ELLA'S POV WITHIN JUST TWO HOURS, THE LATEST MEMBER OF THE MCKINNEY FAMILY, MRS ELLA, IS NOW THE MOST SEARCHED ON PERSON IN THEWORLD.My heart nearly leaped out of my chest when I read the message on the screen. Never in my life could I have ever imagined Madame Browne's interview, which I knew was a stunt to put me off my feet, could actually be setting me up for greatness.I could still remember struggling to respond to the interviewer's words and Madame Browne grinning backstage but now, the interview had gone viral. Madame Browne had thought the interview would give me a poor image in front of the media and earn me a few nods but she guessed wrong.Instead of the news of my failure, my success had intrigued many others. The elevator's soft chime came next and we rushed out into the last floor of the hospital.The presidential floor. A glance at the presidential floor of the hospital brought back a lot of memories. I remembered how the files and registers of the presidential flo
XAVIER'S POV “The McKinney pharmaceuticals has just received a major partnership to extend her business to countries like Asia and Africa.” I said, my voice melting a laugh of joy.I never expected to loose it over the news but for the business empire, this wasn't just any incredible partnership, it was the company's one shot to going global across the entire world. The president would be overjoyed if he heard the newds. Ella turned to me and asked if I was for real and I replied her, saying I really meant it.I'd always knew Ella was the one woman for me, my love relationship with her was the major turnover I'd ever had in my life. Funny enough, our story began with a one night stand and now this, we now found ourselves weaved in a string of passion and love.“We need to celebrate.” I said, reaching as I placed a kiss on her lips, the warm aftertaste of strawberries on my tongue. I pulled her closer, claiming her lips again, but this time, the kiss lasted longer.The silence in the
XAVIER'S POV I reread the message on the screen to make sure I wasn't seeing things. The news of uncle Luke's coming back meant nothing but danger. He'd left the McKinney family for years, barely showed up for events and now, he was back.But for what?The answer to that wasn't registered in my mind but I knew it wasn't going to be good. Uncle Luke had a long disagreement with my grandfather, the president, because he insisted on not handing over the McKinney bussiness heritage to him. I could still remember his words back then vividly, if he wasn't the heir nobody would. I relaxed on the seat of the car, my mind flashing through thoughts. The ride to the McKinney mansion was short and quiet— the tension unspoken.I still couldn't contain the astonishment in my veins, the words on the screen replaying in my head like a spell. I could still remember the glints of malice in Madame Browne's eyes, her eyes fixing on the camera as if she knew I'd watch the livestream.Once we arrived at
LUKE'S POV~ MOSCOW, RUSSIA ~Madame Browne had called me numerous times, usually to attend one of her events or to maintain the illusion that we were still a healthy couple. But I never expected that call. The one call I'd waited for— my wife's go ahead. As much as I didn't want to admit it, women ran the world. Madame Browne ran the game and we all know two power driven wolves don't always flock together.I wanted power and so did she. A collaboration with her could ruin the entire McKinney family for all it's worth but she'd held back back then heard ago and now, It happened.I lit a cigarette in between my lips, the lighter flickering a red hue in the dark room. The soft smell of blood and alcohol reeked into my nostrils as I declined into my chair.My office was always this filled— I'm a freaking mafia lord so what would you expect. The liquor on my desk laid untouched, swirls of mist from my cigarette surging into the air.Beside me were two damsels— my girls, in skimpy dresse
XAVIER'S POV ~ NEW YORK ~I made my way into hallway and strutted purposefully towards the elevator. My mind was still reeling with confusion but I masked it as I waited for the elevator ride to come to an end.With the news of my uncle's impending arrival, it was hard to relax knowing any day from now, he'd step feet back into the mansion for reasons unknown to me. He left the McKinney household years ago, the last thing I remembered was him arguing with my grandfather, the president over the company.I vividly remembered how the president sending had sent me to my room saying he wanted to have a chat with my uncle but I knew something was wrong. I was young then, maybe twelve or fourteen, I guess.I had stayed back, standing close to the door, my ears pressed against the door. I eavesdropped on their supposed “conversation” which mostly comprised of low hushed voices.Although, I couldn't ear what they were talking about, I could tell they were arguing about something very controve
XAVIER'S POV There she stood, huddled closely behind Madame Browne. Claudia.Shock filled me to the brim with her presence, she stood awfully close to Madame Browne. A part of me dreaded the scene but I shrugged it away, it was obvious that she was invited under either a mistaken name or address.I passed my wine glass back to the MC and walked down the steps unto the main ground. I walked past the crowd, interacting with the few people that called on my attention.“So I told him that I would need at least a 30% equity rate.” I laughed at the unfunny joke, making sure that the guests felt relieved before running a background check. I moved about the hall, ensuring that everyone and everything was alright.I noticed that as I progressed Madame Browne's eyes never wavered away from my body, her gaze followed my every move but I didn't care. Once I had ensured that everything was fine, I made my way towards the door to step out.The guests were already begining to leave and just minut
