With her heart in her throat, Heidi lifted her head slowly, meeting her mother's scrutinizing eyes, dreading filling her chest.“You are not eating your food, why?”At her mother's question, Heidi let out a breath she'd suppressed ever since the woman called out her name.Was she paranoid thinking that her mother might speak about something else?She forced a smile and replied, “I’m gonna eat now, Mum.”Yet, everyone stared at her strangely.Lost in her own world of thoughts, Heidi didn't realize that they all found her odd silence interesting.“Ha! Heidi must be feeling burdened by the new position of the AG Group's CEO already. Now she looks like a drenched rat seeking shelter!” Aiden slapped the desk, laughing.“You have bit off more than you can chew, Heidi,” Lilian added. “We were all right by saying you aren't up to this job.”“Have I not warned you all to never fight again at this table? Lilian, Aiden, will you not follow my orders until I throw you out!?” Grandpa Jeffery looke
Heidi's lips parted in shock and she sprang up, dazed and confused. “When did it happen?”“An hour ago.”Because she'd stood up abruptly, Heidi felt dizzy in her head and she shut her eyes for some seconds.Why wasn't she notified then?If the beverage company was closing down, they were supposed to have given the AG Group a head start.Under the gazes of the family members, Heidi hurried upstairs and picked up her phone.Before she dialed Isla's number, the phone's screen lit up with Isla's name.“Ms. Olsen, I've been dialing your number for over an hour now. What’s wrong? Why didn't you answer your phone?”“What's going on, Isla?”Since Heidi put the phone on silent last night, she hadn't turned it on.Isla told her the same news the Butler broke to them. It turned out Isla wasn't aware and then forgot to tell her.“What are we gonna do now, Ms. Olsen? These people pulling out their investments is worsening matters.”“Don't worry, I'll think of a way,” Heidi assured her.But after h
“Uncle, you are being too selfish. Your actions can completely destroy the AG Group. Once that happens, I wonder which company you will run alone.”“Well, if you don't want the Group to go down, return the position to Natalie and leave.”“Ha!” Heidi chuckled. “The day I leave this position is when I get a higher one. Uncle, stop toiling with the AG Group's fate.”“Heidi, I'll give you one more chance to leave the Group.”“I hope this is the last time you play a traitor's role in this company, Uncle.”Heidi hung up, intentionally irking the man. She stared at Isla. “Arrange a meeting with the Manager of that company. Let's meet and talk.”Isla looked disappointed. “Ms. Olsen, I've tried reaching out to him but his phone was switched off.”Heidi frowned.Did Harold Olsen have so much money to bribe the beverage company's manager?What did he promise him?“Ms. Olsen…” Isla called out to her but Heidi was deeply engrossed in her thoughts.“Ms. Olsen,” Isla called out again.Heidi lifted h
…At The AG Group.Tension hung inside the general conference room, each board of directors clearly not in a pleased mood.Across the long table, all the Shareholders and other high-ups of the Group sat on the chairs, with Heidi occupying the CEO's seat beside Zach, the president.No one's expression looked good. Harold Olsen's allies glared in Heidi's direction while the rest simply appeared crestfallen, including Grandpa Jeffery who had to attend the emergency meeting.“Why is everyone quiet? Are we not supposed to be discussing the issues related to the Group and the ways to solve them?” Grandpa Jeffery's voice broke the deafening silence.The board of directors exchanged glances.“What are we supposed to say? It is clear that this Group has poor management.”“Every investor has pulled out, and every ally has canceled their collaboration-”“So it is obvious that we're all on a sinking ship. AG Group is falling and we cannot do anything about it.”“What does the CEO have to say?” Th
After The Meeting Was Over…Isla walked behind Heidi down the hallway of the top floor. “Ms. Olsen, you really dealt with your uncle well. He never saw it coming that you would expose his monkey businesses while managing the Group.”Heidi only smiled in response.They entered her office and she sat down on the couch, looking tired.“You're perspiring, Ms. Olsen.” Isla brought out her hankie, carefully wiping Heidi's sweat. “Do you want to rest before going home?”It was almost closing time. Some of the employees were preparing to leave, in fact.“Mm,” she hummed, rubbing her flat abdomen. “I'm starving and should stop by a restaurant.”Heidi wouldn't dare to eat at home, since her mother had become a detective, always scrutinizing every one of her actions.She felt like eating dozens of meals, which must be due to her pregnancy.Isla's phone rang. Sitting across from Heidi, her eyes widened with disbelief and she glanced back and forth between her phone and Heidi.“What's wrong?”“I'v
Heidi was left alone, standing with Steve on the empty street. “I'm not heading home directly.” “Wherever you plan to go, I'll take you.” His inviting smile awoken the guilt in her heart, chasing away every spirit of objection she had in her. Heidi found herself entering his car and giving him the address of Hope Hospital. “Do you feel unwell? What's bothering you?” His eyes reflected worry as the car came to a stop in front of the hospital. Heidi bit the insides of her cheeks, avoiding his gaze. “Yeah, a bit unwell.” Somehow, she didn't like the idea of breaking the news to Steve without knowing why. As if sensing her hesitation, Steve didn't question further. Heidi told him to wait for her, but he insisted on following her inside the hospital. They met Dr. Shawn in the hallway as he'd just come out of one of the wards. Seeing Heidi, Dr. Shawn looked so relieved. “I almost lost hope that you weren't going to come back.” “Did anything happen?” Dr. Shawn looked at Steve, h
Preeclampsia?Heidi couldn't recall where she'd heard that name from. Wasn't it one of those terrible pregnancy complications that risk the life of both mother and baby?“D-Doc.” She tried to speak in vain. Her lips trembled and her speech was incoherent to even her.Dr. Shawn studied her expression, giving her a serious look. “It’s a dangerous condition that can lead to a lot of things such as premature birth.”He just spoke out the words Heidi was thinking in her mind, and her anxiety increased.Seeing her pale expression, Dr. Shawn finally gave her a smile. “I didn't mean to scare you, but it is my duty to warn you of the situation you might land in if you don't look after your health.” He paused. “That is why you must stop overworking yourself, and always think happy thoughts.”How could Heidi think happy thoughts when there was a potential doom looming ahead?She couldn't think happy thoughts with the knowledge that she was at a high risk of developing that condition.Dr. Shawn
No doubt, the man had recognized her because the glass windows of Steve's car weren't tinted.Heidi didn't know why Steve didn't continue driving. Maybe he was as shocked as her.Slowly, Lucas approached, his eyes gleaming with a coldness that was directed towards Steve.He stopped on Heidi's side and knocked on the window, giving her a look as if he'd caught her cheating red-handed.“Come out!” Lucas said in a hard tone, his voice intimidating.“Heidi, I said come out here.”But Steve was already out of the car before Heidi.“How may we help you, Mr. Harrison?”“Didn't I warn you to stay away from her?” Lucas directed his glare at Steve.“Do I have to follow your orders?” Steve laughed, looking amused. “Mr. Harrison, stop disturbing Heidi. She's no longer your possession.”“Is she your possession then?”“Very soon, she will.”Steve was smiling and Lucas looked as if he would flip the car over.Heidi sighed in frustration, rubbing her suddenly aching forehead. “Lucas Harrison, can you