After escorting Julian to his room, Nancy looked around.She found that it had a cozy, lived-in feel. Was he still staying here after breaking things off with Becka?Nancy had left the Getsons' house a long time ago, so she did not know how Julian and Lucy were. If Julian was staying with her instead of at home, then they probably had a strained relationship. The woman in his heart was likely still Becka.Maybe the two of them were still together behind Lucy's back. Nancy snooped even further, searching for clues of another woman living in the house."What are you looking at?" Julian asked. Nancy hurriedly averted her gaze. "It's nothing. Mr. Getson, you should get some rest. I'll take my leave!"She prepared to walk away but was stopped by Julian again."Did I say you could leave?""What else is there to do?""Go to the kitchen. Make me something to eat!"Nancy could not help but feel like he was toying with her.However, she saw that his face was pale, and his hand was
"Me? Last night?" Nancy answered. "I was at the dormitory!"However, the man in front of her did not seem to believe her.The tall figure still pressed her into a corner, pushing her back so much that she struggled to breathe."Let me go. I'm going to be late."Nancy tried to push Yaacob away, but she failed.The data room was locked tight. Not a single ray of light penetrated the room, and she could not even see his face.Nancy reached over to turn on the light, but before she could touch the switch, Yaacob caught her."You— Ugh!"Nancy was about to say something when he put his mouth on hers.It was not really a kiss. The man merely licked her lips, and the wet feeling only stayed for a moment. Yaacob leaned back so their lips were not touching. However, his breath still hit her lips, and the familiar warmth caused Nancy's heart to quicken."You changed your lipstick?" he asked her.Nancy's heart froze. She knew he had asked that question because he had seen Julian's pictu
When work was almost over, Jeff passed Nancy a slip of paper at her desk. On it was the address of a restaurant."Mr. Getson has made a reservation there. He wants you to go after work," Jeff said softly.He was speaking on Julian's behalf. Nancy noted down the address before putting the note in her notebook. She suddenly felt like she was going through a secret office romance.An office romance? Her and Julian? That was surreal.She was busy with work until the end of the day. After Jeff listened to their brief report of the workday, he gave Nancy a pointed glance. He was trying to indicate to her not to forget her date.Nancy waited until most of the employees had left before she did. She looked through her work for the day again to avoid making mistakes.Leaving work late during her internship could show that she was hardworking.Once the coast was clear, Nancy got in the elevator. Just as she was about to walk to the entrance, she bumped into Yaacob.As always, he was one o
"Where?"Nancy hurriedly looked into the rearview mirror but could not see Yaacob's car."Of course, he'd use a different car to follow you. If you could find him that easily, it wouldn't be Yaacob!"Sometimes, Nancy felt like Julian's relationship with Yaacob was quite unique.They had the same father but different mothers. They did not even grow up together. If they were brothers from an ordinary family, they would have either become friends or complete strangers who happened to be related by blood when they grew up.However, as they had both been born into such a wealthy family, they were fated to fight over the family assets.Julian had even harmed Yaacob, creating a wedge between them.However, whenever they fought, it felt like they had a sense of sympathy for each other. In any case, Nancy thought that Julian always seemed excited whenever he went up against Yaacob. He even did childish things like acting like he was having an affair with her to test Yaacob and grew very
The headquarters of Getson Corporation was right in the center of Athenapolis, so the prices of the houses there were extremely high.Julian wanted Nancy to stay there and wanted a big place as well. Lilian immediately understood. Even though Yaacob and Nancy were… It was hard to grasp the relationships within rich families anyway. Yaacob had been very close with Emily, too.Lilian worked in human resources, so she knew she could not act surprised. She quietly noted down everything Julian asked for."Then, Mr. Getson, how do we deal with her?" Lilian said, pointing at Tarry.Julian did not glance in that direction. "You're in charge of the interns!"The meaning of those words was evident to all except the interns.Lilian was famous for being strict with her subordinates, and she was even going through menopause. When Nancy entered the company, she had only suffered for two days because Lilian had not dared to do much due to Nancy's relationship with Yaacob.However, Tarry was an
When Nancy found Anna, she was at a small motel on the city's outskirts.It was run down and did not need identification.Nancy stood next to the curtain, patched with different pieces of cloth, and looked at the bus stop below. It was the bus stop that Anna had taken a photo of for her.Nancy waited for five minutes, and the door to the bathroom opened. Anna came out wearing an oversized yellow shirt.The shirt was Nancy's. Since she was taller than Nancy and quite different in the chest department, the shirt looked big on Anna.However, that was the only thing they could do. Earlier, when Nancy arrived, Anna had nothing on except a blanket she had wrapped herself in."What exactly happened? You said someone assaulted you… Who was it?""Don't ask!"Anna pulled the collar high up, and her body shook. It was hard to tell if she was shaking from the cold or fear.She hugged herself tightly and looked at Nancy awkwardly. "J-Just send me home"!"I think I should send you to the p
Anna could not help feeling guilty as she grabbed her collar. She avoided making eye contact with Xander and only hummed in response."I had no idea you and Nancy were so close," Xander said."I-I bumped into her when I was shopping, so we thought we would shop together," Anna explained."Did you buy this outfit today?" Xander asked."Yes!""It's not nice," Xander commented, without thinking it could hurt Anna's feelings, and returned to the room.The couple slept in different rooms. Thus, Anna panicked when Xander entered her room. Her heart pounded. Her back against the wall, she slowly slid down as her knees gave way.'Did he see?' she thought as she carefully inspected the hickeys below her collarbone.At the motel, she had showered and tried to remove the marks, but they were there to stay. She had no choice but to come home with them still there.'I can't risk having Xander see them,' she thought and decided to take another shower while she thought of other methods to ge
Julian did not let Nancy regret her choice and dragged her into the store. He rejected the help of the store attendant."What size do you wear?" Julian asked."I refuse to answer any questions regarding my personal life or matters," Nancy said.She never liked shopping with men she hardly knew, especially when the thing she wanted to buy was very personal.However, this swimwear store was one of her favorites. It carried designs she liked. At first, she did not want to buy anything. Yet, as a woman, it was extremely difficult to walk away when she saw something she liked."What about this one?"All of a sudden, Julian took a triangle bikini top and positioned it in front of her.Nancy stepped back and pursed her lips. "No way."It was too revealing. If she wore that, she would reveal too much flesh, which she certainly did not want — especially not at a party with Julian."I'll choose one myself," she said.She picked a one-piece swimsuit with a bow on its back. She asked the
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