NEWS HEADLINE: Billionaire CEO Diego Hunter Involved in Physical Altercation.“...Sources confirm that Diego Hunter, CEO of Hunter Global Enterprises, was involved in a physical fight with no other person than the renowned CEO of Dexus Innovations, Desmond July and now his reputation is hanging on the line. In the video which is currently ravaging the internet, Diego Hunter was seen physically abusing Desmond July, inflicting injuries on him. The billionaires were involved in a gruesome exchange of fists in the Four Seasons hotel in Miami, a location Diego himself had chosen for their meeting, according to our source…” the news anchor reported.Gasps and murmurings spread among the board members seated around the polished wooden table in the sleek conference room of Hunter Global Enterprises.All the members of the company's board of directors including Diego, watched the news together, disappointment etched on their faces. Diego, still wearing a faint bruise on his lip, sat at the ed
6:18pmDiego sank into his executive swivel chair, mindlessly drifting from side to side in a gentle arc. His eyes were fixed absentmindedly on the ceiling, his mind racing with several disturbing thoughts. His expression was gloomy and his jaw clenched.He was in a state of dilemma, confused on what action to take next in order to rectify his mistakes and save his name. With his reputation being shattered and his company's shares plummeting, Desmond would finally have the upper hand. He couldn't allow that to happen. Then his thoughts drifted to Freya. He didn't know how to face her just yet. He had seen her on the news— she was affected too. What hurt him the most was the terrible comments he saw about Freya, saying she was a gold digger, using two billionaires to her advantage.With a deep exasperated sigh, he sat up on his chair, grabbing his phone on his desk. That was when he saw the numerous missed calls from Freya.“Oh, no”, he muttered under his breath, shutting his eyes in
Diego emerged from his sleek, black Lamborghini, its tinted windows gliding down to reveal his chiseled face, which remained neutral. His driver stood sentinel by the door, holding it open for him to alight. The golden sunlight shone across his features, highlighting the deep creases on his forehead and the resolute set of his jaw. His face screamed action.As he stepped majestically onto the sidewalk with a cool, calm and collected demeanor, a swarm of paparazzi rushed at him like vultures, their cameras and microphones thrust forward like weapons, with frenzied urgency.Their unified chants, “Diego! Diego!” utterly disturbed and irritated Diego as his bodyguards fought hard to disperse the crowd. Their voices were simply upsetting noises of urgency.In swift response, his bodyguards sprang into action, forming a human shield around Diego. They pushed against the paparazzi, yet the photographers and reporters resisted, shoving back with equal force, their feet scraping against the pa
Desmond slumped on his luxurious couch in his dimly lit living room, his eyes fixed on the large screen TV in keen anticipation as the news anchor's voice filled the room.He stuffed his face with a handful of popcorn, chewing in relish, his cheeks moving comically. "...CEO Diego Hunter apologized for his actions but refused to renounce his relationship with Freya, Desmond July's estranged wife."Desmond's mouth fell open as he froze, a handful of popcorn suspended mid-air, his hand halted just inches from his lips. Then after a while of being stunned, he burst out into an intense fit of laughter, his body vibrating ridiculously.He chuckled hard, accidentally spilling some popcorn on the floor, his eyes crinkling at the corners.“Diego! How smart of you!” He exclaimed in between chuckles.The TV showed footage of Diego's press conference where Diego spoke confidently, surrounded by the media frenzy.Desmond carefully observed Diego's expression as he delivered his speech. He could s
Amidst the sizzle and aromas of Bayside Bistro's kitchen, Freya's focused chopping was interrupted by a sudden call from the CEO's office; CEO Neil Gomez wanted to see her.The thought of meeting the CEO one-on-one sent a shiver down her spine, a thrill of uncertainty she had never experienced before.As she walked up the stairs heading to the CEO's office, her mind raced with several questions about what outcome the meeting would bring. A sense of nervousness crept through her and she began to imagine worse case scenarios.A jumbled mix of emotions welled up within her as she stood outside the CEO's office. Taking a deep breath, she regained her composure and smoothed her dress. Then slowly, she pushed the door open and went inside.To her surprise, her mentor, the former head chef, was present, seated beside the CEO. She wondered what they had discussed concerning her.That was when she had a slight clue. It had been two months since she got the job at Bayside Bistro and became the
Freya exited the taxi, a stone's throw from her home. With broad smiles spread across her face, she walked into the driveway, heading towards the front door. She wrapped up work early to tackle her food truck responsibilities. Since Noah's school day wasn't over, she headed home first, planning to pick him up later.As she walked towards the front door, her gaze fell upon Diego who leaned on a sleek, glossy sports car. Its vibrant, crimson-red color gleamed in the sunlight, drawing her attention.She froze momentarily, stunned by the sight of him as he hadn't informed her of his visit beforehand.Diego, sensing her surprise, let out a short silent chuckle, his eyes lit up with joy. He stood up straight and dipped his hands in his pockets, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Hey, beautiful”, he called out, his voice laced with excitement.With uncertainty etched on her face, Freya approached him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders in a warm embrace. Flashing a warm smile at
