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"Wow, beautiful." Someone exclaimed, jolting Xander out of his daze. There stood a man in a black suit, and beside him was a gorgeous woman dressed in a white gown. Crystal's attention also shifted to the newcomers. "Isn't it Zidane Watson?" A woman exclaimed. "Yes, it's him. He is so handsome in person as well." Another woman replied. Zidane Watson was a well-known personality, and everyone had seen him on the news or television, if not in person. "By the way, who's the woman beside him?" Crystal looked at the woman but chose not to say anything. "Mr. Watson is unmarried. She might be his girlfriend. She's gorgeous." The other woman guessed. Xander clenched his jaw as he heard what they said. His gaze was focused on Ariadne. He could not help but admire how beautiful she was. Ariadne and Zidane walked down the hall, talking to each other. They paid no attention to the gazes directed at them. Anyone can tell they have a close bond. "Oh, here they are. Excuse me."
Ariadne kept her distance from Xander and Crystal throughout the party. Even when they sat down for dinner, she continued to converse with the other guests. As expected, Xander sat with Crystal, while Ariadne sat beside Zidane. After dinner, everyone left. Ariadne left with Zidane which didn't escape Xander's eyes. "Mr. Watson and Aria seemed very close. They may have denied it in public, but I doubt they are together." Crystal stated, glancing at Xander. They were on their way to Miller Residence. "She always has good taste. She was after you in the past, and now it's Zidane Watson. After you, he is the wealthiest and most eligible bachelor around." Crystal added as there was no response from Xander. "It's their personal matter." Xander replied, refusing to discuss the subject. "Of course, I am just curious. Aria has changed a lot. I am very happy for her." Crystal smirked, noticing Xander's foul mood at the mention of Ariadne. After dropping Crystal off at the Miller Resi
Xander raised an eyebrow at Ariadne. "How dare you call my kids bastards?" Ariadne pointed a finger at Xander's face. "You are good at producing bastards, not me. I will not tolerate any bad words about them. So, mind your language. My children and I are none of your business. If you have nothing to say about business, you can leave. I don't have time to waste on you." Ariadne shouted. Xander clenched his jaw as Ariadne referred to Crystal's pregnancy five years ago. "Don't worry. I am not interested in you or your kids. You are right.... It's none of my business. And I know how busy you are. That's why I need to come here myself." he said, mockingly. "What's your problem?" Ariadne was furious. "Let's talk about business, which is why I came here." Ariadne narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her hands. No matter how much she wanted to kick him out of her office, she had to remain professional. She was surprised that Xander didn't react after she lashed out at him. "I
"I heard the news this morning. You two are finally getting engaged. It's a very good news." Mr. Wright said. "Thank you. It has been long overdue." Xander approached them. He rounded the table in the center of the tent and stood opposite Ariadne. However, Ariadne didn't lift her gaze from the table. She felt nervous. Her heartbeat quickened and she felt restless. She had no idea that this news would affect her, even after five years. She tried to remain composed. "When is the engagement?" "Next month." "Great." Mr. Wright smiled. "Oh, I forgot. Miss Miller, you’re Crystal's sister. You two will soon become family members." Mr. Wright looked at Ariadne, causing her to lift her gaze from the table. 'Family members? We were supposed to be soulmates as we were a married couple. But fate had other plans' she thought in her mind. "Yes, this's a good news." she smiled at Mr. Wright and looked into Xander's eyes, which were already fixed on her. "Congratulations, Mr. Blak
Few days had passed since the announcement of Xander's engagement. Ariadne didn't have to see him again as he never returned to the construction site after that day. The next day, she would visit the construction site to discuss the park's new design with Mr. Wright. She placed the printed design in a file before heading to the kitchen for dinner. Mary, Adrian and Autumn sat in their seats. Tiara was at the hospital with Alex. Tiara was the one who spent most of the night with Alex. Ariadne took a seat. There were delicious dishes in front of them. They hadn't started eating yet as they waited for her. They began eating together. After a while, Autumn lifted her head from her plate and looked at Ariadne. "Mommy, there's a function at our school tomorrow. Remember we mentioned it before?" she asked, eating her chicken wing. "Yes, I do remember." Ariadne replied. "We are both participating." Autumn smiled excitedly, while Adrian was silently eating his meal. "Yes, I know de
"How evil! He did it intentionally. That jerk!" Ariadne couldn't stop cursing Xander, sitting in the backseat on the way to the kids' school. She gave the design to Mr. Potter and left Blake Corporation without wasting any time. Mary had earlier informed her that she had gone to the hospital, leaving the kids alone at the program. "My kids must be disappointed." She murmured as she looked at her wristwatch. "Don't worry, Madam. We can get there before the program ends." her driver assured her. ... Autumn and Adrian looked through the audience several times but couldn't find their mother. Autumn was disappointed that her mother was not present during her performance. Adrian's final match was next, so he prepared. "And now it's time for the chess championship. We have two finalists here: Henry Wade and Adrian Miller. Let's welcome our two little champions, who defeated everyone to reach today's final." Two boys entered the stage. "It's Miss Ariadne's son." Jose whispe
