Raphael POV
In Royal Group. The sun was about to set. The clouds were gorgeous and stunningly beautiful. I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, raised my wrist to glance at my watch, and my eyes grew cold. I had put off my entire afternoon schedule in order to talk about cooperation with Araceli, but she had actually stood me up. This was the first time someone had been so bold as to ignore my offer of cooperation. This woman did have a lot of guts... Very good... I would remember that. "Mr. Lancaster, Ms. Chancey's secretary just called." My secretary stood in the doorway and said politely. I glanced at her, only to feel annoyed. "Tell her that I'm in a meeting." My secretary, Laurel Bayler, nodded and turned to leave at a brisk pace. I suddenly thought of something and called out to her, "Wait, Ms. Chancey? Which one?" I subconsciously thought "Ms. Chancey" was Melany, forAraceli POV I froze. Valeria was automatically drawn to Raphael every time she saw him. Krish turned his head. He frowned slightly when he saw Valeria and pulled Valeria's arm. "Vallie, don't go out. Mommy will be worried." Krish whispered, "Mom is not feeling well right now. We can't let her worry about us, right?" Valeria looked at Krish, nodded, and stopped in her tracks. She looked at Raphael's back in the corridor. After a long moment, she withdrew her eyes. I breathed a sigh of relief. ... I felt better, but still a little groggy, so I decided to stay here until tomorrow. Krish and Valeria slept on the other bed in the ward. They stayed quiet and didn't make a fuss. Reynaldo sat on the edge of the bed and whispered, "I have sent someone to check it out. It was indeed Eclipse who sent those men to kill you today." "I know." I frowned. "Eliezer just went to the police station, but the female se
Araceli POV I smiled and whispered in Melany's ear, "Just remember, as soon as I have the evidence, I'll send you to jail." After that, I gave a contemptuous smile and walked towards the conference room. Zackary's angry voice came from behind me. "Araceli! Stop!" Melany said softly, "Dad, I'm sorry. I don't know why Araceli turned out like this. It's all my fault. Dad, please don't blame Araceli." I heard her words with mockery in my eyes. Compared to my ruthlessness, Melany's tenderness would make Zackary extremely protective. It was a trick Melany had used for so many years. Zackary said gently, "It's okay, my daughter. I'll take care of everything. You don't have to worry." Melany took a deep breath. "Dad, the shareholders' meeting is about to start." I grimaced and stepped through the conference room door. A dozen shareholders glanced at me in disbelief and said nothing. Zackary sat down and sa
Araceli POV I smiled, "Actually, more than the Dobbs family, I think Eclipse Group should cooperate with Navi Group." I raised my eyes and continued, "Navi Group's newly developed navigation system is the world's leading one, and it can be applied to all of Eclipse Group's products. This will greatly enhance the functionality of our products." Melany suddenly laughed, "Araceli, you're so naive. Don't you know that Navi Group is a French technology company? They think so highly of themselves that they never work with American companies. I've gone to contact them several times, but each time I was rejected at the beginning. Do you think it's possible for you to make contact with them?" Benjamin sneered, "Ms. Chancey, stop fucking bragging! Even if Navi Group was willing to work with a company in the U.S., it's unlikely that Eclipse Group would be on their short list." I smiled and said, "Mr. Camden, thank you. To be honest, I know the head of Navi
I smiled coldly. It would be nice if everything was really that simple, but unfortunately, it wasn't. Melany must have a big secret. Otherwise, she didn't have to send someone to kill me. What was it? I thought about it for a long time, but no answer came to mind. However, it did not matter. I could find out what Melany was scheming someday in the future. I gave Melany a cold look and turned around to leave. Melany suddenly took me by arm. "Where are you going? Araceli! Promise me, or I'll push you off!" She stared angrily into my eyes, as if she was about to show her fangs the next second. I glanced at the railing beside me. This was the 50th floor. The buildings on the ground were as small as ants. If I could, I also wanted to push this bitch down from here. I turned my head, stared at Melany, and shook off her hand. I patted my sleeve and said, "Melany, you're still on good terms with Mr.
