Nora looked from Clara to Tyler and asked, "What do you mean by that?""Exactly what the words say," Tyler said."So I suggest you think carefully about what you do; who knows, it just might come to me after all," Tyler muttered.Nora looked from Clara to Tyler again, unable to deduce what those words meant."Are you threatening me?" Nora asked, her voice wavering slightly as she tried to control her composure in front of the two of them."Threatning? Naah, I don't have to do that," Clara replied, adding, "We are only speaking to what possibilities are on the table."Tyler simply smirked in response, leaving Nora feeling a sense of unease lingering in the air."Have a lovely night, 'The Mrs. Crawford'" Clara said mockingly and stood up to leave the room.Nora turned to Tyler and asked, "What the hell are you talking about?""Where did your bravado of just a few minutes go?" Tyelr asked with a laugh, adding, "Seeing how scared you're looking, you probably have something to hide."Nora
Mick gently touched her arm, snapping her back to the room.“Emily, look, I know you’re upset, but maybe you’re misinterpreting things here.”She shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper.“I’m being serious, Mick; he looked like he would have beaten me up himself,” Emily shouted."Noah can be a lot of things, but he is not that," Mick replied, brushing a hand through his hair."Clearly you don't know him," Emily replied with a smile."Okay, hmm, Elliot is kind of busy right now, but you can wait for him if you like," Mick stated, changing the subject."I'll wait for as long as I have to; clearly, it does not seem like the party is ending anytime soon," Emily replied."No, I'll come back for you in a minute," Mick replied."Okay," Emily muttered, fishing for a phone in her bag.Mick checked the first room, and it was empty. He walked over to the second one and found it empty too.“Where could he be?” Mick wondered as he walked down the hall.He knocked on the door once before ope
“What?” Ava asked, her voice muffled with Bella’s hand over her lips.“Stop,” Bella said, a broad grin on her face as she added, “Your boyfriend is coming.”Ava laughed at her words, shaking her head as she looked back to see Noah walking towards them with a coverable disposable plate in hand.“Looks like you would like to go home with your grill,” Bella teased.Noah winked at her and replied, “You never can tell how handy it’ll come in for me.”As Noah looked away, his eyes went up to the window where Emily was standing, and the smile on his face faded.“That looks good, by the way,” Ava muttered, referring to the grilled meat.Noah’s face transformed as he looked back at Ava and replied, “I told you I’ve got excellent skills with it.”“I can see that; I didn’t think I would still be here to see it,” Ava muttered.“Well, everything seemed to work in my favor, so I can’t complain,” Noah replied.Bella stood grinning at them, at the soft banter they had going on.“Are we ready, ladies?"
"Well, it's not like he said anything; he just..." Nora replied trailing off."If he didn't say anything, how then did he threaten you?" Nathan asked, confused, as he turned to look at her."We were just talking about Thomas, and he mentioned something that..." Nora explained."Why were you talking about Thomas?" Nathan asked, his brow arched in question."I was, hmmm, telling him to..." Nora tried to explain, unsure how she was to tell him.Nathan sat silently staring at her, waiting for her to explain herself."You know what? Let's forget about it; Tyler was probably just being his typical self," Nora stated."Are you sure?" Nathan asked."Yes, I am; moreover, it's not like he and Clara would do anything if Timothy eventually allows Thomas name to be input as your successor," Nora mentioned in joy.Nathan smiled and lay beside her, drawing her into his arms and sighing deeply."Are you good?" Nora asked.Nathan closed his eyes, breathing in her very essence, but instead of seeing No
"What more is there to know?" Nathan asked Mike"I checked, and it seems there was a major accident around her parents house that night, but I'm not sure if she was involved." Mike explained.."So you're saying because there is no record of her, it means she probably was in the accident?" Nathan askedMike nodded his head and replied, "Well, probably.""What are the chances of that happening, Mike? It sounds like a script out of a movie," Nathan replied."I just feel like we should…" Mike started to say."While you keep looking into that, there is something important I want you to do for me," Nathan stated, cutting Mike off."Okay, what is that?" Mike asked."I need you to look through the file of Tyler's contract with the group on being the sole proprietorship for food-related ventures," Nathan stated."Okay, I'm not sure if getting that file would be easy; it's probably with the legal team and your father alone," Mike replied."You're just going to have to find a way; whatever I do
“Mummy!” Jenna shouted, running into Ava's room and jumping onto the bed in excitement.“Oh, God,” Ava groaned, feeling the solid weight of Jenna bounce on top of her.“Why are you up so early?” Ava asked, rolling onto her back to glance at the ceiling with a sigh.“It’s way past breakfast, Mom,” Jenna replied, propping her chin on her hands and staring at Ava.“Really?” Ava mumbled, turning her head to the clock on her nightstand, adding, “Oh, no—school! You're going to be late!”“No, Mom, there’s no school, remember?” Jenna replied, with a grin.Ava blinked, her mind scrambling until it hit her—summer classes were over.“Oh, right,” Ava muttered, brushing back her hair, as she let out a deep sigh.“Mom, I fell asleep before you came home last night,” Jenna murmured, a slight pout forming on her lips.“Oh, sweetheart, I got back really late; I’m so sorry.” Ava brushed a tender hand across Jenna’s cheek, adding, “Where’s Jordan?”“He’s downstairs with Aunt Bella,” Jenna replied.“What