"Okay, let me know if you find someone. Yes, good night." Ariadne ended the conversation with Mr. Hart. It was almost midnight. She was in her room as everyone retired to their rooms after dinner. The kids had also fallen asleep. She decided to draw some designs as there would be no work the next day since it was sunday. She took her notebook and began to draw. After some time, her bedroom door clicked open, and two heads peeked through the slightly ajar opening. Ariadne became startled before realizing it was her kids. "Happy birthday, Mommy!" they shouted together, making Ariadne's eyes widened. She had totally forgotten that today was her birthday. The two kids dashed into the room and climbed into the bed. Ariadne smiled, covering her mouth with both hands. They sat either side of her. "Thank you." She kissed on their cheeks while hugging both of them. "You two are awake at this time!" Ariadne said looking at the kids, as it was past their bedtime. "They told me
"She has two kids. My god!" Emma exclaimed, shocked. "Are they, by any chance, Xander's?" she asked, frowning. "No. I don't think so, Mom. She would have used them against me if they were Xander's." After returning home from the restaurant, Crystal told her mother about her encounter with Ariadne. "And that old brute, William, would have supported her. That vile man. He couldn't see anything other than Ariadne. God knows what kind of magic that bitch has cast on him." Emma gritted her teeth. "It doesn't matter whether that old fool likes us or not. We have Xander on our side." Crystal smirked proudly. William never acknowledged Crystal for Xander. Even after their engagement was announced, he didn't bless them. Xander, too, had stopped visiting his grandfather. After Ariadne left Zavion City, they grew increasingly distant from each other. "They must be the bastard children of some lowly man." Emma's lips curved into a sinistar smirk. "It's a very good news for us. A
Toby took the lift to the second floor. When he arrived at room 18, he was surprised to see two bodyguards outside. They weren't ordinary guards. They were the Blake family's bodyguards. They worked for William."What are you doing here?" he asked them."We're here on duty, Sir." one of the bodyguards stated."What duty?""To protect the child inside the room.""Did old Mr. Blake send you?""Yes, Sir."Toby frowned, unsure why William would want to protect Ariadne's child. "Okay. Is the child inside?" "Yes. But, there's an order that no outsiders be allowed in the room." the guard informed him.Toby became more confused."I'm not an outsider and this's Mr. Blake's order." he said.As Xander's most trusted men, Toby and Jose had authority over the other employees. Others obeyed their orders."Okay, Sir."Toby entered the room, closing the door behind him. However, when his gaze landed on the child in the bed, he stiffened. ... Xander arrived at the construction site. He became irrit
At Blake Corporation... "Xander, did you sell your property on the market place to Ariadne?" Crystal asked while sitting in Xander's office. She was furious after hearing the news. She had come to meet him. "How did you find out about it?" Xander asked, his attention fixed on the documents in front of him. "Um...I know your property manager's secretary. She told me." she replied hesitantly. Xander only nodded, saying nothing. "I'd asked you to give me that property. I was even willing to give you a big share. But you declined." Crystal added. A few years ago, Crystal started her own clothing line. She wanted Xander's property for her clothing line. However, Xander denied her because the Miller Group already owned a few properties in the city. "You don't need that property. I've already told you." Xander said casually ignoring her displeasure. "But, Xander..." "I sold the property for the partnership." Xander cut her off. "What? You and Ariadne have become partners!" Cryst
"After one week, we will begin the therapy." Mr. Wright said looking at Alex's reports. Everyone was overjoyed at the news. "Yeeee. I'll be able to walk." Alex exclaimed with joy. Ariadne hugged him. She couldn't hold back her tears. "Yes, baby. You will walk like your siblings." she kissed his temple. Autumn clapped excitedly while Adrian smiled. They were all in Alex's room at the hospital. The entire family visited the hospital. The children were overjoyed as they had the opportunity to spend the time with the entire family after a long time. After a while, Ariadne and Mr. Wright left the room. "He's doing well. He has already begun to move his legs." Mr. Wright said as they walked out of the room. "Thank you Mr. Wright. It's all because of you and the doctors." Ariadne smiled. Alex was able to move his legs now. He was overjoyed the first time he moved his legs. But he couldn't bend them. Doctors had told him not to move his legs any further because they were stil
