24She pulled away, glancing down at the message that had just come through. Her heart skipped a beat as she read it."There's a car outside waiting for you. Get in or you're gonna regret it," the message read. The sender was unknown.Anna's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing.Anna received the message on her phone, her expression shifting subtly. She glanced at Xavier, who was busy with the lasagna and decided not to let him know about it. "Xavier," she interrupted softly, placing a hand on his arm. "Can you hold on for a moment with the lasagna? I need to take a call real quick."Xavier looked at her, concern flickering in his eyes. "Is everything alright?"Anna forced a smile, trying to keep her tone light. "Yeah, it's just something I need to handle. It won't take long, I promise."He hesitated but nodded. "Okay. I'll be right here."With that, Anna stepped out, her expression hardening as she headed straight to Michael’s office. She didn’t bother knocking, pushing the
25Xavier’s heart skipped a beat. "What’s wrong?" he asked, his earlier cheer turning into confusion and concern.But Anna was too distressed to explain. "Just hurry, please!" she pleaded, her voice breaking.Xavier’s blood ran cold. He grabbed his keys, already on his way out the door.Anna sat outside her now-closed restaurant, her hands trembling as she clutched the letter from the FDA. The weight of her world crashing down on her shoulders was almost too much to bear. Tears silently trickled down her cheeks, blurring the words on the page, but they didn’t blur the pain that clung to her heart like a vice.Her phone vibrated incessantly in her lap, each notification like a fresh wound. Reluctantly, she glanced at the screen, only to be met with a barrage of accusatory messages from her once-loyal customers:"I trusted you, Anna! How could you endanger our lives like this?""My family ate at your restaurant every week, and now I hear you were serving expired food? You should be asha
26The noise drew Xavier’s attention, and he quickly emerged from his office. His gaze fell on the scattered food, and his heart sank. “Anna?” he called out, scanning the hallway, but she was already gone, fleeing down the corridor in a rush of emotions.Xavier frowned, a mix of worry and determination setting in. He turned back to Dan, his voice firm. “Gather all the reports, Dan. We need to stop my stepbrother before he does any more damage. This ends now.”Anna rushed outside, her heart pounding with rage and desperation. With trembling hands, she pulled out her phone and dialed Michael's number. The moment he answered, she didn’t hold back.“What the hell are you doing to Xavier?” she shouted, her voice shaking with fury.Michael’s response was a cold, sarcastic laugh. “Oh, getting tired of my brother already? Running back to me, are you?”“Stop this, Michael!” she demanded, her voice laced with desperation.“It’s business, Anna,” Michael responded coldly.“Business, my ass!” she
27Xavier’s heart nearly stopped at her words. Without a second thought, he shoved her aside and stormed out of the office, his mind set on one thing.“I’m coming, my love. Please wait for me,” he whispered urgently as he raced to find her, hoping it wasn’t too late.Anna sat in the airport, her heart heavy as she waited for her departure. She had been offline all morning, trying to avoid any reminders of Xavier. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, but she couldn’t resist the urge any longer. She turned on her phone and went online, her mind inevitably drifting back to him.As she scrolled through her feed, something caught her attention—a live video of Xavier. Her breath hitched as she clicked on it, her heart pounding in her chest. On the screen, Xavier stood, his face is filled with pain and desperation.“Anna,” he pleaded, his voice trembling, “please come back to me.” Tears welled up in his eyes, and his raw vulnerability was impossible to ignore. “I’ve loved you for ten yea
28 “I have to go deal with my brother. I’ll be back soon, my love.”With that, he slipped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom, his resolve steeling as he prepared to confront Michael once and for all.**Michael sat in his office, angry as he stared at the news trending on social media. The headline read, *"The CEO of Berol Corporation, Mr. Xavier Rolland, Involved in a Sensational Reunion with His Girlfriend, Miss Anna of Munchkin with Chef Anna's Restaurant."* His anger boiled over, and he slammed his phone onto the table, causing the glass of wine in his hand to spill slightly. "I gotta teach that brat a lesson!" Michael yelled, clenching his fists and taking a furious sip of his wine.Suddenly, the door to his office creaked open, and Xavier walked in with a commanding presence. "No need to bother yourself, bro. I'm right here," Xavier said coldly, his voice laced with confidence and a hint of a curly smile.Michael’s eyes widened as he quickly stood up, shock and anger mingli
29Anna was in the kitchen of her restaurant, peeling green peas with a steady rhythm when the sound of the door opening made her glance up. There stood Xavier, a broad smile lighting up his face as he walked toward her. "Hey, beautiful," he greeted, his eyes filled with warmth. Anna's face lit up with joy as she quickly rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Xavier!" she exclaimed. "I’m so happy to see you." He held her close for a moment, then pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "I missed you," he said softly, his voice full of genuine happiness. "How’s it going with exposing that bastard Michael?" Anna asked, her tone shifting as concern filled her voice. Xavier sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Seems like Michael has hurt a lot of women... but they all go silent the moment they hear his name. It’s frustrating. We’re so close, yet nothing."Anna breathed out heavily, shaking her head. "It’s just so typical of him." Xavier watched her
