On the day of her grand wedding, a sudden twist shattered Cardy's plans. In an extraordinary act, her ex-lover stormed in, disrupting the ceremony and causing it to come to an abrupt halt. In the aftermath, Cardy found herself at a crossroads, faced with two perplexing choices. Should she consider reuniting with her once-dear, but now malicious, ex-partner? Or should she embark on a contract marriage, a path laden with its own set of unknowns?
view moreEDWARD FOSTER'S POV
"I can't do this, never!" I exclaimed, rising from my seat, the weight of the decision heavy on my shoulders.
"What can't you do? What's the big deal?" Elliot asked casually, taking a sip from his drink.
"This contract holds the key to everything. If you truly want it," he continued, a cunning smile playing on his lips.
"I can't sell away such a precious gift, not for money, not ever." I muttered silently, stealing a glance at my daughter through the office window.
I could imagine her confusion, wondering why it was taking me so long to make up my mind and sign the agreement.
"You're just a marketing company, not a force for good," I retorted, grabbing my bag as I prepared to make my exit.
"Remember, we're not just a marketing company. We are your only lifeline now. Without us, well, you know what awaits you. Give me a call when you're ready," Elliot said, his voice dripping with a veiled threat. I left his office, my mind consumed by turmoil.
"Dad! How did it go?" Cardy inquired, following me to the car. But I couldn't bring myself to divulge any details.
Sitting in the car, I awaited Cardy's arrival, silently contemplating the weight of the choice before me. She entered, her curiosity brimming over, desperate for answers.
"I can't sign that contract; it demands something I simply cannot give," I confessed, my voice heavy with resignation.
"Dad, talk to me. I'm an adult, and I came here as your manager," Cardy pleaded, her curiosity growing more intense.
But I couldn't bear to involve her in the darkness that loomed ahead. It was a burden I felt compelled to shoulder alone.
Sensing my somber mood, she offered to take the wheel, urging me to let her drive us home. With concern etched on her face, she worried about the toll this decision was taking on me. I tried to reassure her, insisting that she need not burden herself.
As we began our journey home, with the weight of the world pressing down on me, I couldn't help but wonder how far I was willing to go to protect what truly mattered to me. The contract loomed large in my thoughts, like a shadow creeping closer with every passing moment.
As we stepped foot into our home, a haunting echo reverberated through my mind, carrying the weight of Elliot's words: "Remember, we are not just a marketing company; we are your only lifeline. Without us..." Throughout the day, these words continued to play on repeat in my head like an unrelenting melody.
Deep down, I knew that even if I chose to conceal the truth from my beloved daughter, she would inevitably discover it. Contemplating this, I found myself standing before her bedroom door, hesitating yet resolute.
I knocked, anticipating her warm voice to break the silence and invite me in. However, there was no response. Puzzled, I knocked again, hoping to elicit any sign of her presence. It was unlike her to be so unresponsive. Something was amiss.
Even if she was immersed in the embrace of sleep, my persistent knocks should have stirred her awake. Growing increasingly concerned, I struck the door once more, this time with greater force. Finally, it swung open, revealing my daughter standing there with an air of urgency.
"Dad... What's happened to you?" She inquired, her eyes searching mine for answers, as we entered her room together.
I couldn't help but wonder aloud, "Why did it take you so long to open the door?" In response, she explained that the weariness from her earlier encounter in Elliot's office had weighed her down, causing an unexpected delay.
Summoning all my courage, I uttered the words that held the power to alter her world: "The contract stipulates that you must marry Elliot." Her reaction was immediate; her dormant energy awakened in an instant.
"Marry who? That arrogant and ill-mannered individual? Dad, you know I simply can't do that," she declared vehemently, her resolve echoing through her every word. And in that moment, I comprehended the depth of her objections and sympathized with her completely.
I made a solemn promise to her, ensuring that under no circumstances would she ever become Elliott's bride—not as long as the breath flowed through my lungs.
