Julian's POV.It had been already half an hour since I started searching for Kristiana but there was no breakthrough. Each time I called her phone, she disconnected immediately, leaving me more frustrated and furious but there was nothing I could do. Pacing about in the hallway, I ignored the looks I was getting from passersby. “Mom." I groaned, digging my hand into my hair. Mother was the only one who could help me at the moment but I didn't want to get her involved. She was going to go berserk and not only will I be dealing with Kristiana who was acting off limit, mother will also be on my neck.I was already leaving when Clarence’s secretary stepped out of the elevator.Taking a step, I wanted to go after her but on a second thought, I halted. She was already disappearing into the corner when I called out to get her attention as I hurriedly made my way towards her. “Is there a problem?" She asked with a tone dripping with concern. “The control room, where is it?" With her
Clarence's POV.Finally, everything concerning the launching ceremony had been wrapped up yesterday. Now, it was time to shift my focus back to work so I would be able to achieve all my set goals within the slated time. I had barely entered my office when Olivia came in after me with her iPad, “Your schedule for today, do you want me to read it out?” She asked, scrolling through her iPad. "No thanks, I went through the mail you sent to me last night but still, I would appreciate your five minutes heads up.”"I gotcha.” She smacked her lips and then took her leave. Plopping on my chair, I pulled out my laptop to start working. It was at this moment that a soft knock came through, causing me to let out a low sigh. When it was time to work, I hated interruptions as I find it hard to return to my full zone of concentration after it. After knocking for the second time, the door creaked open and the first thing I saw was a bouquet of flowers followed by Kristiana. What is going on he
Clarence's POV.Titling my head to the side, I crossed my hands on my chest as I slowly walked away from my seat.Not minding my staff who were having a field day watching the drama between me and my step mom, I halted right in front of her. “Do I need your permission?” I slurred in my speech, watching the shock that has spread all over her face. Her expression did nothing but to remind me of my encounter with Damon. This was the exact face he made when I talked back to him. Thanks to my disability back then, I was unable to talk back to them and I always had my head bowed but not anymore.My feet were intact now and while speaking, our eyes were at the same level. There is absolutely no reason why I should cower before them now. “Clarence…” "In case you have forgotten, this company belongs to my mother and after her demise it became mine, so I don't need your permission to do work on it.” I cut in. Her face went pale as she began to struggle with her words. "You’re gotten some
What happened today?Clarence's POV.Several minutes after Kristiana took her leave, I was still in the same position, staring into space. A small distraction was all that was needed to make me lose interest in work and it was frustrating. With my hands clasped in front of me, I leaned forward as the image of my angry step mother filled my head. Also her departing words of Gina taking over the company continued ringing in my head. “I will not let that happen, never." I said repeatedly as my heart slammed against my chest. With anger running through my veins, I grasped the edge of the table so I wouldn't destroy the objects before me.“This is sickening." I muttered, pushing my hand into my hair. At the moment, I was pacing back and forth in my office, my hands resting on my waist and at intervals, it would find its way across my chest. Grabbing my head with both hands, I doubled over, muffling the scream that was threatening to erupt from my throat. “Ms. Clarence." Olivia call
Clarence's POV.No, this is not happening. Shutting my eyes tightly, I tried to calm my raging nerves down but it was to no avail as my heart constricted against my chest. On the news, I was tagged a fraud. Whoever it was that had instigated the press to release that article made it seem like I was running an illegal business in the name of someone else. “Ms. Clarence, are you alright?" I could hear Olivia ask but my tongue was too heavy to move making it difficult for me to make a sound. Closing the distance that separated us, she relieved me of my phone which I was gripping tightly only for a gasp to escape from her lips almost immediately. “What is going on here?" Kristiana yelled, announcing her presence. “Get back to work and stop ogling." She yelled at the staff who were giving me weird looks. Thanks to her, I had no idea I had become the center of attention. Rubbing my nape which was aching, I began to grope my way towards the exit as I wouldn't be able to carry on wi
Clarence's POV.Seconds turned into minutes, but still, he wouldn't say a word, increasing my worry and frustration at the same time. Julian and I were the only ones with the copy of the loan.Fully aware that it was confidential information, I kept it away and I believed Julian would have done the same too. How come is the document now making rounds on the internet? The leak must have occurred from his end, I can't be so careless to allow the outside world to see that document. — I thought, tugging my hair in frustration. “Julian, please say something." I cried out but he was unmoved. After a while, he pushed his hands into his pockets, turning his back on me but I was quick to make my way to his front, halting him from making any other step. Placing my hand on my chest to show the extent of my seriousness, I said, “I didn't leak the document, believe me Julian. I'm not stupid to do something of that sort.” I added the last part when he still wouldn't flinch. It was dishearte
