“You’ll see yourself, I can’t seem to put into words” she sighs dramatically, walking faster than ever as I struggle to meet up with her. “Was Belle’s room so far” I ask, trying to remember the last time I had been upstairs.“We had to move her to the upper room, she was in need of air” she says, practically running now. “The last floor” I say, stopping abruptly as I struggle to catch my breath now.“How many more floors?” I ask in disbelief, struggling to accept what I already know. “Just one more floor” she states, not bothering to stop as she walks ahead of me.“Is that supposed to be good for her?” I ask, turning to face Clark before resuming my journey. He shrugs, “never had to take care of a pregnant woman”.“The real question here is why your brother has so many floors in his house?” He asks, his breathing slowing growing rapid. I shake my head, “it was a gift from my parents, they were in love with historical mansions so they got an architect to build a modern replica” I say,
“Can I talk to you Lara” Alice says, hanging back at the door. Weird! Alice has never been one to distance herself from me.“Of course, please come in” I say, glancing at the clock hanging right above the door. “Are you busy, it can wait” she says, noticing my gaze on the wall clock.I shake my head, “my meeting is in three hours time, we have sufficient time to talk” I say, leading her to the sofa. “So what’s the matter Alice? I’ve noticed that you’ve pretty down this week. Is there something you’re unhappy with at work?” I ask, concerned about her well being.“No, I’m very happy with my work” she replies, shaking her head. My eyes travel to her hands as she fidgets as she struggles to continue speaking, “you can trust me” I say softly, reaching out to grab her hand.She nods, “my issue is not work related, can I still open up to you?” She asks, her eyes searching mine. I nod, “of course, I’m here for you” I say, gently squeezing her hand as I wait for her to speak. “It’s Evan” she
“Here’s your room” I say to Alice, pointing towards a freshly cleaned guest room. “If you need anything just let the home managers know, they’ll be willing to assist you” I say.“Thank you so much for this act” she smiles, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Stop crying, everything will be fine” I say, gently squeezing her hands, “you’re safe now”.“I know, I’m just so grateful” she says, pulling out a handkerchief before carefully dabbing her eyes. “Alright, I’ve got to go discuss things with my husband but if you need me, I’m just a phone call away” I say, with a soft smile on my face before exiting the room and heading upstairs.“Clark?” I call out, switching on the bedroom lights, “Clark” I call out once more, gently knocking on the bathroom door before pushing it open. “I guess he’s not here” I mutter, making my way downstairs in search of Clark.I lightly knock on the door to his office, patient waiting for an audible response before letting myself in. “Come in” his voice, loud and
“How weird” I say, settling in bed beside Clark, “what’s weird?” He asks, pulling me against his chest as we cuddle.“Alice, you know how we discussed about how I would need to convince her to involve a professional lawyer because of her hesitation to involve Lai”“Yeah” he nods, placing a kiss on my cheek, “well, she didn’t complain. She immediately agreed once she heard it was your idea” I say, turning to face him.“Is that a problem?” He asks, giving me another kiss, before moving to study my face. I shake my head, “I guess not, it’s rather a good thing that she didn’t need much convincing” I say, placing my hands in his hair.“You love doing that a lot don’t you?” He asks, a grin on his face. “What?” I ask, my thoughts still on Alice and her willing countenance to go with Clark’s idea.“Playing with my hair” he states clearly, “yeah, your hair is so soft” I smile, running my hands through his hair. “I like it too” he comments, placing a kiss on my lips before pulling me closer to
As we take a turn into the garden, my eyes land on a figure crouched on the ground, seemingly lost in the moment as they sniff the vibrant flowers. “Who’s that?” Clark asks, his curiosity piqued as he also notices the person, though we can only see their back, making it difficult to identify them.No response comes from the strange figure, and it becomes clear that they can’t hear us over whatever music is playing through their earphones. “It seems the person has earphones in,” I say, pointing out the small wires that lead to a phone resting on the grass beside them.“Excuse me,” Clark calls out as we walk closer, but still, there’s no reaction. The figure remains engrossed in the flowers, and with each step we take, I start to notice familiar traits. The way they crouch, the cascade of hair that falls over their shoulder—it’s starting to look more and more like Alice. Once we are less than a foot away, my suspicions are confirmed as I catch a glimpse of her face, a mix of surprise a
Lara’s POVMy eyes settle on her as I try to determine what she's playing at. Did she truly not mean to be here, or was this all an innocent coincidence? She smiles at me with an expression that seems almost too innocent, and I push the nagging thoughts aside, focusing instead on her presence. Alice has never acted wrongly in all the years I’ve known her, so why am I doubting her now? I chastise myself for even entertaining such thoughts. She’s always been a beacon of honesty and kindness, yet here I am, questioning her motives.“Please don’t be upset,” she says softly, her hands gently grasping my arm. I shake my head, a small smile breaking through my earlier tension. “It’s fine; it was our fault for not making it clear to you,” I reply, trying to reassure both her and myself.“Are you ready to return to the house, or do you still want to get some fresh air?” I ask as I rise to my feet, stretching a little as the sunlight warms my skin. “I think I’ve had enough fresh air,” she chuc
