As Lily and Greg settled into their luxurious suite, the weight of the day's events seemed to lift from their shoulders. The suite was spacious and beautifully decorated, with plush furnishings and breathtaking views of the city lights sparkling against the snowy backdrop. Greg placed his bags by the wardrobe, glancing over at Lily with a reassuring smile. "I'll take the sofa bed tonight," he offered, his tone warm and understanding. "You can have the bedroom." Lily shook her head, a determined look in her eyes. "No, sir, it's improper," she said quickly. "I'll take the sofa bed." Greg regarded her with a firm yet gentle expression, his voice leaving no room for argument. "There's no need to worry about propriety, Lily. I am your employer, and I insist on taking the sofa bed. You will sleep in the room." Lily hesitated, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. She knew that Greg was trying to be considerate, but it felt strange to accept such a sacrifice fro
As the door to the conference room swung open, Greg emerged from his successful meeting, his eyes immediately searching for Lily. He spotted her across the lobby, her face bright and animated as she chatted with a stranger. For a moment, Greg found himself captivated by her beauty, her radiant smile drawing him in. However, as he shifted his gaze to the man beside her, an unfamiliar emotion surged within him—jealousy. The sight of Lily sharing such a warm exchange with another man left Greg unsettled and protective. Steeling himself, Greg approached the pair, his steps purposeful and determined. Lily, sensing his presence, stood abruptly, her voice filled with professional courtesy. "Mr. Davis, you're done?" Greg offered a curt "Hm" in response, his attention focused solely on Lily. Sensing the tension, Lily attempted to diffuse the situation, introducing the stranger to her boss. "Jake, this is Mr. Davis," she offered with a forced smile. Jake extended his hand in greeting, only
Stunned by Greg's uncharacteristic display of anger, Lily's eyes welled up with tears, her lower lip trembling as she fought to maintain her composure. Never before had she been on the receiving end of such vitriol, particularly from someone she held in such high regard.With a deep, shuddering breath, Lily found her voice once more. "Mr. Davis," she began, her tone equal parts hurt and bewildered, "I'm sorry if my actions have upset you. However, I believe your reaction is unwarranted. I was merely being polite to Jake earlier, as any professional would be."Greg seemed to waver, his anger dissipating as he took in Lily's wounded expression. He ran a hand through his hair, the weight of his words settling heavily on his shoulders. "You're right, Lily," he admitted, his voice subdued. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."A strained silence enveloped the room as Greg struggled to navigate the turbulent emotions roiling within him. Lily, her heart aching from the unexpected con
As Lily and Jake made their way through the hotel, they delved deeper into conversation, exchanging stories and anecdotes that fostered an effortless camaraderie. The familiar joy of exploring new places with a friendly companion eased Lily's initial reluctance and soon gave way to a comfortable rhythm. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, the shadows of malice and intrigue loomed, setting the stage for unforeseen twists in the narrative.The pair meandered through the opulent hotel halls, admiring the intricate architecture, lush décor, and panoramic views. Their idle chatter traversed various topics, from hobbies and passions to fond memories and shared interests. Jake's congenial demeanor effortlessly elicited laughter and sparked engaging dialogue, imbuing the excursion with a pleasant buoyancy.As they strolled, Lily's mind wandered briefly to the events that led her to this point. She reminisced about her arrival with Greg, the tension that had gradually grown between them, and her d
That evening, back at the hotel, Cherry was found in deep conversation with Jake. She lounged on the couch, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she commended him, "You've proven your worth, so it's time to move on to Plan B. Lily and Greg will be departing tomorrow, and I want you to follow suit the day after. Should my plan come to fruition, I assure you that your loyalty will be richly rewarded. You'll find the tickets on the table – fly back the day after tomorrow so we can proceed. As a token of my gratitude, I've transferred a generous sum into your account. Thank you for your unwavering dedication. Farewell."Following Jake's departure, Cherry's smile grew as she savored a sense of satisfaction, settling into the couch with a glass of wine in her left hand. "You have no idea what's coming, Lily," she murmured, her voice tinged with malice. "This will teach you not to cross me."The next day, Lily and Greg boarded a first-class flight back to their home country, completely u
As May and Louis engaged in a friendly game, their laughter and light-hearted banter filled the air. The tension that had been hovering around them earlier seemed to dissipate, and they appeared to genuinely enjoy each other's company. Lily, meanwhile, finished dishing up her food and took a seat at the dining table, quietly observing the scene before her.Throughout the evening, May found herself appreciating Louis's companionship more and more. She realized that perhaps she had been reading too much into his earlier interaction with Lily and that her jealousy had been unfounded. May began to let her guard down, and as the night wore on, she felt more at ease than she had in a long time.Lily, feeling like an outsider, excused herself from the table once she had finished her meal. She made her way back to her quarters, contemplating the dynamics of the family she had inadvertently become a part of. Although May had initially displayed hostility towards her, Lily couldn't help but hop