Raphael POV I was looking at some papers. My friend, Royce, was sitting on the couch in my office. Royce said, "Raphael, who's our partner this time? I can't believe she stood you up! Not many women in New York would dare to do that. Wait, you said before that she was a software designer and a genius, right?" I didn't look at him and said, "You'll find out later when you meet her." What I was going to start this time was the design project for the newest cell phone of Royal Group's subsidiary. Previously, I had not been able to find a suitable AI software designer, and all this project was repeatedly delayed. The market potential for Araceli's Creaty was huge. That was what I was looking for. I called Royce the other day and told him about it, and Royce was surprised. The U.S. did not currently have leading AI software. We all knew that if a phone with such software was ever released, it would create a buzz. This was why Royce was very curious about who the designer wa
Araceli POV In fact, I didn't expect Raphael to really come, and to come alone. I froze for a couple of seconds when I opened the door, but quickly calmed down. Royal Group was the largest group in New York. I thought Raphael probably didn't have time to come over. I did get a little angry at the time, but then I regretted it after I said that. As a result, he came. This was proof that he did value me as a partner. I made him a cup of instant coffee. Raphael sniffed it, frowned slightly, and said, "Ms. Chancey, I'll have a coffee machine sent over tomorrow, as a gift from me to you." "Thank you, Mr. Lancaster." I didn't feel embarrassed in the slightest and accepted with a smile. I took the file over and handed him a copy. "A year ago, I did a project on machine learning. The results at that time were approved by the research institute I worked for, but the research was not successfully implemented becaus
Araceli POV I rushed to Unilan bar, pushed open the door to the room and saw Reynaldo lying tied up on the floor. A man in black was holding a woman who was sobbing. "Araceli..." Reynaldo tried to crawl over, but was kicked by a man in a suit. That man in black, with a cigarette in his mouth, approached me. "Did you bring the money?" I threw a check over. "50 thousand dollars." He picked up the check from the floor and gave me a suspicious look. After he finished confirming it, he said, "Take him and get out." He looked at Reynaldo and said indignantly, "Bastard, if you touch my woman again, I'll kill you." I narrowed my eyes slightly and stared at Reynaldo. He shook his head frantically and had tears in his eyes. After the ropes were untied from Reynaldo's body, I yanked him by the collar and headed out. "Araceli, I was wrong! Don't be angry. It's not what you think. I..." I threw him to the floor
Araceli POV The next morning, when I came downstairs to make breakfast, the couch was empty. There was a note on the table, "Araceli, I'm going back to France. See you next time." I frowned slightly. Reynaldo had given me that large sum of money yesterday. It should have been known to his father. "Mommy, where did Uncle Reynaldo go?" Krish asked softly as he walked down the stairs holding Valeria. I looked back and felt my heart soften a lot when I saw my two children. I smiled and said, "It's okay. He's back in France." I still went to Veronica's place last night to pick up my kids. The house was not far from Sliver Pack's villa, and the kids were still up. Reynaldo's comments last night bothered me a bit, even though he was drunk and snoozing afterwards. I'd feel better if the kids were around. Krish rubbed his eyes. "Mommy, are you okay?" "I'm fine. Let's have breakfast. I'll take you guys to Brizela D
Araceli POVMicah suddenly runs toward the door and comes out with a bunch of gift boxes.He gave Valeria a doll of the latest model."Micah, you got a gift for Valeria, not Krish?"Raphael asks calmly.Micah nodded. "Of course I got gifts for everyone."He placed the bunny doll in Valeria's hand, then pulled a box out of his book bag and walked over in Krish's direction."This is a gift for you."Micah opened the box.It was a Rubik's Cube.He handed the cube over. "If you don't know how, I can teach you."Krish took the Rubik's Cube, played with it for a moment, raised his eyes, and said, "Thanks, I like it."Micah said calmly, then pulled another stack out of his book bag."Mommy, this is my gift to you."I froze.My heart suddenly overflowed with emotion and my voice became softer."Micah, thank you."I flipped the document in my hand over and froze.It was actually the share transfer lette
Araceli POVHospitals were perpetually filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant.Micah had a head injury that didn't require hospitalization and was bandaged up and picked up by Maddox and taken back to Royal Pack.I was worried about Valeria and asked Krish to follow them back to Royal Pack.Raphael watched me quietly, his eyes following me at all times.I sat down and asked, "When did you find out about this?""Last night." Raphael's voice was a little raspy. "I heard you on the phone when I went to look for you at Creaty Company."My lips pursed."Why didn't you tell me?" Raphael said in a single word.I lowered my eyes."I didn't take a paternity test to know if this was true, so I didn't tell you."Raphael stared at me for a long time, then suddenly smiled, "You actually offered me to be your boyfriend just to get close to Micah and Essel, right? You already knew Ramon wasn't the father of the baby, but you favored thi
Araceli POVShe laughed out loud, full of eeriness and hostility.I settled down and looked over at Micah.Micah seemed to be unconscious.I gritted my teeth, resisting the urge to pounce on Melany and kill her, and kept waking Micah up with mind-link.Suddenly, a miracle appeared.Micah's eyes snapped open.He looked towards me, his gaze becoming very complicated in this instant.Seeing Micah open his eyes, I breathed a sigh of relief.I raised my eyes and stared coldly at Melany, saying word for word, "Do you realize what you're doing is stupid?""Araceli, you're still a bitch! You said yesterday that you would help me keep this secret, but today Raphael knows!" Melany sneered, "He hates me so much now that he can't wait to break me into pieces. Aren't you so proud of yourself? But let me tell you, I won't let you have your way! If I die, I'll let Micah die with me. I'll make you and Raphael live in remorse for the rest of your liv