“The lawyer is here,” Clark says, gently tapping me as I’m nestled comfortably against him. I blink a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. “Hmmm, okay,” I reply, sitting upright and stretching slightly, the warmth of the moment still lingering.“It’s funny how you immediately dozed off after the movie,” he chuckles, helping me to my feet with a playful grin. I can’t help but smile back, “I guess I was tired,” I admit, leaning against him as he slips his arm around my waist, grounding me.He smirks, “Well, even if you’re tired, you should prevent breaking your neck,” he states, guiding us down the stairs with a careful ease. “My neck?” I ask, a hint of confusion colouring my voice as I try to piece together his words.He laughs lightly, “Well, if I wasn’t with you on the sofa, you would have fallen down and hurt yourself with the way you kept bobbing your head as you dozed off.” I can’t help but giggle at the image he paints, and I turn to kiss him softly. “Well, than
Lara’s POVElvis nods thoughtfully, his expression serious yet encouraging. “Miss Alice, could you kindly brief me on the entire situation from the start until the present? My assistant will take notes,” he requests, his tone professional but warm.Alice nods, her nerves evident as she gently bites her lips, a habit that surfaces when she’s anxious. “It’s fine, Alice. He’s here to help you,” I reassure her, offering a warm smile to encourage her to share her story without fear.With a deep breath, she shifts her gaze to Elvis, her voice beginning to steady as she recounts the entire ordeal. “It’s been a whirlwind, and this is why I’m currently staying here,” she concludes, her eyes reflecting the weight of her words as she glances between us.Elvis leans in, his expression serious. “And was your ex-boyfriend abusive while you were still dating?” he probes gently, his voice calm and understanding. Alice shakes her head, her expression thoughtful. “Not in the physical sense, but emotio
“Where are you heading to?” Clark asks, a confused look on his face as he rises to his feet, his brow furrowing slightly. “To the office,” I state, my tone laced with surprise at his question. It’s almost as if he can’t believe I’d choose to dive straight into the investigation on a day like today.“Today?” He asks, his voice tinged with disbelief. “Yeah, the sooner I get started with the investigation and communication approval, the sooner the lies made by Alice can be revealed.” I can feel the urgency in my words, the determination to clear the air and gather sufficient and compelling evidence.He nods, a spark of understanding igniting in his eyes. “Alright, I’ll come with you. Thank you so much for your time and dedication,” he says, his voice steady and sincere as he exchanges handshakes with both Becky and Elvis.“Yeah, thank you. I’ll contact you as soon as I can,” I say, exchanging firm handshakes with Elvis. Then, I turn to Becky, pulling her into a warm goodbye hug, “Take ca
“And what is the conversation with the HR team meant to achieve?” I ask, slightly leaning in as I wait for Becky’s response. Her face scrunches up a bit, which is a very common trait that she shows when she is thinking, and I can’t help but find it endearing. “Speaking with the HR unit helped us understand the hiring process and if there was any bias involved,” she explains, her tone growing more animated as she continues. “This could help us prove to the court that Alice brought Rita into the firm for ill intentions. If we can show that there was favouritism or a lack of proper procedure in Rita’s hiring, it’ll cast doubt on her credibility. We need to establish that her testimony is tainted by her connection to Alice, which means her words can’t be trusted by the court since she’s not independent from any of the parties involved in the case.”I nod, absorbing her words, feeling the gears in my mind turning. “So, if we can uncover any discrepancies in the hiring process, it not onl
“Good afternoon, Mr. Clark,” Elvis says, his voice warm and inviting as he stretches out his hand for a handshake.“Good afternoon, Elvis,” Clark responds, meeting his grip with a firm yet friendly shake, the corners of his mouth lifting into a light smile that hints at a shared camaraderie. “And it’s just Clark,” he adds, his tone casual and approachable.Elvis nods appreciatively, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Apologies, afternoon Mrs..” he begins, but before he can finish, I interject with a playful smile, “Afternoon, Elvis!” “It’s just Lara,” I continue, teasingly cutting him off. “What’s up with him today? He never calls me Mrs.” I chuckle, shaking my head in mock disbelief as I turn to face Becky. “Good afternoon!” I exclaim, pulling her into a tight embrace. She shrugs lightly as I finally release her from my embrace. “How are you doing?” I ask, gesturing for us to settle onto the plush sofa. She smiles, her expression brightening the room. “Quite fulfilled,” she
