… At LuxVille Residential Area, The Next Day. The Villa glowed with lights, balloons, ribbons, and red flowers hanging on every decoration. Soft melodious music was playing in the open space, and waiters and waitresses walked among the guests, holding raised trays containing wines. On a huge table was a mountain of pastries, and standing by it was the ‘birthday boy’. Dressed in a striking pink tuxedo, he stood out among the crowd like a daisy among a sea of black roses. As Zach munched on the cupcake in his hand, he couldn't help but frown. More cars streamed into the Villa and many more guests arrived. Bringing out his phone, he dialed Heidi's number. With a mischievous smile on his face, he said, “Didn't you receive my present, Princess? The party's starting but the guest of honor hasn't arrived. When are you gonna come?” Strangely, Heidi was silent from the other end. “Urgh, come on, Heidi.” Zach took it as a sign that she wasn't gonna come, and he groaned. “Don't y
All heads turned, and there were gasps from the paparazzi as well as some other guests who had just arrived. A lady alighted from a Limo, guided by a chauffeur. Her dark wavy hair rested on one shoulder, the diamond earring reflecting the light. The light makeup, complimenting her cherry-kissed lips, drew eyes to her perfectly proportioned features. The red sparkly dress was a few inches above her knees, highlighting her curves and her fair supple skin. With her chin lifted, her eyes accessed the crowd lazily, and a chilling gaze shot towards the couple. Lucas's throat went dry and his hold loosened on Tracy. On the man's face was a shocked look which he didn't hide. “Ouch! My eyes!” Zach came running over, almost tripping. He stopped in front of Heidi, drawing her into his arms. “Now I know my taste is too great, almost scary. You just blew me off my feet, Goddess.” Luca's eyes dimmed, a chilling air traveling all the way from the Atlantics and engulfing the whole Villa.
At the hospital, Lucas showed his deep displeasure when Grandpa Winston gave her the necklace. Wasn't it normal that he'd send men to snatch it from her? “Neither am I a kid nor someone you can scare easily. I'm not a toy you can toss around as you please. If you wanted the necklace that much, why didn't you go to Grandpa Winston instead of sending men to harass me?” Staring at her extended hands, back to her eyes flashing with fury, Lucas was amazed by the woman standing in front of him. Underneath that fury was a deep seed of hurt and hatred. His heart stirred strangely, then he retained his dark expression. “Listen to yourself, Heidi. Accusing me of stealing something from you, does that even make sense?” “I know, you are the President of GK Group,” Heidi said mockingly. “You can't differentiate snatching from stealing. That jewelry is mine, won't you give it back?” “Don't you dare accuse me of immorality.” “Is sending men after a defenseless woman considered a moral ac
No one knew what happened next. The water splashed and Tracy screamed. “Ah! Help, Lucas.” Even Heidi was dumbfounded, until she felt a shove. At that moment, another splash echoed. Literally, Lucas almost stopped breathing when Heidi pushed Tracy inside the swimming pool. While diving in to save her, he'd pushed Heidi out of the way, not noticing that she had also fallen inside. “Damnit!” Zach's pupils popped out. He also dived in to retrieve Heidi, tearing off his jacket. In no time, Lucas emerged from the pool, holding the fragile Tracy in his arms. “Tracy!” He patted her cheeks, his heart thumping with fear. Tracy kept her eyes shut tightly, not responding to his calls. Her unconscious state heightened his fears and he darted for his car, fiddling with his phone to make a phone call. “Heidi, stop playing pranks on me. Wake up!” When Zach pulled Heidi out, she wasn't only unresponsive to his calls, her skin was deadly pale. “Damn that scumbag! Lucas Harrison, you
… At The Olsens Mansion. Grandpa Jeffrey waited until the doctor left before he picked up his cane and grabbed Zach, who was near him. “Ah! Grandpa, Ouch!” Zach wailed. “Grandpa, wait- Ah! What did I do wrong?” “You don't know what you did wrong?” Grandpa Jeffrey beat him harder. “Why did you endanger Heidi's life?” “Dad, is it Zach's fault?” Beatrice spoke up, stepping between the old man and her son. “Isn't Heidi an adult? Zach didn't force her to attend the party.” “You!” Grandpa Jeffrey looked displeased. “Mum, stop worsening matters,” Zach whispered to her. “Yeah, I feel guilty for inviting Heidi, but it's her scumbag ex-husband's fault.” “Shut up! You know Heidi's condition, why would you let her fall inside the pool?” “Grandpa!” Heidi, who was unconscious on the bed, opened her eyes from the commotion. She gasped for breath and shuffled up, her wide eyes darting across the room. Grandpa Jeffrey pushed Zach aside and sat beside her. “How do you feel now, Heidi
… At GK Group. Lucas was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, his rigid features cascaded with an icy frost, remnants of the rage from last night lingering. “M-Mr. Harrison.” Amanda walked inside. “The paparazzi are outside the company. The Shareholders demand an emergency meeting… regarding your proclaiming the AG Group as an enemy.” It had become the topic of discussion in every news channel in Phoenix City. Last night, at Zach Olsen's birthday party, not only were the paparazzi present, but they also captured everything. Lucas turned around, his murderous look scaring the shit out of the secretary. “I- I'll take my leave, I'll inform them that you're not available-” “Wait.” Amanda was about to flee and Lucas stopped her. “The day before yesterday, at NightBay Street, 10:00 p.m. Investigate what happened.” “O-Okay.” Amanda nodded rapidly and left, even though there were so many questions in her eyes. Lucas left the office. He arrived at the conference room
… At StriveStyle Co. Isla walked into Heidi's office with some reports in her hands, her face cascaded with a gloom which she tried to conceal under a stiff smile. “What's wrong?” Heidi looked up. “It is regarding the hiring of new models, Ms. Olsen. No agency wants to work with us.” “Really?” Heidi's brows furrowed slightly. Isla nodded, placing the reports in front of her. “Ms. Olsen, StriveStyle Co. Is in a hot spot due to the scandal going around between the GK Group and AG Group.” “Clearly, those agencies are afraid to offend a powerful company like GK Group. Seeing that AG Group is less intimidating, they're taking sides already.” 'Damn you! Lucas Harrison,’ Heidi pinched her nose bridge, cursing inside her mind. “Well, if they don't want to hire models for us, it's fine. We can reach out to those models ourselves, right?” “Ms. Olsen, about that.” Isla sighed. “A small subsidiary like us isn't capable of doing that. We'll have to set up an Agency, then hire staff
“You can't fire us! StriveStyle Co. can't do without us.” “The number of employees is rapidly declining. At this moment, you won't dare fire any employee.” “Even though you're the CEO, didn't you claim that you want to revive this brand?” “Believe me, StriveStyle Co. doesn't need employees like you.” Heidi walked inside the elevator, leaving the three ladies dumbfounded. “Young Miss, you must have had a long day, didn't you?” John said from the driver's seat, noticing the exhaustion in her eyes. “Not really. I'm striving well.” “Just tell me if you're tired, Young Miss-” “So you can report it to Grandpa, right?” “Haha-Hehe.” John scratched his head. “Do you believe I'm a spy, come on. The Old Master is only looking out for you. Let me tell you, Young Miss…” As John chattered on, while driving her home, Heidi's phone constantly beeped in her bag. She brought it out and saw Grandpa Winston's name flashing on the screen. “Heidi, you silly girl. When are you planning to vis