After two days, the Lotus Village's issue was settled. Yaacob had made sure all the victims had received 300 thousand dollars of compensation. He had also assured the families of older people and the only child in the family that he would provide monthly financial subsidies to them.The organization had strict rules stating those who were hurt during work were protected, and the organization would provide a job suitable for them so they could continue to bring money back home.The compensation had surpassed many standards in the country, so the villagers did not complain further.Yaacob must have done something for the villagers and the victim's family because they were really grateful to him now, unlike before. The reporters thought they could capture another photo where the villagers gathered in front of the Getson Corporation and demanded an explanation.However, the villagers were there to express their gratitude. Since Yaacob handled the disaster very well, the public changed
Nancy took her time explaining to her grandpa, telling him what Yaacob had done for her to reassure him she was well looked after.Just as she was finishing, Yaacob came in with the medicine.As Yaacob took longer than expected to return, Nancy could only guess that he must have lingered outside the ward on purpose for her to say all the good stuff about him.Then again, she could tell that he was doing the best that he could by how he was treating her grandpa. The old man had a lot of phlegm, and Yaacob did not flinch in the slightest or see any sign of irritation when holding the trash bin. Nancy had to admit that he was a rare catch in this day and age.As they left the hospital, Nancy said, "Do you know that you gave a whole new meaning to how to be the best husband? My grandpa said he adores you!"Upon hearing that, Yaacob stared at her for a bit and said slowly, "You know that's not true. I can see his anxiety written all over his face."Sometimes a smart ass could be so ha
Nancy woke up the next morning and found Yaacob had returned, staring at her."Oh, it's you. When did you get back?"Nancy rubbed her eyes and stretched out her arms. She then tucked into the blanket and wiggled like a critter bug. She still had not rested enough to get up on her own. With outstretched arms, she reached for Yaacob and sheepishly said, "Come get me."Yaacob immediately lowered himself and carried her off the bed.Nancy curled up against Yaacob, with her chin on his shoulder, nuzzling over him as if she were a little kitten.Suddenly, she started sniffing his collar and asked bewilderingly, "Yaacob, why do you smell of blood?""Oh? Could it be your monthly period?" Yaacob responded."Oh?" Nancy got a shock and immediately got on her feet, turning around to check the bed linen.To which she gave Yaacob a big slap and exclaimed, "You're teasing me again!"As Nancy was brushing her teeth in front of the mirror, she noticed that Yaacob was staring at her and asked,
"I can't tell for sure," Benjamin said.Nancy was at a loss of words."She had gone missing, therefore I have no idea," Benjamin elaborated further."Missing?""Yes, she's been missing for more than twenty years, and I've been looking for her ever since," said BenjaminHe left the wine in the middle of the table untouched since dinner started. He only reached for it then and poured himself a glass."Do you have any news regarding her whereabouts thus far?" Nancy asked.Benjamin did not respond but continued to drink to smooth his sorrow.As such, the conversation ended there.By the time dinner ended, Benjamin was drunk and unconscious. His chauffeur had to help him out of the room.Fortunately, a true gentleman would always be a gentleman, whether drunk or sober. He did not lapse into a drunken stupor nor throw up all over. All he did was fall asleep.After Nancy gave the chauffeur a hand in helping Benjamin into his car, the chauffeur politely asked, "Ms. Lawson, why don't
"I... I was just gaming," Nancy said nervously.Yaacob did not seem to believe her. He put on his slippers, walked toward her, and saw the game Plants vs. Zombies on the screen.It was an old game from years before. Nancy had too much stuff on her own laptop, so she transferred some of her games to Yaacob's laptop."I thought you said you need to catch more sleep? What are you doing up at this hour?" Nancy asked."I just remembered that I have some unfinished work," Yaacob replied."So you need your laptop?" Nancy asked."Yes," Yaacob answered."Okay then. I'll go use my own." Nancy handed over the laptop, pouting her lips.The first thing Yaacob did when he had his laptop was to check his mailbox. Good thing the email from the private investigator remained unread.Nancy stopped after taking a few steps and looked at Yaacob with a complicated expression.The next day, Nancy got in touch with the private investigator, for she had memorized their email address. It seemed that t
Yaacob's phone suddenly vibrated when he was about to get into an important agenda. He showed annoyance and was about to terminate the call when he saw who the caller was. His expression changed immediately.Five minutes later, the meeting was suspended.Yaacob left the conference room to return the call in the spacious corner by the corridor."Hello? Any news?" Yaacob blurted out anxiously as soon as the call was connected."Josiah, no, not yet. We may not be able to continue to provide our service. We've given you the lowest fee, seeing that you are Randall's good friend. Seven hundred thousand dollars for the deposit was the agreed sum. However, the remittance we received was short of 100 thousand dollars. This puts us in a difficult position. As you well know, the person you are looking for is declared deceased by the police of the United States. This greatly increases the difficulty of our job," said the private investigator.Yaacob was confused by what he just heard, and he
Then, Yaacob knew why she had so much to drink.Yaacob could not help himself from smiling. "So you know a lot, huh, including the fact that I hired an investigator. So were you the one behind the missing 100 thousand dollars this afternoon?"One of the reasons Yaacob kept Taya as his secretary was because she was not very smart. She was only capable of doing what was asked of her and would not trouble herself beyond that, meaning Yaacob had fewer things to worry about.Taya was dumb enough to admit that she may or may not have typed in the wrong amount when Yaacob asked about the issue with the payment.If Nancy had not brought up the matter, Yaacob would not have known that Nancy was the culprit."You do know that a woman has a very accurate sixth sense when she suspects something. There's nothing that you can hide from me," Nancy said proudly as she tilted her head to look at Yaacob.Then, lowering her head just as fast, she said, "Don't try to change the subject. Are you goin
Nancy was still holding onto the bouquet after arriving at the restaurant and ordering. "Yaacob, do you know the meaning represented by seventeen stalks of roses?" Nancy asked him."No idea.""I searched online, and it meant, forever be with you. Are you confessing your love to me?" Nancy said as she waved her phone to Yaacob.Yaacob smiled and said nothing, pouring a glass of white wine for Nancy."However, it also carried another message, which is merry meet, merry part," Nancy said with a descending voice."The florist was the one who recommended me to buy seventeen stalks of roses. If he wanted to repeat business, I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have meant to convey the second message," explained Yaacob."Besides, all those sayings and messages about what the flowers represent are superficial. Flowers themselves won't have a clue that they mean anything else to people, right?" he added.Nancy knew Yaacob had always been eloquent in explaining himself, but she was not at all sa
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