Roxanne was in the car, heading back to the Sebastien mansion.
There should have been a form of relief for her, going back to her husband's mansion.But she felt hollow.Her earlier confrontation with Evelyn was still fresh in her mind. Her cruel words are heavy on her chest.“You chose wealth over your family.”The guilt was coming to her mind, regardless of how she tried to keep it off.Then the car stopped at the mansion's entrance.A butler came forward to open the door, but Roxanne was quick to do that, stepping out on time.She walked briskly inside the mansion, her steps heavy.She needs time to think.And to breathe.To…“You were quick”A deep voice jolted her to consciousness of her environment.She turned to see Ciel standing in the doorway, his silver blue eyes looking at her with deep scrutiny.His expression was neutral.She heAt a ballroom, people were glowing under the light of the crystal chandeliers, as different scents mixed together.The elites in New York had come together, dressed to impress and also to Converse, mostly with ulterior motives.Roxanne was already getting used to these kinds of gatherings. But tonight, something felt off.There was this tension in the air, something she could not quite place.Her husband was beside her with his tailored black suit enhancing his sharp features.His presence commanded respect, and yet, she could feel that even he was on guard tonight.She stood close to him more, as she looked around.That was when she saw them.Devian and Reina.She felt fidgety but tried to remain calm. She can't let them see her like that.Ciel turned his head slightly when he noticed her attitude. “Relax,” he said quietly. “They are not worth your sweat.”She did not reply.
The following day, Roxanne sat on the big bed with her hands fitted into fists on her lap.The earlier events pressed down on her like an heavy weight. It was suffocating.The experience left her a bit shaken. She wondered what would have happened if Ciel had not stopped her from drinking from that cup at the event.Ciel was standing by the window across the room. His figure was outlined against the city skyline. His hand was in his pockets, but his wife could see that he was tensed.The silence between them was thick.After awhile, he finally asked.“Who did it?”She did not say anything, but it is obvious he was thinking of something.It was clear he wanted names, and answers. But above all, he wanted revenge.She breathed in and out, trying to look at him as he turned around.His eyes looked dangerous.“To be honest, I do not know.” She said with a steady voice. “And even if I knew,
The next day, Ciel took the day off work to go through some documents in his private study.He looked through the documents with his sharp eyes, feeling anger with every word he read. The truth he came to know from the documents was worse than he had initially imagined.The documents have been carefully gathered by Alex, his assistant. It contained everything about Roxanne's mother, Eleanor Renwick, who left her fortune to her two children, Roxanne and Finn.She had been thorough in her will. The wealth was meant to secure her children's future.But now, they may not be able to see a single dollar.Their father had stolen everything.He had lied to the court to forge documents, and channelled the money into secret accounts.Every single part of their inheritance had been taken away, and diverted to support Reina.Ciel felt bad as he thought of everything. Roxanne had grown up thinking she was unwanted and powerless.
At the office, Ciel's mind raced as he thought of many things. He had been thinking of Derek Renwick.The man who had taken everything from his wife, Roxanne. He confiscated her mother's fortune, which was meant to secure Roxanne's future, and that of her brother.And now, Derek had been living in wealth, from the proceeds of the inheritance meant for Roxanne, and her brother.Compared to his family, the inheritance isn't much. That's why they wanted to marry into his family initially, but it's still Roxanne's to begin with. She should not have been stripped off of it.He felt anger towards Derek.A soft knock made him conscious of his environment again.“Come in,” he answered.His ever dependable assistant, Alex, walked in with another folder in his hands. He put it on the desk in the office.“Our investigation is complete, sir,” the assistant said.“It is a lot worse than we thought.”