Clarence's POV.Kristiana was long gone but her words still lingered in my mind; not her offensive words as I had discarded them, but instead, Julian’s sacrifice. Groping my way towards the wall, I placed my back against it with my eyes tightly shut. “Julian." I mumbled, momentarily forgetting the scandal and all of my troubles. When he didn't give me an immediate response when I initially requested his help, I had concluded within myself that he didn't want to help me. Since then, the thought had been lingering in my head and so whatever he did, I always attributed it to his reluctance in helping me at first. Unknowingly to me, he was weighing the options. “I'm sorry, I badmouthed you earlier without realizing you were planning on going all extra mile for me.” I spoke like we were having a one on one conversation. For more than half an hour, I remained in the same position. At intervals, I would hear the sound of approaching footsteps, a halt and then receding footsteps. Th
Julian's POV.The splashing of water against the floor in the bathroom was not enough to conceal the voice of Kristiana who was yelling for reasons I couldn't fathom. Hurriedly, I pulled my towel off the rack and strapped it tightly around my waist as I stepped out of the bathroom. Kristiana had her back on me but I could see the phone that was against her ear. I should have known she was on the phone— I mouthed, drying my wet hair with the drier. Her conversation was slowly getting intense with her partner receiving the dead end of it. At this point, I needed no one to tell me it was Clarence on the other end of the phone. At first, I didn't make a move but when she wouldn't stop yelling, I had no choice but to walk up to her. Snatching the phone she was gripping tightly to, I ended the call, tossing the device to the side. “What do you think you are doing?" She yelled, her eyes widened as she pulled herself to her feet to square off with me. Ignoring her, I turned my back o
Clarence’s POV.After the ceremony ended, I moved through the crowd, exchanging polite smiles and handshakes. The night should have felt like a victory, but the moment I spotted them, and the air around me seemed to tighten. Damon and Gina. My stomach became tense, but still I kept my expression steady. "Clarence," Damon drawled, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Quite an achievement. Congratulations." I met his gaze, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted. "Damon. Gina." Gina's eyes flickered with amusement as she swept her gaze over me. "Success looks good on you," she mused. "Though, let’s see how long it lasts. That little… *incident* earlier—did you enjoy it?" My jaw tightened. "Don't tell me that was your doing." She let out a light laugh, shaking her head. "Please, Clarence. I'm not that jobless. But you really have no idea, do you? The competition in this industry is brutal. If you're not careful, you'll be eaten alive." She tilted her head, smirking. "Honestl
Clarence’s POV.I ran my hands over the smooth fabric of my blazer, staring at the invitation resting on my desk. Tonight should have been a moment of triumph—a celebration of everything I had built from nothing. Winning the “Fastest Rising New Company” award was more than just an award. It was proof that I had survived. That I had rebuilt my life from the ruins Damon left behind. Yet, as I adjusted my blazer one last time, a strange feeling settled in my chest. More like a warning that my night wouldn't go as planned, although the warning seemed quiet, it was insistent. “Are you ready?” Julian’s voice came from the doorway. His presence, as always, filled the room effortlessly. Sharp suit and perfectly composed expression. A man who I had never seen lost control unlike how he used to be. I grabbed my bag. “Let’s go.” The clicking of heels against marble made me stop. Lo and behold, it was Kristina. She walked in like she owned the place, her red lips curving into a smile t
Clarence’s POV. The moment I stepped into the police station, my eyes landed on Julian. He was seated in front of an officer, and Kristina was right beside him, her arms wrapped around his waist, head nestled against his shoulder. I froze. I didn’t know why Julian had asked me to come, but looking at them, I suddenly felt like I didn’t belong there. He seemed fine. He wasn’t alone. Kristina was with him, holding onto him like she was afraid to let go. If I walked up to him now, it would only make things more complicated, and her suspicions would only grow deeper. Without a second thought, I turned on my heels and made my way back to my car. As I slid into the driver’s seat, guilt settled in my chest. I should have stayed. He had defended me at the mall, standing by me even when it meant taking the insults meant for me. But I couldn’t even walk into that station for him because I was afraid of what his fiancée would think. I hesitated for a moment before typing out a text.