30Xavier chuckled as he listened to the officer’s request. "I’m sorry, but I think Maureen ought to find someone else to bail her out," he said dryly, then hung up without a second thought.Anna, sensing his relaxed demeanor, looked at him curiously. "What was that about?"Xavier leaned back in his chair, flashing her a reassuring smile. "At least there's no Maureen to worry about anymore."Anna's smile mirrored his. "I'll drink to that."They toasted, their glasses clinking together, before sharing a passionate kiss. Xavier swept her into his arms, carrying her upstairs to the bedroom.***Later, Xavier was seated at his desk, signing off documents when a notification pinged on his phone. Glancing at it, he noticed the message came from an unknown number. As he opened it, his heart raced.*"Xavier Rolland, say goodbye to your little slut! This is the end of her."*His eyes widened in horror. "Anna!" he shouted, bolting out of the office in a panic.At the restaurant, Anna was in the
OneTalia sat in her office, the usual hum of the air conditioner filling the room as she flipped through documents, signing off one after the other. Her phone buzzed on the desk, drawing her attention. A message flashed on the screen from an unknown number:*"Meet me at Dior Hotels for the shock of your life! Road 101."*Her heart skipped a beat. Confusion swirled in her mind, and she stared at the message in disbelief. What could this mean? Who would send something so cryptic? Flashbacks flooded her mind. Talia recalled the image of her husband, Marco, rushing down the stairs, his suitcase in hand. “Breakfast is ready,” she had said with a smile, hoping to share a meal before he left.Marco had leaned in to kiss her cheek before replying, “I wish I could, but I’m running late for my flight. Another business trip, you know how it is.”She had nodded, supporting him as always, never once doubting his word.The memory faded, and Talia’s grip tightened on her phone. As the manager of
Greg's face was plastered with worry and panic, his brow furrowed and lips trembling as he fidgeted nervously. “Could it be that they’ve rekindled their old feelings, sir?” he ventured, hesitating as he spoke. His voice wavered, unsure whether he should even suggest such a thing.Leo’s reaction was immediate. His eyes darkened, the veins in his neck bulging as fury built inside him like a storm. His fists slammed onto the table, rattling the objects on it. “It’s *not possible!*” His voice exploded, raw and full of venom. His breathing quickened, each intake of air sharp and strained, the very idea of betrayal igniting something fierce in him.Greg stepped back, eyes wide with fear as he instinctively raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “S-sorry, sir,” he stammered, bowing his head to avoid Leo’s searing gaze. His heart raced, pounding against his ribs. Leo clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth ached, but the pain in his chest was far worse. His eyes darted back and forth as his
THIRTY FOURFear gripped Talia as she looked around the dark, suffocating room. Her heart pounded like a drum, her palms slick with cold sweat. She pounded on the door, her fists aching from the effort. “Mother! Mother! Please, open the door! Open the door for me! I know you're out there!" Her voice cracked with desperation as she slammed her body against the heavy door again, the sound echoing in the suffocating space.Outside, her stepmother smirked, her lips curling into a cruel grin. Her hand gripped the door knob tightly, fingers lingering as if savoring Talia’s agony. "Shut up, Talia!" she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "Stay inside and let the matter settle. When everything falls into place, only then will I open the door for you. Do you hear me?!" Her voice was sharp, echoing through the cold, silent house.Talia’s heart dropped. She backed away from the door, chest heaving, her breath ragged. She fumbled for her phone, hands shaking, and frantically dialed the guards
THIRTY THREE Talia immediately stiffened, her name echoing through the hallway, spoken by a voice she didn’t recognize. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she turned slowly toward Leo, her heartbeat quickening with a mix of fear and frustration. “Let me finish this conversation with my mother tonight, Leo,” she said, her voice barely concealing the exhaustion that weighed heavily in her chest. Her eyes flitted away from his, avoiding the intensity in his gaze. “We’ll talk about this later.”She ran a hand through her hair, trying to soothe the tension pounding in her head. “And I think we both need time to calm down, to think clearly before we take any action.”Leo’s hand lingered on her arm, his touch soft yet filled with restraint. His lips pressed together as he held back the words he truly wanted to say. His eyes, though dark and stormy, flickered with something more tender—something Talia refused to acknowledge right now."Al
