Nancy drank one glass of whisky after another on Yaacob's behalf, and this earned her the respect of the other guests."This girl sure can hold her alcohol!" said one of them.The door opened again after Yaacob and Nancy took their seats.When Nancy first came in, she immediately noticed there was one more empty seat on the table. Meaning to say the big shot Yaacob wanted her to meet had not arrived yet.After the door opened, two bodyguards dressed in black suits came in, scanned the room, and stepped back out again.Only then did the big shot come in.He was a man who looked to be around his early fifties years old, but he was not balding or fat like the other middle-aged men in the room. Even though his hair was turning white in some places, it only served to make him accentuate his majestic and distinguished aura; if his chiseled and lined face could tell stories, it would have told of all the bold and daring feats he had pulled off in his youth.'I'll be happy if Yaacob cou
Yaacob had already changed into a clean set of clothes by the time he came out of the hospital. The black shirt and dark plaid trousers made him look taller than usual.Gone was the gentle and humble expression he reserved for the injured construction workers. He had returned to his confident and domineering self.Nancy was super impressed by how he could mold his personality to fit the situation at hand, not to mention the little speech he gave to the injured construction workers and their families.She saw with her own eyes how he managed to win over their respect. The one-arm man even helped wipe the minestrone soup from Yaacob's leather shoes in the end.After they got into his car, he asked, "So I'll drop you off at the campus first?""Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks," said Nancy absent-mindedly. She was still thinking back to how Yaacob handled the one-arm man moments before. "Mr. Getson, those… those workers… How did they die?" she finally stammered out.Yaacob glanced sidew
However, Nancy was already long gone by the time Julian arrived. Nonetheless, he was able to get a glimpse of a small shoe print through the cracks between the rocks.Nancy ran back the way she came until she was safely back in her own room. She slammed her bedroom door and patted herself on the chest to calm her wildly beating heart."Have you been up to no good?" asked Yaacob."Mr. Getson! You've got to see this," said Nancy hurriedly. She played the recording for him while explaining, "I got inside information that the compensation meant for the deceased workers' families have all been embezzled by the man speaking in the recording. Can you tell who it is? I know I've seen him before. I can definitely point him out if I see him the next time.""His name is Kevin Shaw, Charlene's younger brother. That makes him Julian's uncle," said Yaacob."Wow, you could recognize who he is by his voice alone?""Yeah. He got into Getson Corporation because of Charlene twenty years ago. But be
Yaacob said there would be good news if his father asked for him.Kevin could no longer keep his place in the Getson Corporation because of what had happened. Yaacob was appointed to take over his position.Not only did Yaacob resolve the incident at the Lotus Village, but the workers who went on strike trusted only him. In addition, Yaacob was the one who managed to get the ban lifted from the authority, and the project was allowed to resume.Moreover, he did a great job with the projects on the island. With such a stunning performance on his job, no one could oppose his promotion. It only dawned on Nancy now that Yaacob purposely went into exile on that island to prepare for today. She knew it from the beginning. How could someone as cautious as Yaacob be careless in contractual matters and allow Julian to use that against him?In short, it was a triumphant victory for Yaacob. Julian and Charlene must have gone crazy with anger. Nancy was delighted, too. Even if she was not Yaaco
It was five in the morning as the sky was starting to turn bright. As a morning person, Julian maintained a very healthy daily life routine even when he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Ever since he took over the Getson Corporation as the president, he worked decisively and swiftly with caution and hard work. He was a president who could lead the whole organization flawlessly.Yaacob knew about that. Thus, his plan involved meticulous planning involving Julian's personality, which was the reason Julian was tricked.Julian got up and off the bed. As his feet stepped on the carpet covered by clothes, an arm stretched out from behind him and hugged his lean waist, feeling up his muscular abs.A woman said in a soft, babyish tone, "Why are you up so early? Come back to bed and sleep with me.""I have things to do," Julian said."What could it be? Are you afraid of people knowing you stayed out all night? I heard your family only accepted your wife because of her grandpa. He
Before the issue regarding Lotus Village happened, Yaacob brought Nancy to meet with many government officials. After that, the government took swift action by banning all of the Getson Corporation's tourism projects and stated that they needed to do a full investigation.Now that the public outcry had slowly died down, Yaacob was responsible for interacting with government officials to ease the tension the government had with Getson Corporation.Based on that, Benjamin must be on the same side as Yaacob, and it would not hurt for Nancy to talk to him.After Nancy got into the car, Benjamin nodded politely. "Hello, Ms. Lawson."Rarely would Nancy need to talk to someone like Benjamin. He was so polite and well-mannered that Nancy felt she needed to be a lady.She responded with a nod."Hi, Mr. Cabrera.""How do you know my family name?" Benjamin asked."I… I saw you on the news the other day," Nancy explained."Oh, was it a few days ago? I was called into an urgent meeting bec
