"I'm not a thief. The card is mine. Give it back to me." Anabel demanded."Just shut up! You thief! I'm going to get you arrested once we finish investigation." The HR said, and just then, Mr. Lesnar, the director, who is also a shareholder of the company, walked in. "What is happening here?" he asked."Take a good look at this card." The HR handed the card to Mr. Lesnar. "This newly employed janitor is claiming it's hers. Can you imagine?"The director checked the card. "This must be my missing premium black card." The director knew it wasn't his, though he thought she stole it.He wanted to use it against her. He had blackmailed two workers to become this personal sex object. Anabel was beautiful enough to be on his list."I said it. A poor janitor like you cannot have access to the black card. You started work today, and you have started stealing already." The HR said."He's lying. The card is mine." Anabel turned to the director. "Mr. Lesnar, do you have any proof that you are the
"The director, Mr. Lesnar, accused me of theft, Dad. He claimed my black card was his, that I stole it from him." Anabel said."What?""Not only that. He also slapped me and broke the card." Anabel added.Sir. Orton's face turned beet red with rage."Explain yourself, Lesnar."The director stuttered, "I-I thought she was impersonating. I never knew she was your daughter. I thought she was just a mere janitor. I will never be mad to hurt your daughter. Please forgive me!""You thought?" Sir Orton's voice boomed as he slapped Lesnar twice across the face. "You humiliated my daughter, ruined her card, and slapped her? What insolence!"The director's knees buckled, and he fell to the floor. He knew that his fate was in Sir Orton's mercy."Please, sir... Mercy..." The director begged. The HR and the manager were already trembling in fear. They knew it was over for them. They were just waiting for their turn. They have already lost their job. They were scared of the punishment they would rec
"How can the health benefit allowance card be broken?" Sir Orton asked."The HR broke it." Anabel spoke up. "This janitor." She took the older janitor's hand. "She needed it for her mother's surgery, and they refused to give it to her."Sir Orton's face darkened in anger. "They denied a janitor's mother life-saving surgery?"Anabel nodded. "Yes, Dad. The HR said that janitors doesn't deserve the benefits. She even said that paying for her mother's surgery will be a waste of money. When I confronted her, she broke the card and said we cannot do anything about it. The manager supported her."Sir Orton's anger erupted. "This is unbelievable. I never knew I employed the worst set of people."He turned to the HR and manager. Their heads were down on the floor. They couldn't look up at him. This was the worst situation of their life."A janitor needed a health benefit allowance card, and both of you refused to give her one? Something that doesn't belong to you? What's the benefit? Not that y
(Over One Week Later)Miss. Michelle, CEO of Styce group, was hosting an exclusive VIP party for all of their Shareholder's and top customers. Miss Anabel Orton had been announced as a special guest of honor. Many people were waiting to see her face for the very first time.Desmond was hoping to meet her so he could tell her about his contract which had been on hold for a long time. He believed she will do something about it."See, Anabel is coming in. I wonder how she got invited. This is a exclusive party for Miss. Michelle's shareholders and highly profile vip customers. Who invited her?" Desmond asked, watching as Anabel made her way into the hall."It must be one of her dirty client. I wonder why you are surprised. Your ex-wife is a prostitute and it's like all the rich men knows her." Daniella said and the words touched Desmond. He could not imagine other men touching her."Stop saying that about her. You are not sure." Desmond replied."What are you saying? Don't tell me you are
"I know you must be very busy. I didn't want to disturb you," Anabel replied."I wasn't complaining. I planned to welcome you in a special way. Anyway, no problem; we still have other things to do. Thank you for honoring my invitation. I'm so happy to have you here."Daniella snorted, "Why are you giving her special treatment as if she's anything special? You must have mistaken her for someone else. Anabel is a country bumpkin, a common janitor. She should be thrown out. She's not worthy of attending this party.""What? Do you know who you are talking to?" Miss Michelle turned to Anabel. "What is she talking about?""Don't mind her," Anabel replied, and Miss Michelle stared at Daniella, trying to recognize her, but she couldn't."Who are you, and what are you even doing here?" Daniella smiled and extended her hand for a handshake. "My name is Daniella. I'm among the guests."Miss Michelle ignored her handshake. "I didn't remember inviting you. I don't even know who you are. This is a s
"Miss. Michelle. Don't take her words and actions to heart. No need to pursue the matter any further. You can let her stay on my behalf." Anabel said, and Miss Michelle hesitated before accepting. "It's alright. She can stay." She turned to Desmond. "Mr. Desmond, you are free to help yourself to the bar. I need to welcome my other special guests." Miss Michelle said and left."Come, let's go." Desmond said and headed to the bar, thinking that Daniella was with him. Daniella had stayed behind to confront Anabel."I thought you had divorced him. Why are you shamelessly pestering him like a parasite?" Daniella started. "I know you wanted him back. That is why you are doing all these. But let me tell you. Desmond no longer needs you. You can't have him anymore. I will advise you to forget about him.""And who said I wanted him back?" Anabel asked."You don't need to say anything. Actions speak louder than voice. I will advise you to stay away, very far away from him. He will never take pat
