“You don't get it, father,” said Darien to his father as they sat in the dining room.“What is it that I don't get, Darien? Do you want to make the same mistake you made when she was here? Why are you too blind to see that Jeri, or whatever her name is, is an enemy sent to destroy this family?” Mr. Ethan roared, punching the dining table.“No, father. Jeri is only doing this because she encountered pain after you both kicked against our relationship. Look, father, I don't care if she is back for revenge or whatever. All I know is that I still love her, and I want her to be my wife.” Darien let out, his brows drawn together.“Oh really?” Mr. Ethan snorted.“Yes.”“Well, get ready to leave my house. You either choose me or her because I can't sit back and watch you bring a devil into my house. Haven't you learned your lessons? By now, you should have known who Jeri truly is.” “Do you really think I give much thought to your threats anymore? No, father. I'm a grown man. I can make money
"I wish I could help you, Freya, but I can't. I tried my best to persuade her that you are not her enemy, but…” Sophia sighed, her gaze on Freya who was sitting beside her. “ She's not ready to listen to me. I don't know what to tell her again.”“Aren't you her best friend? She should listen to what you tell her,” Freya’s eyes were filled with sorrow as she spoke."Look, Sophia, I noticed that Jeri returned for nothing but vengeance. And you know what? I am one of those she returned to exact her revenge on. "All I want her to know is that I fought for her, even in her absence. That should be enough reason for her to treat me as a friend rather than an enemy. You should see how she embarrassed me in front of my coworkers when she visited my workplace.""I get your point, Freya. What I am trying to say is that you should meet her and explain things to her so she has no reason to treat you the way she did," Sophia said, her expression clouded with sadness.Just as Freya was about to say
“Good morning, my dear business partners,” she started." I understand that some of you may see me as a competitor, but I urge you to consider the bigger picture. Just because my company is developing similar products as some companies in this city doesn't mean we're stealing your ideas." As soon as her words rang in their ears, the hall went into a chaotic murmuring, causing Jeri to pause. Her gaze darted from one person to another, as she sensed how determined almost every one was to bring down her business. Although it was a great challenge for her to face everyone alone, she knew what she was targeting. So, she wasn't ready to back down despite the pressure from her fellow CEOs. Amidst the murmuring, Jeri took a deep breath, plastered a light smile on her face and continued, "Every company has its unique audience and market niche. Our target audience may overlap with yours, but our approach and values are distinct. We're not trying to replace you; we're offering an alternative
“Jeri,” Mr. Elias started."Although I am here to assist you, I also require a favor in return. But before I assist you in your mission, I would be overjoyed if you would fulfill the task I have for you. “Uh?” Jeri's mouth was agape upon hearing his words. “ Look, sir. I am paying attention to you because I have a deep respect for elders. However, I can tell you are here to use me as a pawn to get something I do not know about. With due respect, sir, I am not interested in this conversation. Excuse me, please..."Jeri rolled her eyes and turned to leave, but she paused as the man's words echoed in her ears."You will find me when the time is appropriate, Jeri, I promise you. By then, you will be kicking yourself for not working with me earlier." Those were Mr. Elias' words that brought Jeri to a stop. She chuckled, shook her head, and turned back to face Mr. Elias."What led you to believe that I will require your assistance in the future?" She shot back. “I am a self-sufficient sin
"Now that Margaret has been sentenced to life in prison, I believe it is time for us to make peace," Aysel conversed with Jeri as they stood in their late guardian's house compound.They were facing each other, their faces contorted with grief from their loss. Although Mr. Hemsworth did not treat Jeri with the same love that he did Aysel, Jeri never wished for him to die in such a terrible way.Margaret attempted to flee to a remote location after killing Mr. Hemsworth to avoid punishment for her crime. However, Aysel and Jeri worked together to ensure Margaret's detention. Thankfully, they achieved their goal.Aysel saw this as an opportunity to seek Jeri's mercy. Perhaps she will pardon her. Who knows?"Look, Aysel,” Jeri snapped."I am only sparing you because you no longer live with Mr. Hemsworth; otherwise, I would have assumed you and Margaret planned this together.""What are you saying, Jeri?" Aysel creased her brow." Why should you think I would support anyone doing such a t
The next day, Jeri found herself standing outside Freya's house, while her guard knocked on the gate. They were all expecting one of Freya's house servants to come open the gate for them.Unfortunately, the guard knock on the door was met with a hesitant pause before it creaked open. Instead of Freya's servant as expected, they were all welcomed by Freya's presence, causing their expression to freeze in a mask of shock. Was she watching from inside?Immediately Freya set her gaze on Jeri who was standing behind one of her guards while others stood behind her, her eyes narrowed, her expression icy.Although she was astonished to see Jeri in her house, she was a bit nervous."What do you want, Jeri?" Freya inquired, frowning."Just because we are not on good terms doesn't mean we can't exchange pleasantries, Freya's,” Jeri snapped and rolled her eyes. “I don't need your greetings, Jeri. You have clearly stated that you h