"That little b*tch! She's not over Spencer yet! She must be using this chance to climb her way back. I'm going to teach her a lesson for butting into your relationship!" Pamela said angrily.Without wasting a second, Teresa grabbed her and left the shop before Nancy and Spencer could turn and look.Pamela was confused and asked, "Teresa, why did you pull me away? Didn't you see that Spencer is together with Nancy?""I don't need you to remind me. I saw them," Teresa said."Then why did you…" Pamela was confused."Do you think I'm stupid like Nancy? He's an egoistic person so I shouldn't make him feel embarrassed in public nor should I announce to the whole world that Spencer is going to dump me like Nancy," Teresa explained."Then what are you going to do?" Pamela asked.Teresa looked at her and said calmly, "I heard Nancy is studying at the same university Spencer works in.""That little b*tch knows how to slide her way in," Teresa said."So what? She lost to me when she was
After hearing the question, Yaacob's hand, the one that was holding the mouse, paused. He looked at Nancy and asked, "Why do you suddenly ask about him?""Umm... I'm curious, that's why. Didn't we see him at dinner once? He's so handsome. He was the type of mature man that attracted your attention immediately. So I just want to know more about him," Nancy answered."Then do you think he's handsome or me?" Yaacob asked."It's different. You have an advantage because you're young but I rarely see a man looking so gentle and with a sense of humor at his age," Nancy said."How do you know he's gentle and has a sense of humor when you only talked to him once?" Yaacob sounded jealous.At this point, Nancy did not know if she should tell Yaacob she had talked with Benjamin that day. After much consideration, she decided not to tell since they did not talk about anything important."I… I saw him on television." Nancy came up with a reason."Even the celebrity knows how to show their bes
Yaacob stayed in Nancy and Celica's house in Rhea City for a month without leaving.After sending Celica to kindergarten, Yaacob sent Nancy to the company.Nancy always asked him to stop the car two streets away from the company, but that day, Yaacob went a bit further, and she started to get anxious. "Stop the car, quick. Stop going forward. It's the peak hour right now. I can't let anyone see me."Yaacob stopped the car, but he did not unlock the door.He lowered the top of the convertible and asked her, "Is being with me that embarrassing to you?""I'm not with you. This is just a transaction!" Nancy insisted.She could not open the door and noticed that Yaacob had locked it. When she went to unlock it, her hand was pushed down by the man."Don't I make you happy? Is Celica unhappy? Don't you enjoy every night that we're together? You clearly have me in your heart, but why do you keep denying it? Nancy, what happened to your boldness and carefree spirit? Who do you want to im
Nancy had just stopped at Athenapolis to pick up some things she had left with Benson's friends when they had stayed there.She had also wanted to congratulate Rowena and Randall on their marriage and to apologize for not being able to attend their wedding.However, the next day, she could not get up at all.Fearing another intense night like the one before, she decided to book a flight to Rhea City that afternoon.The moment she sat on the plane, Nancy almost collapsed in her seat. Her lower back was aching.When she shut her eyes, her head was inexplicably flooded with certain images.It was like she was under a spell!"Ms., the flight is about to take off. Please switch off your phones," the flight attendant told Nancy.Nancy remembered that she had already turned off her phone.However, she turned around to see Celica looking at her phone unhappily."Sorry."Nancy switched off Celica's phone, but she did not seem happy about it. "Mommy… will Uncle Yaacob call me?""Even
After half a year, Nancy finally returned from America with Celica.Celica held Nancy's hand in one hand and a cat plushie that was almost half her size in another.As soon as they walked out of the VIP channel, Celica's sharp eyes immediately spotted the man who had come to pick them up. She abandoned her plushie as she rushed to him, hands outstretched and waiting to be carried."Uncle Yaacob! Uncle Yaacob!""Celica, don't run so fast!"Nancy could not stop her and could only follow behind, picking up the plushie along with some candy that had dropped from her pocket as she ran.Yaacob hurried forward and immediately scooped Celica up. He smelled the sweet scent of candy."Uncle Yaacob…"Celica hugged Yaacob, nuzzling her head against his. The fine and soft hair that was unique to a child warmed Yaacob's heart.It had been two years, but she had not forgotten him!It seemed like her memory was better than expected. She had probably gotten it from him.Of course, it was als