Noah and his friends at school had fun in the playground, agilely running around in excitement. The school playground vibrated with energy, children's laughter echoing off the swings and slides. Noah, his messy golden hair ruffling in the wind, chased after his friends in a heated game of tag, their sneakers squeaking on the vibrant rubber surface. Just as he sprinted towards the swings, his gaze suddenly fell upon a figure standing near the fence, partially hidden by the shade of a tall oak tree. His frame and body structure seemed eerily familiar and he couldn't help but take a few steps forward to take a closer look.Just then, his footsteps faltered, and his cheerful grin vanished. It was Desmond.Desmond stood with his arms crossed, watching him with an intense gaze as he leaned on the oak tree. His gaze held a hint of friendliness, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.Noah's feet rooted to the spot, his heart racing with mixed emotions. His friends continued playing, obliviou
Desmond was gone, and he took a huge chunk of Noah's peace of mind with him. The rest of Noah's day at school was ruined, leaving him scared and uneasy.Recess was still ongoing and Noah's friends invited him to play soccer, but he declined, faking a stomach ache. As he sat alone on a bench, his eyes scanned the playground, half-expecting his monstrous father to come back again.The threat lingered, poisoning every moment. Noah felt trapped, unsure who to trust or confide in. Desmond's warning echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine.His anxiety lingered for days, and he was unable to tell Freya or anyone. Freya seemed stressed. To Noah, it seemed she was mentioned on the news alongside Diego. That was when Noah remembered Desmond's words about putting Diego in a mess of scandals. He didn't want to bother any of them. Besides, he didn't want to put them in trouble as Desmond had threatened to hurt them.Days went by and Noah's anxiety grew, manifesting in restless sleep, dim
A dull persistent throb pulsed behind Desmond's eyes as he stirred from unconsciousness. His body felt heavy, weighted down by something tight and unyielding. There was a pressure against his wrists, his shoulders aching from an unnatural position.The first thing he noticed was the cold. It seeped into his skin, a sharp contrast to the warmth of unconsciousness. He inhaled sharply, only to be met with the pungent smell of damp concrete, rusted metal, and oil lingering thick in the air.A faint dripping sound echoed somewhere in the distance, rhythmic and taunting. His senses sharpened, but his mind was sluggish, still clawing its way out of the haze.With effort, Desmond's eyelids fluttered open, his gaze unfocused at first. The dim light hanging overhead burned his retina, making him squint.The world was blurred at first, shifting between shadow and light. After a few seconds, he began to get a clearer picture of his surroundings.The space around him stretched wide and empty, the
Desmond looked away, inwardly battling with indecision—whether to believe her or not. He took a deep breath, his mind racing.On the other hand, Freya watched him closely, her gaze unwavering. His tired eyes spoke volumes about his intoxicated state. He was getting tipsier than before. And it was time to act.Freya tilted her head, her lips curving into a soft, understanding smile. “I know you're overwhelmed and can't seem to believe me. And that's understandable. I've practically ruined your life,” Freya said softly, her eyes locked onto his. She paused briefly, allowing her words to sink in. Then she let out a deep sigh and went on. “But people change, Desmond. You claimed you were a changed man, right? So why can't I claim I'm a changed woman as well?” Her voice was low and soft, but a hint of sarcasm was hidden in it.Desmond stared hard at her, reflecting on her words. His expression was a softer version of the skeptical mask he wore. And Freya smiled inwardly, realizing he was
9:32 PMThe hum of the engine was the only sound breaking the silence inside Freya’s car. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she stared through the windshield. Outside, the city lights shimmered, coupled with the lights coming from the inside of Desmond's office building, casting a pale glow over the darkened streets. The building loomed tall and ominous in Freya's rearview mirror, its shadow stretching across the pavement like a veil.Freya’s heart hammered against her chest as she adjusted her rearview mirror to get a better view of Desmond's movements. She had been waiting patiently for him to retire home, watching him closely in order to decide her next course of action.Just then, she saw him exit the building, his silhouette sharp under the yellow glow of the streetlights. He walked with the same arrogance she despised so much, his leather shoes clicking against the pavement. He was on the phone, his voice muffled but animated, likely barking or
