32.The whole place went silent immediately those words left Samantha's lips. “I don't know why you find everything I do wrong and tend to complain a lot, but I am the CEO, and have the right to change whatever I want. This is my company, and its success or failures starts with me. I am not ready to settle for less, I hope you can understand that, Director Will,” she said, her voice calm and collected, but her tone was authoritative, and they all got the message she was trying to pass across.They knew she was trying to ask them not to test her patience or cross her. She wasn't going to allow any of them to trample on her.Her glare handed. “Do you understand, Director Will?” she asked again, her voice firm.“Yes.” Will answered and took a seat.She nodded and looked at everyone seated in the room. “Does anybody have anything else to say?” she asked, but they shook their heads. “Does this mean we can give the new model and design a chance?” she asked, her voice returning to its normal
33. SULLIVAN GROUP "That little girl! Who does she think she is to order us around and act like our ideas are insignificant?" Will snapped, banging his hand on the desk. After the meeting, they had come to speak with Mr. Sullivan, who had already seen the news. Reporters had stormed outside Salvador's group building and interviewed Samantha. She told them she was changing the model, but didn't disclose what it was going to be. The news already went viral and literally everyone had seen it. They were curious to know what she wanted to do since she was new. Everyone knew the kind of models Salvador Group used, but had no idea what Samantha was going to do. They only guessed and waited for the day. Mr. Sullivan massaged his forehead. "She just came and is already giving us a headache. I think we need to step up our game. If her model makes sense and is accepted in Detroit, her stocks will increase, not to mention doors with new business deals will be opened and she will become more p
34.Samantha scoffed. “What do you think you're doing?” she asked, the annoyance evident in her voice.Estella laughed. “What does it look like? I'm throwing a house party with my homies. Is anything wrong with that?”“Everything is wrong with it, Estella. It hasn't even been a week since Dad traveled and you're already doing shits. And are these who you call your homies?” Samantha asked as she looked at them. They were more like gangsters with piercings and tattoos. “If you have a problem with that, you can go to your room and sleep. After all, you are the prominent CEO of the Salvador Group, and I know you must be tired from all the meetings, file sorting, clearings and lots of boring stuff you do to make people think you're responsible.” she clicked her tongue.Samantha couldn't believe this lady. She had no idea why Estella had to be so different. If the police get a whiff of this, the family's reputation would be at stake.“Estella, what you're doing isn't right. I'd advise you
35.“Mum!” Samantha called as she knocked on her mother's room door. When she didn't get any response, she opened the door, but her mother was not in. She stepped into the room and looked around. She wanted to ask her mother whether she had no idea of the party Estella had thrown.“Mum!” she called again.“In here, dear.” Jessica answered, and Samantha realized she was in her art studio. The studio was located in a part of her mother's room. Her mother always called it her safe spot, and it was a place where her mother could escape and express herself through her art. Samantha made her way to the studio, her heart still racing from the confrontation with Estella and her friends. She found her mother standing in front of an easel, paintbrush in hand, lost in her creative world. “Mum, we need to talk,” Samantha said, trying to keep her voice calm. Jessica looked up, concern etched on her face. “What's wrong, sweetie? You look upset.” Samantha took a deep breath and launched into the s
36.TWO DAYS LATER…“Is that all the documents for today?” Samantha asked Linda, who nodded. “Cool then. That means I would be able to get home in time for Dad's arrival.” she smiled and Linda nodded.“I'll go place them in the drawer,” she was about to leave when the door opened and Mia walked in with the receptionist trailing after her.“I'm so sorry, ma'am. I asked if she had an appointment, but she demanded to see you and just barged in here.” The receptionist complained with her head lowered.Samantha looked at Mia, who rolled her eyes while blowing bubbles from the gum she was chewing before averting her gaze to the receptionist. “It's fine, you can leave,” she said to the lady, and she bowed before walking out.Samantha looked at Mia. “It's not nice to just barge into someone's office. I'd advise you have some manners, Mia. But let's forget about that. Why are you here?” she asked, the look on her face serious.Mia took a seat and crossed her legs. “I think you've been taking m
37.Samantha just stared at him with an expressionless face. She couldn't believe he came all the way from his company just to ask her to be his date. Looking at him, she couldn't help but recall all the terrible things Mia said to her, and they were all because of him."It's not a gala, so why would I be your date?" she asked with her arms folded.Aiden knew the kind of person she was, and he was not expecting her to accept him immediately in the first place, so he came prepared."It's an event, and whose date would you be if not mine? We will get married soon, so we should try doing this so we can get the hang of it." Aiden smirked and her countenance changed.She wondered why he was bringing up the issue of marriage. She comported herself and looked up to meet his eyes. "Sorry to disappoint you. I won't be your date to that event. Bye." she turned to leave but he pulled her back into his arms."Yes, you're going to be. I'm not taking no for an answer, wifey. I will come pick you up