The next day, news channels aired photos and videos from Xander's engagement party. However, Xander and Ariadne's dance drew the most attention. "What sort of nonsense is this?" Crystal was furious. She immediately called Xander. "Have you seen the news?" she blurted out as soon as he answered the call. "What news?" Xander hadn't seen the news because he rarely saw anything other than business-related news. "From last night. It's all over the news channels and social media." "About our engagement? What's wrong with that?" "Nothing is wrong with our engagement. But instead of our engagement, your and Ariadne's dance has become the hot topic. Everyone is making stories out of it as she was your ex-wife. They're even questioning our relationship. Why did you have to dance with her?" Crystal appeared frustrated as she vented her rage. "You're overreacting, Crystal." Xander said, massaging his temple. His head was aching from drinking last night. He didn't sleep well eit
(At Miller Residence) "Finally. I'm now officially Xander's fiancee. Soon, I'll be the Blake family's lady." Crystal smiled as she leaned against the headboard of her bed, holding a glass. "Cheers!" Catherine yelled from beside her, and they raised their wine glasses in celebration. "I'm happy for you. You deserve it, Crystal. Only one woman can have Xander Blake, and that's you. Not that bitch, Ariadne." she added. Crystal's face turned ugly when she heard the name. She gritted her teeth. "She will never have him. I've worked so hard for this day. What has she done to get him? Nothing. It was I who was always by his side... It was I who always obeyed him like a dog. That bitch has only insulted him, gone against him, and argued with him." she paused. "But still.. The only thing he sees is her. Ariadne, Ariadne and Ariadne...." she gritted her teeth. "But I'm not one to back down. I've always wanted to be the Queen, and he's the king. So Ariadne had to leave the picture.
Ariadne turned around and saw Xander standing behind them. "Mr. Blake. Come, join us." Mr. Montecarlo said. Xander took a step forward and stood between Crystal and Ariadne. He looked at Ariadne with a frown. She averted her gaze. "Congratulations, Mr. Blake." Zidane said, saving Ariadne from his intense glare. They shook hands. "Miss Miller, congratulations to you as well. I forgot to greet you earlier" he said to Crystal. "It's ok...Thank you." "I didn't know you have three children." Xander went right to the point. "Yeah, we were talking about it... she managed her work and three children at the same time." Georgia praised Ariadne. "I have help at home to look after my kids. Now that they have grown up, it's not as difficult." "How old are they?" Georgia asked. "Four years." "We hadn't met your other child." Xander interrupted. Ariadne paled, unsure what to say. Zidane gave her a concerned look. "He has some health issues, so he doesn't go out as much as
"You are looking at the wrong woman." Toby's words jolted Xander out of his thoughts. He looked at him and saw him smirking. He shot him a death glare before returning his gaze to the entrance. This time, he noticed Crystal with a pink gown in front of Ariadne. Crystal arrived with Catherine by her side. Ariadne was just behind them, with Tiara. Crystal's face darkened when she noticed Xander was looking at Ariadne. She deliberately arrived late to draw everyone's attention to herself. However, they arrived at the same time at the venue, and Xander looked at Ariadne first instead of her. She should have been the one to capture his attention. She cursed Ariadne internally for ruining her entry. However, she composed her expression quickly. Everyone looked at Crystal as she moved through the crowd. She approached Xander with a smile. Xander smiled back. Ariadne, on the other hand, joined the crowd with Tiara. They met with Crystal and Catherine outside as they arrived at the same
"I heard that you have been looking for a property for a while... And that you're interested in a particular property on the market place." Ariadne's eyes grew wider. She had been looking for a property for her jewelry brand, which was set to launch in Zavion City. She was particularly interested in the properties on the market place. She had also found one, but it belonged to Xander. So, she didn't make any progress on purchasing that property. "I've never wanted to sell that property, but I don't have any plans for it either." Xander continued. "So I've a proposal for you. I'm ready to sell you the property... but there's one condition." "What condition?" Ariadne narrowed her eyes at him. "I want to be a business partner of Autumn Collection... precisely... a shareholder." he said. "We don't have a business partner.." "I know. But you need one right now." "We don't..." "Shhhh." he cut her off. "Don't be irrational. Think about it with your mind as a businesswoman, that you'r
The drive to Xander's penthouse was silent. Ariadne remained at the far end, away from Xander. Her dress drenched the seat beneath her. However, he appeared unconcerned. His attention was focused on his phone. Ariadne felt awkward. After what happened at the festival, she wanted to stay away from him at all cost. Unfortunately, she was always caught up in an unexpected situation with him. Furthermore, it was her first time riding with him, which made things even more awkward. She wasn't sure if Xander was aware of it or not. They arrived at the tall building. The large, bright nameplate that read "PEARL" was visible to her. It was one of the most famous buildings in Zavion City. When the car entered the premises, it didn't stop at the front entrance. It rounded the building and came to a stop at the back entrance. She had never been here before, so she looked around curiously. They got out of the car. Xander started walking without saying anything and entered the building. Aria