That night, as Lily retreated to her room, she received a message from Jake. It was a simple yet thoughtful check-in to confirm their upcoming weekend date. Lily replied, "Yes, of course! I'll be there." Jake, filled with excitement, responded, "We have so much catching up to do, beautiful!" Lily couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. Putting her phone down on the bedside table, she laid back on her bed, taking a moment to reflect on her journey. Despite the struggles and suffering she had endured, she felt grateful for how far she had come. Her thoughts then drifted to her foster parents, and she made a mental note to visit them soon, eager to share her recent experiences and express her gratitude for their care and support. The week flew by quickly, and Friday arrived—the day before Lily's much-awaited date with Jake. She woke up, freshened up, and got ready for work. As usual, she would be riding with Greg to the office. While getting dressed, Lily found herself pondering over
Greg walked in with Megan following closely behind him. They found Lily and Louis engrossed in their show. Greg cleared his throat, and the butler arrived to assist with the luggage. The butler felt nervous upon seeing Megan, and Greg took note of this."Prepare a guest room for her upstairs," Greg instructed, wanting to monitor Megan during her stay. He aimed to avoid any drama, as Megan was a spoiled rich princess who didn't care about anyone's feelings. In the past, she had hurt Mrs. Owen with her harsh words and humiliated her, which ultimately led to Greg breaking up with her. If it were possible, Greg would have Megan move into his room, but he didn't want any misunderstandings or drama, so he prepared a guest room closer to his own.Megan noticed Lily and made her way to the living area. "Aren't you his personal assistant?" she asked.Lily stood, nodding a polite greeting, and replied, "Yes, ma'am."Louis greeted Megan, as he was familiar with her face, and said, "Hi, Meg."Meg
The drive to Theresa's apartment was heavy with silence, the weight of their shared purpose hanging between them. As they pulled up outside the building, Greg and Lily exchanged a brief glance before stepping out of the car, their faces set with determination.They made their way to Theresa's door, and Greg reached out, knocking firmly. Moments later, Theresa opened the door, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the sight of Greg and Lily standing together."Greg, Lily," she said, forcing a smile and attempting to maintain her facade of kindness. "It seems you two have patched things up. I'm happy for you both."Greg stared at Theresa, his eyes cold and unflinching. "To think someone would have actually fallen for your pretense," he said, his voice heavy with disgust.Lily remained silent, her gaze fixed on Theresa as she awaited the woman's response."Do what?" Theresa asked, her eyes darting nervously between Greg and Lily as she attempted to maintain her innocence."Why did
Few days later, Lily and Mason made their way to the hypnotherapist's office for their scheduled appointment. However, as they approached the building, they couldn't help but notice that something seemed amiss. The windows were shuttered, and a "Closed" sign hung prominently on the door.Exchanging a worried glance, they ventured inside, only to find the waiting room empty and the office in disarray. Files were scattered across the floor, and the furniture was in disarray, as if someone had left in a hurry.Apprehension growing, Lily and Mason sought out the building manager, who informed them that the hypnotherapist had abruptly packed her belongings and fled the country. The cryptic nature of her departure left Lily and Mason with more questions than answers, and a gnawing suspicion that something was seriously wrong."This can't be a coincidence," Lily murmured, her eyes scanning the chaotic scene before them. "Someone didn't want us to continue these sessions."Mason nodded in agr
"You're back?" Louis finally broke the silence, his voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and concern.Riona nodded in response, her eyes never leaving his. "Yes, I brought Sophia for a short stay with her dad."As Louis studied Riona, he couldn't help but notice a change in her demeanor. The once vibrant and outgoing woman now seemed troubled and distant, as if something heavy weighed upon her heart."It's been a while," Louis said softly, trying to bridge the gap between them. He hesitated before asking, "How have you been?"Before he could finish his question, Riona cut him off abruptly. "I should rest up; I'm a bit tired from the long flight." Her words were clipped, and her tone seemed to suggest that she was eager to end the conversation.Without another word, Riona turned and walked away, her steps echoing in the now silent room. Louis watched her retreat, a sense of unease settling in his chest as he pondered the growing distance between them. It was clear that Riona was avo