A few minutes later, they all settled down, and the event started properly. Miss Michelle welcomed everyone, especially Anabel. Desmond and Daniella still found it annoying."Why will she welcome her in a special way as if she's a big deal?" Daniella mumbled."I think we are missing something. Would she be Anabel Orton?" Desmond asked."She can't be. That's not possible. Is it because of her name? Remember that anyone can answer Anabel. She's never the one." Daniella replied."Then why is she showing royalty to her? Don't you find it disturbing? My ex-wife might be a billionaire heiress.""What are you even saying? Don't tell me you want to fall for this cheap trap. Anabel is a country bumpkin and will always be. Stop giving it a thought.""I'm going to find out who she really is." Desmond said with determination.After the introduction, they addressed the guests and launched their latest brand. After that, they ate, drank, and danced, each person with her partner.As Desmond was danci
The crowd was amazed to see the beautiful face behind the mask. The beauty was out of this world. Desmond and Daniella were surprised. They didn't see that coming."So Anabel is Orton's daughter?" Daniella asked."I always suspected it. This must be the reason the contract was denied. I can see. So my ex-wife is the daughter of a billionaire? the richest man in the country?"Anabel quickly picked the mask and wore it back. They danced a little before they rounded up and left the stage.Just when the party was over, Desmond and Daniella went to meet Miss Michelle and Anabel at the back."You deceived me. You are a liar. Why didn't you tell me that you are Orton's daughter?" Desmond asked."Miss Anabel Orton is sick." Miss Michelle spoke up to defend her. "I asked Anabel to perform on her behalf since she's good at dancing."Anabel knew that Desmond would come for her and asked Miss Michelle to defend her. She told her everything about her and Desmond."I knew it. She can never be Sir Or
Without wasting any time, the dad asked, “Why did you reject Reuben? You can't tell me you are not ready for marriage because that is what you need now. A man that will take good care of you and your child.” Anabel let out a sigh and leaned back against the headboard. “I don’t like him," she said flatly. “I’m not just interested in him.” She answered, and her father crossed his arms as he gazed at her. “That doesn’t matter much. What matters is that he loves you. Reuben is a good man. Ever since I knew him, he never caused trouble. All you need is a man that will love and take good care of you. You can start loving him after marriage. You think all those successful marriages started with love? No—commitment comes first, and love follows.” Anabel shook her head, standing her ground. “That’s not how it works for me, Dad. My heart isn’t in it.” Sir Orton exhaled slowly as he sensed frustration creeping into him. He wasn’t angry—not yet—but he was growing weary of Anabel's choices.
Her father continued. “I’ve told him everything. About your first marriage and your divorce. I also told her about your pregnancy, and he still accepted.” Anabel’s lips parted slightly in surprise, but she quickly composed herself. Reuben was a very cute guy, but looking at him, she doesn't see herself gisting with someone like him. She shifted in her seat before speaking. “I appreciate you looking out for me, Father. And I thank the Johnsons for coming.” Sir Johnson smiled faintly, observing her with an unreadable expression. Reuben remained unmoved as he continued to watch her with silent interest. Anabel took a breath and continued, “Under normal circumstances, I might have asked for time to think it over because we have never talked about it. But there is no need for that.” Her father leaned forward slightly and asked. “And why is that?” "I don't know how this will sound, but I am not interested in marriage now.” She answered, and the room went silent. No one was expecting
Anabel got back home and stepped out of her car. Her mind was still occupied with thoughts about her hospital visit. The conversation with Desmond had stirred something in her—an unease she had tried to push aside but couldn't fully ignore. As she walked toward her father’s grand villa, she noticed two luxurious cars parked neatly in the driveway. She slowed her pace slightly, and her brows knitted together as she took in the unfamiliar, expensive cars. She tried to recall if they were expecting visitors, but nothing came to mind. She tried to recognize the cars, but she couldn't. One was a gold Bugatti, and the other one was a gray Rolls Royce. The latest and the most expensive car in the country. Even though her father was known to have high-profile associates, these cars weren’t ones she recognized. The insignias, the vip plate number. They belonged to people of significant wealth, people who rarely made unexpected visits. Anabel straightened her posture and entered through
Desmond glanced away, knowing that it wasn't even his problem at the moment. His main problem was that someone was about to extort a big amount of money from her. He couldn't stand it. "Yeah, I know, but that’s not my problem right now." He said with a weak voice. Bella raised an eyebrow in curiosity and asked. "What do you mean it’s not your problem? What’s going on? Which other problem do we have here than winning her back?" Desmond hesitated for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. "There’s a man. Her so-called new boyfriend." "Does she have a boyfriend?' Bella asked. "Yeah, but the problem is that he's deceiving her. He’s about to extort a huge amount of money from her." Mrs. Elizabeth and Bella both stared at him in shock, but Bella was the first to speak. "A huge amount of money?" "How much money are we talking about?" His mom asked with a voice tinged with disbelief. "I know you guys won't believe this, but this man is about to extort three million dollars from her.
