“...Alright, you all are dismissed. Make sure to clean up your lab stations and return the equipment you used,” she said as she exited the laboratory. As she approached her office, she noticed a familiar woman standing outside the door. She ignored the woman who was staring daggers at her and opened the door. “The nerve of you to ignore me like this, Rui!” “I'm busy. Please contact my husband to set up an appointment with me. Thank you so much,” she plainly said. “What kind of lunatic are you to make your husband your assistant?!” “My husband takes care of me so well that he manages my schedule to keep a close watch on the people I'm meeting. The last time I went to a gathering that my husband did not thoroughly check, it almost ruined the life of our daughter. I don't want to take that risk. So please leave, Lianna.” Lianna swallowed back her pride and anger after seeing Rui block her off. If she fails to talk to Rui today, she won't be able to save her dying career. “Pleas
“President Eno, this is the share transfer agreement,” the man said as he passed the document to Chase. Chase checked before he swiftly signed the document. “Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Johnson.” “Not at all, President Eno. I have no interest in the company anyway. My father just gave me these shares so I could survive even if my paintings won't sell. Besides, I don't want to sell this to my brother.” “Why? He's the one managing the company, right?” “Yes, Lester manages the company. But if he holds additional 20% shares, his authority will not be questioned anymore. I just held onto this so he won't get comfortable in the company.” “I see. It's good that it's now mine.” … “Thank you for attending the shareholder's meeting everyone,” said Lester to the people inside the conference room of Johnson's Group. “I can see that you're still faring well even after the controversies surrounding your family.” “Miss Lianna's misconduct is a disgrace for our company. She's dee
Weeks moved forward before Lester Johnson was arrested. The murder case that was filed against him was extremely heavy. As the mastermind of Steven and Margaret Yoon's murder, he is most likely set to spend the rest of his life in prison. Everything in their life has been smooth sailing lately and Rui is starting to doubt that it's real. Now that Lester Johnson is behind bars, life's been peaceful. She's just spending the rest of her free time with her family now that she's discharged. “Mom, look what I made,” said Eon, who's holding a car made out of Lego pieces. “That's nice, baby. What else are you making?” “I made a house and also a parking lot for my car. I want to make a lot but dad still doesn't want me to play with EV3! It's much more fun if I can make my legos move… Mom…” he complained to his mother. He glanced at his father who was peacefully building his own Lego robot on the side and smiled mischievously. Rui noticed her son's naughty schemes. Her lips curled, ent
“Grampy?! My Grampy?! His uncle wants my grandfather's drug?” 'What drug? How come I don't know what that is? And why would he want my grampy's drug? I have to go to the mansion and search for this damned drug!' Rui stood up and left the study to go to her family's mansion. “Darling, where are you going?” “Mom, where are you going?” When the father and son spotted Rui walking down the stairs, they both asked at the same time. “I'm going to the mansion for a bit. You guys continue playing.” “No! I wanna go, mom!” Eon said as he rose to tail her mother out the door. “Honey, me too.” “Clean your mess up first.” Chase pouted before fetching his lego vacuum that can sort the bricks. 'What the hell… This is a lot…' he frustratingly thought while staring at all the Lego pieces scattered on the floor. … Rui and Eon went up to her grandfather's study to search for this drug. They have already cleared and disposed of the chemicals inside her grandpa's laboratory so Karina's u
TW: Suicide; Self-harm Rui hid the heirloom inside their walk-in closet. Now that she's in the safest room of their house, she's trying to open the golden safe. Chase walked in and saw Rui crouching at the corner of the room, trying to open the safe box. “What's that, love?” “It's our family heirloom. Karina warned me that her uncle wants my grandpa's drug so I'm trying to figure out what kind of drug it is,” she answered seriously as she turned the safe dial. “Her uncle? Justice secretary Saxon Hale? Isn't that the guy who helped you get back here in the country and gave you resources in the university?” “Yeah, he's the guy. He was my grandpa's old student.” Clack The golden safe box opened. There she found a mini journal inside. The initials of her grandfather, H. Y, were elegantly engraved on the brown leather cover of the journal. She flipped it open to see the contents written by her grandpa. She saw scribbles of chemical formulas on the pages. As she skimmed over
Rui went to Eon's school for the quarterly PTA meeting. She wasn't worried about her child's academic performance at all. Eon's a gifted child and his high IQ made school activities easy. What he needs to improve are his interpersonal skills. Eon welcomed his mother at the front entrance of the elementary department with a big smile on his cute face. “Mom, did you know that Teacher Kang showed me your pictures when you were still an elementary student! You look so pretty, mommy~” Rui smiled warmly and pinched Eon's nose. “Oh really?” “Yes! I also saw daddy but he always looks so grumpy that's why I only looked at mommy's picture!” “Then don't be like daddy and learn to smile whenever you're happy.” “I will! I smile a lot because attending class with my classmates is so fun!” The two entered the building filled with a youthful and cheerful atmosphere. Memories of Teacher Sy, Karina's third victim, have vanished completely. Teachers and pupils now moved on with their lives.