In Theresa's apartment, her assistant entered and informed her that Lily had returned to town. The assistant happened to be a spy that Theresa had planted in Greg's team to keep tabs on his daily activities and report back to her.Upon hearing the news, Theresa was taken aback. She stood up, shock evident on her face. "She's back? Where? Did you see them together?"The assistant replied, "No, ma'am. They didn't meet, but Lily is in charge of the new mall construction in town."Theresa's expression grew calculating as she processed the information. She then asked, "Did they make contact? Did they talk?""No, ma'am," the assistant said, maintaining an obedient stance.With a dismissive wave of her hand, Theresa said, "You're dismissed for today. Make sure not to miss out on any details from now on."As the assistant left the room, Theresa's expression darkened, a hint of malice in her eyes. "Now, what is that bitch after?" she muttered to herself. "I guess I have to escort Greg everywhe
As Lily and Mason made their way out of the cozy café, Lily's foot caught on an uneven tile, causing her to stumble forward. Before she could hit the ground, a pair of strong hands grabbed her by the shoulders, steadying her. She looked up to thank her rescuer and found herself staring into a familiar pair of eyes – it was Greg, her ex-boyfriend.Lily's heart skipped a beat as she took in his appearance. Time had been kind to Greg, and he looked as handsome as ever. Her mind raced with a thousand thoughts and emotions, but she managed to compose herself enough to utter a meek, "Thank you."Greg smiled, his eyes filled with concern and a hint of nostalgia. "You're welcome, Lily. Are you alright?"Lily nodded, her gaze shifting to Mason, who stood beside her with a look of surprise on his face. She quickly regained her composure, remembering that Greg was a part of her past, not her present. "I'm fine, thanks. Mason stepped forward, placing a supportive hand on Lily's shoulder. "We sho
A year had passed since Lily left Oakside, returning with her mother to rebuild her life. The time away had given her a chance to heal, reflect, and grow. Although the scars from her past remained, she found solace in focusing on her career and spending time with her family.Lily took charge of the family business with the help of her elder sister Elisa, who Lily had once believed to be her cousin. They reconnected and worked together, while their parents retired and stayed home. Lily had become a changed person – no longer as cheerful as she used to be. She now entered the company wearing luxurious attire from head to toe, reminiscent of her past life. She was back to a life of luxury, as her mother Carla had visited the foster family who had taken her in after the incident and generously compensated them for their care. Lily was now her own boss, determined not to let anyone bring her down again.On the other hand, Greg had returned to his usual cold demeanor. Theresa decided to sta
Greg arrived at Carla's apartment, his heart pounding in his chest. He knocked on the door, and Carla opened it, her face cold and unwelcoming. "What do you want?" she asked.Greg pleaded, "Please, is Lily with you? I need to talk to her."Carla, protective of her daughter, replied, "She doesn't want to talk to you."Greg begged, "Please, just a minute."Lily emerged from inside the apartment, her arms crossed. She asked, "What do you want, Greg?"Greg replied, desperation in his voice, "Let's talk things out. Please don't leave like this."Lily scoffed, "What's there to talk about? The damage has been done."Greg cut in, "Lily, I love you, and I'd never hurt you. Please let me explain."Lily's annoyance was evident as she said, "I don't need your explanations. Just leave me alone. You don't deserve my love, Greg."Before turning to go back inside, Lily warned him, "I don't ever want to see you again, or I'll call the police and report you for stalking." With that, she stormed back in
As Lily stood up, Carla looked at her with concern and asked, "What are you going to do now?"Lily gazed at her mother and replied, "I'll be back," before getting into a taxi and leaving. Carla watched her daughter depart, her heart aching for all that Lily had been through, and she silently prayed for her daughter's healing and peace.On her way back to the mansion, Lily fought back tears, her hands clenched into fists. When she arrived, she stood in front of the mansion for a while, taking in the sight before heading inside. She began packing her belongings into a suitcase, leaving behind the dresses and gifts Greg had bought for her. She only packed the clothes she had brought with her originally.After finishing packing, Lily sent a text message to Greg: "Can you come home? We need to talk." Then, she made her way to Sophia's room. She played with the child and hugged her, feeling a wave of sadness wash over her as she realized how much she would miss Sophia. The young girl, unawa
That night, Lily lay in Greg's arms, recounting the day's events to him. When she mentioned what Theresa had told her, Greg stared at Lily and said, "Don't listen to Theresa. Believe me when I say you don't want to cross her. She's pure evil."Lily sat up, surprised, and asked, "What do you mean she's pure evil? Wasn't she your first love? Are you saying you fell for an evil person?" She then stared at Greg and continued, "Are you hiding anything from me, Greg?"Greg replied defensively, "What do you mean? I'm not hiding anything!"Realizing she might have overreacted, Lily said, "I was just joking." She noticed Greg's tense demeanor and asked, "Are you okay? Why are you so tense?"Greg shook his head and said, "Just tired from work stress.""I should let you rest, then," Lily said, giving him a quick peck on the lips before leaving the room.Later that night, Lily texted Theresa, asking where they could meet to discuss her past. Theresa, smirking, sent her the location of a restauran