At the Renwick corporation headquarters, there were reporters, shareholders, and some high profile guests.There had been some rumours making rounds lately, about some secret investigations, financial troubles, and failing projects. Everyone wanted clarification, and tonight, Derek was going to make a public appearance to clear the air.When it was time, he stood tall behind a podium. He was dressed in a very nice and well tailored suit, bringing out his sharp features. He started talking after he adjusted the microphone with a calm expression.“I understand there have been some concerns regarding my company's stability,” he said with a smooth voice. “Let me make one thing clear, Renwick corporation is stronger than it has ever been. The recent setbacks are nothing but temporary blocks. We are rising.”The crowd didn't appear totally convinced but they still nodded in approval.“And to those spreading rumors and lies,
One morning at Sebastien's mansion, Roxanne was sitting on one of the leather chairs, sipping her coffee as she thought about Ciel. For the past few days, she could sense some change in his behaviors.The man who always teases her, seemed to have grown distant right before her eyes.He told her he would not let them harm her again but it was looking like it was more than that.“What is bothering you, Ciel?” She finally asked him, trying to stop the silence between them.He was sitting across from her with a tense face. He did not answer immediately she spoke to him. Instead, he focused on the documents in his hand, going through them with a slow and deliberate move.He finally placed the documents on the desk and looked at her.With a low voice, he said. “There is something about your family that I found out about. Especially your mother.”Her heart pounded in her chest. Sitting upright, she asked. “What is tha
Derek's expression darkened and he said. “You are confused, Roxanne. These accusations…”“I am not confused. I have the proof.” Roxanne interrupted. “Every document and every forged signature, I have it. You stole my inheritance and used it to fund your business. And all the whole, you didn't even care about my brother and I.”The crowd were beginning to murmur loudly now. Some of them looked shocked.Some reporters at the entrance were taking down kites, and their camera flashed all over.Derek was not smiling, but he tried to keep a smooth voice. “You have always had a wild imagination. Your new husband is probably feeding you with lies.”“There are not lies, and you know it.” Roxanne said as she moved closer to him. “You let Reina live like a queen while your own daughter suffered. Finn needed medical care but you never bothered about him.”Guilt flashed through Derek's eyes at the mention of Finn.“You
There was no turning back now on the fight between Roxanne and her father.Few days after the confrontation at the ball, the city was buzzing with the rumors about the Renwick family's secrets.It spread quickly, hastened by the nature of the gossip. A stolen inheritance, the subsequent power struggle, and how Ciel Sebastien had supported his wife without hesitation.Derek was losing face. He was no longer the untouchable patriarch. Ciel was making sure of that.In his sleek office uptown, Ciel sat behind his big and expensive desk, reviewing the recent reports from his assistant, Alex.His sharp blue eyes perused the documents with a smile at the corner of his lips.Evidently, Derek is beginning to feel the pressure of his attacks.“The first part of the plan is done,” Alex said with a crisp and professional voice. “We have successfully blocked his supply chains in three important regions.
The air around them felt free now.It had changed.It felt lighter.It seems charged with a positive energy that neither of them had ever felt before in their lives in awhile.All the weight of the marriage contract and legal obligations attached to it had just melted away.There was only one thing now.It was their love for each other.And it was very real.They could feel and experience it.Ciel could not help himself.He kept smiling as he walked beside Roxanne.Same goes for Roxanne too.Both of them were smiling like two young teenagers in love.It was strange.It felt surreal.To be this happy.To feel completely lost in the moment.They had been together for a while now, living as husband and wife.But they were against each other.Living against their emotions.Against the world.But now, in the woods, walking, hands in hands together, it felt like they have truly won in life.It was still morning as they kept hiking.The morning sun cast a golden glow over the landscape of th
Behind Ciel, Roxanne's heart was pounding so fast in her chest.She could not say if it was from when Ciel had confessed his love to her or a reaction to the sudden sound of rustling leaves in the distance.For a moment before the interruption, she was already set to give him an answer. She needed to admit to herself finally what she had understood and known for a while now.Which is the fact that she had also fallen for him completely.But before she could have done that, they heard the rustling sound and Ciel's protective nature had kicked in instinctively.He had shielded her from the possible danger with his body, and from whatever that may be hiding in the woods.“Stay behind me.” He said with a low and firm voice.She nodded, as her fingers gripped his sleeve subconsciously.She was not afraid of whatever that was in the forest, atleast.Her fear was the emotions within her heart, a truth of her life she needed to confront all this while.Some few seconds that appeared like minu
The next morning, it was a bit late when Roxanne woke up from sleep.Rays of sunlight was already slipping through her curtains into the room.Giving an idea of how long she had slept.She stretched her body, as she felt a sense of lightness Settle in her chest.It felt unfamiliar.She remembered the kiss with Ciel from last night.And she realized she could not push it away no matter how hard she tried.His gentle touch and how it made her tingle kept playing in her mind.Although she had let guard down and gotten intimate with him since they got married, in the back of her mind, she kept reminding herself that their marriage was nothing more than a contract.It was just a means to an end.But now, she wondered if that was really the case as it stands now.She was still thinking when her thoughts was interrupted by a knock on the door of her room.“Come in,” she said, thinking it was one of the domestic staff.But it was Ciel that came inside.He came in and leaned against the frame
