MARK'S POV:As I woke up, I realized that Jennie wasn't in the bed with me. I was a little disoriented and started to wonder where she could be. With bleary eyes, I made my way to the bathroom to see if she was there, but I couldn't find her.Last night, I had an amazing time being in her company. Her presence made last night truly enjoyable and memorable.As I made my way downstairs, I took a moment to look around the house, hoping to find her there. I finally spotted her in the dining room, leisurely sipping on her refreshing orange juice while engrossed in the morning news, her eyes moving across the pages of the newspaper.I paused for a moment, looking at her intently, before approaching her and speaking softly. "The juice looks quite cold. Would you like me to prepare some warm tea for you instead? I think it would be more comforting.” She was initially startled, and then she turned and gazed at me before speaking. "Don't worry yourself, I'm good with this," she said with a smi
SARAH'S POV:The ring of my phone woke me up. Groggy, I squinted at the screen to see who was calling. It was Barr Lawn. His voice was urgent."Get ready. We need to meet Mrs. Elizabeth," he instructed, wasting no time.I jumped out of bed, skipped breakfast despite my grandmother's insistence, and rushed out of the house. By the time I reached Barr Lawn's office, he was already waiting. We drove together to Mrs. Elizabeth's workplace, the only place she could be found during the day.Upon arrival, the customer service representative informed us that we would have to wait until her break. Impatient but resigned, we took seats in the waiting area, watching the clock tick slowly.Finally, we spotted her. Barr Lawn and I rushed towards her, but she acted as if she didn’t notice us. Her reaction made me uneasy.As we approached Mrs. Elizabeth, she immediately pleaded, "Please don't do this. I have no information for you." Her voice trembled with fear, and she anxiously glanced around, as
MARK'S POV:"Hey Paul, what's going on?" I inquired, my tone masking the impatience that was steadily building within me."Mark, I really need to have a serious conversation with you," Paul said, the tension in his voice unmistakable.As I waited for Paul's response, my heart skipped a beat with anxiety. Trying to keep my voice steady, I asked, "What is it?" Unable to contain my anticipation, I urged him, "Go on, I'm listening.""It's about Jennie. There's something you need to know," Paul's tone was serious, and I could sense the urgency in his voice.The tension from Paul's call lingered as I attempted to focus on my work. My mind was consumed by a whirlwind of thoughts and possibilities, each more unsettling than the last. Paul's words echoed in my mind, casting a shadow over my thoughts and leaving me feeling unsettled.I couldn't shake the eerie feeling that something significant was about to unfold. Throughout the dragging day, I couldn't help but steal constant glances at Jenni
MARK'S POV:Jennie's heart raced as she gathered the courage to speak. With a deep breath and her voice shaking, she started, "Mark, there's a lot about my past that I've never told anyone. It's not something I'm proud of, and I've carried it with me for so long.”I nodded in encouragement, signalling for her to carry on. "Please, go ahead. I'm all ears.”"I grew up in a small town," she began, her voice tinged with nostalgia as her gaze drifted into the distance. "Life wasn't easy there. My family struggled to make ends meet, and I had to take on various odd jobs just to help put food on the table. When I reached a certain age, I made the difficult decision to leave home and try to build a new life for myself. However, no matter how hard I try, the memories of my past continue to linger and weigh heavily on me.”"What sort of things?" I inquired, feeling a surge of curiosity and a weight on my heart.Jennie stood still for a moment, her gaze fixed on her trembling hands. "I found m
SARAH'S POV:As we stepped outside the police station, I couldn't help but notice the palpable tension in the air. It felt heavy and suffocating, almost as if it had a physical presence. Walking alongside Lawn to his car, the weight of the ominous phone call I had just received seemed to hang in the air, casting a shadow over every step. Unspoken, yet undeniably present, it felt like a lingering threat that loomed between me. Despite the heaviness of the situation, I and Barr Lawn knew that we had to remain resolute and unwavering in the face of whatever challenges lay ahead..“We have to proceed with caution,” Lawn said as he cautiously unlocked the car and glanced around. “Whoever made that call means business.”"I agree," I replied, settling into the comfortable leather of the passenger seat. "But we can't afford to back down now. We've invested so much time and effort, and we're so close to finding the truth. We have to see this through to the end."Lawn agreed with a nod and
SARAH'S POV:After locking eyes with Joe for a few intense moments, I mustered up my courage and made the choice to break the weighty silence that surrounded us."I am incredibly grateful for all the support and assistance you have provided me with… There were numerous occasions when you came to my rescue, and I cannot thank you enough for that. However, I am concerned that depending on you too much may imply that I am taking advantage of your generosity, and I do not want to come across as selfish or inconsiderate…”"Then do so," Joe interrupted, his voice firm. "That's why I'm here. Do you have any idea of the efforts I've made in life to become someone useful to you?”"Do I have to know? I don't understand why this is so important," I replied, my tone becoming defensive.Joe let out a deep sigh. "Sarah, I want you to know that I'm not going to pressure you into anything, even if you end up choosing Barr Lawn. All I just wanted to do was show you that I could provide and offer you
