Nancy took over the media company Yaacob given to her. Although she was relatively young, she had experience in managing a company as big as Getson Corporation, so she was not really that frightened. Plus, with Yaacob helping her behind the scenes, everything went smoothly when Nancy first joined the company. In fact, it went so well... that she found it quite boring.Nancy's mind and heart were not in it at all. She just wanted to take a break from staying cooped up at home and to make herself feel better. However, she discovered that as long as Yaacob was feeling unwell, she would not feel good either.One day, Nancy was just about to get off work when she suddenly received a call from the hospital."Excuse me, is this Ms. Nancy Lawson?""Yes. Speaking.""Ms. Lawson, something happened to Ms. Anna Yale, and she would like you to come see her."Anna was in the last trimester then, so it must have something to do with the baby if something happened."Which hospital is she in? I'
"Nine times out of ten, what you heard is what Kristine wanted you to hear. Most people would prefer to keep their evil plan from others, and yet she revealed her whole plan to you. So I think she must have an ulterior motive," said Nancy."What ulterior motive could she possibly have? Wait a minute… Could it be that she's going to kill Xander because they're not in it together?" said Anna hopefully. However, Nancy did not even need to say anything before she refuted the idea herself. "But Xander didn't turn her down! He must know she's Crystal's younger sister, and yet he pretended he didn't know who she was. So he did lie to me and my dad!"Nancy did not know what to say. It was not her place to speculate or meddle in Anna's family affairs. She had learned her lesson after the incident with Randall and Rowena.Unfortunately, Anna herself did not know what to do, so she kept asking Nancy, "What should I do?""You're a big girl now. You should come up with a solution yourself.""B
"You've been using me all along, haven't you? From the moment you agreed to marry me, you were actually planning on taking all of my family's fortune for yourself," said Anna."Anna, don't act like you are the victim." Xander lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him, and emphasized, "I deserve everything I have now. As for why I deserve them… Well, you should ask your dad."Anna looked at him blankly. She was mentally prepared to suffer through any consequences of a divorce, but she never expected things to end that way. She was both confused and aggrieved when she saw the hatred in Xander's eyes."I have a question. Have you never..."Halfway through her question, Anna stopped herself. She wanted to ask what most women would want to ask their partner after finding out he had been cheating on her, but she was afraid that it would just make Xander look down on her even more.However, even if she did not ask, Xander guessed what was going on in her mind and answered her, "No, I h
"What… what are you talking about? I don't understand," said Anna, even though she knew full well what he was talking about.'Does he know? That's impossible… No… How did he know?' thought Anna. Her heart was beating really fast. She quickly put her trembling hands behind her back and took a deep breath to compose herself. Nancy had once told her that Anna's biggest weakness was her inability to stay calm under pressure.Tried as she might, her guilt was still as clear as day for Xander to see. However, Xander did not continue. Instead, he circled back to the original topic of changing the company's name."I'm definitely going to change the company's name, and if you don't like it, you can buy back the company shares. Then you can do whatever you want about the company," said Xander. He knew Anna did not have a penny to her name."Those shares were mine to begin with. You're the one who stole it from me!" complained Anna."Anna, nothing in this world was yours to begin with. You'r
"If you don't let me out now, it means you're guilty!" said Anna, deliberately provoking him.However, Xander simply drove off. It was as good as him admitting to his guilt.Somehow, he was able to get Anna home despite her fighting him every inch of the way."Xander, you bastard! Why won't you let me report Kristine to the police?! How can you side with a murderer? Were you in on it with her?" screamed Anna.Xander carried her into the bedroom and placed her on the bed. He then lifted her chin and warned, "Do you know what the consequences of your actions are?"Anna did not know, but she could sense danger when she looked into Xander's eyes, so she immediately shut up.Xander reached out his hand. "Where's the prescription?"Anna turned her face away and said stubbornly, "I don't know.""You think I won't be able to do anything to you if you don't give the prescription to me?"Xander took off all her clothes and searched thoroughly through every nook and cranny, but he still
Strangely, even though the man was very far from her, it felt like he was whispering right into her ear. Her cheeks immediately became flushed with warmness."Can you please help me?" asked Anna.Instead of asking what she needed help with, the man asked, "Give me a reason why I should do that?"Anna was used to his unpredictability. She clutched the bedsheet and plucked up the courage to say, "Because the baby I'm carrying is yours. Is that a good enough reason for you?"The man fell silent. For those few seconds, Anna could only hear the sound of her own heartbeat and the man's breathing.Just when she was about to say something again, the man finally spoke, "Then have you made up your mind to be with me?"Anna hesitated for a second before saying, "Yes…""I'm not as rich or powerful as your husband, so I cannot give you the high life.""It's okay."Anna's thought process was simple. No matter how bad her new life was going to be, it could not be worse than her life with Xan
Xander woke up, gasping from his dream. After calming himself down, he looked at the time. It was only three o'clock in the morning. He tried to go back to sleep but could not, no matter how he tried. Thus, he threw off his blanket and went to the balcony to have a cigarette.He held a cigarette in one hand and his phone in the other hand, waiting for news about Anna. However, after waiting for three hours, Xander finally lost his patience and dialed the number he had already prepared.When the call was connected, the person on the other side reported without him asking, "Mr. Jenkins, we've recovered the car, but no one was inside."Xander frowned. "How is that possible?""The river current was too fast, so she may have been washed away. The river is too wide, making the search difficult!""You still have to do it. Money is not an issue. You must find her!"The person on the other end of the phone heard Xander sounding nervous, so he could not help but lay out the ugly truth befo
The assistant found the 20-year-old photos of Benjamin with a mysterious woman for Nancy. It was because of Nancy's position in the media company she was able to get information that was inaccessible to the public.Nancy had seen a photo of her mother in her grandfather's album before. She cross-referenced the photo her assistant gave her with the photo in her memory, and it was indeed the same woman!"You mentioned just now that these photos would cause a public uproar if they were published. Why is that? Mr. Cabrera was not as famous as he was 20 years ago, so even if he has a lot of fans, it shouldn't cause this much of a scandal, right?" asked Nancy.Her assistant gave her a look that said she had asked the right person. He sidled up to her and whispered into her ear, "The person who would cause the public uproar wasn't Mr. Cabrera, but the woman he was with.""Why? Was the woman someone super famous?" asked Nancy quizzically. 'Could she be a world-famous celebrity? I don't thi
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