The men in black who were scouting the Eno family came back to his boss to report. “Sir, Miss Rui has so many guards with her… Plus she's also with Mr. Eno… It would be difficult for us to be close to her.” “Hmm… I see… Did you inform Lianna that Rui is here?” “Yes, sir. She's on her way to school.” Saxon smirked. “That's good. I believe you know what to do next.” “Yes, sir!” … Rui and Chase sat together with Principal Han and other shareholders. They were watching the event from the bleachers. “Where are the elementary students right now?” Rui whispered to Chase. Chase opened the pamphlet to look at the schedule of events. “They are playing tug of war in the open field. Do you want to go there? Let me go with you.” “No need, honey. Accompany Principal Han here… I'm just going to check on Eon anyway.” “Alright. I'll follow you later. Call me if you need something.” Rui stuffed Eon's change of clothes inside her bag before standing up. “Oh, Mrs. Eno? You're leaving?” “Yo
“Mommy… Why are you crying?” he asked in a panic. Lianna rolled her eyes in annoyance. 'What a gullible kid…' She then embraced her son in a hurry to hide her sour expression. “Rui, won't listen to me… I begged her but she won't listen… My Luke, what should mommy do?” she sobbed. The little boy felt his eyes water as he watched his mother cry in despair. He couldn't grasp what was happening with his mother. He only understood that someone hurt his mother. “Mom–mommy, what should Luke do?” he stuttered. She wiped her tears and forced a smile. “Mommy just wants to talk to Eon… Can you invite him?” “What should Luke tell him, mommy?” “Tell him that his mommy's best friend wants to talk to meet him.” “Yes, mommy!” he exclaimed as he ran towards the elementary department's hall where Eon's chess competition was happening. When he reached the event hall, he watched Eon play with an older and taller opponent. Their chess board was flashed on a screen at the side for the stu
Days after settling down in the East City, I was approached by my old classmates to have dinner with them. I couldn't refuse because they especially went to school for me. I was very uncomfortable the entire time because they were just mocking me for having a son. So when the people I absolutely abhor showed up, I excused myself from their honorable presence. Staying there would only wear me out. I sat in the lobby of the hotel to wait for the taxi that I booked. It was a really stressful night. Even though I stayed silent the whole time, they still drained my energy. “Rui?” I looked up and felt my body stiffen as soon as I saw the man's face. I hurriedly covered my face and tried to flee. But he stopped me by grabbing my wrist. “No way, you're leaving me again?” he asked. Who is he anyway? What is our connection? Just that one night? Well, maybe we do have a connection. We even had a child. But that's not the point! The point is, I have to leave! “I don't know you, sir.”
Soft and bittersweet notes resonated in the whole hall as the door opened for my arrival. I wholeheartedly listened to it as I closed my eyes to recall all the bitter and sweet events that rocked my world before marrying this man. “Ugh… Even sitting hurts…” I groaned the moment I tried to sit up. Who would've thought that having sex would be painful? Well, it was painful at first… But I… I think I liked it? But hell, I never thought that I would wake up to this kind of pain! I ruffled my hair because of frustration. “So dumb! I thought nothing could get worse than the things–” “Hmmm…” the man beside me groaned as he moved. Holy cow! I quickly steeled myself to get up to make myself a little bit presentable. Walking out of the bathroom, I saw a gorgeous man sleeping in all his glory! Perfect in all angles and… ehem… He's really good. Though it was kind of a blurry night for me. I enjoyed all the foreign things he did to me. Every touch was electrifying. But that was it. Bec
“Cecilia, you're from the Eldritch family?” Cecilia looked up and adorably smiled. “Yes, uncle.” Rui brushed Cecilia's beautiful locks. “Your family was looking for you earlier. They must've been worried sick because of what happened.” “I… I just don't want to see my friend in danger…” Rui and Chase met each other's eyes in confusion. Both of them thought of the same question, 'How do they know each other?' Cecilia and Eon did not notice the adult's reaction. They just quietly sat on the back seat in between Rui and Chase with their fingers intertwined. “Dad, will Cecilia go home now?” Eon suddenly asked as he tightened his grip on her hand. He was so delighted to see his old friend again that he forgot she also has a family of her own to return to. “Of course, son. Her parents are now waiting at the airport. We're now on the way there to drop her off.” “Why? She lives far from here?” Chase patted his son's head. “Yes, so she has to take an airplane to go home.” Hearing t
