Nancy could hardly comprehend Spencer's last two sentences. Her heart felt as though it had been violently wrenched out by some unseen force. Her ears were still ringing with the recent announcement, the news that clawed at her very soul. Teresa was pregnant! Spencer, having been married to Nancy for six months, had treated her like something to be avoided at all costs. Not only had they not shared a bed, but even the slightest intimate gesture had been rebuffed by him. And now, he had gotten another woman pregnant behind Nancy's back? "Spencer, have you forgotten what you promised me when we got married?" Nancy stared into his eyes. He had clearly promised never to get involved with Teresa again after they were married, as long as Nancy left the Lawson family and quit showbiz. She had even sacrificed all her hard-won achievements over five years to pave the way for Teresa's success. The blood and sweat she poured into her work might not be much, but she had given up her family
"Are you certain he's still staying here?" Nancy inquired, her eyes narrowed as she stood before the counter of the Saunders Hotel. "Oh yes, I've heard that Yaacob is a VIP at the Saunders Hotel. Room 8808, you know how hard it is to book. I can't quite figure out this man's background, but I'd bet he's on par with your sleazebag of an ex-husband." "I see. We'll talk again later." "Wait, Ms. Lawson. About the fee for this information..." "You don't get any money for this. I'll pay you if I succeed today!" Nancy snapped and hung up. As she lowered her head to place her phone back in her purse, a few strands of her lustrous chestnut curls cascaded down her fair shoulders, revealing a circular scar above her shoulder blade—a memento of a car accident. She straightened up and pulled out her makeup mirror to touch up her appearance. After tucking her hair behind her ear to hide the scar, she strode across the hotel's lounge area. The click of her eight-centimeter heels attracted
"Of course it's yours!" Nancy insisted, her voice cracking with a mixture of desperation and frustration. Her throat tightened as she looked at Yaacob's unbelieving expression, and she continued, her voice almost a whisper, "You should know that. That night with you... it was my first time, and it's only been you." A trace of a smile, barely there, could be seen appearing on Yaacob's face, but he didn't respond to her words. With a casual flick of his slender fingers, he pulled a cigarette from the box and lit it in front of Nancy, asking, "You don't mind if I smoke, do you?" He didn't wait for an answer before the flame caught the end of the cigarette. Nancy was rendered speechless. She watched him inhale deeply, then exhale a ring of smoke that seemed both suave and provocative. The air around her was gradually infiltrated by the crisp aroma of the cigarette. It was not unpleasant, but it was oppressive, leaving her feeling smothered and ignored. "Mr. Getson, are you even lis
"The pregnancy test results are in your hands, Mr. Getson. It's not as if I could have faked them," Nancy stated, holding her ground. "Who knows?" The man's casual response caused Nancy's eyes to twitch involuntarily. In the next moment, however, she deftly brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, masking her fleeting moment of uncertainty, and met Yaacob's intense gaze with righteous indignation. "Mr. Getson, you're a man of distinction. You can afford globally limited luxury cars and own several publicly traded companies. Surely you wouldn't stoop so low as to make a scene just to escape this small compensation, right? I recall you have a fiancée. She caused quite a commotion here one morning. Your relationship seems rather unstable, doesn't it?" Yaacob's gaze, hidden behind a cloud of smoke, turned darker at Nancy's words. He looked at the woman before him with the same oppressive glare he'd given her earlier in the car. For a split second, Nancy felt as if an invisible han
Nancy's eyes widened for just a moment, taken aback by what she had just heard. "Uhm… That night... You were wearing it at first, but then you forgot…" she stammered, attempting to explain herself. "Oh? When was that?" Yaacob responded with a mocking lilt in his voice as if he were determined to press her until she spilled the truth. Avoiding his gaze, Nancy looked at the fruit platter on the coffee table. "Things were a bit chaotic at that time. If you're asking for the specific timing, then… I don't know what to say!" Nancy refused to meet Yaacob's eyes. One of her hands curled slightly by her side, while the other unconsciously scratched her nose. The truth was, she could not really remember what happened that night. After all, she had been drugged. Her mind was foggy even before she entered the room. Furthermore, the lights were off too. However, one thing she was certain about was that Yaacob was not quite right either. When she was close to Yaacob, she could distinct
Yaacob stated, "I need a wife. She must be intelligent, shrewd, and beautiful." "But don't you already have a fiancée?" Nancy looked at him doubtfully. "If you're better than her, I might choose you instead." Nancy's eyes danced with surprise and curiosity. The man had a complex gaze, an enigmatic maze that she could not decipher. Yet, one thing was clear. He was giving her a chance. She only had one goal in seeking Yaacob. She needed money to handle her legal troubles. As a divorcee for less than a month, she had not considered remarrying. However, the idea of marrying Yaacob, a mysterious figure rumored to have the power to turn the business world upside down, was not without its appeal. If the rumors were true and Yaacob was indeed that enigmatic and powerful figure she expected him to be, could he go up against Spencer? Could he help her reclaim everything that Teresa stole from her? Lately, anger and indignation had been Nancy's constant companions. Now that an opportu
Nancy had never encountered a man like Yaacob before. Even when Spencer, her past love, had rejected her, he had always done so with courtesy and grace. However, Yaacob exuded a fierce and aggressive aura that could instill fear in anyone who came close. He was a storm of malevolence and demand, the very embodiment of predatory danger. At that moment, Nancy felt like prey caught in the claws of a ravenous wolf, ready to be devoured at any moment and immobilized under his overpowering influence. 'Was it really the right decision to approach Yaacob for the money?' Nancy wondered, already tinged with regret. She had only met Yaacob twice. The first time was purely an accident, and the second time brazenly seeking his attention. Nancy felt that luck was never on her side. Instead of winning the lottery, she was more likely to fall into a trap. As she hesitated, wondering whether to push away the increasingly intrusive man pressing down on her, the room's sultry atmosphere was abruptl
Nancy could not shake the feeling that Yaacob's deep voice possessed some sort of enchanting power. Every time he spoke, coherent thought seemed to elude her. As she stood, the urgent knocking at the door felt like the summons from the reaper itself. Right as she turned her head slightly with the instinct to answer the door, Yaacob's hand suddenly fell over her shoulder. His right hand tightened just enough to send her dress strap slipping down her arm. "Go now," Yaacob said, his voice tinged with a hint of malice. Nancy gritted her teeth. As she opened the door, she was greeted by a beautiful young woman standing outside. "Get… son...?" Yoana Yack stammered, shocked to see Nancy instead of Yaacob, leaving her with words stuck in her throat. Yoana's shock soon turned to displeasure when she noticed Nancy's disheveled appearance. "Who are you? Why are you in my fiancé's room?" Yoana demanded. Nancy did not respond but simply wiped the corner of her lips. Her red, lusci
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