Julian’s POV. Kristina’s gaze darted between me and Clarence, the anger in her eyes intensifying with every passing second. The way I was still holding onto Clarence’s hand possessively didn’t help. “What the hell is going on?” Kristina asked with suspicious eyes. I let go of Clarence’s wrist, stepping back. “It’s nothing,” I quickly said. “There was a misunderstanding.” Kristina’s lips curled in distaste as she crossed her arms. “A misunderstanding?” She turned her glare on Clarence. “Of course, it involves you.” Clarence didn’t react to the hostility, instead, her expression was impassive. “If you’re done making assumptions, I’ll be leaving.” She bent down to pick up her groceries, but Kristina took a step forward, eyes narrowing. “You think I’m stupid?” Kristina scoffed. “You always show up at the worst times, don’t you? Just when Julian and I are doing fine—” I cut her off. “Kristina, that’s enough.” She ignored me, still focused on Clarence. “Stay the hell away fr
Julian’s POV.Staring at Clarence’s photo brought back memories I had tried so hard to forget. Our university days. The laughter, the arguments, the way she made everything feel less suffocating. And then, the day everything ended. I tossed the phone back into the glove compartment, shutting it away like I had tried to shut away those memories. She was the last person I wanted to think about, not now, not ever. I wasn’t even sure if I still had space for her in my heart. Rubbing a hand down my face, I let out a slow breath and rested my head against the seat. My mind refused to quiet down. Why was I even hell-bent on getting married to Kristina? I didn’t love her. Hell, I didn’t even like her. She was my parents’ choice, their perfect idea of who I should be with. And somehow, I had gone along with it, convincing myself it was the right thing to do. A sharp ache settled in my chest. It wasn’t just about them choosing Kristina—it was about everything they had done for me. Eve
Julian’s POVI stood outside my family home, my hands buried deep in my pockets. Months had passed since my last visit, and if it weren’t for the news about my father’s health, I wouldn’t be here now. Two days ago, my mother called, her voice filled with urgency, telling me my father had fallen ill. As his doctor, I had no choice but to come. But beyond the obligation, there was still something in me that made me care. No matter how much distance had settled between us over the years, he was still my father. Stepping inside, I inhaled the familiar scent of polished wood and freshly brewed tea. The house staff greeted me with polite nods before disappearing into the background, just as they always did. My mother met me in the hallway, her expression unreadable.“Julian,” she said softly, reaching out to touch my arm. “I’m glad you came.” “How is he?” She sighed. “Weak. He refuses to rest properly, but I know you’ll handle that.” I didn’t reply, just gave a small nod before
Clarence’s POV. Their stares burned into my skin, each one heavy with judgment. I stood in the center of the living room, my back stiff, fists clenched at my sides as anger coursed through me. My stepmother, my uncle, Gina, Damon—they all looked at me like I was nothing more than a disgrace. Like I had no right to be here, let alone demand what was mine. As if I were some thief who had stolen from them, someone who should be on my knees, begging for permission to keep what my mother left behind. “You’re being disrespectful, Clarence,” my uncle said, shaking his head as though I had disappointed him personally. "This arrogance is exactly why you don’t deserve the company." I swallowed back my frustration. "I’m not being arrogant. I’m fighting for what’s rightfully mine.” My heart was pounding as I spoke, but I wouldn’t let them see it. I refused to give them the satisfaction of knowing their words had any effect on me. "Yours? That company belongs to the family, not just
Clarence’s POV.I pulled into my family's residence, a place I never thought I'd return to, even if I lost everything. I sat in my car, taking deep breaths, preparing myself for what was waiting inside. Meeting my step-sister, her mom, and my ex-husband - now her sweetheart - was a daunting task. I steeled myself, knowing I couldn't avoid them, especially now that they were in charge.The meeting was likely about my mother's company, which I now controlled. That company was my lifeblood, and I wouldn't let them ruin it without a fight. I got out of the car and walked into the yard, heading straight to the main house.The butler greeted me, ushering me in like a stranger. It stung to be treated this way, especially since I was the legitimate daughter but since I was a failure, I was now considered more of an outsider than a family member.I took a seat in the living room, looking around at the place that was once my home. Memories of my late mother lingered, but now the space felt suff
Clarence's POV.I wanted to speak up, but Julian's dismissive attitude made me realize it was best to leave, even though his presence at the company bothered me. I wondered if asking him about it would be pointless since he wouldn't tell me anyway."I'll just head back," I announced, turning to leave. Julian didn't react or look up, which wasn't surprising given his behavior.As I walked out of his office, I sighed, wondering when his silent treatment would end. I knew I was the one who ruined everything in the past, and he now had a fiancée. While that didn't justify his treatment of me, I couldn't complain because I deserved it. After all, we were just business partners, not even friends.Just then, someone shoved me aside, saying "Excuse me" in an annoyed voice. I staggered, regaining my balance to find Kristina storming past me. She didn't even spare me a glance and angrily walked into Julian's office, banging the door shut.I scoffed, irritated by her behavior. "She sure has end