Blair fidgeted with her fork, her mind wandering as she tried to focus on the conversation with Director Lawrence Hall. Despite his attempts to engage her in a discussion about the favorite luxury bag she wanted to buy, Blair couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was something familiar about the face of Karl.It was like she had already seen him at one of the business events she attended before. But he was just an employee. Kinsey was having an internal battle."Lawrence, do you know anything about Karl? He seems oddly familiar to me," Blair asked casually, trying not to give it importance.Lawrence glanced at Blair, surprised by the sudden change in topic. "Karl? Not much, I'm afraid. He's just another employee at the company. Why do you ask?""Oh, no reason. I just thought I recognized him from somewhere, that's all," she said, dismissing her thoughts. He might just happen to have a resemblance to one of her acquaintances.Despite that Blair couldn't shake the feeling of une
Early in the morning, Kinsey got a call from her colleague Karl. She was hesitant to answer, afraid that the company had fired her instead of just suspension.To find out, she was left with no choice but to swipe the screen and answer the call. "Hello, Karl, why are you calling so early? You're not bringing bad news, are you?""Kinsey, I have some great news," Karl said, his voice filled with excitement. "The CEO wants you back at work starting tomorrow. Your suspension has been lifted.""Oh, Karl, that's wonderful!" Kinsey's heart leaped with joy. "Thank you so much for letting me know. I can't wait to get back to work and dive into the project again.""You deserve it, Kinsey. Your expertise and dedication are invaluable to the marketing team. We're all looking forward to having you back."Kinsey couldn't contain her joy as she thanked Karl and hung up the phone. Her face beamed with excitement as she planned to celebrate it with Brandon by cooking a good dinner for them. But she cou
As soon as Kinsey entered the marketing department room, her colleagues greeted her in unison. "Welcome back Kinsey." They all gathered to give Kinsey welcoming greetings after a short period of suspension.Kinsey gasped, and she covered her mouth as she was speechless for a moment."Karl, I... I don't know what to say," she said finally. "This is so unexpected.""Well, you deserve it, Kinsey," Karl said. "We missed having you around here, and we're thrilled to have you back. Here's a cake for you. Consider it a welcome-back gift from all of us.""Thank you, Karl. I really appreciate it. I'm just glad to be back," Kinsey said, accepting the cake joyfully. The cake has a note, "Welcome back, Kinsey.""Kinsey! Welcome back!" Taylor gave Kinsey a warm hug. We've missed you so much.""Thank you, Taylor. It's good to see you too," Kinsey said, hugging Taylor back."We've all been waiting for this day. The office just hasn't been the same without you," Taylor complained."Yeah, it's like a
As Kinsey stepped into their home, she dropped her bag by the door and wandered aimlessly into the living room. Her mind still buzzed with questions and uncertainty about the scene she witnessed on the top floor of the Quantum building. The image of the CEO's back, so eerily reminiscent of Brandon's, played over and over in her mind like a broken record.Did Brandon know the CEO? She knew that Brandon, being a Simons, had connections that extended far beyond her own reach. But to have a connection with the CEO of the Quantum Group seemed far-fetched, even for him since he was a half-exiled from the Simons.As she sank into the couch, her brow furrowed with worry. She wished she could brush off the encounter as a mere coincidence, but something about it felt too significant to ignore. And the more she dwelled on it, the more her confusion grew."Kinsey, is everything okay?" Brandon's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. She turned to see him standing in th
The next day, Brandon woke up first, and he couldn't help but steal one last glance at Kinsey, her peaceful form nestled in the sheets. His heart swelled with love as he admired her serene beauty, feeling grateful for every moment they shared together.With a tender smile, he brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his touch light and gentle. Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, savoring the sweetness of the moment."Good morning, beautiful," he whispered, his voice soft with affection. "Sleep well." He whispered words of affection, knowing that even in her slumber, Kinsey could feel the warmth of his adoration.Carefully, Brandon made his way to the kitchen, his heart still filled with the memory of their passion from the night before. He busied himself with preparing breakfast, the rhythmic sounds of cooking a comforting backdrop to his thoughts of Kinsey.As he plated the food, Brandon paused to scribble a note for Kinsey, his pen gliding smoothly across the pa
Brandon exited from his office earlier than usual. "Max, let's go," he instructed his assistant, and then the man followed him quickly.Max was stunned to see his boss with enthusiasm plastered on his face. Just this morning, Brandon was in a rage about the incident yesterday. He wondered what made his boss so happy this afternoon. It must be his wife, he guessed.As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Max noticed it wasn't the ground floor yet. "Boss, where are we heading?""We're picking up my wife," Brandon said, his voice laced with eagerness. But as soon as they arrived at the marketing department, Kinsey wasn't in her cubicle. His eyebrows furrowed with confusion."Excuse me, Miss, do you know where Kinsey is?" Brandon asked the nearest woman near Kinsey's cubicle, and it was Taylor.Taylor froze momentarily, wondering who could be the godly man before him. Could this be Kinsey's husband? Other colleagues had paused on their job and looked at the towering man, oozing with
