what are you doing here, by the way?" he demanded, his anger evident as he glared at her, his eyes narrowing.Cora's face flushed with anger as she respo
At past 8 pm, Flora arrived at Amelia's residence. As friends, they had visited each other occasionally, so it wasn't a problem for Flora to locate her apartment. They got in, and Flora tried all she could to stabilize Amelia.Flora asked Amelia if she could stay the night, being that she wasn't completely stable, but Amelia insisted she return home so that she could get to work early tomorrow.Flora obliged and made sure Amelia was half asleep before leaving. During the time she was home with Amelia, she had quickly made dinner and ensured Amelia had a shower. Flora bid her goodbye and left, hoping she'd feel better the following day.Forty-five minutes after Flora had gone, a knock on Amelia's door woke her from her sudden sleep. She sluggishly stood up from the bed, her eyes half-closed and heavy with sleep. Each step felt like a struggle as she dragged her feet to the door, her mind still foggy. As she peeped through the hole by the door, she realized it was Alex. Amelia hesitate
The vast, exquisite estate served as the perfect setting for the lavish wedding of Alex and Amelia. The event was held in a verdant yard with beautiful white and blush flower arrangements.Nathan and his spouse, who traveled from a distance, were among the loved ones, friends, and employees present.A string quartet's gentle strains accompanied Amelia as she walked down a rose-petal-filled aisle in a stunning couture gown with elaborate lace embellishments.Alex waited at the altar with love and anticipation in his eyes as he looked stunning in a fitted tuxedo.The reception was held in a large ballroom with tables adorned with exquisite china and glittering cutlery and lit by crystal chandeliers that created a pleasant glow.Following a five-course gourmet dinner, guests danced in a gorgeously lighted patio under the stars.The coordinator, whose job had been taken because he had refused to comply with Elsa's requests, contacted Alex at the ceremony's conclusion and gave him some sur
"Amelia is doing great. She's stable, and the doctors are making sure everything goes smoothly. We won't know much more for a while, but she's handling it well thus far,” the nurse said.With a sigh of relief, Flora's shoulders eased. "We really appreciate you informing us of this."The nurse nodded. “I’ll keep you updated on her progress. Feel free to wait here, and I’ll come to get you once there’s more news.”Alex and Flora resumed their seats, their minds slightly eased but still filled with anticipation. They chatted quietly, trying to distract themselves from the nervous energy that lingered.Hours seemed to pass quickly as they continued to wait. Finally, the nurse returned, her expression filled with positive news. “You can see Amelia now. She has asked for both of you to come in.”The nurse led Alex and Flora through the hospital hallways until they arrived at the delivery room.They were met with the sight of Amelia who appeared relieved yet exhausted, and they saw her holdi
Three days after, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city, Alex sent a message to Amelia: he had a surprise for her. The excitement in his text was palpable, and Amelia’s curiosity piqued as she went about her work for the day.During the end of work, Alex waited for her to tidy up her things, and when she was done, she strode to where his car was parked.Alex smiled warmly to welcome her when he sighted her walking towards him. As she arrived at the car, he stepped outside and gave her a warm hug and thereafter, he asked, "Do you trust me?" his mischievous and genuine eyes sparkling."Of course I do," Amelia answered, her smile expressing her confidence in him. “Good,” Alex said, pulling out a soft blindfold. “I’m going to need you to wear this for a bit while I drive you to our destination.”Amelia chuckled and agreed, her excitement evident. “Sure, go ahead. I’m ready for this surprise!”With the blindfold gently placed over her eyes, Alex took her
Upon arrival, Alex’s access proved invaluable. He guided the team through security and into the estate. The officers, led by Agent Smith and Detective Benson, approached Elsa Reeves’ mansion with determination.As they made their way inside, the securities and bodyguards reacted with alarm as they saw Alex bringing in officers into the mansion.They moved to confront the intruders, but Alex quickly intervened, instructing them to back off. The commotion caused by the confrontation created a distraction, allowing Elsa to make her way to the living room.As Elsa arrived, her expression one of surprise, she asked, “What is going on here?”Detective Benson stepped forward, holding up the warrant. “Elsa Reeves, you are under arrest for your involvement in the false allegations and the fake business proposal deal with Walmart Industries. Please come with us for questioning.”The officers moved in, and Elsa Reeves, though initially resistant, had no choice but to comply. As she was led away,