SARAH'S POV:Over the next day, I found myself going through the old family photo album.However, just when things seemed bleak, an unexpected breakthrough emerged from an unlikely source. I stumbled upon a photograph that immediately grabbed my attention. It was a picture of my parents at a party, surrounded by a close-knit group of friends, sharing laughter and joy. As I examined the photo more closely, I noticed something eerie in the background - the same shadowy figure that appeared in the police photograph."It's him again.” I feel a sense of urgency to uncover his identity. I can't shake the feeling that I need to figure out who this person is.I promptly contacted Barr Lawn to inform him. He advised me to bring the photo to his office.I quickly got dressed and hurried over to the Barr Lawn office. When I arrived, I handed the image to him, and he carefully examined it. "We'll need more than a blurry photo," he said thoughtfully. "But it's a starting point. I'll check if th
MARK'S POV: As we approached the imposing office doors after lunch, I stole a quick glance at Jennie. Her unwavering presence felt like a comforting anchor amidst the brewing storm of uncertainty. "Whatever challenges lie ahead, we'll confront them together," I murmured, gently squeezing her hand to offer reassurance. Jennie's smile held a resolute determination, her eyes reflecting a steely resolve. "Together," she affirmed, her voice steady and unwavering, as we crossed the threshold into the unknown, ready to take on whatever mysteries and trials awaited us. As I stepped through the doorway into my office, a palpable tension hung in the air, suffocating and dense. It felt as though the very atmosphere was holding its breath, laden with unspoken words and veiled secrets. Jennie's revelations still echoed in my mind, along with the weight of the ominous prophecy she had shared. Despite the heavy atmosphere, a glimmer of hope flickered within me as I entertained the possibility of
MARK'S POVI could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, a low roar of rage building inside me. How could she? After everything, how could she do this now, knowing I still love her? Knowing what she meant to me? My fists clenched at my sides, my mind racing with a thousand questions, a thousand thoughts crashing in.Then I heard it — a low murmur from the crowd, a ripple of excitement spreading like wildfire. And then, as if on cue, voices began to chant, louder and louder, "Marry him! Marry him!"The words hit me like a punch to the gut. The room was closing in, the noise growing deafening, and I could feel the heat rising up my neck, my vision narrowing as the reality of what was happening sank in. Joe was down on one knee, a ring in his hand, and the crowd was cheering them on. “No… no, no, no,” I muttered, shaking my head as if trying to wake from a bad dream. My chest felt tight, and I could barely breathe. Paul reached out, grabbing my arm, trying to pull me back to my seat, but I
MARK'S POV:The restaurant was crowded, filled with the low hum of conversations and the clinking of cutlery against plates. Paul and I were seated by the window, where the sunlight poured in. I pushed my food around, barely tasting it, my thoughts elsewhere.Suddenly, Sarah walked in, her smile as radiant as ever, but my chest tightened when I saw who was with her — Joe. My jaw clenched instinctively. That man. I knew he had something planned, something dark. I’d seen enough of his schemes to know he was trouble, and now he was here with her. My Sarah. A burning anger rose inside me, spreading like wildfire. "They just sat down," I muttered, my eyes glued to them. I didn't even realize Paul was speaking until he snapped his fingers in front of my face."Hey! Earth to you," Paul called, his voice cutting through my thoughts.I blinked and turned to him. "What?"Paul’s gaze shifted towards Sarah and Joe, and then back to me. He sighed, exasperation etched on his face. "How long are yo
JENNIE'S POV:My father’s study, usually a place of calm, had turned into a storm of anger and tension. I stood near the doorway, my fists clenched, my heart pounding in my chest. I could hardly breathe. "Daddy, are you really going to sit there and let that bitch, Sarah, take everything we’ve worked for?" I spat out, my voice trembling with frustration. My words felt like acid on my tongue. The room seemed to shrink as I waited for his response, my breath quickening.My father, his face shadowed in the gloom, whipped his head towards me, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "I’ve told you to shut your mouth! I’m doing something about it!" He shouted, his voice slicing through the air. His fury hung in the air, thick and suffocating.I felt my cheeks flush with heat, my anger flaring even hotter. I couldn’t stay still. I paced back and forth, my heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floor, frustration boiling inside me like a storm ready to break. My mind raced, thoughts tu
