Diego and Freya lay entwined in bed, reluctant to succumb to the morning's call. Their bodies relaxed in a tangle of sheets and blankets with Diego's arms wrapped tightly around Freya, holding her close as they savored the morning's warmth together. Freya's chestnut hair spilled across Diego's chest, and her gentle breathing synced with his. Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over Diego's luxurious bedroom. The city outside was slowly coming to life, the distant hum of traffic and chirping birds creating a gentle melody. Suddenly, the shrill ringtone of Diego's phone shattered the serenity and jolted them both awake. With a loud yawn, he groggily reached over to the nightstand, his eyes squinting against the bright light. Freya stirred and stretched her hands, yawning softly. Slowly, she opened her eyes and propped herself up on an elbow, her gaze meeting Diego. Diego squinted at his phone screen and his expression tightened as he
NEWS HEADLINE: Billionaire Diego Hunter Embroiled in Adoption Scandal“...shocking news tonight. Renowned billionaire Diego Hunter has found himself at the center of a highly publicized scandal. Allegations have surfaced that Diego illegally adopted Noah July, the biological son of fellow billionaire Desmond July, without his knowledge or consent”, the news anchor reported.Freya's shoulders slumped and her spirits dampened, her face wiped clean of color. She stole a concerned glance at Diego who sat beside her on the couch watching the news in peak anticipation, his jaw clenched in tension.“...According to reports, Diego adopted Noah with the consent of Noah's mother, Freya July, Desmond's estranged wife. The adoption allegedly took place without Desmond's awareness or involvement and CEO Desmond July fights back with a lawsuit…”The image on the news shifted to a live video of news outlets swarming outside Diego's mansion. Luckily, he was at Freya's house. But he wasn't so lucky be
The morning of the discovery stage of the pre-trial in the superior court of justice finally arrived, the plaintiff's and defendant's tables, parallel and stern, faced the elevated and imposing judge's bench which dominated the front.The morning sunlight filtered through the high windows of the courtroom, casting a pale glow on the tense atmosphere. The air was heavy with anticipation, thick with the weight of conflicting interests.The courtroom, with its polished wood and worn carpets, had witnessed countless battles. Today, it would host another.Diego, seated beside his lawyer, Attorney Anthonia, fidgeted with his tie. His eyes darted between the clock and the door, awaiting Desmond's arrival while his lawyer reviewed notes, her demeanor composed. Diego's face remained neutral and his demeanor nonchalant.Across from them, Mr. Thompson, Desmond's lawyer, organized documents with precision, his expression a mask of confidence. While he was distracted with organizing files, Diego s
Diego settled into the plush leather seat of his car, his driver expertly navigating the evening traffic. The tinted windows shielded him from prying eyes, but couldn't block the turmoil brewing inside him.The first stage of the trial was over. And Diego knew the subsequent stages wouldn't be any easier. However, he steeled himself, prepared for battle. Good ultimately triumphs over evil. Diego believed that Desmond's sinister ways would one day catch up with him and he'd make a grave mistake against himself.As the car glided through the city streets, Diego's mind raced. The allegations and scandals weighed heavily on him. For a moment, he almost blamed himself for audaciously proceeding to adopt Noah without using due protocol. However, his mind reminded him of why he took the risk initially — Noah's well being. He couldn't bear to see Noah suffer from being in a broken home or experiencing lawsuits at such a young age. Plus, Noah was receiving threats from Desmond and that was the
Diego savored the quiet morning moment, sipping his rich Colombian coffee at the dining table. The warm sunlight streaming through the window walls shone on his face and highlighted the dust motes dancing in the air.He sipped his steaming coffee absent-mindedly, his gaze fixed on a point ahead. With each sip he took, he let out a deep exasperated sigh.Then suddenly, his phone buzzed on the glass table, shattering the serenity and pulling him out of his thoughts. It was a notification from his office. A knot of discomfort formed in his insides as he read the message: "Emergency meeting scheduled. Your presence is required. Board Secretary."Diego's grip on the coffee cup tightened, his mind racing with questions and possibilities. That didn't seem like a routine meeting. Calling for an emergency meeting so early in the morning was so suspicious, especially the fact that they had to send him a special message without waiting for him to arrive at work first. The board had never summon
BREAKING NEWS: Diego Hunter Suspended as Hunter Global Enterprises CEO.“...Diego Hunter, CEO of Hunter Global Enterprises, has been suspended amid allegations of illegal adoption and misconduct. According to court documents, Diego Hunter is accused of adopting Noah July, the biological son of Desmond July, without the father's consent. July has filed a lawsuit against Hunter. The court case is ongoing, the trial date will be fixed soon…”Freya's eyes widened as she watched the news report on her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she held the device. She stood in a quiet corner of the restaurant, near the staff lockers, where she had stepped away to take a quick break.She tried to contact Diego but his number was simply not reachable. She couldn't help but worry about him as he didn't seem okay for the past few days, battling with the court case and work. And now, she was disheartened to see yet another issue — his unexpected suspension.“...sources close to the family reveal
The trial day had finally arrived. The courtroom stood silent, its sterile air thick with anticipation. The judge's bench loomed at the front, a raised platform of authority. The walls, adorned with the symbols of justice, appeared to bear the weight of the impending trial. The room's stillness was oppressive, and the clock on the wall ticked away, each passing second heightening the tension. Suddenly, the doors swung open and Diego stepped majestically into the courtroom, flanked by his legal team, including his lawyer, Attorney Anthonia. Diego wore a shallow mask of confidence; his smile seemed like an expression he had rehearsed for hours. His jet-black longish hair was neatly trimmed and styled and his tailored suit seemed to hug his broad shoulders, but his gray eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness. His gaze swept the room, his jaw clenched. Letting out a deep sigh, Diego and his legal team took their seats at the defendant's table, awaiting the arrival of the other party
The second day of the trial arrived. Once again, the courtroom fell silent, heavy with anticipation. Desmond's hateful gaze locked onto Diego, who sat calmly, his eyes mindlessly fixed on some point ahead. Behind them, the gallery seats were filled with anxious onlookers including Freya who sat rigidly, her eyes darting between Desmond and Diego. Noah wasn’t able to attend the court's hearing that day because he had to be present at school. Nevertheless, Freya promised to tell him everything that would transpire in the courtroom, though she was certain she wouldn't disclose much information to him. Diego's thoughts drifted between victory and loss. His fallen status as CEO wasn't helping. He still had to go to work amidst the chaos and humiliation. Freya's thoughts were equally troubled. Her gaze was fixed on Diego who seemed deeply absorbed in his thoughts. No matter how hard she tried to assure him that everything would be fine, she couldn't help but have a few doubts. Desmond s
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