Randall and Rowena went to the same motel they had the last time.The boss remembered them as the ones who had broken his window, but he did not give them a hard time, warmly welcoming them instead.After all, the money that Randall had given him for it had been enough to replace the windows of the whole building. This time, Randall flexed his financial might again. He pulled out a wad of cash from his wallet and put it on the counter. "Boss, we want an entire floor.""Sir, do you want one room or two?""The whole floor!"Hearing what Randall said, Rowena looked at him in amazement. "Why so many rooms?""Have you forgotten how bad the soundproofing is here?" Randall replied.Rowena was speechless.The hotel owner was a veteran of this. He immediately put the money into the counter drawer and said, "Okay, I'll give you a key to a room on the third floor. I'll go knock on every door to clear the floor out right now. I assure you that you'll have an enjoyable night!"Rowena fel
"How absurd!"Randall's words were not meant to demean her. He just felt that it was too dangerous for the child to be there.Rowena, however, felt like she was being blamed for no reason."Why are you in a restaurant with this girl in the middle of the night?" Rowena asked Randall.Randall did not answer. He walked forward to help secure Dorothy before he took the dangerous weapon off her hands."Rowena, you should bring Sandy back for now."Rowena did not move."It's too dangerous for the both of you to be here. Listen to me!" Randall told her.Rowena did not respond. Instead, it was Dorothy who spoke: "Mr. Smith, why do you think she can just come and go as she pleases? I already told my subordinates that not even a fly is allowed out."Even though Rowena had been captured, she knew that they would not be able to walk free if anything happened to her so the man would not touch her so easily."Mrs. Browning, you just wanted to talk with me."Dorothy really liked talking to
Dorothy and Randall found themselves in a standoff. Suddenly, a hushed report from her subordinate reached Dorothy's ears. "Someone's outside, claiming to have information on Mr. Randall.""Who? Could it be that Yaacob has returned earlier than expected?" Dorothy, determined to prevail over Randall that night, insisted, "Don't let him in; I can't believe he would just barge in!""It's not Mr. Randall. It's a woman, accompanied by a child." The subordinate hesitated before providing more details.Rowena, who had given birth just four months ago, had swiftly regained her pre-pregnancy figure. She wore a navy blue striped shirt knotted at the waist, paired with snug jeans, showing no signs of her previous pregnancy. From behind, she looked slender and youthful, resembling a young girl. Yet, in front, she cradled a baby.The infant, only three or four months old, sported a hat with a few wisps of hair peeking out and a pacifier. The child's intelligent eyes darted around, exploring the
Four months later, the impending presidential election heightened the tension in Athenapolis. Harrison, eyeing reelection, aspired to forge an alliance with the Browning family and assimilate the Getson Group.Simultaneously, at this critical juncture, Yaacob had already partnered with Tom. He opted to collaborate with Yaacob after his unsuccessful bid to become part of the Browning family. Both were cunning strategists with centuries of experience, making their alliance arguably the most formidable.Tom, with backing from overseas financial giants, had a complex and mysterious identity. However, his requirements from Yaacob were surprisingly straightforward. He sought to use Yaacob to advance his political standing.On the flip side, Yaacob needed Tom's support to solidify his position within the Getson family, ensuring it remained stable. The previous presidential transition in Athenapolis had resulted in bloodshed and political turmoil, claiming Xander's life.This time, Randall
Lola pondered her predicament, finding her situation undesirable. She was infertile and struggling to establish stability despite numerous relationships. Her benefactor stood idly by as the original wife attacked her, too hesitant to intervene. After that day, Athenapolis no longer offered a solid ground for Lola.Dorothy sternly cautioned Lola, vowing to teach her a lesson whenever they crossed paths. Leaving Mr. Randall did not lead to greener pastures for Lola. She remained destitute. Rowena, the source of her misfortune, was to blame.Life with Randall had been tolerable. He never mistreated her, though love was absent. However, everything changed when Rowena reappeared. Witnessing Rowena's pregnancy with Randall intensified Lola's resentment, fueling an intense hatred. She harbored a fervent wish for Rowena and the unborn child to die!Lola understood that only Rowena's demise could rekindle hope for her. Unfortunately, Lola was uncertain about the vast power imbalance be
Having finally brought Rowena home, Randall became an aspiring intern dad. Opting against hiring a nanny, he naturally assumed the responsibility of caring for his pregnant wife.He would juggle the demands of running the company and handling household matters. Randall appeared fatigued, yet those with keen observation could discern a tired but content expression on his face. Lately, a newfound joy, previously unseen, frequently illuminated his features—the anticipation of becoming a father.During a visit to the hospital, a woman seated beside Rowena observed her pregnant belly and initiated a conversation, "Your belly is quite prominent. When are you due?""In about a month," Rowena replied."That's wonderful! Congratulations! I saw you during one of my check-ups. Is the man accompanying you each time your husband?" Others looked on with envy, expressing, "My husband isn't as involved. No matter how many times I ask, he never joins me for the appointment."Rowena remained silent