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
Elaine's POV “Miss Elaine, Mrs Erica is asking for you. She's waiting for you at the reception.” One of the employees came to my office to inform me. I nodded and waved for her to leave, standing up myself and going after her. It's been one month and two weeks since Erica signed the deal with Zade's company, and since I became a full fledged employee who received a hefty sum of money. Throughout the days that passed, new things came up. The extra one hundred million dollars that I had from Erica's gem was transferred to my account, I was so shocked when it happened. I wanted to return it because of how huge it was and because I was scared. I had never handled that amount of money before not to talk of it belonging to me, but Zade didn't agree. He said that since I worked for it, I should have it. However, he scolded me and said that I should have sold the gem for more than what I sold it for and to be honest, I really was tempted to do that but I didn't want to come off as being too
Elaine's POV As Zade and I entered the meeting room, all the murmuring that was flying in the air went quiet, and all their heads turned around to stare at us, their eyes burning and boring holes into our backs. It took a long time for me to get used to those scrutinising gazes of the board members but I was able to do it, after all, Zade's personal assistant couldn't show that she was intimidated by mere stares. I settled into my seat next to Zade and he cleared his throat, commanding the attention of all in the room, “Today, we have an agenda to discuss. As we all know, a new branch has been opened in West Drewire and I have come to realise that there has been a series of things going on in that company…” As soon as he said this, two people on the seat stiffened up, their eyes flickering to each other, "I'm here to take care of those things right now.” Zade continued, knocking his hands on his table. “Elaine here has found some quite surprising things that makes me think about t
Elaine's POV “Who is he?!” Zade asked, his voice was as cold as ice. Neither of us expected that someone else would be behind the both of them, not at all. I never got that information while I was investigating, this was going towards another direction. “I… I don't know who he is. What I know is that he contacted me through someone else, and after giving me this order, he never contacted me again and only said I should do so after the company has been able to sell the product successfully. I've never seen the real Jackal before.” Andrew explained while Louis was still crying on the ground, trembling. “He must have known that you'd be caught…” I said slowly, “That's why he never messaged you again. He was toying with Zade's trying to tell him that this was something he could clearly do under his nose. Zade, the person could be in this company, in this very room, smiling at what is going on here.” I finished, looking at each and every one of the board members. None of them were smil
Elaine's POV “Tested? They were testing drugs that hadn't been perfected on people?!” An outraged strangled cry sounded in the midst of the meeting, people knocking their hands on the table in shock and anger. “Yes, we received word that they had been doing that for quite a while, even before they were given our formula, but no one has been able to prove it so it died down. However, we were given a chance this time and we succeeded. We were able to get footage of the uncompleted formula being tested on rabbits and humans, kept in labs to see how they would be affected. But despite the infections and series of sickness that those experimented on were affiliated with, they didn't stop. Brent Ruse paid the family of those who had eventually died a sum of money to keep their mouths shut and to also threaten them.” Zade explained, standing from his own seat to stand next to me. “Everything that has happened from the beginning until now is just a ruse that was meant to reveal the wrongd
Elaine's POV “I didn't think I'd come back here this early. It's only been a little less than two months.” I adjusted my sunglasses, looking at thr sunny skies. West Drewire was as sunny as I always expected it to be, although throughout my time here, it was already rainy and sad. Or maybe that was just in my head, but now? It looked very sunny, and it was so damn hot. “Let's go, our car is waiting for us already.” Zade came forward, traveling box in his hand. I glanced over at Zade, who was already a few steps ahead of me, his tall frame casting a shadow on thr pavement. He looked almost relaxed, his usual cold expression softening as he turned back to glance at me. “Right, I’m coming.” I muttered, adjusting my sunglasses again. They weren’t just for the sun; they were also for hiding the turmoil in my eyes. Coming back to West Drewire so soon felt strange, like returning to a battlefield where the war wasn’t quite over. Zade's gaze lingered on me, “We could go back if you wanted
Author's POV The sun was already setting when a sleek black limousine pulled up outside the airport, a crowd gathered and curious onlookers were whispering excitedly. Well, it wasn't everyday that a prominent family arrived unannounced in the Country’s Capital, West Drewire, let alone one that was connected to the Royal Family or that a black limo was parked outside casually. The anticipation heightened when the automatic doors of the airport slid open, and the Delacroix family stepped out into the airport’s busy terminal. People's head turned as the family made their way outside with a form of regal air, her tailored blue dress and her accessories hinting at her noble status. Behind her, two young children dashed out, almost tripping over their own feet in their excitement. The twins, Ethan and Elara, were mirror images of each other, with tousled black hair and bright brown eyes. It was evident they had far more energy than their refined mother could contain. “Look, Elara! It’s t
Author's POV “Ugh.” Jared grunted, following his family. He caught up to them in no time, opening the door for his mother who only glared at him, not saying anything and instead, she turned around, going towards the other part of the car and opening it herself. For good measure, when she opened it, she glanced up at Jared, scoffed again and looked away. Jared rolled his eyes, muttering something along the lines of ‘Such a petty woman', before entering the other part of the car. Few moments later, they drove off. “Killian, they say she's here. Do you think she'll actually be here? We've been looking for her so many years, and I was finally told that she's here. What if they're lying to us?” Lady Evangeline said slowly, the corner of her lips pulling into a small frown. She had a worried look in her eyes; worried that she had been lied to. After all, throughout the years, she had always wanted to find her child, but due to one thing or the other, she couldn't. At one point, she had to
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