38."Now, let's go make a dramatic entrance." he smirked and she smiled as they walked into the hall together.The hall was filled with influential men and women, who came to witness the handover ceremony of the Sullivan Group. Bianca sat in the midst of her friends as they chatted and giggled happily while congratulating her for becoming the first CEO among them.Nathan was seated by her side, her arms locked with his as she gisted with her friends about how shocked she was when her father sent out the invitations."You needed to see the look on my face, babes." she said, flaunting her perfectly manicured nails in their faces."Girl, you rock. Your father must have seen your potential. We all know how much of a boss lady you are." Brenda, one of her friends, spoke up."I know, right? She is beautiful, talented and all round capable! Not to think she also has a very handsome boyfriend." Ava, her second friend complimented her as she looked at her dreamily."Oh, stop it, girls. You fla
39. The handover ceremony came to an end and a meeting was held the next day, where Bianca would talk with the stockholders and directors as the new CEO. Samantha was present at the meeting and only said a few words. Even when most of the stockholders were asking questions, she just sat there, watching them. Some stood up to oppose Bianca the way they did with her, and she thought Bianca was going to put them in their places, but the lady only stuttered and tried to defend herself. She smirked and shook her head, realizing that Bianca wasn't ready before she was thrown such a huge responsibility. After the meeting, Bianca breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought that Samantha was going to find a way to disgrace her since they weren't on good terms, but she was shocked at how quiet Samantha was, and wondered if the lady had anything else up her sleeves. Samantha stood up and was about to walk out. "Ms. Salvador!" Bianca called, causing Samantha to stop in her tracks. She turned
20.Lucas walked into his Aunt Mary's hospital ward, his heart shattered into a million pieces. The beeping of the machines and the antiseptic smell filled the air, but his senses were numb. He stared at his aunt's unconscious body, her frail form a stark reminder of his own vulnerability.Tears rolled down his cheeks as he recalled Janette's words: "Leave, Lucas." The finality in her voice still echoed in his mind. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of regret."Oh, Aunt Mary," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I've messed up so badly. I've lost her. I've lost Janette."He pulled up a chair and sat beside his aunt's bed, taking her limp hand in his. The warmth of her skin was a faint comfort."Why did I do it, Aunt Mary?" he asked aloud, his eyes welling up with tears. "Why did I cheat on her? Why did I lie to her?"The memories flooded his mind: Janette's laughter, her smile, her tears. He remembered the way she used to look at him, with love and adoration. Now, that same look wa
19.Lucas turned to look at Janette, his eyes filled with hurt. When she told him she had a fiancé, she thought it was all a ploy to get him to leave her alone since she was angry with him. He couldn’t believe she really had a fiancé.Janette looked at him, her expression unreadable. Well… that served him right. He needed to know his place anyway.“Jane,” he called, his voice low and unsteady. “It’s really true? Tell me he is joking.” he looked at Liam, who had a smirk on his face.“Why do you need to know if it’s true or not? Isn’t it obvious,” he walked to where Janette stood and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “She is going to be my wife soon. We are planning our wedding soon.”Lucas ignored Liam and faced Janette. “Tell me, Janette, tell me it’s not true.” he tried to touch her but she moved away from him.She intertwined her fingers with that of Liam and looked at Lucas. “It’s true, Lucas. Liam and I will soon get married.”Lucas felt like a thousand needles had just been
Marilyn chuckled darkly as she continued to pull Chloe's hair. “What does it look like I'm doing, Chloe?” She asked, the bitterness in her voice evident. “Wouldn't it be cool for Mr. Ethan to know that you were spying on him?”“Spying?” Chloe's eyes widened. “I wasn't spying on him. What are you even saying? Let go of my hair right now!” Chloe snapped at her. Marilyn smirked, pulled the hair one more time before letting go of it. Chloe swiftly turned to face Marilyn, her face holding nothing but the anger she was feeling right now. “What did you do that for?” she snapped, and Marilyn chuckled with her arms folded.“You were eavesdropping, so I had to put you in your place. Now let's hear what Mr. Ethan will have to say about it!” she snapped and didn't give Chloe the chance to talk before dragging her into Ethan's office, interrupting him and Alexis.Ethan raised an eyebrow.“Mr. Ethan, it would interest you to know that Chloe here was spying on you and your visitor.” she reported w