Desmond's mom let out a long sigh and let her shoulders sag slightly. "I don’t blame her, though. She has every right to be angry. After everything we did, after how we treated her... I wouldn’t stop to listen either." Bella, who was standing a few steps away, folded her arms tightly across her chest. "But she should at least hear us out," Bella muttered. "Why would she do that? I mean, we are trying to apologize. We are trying to make amends, aren’t we? It’s not like we are asking for much. She could have rolled down the window for a second. Just a second." Mrs. Elizabeth shook her head gently and glanced at her daughter. "Bella, don't say that. She's angry, and she should be. This is not about what we think she should do. We pushed her away. We hurt her. She doesn’t owe us her time, not after the way we treated her." Bella huffed in response and said,. "Yeah, okay, we were wrong. But if she doesn’t let us talk, how are we supposed to make it right? She should have just let us tal
Desmond turned and walked briskly through the hospital corridors. His thoughts were tangled and heavy.As he got closer to his mother’s doctor’s office to collect her medication, he couldn’t stop replaying his encounter with Anabel. Her coldness, her denial, and the sharpness of her words had left a mark he couldn’t shake. She had insisted the child wasn’t his, calling him impotent. A word that hit like a dagger, even though he refused to believe it. Deep down, he was sure the baby was his, but doubt lingered at the edges of his mind. Could she be right? Could there be truth in her statements? The uncertainty gnawed at him as he tried to focus on what he came to do.Meanwhile, Anabel stepped out of the elevator into the bustling hospital lobby. She hasn't stopped thinking about what Desmond said.Desmond’s words about Vanessa’s surgery played on a loop in her head, rattling her confidence in Sylvester and Vanessa’s story. She hated to admit it, but the seed of doubt he had planted w
Her words stung Desmond, but he took a deep breath, refusing to let them dissuade him. He stepped closer and spoke up. "Anabel, everything that happened... everything that came between us... It was because of my mother and my sister. They drove a wedge between us, and I've already admitted that I'm stupid for allowing them. This time, they will treat you differently. They’ll treat you like the precious treasure you are. They regret what they did. They are longing to have you back, Anabel." Anabel’s lips curled into another bitter smile, and she folded her arms tightly across her chest. "I'm not a kid, Desmond. I know exactly why they want me back," she retorted. "It’s not about treating me like a treasure or making amends for their wicked character against me. They want me back because Daniella disappointed them. They want me back because they didn't get what they wanted from Daniella. They want me back because they heard I’m pregnant. Let's say my tummy is still flat, they won't wan
"Hey! Mind your words. Sylvester is not a scumbag, but you are. You are the scumbag here. And...you don't have any right to tell me where to spend my money or ask me how I will get it. Whether I have the money or not is none of your business. And if I decide to borrow, that’s my choice. Stop acting like I'm going to borrow it from you. Stop pretending like you care." Anabel said, even though she was already seeing some signs. She just wanted to get on Desmond's nerves. "I do care, Anabel. I care about you, and I care about the choices you’re making. And if you borrow that kind of money, you will spend the rest of your life paying it back. Is that what you want?" "You really think you know me, don’t you? You really think you can stand here and judge me? But let me tell you something, Desmond—you don’t know me at all. You never did. If you think I can’t handle this, then you’re sorely mistaken." "I know you are now rich, even though you are trying so hard to hide your real identity f
"Anabel, I know you will not believe me. You may say I'm jealous, which I won't deny, but I can boldly tell you that you are actually single. I mean, very single." He said while looking at her in the eyes. She could see how mean he was. "Sylvester is not who you think he is. You are dating yourself, stressing yourself over someone whose only intention was to gain financial assistance from you. You are single." He finished, and Anabel struck him with a sharp glare, then crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "Single?" She echoed with a disdainful voice. "Is that what you think, Desmond? Let me be clear—I am not single. You are the one who is single. Don’t confuse my situation with a pathetic one like yours." Desmond frowned as her words hit him with an unexpected force. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "At least I didn't lose anything to her. But you… you are about to lose everything you have. I will still warn you. Sylvester isn’t who he says he is. He’s just usin