Aysel who had been facing challenges with her mother's constant threats finally got fed up, and she decided to discuss it without her boyfriend, Michael, since no one was ready to support her.However, she refused to inform Darien or her father about it, as she understood her mother wouldn't spare her life if she found out that she had exposed her.“Baby, you said you needed to tell me something. What's it?” Michael asked, his arms resting on Aysel's shoulder as she laid in his bosom as they sat on the bed together.Aysel swallowed hard, taking in a deep breath before she sat up on the bed. She sat opposite Michael, who was anticipating her response.“Babe," Aysel began. “ It's about my Mom."“Your Mom?" Michael muttered, his eyes lowered on her.” What about her?" “She’s… she has been tormenting my life for the past few days and I can no longer bear it. So I feel it's best I tell you," Aysel explained, her voice shaki
“Sophia, why did you bring her to my house?" Jeri, who was descending the staircase, asked, her brows furrowed. “ Freya, what are you doing in my house?" Before any of the ladies could respond, they were interrupted by Dawson's presence.“Aunt Sophia!" Dawson, who stepped into the lounge with a football in his hand, screamed at the top of his voice, running to hug Sophia. He was dressed in full football attire.“Hey, my boy," Sophia responded, stood up and spread her arms to embrace Dawson.” Where are you coming from?" “I'm coming back from a football training game," Dawson responded after breaking the hug with his aunt.“Aww. That's so sweet," Sophia pecked his cheeks, flashing a wide smile. “Where's your football field located?” "At the garden,” Dawson responded, placing his ball on his head, his gaze locked onto his aunt's.“Who's your coach?" Sophia asked.“Oh, please. Enough of these silly questions
"Well,” Maya said, " if you think that's the best thing to do, then go ahead and do so since the whole thing centered on her.”With newfound determination, Darien left for Jeri's mansion after a long discussion with Maya.Perhaps the truth would change everything. Who knows?Darien arrived at Jeri's mansion a few minutes later, his heart pounding. One of the gatekeepers led Darien to the garden where Jeri was having fun with her son. "Jeri," Darien said, his voice barely above a whisper.Upon hearing her name, Jeri swiftly turned, her eyes narrowing. She was taken aback when her eyes fell on Darien."What is it, Darien?" Jeri asked, her brows furrowed.Darien stood dumbfounded as though he didn't hear her. Unfortunately, his attention was carried away by the little child who was busy playing with a ball.When Jeri noticed that, she became uncomfortable so she decided to ask her child to go into the house and he did.Dawson ran past Darien without greeting him. Probably because he did
Ever since Darien got the text, he became restless to the point of refusing to eat his dinner.He was eager to meet this unknown person to know who the person is and what the person wants.When it was almost midnight, Darien took with him three guards and exited the mansion without telling his father or grandfather.Within a few minutes of driving in the almost empty road, he arrived at the old warehouse, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. The text had been cryptic, but the threat to Jeri's life was clear.Since he was asked to come alone, he asked his guards to wait for him from a far distance from the old warehouse.As Darien stepped out of the shadows, a figure emerged, causing him to flinch in fear."Who are you?" Darien demanded out of fear.The figure revealed a woman with piercing green eyes and raven-black hair."I'm Maya," she said. "I've been tracking Adrian's operations for months.""Huh?” Darien's eyes narrowed."What do you want?"Instead of responding to his que
Darien began to pace around in the garden, wondering what to do. It was as if his head were going to explode for trying so hard to figure out what to do next.“I need to act fast. I can't sit back and watch them hurt Jeri. Not now," Darien said to himself with determination.At last, he retreated to the living room after giving it much thought.As he re-entered the mansion, he heard his grandfather speaking."Jeri, dear," Dr. Williams said, his voice soft, "I know my family has wronged you. But Darien has changed. He's trying to make amends. And as his grandfather, I will beg you on his behalf to please forgive him even though he deserves to face the consequences of his actions. He was still a kid that time when it happened and probably his father was afraid to lose his son that was why they kept it hidden. Please have mercy on them, Jeri."As Dr. Williams' words pierced into her ears Jeri's gaze wavered. Her plan was to get Darien and his father arrested, and not to forgive them. Now
