Nancy did not expect Julian to agree without any hesitation."Are you serious?""Were you not serious?"Julian was staring at Nancy. It was obvious that if Nancy were to say she was joking around, it would anger him.Nancy was handed the short end of the stick by Julian once, and she knew that if she upset Julian again, no one would be around to rescue her if Julian tried to kill her again. Thus, for her own sake, she decided to change the subject."You and Lucy were only married for half a year, it's not easy to get a divorce right? How would you explain it to her parents? Besides, she had an abortion for your sake…"Julian cut her off. "Ah, that's not something you have to worry about. As long as you're single, we can be married as soon as I finalize the divorce.""Wait, I really have to ask, why do you want to marry me out of the blue?" Nancy was bewildered.Nancy knew that she was attractive and beautiful, but she had two failed marriages, and her reputation was not good. I
Another day passed, with Nancy still being locked up and Julian nowhere to be seen. Julian had stopped all gas and water supply, leaving her with no means to make good on her suicidal threat.Other than racking her brain to figure out a way to escape, the only other thing Nancy could do was to watch TV.She was not in the mood to watch drama or movies; she chose to watch economic and financial news, hoping to find out what was going on out there.However, what she was getting on the TV was not as updated or comprehensive as what would be available online. All the channels were more or less broadcasting the news at the same time slot.As she did not know when news relating to the Getson Corporation would be on, she could only channel surf, hoping to catch every scratch of details available.Finally, she found a news snippet concerning Yaacob."In recent days, Getson Corporation, the largest enterprise in Asia, held a board meeting to discuss the corporation's development and ind
After a long and restless night, Nancy succeeded at keeping Julian from getting what he wanted after putting up quite a fight.When the day broke, Nancy changed into a new set of clothing and squatted by a corner in her room. She pulled the curtain to peer outside and wished for the sun to hurry up so that the morning would come faster.Julian was no longer in her room and was instead sitting in the lounge. He was tending to the wound inflicted by Nancy's bite, wrapping layer after layer of bandage around it. While he was at it, he stared long and hard at Nancy's room, with its door shut.Finally, it was a new day. Nancy heard footsteps approaching. Instinctively, Nancy held herself tighter while she continued to squat by the corner, with uptight shoulders, and secretly holding a toothbrush with a sharpened tip.'I'm going to kill that b*stard if he dares to force himself on me again!' thought Nancy.However, it was not Julian who opened the door and entered her room. It was a str
When Julian kidnapped Nancy, he wanted to threaten Yaacob into admitting his involvement in the murder of Emily. That way, the board of directors would sack him since the negative publicity would cause losses to the Corporation.Since Nancy had been released and Julian got what he wanted, Yaacob handed the killer over to the authorities. However, most of the staff in the Getson Corporation felt that Yaacob lost any chances he had of being chosen as the heir to inherit the corporation. Thus, what difference would it make even if he could prove his innocence?The Getsons had always considered him an outsider. There was even less likelihood that he could fight his way back. However, as fortune favors the bold, an opportunity presents itself not long afterward.Firstly, the media speculated Lucy was being abused by Julian. This was followed by photos of Lucy being hospitalized for a coma, fueling the rumor that Julian wanted a divorce, and that forced Lucy to commit suicide by jumping o
One should never underestimate the impact public opinion has on a company.Initially, Julian decided to ignore the waves of condemnation and call for a boycott of him by netizens who sympathized with Mandy. As a result, the share price of Getson Corporation plummeted, and shareholders were panicking.Damon, who was the chairman of the company, was forced to come out of his semi-retirement. When Damon showed up at Getson Corporation, with Yaacob trailing along, Julian knew things were bad, causing him to frown with agitation.He was right. Damon made it clear during the board meeting that he wanted Yaacob back in the company."I've already appointed someone to take over the position at the Cultural Department," said Julian, making it clear that Yaacob's position had been taken."That's okay. I've got a new position for Yaacob," said Damon.Damon appointed Yaacob to be the vice president of the company, which was a promotion, having the same authority as the president of the company
Yaacob had handed Emily's killer to the authorities a while back. The discovery that the killer was a 14 year old kid created an uproar and heated discussion among the general public.Because the perpetrator was a minor, it was very challenging for the judiciary to proceed with the trial and even more complicated with his indictment. In addition, the murdered victim was a foreigner, and so was the killer.Therefore, the local police were reluctant to get involved and decided to wash their hands clean by deporting the killer back to his home country, letting them deal with the killer according to their laws.While the two countries were still negotiating the details, the killer took off and escaped."Will he come looking for me?" asked Nancy."Probably not.""Didn't you say that they wouldn't stop until their target is dead?""Yes, but I caught him before, and I doubt he'd be showing up. If he does come, I'd just catch him again like I did the first time," Yaacob told her.What
When they arrived at the hospital, Nancy took out a handheld mirror and reapplied her lipstick. Yaacob stood beside her and waited for her as he felt hopeless trying to talk sense into her."Mr. Getson, am I pretty?""Yes, you are!""Am I the fairest of them all?""Yes!"After giving herself a pep talk, Nancy walked confidently, with her arms in Yaacob's, and marched into the hospital. Once she was in Ain's ward, she finally believed in everything Yaacob told her.His ex-girlfriend… was in an appalling condition.What Nancy saw laying on the hospital bed was a bag of skin and bones. The woman was very, very skinny, and both her cheeks were sunken. Other than the epidermal layer, her hands seemed as if they were a collection of protruding bones. Pale lips, cloudy eyes, and a deep scar on her chin… all these made up a pretty terrifying sight.Nancy found it hard to imagine. Was this really Yaacob's ex-girlfriend?It was Ain who took the initiative to greet and smile at her.Nan
Nancy felt that what Yvonne had said made a lot of sense, so she stopped quarreling with Yaacob when she returned.She had monitored her menstrual cycle the past few days, and it had not come on the first day it was supposed to, nor the second, nor the third…She used to have very regular periods, so when she missed three days, Nancy told Yaacob about it.Yaacob looked thoughtful for a moment before he put his hand on Nancy's belly, rubbing it gently."Do you think you're pregnant?""I don't know." Nancy bit her lip, feeling a bit shy. "But I feel normal, other than missing my period. I don't feel like vomiting at all.""It's possible that you haven't been pregnant for long, so the symptoms haven't shown yet. Let me bring you for a checkup this weekend.""Okay."Yaacob felt like she was probably pregnant. After all, he had been very hardworking in that regard. It had not been for the express purpose of getting pregnant, but it would be a nice addition to their sweet marriage.
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