The air around them was cool as they kept on enjoying the moment with each other.The park gave them a chance the enjoy free and cool serene environment.Also, it was a perfect backdrop for the closeness they were feeling at the moment.He placed a hand on hers and the warmth of their skin touching sent tingles up her am.It was a funny and strangely comforting feeling.It had been long she had this some of ease with a man, and now she is getting it with Ciel and not just anyone.Ciel, in his usual manner, kept still and exuded a confidence that tells something about his Status.His crisp shirt was flying around as the air blew it.There was softeness in the way he held her, it was in contrast to the icy demeanor he always carried around whenever he is at work.They decided to leave the park since it was getting late.Even though, neither of them was in a hurry to get home.Roxanne looked at him from the corner of her eye, as she glanced at the streetlights on the alley.They walked s
The city noise was gentle around them as Roxanne stood, facing Ciel, who was still smirking.She smiled at him too after his answer.She knew he was also hesitant to give a direct answer.And although she knew the right answer to all the questions she was asking him, she just wanted him to say it.The evening air was blowing against their body.They had a nice and lovely dinner. It had been warm, and intimate in a way she had not expected. The same feeling goes for Ciel.After the dinner, they had decided to walk around a bit with no particular reason or destination in mind.It was strange to her how everything had felt natural between them for a while now.He looked at her, his hands were inside the pockets of his trousers.He had stopped smirking.“You are quiet.”It was her turn to smirk.“You say that like it's something bad.”“No, no, it's not bad.” He said.“It is just unusual. You always have something to say. But silence does not look good on you.”She scoffed, playfully nudgi
It was evening period the day Roxanne finally finished the training she had been undergoing under one of Ciel's associate.She was now fully prepared for all the turns of corporate life.She inhaled as she held her shirt tighter around her shoulders.The past few weeks had been time consuming for her.It was focused on refining her skills, mastering the art of negotiation in business, and also sharpening her ability to take charge as the leader that she is with a solid confidence.She had been receptive towards the teaching and had worked tirelessly to understand how the intricate business world works, it's politics and the power plays that goes on.Every session of the training had pushed her further, breaking down her old self and rebuilding her into a stronger woman.A bit too strong.But now, she is done with it.She had completed every single one of the training.But as she stepped out of the building she was in, there was this unexpected feeling in her chest, lingering there as
She looked at her mother as she smirked.She could not determine what was going through her mind.She had just told her she needed to be smarter about the way she approaches things, especially when it concerns Roxanne.And she realized she was right.At this point, the whole family is in a mess, all because everything they tried to do to make Roxanne feel like shit ended up elevating her, and they are put to shame.Her mother too was staring back at her with a smirk and for a moment, it felt like both of them were in a battle to know who stares harder.Finally, she said.“Before we proceed with whatever it is that we would do later on, I want you to know that I was deeply disappointed with what you did at the competition though.”She sighed.“The consequences of what you have done may take some time before it goes away.”Reina's heart raced with different emotions.She felt ashamed as she listened to Evelyn speak.The words got to her and it took great composure not to have cried at t
After Martha had left, she was left alone in the big mansion with her thoughts.Asides her domestic staff, she was the only one at home and due to that, there was lots of quiet.However, the heavy silence was pressing down on her like a big stone as she relaxed on the sofa in the living room.She grabbed the glass she was drinking from earlier and gulped down the wine inside it, as she replayed what Martha said about her daughter over and over again in her mind.The fact she came to her home to mock her about it made the whole thing stung.This would not have happened if Reina had not been irrational, and had just listened to her.She had told her not to do anything irrational, else she would not be there to help clean up her mess.But she had not listened.Even the mess she had gotten herself into was something even she, her mother, can not even help her from if she wanted to.Martha had had a smirk on that had been meant to subtly let her know how much of a failure she was as a moth
Evelyn Renwick, the wife of Derek Renwick sat in her living, sipping from a glass of wine. Her grand space had lovely lights all over, but the beauty of her surrounding could not help her sour mood. The news about Roxanne's rise to fame and power had not passed her by. Not a day goes by that she does not read about her exploits on the internet. There were numerous articles written about her, her new fame and power status in the Fashion industry. “Roxanne Sebastien: The New Face of the Fashion World.” “From an unknown woman to a Fashion Mogil- How she Beat the Odds!” “The Big Slam Victory at Curl's Competition - Roxanne's Dominance!” She curled her lips in disdain whenever she come across such articles. It was not enough that she had ruined her husband, but now she had the audacity to outshine Reina? The thought of it made her chest burn with frustration. Her daughter, Reina, had called her the day after the scandal unfolded at the competition, ranting about her Roxanne's