Nora took a deep breath, her expression tight as she turned to Nathan."What?" Natha asked."I need you to tell your grandfather that we would not be able to hold the competition on Saturday due to a minor fire outbreak.""No, I'm not doing that; you should be the one to tell him yourself," Nathan replied, his eyes narrowed, with a shake of his head."You know my relationship with him is shaky, and just when he starts talking to me, you expect me to go to him with excuses?" Nora asked, crossing her arm defensively on her chest."I know how that sounds, but you should take responsibility; I mean, it's not something you should postpone the competition over," Nathan insisted, sighing deeply in frustration.Nora's eyes flashed with determination as she stood her ground, her voice dropping a notch."Yes, I will, Nathan. I'm not having people see anything but the best on that day. For all we know, your grandfather might just have Thomas acknowledged and admitted into the family book as your
"Uhmm, why would you think I don't want you to see a client?" Tyler asked, trying to cover his nervousness with a shrug."You sent the memo to him, right?" Peter asked."I sure did; it's possible the mail didn't get to him," Tyler replied with a shrug.Nathan knew there was more to what he was saying, but he chose to let it slide and faced his father."Who is the client?" Nathan asked."Get into your car and follow us," Peter replied and got into his car.Tyler's face hardened as he turned to Tyler and said, "You can just go about your daily work; okay, you don't have to come."Nathan's lips spread into a smile as he replied, "Don't worry, I have all the time in the world."With that, Nathan turned and headed to his car again."Where are we going?" Lucas asked Mike."Follow Mr. Crawford," Mike replied, pointing out Peter's car."Do you have any idea who this client is?" Nathan asked."No, but I could find out," Mike repelled."Okay, do that," Nathan muttered.Up ahead, Peter's car mai
Mr. Clark was at a loss as he stared at her, unsure of what she was asking."Could you repeat what you said?" Ava asked."I said they are requesting a refund," Mr. Clark replied."Yes, I heard that. It's the part of the money that I did not get," Ava responded."Oh, okay, it's a million dollars," Mr. Clark said again."How were we unable to make a delivery worth that amount?" Ava asked, looking around the room.The room fell silent as everyone stared at Ava. The department involved didn't know how to respond as it was their first time dealing with the new CEO."Is there no one who was in charge of it?" Ava asked."There is, um, that would be the head of the team," Mr. Clark replied."And who is that?" Ava asked."That is me, ma'am," someone said with their hand raised.Ava looked over and saw an elderly lady. She looked to be in her mid-forties."Okay, could you give me a rundown of what exactly happened?" Ava asked."Yes, I could," she replied."Hmm, please tell me your name," Ava re
The sun was up and the skies were clear, creating a beautiful backdrop for the day ahead. The gentle breeze rustled through the trees, bringing a sense of calm to the morning.Ava rolled to her back, staring at the ceiling as she thought about all that had happened yesterday."It's a new day to start fresh," Ava grumbled as she reached for her phone on the nightstand.Just then, it started to ring, signaling an incoming call. When she checked the caller ID, it was from Lilly."Tell me you found out who it was," Ava stated."Not yet, but it seems we would have to reveal a statement ourselves if we do not want people to think otherwise," Lily stated.Ava closed her eyes for a minute, her thoughts racing at what her next steps should be."Is there no way we can just deny it later by our work?" Ava asked."From what I saw, this is pretty high level, and if that brand chooses to come out into the limelight, then there is no amount of convincing that would correct that," Lily stated.Ava op
By the time Ava got home later that night, it was already late."Mummy," Jenna grumbled when Ava went to kiss them good night in their room."Love you, sweetheart," Ava muttered before closing the door behind her."Would you like Lucy to get anything for you?" Bella asked."No, hmmm, I'm full; I don't think I can stomach anything right now again."Alright, so how did it go?" Bella asked."you tell me, how did it go on your end? Were you able to go with Brad?" Ava asked."Yes, we were, and it was a lot of fun," Bella said with a wink."That sounds interesting, or did something else happen?" Ava asked."Yes, something did happen," Bella said with a grin."Spill, what is it?" Ava asked curiously."Now, remember what I asked you about in the garden at the back?" Bella asked."In the garden?" Ava muttered, trying to clarify."Yes, I was able to get an opportunity today. Guess who we saw at the program," Bella stated."Who did you see?" Ava asked.After a moment of thought, Bella shook her
