Elaine's POV “Please follow me to the back so we will complete your transaction.” Another attendant came to me with a polite smile on her lips, showing me where I would pay. When we got to the back, there were other people who were there to claim their prizes as well. I supposed that wasn't where I was supposed to pay as they took me deeper into the back, towards another room. The gem was still sitting prettily inside its case and there was a man standing next to it. “You must be the one who held paddle 86? Can I have your name please?” “Elaine. Just Elaine.” I replied, my voice steady despite the nervous fluttering in my stomach. He then glanced down at the clipboard in his hands and proceeded, “Miss Elaine, I must say that nice to meet someone who is working for the elusive Zade Silver, may I ask how you were able to get that job?” He asked playfully. “I would rather not say, it's a long story you see and I don't really have the time for that. I have to be somewhere else i
Zade's POV “Sir, the documents have been corrected and re-binded.” One of my employees dropped a blue covered file on the table, stepping back after she did that. “You may leave. I'll call you if I have any other business.” I waved her away, she bowed slightly before turning around and walking out briskly. Taking the documents and reading through it, I leaned back in my chair. The numbers were consistent and the proposals were solid, everything was in place. I'd been buried in work for a few hours now, and I wanted to do some more when my phone buzzed on the table beside me. I glanced at it, the screen flashing with an incoming call. A video call. “Elaine?” I hesitated, and then picked up the phone on the second ring, putting the phone down so it could rest on one of thr documents. Elaine's face showed on the screen, “Elaine? What's wrong? It's only been a few hours since I have you the black card, is something wrong with it?” “Zade.” Elaine heaved a sigh of relief. “Elaine,
Zade's POV “Do you really think a few hundred dollars is worth me getting angry over?” I added, lowering my voice and injecting a bit of sterness into it for effect. Elaine's eyes widened slightly, “I… Well…” She stammered, she wrung her hands together as her eyes flitted here and there, she even looked at Ray for help but he blatantly ignored her. She looked like a deer that was caught in the headlight. I couldn't hold back the laugh any longer, it burst out of me with such intensity that I had to double over and hold my stomach. The look on her face was priceless and her confusion was so palpable that I could almost reach out to touch it. “Why… Why are you laughing?” She asked, suspicious, “Don't tell me that you're so angry that you're planning something? I don't like that laugh of yours Zade, it's creepy.” “Angry?” I managed to say amidst my laughter and I wiped a tear that had strayed at the corner of my eyes, “Why would I be angry? In fact, I'm quite amused. I don't get
Emily's POV “Elaine… Elaine is dead?” Caleb stammered, his eyes wide with shock. I clenched my fists, the corner of my lips pulling downwards. Why was he shocked and concerned, he hated Elaine so why did he care? Elaine, she had always taken everything away from me! Caleb was supposed to be mine from the beginning, but she took my place as his wife. I came second! But… she was dead now, everything I wanted was mine now. There was no need to be angry, Caleb is mine, and not hers. Mine. “Oh my…” I covered my lips in shock, tears gathering at the corner of my eyes, “How… How could she die? She was… We saw her a few days ago, so how did she…” I sobbed, “We have to tell her mother! Her mother might have not seen this, we have to tell her!” I stood up, staggering towards my phone, my hands were trembling. However, Caleb's hands shot out to hold my wrist, his eyes were dark, “Why? Elaine has nothing to do with us anymore so why are you concerned about her? Her life and death means not
Elaine's POV “Hello Mrs Wolfe, I hope you haven't been waiting for too long.” I said mildly as I walked towards her, taking a seat in front of her, at the same table. Although I had suggested we meet in this place, it was actually the first time that I had been here and I had to admit, the whole place had a very good ambiance and the smell of the pastries here… It smelled like I was in heaven, resisting the urge to take a very deep breath was very hard as the entire place was very tempting. “No, Miss, I only just got here as well. Allow me to thank you for accepting to meet up with me, even though I think you know the main reason why I wanted to meet you. It's about the jewel, the Crimson Midnight Star, I want you to sell it to me. In exchange, I would give you whatever you want in addition to whatever amount you want me to buy the gem for. I hope you consider this proposal.” Erica Wolfe said, she really went straight to the point. I guess when they said that she hated beating aroun