“Daddy, mommy!” Eon exclaimed the moment he saw his parents. Cecilia also noticed them so she cutely waved her hand. “Hello, uncle and auntie!” The two kids energetically jumped down from the couch to go over to Rui and Chase's side. Eon then dearly hugged his mother's thighs. Now that he felt his mother's warmth, his anxious heart started to calm down. Cecilia looked at Eon in envy, so she hugged Rui's other thigh. “Auntie~” Rui's fatigue completely vanished upon seeing the two children. She bent down to embrace the two. “You kids have suffered… Mommy's here to take you away, okay?” When the gang leader heard Rui, he looked at her incredulously. 'Are you freaking serious, madam?!' “Yesss~,” the two said joyfully. While Rui was engrossed in the children's tender touch, Saxon Hale entered the room. “Are you done with your reunion, Rui Yoon? Or should I say, Mrs. Eno?” he said spitefully. Hearing Saxon's hostility, Chase immediately brought his wife and the kids behind
Rui's hand trembled as she held onto Chase's phone which was ringing nonstop. She thought that if something bad were to happen to her son, he would immediately call his dad, not her. Eon wouldn't want to worry her so he would definitely call his dad. She knows her son like the back of her hand. And she could only pray that he is safe. But her hopes were completely shattered the moment that an unknown number called her husband. Chase rubbed her shoulders. “Go answer it, honey. It must be Eon.” She nervously pressed the answer button and said, “Hello?” “Am I talking to Rui Yoon?” “Yes, I am Rui Yoon.” “I have your son here with me. If you want to get him back, bring the heirloom that your grandfather gave you. The golden safe box.” Rui felt her chest tighten when she heard that someone kidnapped her son for their heirloom. She anxiously breathed as she tried to compose herself. She still has to be strong. She could not let herself fall. Not until her son is safe and sound. “I'
Teacher Kang approached the Eno couple who were peacefully sitting on the bench, watching the high school students compete in volleyball. “Rui, is Eon with you guys? The chess club advisor is looking for him.” Rui frowned. She still hasn't seen her son and hasn't heard from any of his bodyguards either. “He's not with us… I thought he was with your class?" Shaking her head, Teacher Kang denied her assumption. "Then..." Realizing that she had no idea where her son was, she panicked. “Chase, contact his bodyguards!” Chase sighed. The moment that the bodyguards lost sight of Eon, they started to look for him. Of course, Chase was well aware of this. Simply put, he didn't want to worry Rui, so he made the decision to keep quiet and inform her after their son had safely returned. “They are trying to find him as we speak. Don't worry,” he said as he rubbed her back to comfort her. … Saxon Hale's assistant entered the run-down building calmly. There, he was welcomed by the th
Eon woke up to find his hands tied behind his back in a pitch-black room. He nimbly moved his body in search of a wall or a corner he could lean against. And as he moved his legs on his right side, he felt another body near him. 'Who's with me?' He lightly poked the body using his foot to see if the other person was awake or not. However, even with his continuous poking, there was no response. 'Don't tell me this person is dead?!' In his fear that the body beside him is lifeless, he tries to lean over so that he can feel the person's temperature. And upon contact, he felt that she was quite hot. So he inched closer to wake the person up. “Hey, wake up…” Eon whispered. The little girl beside him tried to move her arms but it was also tied. Though they were inside a dark room, she did not feel scared at all. Especially when she heard the boy's voice, she felt extremely reassured now that he was with her. “Leonard… Help me out, please,” the little girl mumbled. Eon froze
“Mommy… Why are you crying?” he asked in a panic. Lianna rolled her eyes in annoyance. 'What a gullible kid…' She then embraced her son in a hurry to hide her sour expression. “Rui, won't listen to me… I begged her but she won't listen… My Luke, what should mommy do?” she sobbed. The little boy felt his eyes water as he watched his mother cry in despair. He couldn't grasp what was happening with his mother. He only understood that someone hurt his mother. “Mom–mommy, what should Luke do?” he stuttered. She wiped her tears and forced a smile. “Mommy just wants to talk to Eon… Can you invite him?” “What should Luke tell him, mommy?” “Tell him that his mommy's best friend wants to talk to meet him.” “Yes, mommy!” he exclaimed as he ran towards the elementary department's hall where Eon's chess competition was happening. When he reached the event hall, he watched Eon play with an older and taller opponent. Their chess board was flashed on a screen at the side for the stu
The men in black who were scouting the Eno family came back to his boss to report. “Sir, Miss Rui has so many guards with her… Plus she's also with Mr. Eno… It would be difficult for us to be close to her.” “Hmm… I see… Did you inform Lianna that Rui is here?” “Yes, sir. She's on her way to school.” Saxon smirked. “That's good. I believe you know what to do next.” “Yes, sir!” … Rui and Chase sat together with Principal Han and other shareholders. They were watching the event from the bleachers. “Where are the elementary students right now?” Rui whispered to Chase. Chase opened the pamphlet to look at the schedule of events. “They are playing tug of war in the open field. Do you want to go there? Let me go with you.” “No need, honey. Accompany Principal Han here… I'm just going to check on Eon anyway.” “Alright. I'll follow you later. Call me if you need something.” Rui stuffed Eon's change of clothes inside her bag before standing up. “Oh, Mrs. Eno? You're leaving?” “Yo