…Lucas arrived at the GK Group. As he stepped out of the elevator, Amanda hurried up to him with a tablet.“The netizens are angry.” She showed him the comments online. “They all think the GK Group is bullying the AG Group that is already down.”Because that was what Steve Anderson wanted them to think.Lucas wasn't a bit worried about what the masses would say… but Heidi's family.He headed straight to the conference room with Amanda behind him. Sitting across the large desk were all the Shareholders.“Mr. Harrison, regarding the rumors-”“Did the AG Group offend us again and we don't know?”“We believe the Group is already suffering. I don't think it is a good thing to…”Most of them said half of what they intended to say, leaving the remaining words hanging.Knowing the Shareholders were siding with the netizens as well even though some of them looked unbothered, this matter shouldn't only be resolved in the conference room.“The GK Group will hold a live conference. Invite all t
Lucas sprang up from his chair, hearing Heidi's words. “Tell me it's a joke,” he said, hoping she'd say yes. What else would it be apart from a prank? Maybe he didn't hear her right. With an exasperated voice, Heidi replied, “I said I'm in your company and the security refuses to let me in.”The phone almost slid off Lucas's hands, and his first instinct was to dart for the door. “You aren't joking?”“No.” She sighed. Lucas cursed under his breath. His hand gripping the phone, he murmured, “Give the phone to the security.”Seconds later, the wary voice of a security man sounded through the phone. “Mr. Harrison, a strange pregnant lady is here asking to see you. She won't even let us see her face.”So she had her face covered. Relieved by that, Lucas replied, “Lead her inside. Straight to my office through the private elevator.”“Right away, Mr. Harrison.”Lucas hung up the phone and paced in the office.“What's up, Buddy.” Killian was also on his feet. “You don't look good.”“Aman
Inside the largest hall of the GK Group…Cameras flashed, noises ripped through the atmosphere, and all eyes were fixed on the stage. The paparazzi occupied most of the chairs, with the Shareholders and other higher-ups sitting on the chairs lined up across the stage.Without waiting for the Group's President's arrival, they bombarded everyone with questions.“So is it true that the GK Group holds a special grudge against the AG Group?”“Once upon a time, the AG Group was one of the most powerful companies in Phoenix City before the GK Group rose to the top.”“Rumor has it that the heiress of the AG Group has once been married to Lucas Harrison, President of the GK Group. Was it a marriage of alliance between both families? Why did it end up in divorce?”“Some months ago, a heated battle took place between Lucas Harrison and Steve Anderson, Heidi Olsen’s current husband. There have been talks that Lucas Harrison vowed to punish his ex-wife and bring her family down. Is it true?”As t
Standing across from the stage was the woman in question. Jaws dropped and gasps broke out. A deafening silence descended after. She stared straight at him, her eyes filled with conviction. Lucas's heart sank and sank until he could no longer hear his heartbeat. One hand wrapped securely around her bump, she covered the distance between them. What she did next knocked the air out of him. Tugging at his necktie, she pulled him downward and kissed him under the hundred pairs of shocked eyes. The sounds of cameras clicking engulfed the large hall.Lucas returned to his senses only after she pulled away. Feeling lost and alarmed, his lips parted,“What's this for, Heidi?”She only smiled, sadness reflecting in her eyes. “That's enough. I'll take it from here, Lucas.”She turned her attention to the crowd, her clear voice silencing the shutters of the cameras. “I hope that's enough evidence to answer all your questions.”“Heidi- Heidi Olsen!” One paparazzi exclaimed. “What are you do
As Lucas kissed her without a sign of stopping anytime soon, Heidi's toes curled underneath her shoes.Her cheeks flushed and she pulled away, her heart racing. “Lucas Harrison-”He frowned, wiping the side of her lips. “You just made matters more complicated, Heidi…” In a strained voice, he said, “Don't you realize you’ve just announced our relationship to the whole world?”His palm touched her bump protectively. “Now you're even in more danger than ever.”With a single flick of his finger, all the security men in the large hall surrounded them. Heidi didn't know there were also bodyguards until they appeared out of nowhere and paved the way for them towards the elevator, protecting them from the paparazzi who stayed behind.In Lucas's eyes was a mix of anger and helplessness as if she'd committed a tremendous sin. Making matters more complicated?It possibly wouldn't be worse than implicating his and his company's name. When they got to his office, even Amanda couldn't hide her d
Knowing that arguing would yield no good outcome, Heidi hurried to the door and held the handle. “Killian is with me. I'll be alright.”“Relax, Buddy.” Killian patted him on the shoulder. “Heidi is doing the right thing by taking responsibility. Not a day goes by without her grandfather grieving her absence.”“Are you sure you want to go?” Lucas said, the anger in his eyes fading into a look of desperation. “I'll find a way to make this work.”“The only way to make things work is if I stop acting like a coward, Lucas…” She gave him a stiff smile. “I'll be fine, don't worry about me.”Killian approached and held the door open for her. As Heidi was about to leave with him, Lucas called out. “I'll come.”He'd come with her?Heidi stopped, contemplating the odds.Letting him come with her would, however, only make things worse. And if she lingered here, her façàde of braveness might break down, giving way to the anxiety consuming her whole. “That's not a good idea.”He was frowning agai
Everyone else rose to their feet. Regina rushed forward and held Heidi's shoulders, checking her out from head to toe. “You- You're not Heidi.”“Don't you recognize me, Mum?”The woman shook her head, walking in circles. “Killian, what kind of a joke is this? Why would you bring that fake woman to our home?”“Aunt Gina, don't you recognize your own daughter?”“B-But she's pregnant.” Her mother pointed a trembling finger at her big stomach. “Heidi lost her baby some months ago. She's now married to Steve Anderson.”“Ha! What in the world is happening here!?” Lilian shouted. “Mum! Dad! I'm dreaming, right!?”Harold Olsen and his wife looked confused as well.Caleb held Regina, stopping her from pacing any further. “I don't think it's that hard to recognize her. So, Heidi, you decided to abandon the family for Lucas Harrison again.”“That's not what happened, Dad…” Heidi responded, her shoulders dropping, her worried gaze straying to Grandpa Jeffery who was very quiet in his bed. “Can
Heidi had turned for the door and she halted, hearing Grandpa Jeffery's command. Different kinds of emotions built up in her heart, ones she couldn't wrap her fingers around.In the end, she balled her fists, suppressing the emotions. She held the door's handle and walked out to be met with the scrutinizing gazes of her parents.They weren't far from the door and they'd been listening to her conversation with Grandpa Jeffery.On her mother's face was the same astonished look from moments ago. She grabbed Heidi's shoulders, shaking her. “What the hell have you done this time, Heidi? How could you go back to Lucas Harrison?”“Let it go, Regina…” Caleb pulled her away, the mad expression on his face matching the woman's. “It's fruitless. Because of him, she even lied to her grandfather.”“Even if Steve Anderson is a bad person, you shouldn't have lied that the child isn't his.”“I never said the child is Steve Anderson's, Mum.”“How do you expect us to believe you, Heidi?” Her father sa