“Didn’t you notice that there were no media personnel in the room?” Clark asks, his smile widening. I shake my head, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. “I didn’t take notice since I came in at the last minute. I know that most court cases are open to the public, so I just sort of assumed that they were there,” I state, my voice trailing off as I glance around the room.He shakes his head, “well, they weren’t. I personally requested the court to make the case a private trial, with only the necessary attendees being allowed to view the proceedings.” “Really? And when did you do this?” I ask, intrigued by the proactiveness of the man before me. There’s something admirable about his initiative, and it makes me curious about his deeper feelings for me. “Two weeks before the court case,” he replies, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that suggests he’s not merely following protocol but doing this for a deeper reason. “It takes a week to apply and process the documents submitted
Clark walks towards me, his presence radiating warmth as he wraps me in his embrace, pulling me close as he slides his arms around my waist. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice laced with concern, turning his face just enough to catch a glimpse of mine, searching for the truth behind my silence.I shake my head gently, feeling the weight of my thoughts as I release myself from his comforting hold. I turn to face him fully, wanting him to see the turmoil swirling in my mind. “Nothing, really. I’m just thinking about the court case hearing from last week Monday,” I say, letting out a heavy sigh that seems to carry all the tension I’ve been holding inside. “I’m sorry,” I say, frowning deeply, my face a canvas of worry as I replay the events in my mind. The way Alice and her lawyer, Rick, manipulated the entire situation feels like a bitter pill to swallow. “I can’t believe they would twist the entire story to their advantage like that,” I continue, my voice tinged with frustration. “To m
“Describe your workplace?” Rick asks, leaning forward with false curiosity. “My workplace is a calm yet bustling environment,” Rita replies, pausing as if carefully considering her next words before she continues to speak.“There’s always a whirlwind of tasks to tackle, but what truly sets it apart is Mrs. Lara. She has this incredible knack for balancing the workload for everyone. She ensures that we have designated days off to recharge, organises team bonding activities that really bring us closer together, and even surprises us with generous bonuses that make all the hard work feel worthwhile”.He nods, a glint of curiosity in his eyes, “Last question, what was the request Mrs. Lara made of you concerning Miss Alice?” he asks, his gaze piercing. “Mrs. Lara had asked me to look for a new apartment for Miss Alice,” she replies, her tone deceptively calm, but I can sense the tension beneath her words.“Do you have proof?” he inquires. I frown, listening intently as the lies spill out
Each step toward the stand feels like a journey through quicksand, my heart racing as I approach the place where I must lay bare my truth. The stand looms ahead, a symbol of both vulnerability and strength, and as I finally take my position, I remind myself that this is my moment to speak out, to reclaim my story amidst the swirling chaos of accusations.“Good day, Mrs. Lara Rique,” Rick says, turning to face me. I nod, taking a few seconds to steady my nerves, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me. “Good day, Mr. Rick,” I reply, my voice steady, carefully masking the turmoil of nerves swirling inside me like a storm.“I’d like to ask a few questions. I only require a yes or no response. Do you understand, Mrs. Lara?” he asks, his tone clipped and formal. I nod, but a flicker of annoyance ignites within me at the demeaning way he addresses me. “Yes, I do,” I reply, my voice firm, even as I feel a rush of emotions battling within. He nods, his expression unreadable. “Gr
Rick nods thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly as he steps back, steepling his fingers. "And how was your stay in her home?" he asks, his voice smooth yet probing. I lean forward, my heart racing with anticipation, eager to catch the web of lies that I know will spill from her lips this time. I can almost see the gears turning in her mind as she concocts a story that I’m sure will be as elaborate as it is false. The corners of her mouth twitch, betraying the confidence she tries to project.“My stay in her house was wonderful in the beginning, and I was very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Rique for their generosity towards me,” she says, her voice softening as she hangs her head down, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her demeanour. “But…” she trails off, leaving the air thick with unspoken tension. “But what?” Rick asks, his tone sharp and inquisitive, pressing further.“Mr. Clark kept on making advances towards me,” she continues, her voice trembling slightly as she pretends to
A look of intrigue colours my face as I wait, my heart racing, to hear what she has to say—nothing but lies, of course, but I can’t help but feel the tension in the room as she finally takes her seat at the stand.Rick, with his trademark eloquence, leans forward, his voice steady yet commanding, “Please tell the court your relationship with Mrs Lara Rique,” he asks.She nods, her expression shifting from composed to sober as she begins to speak. “I’m an employee of Mrs. Lara,” she states, her voice trembling slightly. “I’ve been working for her for quite a while now, and I’ve been nothing but loyal to her. You can ask any of the employees; they’ll tell you the same.” Her words come out in a rush, as if she’s trying to convince not just the court but herself as well. “I don’t understand why she’s trying to charge me to court now,” she continues, her voice cracking under the weight of her feigned distress. Suddenly, she bursts into tears, fake tears spilling down her cheeks like a we