Mira's mind was racing. The thought of losing everything she'd ever dreamed of, becoming a laughingstock, and facing public ridicule was driving her to the brink of madness. "What did I do wrong?" she asked herself, frustration etched on her face.She couldn't bear to go online, where posts mocked her and her followers ridiculed her. Even her friends had turned against her. The engagement to Andrew, once the epitome of her success, was now crumbling. The embarrassing online tantrums, the tagged pictures – all for nothing.A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she thought about the cruel irony. Her sister, Astrid, was marrying Andrew next week, while Mira's own engagement was being called off this week.Desperate for answers, Mira dialed George's number. But he ended the call abruptly. She tried again, only to be met with the same dismissive response."What's going on?" Mira wondered, annoyance growing within her. George had always prioritized her calls and texts, responding promptly. Thi
"You are only permitted to assist your husband at work," Mrs Thompson said, her voice firm but controlled. "I didn't work; I only assisted my husband with work. When he died, I took over the family business and trained Andrew."Astrid's eyes narrowed. "Well, I'm not married yet, so I'm free to work."Mrs Thompson's expression turned stern, her eyes flashing with disapproval. "You're not going to any place called work. You're getting married next week, yet you don't know the basics."A pause hung in the air, heavy with tension."Do you plan to disgrace us on that day?" Mrs Thompson continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "That day is a big day for the Thompsons and the Waltons."Ashley felt a surge of defiance. "I know how to behave," she said, her voice steady.Mrs Thompson's gaze lingered on Astrid, as if searching for weakness. "I've assigned someone to teach you how to behave."The air seemed to thicken, the silence oppressive."I know how to walk properly in heels or my weddin
Andrew swiftly signed the contract, reassuring Astrid with a gentle smile. Together, they proceeded with the wedding, their tension easing.As Mrs. Thompson exited, her wary glance swept the room, anticipating Mira's potential disruption. To prevent chaos, she had doubled the wedding security, ensuring extra precautions.Astrid marveled at her transformation, twirling elegantly in her stunning wedding gown. She took a moment to capture memories, posing for photos before joining her father at the ceremony.As they entered, Andrew's gaze locked onto Astrid, captivated by her dazzling smile. Every aspect of her entranced him – her poise, beauty and innocence.At the altar, their eyes met, and Astrid's cheeks flushed softly, still grasping the surreal reality of marrying Andrew.The vow exchange commenced, with the adorable ring bearer presenting the rings. Andrew revealed black wedding bands, his eyes sparkling with surprise. Astrid's eyes widened, intrigued.Just then, George and his mo
Andrew and Astrid's morning began in strained silence at the dining table. The absence of even a perfunctory greeting hung heavy in the air. Andrew's envisioned married life, once filled with promise, now seemed irreparably fractured.After breakfast, Andrew made his way to Sir Galton's club, his emotions simmering. The elder's unwelcome presence at his wedding still rankled. "What brings you here?" Sir Galton inquired, his tone tinged with amusement."You attended my wedding uninvited," Andrew replied, his voice laced with irritation. "You weren't even on the guest list."Sir Gallton chuckled, seemingly unperturbed. "As your surrogate father, I hardly require an invitation. Your father's passing left a void, and I've taken it upon myself to guide you."Andrew's anger flared, his words dripping with venom. "You're not my father. His loyalty to your organization cost him his life. That's sufficient reason to despise you."Sir Galton's smile faltered, his expression turning somber. "Let
Andrew's eyes searched Astrid's face, confusion etched on his own. Why had she pulled away? He rubbed his forehead, feeling the weight of his heart. Astrid's tears flowed freely, her body shaking uncontrollably. Andrew's arms enveloped her, offering comfort. "It's okay," he whispered softly, his voice trembling with empathy.Astrid's voice trembled, "I'm sorry I failed you." The hospital room doors creaked open, and the head of marketing hesitated before entering. "Sir, I...I'm sorry to interrupt." Andrew nodded, and the man continued, "An anonymous user uploaded a video of Miss Astrid online. It's...going viral." Astrid's gaze lifted, horror flickering across her face.The video played, showing her being forced to take abortion pills. The comments section scrolled by, a blur of vicious accusations and photoshopped images. Astrid's fingers clenched Andrew's shirt, her nails digging deep. "We've seen enough," he said softly, dismissing the marketing head. Astrid's whisper was barely au
Andrew's eyes blazed with fury as he towered over Sir Galton's desk. "Don't play dumb!" he spat. "I know you're behind this. The video, the threats... Astrid's safety is at stake."Sir Galton's expression transformed from surprise to calculating calm. "Andrew, you're jumping to conclusions," he said smoothly.Andrew's voice dropped to a menacing growl. "I'll uncover the truth. You're going down, Sir Galton."Sir Galton snorted, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You're so predictable, Andrew. You'll do anything to protect your precious Astrid."Andrew's fists clenched. "What do you know about her?"Sir Galton leaned back, steepling his fingers. "More than you think. She's... complicated. And you're just a pawn in her game."Andrew's grip on Sir Galton's neck relaxed slightly, allowing him to gasp for air. Sir Galton's face remained crimson, his eyes bulging."You're... playing... with fire, Andrew," Sir Galton choked out, his voice laced with malice. "I'm not afraid because if
