Author’s POV“Chairman Eunuch?” Ethan asked, seeking clarification. The chauffeur looked a little puzzled, but answered, “Yes, he’s excited to meet with you.”Ethan nodded, thinking it was Liam’s father. Finally, he wouldn’t have to deal with Liam anymore, he thought.The chauffeur opened the car door and after they entered, drove to the country club.The Eunuchs owned one of the largest real estate enterprises in the country and this country cafe was the largest in the country with a large reception and entertainment hall for events.After a short drive, Ethan and Hannah arrived at the venue and right from the entrance, they could tell this was a large event.The reception hall was luxuriously decorated, and outside stood a live media coverage. However, when Hannah saw this, her nerves felt like they were set on fire. Ethan noticed the anxious look on her face and gently held her hand, “It’s going to be okay. I’ll be right there with you the whole time.” He said in a calm tone.Stra
Author’s POVThe hallway speakers suddenly sounded, breaking the festive atmosphere in the room.Curious to find out what was going on, Hannah approached Ethan hastily with a glass of wine and handed it to him, her face filled with confusion.At this time, a middle aged man strode towards the stage with a glass of wine in his hand,“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for showing up tonight. I must say you all look very lovely. Tonight is the beginning of a very important partnership, one that will change the future of two of the biggest companies in the country.”“With that, please join me as I welcome the man who made all of this possible to the stage to tell us briefly about what they have in future for us. I believe most of us here already know him.” As he spoke, the reporters among the crowd started looking around for Ethan, and just then, the announcers voice went off again,“Please welcome Ethan Ford to the stage.” As soon as Ethan’s name was announced, the crowd started applaudin
Author's POVHannah’s heart raced as Liam’s name was announced. The revelation felt like a slap to her face. She had worked with Liam for more than two years and never for once sensed that he was the heir of the Eunuch family.At this point, everything she knew felt like a lie. Her breath hitched, and her head spun as she stared at him. How could this be? The man she had once worked with in the nightclub was now revealed as one of the most powerful figures in the city. Meanwhile, Ethan froze on the stage, still staring at Liam in disbelief, his face pale and his jaw tight, his shock mirroring her own. Hannah tried to wrap her head around this. Tonight was quickly becoming more than she could comprehend, but before she could even process the shock, her phone buzzed in her hand. Her stomach tightened as she glanced down at the screen. It was a message from Grace. She sensed what this was about. Grace had informed her earlier that she was closing in on a lead about Ethan, and would
Author’s POVEthan’s eyes widened when he heard Lily’s name and for a moment he seemed at a loss for words. “Lily?” he repeated, his voice soft with disbelief.“Yes, Lily,” Hannah spat.“Was I just her replacement? Someone to fill the void she left behind?”Ethan stepped closer, his face filled with confusion and a loss for words. He knew this day would come, but he didn't want to have to deal with this here. The crowd were still waiting for them, and he couldn't afford anything to seem wrong between them,“Hannah, where is this coming from? Lily was—”“Don’t,” Hannah interrupted, holding up a hand. Her voice was firm, though her heart felt like it was being ripped apart. “Don’t tell me she didn’t mean anything. Don’t insult me like that.”Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”“Oh, don’t I?” she shot back, her voice rising. “You think I don’t see it? Every time you look at me, it’s like you’re looking at someone else. Someone who isn’t here anymore. I’
Author’s POVHannah froze, the familiar voice sending a chill down her spine. She clenched her fist, recognizing it immediately.Slowly, she turned around, already aware of who it was, but still her heart dropped when she saw her.It was Lily.Hannah’s breath caught, and her expression twisted with shock and anger. Every memory of betrayal—her father’s death, Lily’s theft, and the wreckage she had left behind rushed to the surface. It was as if time had stopped, and all she could see now was the woman who had ruined everything.Her lips trembled as she tried to speak, but the hurt was so deep that she couldn’t move. For a moment, she wanted to lunge at her, she had spent years thinking about what she’d do when this moment finally came. Would she fight her? Make her feel even a fraction of the pain she had caused? Would she immediately turn her over to Alfred Wolfe and every other enemy Lily had made along the way?The thoughts rushed at her, tempting, but she remained rooted in place,
Author’s POVHannah folded her arms, watching Lily closely. She could not imagine that she had spent years feeling so little since Lily took her boyfriend from her, but now looking at her now, all she could see was a small and uncertain girl who had no clue what she was doing. Hannah sighed heavily, the tension thick between them. “Well?” She asked, her voice sharp. “What are you doing here?”Lily hesitated, her eyes darting to the ground. It was as though she was struggling to find the right words or anything to say, but still, the words were unable to form. Frustrated, Hannah, turned on her heel to walk away.“Wait!” Lily’s voice broke through the quiet, her ton tinged with desperation and fear. “I’m here because of you.”Hannah froze mid-step, and slowly turned back, her face unreadable but her eyes hinting with curiousity. “What do you mean, ‘because of me?’” Lily moved uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at Hannah. She opened her mouth to speak, but before any words could come