XAVIER'S POV I stepped into the room with my heart tightly grasped in my chest. The door to the room snapped open, as my eyes wandering in a effort driven search for her. Ella wasn't there— she wasn’t on the bed where I'd left her.The room's hollow silence was chilling enough to drive concern in my veins and it did, but instead of just concern, dread loomed alongside.My eyes searched for Ella everywhere, my gaze surveying everything in the room. I balled up my fists, my face contorted in a frown. Hot, incredibly hot air surged out of my nostrils. Where had she gone? “Ella,” I called out, my voice softly echoing against the walls of the room.I expected a response to somehow erupt from somewhere in the room but all I received was a cold haunting silence. I waited a second before walking out of the room, taking my time to ensure there wasn't a living chance that Ella was inside the room.I was worried, my palms were clogged wet and I felt uncomfortable knowing anything could have
XAVIER'S POV The next morning came swiftly, like a curse reaching its expiry date. I woke up on the bed, my arms wrapped around Ella's body. I placed a kiss on her forehead as I courteously slipped out of bed. I didn't want to wake her up quickly since she'd spent weeks planning the event and now that she had succeeded at it, I believed she deserved each and every moment of rest she got. The cold from the tiles braced my feet as I took slow purposeful steps towards the mirror in the dressing room.The glass reflected the worry glistening in my eyes but I masked it quickly before walking into the balcony. My uncle was coming today and if anything, I would allow neither him nor Madame Browne sense my worry.I had to prepare for their presence, I would try all my best to get as much information on Madame Browne and Uncle Luke as I could. I heard he'd left for Russia and had built his wealth on some shady businesses. I'd shrugged the information off the last time I heard about it, but n
ELLA'S POV I felt a wave of reassurance hit me the instant Xavier's lips pulled into a wrinkled smile. I could sense the hesitation in his breath as he stretched his hand, reaching forward to claim my hands in a handshake.As he did that, I smiled, but this time, my smile wasn't the same as his. Mine was different. My smile was edged with mystery and an unrelenting speck of mischief.The pains that tore through me weren't describable when it came to words. It felt like a knife had been driven into my back but at the same time, it left a haunting aftermath that lingered in me. I felt a malicious urge coursing through my veins as I sucked in a breath. There were times when I wanted to tear into Madame Browne and her husband but this?This was definitely the right time to do that.They could trespass with me but trying to ruin my husband's reputation?Nobody does that and goes scot free. I knew it was all another stunt of Madame Browne's when she walked into the kitchen. Her visit for
XAVIER'S POV My breath hitched in my chest at the sight of the incoming figure. Who was that? I arched my brows in fear as I prepared myself for what I was about to see.I shifted my gaze slowly, dragging it with remorse in the direction of the figure standing beside the maid.I wasn't sure who it was yet but for the first time in forever, I was curious.From the shadow of her figure I could already project the figure's sex. She was a female, dressed in a flay gown. My heart raced in my chest as I felt droplets of sweats cling to my oily forehead. Some rolled down my forehead while some clung desperately to my forehead as I finally summoned up the courage to stare at the person's face.I started from the shoes at first.I dragged my gaze over to the shoes and I was met with the sight of a flat pair of patent shoes that could have only been worn by one person in the entire Mckinney mansion.Ella.A wrinkled smile tugged at my lips and my eyes lit up as I opened my lips to speak but n
XAVIER'S POVThe rest of the run from the meeting room to the mansion was long. I recalled running out of the elevator and sprinting into the reception like a loose madman with just one thing in my mind.Ella.I couldn't stand to loose her.In as much as I didn't want to sound helpless, she was all I had and neither Madame Brown's tricks nor Rochelle's acting could take her away from me. My family wasn't going to be split apart by their baseless act.I was going to get back at Madame Browne for what she did to me.That was a promise. I would keep it dear.I sprinted past the office of the receptionist and her voice beamed from behind as I halted to a stop. “Mr Xavier!” Her tone was high pitched with an edge of worry and concern flashing in it. I turned steely with my chest heaving heavily as I stared at her. “What is that?” I prowled through gnashed teeth as I paced towards her. I walked all the way to the counter and banged my fists on the counter. “Speak up!” My voice thundered a