Astrid looked up at Andrew with a determined gaze."Let's make a baby," she said, not minding the fact that the lawyer, Mister Clark, could hear them.Andrew was taken aback. He wasn't expecting Astrid to say this.He paused, collecting his thoughts."What?" he asked, shock evident in his voice.Astrid's eyes locked onto Andrew's. "I don't want to lose you," she said, her voice filled with emotion.Andrew's expression softened. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind Astrid's ear.He looked into her eyes, searching for answers."You're not going to lose me," he reassured her.Astrid's eyes searched Andrew's face, seeking comfort and reassurance.Andrew added, "And our bodies aren't strong enough. You haven't recovered yet."Astrid cradled Andrew's cheek, her touch gentle.Andrew smiled and wrapped his arms around her."You won't lose me. I'm still here. Now, let's go back to bed."Astrid knew that those words didn't mean forever, and she didn't plan on giving up.The
Andrew searched the entire house, but there was no sign of Astrid. He pulled out his phone and dialed John's number. As he waited for John to answer, his mind began to wander to all the possible places Astrid could be."Hey, have you seen Astrid?" Andrew asked John when he picked up."She's by the pool," John replied.Andrew's heart skipped a beat. Why was Astrid by the pool? Does she want to commit suicide by drowning herself?He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. He quickly made his way to the pool, his senses on high alert.As he approached the pool, he saw Astrid standing by the water's edge. She was wearing a swimsuit, and her hair was tied up in a ponytail. She looked relaxed, but Andrew's mind was still racing with worst-case scenarios.Astrid turned around as Andrew approached. "Hey," she said with a smile. "What brings you here?"Andrew's eyes scanned her face, searching for any signs of distress. But all he saw was a calm and serene expression. "I was just
Astrid's phone beeped with a message, breaking the silence. She picked it up, her eyes scanning the screen. The message was from George, and it read: "How is married life going?" with a smiling emoji.Astrid's anger flared up, her grip on the phone tightening. She felt a surge of emotions, unsure of what to do. But as she looked around, she realized that she was still outside the nightclub. The bouncers were still standing there, watching her.She decided to return home, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Even if she could sneak into the club, she risked getting lost or bullied by the thugs inside.As she drove back home, tears streamed down her face. She felt lost and alone, unsure of what to do.When she arrived home, she noticed that Mrs Thompson was there with Mira. Astrid wondered why she was there, but she didn't have the energy to ask.She wiped her tears and took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. She put on a smile and walked into the house, but Mrs Tho
Andrew's voice was calm and firm as he instructed John to take Astrid to the car. "Take her to the car," he said, unlinking their elbows. Astrid's eyes widened in confusion as John escorted her to the vehicle. She tried to process what was happening, but everything seemed to be unfolding too quickly. As John locked her inside the car, Astrid peered out the window, trying to make sense of the scene before her. Brian's voice was raised, his words dripping with malice. "So, you're the Andrew Thompson," Brian sneered. "You don't even look competent." Andrew's expression remained calm, his eyes never leaving Brian's face. He stood tall, his shoulders relaxed, as he waited for Brian to make his next move. The air was thick with tension as the two men faced off. Astrid's heart pounded in her chest as she watched, her mind racing with questions. What was going on? Why was Brian so angry? And what did Andrew have to do with it? As she watched, Brian's smile grew twisted. "What do you wa
Andrew's lips brushed against Astrid's, his words still lingering in the air. "I don't mind, I just want to taste those lips of yours." Astrid didn't resist, weary of their fights and craving peace instead. It touched her heart that Andrew had gone to such great lengths to make her happy – abandoning work, cooking an adorable breakfast, and making her feel special."Let's go eat," Andrew said with a smile as he broke the kiss,helping Astrid down from the kitchen counter. She smiled as he led her to the dining room.Just as they began eating, Kimberly burst in, "Mr. Thompson! Mr. Thompson!" She froze, her eyes wide with shock, as she took in the scene: Mr. Thompson having breakfast with Astrid, both of them beaming.To Kimberly, time seemed to stand still. It was unthinkable – Mr. Thompson, having breakfast with Astrid? Impossible. He must be using her; it was the only explanation.The silence was broken by Mr. Thompson's question, "Is something wrong at the company?"Kimberly forced a
