Amelia's face turned pale, her mind racing, her heart pounding as she struggled to process the accusation. She felt as if the ground had disappeared beneath her feet.Alex's eyes widened in shock, his heart sinking as he tried to make sense of the stranger's claim. The tension in the room was thick, and everyone stood frozen, waiting for what would happen next.Hearing this, Alex turned towards Amelia, lost in words, he said absolutely nothing to her. Disappointment was written all over his faceSuddenly, the stranger's phone rang, “I'm sorry all. I have to take this call.” He headed out and exited the buildingThat was Cora calling, it was a planned means on how he'd leave the sceneThe man headed straight to where Cora had hidden and parked her car. He got in and smiled maliciously“With this smile, I'm guessing everybody fell for it?" Cora asked, hoping for a positive response“Yes, sure. You know exactly what I can do," he said, releasing a short laugher "How about Alex, did he f
"Hmmm," Amelia paused.Amelia thought deeply about whether to reveal everything to Flora yet.Flora knew Alex was fond of Amelia, but Flora didn't know about the one-night stand Amelia had with the mysterious stranger who later turned out to be Alex, which had led to Amelia being pregnant."Well, what bothers me right now is the news about the pregnancy known by everyone in the office, and the false accusation that was proclaimed by a stranger at the office," Amelia responded, avoiding Flora's question about who the father was.Amelia knew revealing who the father was at the moment wasn't the right time."I'm not sure I understand this, Amelia," Flora said, confusion evident in her voice.Amelia explained the whole scenario in detail to Flora."Oh! I understand now," Flora admitted, finally grasping the situation."I'm so sorry that you have to go through all of this, especially in the state you're in," Flora said sympathetically.She drew Amelia closer and gently rubbed her back in a
Upon arriving at Amelia's place, Alex hurriedly got out of the car and closed the door behind him. He headed straight to her apartment and knocked. He knocked several times with no response.With no answer, he sat sadly by her doorstep, waiting for her to return.After 45 minutes, Amelia's neighbor noticed Alex had been waiting for a while and decided to approach him."Hello, sir, you've been here for quite a while," the neighbor said."I'm actually waiting for Amelia. Have you seen her around?" Alex asked, grateful for his concern."Actually, I don't think she's in and will be returning anytime soon," the neighbor said.Alex's heart sank. "Do you have any idea where she might have gone?""I can't say for sure. You should try calling her," the neighbor responded before leaving.Following his departure, Alex bowed his head, filled with regret. He summoned the courage and headed back to his car. As he got in, he leaned back, staring up at the ceiling, feeling a wave of helplessness wash
An hour passed, and the time for the meeting arrived. The entire board was seated at the round table, a palpable sense of anticipation filling the room.Board meetings often felt like a blend of formality and tension, with everyone acutely aware of the decisions that needed to be made and the stakes involved.Alex tried his best to stay focused despite the inner turmoil he was facing.Forty-five minutes into the meeting, one of the board members speaking asked for clarity, "Does everyone understand?""Yes, we do," the others responded in unison."Great!" the speaker responded.Mr. Dan then turned to Alex to confirm the schedule for the next meeting. Alex responded with composure, and everyone agreed.As each board member proceeded out of the boardroom, Jake headed straight to Alex."Sir, there's something I'd like to discuss briefly with you," Jake said, his tone slightly urgent."Okay, what will that be?" Alex asked, curious but composed."I'm making an appeal for us to head to your
"Good question.""I have always known you to be an intelligent young man," Elsa said, crossing her arms and tilting her head slightly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips."Okay?" Alex asked, running out of patience."I want to own Tate Industries," Elsa Reeves said firmly.Alex laughed really hard."I'm sorry, Aunt, can you come again, please?" He chuckled slightly."Well, you heard me," Elsa snorted."It was supposed to be handed over to me anyway, not to your mother!" Elsa exclaimed, yet maintained her composure.Elsa Reeves had always been known for her relentless pursuit of power, which gave way to her unethical behaviors, such as manipulation, deceit, and betrayal, even at a tender age.This led to her father deciding to pass over her and entrust the company to her younger sister, Alex's mother, as the successor of his company instead.Noticing the seriousness in Elsa's demand, Alex lessened the amusement."You can't be serious, can you, Aunt?""Well, I am dead serious, Alex."
"Flora, I'm ready," Amelia said with a slight nervousness in her voice."So quick?" Flora replied, releasing a short, reassuring smile."How about I make something light for you before leaving?" Flora offered kindly."But—""No 'buts' please," Flora insisted gently."Okay then, that's fine. Thank you so much, Flora, for taking care of me," Amelia said gratefully."Anything for you, girl!" Flora responded warmly, giving Amelia a friendly shoulder tap.Flora headed straight to the kitchen, leaving Amelia to quietly scroll through her phone.Amelia felt a rush of mixed emotions. She placed a hand on her stomach, which barely showed a bump since she was still in her first trimester. Though the baby couldn't hear her yet, she whispered softly, "We are going to be just fine.""Maybe when you are grown, you will get to know who your father is," she continued, her voice tinged with both hope and uncertainty.Twenty minutes later, Amelia heard a knock on the door."Flora, there's someone at th
"The press release was strategically timed to tarnish our reputation and disqualify us from the upcoming competition, which determines the number one company in the city and comes with significant benefits," Mr. Dan explained.As the realization of how serious the situation was, the room became quiet. Alex's mind raced with the possible ramifications of the claims for their company's future as well as the pressing necessity to refute the false narrative.Following what Mr. Dan had said, a board member turned to Alex with a grave expression.With a worried tone, he said, "So, what are we going to do about this, sir?" Another board member raised his voice in agreement, emphasizing how urgent the matter was: "We can't let this slide."Another voice, clearly frustrated, said, "It will ruin our reputation and jeopardize all our hard work to get to this level." Alex weighed their words for a minute, realizing that he had a heavy burden of responsibility for the company's future. He was aw
"Thank you, Elsa," Mr. Tate responded with a sly smile."I knew I could count on you." Elsa Reeves stated, feeling impressed "Since Alex couldn't surrender the company to us, let's see what becomes of Tate Industries after they lose their chance of competing in the ongoing project," Elsa stated firmly, her voice dripping with determination.Mr. Tate chuckled maliciously, savoring the thought of their plan coming to fruition. "Indeed, Elsa. We'll watch as their hard work unravels before their eyes.”*******Alex arrived home after leaving Flora's apartment and immediately headed inside. He reached for his phone to contact John, the communication officer of Tate Industries.“Hello John, I’m sorry to call this late.”“Good evening boss. Calling late is not a problem at all.” John admitted, sensing it must be a matter of urgency for Alex to have called“It is about the false accusation on Tate Industries.” Alex statedJohn, already aware of the scandal due to his active social media pres
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