Finally, the day of the meeting had arrived, and everyone on the team—including Amelia and Alex—knew how important it was. They carried on with their day, constantly reminding themselves of the meeting's time and place.Mr. Nick stayed back at the hotel to get ready for the 6 PM meeting because he didn't have any work obligations that day.The anticipation increased as the morning became into midday. In the midst of this tension, Mr. Nick was called by Detective Benson, who already had his number."Hello, Mr. Nick," Detective Benson greeted, his voice carrying a hint of urgency. "I hope I'm not disturbing you. I need to know if you still have the evidence from the investigation on Elsa Reeves. It's critical for our case."Mr. Nick paused, his mind flashing back to the painstaking hours he had spent gathering that evidence.He knew how vital it was, not just for the case but for justice to prevail. "Yes, I still have everything," he replied, his voice steady. "I've kept it all safe, kn
Mr. Nick took a deep breath, the weight of the revelation heavy in the air. He looked at Amelia, his expression serious, ready to finally unveil the truth.“It was Elsa Reeves,” Mr. Nick revealedAlex's face twisted in frustration, his brows furrowing deeply as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. His neck veins widened as he gave a shout, "Damn it!" His voice echoed in the confined space of the car.His fury was so intense that he smacked his finger into the steering wheel, despite the searing pain.His nostrils flared and his breathing quickened as he attempted to regain control, but the anger that was already blazing fiercely inside of him seemed to get stronger, his thoughts a whirlwind of hatred and helplessness.Following his reaction, Detective Benson, who was seated close to Alex, gave him a calming tap on the shoulder to help him regain his composure.Mr. Nick continued, "One fateful day at the office, while I was having a casual chat with Mr. Walmart, his phone rang," h
“Amelia!”Mr. Nick screamed Amelia’s name, his expression a pure blank of disbelief. His eyes widened with shock, his usually composed demeanor shattered by the unexpected sight before him.With a tone that blended nostalgia and shock, Mr. Nick said, "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."His gaze remained on Amelia as though attempting to make sense of the situation, his eyes suddenly softer and slightly emotional."Why do I have a feeling that this was a set up?" he questioned, turning to face Alex with a raised eyebrow.With a knowing gleam in his eyes, Alex grinned. "It's true that I really wanted to show you the document, but primarily, I wanted you to meet with Amelia alongside."Mr. Nick's face softened, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He muttered no words, but the relief and curiosity in his eyes spoke volumes. His gaze shifted to Detective Benson, who was seated beside Amelia."Hello sir," Mr. Nick pleaded, his voice gentle yet urgent, "could you come over to th
Following their conversation, Alex turned and walked out of the bar, leaving Flora with a renewed sense of purpose and a heart full of gratitude.He got into his car and rode straight to the office, his mind racing on whether or not to expect any situation awaiting him. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by his employees which he responded to and he headed straight to his office.When Alex arrived at the floor of his office, he walked towards Maxwell's office. "Maxwell," he called out as he entered, "can you remind me of the time of my appointments today and how many people I'll be meeting with?"Maxwell looked up from his desk, consulting his schedule. "You have just two appointments today, sir. One at 2PM and the other at 4PM."Alex nodded thoughtfully. "I'll need you to move the 4PM appointment forward because I need to leave the office by 4PM to prepare for an event tonight.""Okay, sir, I'll do just that," Maxwell responded promptly.A few hours later, the 2PM appointment arrived a
As Alex arrived, Cora, who was sitting still, muttered, "I don't want to speak with you, Alex."Alex felt sad; he never wanted it to come this far, but her continuous threats to Amelia had made him do so.He asked a few questions about her well-being, but Cora ignored him and channeled her energy into emotional blackmail.Alex ignored her tactics and asked how she had managed to get that image of himself and Amelia.Cora laughed maliciously, and thereafter she answered, "The day our engagement was called off, because I still loved you, I felt the need to keep an eye on you."She paused, and then continued, "So, the next day, I used my spare keys to get into your apartment and installed a hidden camera in your bedroom. From time to time, I would check the footage to see if you were with someone else. That night, after witnessing you both together, I watched the video on my PC, where the camera was wirelessly connected, and took a picture of it."Alex was taken aback. He couldn't believ