Andrew's eyes were fixed on Astrid as she walked towards him, her red dress shimmering in the dim light. He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion as he took in her beautiful appearance.The tears that had been welling up in his eyes began to fall as Astrid approached him. He felt a lump form in his throat as he struggled to contain his emotions.Astrid's smile faltered for a moment as she saw the tears in Andrew's eyes. She quickly recovered, her expression softening with concern.As she reached Andrew's side, Astrid handed him a glass of wine. Andrew took it automatically, his eyes never leaving hers.Astrid's gaze was gentle as she looked at Andrew. "You must be stressed today," she said, her voice soft. "It's okay."She reached out and gently swiped the tears from Andrew's eyes. Her touch sent a shiver down his spine.Andrew felt a sense of gratitude and affection wash over him. He was touched by the effort Astrid had put into creating this romantic atmosphere.He looked at the
Kimberly's eyes locked onto Mira's, her mind racing with thoughts of Astrid and Andrew. She felt a surge of anger and determination, but she didn't know what to do.Mira seemed to sense Kimberly's uncertainty. She leaned forward, her eyes glinting with intensity. "Let me ask you this," she said, her voice low and persuasive. "Does Andrew retire from work this early?"Kimberly hesitated, unsure of where Mira was going. "No," she said finally. "He usually works late."Mira nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Exactly," she said. "And why is that?"Kimberly shrugged, feeling a sense of unease. "I don't know," she said. "Maybe he's just dedicated to his job."Mira's smile grew wider. "Or maybe it's because Astrid is working late too," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Maybe she's the reason he's staying late."Kimberly's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with the implications. She knew that Astrid was trying to seduce Andrew, but she hadn't realized that she was using their w
"Kimberly," Mira whispered to herself, a sly smile spreading across her face.She thought back to all the times Kimberly had clashed with Astrid, all the times Kimberly had made her disdain for Astrid clear. Mira's smile grew wider as she realized that Kimberly might be the perfect person to help her take down Astrid.Mira's mind began to spin with possibilities, thinking about all the ways Kimberly could help her. She imagined the two of them working together, coming up with a plan to destroy Astrid once and for all.As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, Mira felt a sense of excitement building inside of her. She knew that she had found the perfect ally in Kimberly, and she couldn't wait to put their plan into action.Mira's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she thought about reaching out to Kimberly. She imagined the conversation they would have, the way Kimberly's eyes would light up with excitement as Mira shared her plan.With newfound determination, Mira stood up and walked o
Andrew searched the entire house, but there was no sign of Astrid. He pulled out his phone and dialed John's number. As he waited for John to answer, his mind began to wander to all the possible places Astrid could be."Hey, have you seen Astrid?" Andrew asked John when he picked up."She's by the pool," John replied.Andrew's heart skipped a beat. Why was Astrid by the pool? Does she want to commit suicide by drowning herself?He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. He quickly made his way to the pool, his senses on high alert.As he approached the pool, he saw Astrid standing by the water's edge. She was wearing a swimsuit, and her hair was tied up in a ponytail. She looked relaxed, but Andrew's mind was still racing with worst-case scenarios.Astrid turned around as Andrew approached. "Hey," she said with a smile. "What brings you here?"Andrew's eyes scanned her face, searching for any signs of distress. But all he saw was a calm and serene expression. "I was just
Astrid looked up at Andrew with a determined gaze."Let's make a baby," she said, not minding the fact that the lawyer, Mister Clark, could hear them.Andrew was taken aback. He wasn't expecting Astrid to say this.He paused, collecting his thoughts."What?" he asked, shock evident in his voice.Astrid's eyes locked onto Andrew's. "I don't want to lose you," she said, her voice filled with emotion.Andrew's expression softened. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind Astrid's ear.He looked into her eyes, searching for answers."You're not going to lose me," he reassured her.Astrid's eyes searched Andrew's face, seeking comfort and reassurance.Andrew added, "And our bodies aren't strong enough. You haven't recovered yet."Astrid cradled Andrew's cheek, her touch gentle.Andrew smiled and wrapped his arms around her."You won't lose me. I'm still here. Now, let's go back to bed."Astrid knew that those words didn't mean forever, and she didn't plan on giving up.The
Andrew's eyes blazed with fury as he towered over Sir Galton's desk. "Don't play dumb!" he spat. "I know you're behind this. The video, the threats... Astrid's safety is at stake."Sir Galton's expression transformed from surprise to calculating calm. "Andrew, you're jumping to conclusions," he said smoothly.Andrew's voice dropped to a menacing growl. "I'll uncover the truth. You're going down, Sir Galton."Sir Galton snorted, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You're so predictable, Andrew. You'll do anything to protect your precious Astrid."Andrew's fists clenched. "What do you know about her?"Sir Galton leaned back, steepling his fingers. "More than you think. She's... complicated. And you're just a pawn in her game."Andrew's grip on Sir Galton's neck relaxed slightly, allowing him to gasp for air. Sir Galton's face remained crimson, his eyes bulging."You're... playing... with fire, Andrew," Sir Galton choked out, his voice laced with malice. "I'm not afraid because if