"Darling, we shall seek an alternative path," I assured her, yearning to witness a glimmer of happiness illuminate her face.
"Indeed, Father, we must find another solution, for this present predicament is utterly untenable," she responded as I rose from my seat, parched and in need of a glass of water.
However, her words persisted, fueling an inner flame of anger within me.
"But this is not my doing. Why do you cast blame on me as though I were the architect of this ill-fated agreement?" I retorted with frustration before storming out of her chamber.
The following day, as I arrived at my company, a wave of despondency washed over me when I glimpsed the disheartening sales report. Matters were spiraling downward far more rapidly than anticipated.
Noon approached, and Cardy remained conspicuously absent from the office. I attempted to reach her by phone, but she stubbornly refused to answer.
"Should I implore her to fulfill her part in this scheme? I cannot bear to witness the demise of this company; my very survival hinges upon it." I ruminated silently in pain, but I didn't want it to take me down.
"Perhaps I should offer her a substantial sum of money, a monthly remuneration, in exchange for her acceptance of the marriage proposal," I continued to muse aloud, although deep down, I acknowledged the futility of such a proposal. It was a mere figment of my imagination, for I knew she would never agree to such terms.
"Let me return home and engage her in a conversation regarding this matter," I resolved, gathering my belongings and departing from the office.
As I stepped through the front door, my eyes immediately caught sight of Cardy, engrossed in her laptop. An intriguing thought crossed my mind—perhaps she had opted to work remotely today. Quietly approaching her, I couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen to stay home instead of heading to the office like she usually did. As I posed the question, a heavy silence hung in the air, stretching on for what felt like an eternity.
Finally, Cardy broke her silence, her words striking me like a bolt of lightning. "I've made up my mind. I no longer wish to work for your company. I want to explore other opportunities elsewhere," she confessed, her voice filled with determination.
In an instant, it felt as if the weight of the world was crashing down upon me. My legs gave way beneath me, and I crumbled to the floor, utterly overwhelmed by the news. The sounds around me became muffled, distant echoes, as if I had been transported to another realm. I could hear Cardy calling out to me, her voice filled with concern, urgently summoning the nanny for assistance.
Time passed, and eventually I regained consciousness, finding myself back in my bed. Cardy sat by my side, a mixture of relief and worry etched across her face. "Dad, you're awake! Thank God!" she exclaimed, a glimmer of hope dancing in her eyes. Tenderly, she presented me with my dinner and medication, caring for me in my time of need.
In this moment of vulnerability and connection, Cardy seized the opportunity to address a question that had long lingered in her mind. "Dad, why have you never told me about my mother?" she asked, her voice filled with both curiosity and a touch of sadness. This time, I was determined to share the truth with her and unveil the reason behind my unwavering commitment to keeping our company afloat.
"She left," I began, my voice heavy with the weight of past sorrow. "She left us right after giving birth to you." Before I could continue, Cardy interjected, a mixture of confusion and anguish in her voice. "Why did she leave you? What did you do to her?" Her questions cut through me like a knife, reopening old wounds.
I recounted the fateful day when I returned home from work to discover a note from her mother. In that letter, she expressed her desire to chase her dreams and promised to return with wealth. However, time had passed, and there had been no trace of her since. The years slipped away, and as Cardy stood before me at twenty-four years old, it seemed increasingly unlikely that her mother was still alive. The reality of this truth brought forth a deluge of tears from my eyes, a mixture of grief and heartache pouring forth.
In the midst of an intense moment, I seized the opportunity to pour out my thoughts to her. I spoke softly but urgently, knowing the weight of my words.
"Darling, I believe you should seriously consider marrying Elliot. Our company's sales are plummeting with each passing day," I began, but before I could finish, she interrupted me, her voice filled with disbelief.
"What? Dad, are you actually saying this to me right now?" She rose from the bed, ready to leave, but I couldn't let her slip away just yet. I reached out and gently grasped her hand, pleading with her.