Brad looked at the picture with him once again and then at the amused look on Amber's face.The picture was of an island with mountains surrounded by a lot of trees."Bella, it's a deal then," Brad said, looking up at her.Bella looked distracted as she looked past them at something."Bella?" Brad called, waving a hand in front of her."Hmmm, yes, of course, it's a deal," Bella said."Good, I'll get to work with other tables then," Amber said as she walked away.Bella glanced back again before returning to her table."Are you okay?" Brad asked."Yes, I am," Bella responded."Okay," Brad replied and got to work.Bella kept glancing back, her eyes fixed on him. For a minute she had thought it was Jordan, only for her to realize it was Nathan's son."Aunt Bella, see," Jordan called, showing her the start of his work."Good, don't worry. Ms. Amber will come check it, okay?" Bella said to him with a smile."Okay," Jordan said, returning to his painting.Over at Thomas's stand, he looked co
"Ava! Watch out!" Noah called out, pulling Ava just before the doors closed.Ava looked horrified as she realized she had been standing in between the door."What were you thinking?" Noah asked, his face filled with concern as he stared into her eyes."I wasn't, obviously," Ava mumbled as she stared at the door."Are you okay?" Noah asked."Yes, I am. What was I thinking?" Ava muttered, finally stepping away from Noah's hands."You should know better than to be on your phone when you should be focused on where you were going," Noah cautioned."I was lost in thought," Ava mumbled, smiling as she added, "I'm sorry, I scared you.""It's fine. Are you sure you can do dinner tonight?" Noah asked."You already made plans; I would not want to ruin…" Ava tried to say."Plans can be changed; you obviously have your mind on other things at the moment. Would you like to go for a walk?" Noah asked.Ava smiled and nodded, "Yes, thank you."They walked out of the building, the night air blowing gen
When Ava looked up from the files she was working on to check the time, her jaws dropped in surprise."How did that happen?" She asked herself, looking towards the glass wall at the city.She beeped for Kyla to come in as she stood up to stretch. She walked over to stare out at the city, looking at the chaos of traffic below."You wanted to see me," Kyla said as soon as she walked in."Yes, how did it get so late?" I've been staring at so many files that I didn't know it was this late," Ava said.Kyla smiled and replied, "Yes, time flies faster when you are busy. I tried to check in on you earlier, but you were so engrossed in the files that I had to step back.""Oh, I don't think I had lunch today," Ava muttered, staring at her wristwatch."No, you did not," Kyla replied."Going forward, no matter what I am doing, make sure I eat," Ava said.She was sure the fact that they were still getting to know each other and probably didn't want to get on her nerves was why she had not interrup
"Who?" Brad asked, looking back at her."It's Ms. Amber," Angel said, still looking in the direction she was pointing."Amber? Are you sure?" Brad asked Jenna, trying not to look bothered."Yes," Angel shouted again, looking up at him."I saw her too," Jenna added.Bella looked from the kids to Brad, and a plan formulated in her mind. This was the chance she had been waiting for."Okay, why don't you guys wait here while I go check to see if it truly is your dance teacher?" Bella said."Okay, can she come sit with us?" Jenna asked, looking from Brad to Bella."Well, of course, if that is what you all want, but that is up to her," Bella replied before leaving them.Brad struggled to focus his mind as he turned back to the kids. "Okay, why don't we wait for Aunt Bella over there?""Okay, Uncle Brad," Jordan said."Jordan, hold the ladies; we do not want them wandering around now." Brad instructed."Okay, Uncle Brad," Jordan replied, extending his hand to hold Angel and Jenna.They walke
"No, that's mine; give it back!" Jenna shouted at the top of her lungs as she ran after Jordan."Not, it's mine; Mom gave it to me," Jordan shouted back at her."Jordan, give it to her," Angel shouted, supporting Jenna."No, I will not," Jordan replied, grinning at them.They were at the back of the house, playing in the small back space."Jordan, give it back," Jenna said again, her eyes narrowing as her little chest pushed up and down."No," Jordan said, shooting out his lips at them.Angel jumped on him, pushing him backward while Jenna snatched the doll from him."See," Jenna said, shooting out her tongue at him too.Angel laughed, pointing at Jordan's face as he sat there in defeat."Hello guys, who wants to go out?" Bella asked, sticking her head through the back door.They all looked back at her and chorused, "Me!""Okay, get in here now and stop screaming the whole neighborhood down," Bella shouted."Where are we going?" Angel asked Bella when they got to the living room."You
Noah walked into the store, surprised to see Nora standing there with a look of uncertainty on her face."Hello Nora, Nice to see you are one of my client base," Noah said with a smile."Yes, I mean, you sell only the best," Nora said, a nervous smile on her face."Good day, Mr. Noah," the attendant greeted."Hi, are you showing her around? If yes, I would do that so you can get to other customers," Noah said."No, I was…" The attendant started to say."Yes, he was, and yes, you can show me around," Nora quickly cut in."Okay, then it's settled then," Noah said with a smile.The confused attendant looked from Nora to Noah and decided it was best he stayed out of it."You have such a lovely store," Nora complimented."Thank you, I can't agree less," Noah replied."I hope I'm not taking your time. You must be here for a reason, and I'm sure it is not to do the job of an attendant," Nora stated.Noah smiled and replied, "Well, yes, but I sure can take time out of my busy schedule to atte