Teresa received the wine glass without the slightest suspicion and took the initiative to get up and toast the two men."Mr. Goslina, Mr. Stein, here's to you!" Teresa said."Well, well! Your reputation precedes you, Ms. Lawson. Why, you are much more beautiful in person compared to what we saw in the photos!""Oh, is that so?""Certainly! I think we are very certain about our decision! Having you as our spokesperson is icing on the cake!"Teresa was very happy to hear the shower of praises, tilted her head, and emptied her wine glass in one shot.She then sat down and suddenly felt the old dog's hand groping her.She glanced downward and saw Mr. Stein placed his hand on her stool. "Oh dear, my apologies. I didn't notice that you were about to sit down."Teresa held back the nausea in her gut and was doing her best to put on a smile. She knew all the things that would happen at a dinner such as this. As she kept reminding herself of the endorsement deal, she had to let thin
"They are making so much noise. Are the waiters or security going to do something about it?" Nancy asked."What are they supposed to do? They are probably just enjoying themselves after a few drinks. Besides, those who can afford to get a room in this restaurant are usually a somebody. Who would want to offend them?" Karter said."What if the woman was not willing?""No way, right? If you are worried, why don't you come and take a look?" Karter asked."Can I even take a look?"Nancy was getting concerned because she could tell that the woman next door was in pain as she was screaming louder and louder. Then again, they all sounded the same when someone was in pain or in ecstasy. So what if she was not being forced upon? Would it not be embarrassing to interfere with them?"Don't worry about it, you could check things out from where we are. We have a hidden secret in this room," Karter said. He proceeded to tell Nancy, "See that painting on the wall over there? Take it down an
"Teresa, frankly, what happened here is the unspoken rule of showbiz. Any other newcomers would face the same. As long as you stay quiet, the 700 hundred thousand dollars deal is still ours. However, if you still want to get rid of me, I can't guarantee things will not go out of hand!" Pamela said, threatening her."What are you saying?"To answer Teresa's question, Pamela walked over to the table and lifted a camera from a bag she left on a chair before she left the room."You recorded the incident?!" Teresa was about to go over and snatch the camera, but Pamela was a step ahead of her."You did the same to Nancy, asking me to drug her and keep the evidence. I've got to watch my back, too. This is exactly what you have taught me, Teresa!"When Pamela was Teresa's agent, she had lashed out at her and beat her because Teresa had resented her stupidity. However, having witnessed how Teresa played dirty tricks and was two-faced over the years, Pamela learned to do the same.To put i
While Spencer went to get the medicine, Nancy and Teresa had reached an agreement. What a surprise it was. Initially, Teresa held her ground. Yet, she stopped demanding the shares of the Lawson Corporation or an apology. Instead, she was even willing to make an announcement to clear the air.Spencer kept thinking about what Nancy could say to Teresa to change her mind. Albeit, he could not think of any answer.He passed the medicine and poured two glasses of water to Teresa and Nancy."Thank you," Teresa said while looking at Spencer."Teresa, I'm really glad that you are able to think it through," Spencer said."I just think what you said makes sense. Both of us grew up together. Even though Grandpa is no longer with us, we shouldn't fight. After all, we would like Grandpa to rest in peace," Teresa said.By saying that, she kinda explained why she gave in and also reminded Nancy. She was really scared Nancy would share the video and also scared to let Spencer find out what happe
Nancy did not head home after that. Instead, she ran all the way to Yaacob's office. It was nearly evening when she arrived. However, she knew as a workaholic, Yaacob surely had not left work. Normally, he would continue to work until after nine.Lately, his workload has increased. By the time he finished his work, it could be after nine or even half past ten.When he was at the car park to get his car, he realized there was a person squatting next to his car.Nancy leaned on Yaacob's car and was about to fall asleep. Suddenly, the unlocking sound startled her. She looked up and saw Yaacob."Yaacob," she called.Although Nancy was very tall, she was very slim too. Hence, she looked like a little ball when she curled up her body.Yaacob glanced at her once and looked away. "Didn't I tell you to stop looking for me? Why are you here?""There is something I want to tell you," Nancy said.She stood up and realized he refused to look at her. Perhaps her attitude toward him when he t
Without wasting any time, Yaacob got out of his car. He took off his coat to put it on the woman who only had her underwear while standing in the middle of the road."Nancy Lawson, are you out of your mind?" Yaacob shouted at her.Frankly speaking, Yaacob was never a person who lost control of his temper. Even when he had an argument with Nancy, he had never yelled at her. In fact, what Yaacob really wanted to do was chop off Nancy's head at this moment.Despite that, he did no such thing and wanted to bring Nancy back into the car.When the strip dancer looked back, Yaacob realized it was not Nancy."Sir, who are you?" The woman looked like Nancy from the back. However, their faces looked nothing alike.No matter what, Yaacob still decided to drag her away. When those perverted men had finally left, he asked, "Who told you to dance here?""It's a girl. She gave me some money…"Before the woman could finish talking, Nancy sneaked out from behind. "It was me!"After Yaacob left
Nancy did not receive a clear answer from Yaacob. He did not promise her that he would stay for her.Even so, when she got home, she wasted no time in getting ready to prove herself to him that she was his best choice.She drew up a table, put her name side-by-side with Emily's, and then listed out all of their pros and cons. After she was done, she began to understand why Yaacob would choose to begin a relationship with Emily right after his divorce.The only thing Nancy had going for her was her looks. In other words, Emily had the upper hand when it came to family background and even personality.Emily's father ran a huge business empire in Europe, and she was his only child. That meant she did not have to worry about fighting over the inheritance with any siblings or relatives. Any man would be lucky to marry her.Whereas Nancy was an adopted child of the Lawson family. In a city teeming with wealthy families, the Lawson's fortune was really nothing to sneeze at. It was becaus
Spencer parked his car in front of the library after Nancy went in. He planned to wait there for her so that he could give her a ride home later.He knew Nancy had not gone to see Yaacob for quite some time, but that did not seem to do anything to increase his chances with Nancy. It seemed like Nancy still had not gotten over the hurt of his betrayal.He waited in front of the library for almost an hour, and still, Nancy did not come out. However, he did receive a call.He hesitated a little when he saw it was Teresa calling. He did not answer, but she called him again. This time, he did."Hello, Teresa?""Spencer, can you help me?" asked Teresa tearfully."What's the matter? Don't cry. Tell me what happened.""They… they came to my house, and now they're forcing me to pay back the money. If I don't give them the money, they'll… Ah! No!"Teresa was abruptly cut off."Teresa? Teresa?!" shouted Spencer worriedly.He called her again, but her phone was already turned off.He gl
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