"Please, my angel, don't do this to me! I'm willing to pay you an additional $20,000 each month, on top of your regular salary." I made the offer, hoping it would sway her decision.
"Dad, no amount of money will make me sacrifice my dignity for that disrespectful CEO of Hudson Group. That's my final word," she responded firmly, determination etched in her voice. But I couldn't give up. The future of my company was hanging in the balance, and I couldn't bear the thought of her and her children enduring the same hardships her mother and I had faced.
"Are you willing to do this for the sake of your father and future generations?" I pleaded, desperation creeping into my words. My heart ached, torn between my love for my daughter and the survival of the empire I had built.
The room fell silent as we locked eyes, each of us holding our ground. The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air, and I wondered what path she would ultimately choose. Would she sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of her family's legacy? Or would she stand firm, refusing to compromise?
After some weeks, Elrod found out where Cardy was and who kidnapped her. He started sending his men to spy on the building, little did they know that Derek was monitoring them through a secret camera. Derek couldn't take it anymore, so he sent his men to hunt down the fools galavanting around his premises, which they did without wasting any time. After a cunning spy that was working for Derek brought information to him about Elrod and all his movements and plans. Derek sent his men out to attack Elrod, and that was when he made the greatest mistake of his life, which cost him a lot. After the killing of Elrod's cabinet, Elrod escaped and started making findings about who Derek was, where he came from, and everything he needed to know so that he would know how to strike.Elrod found out where Derek's family was. His wife and two kids. Elrod kidnapped them all, thinking he would get some information from them. "I don't know who Derek Tate is. I never come across that I need to talk
CARDY'S POVI didn't know where they brought me, because my eyes and mouth were tied. Struggling to breathe at the same thinking if I will make it alive. This was a moment I never wished to experience. My dad was kidnapped, and the kidnapper still didn't leave me, what do they actually want, because there was no one left to pay the ransom. Could it be my father's mistress? She once threatened to take everything that belongs to my father when my father ended their relationship. I wasn't only worried about myself and my father, my greatest concern was my lover, my joy giver, the only one I feel so safe around, Eric! Where could he be? Where have they taken him to? "Hey you! Untie her eyes." The voice said and I heard the step approaching me. That is very familiar, is that not Derek? Where am I? That can't be anyone else except him. As I thought about that, the moment unfolded before me, my eyes were untied. What my eyes saw was more than I can comprehend. The first person my eyes wen
ELLIOT'S POVFor days we arrived in the city where the driver told me he dropped Cardy. We have Searched everywhere that we could, but no sign of her. Is she really alive? What has happened to her? I couldn't get my mind to hold on to something, but my instinct kept on telling me that she wasn't fine. "If anything should happen to her, I will blame myself." I softly said, not knowing that Violetta heard me. "I have said this so many times, you better fight for your life rather than fighting for someone that might wake up and leave one day." She sighed after her statement. I felt her words, but is not enough reason to stop fighting to get back whom I have put in so much pain. I have to make it up to her, the fact that I have developed this undying love for her, would even make me go the extra mile. Either good or bad, I will make sure she will return to me safely. After a lot of searching with some security agents who started putting out her photo as missing. We later received in
CARDY'S POV"Eric, you have done a lot for me. You have changed a lot about me. I can boldly say, loving you is the best decision I have ever made. I want to love you, I want to be by your side, I want to hold your hands even in the darkest moments." I confessed to him, he got choked and started coughing all of a sudden. I hurriedly jumped out of the bed to get him water. As I came back with the water, I heard him on the phone saying; "everything is under control, it won't take long." As I opened the door, he stopped. "Who was that?" I inquired with a soft voice."Business partner.""Business partner?" I asked confusingly, because I have never heard him making any call concerning his business. He was always telling me that his ex took everything from him. I gave him the water, he refused and told me that he was okay. I became worried at that point. What could be going on? What is happening to him that he doesn't want to share with me?I slowly rubbed his back and asked; "Are you hi