Author’s POVThe air in the room was heavy, as Lily stared at the phone in Hannah’s hand, her fingers trembling. She didn’t want to answer. She didn’t want to hear his voice again. But Hannah wasn’t giving her a choice. Slowly, she grabbed the phone and brought it to her ear. “H-Hello?” she stammered, her voice barely audible. There was a brief silence on the other end for a moment, and then a calm yet cold voice spoke. “Lily,” the man said softly, his tone dripping with satisfaction. “Did you really think you could hide from me forever?” Lily’s breath caught in her throat. She tried to speak but couldn’t form words. Her throat felt dry, and her heart raced. “Wh-what do you want?” She stuttered.The man laughed bitterly. “What I’ve always wanted, Lily,” he said. “The money you stole from me.” “I don’t have it,” Lily said quickly, her voice trembling. “I don’t have your money anymore.” The man’s tone hardened. “Well, that’s unfortunate,” he said. “Alfred won’t like hearing t
Hannah“If you bend over a little bit more, I might just give you a bigger tip.” A huge guy in a red leather jacket said loudly as I cleared the table opposite his.“Damn girl are you on the menu too? I’d order you anytime.” His friend added whistling as they broke into raucous laughter.Those words weren’t new to me anymore. Catcalling was a regular thing with the men in Earthly Paradise nightclub. I’d heard it too many times and learned how to shove it all down instead of getting affected by it. Lately, I just flash a smile and move along whenever a customer makes a flirtatious advance about my beauty or crosses a line with an inappropriate sexual comment.I hated working here and did not want to entertain any more of their antics, but I did not have any other option. It was the only place I could find that would hire a college dropout with no degree.For years I blamed my sister, Lily for how our lives turned out. She tore our family apart. Years ago, our father won a contract de
Author’s POVThe air in the room was heavy, as Lily stared at the phone in Hannah’s hand, her fingers trembling. She didn’t want to answer. She didn’t want to hear his voice again. But Hannah wasn’t giving her a choice. Slowly, she grabbed the phone and brought it to her ear. “H-Hello?” she stammered, her voice barely audible. There was a brief silence on the other end for a moment, and then a calm yet cold voice spoke. “Lily,” the man said softly, his tone dripping with satisfaction. “Did you really think you could hide from me forever?” Lily’s breath caught in her throat. She tried to speak but couldn’t form words. Her throat felt dry, and her heart raced. “Wh-what do you want?” She stuttered.The man laughed bitterly. “What I’ve always wanted, Lily,” he said. “The money you stole from me.” “I don’t have it,” Lily said quickly, her voice trembling. “I don’t have your money anymore.” The man’s tone hardened. “Well, that’s unfortunate,” he said. “Alfred won’t like hearing t
Author’s POVHannah folded her arms, watching Lily closely. She could not imagine that she had spent years feeling so little since Lily took her boyfriend from her, but now looking at her now, all she could see was a small and uncertain girl who had no clue what she was doing. Hannah sighed heavily, the tension thick between them. “Well?” She asked, her voice sharp. “What are you doing here?”Lily hesitated, her eyes darting to the ground. It was as though she was struggling to find the right words or anything to say, but still, the words were unable to form. Frustrated, Hannah, turned on her heel to walk away.“Wait!” Lily’s voice broke through the quiet, her ton tinged with desperation and fear. “I’m here because of you.”Hannah froze mid-step, and slowly turned back, her face unreadable but her eyes hinting with curiousity. “What do you mean, ‘because of me?’” Lily moved uncomfortably, looking anywhere but at Hannah. She opened her mouth to speak, but before any words could come
Author’s POVHannah froze, the familiar voice sending a chill down her spine. She clenched her fist, recognizing it immediately.Slowly, she turned around, already aware of who it was, but still her heart dropped when she saw her.It was Lily.Hannah’s breath caught, and her expression twisted with shock and anger. Every memory of betrayal—her father’s death, Lily’s theft, and the wreckage she had left behind rushed to the surface. It was as if time had stopped, and all she could see now was the woman who had ruined everything.Her lips trembled as she tried to speak, but the hurt was so deep that she couldn’t move. For a moment, she wanted to lunge at her, she had spent years thinking about what she’d do when this moment finally came. Would she fight her? Make her feel even a fraction of the pain she had caused? Would she immediately turn her over to Alfred Wolfe and every other enemy Lily had made along the way?The thoughts rushed at her, tempting, but she remained rooted in place,