The mansion felt empty, the tension filled the air with Mrs. Lucinda's departure. Jeri's emotions swirled, relief and sadness mixed.As they exchanged glances, Sophia broke the silence. "It's time to start healing.""And seeking justice.” Freya chuckled.Just then, Darien approached Jeri, his eyes sincere, as he was eager to seek her forgiveness."Jeri," he began,“ I know I can never undo the harm I've caused. If only you could forgive me, I would be the happiest man on earth presently. Not only that, I would be able to help you as well.""Help me?” Jeri's gaze hardened, her voice icy. “ You're the reason I've suffered. In fact, I'm still suffering because without my mother, I'm just like an orphan.""I know,” said Darien as he took a step closer, his gaze full of regret. “But I'm willing to make amends. Let me help you fight those who've wronged you.""You think you can just waltz in and fix everything?” Jeri scoffed. " My mother's dead because of you."Darien's face contorted in ang
"Huh?” Jeri gasped, her eyes narrowed as she tried to digest the whole thing."So you were the one who ruined my life from day one?" Jeri's eyes blazed as she spoke to Darien. Jeri glared at Darien as if she should strangle him to death. He killed her mother. As if that weren't enough he ruined her life by impregnating her."Jeri, I…" Darien continued, but Jeri cut him off."Shut up! You have no right to speak," Jeri spat, her voice venomous.The tears she had been suppressing for a long time finally escaped her eyes, and streamed down her cheeks.She came to seek justice for her dead mother and also to expose Mrs. Lucinda's sinister plans and now this. Jeri's world crumbled right before her as she was still finding it challenging to believe Freya's words.Upon seeing how heartbroken Jeri was, Sophia stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Jeri's shoulder as she attempted to comfort her."Jeri, let's think this through," said Sophia as she gently rubbed Jeri's shoulder with her thu
Darien's face paled, his eyes filling with a mix of shock and guilt. At last, Freya exposed the secret they have been hiding for decades.Mr. Ethan's eyes widened in astonishment, wondering what Jeri was talking about. He wasn't aware that the woman his son stabbed to death in his office was Jeri's mother.“What…what are you talking about, Jeri?” Mr. Ethan inquired, his gaze shifting from his son to Jeri. "Oh please, don't pretend as if you can't recall how your son murdered my mother in your office many years ago,” she growled in response, her fist tightened.Just after Jeri said that, it dawned on him that the woman was indeed Jeri's mother who had no one to look for her after her death.Mr. Ethan averted his gaze away from Jeri to Darien. He couldn't believe his ears. Never has he for once thought that this thing will come up in the future. Mrs. Lucinda, on the flip side, couldn't say anything, rather she froze in place staring at everyone with skeptical brows. She was just imagi
“What?" Darien gasped, his eyes shifting from the old man to his father. “ What did I just hear you call him, father?" “You heard him well, Darien," Dr. Williams cut in, causing Darien to avert his gaze away from his father to Dr. Williams.“Dr. Williams,” Darien called, still trying to comprehend what was happening. " I have been searching for you. You were nowhere to be found a few months after Jeri had left this city. I thought she came back and took you away demanding that you saved her life. I was astonished when she came to my office asking me about you. Where have you been all this while? And why is my father addressing you like that?”"How many times do you need to be told that Dr. Williams is your grandfather?” Jeri snapped."Zip your mouth, Jeri. I wasn't talking to you,” Darien countered, his brows drawn together.“What Jeri said is nothing but the truth, Darien," Dr. Williams responded, walking past Darien, his hands tucked behind him.“Huh?” Darien gasped. He curiously i
As soon as they set eyes on Jeri, they were taken aback, wondering how she was permitted into the house without their permission They exchanged glances, wondering if Jeri had come with the police to arrest Darien or something different. Just as Mrs. Lucinda was about to question how she came into the house without their permission, Jeri stepped into the lounge and Aysel followed.Immediately Mrs. Lucinda set eyes on her daughter, she quickly swallowed her words, convincing herself that she had access into the house through Aysel.Upon realizing this, it fueled Mrs. Lucinda's hatred for Aysel.After Jeri and Aysel stepped forward, Freya and Sophia followed. Their faces were holding no traces of smile, causing Darien and his parents to ask themselves what exactly the ladies were there to seek.Jeri's eyes blazed as she stepped forward. "We know what you're planning, Mrs. Lucinda. And we won't let you get away with it.""I have no idea what you're talking about," Mrs. Lucinda snapped,
“What's wrong, son?" Mrs. Lucinda asked as she sat beside her son on the couch.Darien, whose face was clouded with anger, hastily stood up, avoiding his mother's touch.“Tell me, is it true?" Darien asked, his arms folded above his chest, and his back against his mother's gaze.Mrs. Lucinda was confused as she couldn't comprehend what her son was talking about.“What exactly are you talking about, son?" Mrs. Lucinda stood up and asked with skepticism.Darien turned around and faced his mother. They locked eyes as though they were about to wrestle.Although Darien didn't believe what Jeri and the other girls were saying about his mother, he felt it best to ask his mother a few questions to be on the safer side.Again, the evidence provided by the girls triggered him to believe them a little. He wasn't ready to fully trust them as he was well aware that Jeri was determined to get back at him because of what happ