THIRTY TWOMr. Diego's eyes widened, confusion and disbelief etched on his face as Leo’s bold claim hung in the air. The room fell silent, all eyes shifting to Leo and Talia, their tension palpable. Talia’s heart thudded in her chest as she avoided her father’s questioning gaze, desperately trying to maintain her composure.“Wait… you’re married?” Mr. Diego asked, his voice thick with curiosity, as if struggling to grasp the reality.Leo’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk, his sharp gaze fixed on Talia, who stood rigid beside him. Her pulse quickened under his stare, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. He seemed to take pleasure in the subtle discomfort he was causing her. “Yes. I got married as soon as I returned to the country,” Leo responded smoothly, his voice laced with arrogance. “I just haven’t announced it yet.”Mr. Diego raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the sudden revelation. “It’s quite a rush! I wonder if one of the people here is your fiancée?” His wo
THIRTY ONE Malia sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixated on the floor, as her mother gently combed through her hair. The rhythmic strokes of the brush were meant to soothe, but the tension in Malia’s clenched fists betrayed her frustration. “You look absolutely stunning, Malia,” her mother, Mrs. Lyra, said, a smile playing on her lips. “I’m telling you, no man will be able to walk past without turning his head.” She admired her daughter’s reflection in the mirror, her voice dripping with pride. Malia’s lips tightened into a thin line, her eyes dark with jealousy as she met her mother’s gaze in the mirror. “That’s only if my idiotic stepsister doesn’t decide to crash the night and ruin everything, like she always does,” she muttered bitterly, venom seeping into her tone. Mrs. Lyra’s fingers paused for a second, her face twisting with a knowing smirk before she resumed brushing. “Oh, that’s right, Talia. The ever-perfect golden child. But did you hear?” Her voice lowered, al
THIRTY Talia glared at Marco, the heat of her anger burning in her chest as she avoided eye contact. She clenched her fists, every muscle in her body screaming with frustration. She didn’t want to be near him, let alone listen to whatever nonsense he had to say. “What do you want?” she snapped, her voice sharp and cold. Her expression remained hardened as she shifted her weight uncomfortably, wishing he would just disappear. Marco’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as he took a step forward, his hand reaching for hers. “Let’s go,” he demanded, his voice devoid of emotion as though he had the right to still control her. Talia flung his hand off her wrist as if his touch burned her skin, her heart pounding with irritation. “Just tell me what you want, Marco!” Her voice rose, shaking slightly from the mixture of hurt and anger coursing through her veins. “Stop touching me!” Marco’s eyes flashed with a hint of frustration, the calm facade slipping for a brief second before he compos
TWENTY NINE Talia’s face was a mask of forced calm as she walked over to Leo's table. Inside, however, her stomach churned with discomfort. She sat down across from him, plastering on a fake smile, hoping this encounter would be quick."Mr. Leo, what a coincidence seeing you here!" she said, her voice bright, but her eyes carried a glimmer of frustration she struggled to hide.Leo leaned back in his chair, a sly smile curling on his lips as he met her gaze. “Yes, Miss Talia. Funny thing though, my wife cooked for me today, so I didn’t even need to come here.”Talia froze mid-bite, her throat tightening as she swallowed her food a bit too forcefully. She quickly reached for her water, taking a sip to mask her growing irritation. *Oh please, stop talking nonsense,* she thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes."Then why aren't you eating what your wife cooked?" she asked, her voice filled with false curiosity a
TWENTY EIGHT Lisa's face flushed with anger, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stormed toward Malia, her eyes blazing with indignation. She moved so quickly and forcefully that the tension in the air crackled around her, completely ignoring Marco who stood nearby, his gaze shifting between the two women with a quiet intensity.“Malia, I thought you were fired?” Lisa spat, her voice sharp and accusatory, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. Her fists clenched at her sides as she squared off with Malia, her anger palpable.Malia let out a slow, sarcastic laugh, her lips curling into a smug smirk. She stood tall, shoulders back, exuding a cocky confidence that only made Lisa’s blood boil more. “Fired?” she repeated, her voice dripping with mockery as she raised an eyebrow. “No, darling. I wasn’t fired. I was *demoted,* yes, but I’m still your supervisor.” Her smirk widened as her eyes flicked over to Marco, who gave her a small nod of approval, his expression unreadable but approv
Lisa finished talking, letting out a long sigh as her head drooped back onto the desk. The exhaustion in her eyes was evident, dark circles framing them. Her shoulders sagged, and within seconds, she dozed off.“Lisa, don’t sleep!” Talia’s voice broke through the silence as she barged into the office, her hand dramatically placed on her growling stomach. “Let’s go eat. I’m *famished*,” she added with a playful groan. Her eyes scanned Lisa’s sleeping form before she walked over, lightly tapping her on the shoulder.Lisa jolted awake, her eyes fluttering open, squinting in confusion before she realized where she was. She groaned, stretching her arms above her head as a tired smile curled on her lips. “Ugh, Talia, I was in the middle of such a good dream,” she mumbled, but the moment she caught sight of her phone, her grogginess faded. Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she reached for it. “Girl! I have some juicy gossip for you!” she exclaimed dramatically,