Author’s POVEthan’s eyes widened when he heard Lily’s name and for a moment he seemed at a loss for words. “Lily?” he repeated, his voice soft with disbelief.“Yes, Lily,” Hannah spat.“Was I just her replacement? Someone to fill the void she left behind?”Ethan stepped closer, his face filled with confusion and a loss for words. He knew this day would come, but he didn't want to have to deal with this here. The crowd were still waiting for them, and he couldn't afford anything to seem wrong between them,“Hannah, where is this coming from? Lily was—”“Don’t,” Hannah interrupted, holding up a hand. Her voice was firm, though her heart felt like it was being ripped apart. “Don’t tell me she didn’t mean anything. Don’t insult me like that.”Ethan’s jaw tightened. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”“Oh, don’t I?” she shot back, her voice rising. “You think I don’t see it? Every time you look at me, it’s like you’re looking at someone else. Someone who isn’t here anymore. I’
Author's POVHannah’s heart raced as Liam’s name was announced. The revelation felt like a slap to her face. She had worked with Liam for more than two years and never for once sensed that he was the heir of the Eunuch family.At this point, everything she knew felt like a lie. Her breath hitched, and her head spun as she stared at him. How could this be? The man she had once worked with in the nightclub was now revealed as one of the most powerful figures in the city. Meanwhile, Ethan froze on the stage, still staring at Liam in disbelief, his face pale and his jaw tight, his shock mirroring her own. Hannah tried to wrap her head around this. Tonight was quickly becoming more than she could comprehend, but before she could even process the shock, her phone buzzed in her hand. Her stomach tightened as she glanced down at the screen. It was a message from Grace. She sensed what this was about. Grace had informed her earlier that she was closing in on a lead about Ethan, and would
Author’s POVThe hallway speakers suddenly sounded, breaking the festive atmosphere in the room.Curious to find out what was going on, Hannah approached Ethan hastily with a glass of wine and handed it to him, her face filled with confusion.At this time, a middle aged man strode towards the stage with a glass of wine in his hand,“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for showing up tonight. I must say you all look very lovely. Tonight is the beginning of a very important partnership, one that will change the future of two of the biggest companies in the country.”“With that, please join me as I welcome the man who made all of this possible to the stage to tell us briefly about what they have in future for us. I believe most of us here already know him.” As he spoke, the reporters among the crowd started looking around for Ethan, and just then, the announcers voice went off again,“Please welcome Ethan Ford to the stage.” As soon as Ethan’s name was announced, the crowd started applaudin
Author’s POV“Chairman Eunuch?” Ethan asked, seeking clarification. The chauffeur looked a little puzzled, but answered, “Yes, he’s excited to meet with you.”Ethan nodded, thinking it was Liam’s father. Finally, he wouldn’t have to deal with Liam anymore, he thought.The chauffeur opened the car door and after they entered, drove to the country club.The Eunuchs owned one of the largest real estate enterprises in the country and this country cafe was the largest in the country with a large reception and entertainment hall for events.After a short drive, Ethan and Hannah arrived at the venue and right from the entrance, they could tell this was a large event.The reception hall was luxuriously decorated, and outside stood a live media coverage. However, when Hannah saw this, her nerves felt like they were set on fire. Ethan noticed the anxious look on her face and gently held her hand, “It’s going to be okay. I’ll be right there with you the whole time.” He said in a calm tone.Stra
Author’s POVHannah's heart raced as she stared at Ethan, her thoughts drifting away. His large arms and ripped back left her in a trance, and slowly as if in a trance, she approached him.Ethan suddenly turned around hearing her footsteps, “Hannah.” He blurted in shock, his face flushing with humiliation.He quickly picked up his shirt and threw it on, “What are you doing here?”“I-uh…” Hannah stammered, her eyes still glued to his toned packs and rounded chest.“I came to check in on you.” She finally said.Ethan quickly dressed up, “I’ll be out in a minute.” He said dismissively.Hannah remained quiet for a while and then replied, “Right. I guess I’ll see you out there.” She turned to leave but then suddenly stopped at the door, turning back. She could not tell what came over her, but everything in her fought the urge to forget the party and throw herself on him right now. And for the first time, the thought of it did not make her uncomfortable. Ethan was buttoning his shirt w
Author’s POV“What is a letter doing here?” Hannah wondered, still staring at the letter curiously. After a while, she approached the dress, gently picked it up, and observed the intricate designs, and then her gaze shifted back to the letter. Hannah heaved a deep sigh, glancing at the door. At first, she thought it was Ethan, but they shared a room and Hannah could not imagine what it was he had to say that he just couldn’t say to her. Slowly, she picked up the letter and tore open the seal. However, as soon as she noticed who it was from, she froze in shock and the letter fell right out of her hands. Without thinking, Hannah turned and ran out of the room into the hallway, scanning her eyes around hoping to find the waitress from before, but she was too late, she was already gone. After some more time searching the hallways and trying to describe the waitress from earlier even though she had barely gotten a good look at her, Hannah finally gave up and returned to her room.She pace