ELLIOT'S POV"Sometimes, this whole situation looks like an illusion." I thought to myself. I am getting tired of everything, because I am so frustrated. What is the assurance that I'm going to right my wrongs? What if I fail? What could Violetta's game put me into? All stuck in my head, processing them was so difficult that I couldn't concentrate. I already had my plans, but how would I carry them out without involving a second party? What can I do in this situation, hmm!!!"Hey man!" Violetta tapped me from the back as she came outside in the cold night."You have been so cold since we came back from your boss's place. What is the problem?" She inquired, shifting closer to me with her half naked dress. I kept quiet for some moment without saying anything. I turned to her, our eyes met, I sighed and looked away. "I have got myself into what I will consume." I said, and she let out a deep breath, "hmm!!!""You are in already, we shouldn't be talking about that. We should be talking
DEREK TATE"You bastard, you have the guts to shoot me?" I screamed in pain as the bullet scratched my ear. I held my bleeding ear as I hid at a corner. He saw that I was in pain, so he decided to use the opportunity and run away, little did he know that his doom was waiting for him. The sound of the gun highlighted, I stood up from the floor. Stone stood there, I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. Ava lying lifeless on the floor. I thought she shot Stone, but the reverse was the case. I got pissed, groaning in pain and anger. Stone laughed at me, his voice echoed as everywhere was quiet. He ran into the car to leave, I shot the two tires but he still tried to drive the car away. I couldn't hold myself back, I didn't want to kill him at first, because if I kill him, I might not know where he kept the man who is so precious to me. He will definitely pay for what he did. I let him go.I carried Ava's dead body. It is a huge list because she is one the smartest amongst all. I
DEREK TATE"You don't talk while I am talking. Bastard." I scolded him. He stood like a watered evening flower, his head bent on the floor. Do I care about his facial expressions? Absolutely no. Get your damn job done and stop complaining. This is a plan that we have been on for weeks, and he is yet to come up with a good strategy. I already know what to do, but I can't tell you what to do, and you will expect me to still pay you, you better die than be alive. "Boss! I know what to do." Hr fearfully said, his voice isn't even loud enough, because he knows what I do to people that doesn't go with my rules. I smirked, looking at him snobbishly. What does he have to offer? What is inside his dirty head if not how to arrange women for me all the time, he can never fail on that. "Come." I signalled him. As he approached me, I gave him a slap that would rearrange his brain so that he would be wise. I am not the type that has the time to say too many words because of something. I prefer
ELLIOT'S POV"I warned you about this, but you wouldn't listen. Now see what we are going to face, I can't fathom why you want to put me into trouble." I lamented but looking at her face, she seemed less concerned. What could even be going on in her mind right now?"Mmm… Elliot, this is what we are going to do…..""We? Another disaster? Why would I listen to the crap you are about to utter now?" I questioned, gnashed my teeth, and hit the steering three times. "Remember, we rented the car." "Are you worried about the car or are you worried about our ugly situation?" My voice was getting higher studies every word that was said, but she was calm. All I know is she is going to get us into more trouble. "Can you just keep quiet? You act less like the man you look like." "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" "Figure it out yourself." She said, her facial expression became so bad. Only if she knows what we are going to face, she will start smiling rather than wearing this long face."
ELLIOT'S POVLife has taken its ugly turn at me once again. What offence have I committed that might warrant this punishment from nature. I feel like I am being cheated by nature in all ramifications. I haven't got home for two days now. I am here sustaining pain from the bullet. Not only that, but I nearly lost my life because I made a very stupid move. Now I don't even know what they might have done to the photo. My heart is beating so fast like I ran a marathon. I pulled the trigger on him, and he died at the spot, which I don't regret. All I regret is making them see me and putting me in this condition. As I shot him, they came after me, but I already jumped out through the window. I was shot when I got to the gate, about to open and run away. The bullet flew like an angry bird and perched on my hand, but I didn't stop. They didn't stop, either, they chased after me. I ran till I couldn't see anyone. I was dying in pain until someone saved me. A beauty goddess with a golden he
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