SARAH'S POVI smiled, glad to hear a proactive suggestion. “Absolutely. Explore those options. Bring me a list of potential partners and what they bring to the table. We’re not just here to compete; we’re here to lead, and sometimes that means joining forces.”Angela grinned and nodded, already thinking of ideas."And you, Daniel? What do you think needs to change?" I asked.He hesitated, then said, "We need stability. People are worried. They don’t know what to expect from you."I leaned back, considering his words. "Then make it clear: change is coming. But it’s a change for the better. We’re not just surviving; we’re going to thrive. And anyone who can’t keep up with that pace has no place here."I could feel the tension in the room. The executives exchanged uneasy glances. Some of them were on board, others were resistant. But they all knew one thing: this was not my uncle’s company anymore.No one moved. It was clear they had no more questions—for now, at least. I could see the g
SARAH'S POV:I could see the mix of expressions—some were still processing, some were skeptical, and a few were cautiously optimistic. I wanted to make sure there were no doubts and no misunderstandings about what was coming next.James, the CFO, raised his hand slightly, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses, he cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses, and stood. “What happens if these new strategies don’t work? What if we lose money and our position in the market worsens?" he asked, his voice steady but carrying a hint of challenge. I nodded, expecting this kind of resistance from James. "We adapt and pivot. We don’t cling to what doesn’t work. This company has been too afraid to take risks. But if we’re afraid to fail, we’ll never succeed. We’ll monitor every move closely, but doing nothing isn’t an option anymore.""We’ve been running a tight ship, focusing on profitability. I think we should maintain our current trajectory.” James continued.I nodded, my face expressionless. "P
SARAH'S POV:As I stood in my father's company, looking out over the city that had been the backdrop to this epic battle—a battle for survival, for control, for legacy. I felt a profound sense of accomplishment. The skyscrapers rose high above the clouds, their glass windows reflecting the dying light of the sun. I could see it all now—every corner, every street, every building that had witnessed the storm I’d fought through. This city had been a battlefield, and I had emerged victorious, my resolve unbroken. But the war wasn’t over yet. The real work was just beginning.Now, standing in this high-rise office, it was time to reset everything. I turned away from the window and looked around the office. Now, my office. Everything in here screamed of the old regime: the heavy oak desk, the leather-bound books lining the walls, the dimly lit. The office smelled of leather and old wood, a heavy scent of authority. I could feel the weight of my uncle's legacy pressing down on my shoulders
SARAH'S POV:The rawness of it cut through the air, making everyone in the room freeze. Andrew's words, high-pitched and frantic, shattered the heavy silence that had settled over the courtroom like a thick fog. Every head turned to him, eyes wide with shock. Even the judge, who had maintained a stoic expression throughout the trial, looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. The tension in the room grew unbearable, like the air had been sucked out, leaving only the charged atmosphere behind.The bailiffs, trained to handle situations like this, tightened their grip on Andrew. But he continued to thrash, his movements wild and erratic, like a trapped animal. His eyes, once sharp and calculating, now darted around the room in sheer desperation. “I had no choice!” he shouted again, louder this time, his voice thick with fear. He scanned the faces in the courtroom, searching for someone—anyone—who might offer him a lifeline, a way out of the fate that awaited him.Then, his eyes landed on
SARAH'S POVThe courtroom was a cold, unforgiving place, filled with an almost palpable tension. The ceiling-high windows let in a harsh, gray light that settled over everything like a shroud. I stood at the defendant's table, gripping the edge so tightly that my knuckles turned white. The wood felt rough under my fingers, grounding me in the moment. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears like the ticking of a clock. Every breath I took seemed louder than the whispers that had filled the room moments before. Now, it was silent. Unbearably silent.Barr Lawn stood beside me, tall and steady, his presence a rock in the storm of my emotions. He wasn’t just my lawyer—he was my friend, my guide through this harrowing journey. His eyes, usually so stern and focused, were softer now as they flicked toward me, giving a small nod of reassurance. I tried to find strength in his calm, but the fear was too strong. It coiled in my stomach, tightening with each second that passe
SARAH'S POV: The day before had been a blur of calls, documents, and the ceaseless hum. I didn’t feel like the same person anymore. The timidness that once gripped me had been burned away by the fire of righteous fury.My uncle’s legal team, once arrogant and dismissive, had fired the first volley—a desperate plea for a settlement. I had read their letter once, twice, maybe a dozen times. Each word was a thinly veiled threat wrapped in a mask of concern for “family unity.” But I wasn’t the same person who had bowed to their will in the past. That morning, as I held the letter in my hands, something inside me snapped into place, a final, unyielding decision.“No,” I had whispered, my voice echoing in the silence. “No more.”The battle lines were drawn in earnest. My reply to the settlement offer was curt, clinical—a refusal that left no room for doubt. Barr Lawn understood the stakes. He moved with precision, crafting each counter-response like a scalpel, cutting through the bluster