Elaine's POV “I'll need assurance that this isn't a waste of my time.” I felt a small wave of relief wash over, of course she wanted more details about it and with the way things were going, it was very likely that she would accept the proposal. “I can't disclose everything to you right now but I can assure you that it involves a project that will disrupt the current market in ways we’ve never seen before. It’s something that will position you at the forefront of an emerging sector. Mr. Silver already has a team working on it, and your resources and expertise would be the perfect complement.” “And what exactly would be my role in this?” She inquired, arching an eyebrow. “You would be a key stakeholder, Mrs Wolfe. Someone who just doesn't invest, but helps shape the project's direction. Your influence will ensure that when this hits the market, everyone will know that Erica Wolfe was one of the brain's behind it, along with Mr Silver of course.” She considered this for a moment
Elaine's POVRay had wide eyes, as if he was trying to make sense of Zade's actions, he looked betrayed. “Are you Elaine?” Zade questioned over his shoulder and a chuckle escaped my lips at that. I stepped behind Zade, placing my hand on his back. He tensed beneath my touch but he didn't move away, I carefully touched the angry red burn mark that had begun to blister. “It's nothing? You should run some ointment on it, it'll begin to peel and hurt even more.” I advised, my eyes still on the burn mark. “It’s just a burn Elaine, it's nothing I can't handle.” Zade murmured, his voice was uncharacteristically soft. I bit my lips, gazing upward to look fully at his back, and that was when I noticed it, the long gash that he had on his back. It went across his shoulder blades to the end of his waist. I blinked twice, my vision began to blur. My fingers ghosted over the scar, memories coming back. Zade had gotten this scar when we were still dating. I remembered it very vividly, it was
Elaine's POV My breath caught in my throat as I registered his words, Erica agreed?! I stared at him, waiting so he could retract his words but he didn't, he kept on staring at me with that smirk on his face that told me that he clearly enjoyed the stunned silence that I had fallen into. I cleared my throat, finding the voice to finally speak, “So… What you're trying to tell me is… ahem!” I cleared my throat again to remove the trembling in my voice, “Is that… Erica said… she said she agreed to the deal? I really didn't hear wrong? It wasn't a scam call? She really agreed?” I asked dumbly. “You're not willing to believe it? I can call her for you again if you'd like.” Zade moved to collect his phone but I raised my hands up, stopping his movements. I puffed out a soft breath, the corner of my lips twitching. “I… I did it.” I asked more to myself than to him, “I can't believe it. This sounds like a fever dream, as if I would wake up and everything was suddenly a lie.” I swallowe
Author's Pov The car ride back to Grandfather's mansion was quiet. No one spoke a word, not even one movement. Grandfather's face was serene, calm, blank, as if he wasn't thinking about anything. While Caleb had all sorts of emotions written very colorfully on his face. When they alighted from t
Elaine's Pov “Thank you for your help, we will get back to you in a few days.” The Police officer declared, his voice loud and clear. Afterwards, they dragged the still screaming Emily out of the mansion, leaving the scene behind. After they left, guests started to murmur. “Caleb’s family is don
“You don’t get it, do you?” I said, my voice steady, “This isn’t about being better than you. This is about justice, for everyone you’ve hurt. Including me!” Emily’s breathing grew ragged, her chest heaving as she stared at me with unbridled hatred. Suddenly, she lunged forward, her hands reaching
Elaine's Pov “You said you loved me!” Her voice broke, tears streaming down her face as she staggered toward him, but he took a step back, his jaw tightening. She turned toward the crowd then, her gaze wild and unfocused, “They’re all lying! They’re jealous! All of them are jealous of what I have
Elaine's Pov “Instead… Why don't we bring a doctor in to check if you're actually pregnant? After all, you've been able to deceive each and every one of us. If I didn't find out about it, you would have still continued to use it as leverage.” I said slowly, deliberately, enunciating every word, my
Elaine's Pov “How do I know all of this?” I repeated, my voice calm but commanding, “Because I am Elaine Winters.” And with that, I pulled off my mask, revealing my face to the people in the room. The gasp that erupted from the crowd was deafening. “She’s alive, I saw her on TV saying she was dea
Elaine's Pov “I can't take Caleb as my future husband… Why, you may be asking?” I slapped Caleb's hand away from my wrist, cleaning my palm on my dress as I turned to face the audience, “Because he's my ex husband!” I finished sweetly, clapping my hands together, the sound echoing throughout the h
Elaine's Pov It was time for the engagement. I stood in front of the mirror as the servants continued to dress me, I could hear the excited murmurs that came from the guests outside. Those whom I had invited and a lot of Caleb's workers and friends. I was nervous I wouldn't lie, but also, I re
Elaine's Pov “Put up the banners!” “Can't you see that it's not the same colour?! This is two shades darker, bring it down and change it instantly!” “Remove this, and this, and this! This party must be perfect! Lady Evangeline said there must be no mistakes!” Servants ran helter skelter