Less than half a minute after Yaacob read the text message, he received another message from Ain's number.[I have her too!]He showed both text messages to Randall, to which the latter asked, "If your guess is correct and Ain is the real killer, then she's behind this too?"Yaacob frowned and said nothing.Immediately afterward, he received the third text message from an unknown number. [Choose one of the two.][Who are you?][I'm going to kill all the women around you!][Are you from the organization?][Yes.]After that, the unknown number sent Yaacob a photo.It was a photo of Nancy tied up and unconscious.[She is really beautiful. It'll be a shame to chop her up into pieces. She'll make a wonderful specimen.][Don't you dare]After that, the unknown number sent him a photo of Ain, who was all tied up and unconscious as well. Judging from the background of the photo, she and Nancy are not in the same room.[I can let one of them go. It's up to you to choose who shal
Nancy was trapped in a burning room. In order to save herself, she burned the rope that was tying her down. Because of that, her hands suffered burns. She was sent to the hospital to receive treatment, and the doctor had to wrap her hands up. For the next few days, she had been grunting and worrying if there would be any scars left on her hands."Yaacob, are my hands going to recover?" Nancy asked."The doctor said you were lucky. You only suffered a minor burn on your fingers. The doctor will prescribe ointment for the burn. I'm sure it can help with removing the scar if you apply it consistently," Yaacob consoled the narcissistic Nancy.Nancy was relieved to hear that and exhaled deeply."Here, drink this." Yaacob fed her a spoonful of soup.She could not use her hands and had to rely on people to feed her and take care of her. Therefore, Yaacob moved his office to the ward and stayed with her.While she was drinking the soup, she suddenly thought of what the police told her wh
Nancy's dinner date with Yaacob was at six o'clock in the evening, so she still had time to go to the beauty salon. While going through her facial, Nancy was about to fall asleep when a woman's voice jolted her awake."Ms. Lawson, your skin is flawless. You must really take good care of it."Nancy thought someone was talking to her, but then she heard another voice reply, "Not really. I just make sure to wash my face properly at the end of the day."Based on that pretentious answer alone, Nancy knew Teresa was next door."Then you must be born with flawless skin, Teresa. Oh my god, I'm so jealous. We women really need to take care of our skin especially when we are older than 25 years old. In fact, I wish I could get facial treatments every day."'Wait a minute… Isn't that Rosa's voice? Why is she hanging out with Teresa?' thought Nancy."Rosa, your family is so rich that you can just open your own private beauty salon at home. Unlike me, I have to pinch pennies to make ends meet
"Rosa, I would like to have a word with Teresa, in private. Would you mind giving us some space?" Nancy said warmly as she summoned up all the niceness she had in her.Face it. Rosa was Yaacob's biological sister. As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. No matter how much Nancy might dislike Rosa, she was willing to look past their differences for Yaacob's sake. Besides, Nancy did not wish to put Yaacob in a position where he was forced to choose between them. Unfortunately, the same could be said of Rosa, for she never considered Nancy family. Rosa said with her chest puffed out, "Nancy, Teresa is my bestie, if you even think of pushing her around." Nancy was exasperated and said, "Why would I do such a thing? I just wanted to talk to her about certain disputes we had regarding my previous marriage. If Teresa doesn't mind, do feel free to stick around."By putting Teresa on the spot, she knew Teresa would flinch and would not want Rosa to be around. Nancy had Teresa on
Yaacob did consider going after Lola. However, that was a tactical evasion he considered when he realized he was falling more and more for Nancy each day. To this day, he felt it was the worst mistake he had made in the past few years.Yaacob used to despise women who boasted about the number of men being at their heels and used that to show off. However, Nancy was the exception. Nancy took pride and reveled in her own beauty, and yet, in Yaacob's eyes, that was a captivating and charming sight.Not all women who were bestowed with beauty were able to make use of it without being annoying.Obviously, Lola did not have the same gift as Nancy. She tried as she might to flirt with Yaacob, but it only caused Yaacob to furrow his brows deeper and get agitated."The keyword being 'almost'!" replied Yaacob.Lola could tell from his tone of voice that he was relieved that he did not fall for her. That greatly embarrassed her."Oh my. I did not expect a fine gentleman such as Mr. Getson t
Before the dinner "party" was even over, the two main characters had left.Randall went to a nearby hotel with Rowena, and after some intimacy, he held her in his arms tightly.It was about thirty minutes to midnight. When he saw that there was only half a circle left by the bedside table, he frowned.At that moment, the room was very quiet. He could hear Rowena panting audibly next to him. Their session had been incredibly intense.However, as they slowly cooled down, Randall felt his heart empty.It was a strange feeling. He was holding her, but he still felt empty.He knew he would not be able to hold her again very soon.He could not help but tighten his arms around her, gently kissing her forehead.He tried to get her favor: "Rowena, what do you want? I'll give you anything."Rowena's face was still red after how intimate they had been. She smiled as she stopped her panting and answered, "There's no need. I'll get what I want very soon."What she wanted had always been t
Nancy spat out her coffee.She coughed as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.She took the chance to digest what Rowena had said before looking at the woman in disbelief. "Are you serious? Lola's his mistress!""I've already divorced Randall. There are no mistresses any more." Rowena was even trying to defend Lola.It was probably only those who had true love like Nancy did who hated mistresses and homewreckers!In Rowena's eyes, there was no mistress because she had never thought of Randall as her husband. So she did not care if anyone took him away."If you really want to get rid of Randall, you could hope that he falls for another girl. It doesn't need to be Lola."In truth, even though Nancy thought Randall was a scumbag, she still felt that it would be his loss to be with Lola.After all, he was a romantic at heart, and Lola just wanted his money. She had even used such underhanded methods.Rowena shook her head, stirring her coffee as she said, "If he could fall for a wom
Nancy was stunned to see the scar on Lola's chest.She never expected something like that to exist between Lola and Randall.Nancy still remembered when Ain had been in Randall's hospital. Ain had asked Nancy if she was there to see Lola.At the time, Nancy had not realized what she had meant, but after Lola had said that she had met Ain before, she realized they had met at the hospital.Lola had taken a bullet for Randall and had been sent to the hospital to get treated. There, she had met Ain.That was probably what had happened. After that, Randall had arranged a place for her to stay after she had gotten better.So he had not been keeping her as his mistress."Nancy, I know you look down on me. At the start, I really did do everything I could to get closer to Randall, but so what? Compared to you and Mr. Getson, I'm unlucky. I seized this chance for myself. I just lost out to his wife because I met him a few years later. If it was her, would she have taken a bullet for Randa
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