Chloe couldn't believe it. Her eyes scanned the variety of food displayed beautifully on the dining table. There was pasta with sauce and meatballs; he even added chopsticks which was her favorite cutlery for when she eats pasta, there was her favorite dessert and cheesecake alongside her favorite drink, strawberry smoothie.A soft music began playing in the background and Chloe felt like she was home. She could feel different emotions all at once; Love, gratitude and happiness. She couldn't believe Ethan went out of his way to do all these for her."Ethan, this is... Wow." she stuttered, her eyes shining with tears.Ethan smiled and led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her. "Sit down, my love," he said, his voice low and husky. Chloe sat down, her heart racing with excitement. Ethan took his place across from her and poured her a glass of strawberry smoothie. "I know how much you love this," he said, his eyes sparkling with love. Chloe took a sip, her eyes never leaving
She doesn't look happy, Easton. She keeps screaming and saying she wants out of here,” He replied, and I sighed, running my hands through my hair. “Can you tell me how you got the famous Nicole Brennan to become your wife?” He asked.“Let's just say we met coincidentally. She was drunk, I was in search of a bride, she proposed to me, I accepted and… here we are.” I narrated to him, and he chuckled, causing me to smile.Apart from Maven, Steve was the only person I could really open up to. He took care of me right from when I was a teenager. He has been my butler from when I was a kid, and whenever I went through a lot and asked him to find his way out of my life, so he wouldn't get hurt, he would always choose to stick with me. We've been through a lot together, and he knew my pains and how to help me manage them. He was like a father figure to me because he did things which my father refused to do for me.I'm lucky to have him.“But why did you accept her proposal? I know you to be a
The drive to his house was taking too long, and it was becoming boring staying inside the car and doing nothing. I turned to look at Easton, but he had a straight expression as he looked ahead.I sighed and tucked a strand of hair behind my ears. This wasn't how I pictured my life to be at all. I was supposed to be on my own, planning my revenge against those dimwits, but here I am, going to live in someone else's house as his wife. No one needs to tell me what can happen if this goes into the news.They'd probably say I seduced him and wanted to use his money to make a comeback.“Aren't we there yet?” I asked him.All I wanted right now was a place to rest my head and get rid of all these thoughts twirling in my head.Easton turned to look at me, his gaze softening. “What? Are you that excited to see where I live, wifey?” He asked and I became annoyed.“Stop calling me your wife, Mr. Easton.” I replied formally, but he shrugged and looked away from me.“You're my wife now, Nicole. Le
~CASSIUS POV~I knew she was going to come to her senses eventually, but I had no idea the tables would turn like this, and she would end up shocking the fucking hell out of me.I stared at her and couldn’t help wondering what changed and why she would announce that I was the one she wanted to get married to out of the blue.I could literally feel the rage emanating from Roman, and it filled me with a certain kind of joy. He had always been irresponsible, prompting the family business to come into my hands after my brother’s tragic death. I practically restructured and reorganized everything, and the company became even better than before. This made Roman hate me, and he was ready to do anything to bring me down.I have no interest in staying there for long since I had my own company, and it is one of the best in the country. I do better on my own, but I won’t watch what my brother built fall to the ground in the hands of his irresponsible son.When I see that he has man up, I will le
~SOPHIA’S POV~I gasped, my lungs burning as if they were desperate to burst free from my chest. Breath filled them like a tidal wave, threatening to drown me from the inside out. My chest heaved, straining against the weight of an invisible force pressing down on me. Panic set in, my heart racing like a runaway train.Suddenly, my eyes snapped open.A blur of colors and shapes swirled above me, slowly taking form. The first thing I noticed was his face – chiseled features, sharp jawline, and piercing gray eyes that seemed to bore into my very soul. Worry etched deep lines into his forehead, and his brows were furrowed in concern.Cassius? Was Cassius dead too? What’s going on?My mind cleared slightly, and I felt a mix of confusion and shock. I tore my gaze from him and looked around. The scent of medicine and antiseptic slid into my nostrils, bringing me to the realization that I was in a hospital. But how? What was I doing in a hospital when I should be dead? I’m sure I’m dead. Ro
My lips curved upwards immediately those words left her. I knew she was not going to refuse the offer, but I was still relieved that she met my expectations.In her eyes, I could see nothing but pain, sorrow, resentment, anger, and a thirst for revenge. The worst thing a man can ever do to a woman is to break her trust and her heart when all she had ever done was love him with all her heart and soul. Once that trust is broken, a woman can go to any length to make that man suffer for every single pain she experienced.Do not underestimate the power of an angry woman, thirsty for revenge.“I’m glad you accepted my proposal, Ms. Zander. Have a seat so we can go over the terms of the contract I have prepared for us.” I gestured to the chair in front of my desk and she sat down.“You knew I was going to come back to you, right? That was why you prepared the contract even before I said yes.” She looked at me, waiting for my answer, while I just smiled at her.Chloe Zander, she was always th