“Evening, husband.”Freya's voice was thick with sarcasm, and her lips curved into a smirk. Without giving Desmond a chance to speak, she stepped into the room, her gaze sweeping over the mess he had made.The acrid stench of whiskey flooded her senses, making her grimace in disgust. She turned away, scrunching up her nose to fight the nausea it triggered. “What's that smell?” she mumbled, her face contorted with displeasure.Desmond fixed her with a deadly stare, his eyes blazing with unrestrained rage. “Why are you here?” he spat, leaning forward.Freya stared hard at the shattered pieces of glass, infused into the nasty pool of golden liquid on the floor. Her brows furrowed in a frown, and she shook her head in pity."Really, Desmond?" she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "Breaking bottles and shouting at doors? How…predictable."Desmond’s eyes darkened, his rage momentarily stunned into silence by the audacity of her presence. He watched as she walked further into the
Desmond sat alone in his dimly lit study, the amber glow of the desk lamp casting long shadows across the mahogany furniture. The air reeked of whiskey and regret. His hand trembled as he brought the glass to his lips, but the drink did little to dull the bitter thoughts swirling in his mind. He leaned back in the leather armchair, his eyes drifting shut. Freya. Her name alone sent a wave of anger coursing through his veins. His jaw tightened as he replayed the events of the past months in his mind. It was certain that Freya’s schemes had been meticulously calculated and set into motion long before she returned to his house. She couldn't have possibly just woken up one day and chosen violence. Who knew what had been going through her head for months now?She had walked back into his life as someone hardened, vengeful, and utterly fearless, not as the meek woman he had once controlled. He swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching the golden liquid catch the light. The burn of alcoh
Diego sat back in his executive swivel chair, a small cup of coffee in his hand. His professional attire was a perfect contrast to the warmth of his triumphant grin. The sun poured in through the window walls, casting golden light over the rich wood and steel accents of the room. The television in his sleek office played the breaking news on every major channel. The headlines blared across the screen: "Corporate Scandal: Freya July Sells Major Stake in Dexus Innovations to Rival Competitor!" The accompanying footage showed reporters scrambling outside Desmond's towering headquarters, desperate for a comment, while stock market analysts discussed the fallout of Freya's calculated move.Diego took a tiny sip of the warm liquid in his mug, his eyes glued to the TV, as if savoring every word the reporters said."...a shocking betrayal by Freya July, Desmond's wife, who has sold a substantial portion of her shares to RavenTech Industries, one of Dexus Innovations’ fiercest competitors," t
The morning air in the city was crisp, carrying the faint hum of activity that grew louder with each passing hour. The glass façade of Dexus Innovations shone in the sunlight, casting a long shadow over the busy streets below. And inside, the tension was palpable. The grand ballroom on the twenty-fifth floor had been transformed into a stage for a high-stakes event. Rows of chairs lined the room, facing an imposing podium framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city skyline. A team of technicians moved swiftly, adjusting microphones and ensuring the lighting was perfect. Journalists were already streaming in, setting up their equipment and chatting in low tones as they speculated about the announcement that had drawn such a crowd. Desmond had spent the morning pacing his office, his mood growing darker with each passing minute. Freya’s announcement had come with little warning, just a cryptic notification sent to his inbox the night before. He hated s
Desmond’s day started like any other, but by noon, his world was on fire. His name was being dragged through the mud, entwined in a brutal scandal and was splashed across every major financial news outlet and social media platform. The headlines were ruthless: "Corporate Kingpin Exposed: Internal Documents Reveal Mismanagement at Dexus Innovations.” The evidence was damning—leaked documents showing years of financial mismanagement, unethical practices, and reckless decisions that had placed the company on the brink of collapse. That wasn't all—Desmond was also accused of ruling his empire with an iron fist, suppressing his employees and making them feel insignificant.Desmond was left in a state of confusion as he didn't understand how such stories about him could be circulated. To the best of his knowledge, they were all lies. But unknown to him, Freya had leaked those internal documents to damage his reputation.Now, another board meeting was scheduled. The boardroom was chaotic.
6:12 PMFreya’s car purred to a halt in front of Desmond’s mansion, and as she looked out the window, her eyes rolled heavenward in disgust.The sleek lines of the building glinted under the harsh glow of the driveway lights, an unwelcoming beacon that altered Freya’s relaxed mood.She and Noah had been gone for weeks, settling down in an apartment she had bought for silent getaways.She needed to get away from Desmond for a while—almost as if she was deliberately avoiding him after all the devious things she had done to ruin him.And she got the break she needed. However, facing Desmond was going to be scary. Though he had no proof of her hand in his business being on the verge of collapse, she was afraid of what he might do to her. Desmond hadn't changed one bit. He was still as despicable as ever.She turned to Noah, a faint smile crossing her face. “Noah honey, let's go,” she said softly, patting him gently on his head.Noah only gave a slight nod and got out of the car. Freya wat