Araceli POVThe night was getting late.The inner turmoil gradually ate away at me.Essel was sitting on the couch somewhat six-footed, staring out of the window with two blank eyes.Krish was sitting on the floor clutching his laptop. His fingers clicked quickly on the keyboard.After ten minutes, he looked up."Mommy, I found Micah. He's moving fast now and should be in a car."He tracked Micah's cell phone and was able to pinpoint Micah's location.I sent the location to my phone and stared at the map for a minute.I was getting more and more uneasy, as if a million ants were crawling inside."Why would Micah be at the docks so late?"The marina over there had once flourished, but now it was abandoned because the coastal environment was polluted.Not many people had been in that neighborhood for a long time after the factories moved away."Mommy, I feel bad..." Essel rubbed where her heart was. "I always feel as if
Araceli POVAt the Royal Pack.Essel reached for her cell phone and dialed two numbers. I distinctly heard a mechanical, cold female voice coming from her cell phone saying that Micah's phone was off."What's Micah doing? Why isn't he answering his phone?"Essel said with some concern."Normally, Mr. Micah doesn't turn off his cell phone. This is weird."Maddox scratched his head. "Mr. Micah's cell phone doesn't turn off all year round. But he should be back soon. Maybe we should wait a little longer."I didn't know why, but I'd been feeling uneasy.This uneasy feeling even prevented me from calming down to make dinner for the kids.I pursed my lips and said, "Maddox, do you have Micah's assistant or secretary's number? Call it and ask."Maddox nodded and immediately dialed a number.The call was quickly answered. maddox chatted with the person on the other end of the line for a few moments and quickly hung up."Okay,
Raphael POV"Raphael, I do love Essel and Micah, and you..."Melany paused and said, "Araceli can't love you at all. She approached you to take away Essel and Micah.You must stay away from Araceli! She'll get back at you for what happened five years ago..."I lifted my foot and stomped on Melany's calf bone.I didn't want to do this to a woman, but Melany was just too hateful. Even if I had one of my men beat her up instead of me, it wouldn't be able to quell my hatred."Raphael, you have to believe me. I have the recording to prove it!"Melany hurriedly and tremblingly picked up her cell phone.I frowned slightly.What recording?Soon, the recording began to play. I heard Araceli's voice."You don't like Raphael?""If it wasn't for the kids, I wouldn't have had any dealings with him at all..."Melany and Araceli's conversation came out clearly from the phone.Even though I already knew that Araceli's willingness to be
Raphael POVI was downstairs in Creaty's office within ten minutes, but Araceli never came down, so I had to go to the office to find her.I was about to knock on the door when I heard her on the phone with someone, so I stood at the door and waited for her.After a while, I heard her say that Krish had gone for a paternity test and that I was his father.I froze completely.There was no way Araceli could have known I was at the door and she spoke in a somber and despondent tone.There was no way she was lying.That meant Araceli was Essel and Micah's real mother.It also meant that Melany had been lying to me...I clenched my fists, veins rippling in my hands, and quickly descended the stairs and drove as fast as I could towards Eclipse.The car quickly pulled up in front of Eclipse's villa.I violently pushed open the car door, got out, and approached the door with large strides.The servants immediately greeted me respectfully when they saw it
Araceli POVI was in the middle of a meeting. Suddenly, my cell phone vibrated and the screen lit up."I'll be downstairs at your office in ten minutes."Raphael texted.I froze for a moment.What was he doing coming to see me?Soon another text came through."I promised Valeria I'd pick her up from school today."I put my phone down and made my way back to my office after summarizing the meeting.I cleaned up my desk and lifted my bag, ready to go downstairs and wait for Raphael.That was when my cell phone vibrated.It was Eliezer calling."Araceli, I heard that two men were outside your window last night trying to come in and kidnap Valeria and Krish. Is this true?"I froze."Eliezer, how do you know this?""The men I arranged for today found a shell casing when they were weeding your yard."Eliezer sighed and said, "Araceli, why don't you move back in with Grandma? It would be safer for you and the kids."I frowned and said, "Do
Araceli POVI pursed my lips.As soon as I sent the paternity reports of my two children and Raphael to him, the Fleming family would stop pestering me.However, I couldn't talk to Raphael about it.I was worried that Raphael would make the same choice as the Fleming family.If Valeria and Krish's identities were revealed, I would definitely not get custody of them."Raphael, this is between my Ramon, so it's better to leave it to me."I said slowly, "He's the children's real father no matter what..."Raphael stared at me for a few seconds without saying anything else.He sighed slightly and took out his cell phone.I didn't know what he was going to do and was a little confused.He made a call and said something. Soon, several sedans drove up. A group of men in black got out, put their hands behind their backs and stood in a line.Raphael had them patrol the neighborhood every half hour. Then he had them take the two men who had been placed in th