From Karl's office Brandon's assistant, Max separated from them, giving the couple their needed space. At the lobby, he witnessed how Kinsey and his boss were so sweet to each other. Even the scene at Karl's office was a shock to him as he had never seen Brandon so intimate publicly with a woman. Is this the real Brandon Simons?Max watched from afar, his thoughts swirling with confusion. He couldn't understand the dynamics of Brandon and Kinsey's relationship. They were supposed to be in a contract marriage, yet they seemed so genuinely in love.With a shake of his head, Max pushed aside his thoughts, went to the parking area, and drove his old car. He had work to do, and unraveling the complexities of his boss's personal life would have to wait. But he couldn't deny that Brandon deserved to be happy after all he went through with his own family.Brandon opened the car door for his wife and helped her get in the car. Kinsey blushed, her heart swelling with happiness for her husband's
Her shock must have been evident on her face, for Taylor leaned in closer, concern etched on her features. "Hey, Kinsey, is everything alright?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.Kinsey tore her gaze away from Blair and forced a smile, though her thoughts were still in turmoil. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice strained. "Just... surprised to see someone I know working here. Let's go," she held Taylor's hand to dismiss the topic.Kinsey's heart went out to Blair, despite their past animosity. She still feels compassion for Blair, especially ending up in a place like this, surrounded by potential dangers. She knew exactly how it feels working with the elite who could abuse you anytime they wanted."Kinsey," Karl exclaimed upon seeing Kinsey nearing their table. He smiled warmly at Kinsey, his eyes filled with admiration. "I'm really going to miss working with you Kinsey," he said, his voice tinged with sincerity. "You've been such a good friend of mine."Kinsey returned hi
Brandon and Kinsey slowly cut into the cake, and as the slice was pulled away, a collective gasp filled the room. The inside of the cake was a brilliant blue."It's a boy!" shouted Taylor, throwing her hands up in celebration.Those who had bet on a boy cheered, while those who had hoped for a girl joined in the joyous laughter. Cooper lifted Connor into the air, both of them laughing with excitement. "I have a playmate," Connor shouted.Brandon laughed and then turned to Kinsey, his eyes misty with emotion. "We’re having a son."Kinsey's smile was radiant. "Yes, we are. I can’t wait to meet him."Amelia clapped her hands, beaming with joy. "Congratulations! A little boy is going to bring so much happiness into your lives."Chelsea hugged Kinsey tightly. "I'm so happy for you both. This baby is going to be so loved."Grandpa Benjamin's eyes twinkled as he motioned for everyone to gather around. "I have a special gift for Brandon and Kinsey," he began, his voice warm with affection. "I
"If you ever look at her like that again, I will make your lives here like hell. Don't test me," Brandon said as he stepped forward, his voice low and menacing.Thomas and Johnny exchanged a wary glance, the threat in Brandon's tone cutting through their bravado. They knew all too well the reach of Brandon’s power, even within prison walls."Alright, alright," Johnny said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No need to get all worked up. What do you want, Brandon?"Brandon took a deep breath, trying to control the anger boiling inside him. "I want to know why. Why did you kill my parents?"Thomas's face twisted with bitterness. "Elliot was always the golden child, wasn’t he? Dad’s favorite, the one trusted with everything. And what were we? The leftovers. We had to scrape by while he got it all handed to him."Johnny nodded, his expression mirroring Thomas’s resentment. "We hated him. We hated how he looked down on us, how he had everything we wanted. But we never meant to kill your
In the morning, Brandon gently caressed Kinsey’s scars, his fingers tracing the faint lines left by Blair’s brutal whipping. His jaw tightened as he thought about the pain his wife must have endured. His heart ached, a mix of anger and sorrow. He would make sure Blair paid for what she had done."Good morning, beautiful," Brandon whispered as he noticed Kinsey slowly flickering her eyelids open.Kinsey smiled, her cheeks flushing pink at the memory of the passionate night they had shared. They had both been insatiable, rediscovering each other most intimately. "Good morning," she replied softly, her voice filled with contentment.Brandon’s eyes softened as he looked at her. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone gentle."Better," Kinsey said, her smile widening. "Especially after last night."Brandon chuckled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I’m glad to hear that. What do you want for breakfast? I can have anything you like brought up."Kinsey’s face turned serious as she propp
