The first thing Yaacob did upon entering the room was smack away the morning-after pill in Nancy's hand and drag her out of bed.She had not put her clothes on yet. She used the blanket to cover her naked body."Yaacob, what are you doing?" she asked."Did you do it on purpose?" Yaacob asked.Both of them had spoken at the same time, so Nancy did not hear his question clearly."What did you say?" "I'm asking, did you and Benjamin plan this together?"Nancy was baffled. "I don't understand.""Lynn was raped," Yaacob explained."No… How could that happen?" Nancy was stunned.That was what Yaacob had gone to deal with while Nancy slept. During the days they had been together, Yaacob's phone had been switched off. Under the drug's influence, he had decided to let loose and enjoy the insanity.He had been acting discreetly for many years. In this brief moment of negligence, catastrophe had befallen.Two days ago, he had realized his body temperature had not been right, so he ha
That night, Nancy left Athenapolis.Randall had sent her to the airport. Nancy had not even had the time to inform Yvonne about her departure.Yvonne would be mad when she found out Nancy had left without telling her. However, Nancy knew Yvonne would not stay mad at her for long because they were best friends. She just needed to say sorry to Yvonne for Yvonne forgive her in the future.That was if they were ever going to meet in the future.Before Nancy's flight took off, Randall thought he should inform Yaacob. As Nancy's ex-husband, that was the least he could do for him before sending Nancy away.When Yaacob received the text message, he glanced at it, did not reply, and deleted it. This was the end between him and Nancy. He had been harsh to her and had said many things that hurt her in the hotel room. It did not matter to or affect him whether Nancy stayed or left the country.The next day, he received a notification from the bank. It told him that Nancy had returned the ali
Xander ignored Kristine, but she was reluctant to leave and followed him into his bedroom."Xander, why are you giving me the cold shoulder after Anna's accident? Are you blaming me for her accident? Have you forgotten who our enemy is? She's Wesley Yale's daughter! He was a scoundrel, rogue, good-for-nothing person when he was young! He stole everything he has today! He also killed your parents. You're just taking what belongs to you. Wesley and Anna deserve this ending!" Kristine reminded him."Don't forget. My sister was killed by Anna! They used their power to make the murder seem like an accident. Why are you being so hard on yourself now that Anna is dead because of a car accident? You don't owe her anything!" Kristine continued."That's enough! Stop talking!" Xander cut her off. He was annoyed that Kristine had come into his room while he was trying to change. "Get out now!""I'm not finished yet! Have you forgotten that you promised my sister that you'd take care of me? Now
When Xander reached, Randall and Yaacob were drinking together. It had been a long time since the three of them had met.For the past few months, they had been busy with their lives. Trouble was their closest friend.It was a miracle that they had found the chance to meet up and drink.Randall did not talk about Nancy, and Yaacob did not ask. Many things were left unsaid as they enjoyed their drinks.However, when Xander arrived, he nervously asked, "Yaacob, where's Nancy?"Yaacob replied without looking at him, "Don't ask me.""Haven't you two made up yet?" Xander said and looked at Randall."Don't ask me either. She specifically told me not to tell you where she is," Randall answered. "Maybe she is sick of you."Xander had scared Nancy by sending many baby items to her.Randall handed Xander a glass of alcohol, and they sat together in a row.Xander was wet because of the rain. He took off his coat, took a sip of the alcohol to warm up, and said, "I have news about Anna."
"Rowena…"Randall had dreamed of seeing Rowena awake. Yet, now she was, he did not know what to say. He wanted to ask if she was all right, but he found it hard to utter a word.While Randall walked toward Rowena, Barry put on his pants and tried to sneak away.Randall seemed to have eyes on his back. He shot Barry's left leg without looking.The gunshot echoed loudly in the small treatment room. Blood gushed out Barry's leg. His face grew ashen. He screamed in pain, "Ah! My leg! My leg!""Ah!" Rowena shrieked, jumped off the bed, and hid behind Randall.Randall grabbed her arms. The ferocious look on his face disappeared. He quickly consoled her in a soft voice: "Don't be scared!""I want to leave! Bring me away from here!" Rowena requested."Okay," Randall answered.That had been his original plan: to take Rowena away while she was unconscious. He had been afraid he would harm her if he took her away so he had not. In return, he had had to give Donald his support.Since Bar
Randall realized it would be hard for him to get used to the way Rowena was treating him. He had not quite accepted that Rowena had lost her memory.Rowena had hated and loathed him. She had dreamed of breaking free of Randall's control and had fled from him when he had tried to get close to her. None of those unhappy memories remained in her mind now. She felt no hatred toward Randall. In fact, he sensed that she was slowly leaning toward depending on him.Then again, Randall did not know if his instincts were right. He found it hard to believe because his luck was always poor.He would always lose at bets and gambling. When his life had been in danger and Rowena had saved him and when he had been abused… Those were the consequences he had to bear for losing a bet with God.The only lucky thing that had ever happened to him was meeting Rowena. Not only had she saved him, but he had met his dream girl.He had made another bet with God when he had tried to make Rowena fall in love
Randall began to contact Harrison frequently after he had a falling out with Donald. With Yaacob acting as the middle person, it stood to reason Harrison welcomed Randall with open arms. Plus, Randall's resources and connections would only make Harrison even more powerful, no matter who he sided with.Adding to the fact that Randall beat up Barry when he rescued Rowena, he had made himself an enemy of the Hardin family. After that, Donald said that he would crack down on the criminals working in the gray area in an interview, and everyone knew he was actually talking about Randall.However, Randall did not work in the gray area; all of his investments were of legitimate businesses. The ones that Donald had cracked down on were not really that important to Randall, so he was able to let them go without even batting an eye.Donald had not expected Randall to be able to wash his hands off his shady businesses completely. As furious as he was, there was nothing he could do about it. To
It was just as Yaacob guessed: Randall was going to pass up the chance to get back together with Rowena.Randall never visited Rowena again after dropping her off at her parents' home. It was not an easy decision for him to make as there were too many things tied up to the matter. However, it was one he still had to make as a responsible man.Rowena's memory loss could not have come at a worse time since he was already with Lola. Plus, he still remembered how much Rowena hated him to the point she would rather go in hiding than to stay with him.Even though Randall was no saint, he drew a line on taking advantage of others when they had memory loss. Not to mention, he always treated women with respect. It was because of that reason he had stayed single for so long despite his status, good looks, and money.However, a few days after dropping Rowena off at her parents' home, Randall received a call from the person in charge of protecting Rowena. Even though he had told them there was
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