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat down on the chair near the snack table with a gleam of satisfaction washing through my veins as I gripped a nearby glass of wine from the snack desk.This was going to be fun.I could already tell.I watched the shareholders all gather around Rochelle like moths to a flame, feeding desperately on the flickers of lies she distilled. They were fools but it felt good to finally make them all my fools.A dark grin tugged at my lips as I raised the wine glass to my lips. My eyes were fixed on the scene, watching the one drama I'd prepare myself for beforehand.To the shareholders, this was a shocking revelation that urged them to have a rethink but to me? To me, this was like a drama, a scene I'd orchestrated for days. Everything went right, Rochelle did extraordinarily well and I gotta stay under the spotlight and so did Lucas.The shareholders had all fallen into our traps and all I had to do right now was to sit back and relax. Thin strips of malice lit up in
XAVIER'S POV I decided to do one thing before I allowed the shareholders to jump to conclusions. I could beat them at their own games, it wasn't too late yet.I moved to the other side of the room where the shareholders were gathered around the pregnant lady that stood her ground that I was in a relationship with her.She was crying, soft fake sobs tearing through the air as I smirked. The gazes of the shareholders flickered sharply over to me and I felt waves of shock trudged down my spine as I felt my body freeze rapidly. “Before you all jump to conclusions I believe we first have to go over the basics first,” I beamed and caught a glimpse of shock and anger in Madame Browne's eyes. I could've sworn I heard her grunt before she cut me off, “Oh what basics Xavier? Can't you just own up to your mistakes already and stop trying to turn the tables when we all know that you did all she said you did!” The tension in the air rose alongside the voices but I ignored them all, focusing m
XAVIER'S POVOh, I get it all now.Madame Browne was doing it again but this time around, the trick she had up her sleeves could ruin everything I thought I had.My reputation was about to be dragged through the mud and the thought of being tied to the spot was irritating even for me. I wanted to do something but it would only get worse.Madame Browne's paid actress was acting so good that anything I said or did wouldn't be believed by the shareholders. They'd all snagged up her words as she delivered them, delivering her lines with an Oscar worthy performance.I stayed frozen on the spot, holding on desperately to the last fading threads of restraint I had left in me. My eyes were flushed with rage and my fists were balled up like I was about to start a fight.I couldn't afford to have them trample over me like that. I had to do something— anything!I paced towards the shareholders, snagging the pictures from their hands as I inspected everyone. As I glanced at them, I felt a flush o
ELLA'S POV THREE HOURS AGO.I was doing the chores in the kitchen when I heard the door pull open. I ignored the sound thinking it was another kitchen staff stepping into the kitchen but It wasn't.I fixed my gaze on the cabbage I was cutting when I felt her presence. Madame Browne. She was here.I raised my hand immediately like someone in a trance as I flashed my gaze at her. She was standing proudly at the other side of the kitchen counter where I was chopping the cabbage. Her eyes loomed over me like a laser and I just couldn't help but frown in shock and confusion. What did she mean by what she was doing?Why was she staring?Madame Browne was never the one to stare at one, especially when I was doing a chore. The only times she stared at me was either with jealousy or disgust.But this time, she had a suspicious smile plastered on her lips. It haunted me, sending jolts of fear and panic into my veins as I missed a spot and sliced my finger.It was a low cut but it hurt as I pu
XAVIER'S POV If you think you're just as shocked as me right now, I recommend you check again because things are going haywire right now.The air in the room was bridled with tension that seared endlessly, my thoughts went wild for a moment and so did my heartbeat. The receding beeps I used to feel in my chest now faded off and I could've sworn I had an out-of-body experience with the lady.The raging sounds of gasps from the shareholders faded off and I felt myself loosen into a void, one where I'm stuck with the pregnant lady standing nearby. She flashed me a seductive wink and I stepped back in shock, adrenaline pulsing through my veins as my breath hitched.She was standing dangerously close. I could sniff her cologne from where I stood, it had a cheap air to it that turned my stomach. I tried to step back, hoping she wouldn't take another step closer but before I could do that, she pulled her head closer as if aiming to whisper something.“You'll know me very soon Xavier,” her t
XAVIER'S POV I could feel it in my veins.The president was hiding something from me and I won't stop until I find out what exactly it is. I clenched my fists for a second, following him with a thin gaze. I traced his movements down to where he arrived at the door where a masculine figure stood. Lucas. A wave of disgust crashed in me and I sniffed softly, the intensity of his gaze brushing through my skin. His eyes loomed brighter than any light I'd ever seen. His stance was a perfect replica of a predator, dark green eyes that burned right through me.The cold wind in the room crashed into me as I felt my neck hair stiffen. The room was silent for a while save for the soft screeches of the president's wheelchair.He was about wheeling out of the room when I opened my lips and called for him. “I’ll help you with that.” My voice tore through the fog of unspoken tension and I walked over to to where he stood.I stretched my hands and gripped the handles of the wheelchair before pushi