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Brandon's eyes widened in surprise, then filled with a joy so intense it took his breath away. "A baby?" he repeated, his voice choking with emotion.Kinsey nodded, tears of happiness welling up in her eyes. "Yes, Brandon. We're going to have a baby."A broad smile spread across Brandon's face, and he let out a joyful laugh, lifting Kinsey off her feet and spinning her around gently. "We're having a baby!" he exclaimed, his voice ringing with excitement. He set her down carefully, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her deeply.Kinsey melted into the kiss, feeling the warmth of his love and the reassurance of his touch. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "I was so nervous to tell you. I thought you wouldn't like to have a baby yet," she admitted, her voice soft against his lips.Brandon pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "Nervous? Kinsey, this is the best news I've ever heard. You've made me the happies
The soft murmur of conversations and the clinking of champagne glasses filled the elegant ballroom where Taylor and Daniel’s wedding was in full swing. Brandon couldn’t take his eyes off his wife, Kinsey. She looked stunning in the custom gown he had arranged, a delicate creation that seemed to shimmer under the soft lights. Brandon himself was dressed in a tailored suit that complemented her dress perfectly, a symbol of their unity and love.As they stood together, Kinsey glanced up at him, feeling his gaze. "You look absolutely beautiful," Brandon murmured, his voice filled with admiration and love. "I can't believe how lucky I am to have you by my side."Kinsey blushed, a warm flush spreading across her cheeks. "Thank you, Brandon. You look incredibly handsome too. This suit... it’s perfect."Brandon smiled, his eyes twinkling with affection. "I wanted us to look our best tonight. It’s a special day for Taylor and Daniel, and I wanted to make sure we could celebrate it fully, as a
As Brandon and Kinsey stepped through the door of the Simons' Mansion, the last person they expected to see was Cooper. The man stood in the foyer, his posture tense but his eyes determined."Cooper?" Kinsey's voice trembled with shock. "What are you doing here?"Brandon’s initial reaction was fury. "What the hell are you doing in my house without any prior notice?" His voice was hard, filled with protective anger.Cooper raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Please, Brandon, Kinsey. I know this is unexpected, but I need to talk to both of you. It's important."Brandon crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "You've got five minutes. Make it quick."Cooper took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Kinsey’s. "I'm here to tell you the truth about Connor. He’s my son, Kinsey. Alexa and I... we were together."The words hung in the air like a bombshell. Kinsey’s knees buckled, and she stumbled back, leaning against the wall for support but Brandon was quick to help her. "What? Connor... your son?"
Olive paced back and forth in the living room, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at her husband, Jonathan, who sat calmly on the couch. The tension in the room was palpable, a storm of emotions ready to burst.“How could you, Jonathan?” Olive’s voice was sharp, almost a hiss. “How could you not let me talk to Brandon when you met him? Do you even care about Blair? She’s our daughter, and she’s been rotting in jail with no bail for days now!”Jonathan sighed heavily, running a hand through his thinning hair. He looked exhausted, a man burdened with too many troubles. “Olive, it’s not that simple. Blair has committed serious crimes. Kidnapping, detaining, whipping, and attempting to murder Kinsey… She’s lucky she’s even alive.”Olive’s eyes filled with tears of frustration and anger. “I know she’s done wrong, but she’s our child! I can’t just sit here and do nothing. We need to beg Brandon to drop the charges. It’s the only way to get her out.”Jonathan shook his head, his expres
Kinsey lay awake, Brandon's words echoing in her mind. "Jealous" Was she jealous? She couldn't deny the pangs of hurt and anger that had surfaced when she saw Chelsea with Brandon, and the thought pissed her off.Another thing that's bothering her is Taylor's wedding. She had promised Taylor and Daniel that she would bring Brandon to their wedding, but her pride kept her from asking him. Her mind churned with conflicting emotions, preventing her from finding peace.Morning came too soon, and with it, a heavy sense of unresolved tension. Kinsey dragged herself out of bed, her eyes heavy from lack of sleep. Determined to resolve things, she decided to talk to Brandon about the wedding. She steeled herself and walked to their room, only to find it empty.Her heart sank a little. "Where could he be this early in the morning?" she muttered.As she headed to the dining room for breakfast with Connor, she felt a mixture of disappointment and anxiety. Sitting across from Connor, who was cheer
Kinsey stood among her colleagues, her emotions a turbulent mix of anger, hurt, and embarrassment. As Brandon introduced himself with his usual charm and confidence, her mind replayed the memory of Chelsea in the elevator, each repetition stoking her resentment.Brandon tried to catch her eye, his smile warm and inviting, but she turned away, her face a mask of indifference. Internally, she was seething.The memory of Chelsea's face haunted her. "I’m visiting a friend on the top floor," Chelsea had said, the implication clear. Kinsey had been so naive, so stupid to trust Brandon, to confess her feelings to him. She felt a deep sense of betrayal and embarrassment.Kinsey felt insecure in every way possible. Chelsea is more fitting for Brandon. They match in status, in every way that counts. Unlike her, poor and stupid, abandoned by her own family.As Brandon spoke to the employees, detailing his vision for the company and his plans for the future, Ki